Shek Borkowski Official Website | LTA Agency » Rampone http://shekborkowski.com Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:50:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Washington Freedom v Sky Blue FC http://shekborkowski.com/2010/08/washington-freedom-v-sky-blue-fc/ http://shekborkowski.com/2010/08/washington-freedom-v-sky-blue-fc/#comments Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:31:35 +0000 publisher http://shekborkowski.com/?p=983 The WPS season is almost over and the next two weekends should decide who makes WPS playoffs.
A big Saturday for WPS football is tomorrow as Washington Freedom host Sky Blue FC. This will be a potential litmus test for both teams in a playoff-type atmosphere. Big players will get up for the match and the fans will feel it.
Interesting storylines abound as Washington have a compelling past with the last WUSA title in 2003 and Sky Blue just one year ago surprised everyone to win the inaugural WPS title.
Confidence should be high at Sky Blue following a 1-0 victory last weekend. In this effectively  playoff match, it will be important for both team’s veterans to provide experience and leadership and for the young players to bring the energy.
When it comes to winning playoff and championship matches, it often boils down to who is willing to sacrifice the most in order to win.

One of the keys in this match will be how Sky Blue defend Abby Wambach. Wambach is a top forward and will cause Sky Blue problems especially from set-pieces, and if she is given a regular supply line from wide areas. When the Freedom give Wambach a good supply of passes to attack in the box, they’re one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
Wambach’s strength, the quality of her runs, her tenacity and sheer will to win make her one of the toughest players in the league, and world, to defend;
really looking forward to the Wambach-Rampone/Dowling match up.
Sky Blue’s back four plus Branam are experienced but any defense is only  as good as the two center midfielders in front of them.  Averbuch and Rosana will need to be solid, not necessarily spectacular, and take care of the ball. If they do, the Sky Blue will be difficult to penetrate and score on. But their play this season has been erratic. While there is no disputing Rosana’s talent when going forward, her positioning when defending and her tracking back are areas she can improve.
Sky Blues can’t rely on just Branam to deal with crosses in the box. It has to be a collective effort. Put a body on Wambach and don’t let her have free headers.
The Freedom will have to find a way to control O’Reilly on the flank. O’Reilly for me is a gem. She is willing to do what’s required of her, she brings energy, and is able to focus on team goals. She makes few mistakes, enjoys competing, and is reliable.
Looking at head coaches, Jim Gabarra’s experience in this type of match is key here. He has been around and understands how to set up his teams for such matches.

So which team will win? With Sky Blue having a game in hand they can choose to play conservatively away from home and take their chances on the counter. Washington will want to get all three points, and if they commit in numbers to going forward they could be vulnerable.
It would not be too surprising if Washington won, and likewise if Sky Blue took all three points. Home advantage could be the difference but it’s a really close call.

]]> http://shekborkowski.com/2010/08/washington-freedom-v-sky-blue-fc/feed/ 0 FIFA demonstrates its ignorance of women’s football http://shekborkowski.com/2009/12/fifa-demonstrates-its-ignorance-and-possible-contempt-for-womens-football/ http://shekborkowski.com/2009/12/fifa-demonstrates-its-ignorance-and-possible-contempt-for-womens-football/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:22:25 +0000 publisher http://shekborkowski.com/?p=283 Doing little research and demonstrating its ignorance of women’s football, FIFA announced a list of 5 contenders for this year’s FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award.
The list clearly demonstrates the influence that Marta’s and Cristiane’s agent Fabiano Farah has in the halls of FIFA, and how little national team coaches participating in voting are aware of.
The list includes Cristiane (Brazil), Inka Grings (Germany), Marta (Brazil), Birgit Prinz (Germany), and Kelly Smith (England).
One could put Marta on the list for sentimental reasons or because Marta is an exciting player but the fact that Cristiane had a mediocre season with her club and played no games with Brazil speaks for itself. Prinz won the Euros but was at best average domestically. Kelly Smith is one of the greatest women’s players ever, but time and injuries have diminished her influence on the game. She still was one of England’s key players during their successful Euro run but her club form was hampered by injuries.
So the Euro champion and top scorer, and the UEFA Champions League winner Inka Grings should win the award but what about other players who should have been on the list if FIFA did their due diligence?

Genoveva Anonman

Genoveva Anonman

Three players come to mind right away.
Christie Rampone is the Franco Baresi of women’s football. She led her club to WPS title and anyone doubting her experience, leadership and her importance to her national team and her club is not following the game.
Linda Bresonik. Everyone who knows me knows that I am a big fan of Bresonik. For me she is a complete player who can play in any position and and is a winner everywhere she goes. Like Grings, Bresonik is another Euro and the UEFA Women’s Champions League winner.
Genoveva Anonman, the Equatorial Guinea captain, who in 2008 single-handed won the African title for her country, saved FF USV Jena from relegation and very simply is the best African player at the moment.

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