Back to the important stuff....

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

I'd call that result a 2-2 draw. VAR decision that came 2 minutes and 15 seconds after the ball was in the back of the net nullified the second US equalizer. If it takes longer than 90 seconds for VAR to decide if a goal should count, then it should count since it can't be considered a clear and obvious error.

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VAR was very unkind to the US, we were 0-3. Actually, w/o VAR the US wins 3-1. But we were missing 6 or 7 regulars from the starting line-up. I say 6 or 7 because Sullivan will probably end up being a fixture on the backline. Absent: Morgan, Heath, Press, Ertz, and Dunn and Sauerbrunn, although they entered the match late. England was absent one starter.

England is very, very good and my pick to win the WC 2023. But they did not dominate a very young US side like I would have expected. This match was a perfect set-up for 3-0 or 4-1 type result, and the Lionesses failed to deliver. We even played a high school kid getting her first cap! The new USWNT is talented and athletic, but...but...this game is not only played between white lines, it's played between the ears! And it is a physical sport too. The US has not replaced Carli Lloyd and I don't see anyone ready to step up, yet. Difference maker.

It's not fair, nor realistic, to expect the US to win a third straight World Cup. It is so tough to reach the top and virtually impossible to stay there. One year out from the WC Finals and all I see are glaring weaknesses in the new USWNT. The return of our missing regulars would help, but most of them are out because of nagging injuries and that happens to veteran players. And our ROCK on defense, Becky Sauerbrunn, is 37 years old. She'll be 38 for WC '23. How many minutes can she go in the grueling schedule of the WC Finals? And whoa! if she goes down with an injury.

Sauerbrunn should definitely be time-managed through the group stage to keep her as fresh as possible for the knockouts.

And Rapinoe needs to be an offensive sub only if she plays to hide her defensive liabilities.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

Sauerbrunn should definitely be time-managed through the group stage to keep her as fresh as possible for the knockouts.

And Rapinoe needs to be an offensive sub only if she plays to hide her defensive liabilities.

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Agree about Sauerbrunn. As for Rapinoe, she plays great defense around the ball, that is when she is right there. Her issue is tracking back on defense, I'm sure which is due to her age and inability to run up and down the field. Yes, that is a must for a midfielder and as such is a measure of a liability in overall team defense. Even if she is a designated "striker" she has to track back, at least to the midfield line, and play defense. Coming in in the 60th minute or so, as an offensive sub, will be her beat contribution to the team, agree with that.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/176061...?s=single_unit

USWNT 2 Germany 1

Gutsy comeback. Needed this win...just a friendly...but we could not close 2022 on a four-game losing streak.

The WORLD CUP has begun!! Greatest show on Earth.

Group play...

England 6 Iran 2

Final score reflects some of the changes in officiating emphasis, especially extended time awarded. Also, Iran's first goal shows how quick a goal can be allowed in just a blink of inattention by the back line. This is the WORLD CUP and all sides have professional, elite, world-class strikers. Iran's forwards play professionally in Europe in the best leagues in the world. They are very good. One mistake by a defender and bam! a goal can be scored.

US vs. Wales later today. Need a result.

2 and que...

Sylvester Stallone, channeling his best Rocky persona, delivered a pre-game pep talk to the US team. If that doesn't get fired up, nothing will.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

Sylvester Stallone, channeling his best Rocky persona, delivered a pre-game pep talk to the US team. If that doesn't get fired up, nothing will.

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US vs. Wales

First match of the 2022 World Cup and a "decider" for the US. This is an elimination match. England is going thru to the knockout stage; the only question is who will be joining them. The US needs to win this match! It is truly a "must-win" game. Certainly can't afford to lose it...

Couldn't have asked for much more in that first 45. Another goal would have been nice and would have been deserved based on that effort.

The big difference to me is that the US played on the front foot from the opening kickoff and never let up on the gas. The team played on the back foot way too much during qualifying, and the results showed that too many times.

More of the same, please, in the second 45.

A result, but an unsatisfying result.

Reverted to back foot habits in the second half, and the equalizer was inevitable.

Going to be a harder road now.

Tyler Adams played a very good game, best midfielder on the field for both sides.

Stupid, bonehead, amateurish foul by Zimmerman. Has probably cost the US getting out of the group.

Could come down to goal differential, which is why I would go total bunker vs. England, losing only 1-0 would be a lift. But, I think we will get beat worse, like 3-0, maybe 4-0, and then only draw with Iran, leaving us with 2 points. Wales will beat Iran, lose to England, but that gives them 4 points.

Final Group B Standings:

England 9
Wales 4
USA 2
Iran 1

Hope to hell I am wrong.

When the US struggled to a 0-0 tie with Saudi Arabia many people were concerned, as was I. But...

Saudi Arabia 2 Argentina 1

One of the biggest "upsets" in World Cup history. A pundit who follows futbol played in Africa and the Middle East said last month after the US "disappointment" people who think SA is not very good, don't know international futbol. SA was ranked #51, Argentina #3 in the world. Well, as the great football coach, Lou Holtz once said:

"You don't have to be the best team in the nation (world), you only have to be the best team in the stadium that day."

Saudi Arabia was the better team today. Was not a fluke.

Australia (38) leads France (4) early