USWNT Thread
- Thread starter Seth
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Haha.....
NYCFC: hey fans, check out our amazing new secondary tix sale interface with Stubhub!!!
FIFA: hold my beer.....
Just got my ticket. I saw them play South Korea 4 years ago before the WC and became convinced Jill Ellis is a terrible coach based on what I saw -- haven't changed my mind on that despite the team success at the WC.
Woo hoo! I'm going to the friendly v. Mexico! First time I've had the chance to see either of our senior national teams (or any others, really).
The other thing I learned today is that a good way to get depressed is to read any threads on r/soccer about women's soccer. Buncha savages on that subreddit.
The other thing I learned today is that a good way to get depressed is to read any threads on r/soccer about women's soccer. Buncha savages on that subreddit.
I haven't been watching women's soccer for that long, but my general read is that the talent pool is doing the heavy lifting. Seems like the rising level of professionalism in Europe is leading to a tactical advantage that is starting to become material.
Is that a fair read? Honestly haven't done much research on the topic.
Men In Blazers Golden Blazer Award 2019 - Megan Rapinoe
That's my opinion too -- I haven't been watching the women that much this cycle but watched them quite a bit last cycle under Ellis. The USA just doesn't play as well as France and England in terms of ball movement and tactics. I thought we won the 2015 WC because Lloyd and Rapinoe and the Defenders put the team on their backs and played the way they know how regardless of the Coach's tactics. The 0-0 match against South Korea at RBA 4 years ago was just depressing. Zero ideas about how to break down an inferior team (I don't call kicking long balls to forwards to chase an idea). Even though a team like Mexico has inferior players at all 11 positions, I like their style of play better than USWNT.
I am going into Sunday open-minded though. I have barely watched the team this cycle. Maybe there has been significant tactical and style growth. Its hard to see what is really going on from tv. I joined a bus trip from the youth club I used to run so I will be surrounded by girls who are excited about soccer and inspired by what the USWNT players can do and that will be awesome.
I haven’t watched the WNT in years, but the major reason they were so dominant for so long was NCAA soccer provided a basis for a huge pool of players that the other teams in the world didn’t have. UNC and Santa Clara were powerhouses and the majority of elite players came from there. Then other countries started to select dual-passport Americans that had the college experience and it raised their programs. Further, the major clubs started women’s teams/academies which are now outpacing what the NCAA does for the USWNT. Plus, those academies have high caliber coaching, so their understanding of tactics will be more advanced at a younger age. The US is starting to get lapped.
Cool, I was worried about being off-base and offensive.
My most recent watch was the USWNT vs Australia (the Matildas). I thought the Matildas were much more interesting tactically but basically got shredded by Tobin Heath and Alex Morgan on individual errors.
So the final send-off match v Mexico was fun, but probably useless as a tune-up friendly because Mexico is terrible. It was like a Harlem Globetrotters v Washington Senators exhibition. Meghan Rapinoe was skilling all over the multiple defenders collapsing upon her in the first half. If the Mexico keeper hadn't made several clutch saves it easily could have been a 6-0 scoreline.
That said, maybe it's a little disconcerting that it wasn't a 6-0 scoreline, but it was clear that the USWNT didn't want to push the squad too hard. There were five changes at the half.
Christen Press scored the best goal of the day, receiving the ball at the top of the box, knocking it past a defender onto her left foot and rifling it into the corner, which was fun to see. #teamPress
As an aside, this was by far the biggest crowd I've ever seen at RBA, and it was amazing to see all these families bringing their daughters, who were fired up each time we scored.
That said, maybe it's a little disconcerting that it wasn't a 6-0 scoreline, but it was clear that the USWNT didn't want to push the squad too hard. There were five changes at the half.
Christen Press scored the best goal of the day, receiving the ball at the top of the box, knocking it past a defender onto her left foot and rifling it into the corner, which was fun to see. #teamPress
As an aside, this was by far the biggest crowd I've ever seen at RBA, and it was amazing to see all these families bringing their daughters, who were fired up each time we scored.
That national anthem was effin’ great
I don't think we're the favorites or even the 2nd favorites to win the World Cup. We may have the most talent when summed up, but the team doesn't look dominant.
I think, and I hope, this means that the WWC will be competitive and more interesting this year.
Thats fantastic! I was hoping to get out there but my son doesn't start his studies in France until September so we are planning a trip long after the WC.
A lot of the execution was poor yesterday but there was a consistent effort to play between and through the opponent's defensive lines, not just over them (which the women can do effectively if its not their only attack). Ellis had them in a 4-3-3 defensively which morphed into a 3-4-3 in attack where Crystal Dunn, a converted winger, was given the freedom to attack anywhere on the left side of the field and was very effective. That looks like a very important role for the women and I am not sure who can do that effectively other than Dunn. In the second half Tobin Heath slotted into that role for a chunk and I am not sure that would work against a team better than Mexico.
4 years ago I was not expecting much from the women after watching the sendoff game and they won the WC. This year I expect them to do well based on what I saw for what its worth. Hope you get to watch them play.
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