The Philadelphia Independence will open its 2011 campaign at its new home, Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium on the campus of Widener University, on Saturday at 7 p.m. against magicJack. The Equalizer has you covered on the inside scoop to the match. Staff writer and photographer Nell Enriquez will be at the match providing photos and a match report.
What remains a mystery is magiJack’s team, which even Philadelphia Head Coach Paul Riley knows nothing about. Riley said he has “not the foggiest idea” who will start for the visiting team or what formation magicJack will play. Riley has trained his team to face four possible formations, although he expects magicJack might come out in a 4-4-2. The visitors have also trained in a 3-4-3 and a 3-5-2 in preseason.
“It’s kind of unfair actually, but it is what it is,” Riley said of the mystery surrounding magicJack. “We’re covering all bases.”
The weather should factor too, Riley said. With cool temperatures and rain expected on the turf field, he anticipates that some U.S. players on magicJack might be held from the line-up.
As for Philadelphia, Riley envisions the team playing in a 4-3-3 throughout the season now that it has the necessary quality up top. When Amy Rodriguez is around, she can pair nicely with Tasha Kai and Lianne Sanderson. However, Riley said the team is still a couple of weeks out from being comfortable in that system.
For a full weekend preview, check out Dan Lauletta’s weekly column, The Opening Whistle.
