Can Atlanta "Beat" the Heat?

On April 9th, 2011, the WPS team The Atlanta Beat will be having their home opener at the KSU Stadium, Kennesaw, Georgia. They will be playing Boston Breakers, who last year were 3rd for both offensive and defensive stats. I will be attending this game, making it the first ever Professional Soccer game that I have gone to. I am very excited and cannot wait to bring my readers the statistics of the games and my opinions as how they did.

This years team are as follows, organized by name, position, and hometown.

Katie Bethke, F/M, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Kerri Butler, GK, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Lori Chalupny, M, St. Louis, Missouri

Keeley Dowling, D, Carmel, Indiana

Colleen Flanagan, M/D, Downington, Pennsylvania

Megan Jesolva, D/M, La Mirada, California

Kristina Larsen, M/F, Mission Viejo, California

Meghan Lenczyk, F, McLean, Virginia

Allison Lipsher, GK, Honolulu, Hawaii

Carli Lloyd, M, Delran, New Jersey

Heather Mitts, D, Cincinnati, Ohio

Katherine Reynolds, D, Medina, Washington

Angela Salem, M, Copley, Ohio

Lauren Sesselmann, F, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Vendula Strnadova, M, Las Cruces, New Mexico

India Trotter, F/M, Plantation, Florida

Cat Whitehill, D, Birmingham, Alabama

Allison Whitworth, GK, Birmingham, Alabama

Kylie Wright, M, Rancho Santa Margarita, California

Personally I cannot wait to see Lori Chalupny and Heather Mitts on the pitch. Lori being from St. Louis, my home state, and Heather for her possibility of being on the US Woman's National Team.

St. Louis has had a lot of growth with it's soccer programs from what i can tell since I lived up there. It makes me excited to see that a professional came form my hometown and plays for my current city, and I can only hope her performance helps with an Atlanta victory.

Heather Mitts was interviewed by Jared Montz, founder of OnlineSoccerAcademy.com and CollegeRecruitingWebsite.com and as well a former pro. Here is a link of the interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Lqy1JmhwQ&feature=player_embedded#at=25

You can also see it on the ISN website, Internationalsoccernetwork.com

Heather states in the interview how lucky the team is to have the brand new soccer devoted stadium they have the opportunity to play on this year. She as well noted that she aims to yet again be part of the USA Woman's National Team.

All eyes will be on the Atlanta Beat this coming Saturday, which I sure hope to be an exciting game. The team is also holding a Career Fair before the game, giving local businesses and sports clubs the chance to network, depending if the turn out is good. I can say for myself that I look forward to my first professional game, and to see my local team win would be fantastic! Good luck girls! I'll be watching from the box!

Colorado Shows What To Expect!

The Portland Timbers were able to pick up their defense after the first half preventing many well placed shots on goal. The Rapids were unable to gain another goal, and the Timbers were even able to pick a goal up from a very well placed free kick from forward Kenny Cooper on the 79th minute. The ball went in between the Rapids wall and deflected off the ground, hitting the back of the net with ease.

The first half proved that the Rapids have ever bit the ability to take control of the MLS. According to Fox Soccer, as well from what I watched, the Rapids have possibly the best combined players in the league. They all played very well, keeping the goalkeeper busy deep into the second half.

The only other shot on goal made by the Timbers was in the first half made by Jack Jewsbury on the 27th minute. Manager Gary Smith stated during his interview that he had seen that Portland was very well organized and that they played a great game and that he was very proud of both teams performance. To me they played well more so in the second half, obviously able to get one good goal but unable to surpass the Rapids strong defense.

This seems to be expected this year that the Rapids will again dominate the league, which is very possible after such a well played first game. Hopefully this predicted top notch team can keep up and continue producing games like this. If the Timbers want to keep up they will need to push their strikers to become a bit quicker with their plays as well have their defenses more focused on assisting the goalkeeper.

Adin Brown proved he had what it took to keep the Rapids from advancing past their three point lead before the Timber free kick hit the net. Afterward even more shots on goal were made, none however made past the better focused Brown. Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens was hardly challenged, able to prevent the only two shots on goal made. It's for sure that Portland need to work on their offensive factor if they wish to keep up this season.

Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers First Kick, No Challenge for the Rapids

Colorado showed no mercy as they made their first goal nine minutes into the game. Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz was able to take the assist from striker Omar Cummings, driving the ball into the back of the net with a perfect cross.

In the seventeenth minute, Cummings had a magnificent opening making his way towards the goal but was denied the shot by a deflection from the Timbers defense. Soon after another opening was made, Cumming striking it into the right side of the net, giving goalkeeper Adin Brown the worry of a second goal.

Portland had the chance with a corner soon after the Colorado attempts on goal, but as strong as the cross was, Colorado defense were able to head it away down the pitch, giving Kasey the chance at goal with a pass from Cummings. It was a miss, but very close, possibly giving a bit more fear into the Portland goalkeeper.

One thing I noticed watching this game were the commentators constantly informing us of the altitude difference that Portland may not be comfortable with. According to them if Colorado pushed Portland early in the game they would get the Timbers spinning, however Portland from what I can see have kept up very well minus one goal made earlier.

Colorado were able to make another goal, taking advantage of the goalkeepers inability to hold onto the ball. Omar Cumming made his 2011 debut goal with 29 minutes on the clock. He made his first strike which bounced off the goalkeeper, giving him the chance at a second, successful strike. Not long after that goal, a third was made by Kasey with a powerful strike into the right upper corner! 3 - 0 Colorado and not even close to the end of the first half. This game has been very one sided.

Though the first goal of the game was made by Colorado, the first Yellow Card as well was shown to the Rapids player Kasey. A couple fouls in and he fails to bring his elbow down resulting in a foul worthy of the refs pocket.

Will the second half prove to be any better for the Timbers after a rest and a chat with management? Or will we be seeing another three goals made by the unstoppable Colorado Rapids?