Howard C. Smith/isiphotos.com

Ashlyn Harris sure knows how to put a good word in for herself. Hot off the heels of getting snubbed from the most recent USWNT squad call-up for the China friendlies, Harris assured everyone that her day with the National Team would come. Despite Amy Rodriguez’s last gasp goal in the WPS First Round playoff game between the Philadelphia Independence and the Washington Freedom, Harris’ work should not be forgotten. Least of all by USWNT coach Pia Sundhage, who was in attendance at the match and got to see Harris’ performance first hand. If it was an audition for the part of Hope Solo’s understudy, Harris nailed it.

The Freedom’s rookie goalkeeper hopefully doesn’t mind hyperbole, because she put in one of the best individual performances from a goalkeeper all season. She constantly maintained her composure, even as the Philadelphia Independence invaded and then occupied her area. Her 86th minute superhuman save on Lori Lindsey’s shot from blank range was the jewel in Harris’ crown. Her one-handed parry was as vital as it was ridiculous. As an unbiased spectator, it was almost disappointing that the game didn’t make it to penalty kicks. Harris would have reveled in the moment.

The 24 year-old rookie goalkeeper hasn’t exactly come out of nowhere. Harris spent six years at the University of North Carolina and won three NCAA National Championship titles during her time there. She was away on National Team duty and missed out on the 2004 season. She tore her ACL in the first practice of 2005, forcing her to miss her freshman season. She then suffered yet another blow as she sustained a second knee injury in June 2006. Harris was facing an additional year on the bench but she recovered quickly and played in all six of the Tar Heels NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament games. She helped the team earn the National Championship in a 2-1 win over Notre Dame. It wouldn’t be so sweet in 2007, however, as she conceded three goals in a loss to Notre Dame in the First Round. It was UNC’s worst loss in an NCAA game in 17 years. But she would finish her collegiate career on a high note, taking National Championship titles in 2008 and 2009.

Harris was drafted by the Saint Louis Athletica with the 19th pick in the 2010 WPS Draft. She was relegated to the bench, as any goalkeeper on a team with Hope Solo would be. But the Athletica folded and Harris was picked up by the Washington Freedom on June 2nd. She was the #2 behind Erin McLeod until the Canadian international tore her ACL on July 24th. Harris would pounce on the opportunity. She got off to a rough start, conceding six goals in her first two matches. But over the final seven regular season games, Harris (and her defense) shipped just four goals en route to a record that read four wins, a loss and two draws. The much-improved defensive record helped the Washington Freedom seal a spot in the playoffs.

Harris has unique qualities that set her apart from other goalkeepers in the USWNT moments. Her pure shot-stopping abilities are a sight to behold. She aggressively dominates her area and casts an unyielding presence. Much like Solo and Karen Bardsley, Harris has the ability to pull gutsy, game-turning, laws-of-physics-defying saves. That isn’t exactly a needed requisite for a top goalkeeper but it inspires confidence in a back line and intimidation in an opponent’s hearts.

Ashlyn Harris will surely get her chance, even if it’s not in the 2010 Women’s Gold Cup. The question is when.

She will turn 25 in almost exactly a month. She should be a lock to travel with the USWNT to the 2011 Women’s World Cup, considering she has fared better than both Jillian Loyden and Alyssa Naeher this season.

But here’s the single complicating factor: Harris is just four years Solo’s junior. Goalkeepers (particularly National Team goalkeepers) can play well into their late 30’s and even early 40’s. Unless Solo’s shoulder injury doesn’t become a habitual issue and/or she experiences a catastrophic drop in form, will she relinquish starting goalkeeping duties while Harris is still in her prime? In 2015, Solo will be 34 and Harris will be turning 30. And to project even further into future, Solo will be 38 in 2019 while Harris will be 34.

Ashlyn Harris could either be a world-class goalkeeper waiting in the wings or a world-class back-up goalkeeper who never got a full opportunity.

View Original Post at allwhitekit.wordpress.com

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