Back to the important stuff....

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Originally Posted by dawg80

The women's WC is really just around the corner...in 2023. WC qualifying will start next year. No matter who we have left on the roster by then CONCACAF is so weak we should have no problem reaching the WC finals. But, once there....could be a big ouch!

There aren't many (any!) exciting new players waiting in the wings for USWNT. I can't name a single player, a youngster, I see as being a contributor down the road. Surely, somewhere, there are a few...probably hidden away on a college team, but who? There is a core of about 7 players who will lead the team for the '23 WC, such as Rose Lavelle, and most importantly the defense led by Ertz, Dunn, Dahlkemper, Sonnet, and Horan and Mewis in the midfield, up top I see Lynn Williams and Mallory Pugh being called upon to step up. But, after 2023 most of these players will be reaching their mid-30's and will need to be replaced too.

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The rest of the world caught up. Our development should have been better.

but Lloyd, Rapinoe, and Morgan are getting older. Probably too old to compete at this level anymore.

as I said. The oldest women’s soccer team at the olympics. It shows.

so while all these women were complaining about social justice issues, other more hungry countries have been focused on developing.

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Originally Posted by revf

so while all these women were complaining about social justice issues, other more hungry countries have been focused on developing.

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Or their current roster was training instead of assisting in the brainwashing of the masses.

US vs. Qatar tonight in the Gold Cup semis. Gonna take an "A" effort to advance.

US 1 Qatar 0

HUGE win for this very, very young American team.

Matt Turner was a stud in goal.

Facing Mexico in Vegas Sunday night after the referee totally lost control of the second semifinal match. And the pro-Mexican crowd delayed a match again. Past time for FIFA to increase sanctions against Mexico beyond just a couple of home WC qualifiers behind closed doors.

The sub of the match was Hoppe for Gioacchini.

Hoppe was struggling. He came off and yelled at Berhalter and Berhalter grew a pair and told him to sit his self down and shut the f up.

Gioacchini did more with the ball in 5 minutes than Hoppe did the whole match including the beautiful cross assist to Zardes for the goal.

Without that sub the game could have gone to penalties.

YES! take that all you effing naysayers!

USWNT through to the semis!

Now...that tension released. The USWNT is showing its age. Very disappointing effort from Rapinoe, Morgan, and Press coming off the bench in the 2nd half, supposedly with fresh legs. But, in the gut-wrenching PK shootout, those three and Lavelle all calmly buried their shots showing the coolness and confidence that comes from experience. What deserted them in the run of play was on full display in the shootout. The stuff of veterans.

Now the Final Four is set. Sweden vs. Australia and the US vs. Canada. Three of the four finalists all come from the Group of Death.

Been a wonderful 24 hours for US soccer.

The goal for Canada in the Mexico semi was a thing of beauty. Perfect pass and then perfect finish.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

Now...that tension released. The USWNT is showing its age. Very disappointing effort from Rapinoe, Morgan, and Press coming off the bench in the 2nd half, supposedly with fresh legs. But, in the gut-wrenching PK shootout, those three and Lavelle all calmly buried their shots showing the coolness and confidence that comes from experience. What deserted them in the run of play was on full display in the shootout. The stuff of veterans.

Now the Final Four is set. Sweden vs. Australia and the US vs. Canada. Three of the four finalists all come from the Group of Death.

Been a wonderful 24 hours for US soccer.

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I watched that match. In the overtime our players were slow made sloppy passes. The USWNT midfield holding was non existent. We lost the ball multiple times. The experience paid off in penalties, but let’s not kid ourselves that Netherlands had some chances on goal.

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Originally Posted by revf

I watched that match. In the overtime our players were slow made sloppy passes. The USWNT midfield holding was non existent. We lost the ball multiple times. The experience paid off in penalties, but let’s not kid ourselves that Netherlands had some chances on goal.

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The Dutch were deer caught in headlights in the PK shootout, while the veteran US players were as cool as cucumbers. You could see the body language and the look in their eyes. Even the world class striker, Nedermia (sp?) who was brilliant during the match, completely choked in the shootout.

But, yeah, during the 120 minutes of play, save for the 2 1/2 minutes when seldom-used Lynn Williams came up huge! The US looked tired and slow, like they were running in wet cement. We've had 9 goals disallowed due to offside calls, three today. Some were obvious, while others were ticky-tack at best.

BTW, the offside call against Vines in the men's match vs. Qatar was pure bullshit. Damn refs don't even know the law. That lousy bunch last night is from the fledgling African Referee Federation and CONCACAF agreed to use them for some matches to give them international match experience. Judgement calls are one thing, not knowing the rules is unforgiveable.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

Matt Turner was a stud in goal.

Facing Mexico in Vegas Sunday night after the referee totally lost control of the second semifinal match. And the pro-Mexican crowd delayed a match again. Past time for FIFA to increase sanctions against Mexico beyond just a couple of home WC qualifiers behind closed doors.

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Okay, it is fair to say Mexican fans have a real passion for their team. But, whoa! Taken as a whole they are dirty, filthy, ZERO class! They are LSU fans on steroids!!! They throw beer on opposing fans, and teams, they throw objects too. And they are foul-mouthed as well. Had the experience of being among them at the 2011 Gold Cup semis at Reliant Stadium in Houston. It was a doubleheader, the US beat Panama in the first game and Mexico played Honduras in the second game. I stayed after the US game to watch their game.

First, most Mexican fans were rooting for Panama and cussing the US team. Heard one say he hated the USA. Leave, I said to him. Which started an exchange between me and a half-dozen drunken Mexicans. Another Mexican fan apologized to me on the drunk's behalf. I waved him off, saying I can handle myself. I stood my ground. Then, another big whoa! when their game was on, they were vicious. I didn't know such sexual misbehavior was so common in Honduras. Apparently no animal is safe...:rolleyes:.

Yep, FIFA needs to grow a pair and do something about these LSU-like Mexican futbol fans.

Gold Cup final tonite US vs. Mexico. It's a battle of two "B" teams. Let's see how Berhalter handles this match.

Big win for US in extra time

Acosta head and shoulders man of the match in the final. A rock and then delivered the free kick service for the only goal of the match.

And Turner's first half performance again saved the bacon for the US.