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| nd the Gamecocks have a few more | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 5 2017, 11:26 AM (41 Views) | |
| riluowanying123 | Dec 5 2017, 11:26 AM Post #1 |
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BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- Whitney Engen went to the Womens World Cup last year but didnt play in a single match. A year later at the Olympics, the 28-year-old American got her chance on a big stage.Engen was in the starting lineup for the 1-0 victory over France on Saturday night. While most of the attention was on United States goalkeeper Hope Solo, who made her 200th international appearance, Engen was steady at center back.Anytime you get the opportunity to put on our jersey and represent the United States is a tremendous honor. Obviously, the Olympics adds to that, Engen said. I was happy to get some minutes and get my feet wet in an international tournament.United States coach Jill Ellis made the move because defender Julie Johnston was out with a groin injury. Johnston is key to a stellar backline that is considered among the best in the game. During the World Cup last year, the group anchored by Solo went 540 minutes without conceding a goal.That Engen was so capably able to fill in on that solid line is testament to the U.S. teams depth.Mallory Pugh, the 18-year-old sensation who has been steadily winning playing time, was also held out of the match against France in Belo Horizonte because of an ankle injury in the group opener last week.Ellis later described Pughs availability for the match at 50-50. But she didnt need her. The team inserted Crystal Dunn into the lineup.Like Engen, Dunn was making her first start of the Olympics. In fact, both she and Engen were also making their first starts in a major tournament at the senior level. Allie Long, making just her 12th appearance with the senior team, got her second start.Those players are among 11 first-time Olympians on the U.S. national team, which has a decidedly different -- and younger -- look than the squad that won the World Cup.Veteran stars Abby Wambach and Lauren Holiday have retired. Sydney Leroux and Amy Rodriquez stayed home because of pregnancy.And the roster for Rio de Janeiro was also smaller, at 18 players, than the 23-player squad for the World Cup. So Ellis had to choose her players carefully with an eye on versatility.All 22 players that are here -- the 18 that were selected and the four reserves -- every single one of them could step on this field and play for this team, Engen said. So I knew I had a great cast around me and all I had to do is do my role and they would support me.While Engen was on the World Cup roster, Long stayed home last year, playing for the National Womens Soccer Leagues Portland Thorns. Dunn, the last player cut from the World Cup team, played for the Washington Spirit and was named the leagues most valuable player.The newcomers will be important as the Americans seek their fourth straight Olympic gold medal. Ranked No. 1 in the world, the United States is also vying to become the first to win and Olympics after earning a World Cup title.The team continues to wait for the return of veteran midfielder Meghan Rapinoe, who hasnt played since knee surgery late last year.Rapinoe, playing in her third Olympics, has looked strong in pregame warmups and could play as early as the quarterfinals.With the victory over France, the United States was assured a spot in the quarterfinals. Canada and host Brazil have also gone through to the knockout round with one match remaining in their groups.Weve got a great support staff here that keeps us ready no matter what, Engen said. And I think we knew coming into this tournament it was going to take 22 players to get the gold medal, and at the end of the day were all ready if our name is called.The United States will play Colombia on Tuesday in the final group match in Manaus, more than 1,700 miles away from Rio de Janeiro. Cyber Monday Colts Jerseys . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Cheap Colts Store .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. http://www.cheapcoltsjerseys.net/ . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Authentic Colts Jerseys . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. Black Friday Colts Jerseys . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina coach Will Muschamp is looking at more than just preparing for the Birmingham Bowl during his postseason practices.Muschamp believes what the Gamecocks (6-6) do the next two weeks in prepping to play South Florida (10-2) on Dec. 29 will carry over with his team into spring workouts and next season.You can feel the buzz in the building, Muschamp said Thursday.There was far less buzz at the midseason point of the year when South Carolina was 2-4 and couldnt get anything done on offense or defense. The Gamecocks, though, turned things around going 4-2 the second half of the season, including a 24-21 upset of then-No. 18 Tennessee to qualify for a bowl.The resurgence means two more weeks of improving freshmen starters like quarterback Jake Bentley, tailback Rico Dowdle and receiver Bryan Edwards who otherwise wouldve been left to get better on their own before the next team workouts come spring.Muschamp said hell concentrate on fundamentals the first four practices -- Seniors arent practicing the first two practices, he said -- before turning his attention to South Florida on Monday.Its all about us and how we can get better, Muschamp said. Hand placement, pad level, strike and play.Muschamp also does not think his players will be held back by how the regular-season ended with an embarrassing, 56-7 loss to rival, No. 3 Clemson , where the Gamecocks came apart after a couple of early scores by the Tigers.Ill look at the totality of the season and not one game, Muschamp said. There was a glaring issue that we had a bunch at the end of the day, our ability to run the football consistently against good people and our ability to stop the run on defense. Weve got to get better.South Carolina finished last in the Southeastern Conference rushing at 138 yards per game, even with Dowdle gaining 100 or more yards in three of the last five games.ddddddddddddThe Gamecocks did a bit better at stopping the run, ending ninth in the 14-team SEC in allowing an average of 202 yards on the ground.Muschamp said it was more than any one thing that led to South Carolinas issues, including playing two freshmen quarterbacks this season, and all areas will receive attention during bowl practices.One, the offensive line, will practice with a new, temporary face in charge. Retired longtime assistant John Latina will replace offensive line coach Shawn Elliott, who was hired by Georgia State as its head coach last week. The Gamecocks brought in Latina, who worked with offensive coordinator Kurt Roper at Duke.Muschamp he wont hire a permanent replacement until after the new year.Muschamp is eager to see the extra practice time help young players like Bentley, who saw his first college action after South Carolina struggling first half.Bentley, at 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, jazzed up South Carolinas offense with his strong and accurate arm. He completed better than 66 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and just one interception his first five starts.However, he and the rest of the Gamecocks crashed with a loud thud at Clemson three weeks back. Bentley threw for only 41 yards against the Tigers and the offense was outgained 622-218 in the blowout.Muschamp is certain Bentleys past that poor performance and ready to help the Gamecocks show out strongly against the Bulls.We didnt do much very well, the coach said. Weve gotten better in some areas, but I think we have a lot of improvement to make on both sides of the bowl.And the Gamecocks have a few more practices to make that happen.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' ' |
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