The last thing the Power want to do is fall into another ditch after working so hard to dig themselves out of the first they created with an 0-3 start. But with Mia Hamm and the first-place Washington Freedom (4-1-1) coming to town tonight, it might be inevitable.
After allowing Philadelphia sniper Marinette Pichon to run wild a week ago, scoring both Charge goals during a 2-1 loss, the 3-4-0 Power now face the Michael Jordan of women’s soccer.
“Mia [Hamm] is an amazing player. She really causes havoc every game,” defenseman Christie Pearce said. “She is extremely good one-on-one or setting up players.”
It’s good that Pearce knows all about Hamm’s game, because she will be mostly in charge of containing her.
Pearce, who along with Tiffeny Milbrett missed last week’s game due to U.S. National Team duty, is looking forward to helping out an ailing Power defense.
“It’s tough when you’re not able to support your teammates. Even tougher when you lose,” Pearce explained. “But I’ll be at the game this week and I’ll try my best to help defend Mia.
Her presence in tonight’s lineup is sure to shake things up, and in more than one way. Not only should her physical attributes affect the match, but also her leadership role will relax and rejuvenate a rebuilding defensive corps.
“That’s an aspect of the game I like to bring,” Pearce said. “It’s always important to have those kind of players on a team, especially on a team with so many new faces.”