But, here is the truth SA, while good on defense and they did upset Argentina in the WC, they are ranked 58th in the latest FIFA ranking. So don’t get too excited about this US win. Have to keep it in perspective.Originally Posted by dawg80
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But, here is the truth SA, while good on defense and they did upset Argentina in the WC, they are ranked 58th in the latest FIFA ranking. So don’t get too excited about this US win. Have to keep it in perspective.
At this point I am just happy not losing. I don't expect to upset higher ranked teams, I am just happy when we don't Tech it up and lose to a lower ranked team.
We tried to "Tech it up" today, escaping with a 2-1 win over lowly Haiti.
There is nothing there. If this is the roster Poch takes to the WC next year, we won't get out of group play. Of course, I don't expect this to be the roster.
Hopefully we'll have the A-team roster starting in September against S Korea & Japan, then in October against Ecuador. We have 10 matches after Gold Cup to get the A-team gelling.
The A-team is not much to write home about either. But, it is better than this bunch. We SHOULD advance out of group play in the WC with a full A-team roster (injuries might deplete that).
Back to this bunch...we get Costa Rica in the quarterfinals next Sunday. CR is known for its bunker defense and awesome goalkeeper, one of the best in the world. Unless CR makes a huge defensive mistake (unlikely) or we are somehow brilliant in one attack (VERY unlikely), we won't score in the run of play. So, our only hope is to keep them from scoring and hope to win on PKs. But, their GK is only a thousand times better than ours. So, advantage CR. Actually, I don't think we'll even get that far with CR, as I see them winning 2-0.
We are boring and unimaginative offensively, have been for a long time. Our lack of quality on set pieces dating back years now, mean if there are no goals in the run of play, then we won't score. I agree that unless something unusual happens (goal from set piece, major CR error) we won't score in regulation for sure.
USWNT vs. Ireland tonight, first of 3 games to be played in the next week+.
Hayes has called up FOUR newbies, first-timers on the NT roster, and can earn their 1st cap if they see the field. Which, one would expect to see over the next 3 friendlies otherwise Hayes wouldn't have called them up. I have lost count, but I think this would make something close to 30 players earning a cap under Hayes. Building a program, not just a team.
Its nice to see the backlog of talent getting a chance. Most probably won't stick but some will, and there will be some surprises that end up being big down the road.
There's a wealth of talent. The US could quite literally field two teams for the World Cup, and both would advance into the quarterfinals and perhaps even further. Heck, being on opposite sides of the bracket USWNT 1 could meet USWNT 2 in the WC Final. Yes, of course, both teams would have to bring their "A" game every match and still they would need a little luck too.
Speaking of emerging talent...Avery Patterson. For me, she has already earned a starting spot on the next WC team.
US 4 Ireland 0
Avery Patterson, Alyssa Thompson...two youngsters who shined last night. And, good to see Rose Lavelle back and in form after dealing with that injury. Lavelle is so smooth, so experienced...quality, sums it up.
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