I don't think that my wife would want that.....
Which wife?
I don't think that my wife would want that.....
those damn Canadians, who do they think they are!!?? I still don't have a problem with the celebrations. Would I have done it? No. Would I scold my kids for doing so. Absolutely. Most youth games I see, the parents and kids stop celebrating goals after the GD gets to 5 or 6. But, this is the WC and these women are under tremendous pressure to perform as a team and individually. Not like any of them are going back to Computer Science jobs after these games (unlike the Norway goalie, btw).
Rapinoe has a BIG personality, and is clueless sometimes with her off-the-field judgment (she does not have a reliable filter). It's part of the reason she is not as marketable as other players. Morgan should know better and her sponsors will likely give her a little "advice".
As for the games, Norway did not disappoint. Their midfield is fantastic and broke the French press many times. To think they have the best player in the World -- a striker nonetheless -- sitting at home is both unfortunate and a big relief to every other country side.
Speaking of strikers, Spain needs one and until they find one, are not a threat to the U.S., France, Canada, or any other top team.
MAP's Netherlands are a fun team to watch...Martens was her usual tricky self, Miedema is always dangerous but something is missing there. Haven't quite put my finger on it. The winger with the "cheetah" hairstyle didn't show up vs. NZ---maybe kharma for trying to be too individualistic or too focused on her look?
I don't see a side without a strong 9 beating the U.S. That leaves France (50% chance), Netherlands (20% chance), Australia (20% chance), Canada (10% chance), and Brazil (3% chance).
Just finished watching the game vs. NZ on DVR. So happy for Flem. Great goal. And the second goal keeps the GD even with the Dutch at 2. Hate to say it, but Sinclair may be showing her age. I know they're trying to get her the goal record but after they went up 1-0 I think they should have put her on ice and brought in Huitema.The Canada vs Netherlands game is going to be one of the best games of pool play.
post game grades...USA v Chile:
Press - B+. did well dribbling but some errant passes and didn't score. Still a solid game for her.
Lloyd - B. 2 good goals but points off for completely missing the target on her PK. Good game and supported her case for starting in the 9 instead of Morgan, but Nike will never let that happen.
Pugh - F. Errant passes, lost the ball dribbling, bumped off the ball and roughed up by a small Chile side. Didn't create any legit chances for herself or teammates. Further proof that her speed got her where she is and she's too small and lacks skill for better, more physical opponents. Exhibit A for staying in college 4 years before going pro.
Horan - C. She did fine, but not really tested much in midfield from a Chile side that barely pushed forward.
Ertz - B. Great header goal. Errant passes against a below average side prove that she's on the team for her strength and power, not her skill (except heading the ball which is a skill).
Brian - F. Too many turnovers, slow, no creativity. She hasn't been the same since her injury. Shouldn't be on the team. Jill didn't want to make the tough cut. Should have.
Defense. C. Not really tested so not enough to evaluate. Some decent balls over the top but also some off the target. Krieger does fine against a team like Chile, but when no pressure it's easy to play. I'll be surprised if she gets any PT from here forward.
Goalie - Chile goalie gets an A, USA goalie muffed an early free kick but saved by offside call. She needs to calm down. Too aggressive at times. Not enough action to get a grade.
Good on Jill for getting all of her players PT. But it's obvious why a few of these players do not start.
McDonaldWho was it that put the ball on the right post late in the game? I thought it was Pugh at the time but I don't remember why. They only did a short replay once.
McDonald looks like a cut up stud.I was happy to see McDonald get some playing time. Great story and great person. My daughter was able to jump in a training with her once and she was super nice. Got a love a player who started out at Community college and now is on a national team roster
Just finished watching the game vs. NZ on DVR. So happy for Flem. Great goal. And the second goal keeps the GD even with the Dutch at 2. Hate to say it, but Sinclair may be showing her age. I know they're trying to get her the goal record but after they went up 1-0 I think they should have put her on ice and brought in Huitema.
USA v Sweden will be good, but agree the Neth/Canada battle for the #1 seed will be epic.
I was happy to see McDonald get some playing time. Great story and great person. My daughter was able to jump in a training with her once and she was super nice. Got a love a player who started out at Community college and now is on a national team roster
post game grades...USA v Chile:
Press - B+. did well dribbling but some errant passes and didn't score. Still a solid game for her.
Lloyd - B. 2 good goals but points off for completely missing the target on her PK. Good game and supported her case for starting in the 9 instead of Morgan, but Nike will never let that happen.
Pugh - F. Errant passes, lost the ball dribbling, bumped off the ball and roughed up by a small Chile side. Didn't create any legit chances for herself or teammates. Further proof that her speed got her where she is and she's too small and lacks skill for better, more physical opponents. Exhibit A for staying in college 4 years before going pro.
Horan - C. She did fine, but not really tested much in midfield from a Chile side that barely pushed forward.
Ertz - B. Great header goal. Errant passes against a below average side prove that she's on the team for her strength and power, not her skill (except heading the ball which is a skill).
Brian - F. Too many turnovers, slow, no creativity. She hasn't been the same since her injury. Shouldn't be on the team. Jill didn't want to make the tough cut. Should have.
Defense. C. Not really tested so not enough to evaluate. Some decent balls over the top but also some off the target. Krieger does fine against a team like Chile, but when no pressure it's easy to play. I'll be surprised if she gets any PT from here forward.
Goalie - Chile goalie gets an A, USA goalie muffed an early free kick but saved by offside call. She needs to calm down. Too aggressive at times. Not enough action to get a grade.
Good on Jill for getting all of her players PT. But it's obvious why a few of these players do not start.
Refs and VAR giving lots of gifts today. Minimal contact and big flops=pks apparently. And then how can a keeper with one foot coming inches off a line matter and cause a repeat pk when a player has missed the frame altogether??
Go USA!! At least we can score real goals.
PS- If the rules for keepers on pks are going to be enforced this harshly going forward, then I believe the kickers need to be moved further back! Can you imagine how this will work on the men's side? May as well just award the goal.
Yeh but it's a lot easier if they are gifted a second chance by the VAR.Shooters still miss the goal completely or hit the keeper.
Yeh but it's a lot easier if they are gifted a second chance by the VAR.
Honestly if the movement by the keeper on a pk is so minimal that the field ref misses it, how can it be relevant or reviewable on a pk where the shooter misses the frame altogether?