DC Tom Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 There was one "foul" in the half in which the Colombian looked up and was holding her mouth as if she had been kicked in the teeth, then they showed the replay and there was zero contact. Just disgraceful -- reminds me of why i hate watching men's soccer and only do so out of "obligation" during the World Cup. That one was memorable. I think the US player's arm brushed her upper arm, and a half-second later she acted like her teeth were knocked out. At least that one wasn't called. Though I wish they'd have called the Colombian for diving, that was so egregious.
GaryPinC Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Not really following this, but a men's team winning 2-0 in a quarterfinal would be cause for major celebration. IMO, few things in sports more annoying than old timers criticizing everyone who's not living up to the "Well in my day..." standard. Actually the next round of games will be the quarterfinals. The US women's team is ranked second in the world. The US men are 27th. So, yes, the men winning a world cup game in the round of 16 or 8 is a good cause for celebration but not so much for the women. The US women played bad soccer in this game. Lack of team passing, strategy, moving for each other. Poor decision making. Their defense played really well at least, but the team has big problems possessing, getting the ball up the field and generating quality chances. Columbia is ranked 28th and can't even shoot with power. It's no mystery that the majority of their corner kicks were going to be a short pass yet Jill Ellis didn't send anyone to cover it. We should have killed this Columbia team. I don't feel Michelle Akers is pulling the "well in my day" thing. She's just frustrated the coach is satisfied with the win instead of calling her team out. Jill Ellis is just not getting it done with this team. They can still beat China, even without Rapinoe and Holiday, but are ripe for the upset and I doubt they win another game after that. I coach girls soccer at the early teen level and many teams down here can play more intelligent soccer than what the USWNT is showing and that reflects badly on the entire US sport and is frustrating.
Observer Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 (edited) I'd be interested to hear why you think this is such crazy talk. Granted, I don't follow the USWNT and Rapinoe but what I've seen from her at the outside midfield is she maintains good field and tactical position, isn't afraid to beat somebody, possesses the ball well, is a decent passer and defends well, including a hustling effort. She also seems to have good tactical intelligence. She's a real presence in there. The biggest unknown from me is if she plays well with her left foot because she certainly favors her right when she's on the left side of the line, but that may be due to how she chooses to play in that position. If it's been tried and she failed miserably, that's fine but given the lack of inside midfield presence for this team I'd be interested in trying her there. Check out the video clip of Nigeria's best goal attempt in the first half. Isn't that Rapinoe at good defensive depth but at her outside position and thus not able to make a play on the passer? http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2015/6/17/8796413/usa-nigeria-2015-womens-world-cup-jill-ellis-team-selection-tactics She's 2 feet tall and a skinny as a rail. She's an excellent player in every respect but that doesn't mean she can play center mid. It's like making Shaq a point guard or Stephen Curry a center. Being good doesn't mean you're good everywhere. Rapinoe is a stud outside player and that's where she should be. By the way, you asked about whether Rapinoe has a left--Happy to dig this out and always worth rewatching especially the build-up. (USA played down a player for a lot of the match.) There was one "foul" in the half in which the Colombian looked up and was holding her mouth as if she had been kicked in the teeth, then they showed the replay and there was zero contact. Just disgraceful -- reminds me of why i hate watching men's soccer and only do so out of "obligation" during the World Cup. Interestingly on the women's side, the diving is reserved for the South American teams. You won't see it from others but they do it regularly. Even in the above clip, there's reference to a moment in extra time where a woman got hauled off on a stretcher and then came back on the field 1 minute later (she got a yellow card for that). The women generally play much tougher than the men. Not really following this, but a men's team winning 2-0 in a quarterfinal would be cause for major celebration. IMO, few things in sports more annoying than old timers criticizing everyone who's not living up to the "Well in my day..." standard. The team has regressed under Ellis. They are playing nowhere near the level they played at 4 years ago. Wambach has a role on the team but it's not starting. There may be certain tactical moves that could make a difference but the poor coaching is more reflected in a terrible style of play where they charge forward, lob long 50-50 balls over the midfielders, and generally don't move the ball intelligently at all. They play like a bunch of individually talented 7th graders. Columbia was not that good but at times moved the ball much better than the US. If not for the strength of the US defense, Columbia would have given them trouble. I expect the US to stomp China even without Rapinoe and Holliday. I've seen them play China and there's usually a point past which China just can't keep up with the US strength and fitness. If it's tied after 50 minutes, expect the US to win by 3. If China gets a lead, it may be hard. BTW, good take from Katie Baker at Grantland: Postgame complaints ranged from fan disbelief over head coach Jill Ellis’s stodgy lineup decisions — “I think Jill Ellis watched [Game of Thrones] and thought, ‘I like how that Stannis fellow sticks to a plan!’” is how one wag aptly put it on Twitter; former national team leader Michelle Akers went on the radio to similarly rip the coach — to Wambach whining over the calls that will leave both Holiday and Rapinoe on the sideline for the next game against China. It was hard to tell whether Wambach really meant it or was trying to deflect attention off the anemic offense and onto herself, but it wasn’t a promising look either way. Still, as Julie Foudy pointed out, criticism can signify progress. The discussion around the women’s national team during this World Cup has been rife with the kind of frustration and second-guessing that demonstrates genuine sports investment. This is no longer a fan base populated by star-struck little girls in Hamm kits; it is one in which coed stakeholders rant and rave (the more ignorant rantings and ravings of certain sportswriters be damned) the way they would over, say, Zach Ertz’s Philadelphia Eagles. Edited June 24, 2015 by Observer
DC Tom Posted June 26, 2015 Posted June 26, 2015 Dear Louisa Nécib, Marry me. I promise, neither my wife nor Cristen Press will mind. (Particularly the latter.)
LB3 Posted June 27, 2015 Posted June 27, 2015 Best game they've played IMO. Time to beat the Germans.
Observer Posted June 27, 2015 Posted June 27, 2015 (edited) Best game they've played IMO. Time to beat the Germans. Brian was absolute perfection. Unforgivable that Ellis wasn't starting her. Rodriguez was amazing and again, unforgivable that Ellis wasn't starting her. Dump Lloyd (great goal--turnover machine) and start Brian and Holliday at CM. Brian likes to play more defensive and Hoilday more offensive so that's perfect. Start Rodriguez and Morgan up top. Morgan is just a hair off on her touches but is close to breaking loose. I wouldn't hate O'Hara for Heath against Germany. Rapinoe obviously returns. Germans are good but mostly just friggin' huge. I hope Ellis doesn't start Wambach looking for height. Wambach should be a late game sub when they are in need of a tying goal. No other role for her. Press should be on the bench for the remainder of this tournament. She has less role in the game than Wambach (except to entertain Tom). Edited June 27, 2015 by Observer
BillsFan-4-Ever Posted June 28, 2015 Posted June 28, 2015 they looked better in the first half controlling and passing. Very fast 45 minutes. Did you hear Abby just prior to the 2nd half? paraphrase lets go out there and score a goal in the first 10 F-ing minutes!!! once they did they slowed a bit with "ball control"
eball Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 Anybody else notice that the semifinals are essentially WWII? Go Allies! Boo Axis!
Observer Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 Did not notice that, but let's go 'Murica! Montreal is packed with USA jerseys. Just saw a German family and high-fived them just because they were so in the minority. Going to be like a home game tonight.
LB3 Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 Montreal is packed with USA jerseys. Just saw a German family and high-fived them just because they were so in the minority. Going to be like a home game tonight. That's great. Enjoy!
DC Tom Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 Anybody else notice that the semifinals are essentially WWII? Go Allies! Boo Axis! Hopefully the Brits do better this time around and don't lose Singapore.
LewPort71 Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) Yellow card much deserved... Go Allies !! so was Saurbraun's caution Edited June 30, 2015 by LewPort71
DC Tom Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 This is by FAR the best the US has played this tournament. Hopefully they can maintain it. Germany is reeling.
LB3 Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 This game needs more Christen Press. If Heath keeps playing the way she is, you could get your wish.
DC Tom Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Good God, Sacic just missed an open goal. How do you miss that goal? I could have hit that goal. The Germans couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from inside the barn today.
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