Women's World Cup

[dawg80]

Nothing much from the midfield last night. Even Rapinoe struggled. She and Holiday both got a yellow and now must sit out the China match. Tobin Heath did nothing. Might as well have been on the bench. Carli Loyd did okay. At least she made some plays and did have some possession.

We are essentially playing a bunker defense, and looking to counter attack. Outside backs are not making runs like they should. So, not being an offensive threat opposing teams are ignoring our marking backs and doubling up on Wambach, Morgan, and the attacking midfielders.

Need to insert Heather O'Rielly, have Press play Rapinoe's spot, and maybe even drop Morgan into the attacking-MF slot and have, say... Leroux, play up top with Wambach.

Our half of the bracket ( of the Elite Eight) is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay tougher than the other half.

US (2) vs. China (16)
Germany (1) vs. France (3)

The top 3 ranked teams in the world all on the same side of the bracket. Defense wins championships. But, all of the remaining 8 teams have gotten here by playing great D. The winner will add great O to the mix. I will be surprised if Germany is not WC champs this year. They have been destroying everyone.

[latech]

Nothing much from the midfield last night. Even Rapinoe struggled. She and Holiday both got a yellow and now must sit out the China match. Tobin Heath did nothing. Might as well have been on the bench. Carli Loyd did okay. At least she made some plays and did have some possession.

We are essentially playing a bunker defense, and looking to counter attack. Outside backs are not making runs like they should. So, not being an offensive threat opposing teams are ignoring our marking backs and doubling up on Wambach, Morgan, and the attacking midfielders.

Need to insert Heather O'Rielly, have Press play Rapinoe's spot, and maybe even drop Morgan into the attacking-MF slot and have, say... Leroux, play up top with Wambach.

Our half of the bracket ( of the Elite Eight) is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay tougher than the other half.

US (2) vs. China (16)
Germany (1) vs. France (3)

The top 3 ranked teams in the world all on the same side of the bracket. Defense wins championships. But, all of the remaining 8 teams have gotten here by playing great D. The winner will add great O to the mix. I will be surprised if Germany is not WC champs this year. They have been destroying everyone.

missing two starting midfielders won't be an easy thing to overcome.
The game tomorrow will be the first time US plays China after the 1999 Final. Still give me goosebumps watching this clip.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

Nothing much from the midfield last night. Even Rapinoe struggled. She and Holiday both got a yellow and now must sit out the China match. Tobin Heath did nothing. Might as well have been on the bench. Carli Loyd did okay. At least she made some plays and did have some possession.

We are essentially playing a bunker defense, and looking to counter attack. Outside backs are not making runs like they should. So, not being an offensive threat opposing teams are ignoring our marking backs and doubling up on Wambach, Morgan, and the attacking midfielders.

Need to insert Heather O'Rielly, have Press play Rapinoe's spot, and maybe even drop Morgan into the attacking-MF slot and have, say... Leroux, play up top with Wambach.

Our half of the bracket ( of the Elite Eight) is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay tougher than the other half.

US (2) vs. China (16)
Germany (1) vs. France (3)

The top 3 ranked teams in the world all on the same side of the bracket. Defense wins championships. But, all of the remaining 8 teams have gotten here by playing great D. The winner will add great O to the mix. I will be surprised if Germany is not WC champs this year. They have been destroying everyone.

Just another commie/marxist plot and scandal in the making.

[dawg80]

The Germans and French were griping about this before the tourney started. Of course, if it's your goal to win the WC then you have to play, and beat, teams like Germany eventually. Might as well do it in the quarterfinals.

As for US...I am concerned about the 16th ranked team. We won't have our two key midfielders tonite.

[latech]

Hope the girls will keep their heads cool playing against China side tonight. Chinese would have a lot of "non-football" tricks up on their sleeves.

[dawg80]

USA 1 China 0

Much better at times. Amy Rod. applied a lot of high pressure, which was good, but she also killed a lot of our scoring chances. China played bunker defense, and it's tough to score when a team packs it in like that.

Next up Germany on Tuesday. 7th WC in history for the USA women's team, and 7th trip to the semis, the Final Four. #1 vs. #2.

Will take our best effort to advance to the Final.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

Enjoyed every minute. Our women are all tough cookies! I love watching their intense pressure offense and defense. However, I can't believe we didn't get more to the back of the net.

[Dawgpix]

I enjoyed it all, too.

USA conditioning made an impression of me.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

I enjoyed it all, too.

USA conditioning made an impression of me.

Amazing shape, great ball skills and very intelligent players that are very disciplined and well coached.

[dawg80]

There is being in shape, then there's "soccer shape." Players often run about 7 miles during a match, and that is in a series of sprints, changes of direction, and jumps. 90 mins of constant movement. But, yeah, the US, both men's and women's, teams take it to the highest level of fitness. Opponents often wilt under the pressure.

I don't think that will bother Germany too much though. They are just as fit and tough. They are also disciplined in staying organized, not getting caught out of position. And, they are the best offensive team in the world. Our streak of now 9 straight shut-out halves will be extremely tested.

[dawg80]

The Final Four is set:

USA (2) vs. Germany (1)
Japan (4) vs. England (6)

[latech]

The Final Four is set:

USA (2) vs. Germany (1)
Japan (4) vs. England (6)

it will be a tough match against Germany. They don't make mistake - I'm seeing a PK shootout in the end.

[DallasDog]

Germany will score at least one, even as well as our defense has been playing. However, I don't have the same confidence in our ladies scoring in the run of play. If we score I think it will be off a set piece or a quick counter. A goal is a goal though.

[dawg80]

My prediction....okay, with a bit of hopefulness...USA 1 Germany 0

Wambach/Morgan will make something happen and get a goal. Our defense has been stout, since the shaky 1st half vs. Australia. Rapinoe and Holiday are well-rested and will be HUGE in the midfield tonite.

This is the frickin WORLD CUP, doesn't get bigger than this! Dig deep, make it happen. 90 mins of all-out EFFORT. Focus, discipline. No mistakes. Take care of the little things, and the big thing will take care of itself. Something non-soccer fans can't appreciate. There are no time-outs, no huddles, no free-subbing. Players on the field get no breaks. One mistake....just one...can get you beat. Have to mark properly, don't get caught ball-watching. You can lose a match in the opening minutes. Play from whistle to whistle, it's 90(+) mins of all-out FOCUS and athletic effort. It's grueling physically and mentally. It's INTENSE! No excuses.....FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!

If I sound like a soccer coach in the pre-game talk....

[latech]

My prediction....okay, with a bit of hopefulness...USA 1 Germany 0

Wambach/Morgan will make something happen and get a goal. Our defense has been stout, since the shaky 1st half vs. Australia. Rapinoe and Holiday are well-rested and will be HUGE in the midfield tonite.

This is the frickin WORLD CUP, doesn't get bigger than this! Dig deep, make it happen. 90 mins of all-out EFFORT. Focus, discipline. No mistakes. Take care of the little things, and the big thing will take care of itself. Something non-soccer fans can't appreciate. There are no time-outs, no huddles, no free-subbing. Players on the field get no breaks. One mistake....just one...can get you beat. Have to mark properly, don't get caught ball-watching. You can lose a match in the opening minutes. Play from whistle to whistle, it's 90(+) mins of all-out FOCUS and athletic effort. It's grueling physically and mentally. It's INTENSE! No excuses.....FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!

If I sound like a soccer coach in the pre-game talk....

lol you sound like Ted Lasso