Aug 24, 2009
A season in review: The 2009 draft
First things first, congrats to Sky Blue FC for overcoming all of the coaching drama and doing what the playoff system was stacked against – having the underdog win the whole thing. SBFC went on the road for three straight playoff games and beat the team’s ahead of them in the standings to win the inaugural WPS championship.
Now onto business. I wanted to recap the entire first season for the WPS Washington Freedom from September 2008 to August 2009, but when this article came out last week I decided to start with the 2009 WPS Draft held in January in St. Louis.
Given the state of things between Tony DiCicco and No. 1 overall pick Amy Rodriguez, I find it really interesting that there is the potential for Rodriguez to end up back in Boston. Given how the draft played out and how most of these players made up the core of each squad, I decided to look back at how Jim Gabarra did with his picks.
1. Allie Long (11 games started, 18 games played, 978 minutes, 2 goals) – If you ask this question at the beginning of the season and at the end of the season you get two completely different answers. Allie got off to a rough start and struggled early on but she became an important piece for the Freedom down the stretch. She still seems to hold onto the ball a little long sometimes but she is making steady progress.
2. Alex Singer (13 GS, 16 GP, 1,143 minutes) – Alex displayed a toughness few on this team were asked to have as she was the recipient of some very crucial knocks during the season. Alex took an elbow from Boston’s Christine Latham that got Latham suspended (although it only drew a yellow card at the time?) and had played every minute of every game until a concussion knocked her out of the lineup. Alex impressed from the get go with her defense but the concussion never seemed to quite go away. With 6 months to heal, hopefully Alex comes back in 2010 ready to lock down the left side once again.
3. Jill Gilbeau (12 GS, 19 GP, 1,144, 3 assists) – Jill was one of the main displays of what Gabarra built this team on, versatility. Gilbeau started and played all over the field and was one of the team’s best weapons in the offensive third with her crossing ability. I think Jill has decent potential but would be aided in her development if some of her versatility was limited next season.
4. Parrissa Eyorokon (0 GS, 4 GP, 43 minutes) – Parrissa was one of two early injuries that really set this team back. The jury is obviously still out on Parrissa, who played on 43 minutes in 2009.
5. Briana Scurry (3 GS, 3 GP, 11 saves, 17 shots, 6 goals allowed, 2.00 GAA, 0-2-1) – This idea was good in theory – bring in the experienced veteran in case your No. 1 keeper doesn’t return to form (or make it into the country) soon enough. Unfortunately, Bri never recaptured any of the form that made her the premier goalkeeper in the U.S. for so many years. I would be surprised if she is back with the team next season.
6. Rebecca Moros (13 GS, 19 GP, 1,162 minutes, 2 goals, 1 assist) – Another player whose versatility kept them on the field, Moros came on as a dangerous attacking option (once she finally got the chance to play). If Moros is left unprotected in the expansion draft, don’t be surprised if she is one of the first players taken off the board. She made a strong statement this year that she needs to be one of the 10 players kept.
7. Sarah Senty (5 GS, 7 GP, 418 minutes) – Not joining the team until after she finished her final year at UVA, Sarah joined the squad and started most of the games she played by supplanting college teammate Singer. Another player who the jury is still out on.
8. Kati Jo Spisak (3 GP, 3 GS, 244 minutes, 10 saves, 16 shots, 6 goals allowed, 2.21 GAA, 2-0-1) – Where Bri failed, KJ succeeded by winning games. KJ joined the team as the developmental goalkeeper but had taken over the starting spot from Bri four games into the season. Erin McLeod joined the team shortly after but KJ did put the team in position to win a couple of games.
9. Claire Zimmeck (1 GS, 3 GP, 55 minutes) – Unfortunately Claire’s claim to fame will probably be the fact that she was the first player ever subbed out of a WPS match. After playing the first three games of the season without providing much spark, Zimmeck was cut on June 10 to make room for Ali Krieger.
10. Christen Karniski (DNP) – Christen was the only player to be on the roster all year but not play a minute. Her status for next season is a guaranteed unsure thing.
Alright, so there is my take on the ’09 draft now that Year 1 is in the books. A look at the rest of the roster building process will appear shortly and the season review will be in full swing. Meanwhile, let me know what you think by leaving a comment.
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