FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championships Team U.S.A. Preview

Tonight the four year wait is over.  Team U.S.A. led by Head Coach Tony Resch, along with Assistant’s Adam Mueller and Chris Schiller look to jump over the next hurdle.  In 2003 and 2007 the United States came away with the Bronze medal, This time they want GOLD!!!

This time they are a huge underdog, and some have said the offense isn’t their and they will have problems putting the ball into the net.  Not having Drew Westervelt will hurt the squad as a nagging injury has forced him to sit this out.  Westervelt is obviously a big part of the offense, so know players like Joe Walters, Kevin Buchanan (captain), Joe Resetarits will need to step up more.

The ageless wonder Casey Powell will be out there as well for team U.S.A.  At 39 Casey is still playing like he is 24.  Powell will be a force and also will be double teamed at time as this magician can put the ball through the eye of a needle.  But he does more then just score goals.  He will be dishing out the assists as well.  So the opposition will really need to have eyes in the back of their head when covering Casey.

Garrett Thul who sat the 2015 NLL season out due to military commitment is a huge addition to the roster.  Thul will use his size and strength to clear out the middle, and also battle his way through the traffic in front and have a bunch of scoring opportunities.  Thul is looking forward to getting out on the floor and start hitting some bodies and helping his squad over the next hurdle.

Also on the offense you have Jeff Ratcliffe.  Ratcliffe, (The Rat) last played in the NLL 7 years ago when neck and back injuries ended his career that started in 2001.  When I spoke to Jeff after a scrimmage at Bryn Athyn College, I asked him what brought him out here.

“In February he heard there were tryouts for the U.S.A. squad so I gave Coach Mueller a call and he couldn’t believe I was serious”  “After 7 years of retirement my neck and back weren’t bothering me and I regret it if I didn’t make that call”

Ratcliffe is in fantastic shape, he said he shed 25-30 pounds to get back into game shape and also did a lot of training with former teammate Tom Slate at his Lacrosse Evolution Training Center.  Ratcliffe will take his normal position on the floor, standing right outside the crease.  So for all “The Rat” fans, he will be wearing his #90.

The defense will be led by Brett Manney, Greg Downing, Chris O’Dougherty and Big Joe Smith.  They will have their hands full especially going against the Iroquois National Team, and also team Canada, but they will be facing some familiar faces on both of the opposing squads.  The Transition game is going to have to be perfect.  Joel White, CJ Costabile, and Jeff Reynolds will need to use their speed to move the ball up the floor quick to get those odd-man rushes.  On the face-off they are solid with Ryan Hotaling taking the draws.

Goaltending has been a question for this team as Erik Miller hung up the pads.  The U.S.A. squad comes into the tournament with Jake Henhawk (Rochester Knighthawks), Chris Collins (New England Blackwolves) and David Mather (Langley Thunder-Senior A).  Don’t underestimate this trio.  Henhawk and Collins have played in the NLL and can definitely hold their own, and Mather who has played in the Western Lacrosse Association.

 

Overall this is a solid team from offense to defense, along with the coaches.

 

Behind the bench you have Tony Resch who not only knows how to win, but also knows how to get the best out of everyone.  Adam Mueller will be working with the offense and we cant wait to see what he has up his sleeve.  Chris Schiller will be coaching the defense.  When Schiller played in the NLL he was as tenacious as can be, so no doubt he will be installing this into the defensive structure of the team.  General Manager Tim Soudan and Assistant GM Jimmy Butler have composed a solid roster.

 

Tonight it all starts for U.S.A.   Good Luck Team U.S.A.