Women's World Cup 2015 - Canada

jknezek · June 23, 2015, 09:50:29 PM

Quote from: woacfan on June 23, 2015, 06:32:19 PM

I do disagree with one point. I think that the failure to develop better players is not a gender issue, but an American soccer issue. I've addressed this before and gotten "smited" for my thoughts, but if you look at ODP the coaches have a love affair with big physical players even when their football skills are lacking. Physicality is great when matched with football skills, alone it only takes you so far. Its a problem with both the men's and women's game.

Here's hoping for some creativity! We'll be at Landsdowne screaming our heads off for USA regardless!

I agree 100% and made similar comments in an earlier post. But, I think it is changing on the men's side with the MLS development programs and youth teams and some of the national youth development programs. Mostly the MLS sides, where they are building long term. The addition of USL affiliates is a massive step forward. The more of those feeder programs exist, the deeper the talent pool, the more time in system, the better chance of discovering late bloomers and the more spots for the skilled to show how well they compete against the athletically gifted. The women's game does not have this. Unlike the WNBA, there is no sugar daddy to support a massive money loser. MLS isn't in that position and won't be for many, many years. Decades if ever. Unlike in Europe, a women's league is going to need to find and develop its own fans outside the men's structure. So far that has been a failure multiple times.

College programs, both men's and women's, are poor developers of talent. Great identifiers of physical attributes, but that's about it.

woacfan · June 29, 2015, 07:27:19 AM

Was at Friday's game~ Great atmosphere!
Also, the best performance for USA. The score did not reflect the run of play. The passing was much more crisp than it had been in previous outings. For the first time in the tournament, USA looked like a potential champion. Tuesday's match versus Germany looks to be the big hurdle!

Germany is formidable, but many would argue France is the team that should have advanced. The USA will have to play their best game to hope to go through.

jknezek · June 29, 2015, 09:06:28 AM

Quote from: woacfan on June 29, 2015, 07:27:19 AM
Was at Friday's game~ Great atmosphere!
Also, the best performance for USA. The score did not reflect the run of play. The passing was much more crisp than it had been in previous outings. For the first time in the tournament, USA looked like a potential champion. Tuesday's match versus Germany looks to be the big hurdle!

Germany is formidable, but many would argue France is the team that should have advanced. The USA will have to play their best game to hope to go through.

I was encouraged by Friday. They looked many, many times better. Still worry that there is no killer touch in front of goal. Amy Rodriguez put in a heck of a shift, but she couldn't put shots anywhere near frame. Instead of Wambach coming in, I would have rather seen Leroux and let the U.S. continue to run and press.

I'm not holding out a lot of hope against Germany. I just don't think the U.S. has the offense. But Julie Johnson gives me hope that the defense will continue to thrive after Christie Rampone's long and wonderful career closes out.

woacfan · June 29, 2015, 02:07:30 PM

The Abby sub-in continued a string of questionable substitutions for Ellis. Being ahead late in the game, it didn't make sense to substitute in an immobile target forward.

I've been critical of Tobin Heath in the group stage, however, she played a very nice game on Friday. She was strong and tactical.

The US played a high pressure game, which might be what's needed to break down the German passing attack. I would take a page out of France's playbook. The French had the run of play in their game versus Germany. If we can pressure and pass like we did against China I wouldn't rule a win out. It will be tough, but with their very best game it might be possible.

Finally, the China fans were great. The atmosphere at the game was great! We had lots of pictures with Chinese and American fans arm-in-arm....a great day for international diplomacy. Surprisingly, the few ugly episodes I noticed at the game were Canadians hurling insults at American fans....disappointing!

woacfan · June 30, 2015, 11:50:36 PM

Great game tonight!
Some thoughts:

(1) Ellis made great substitutions tonight. They proved extremely effective. I am even beginning to question my dislike of her habit of subbing Abby in late. Tonight Wambach was crucial on the buildup to the second goal. The other sub, O'Hara made a beautiful finishing move.

(2) Johnston looked good again except for that wild play in the box that resulted in the PK

(3) If the US wins in the final expect Hope Solo to bring some drama to the team. In her post game interview she was asked the rather lame question of "What are you thinking?" or something to that effect and Solo responded that we would all have to wait until after the last game to know what she is thinking....if its not about soccer, I don't want to know.

(4) Tobin Heath returned to her usual form- hard worker making bad decisions.

(5) Carly Lloyd- Fantastic. She has been amazing in the last 3 games.

(6) Meghan Rapinoe - Great! She is the creative force on the wing. Imagine if we had someone like her on the other side!

Overall, whether they face Japan or England, if they play another game like the last two, they will be hard to beat and would have to be considered a heavy favorite.

Gray Fox · July 07, 2015, 11:34:03 AM

I can't believe you guys haven't posted lately.

FCGrizzliesGrad · July 08, 2015, 01:11:02 AM

4th of July then a World Cup win... too busy being all USA! USA! USA! to the rest of the world to post

jknezek · July 09, 2015, 08:57:46 AM

Quote from: Gray Fox on July 07, 2015, 11:34:03 AM
I can't believe you guys haven't posted lately.

Too busy eating crow. That was a team that peaked at the right time. The group stage was very poor, but every elimination game they got better. From the weak performance against Columbia to a good but flawed game against China, a wonderfully dominant performance against Germany and finishing with the shock and awe start to the Japan game. I don't know why they started so slow and looked so poor through 4 games, but the last three games showed a team growing and gaining strength and confidence. They are worthy of being world champions without a doubt.

woacfan · July 13, 2015, 04:01:33 PM

I agree....eating a lot of crow. Jill Ellis, who looked lost in the prelims was brilliant in the knockout stages. I really didn't like her late subbing of Wambach, but in the quarter-finals it led to a goal. Was actually away for the final and streamed the game in the wee morning hours in Europe while staring at the new stadium for St. Petersburg Zenit! Not a bad way to watch the final!

I am happy to have been wrong! Go USA!

Also, pleased to see some of the young players contribute. With a lot of the veterans leaving, its promising for the future.