Tonight was a fitting way to end one generation of women's soccer and begin the next. Players like Brian, Morgan, Heath, O'Hara and Johnstone are the next generation and there are many ore on the way. Hopefully, this will solidify women's soccer as a part of the American sports landscape again.
For those who are soccer junkies, the USMNT starts Gold Cup p,any with several exciting young players on Tuesday against a strong Honduras team. Lots more soccer between now and Giants training camp opening.
Although she didn't figure it out right away she got her team right tactically starting in the quarterfinals. She probably had that ultra important conversation with Wambach about her role and kept the locker room together while doing so, which is hard with this group because they are mostly a bunch of star players.
Ellis also gave Lloyd the armband which demonstrated that she could name a new field general and the team went along with it fantastically (and so did Lloyd who upped her game as the captain)
tour de force performance by the ladies the whole knockout rd.
they got better and better each game. Their big problem was finishing, and tonight they just exploded. Lloyd took the tournament over the past few weeks. Feel really good for that group they had won 2 Olympic golds but came up short in the WC's.Nice moment getting Rampone in there at the end amazing how she bridges the last two WC titles for the US as bookends for her career.
RE: tour de force performance by the ladies the whole knockout rd.
they got better and better each game. Their big problem was finishing, and tonight they just exploded. Lloyd took the tournament over the past few weeks. Feel really good for that group they had won 2 Olympic golds but came up short in the WC's.Nice moment getting Rampone in there at the end amazing how she bridges the last two WC titles for the US as bookends for her career.
Hard to compare Lloyd's first 20 minutes within anyone else's first 20 minutes in a World Cup final, women or men for that matter. Like a woman among girls. I always liked her play but that was something else.
In comment 12357282 Stu11 said:
Quote:
... Their big problem was finishing, and tonight they just exploded. Lloyd took the tournament over the past few weeks....
Hard to compare Lloyd's first 20 minutes within anyone else's first 20 minutes in a World Cup final, women or men for that matter. Like a woman among girls. I always liked her play but that was something else.
The irony of Lloyd's tournament starts with Pia Sundhagge (among other choice comments for other team members) saying Lloyd could be a coach's dream when she felt the coaches had confidence in her and a nightmare (paraphrasing a bit) when she didn't. Lo and behold, Ellis' still hard to figure tactics in Group had Lloyd and Holliday playing quasi holding in the 4-4-2 and the team and Lloyd and Holliday looked dreadful, with the midfield being a black hole sucking up all movement and creativity. There were many comments here to that effect.
Then, lo and behold again, having gotten past Columbia, inserting Brian (as Holliday and Rapinoe were suspended), pushing Lloyd up higher, and it all changed so dramatically, even as they felt their way past China.
Ellis ducked a question from the Sports Illustrated writer in the post-game when he challenged her to say it all started to come together when Brian was inserted and did she have thoughts about that. She sort of said she had confidence in all her players. But those cautions handed out in the Colombia match (and AW crucified the ref) turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise for Lloyd, for the team.
RE: RE: RE: tour de force performance by the ladies the whole knockout rd.
In comment 12357282 Stu11 said:
Quote:
... Their big problem was finishing, and tonight they just exploded. Lloyd took the tournament over the past few weeks....
Hard to compare Lloyd's first 20 minutes within anyone else's first 20 minutes in a World Cup final, women or men for that matter. Like a woman among girls. I always liked her play but that was something else.
The irony of Lloyd's tournament starts with Pia Sundhagge (among other choice comments for other team members) saying Lloyd could be a coach's dream when she felt the coaches had confidence in her and a nightmare (paraphrasing a bit) when she didn't. Lo and behold, Ellis' still hard to figure tactics in Group had Lloyd and Holliday playing quasi holding in the 4-4-2 and the team and Lloyd and Holliday looked dreadful, with the midfield being a black hole sucking up all movement and creativity. There were many comments here to that effect.
Then, lo and behold again, having gotten past Columbia, inserting Brian (as Holliday and Rapinoe were suspended), pushing Lloyd up higher, and it all changed so dramatically, even as they felt their way past China.
Ellis ducked a question from the Sports Illustrated writer in the post-game when he challenged her to say it all started to come together when Brian was inserted and did she have thoughts about that. She sort of said she had confidence in all her players. But those cautions handed out in the Colombia match (and AW crucified the ref) turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise for Lloyd, for the team.
That's the big question, isn't it? Did the suspensions force Ellis' hand, or did it give her the cover she needed to do what she had wanted to all along? Luck or great coaching? Maybe some of both and maybe in the end it doesn't really matter. The torch has been passed and it will be fun and interesting to see what comes next for this team.
as the pre-game was on that I had a feeling the US would win in a blow-out. After seeing Japan play England and struggle against the height and set plays, I just thought the US would finally have the game we've been expecting them to have.
Now my kids think I'm a soccer genius:)
I think Ellis did a great job in morphing as the tourney went on, which is a sign of a good coach who is responsive. Not sure whether the suspensions forced the actions or not, but Lloyd was the hot player and the attack started to come to life. The World Cup really is an arduous process. While the US hadn't let up a goal since their first game, the cracks were there. Johnston had a rough game against Germany and struggled again last night when plays came into the box. But she was aces in the group stage.
Glad to see the team come together over the multi-week tourney and build momentum with each game. That's what champions have traditionally done.
as the pre-game was on that I had a feeling the US would win in a blow-out. After seeing Japan play England and struggle ....While the US hadn't let up a goal since their first game, the cracks were there. Johnston had a rough game against Germany and struggled again last night when plays came into the box. But she was aces in the group stage.
I had the same feeling. This was a really, really feel good, statement victory, to the entire soccer world, this WC cycle for the women. Very happy for the 15s and those passing the torch to them, as well as those somewhere in between, Rodriguez and maybe Leroux, but she may step back. USWNT are now back on top and have to figure out how to stay there.
And, of course, your mention of Johnston and German brings to mind some thoughts over the w/e: I didn't watch that much of the consolation match, but it's almost as if Germany's indifferent play was to show the tournament (i.e., the US) that it was out of sorts and not at their best.
We were better than Germany last week, but if Johnston had been shown a red, as she probably should have, there's no telling the outcome. On a competitive basis, and given the caliber of play, it was the best match of the WC, edging out France-Germany.... The WC grind may have gotten to Johnston, so pitch perfect until that match. Then the cracks, as you say, in her perfection, or maybe her confidence, as the intuitive yanking on Mittag's shoulder (was it ačic?) to bring her down, perhaps left her doubting herself. But she is still relatively inexperienced, and this will only help her going forward, imo.
I think the sun did have an impact on keepers and defenders in that end of the Stadium. Solo's reaction to the OG looked hesitant and a bit late.
Looking at the first three US goals - Japan's defending was really poor on all of them - not to take credit away from the US for scoring them. Fourth goal was a real golazo, though. They played the Telemundo call of that goal in Spanish on 1010 WINS this morning - hilarious. (Couldn't really understand it but the announcer went wild.) Link - ( New Window )
Totally agree with FMIC that Ellis did a nice job of morphing as the tourney went on and ultimately , whether by choice or necessity, came up with the right formation and the right personnel on the field. Listening to repeated interviews with Llyod it is clear that she was grateful for the change in coaching philosophy at least with respect to how she was used in the final three games.
What is important now is what happens next in the development of the national team. Now is the perfect opportunity to infuse new blood and talent into future squads, starting with friendlies that will lead up to the Olympics. Yesterday's game featured the two oldest squads in this year's World Cup. While that may speak well for experience, in the case of the American team the contributions of youth were critical to their ultimate success.
Also agree that Johnston had a rough final stretch after a terrific tournament, but really liked the way she came back in both games to play fearlessly and aggressively, with no hesitation, even after her mistakes.
Rutgers grad Mohammed Sanu solves the $10 bill question
According to early reports, total US viewership on Fox exceeded 25 million, making last night's match the most watched soccer event in US history, surpassing the recent Men's US v Portugal match and even bettering the average viewership on ABC for the NBA Finals. link - ( New Window )
Is the best looking woman on the team, IMO. But it seems as if she's into the ladies. Word is she's into the scissor action with one of the backup keepers. Good for her. I'm sure there was all sorts of debauchery going on last night.
The U.S. womens soccer team defeated Japan on Sunday to win the World Cup. For their dominant performance, the team will collect $2 million from FIFA, the international body that runs the tournament.
The championship prize for women pales in comparison to the $8 million in prize money awarded to mens teams who lose in the first round. Every mens team was awarded $1.5 million just for participating.
FIFA, which generates billions in revenue, also forced women but not the men to play this years World Cup on artificial turf. This not only increased the risk of injury, but also increased temperatures on the field by 20-30 degrees. During tournament, field temperatures reached 120 degrees.
Dozens of top players filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against FIFA in Canadian court, citing the artificial turf issue. The case was dropped when it became clear FIFA would not change the field surface even if they lost. FIFA did agree to play the 2019 womens World Cup on grass.
The U.S. womens team has won the World Cup three times. The U.S. men have never won the tournament. Link - ( New Window )
was really impressive. Not sure who it was but it was a very impressive display of speed and hustle. Nobody really talking about how awesome that goal was.
When they kicked it wide, she was at least 10 yards behind 3 defenders and beat them to the spot just 25 yards later. Then finished it off the bounce.
Terrible play by the defender but great play by the scorer to get there and finish.
was really impressive. Not sure who it was but it was a very impressive display of speed and hustle. Nobody really talking about how awesome that goal was.
When they kicked it wide, she was at least 10 yards behind 3 defenders and beat them to the spot just 25 yards later. Then finished it off the bounce.
Terrible play by the defender but great play by the scorer to get there and finish.
Lauren Holiday. She volleyed the ball as it was still coming down - it's wasn't off the bounce. It was a great play.
Looking at the first three US goals - Japan's defending was really poor on all of them - not to take credit away from the US for scoring them. Fourth goal was a real golazo, though. They played the Telemundo call of that goal in Spanish on 1010 WINS this morning - hilarious. (Couldn't really understand it but the announcer went wild.) Link - ( New Window )
At first blush it looked totally as a goalie error, but there aren't a lot of players (male or female) who could put that kind of touch on the ball from that distance.
Looking at the first three US goals - Japan's defending was really poor on all of them - not to take credit away from the US for scoring them. Fourth goal was a real golazo, though. They played the Telemundo call of that goal in Spanish on 1010 WINS this morning - hilarious. (Couldn't really understand it but the announcer went wild.) Link - ( New Window )
According to early reports, total US viewership on Fox exceeded 25 million, making last night's match the most watched soccer event in US history, surpassing the recent Men's US v Portugal match and even bettering the average viewership on ABC for the NBA Finals. link - ( New Window )
Quote:
?
You never stop, do you?
He's a fucking asshole - nothing to see here...
No because she didn't impact the play at all.
Quote:
since a US player was in the net?
No because she didn't impact the play at all.
Thanks.
Unlike other sports, the clock never stops in soccer. They keep a rough track of lost time (injuries, balls out of play etc) and add it on to the end.
Will the same team be intact for the Olympics?
For those who are soccer junkies, the USMNT starts Gold Cup p,any with several exciting young players on Tuesday against a strong Honduras team. Lots more soccer between now and Giants training camp opening.
Ellis also gave Lloyd the armband which demonstrated that she could name a new field general and the team went along with it fantastically (and so did Lloyd who upped her game as the captain)
Hard to compare Lloyd's first 20 minutes within anyone else's first 20 minutes in a World Cup final, women or men for that matter. Like a woman among girls. I always liked her play but that was something else.
Anakim : 7/5/2015 7:30 pm : link : reply
No...no, thanks. She looks stretched enough
Haha yeah she does.
Quote:
... Their big problem was finishing, and tonight they just exploded. Lloyd took the tournament over the past few weeks....
Hard to compare Lloyd's first 20 minutes within anyone else's first 20 minutes in a World Cup final, women or men for that matter. Like a woman among girls. I always liked her play but that was something else.
The irony of Lloyd's tournament starts with Pia Sundhagge (among other choice comments for other team members) saying Lloyd could be a coach's dream when she felt the coaches had confidence in her and a nightmare (paraphrasing a bit) when she didn't. Lo and behold, Ellis' still hard to figure tactics in Group had Lloyd and Holliday playing quasi holding in the 4-4-2 and the team and Lloyd and Holliday looked dreadful, with the midfield being a black hole sucking up all movement and creativity. There were many comments here to that effect.
Then, lo and behold again, having gotten past Columbia, inserting Brian (as Holliday and Rapinoe were suspended), pushing Lloyd up higher, and it all changed so dramatically, even as they felt their way past China.
Ellis ducked a question from the Sports Illustrated writer in the post-game when he challenged her to say it all started to come together when Brian was inserted and did she have thoughts about that. She sort of said she had confidence in all her players. But those cautions handed out in the Colombia match (and AW crucified the ref) turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise for Lloyd, for the team.
Quote:
In comment 12357282 Stu11 said:
Quote:
... Their big problem was finishing, and tonight they just exploded. Lloyd took the tournament over the past few weeks....
Hard to compare Lloyd's first 20 minutes within anyone else's first 20 minutes in a World Cup final, women or men for that matter. Like a woman among girls. I always liked her play but that was something else.
The irony of Lloyd's tournament starts with Pia Sundhagge (among other choice comments for other team members) saying Lloyd could be a coach's dream when she felt the coaches had confidence in her and a nightmare (paraphrasing a bit) when she didn't. Lo and behold, Ellis' still hard to figure tactics in Group had Lloyd and Holliday playing quasi holding in the 4-4-2 and the team and Lloyd and Holliday looked dreadful, with the midfield being a black hole sucking up all movement and creativity. There were many comments here to that effect.
Then, lo and behold again, having gotten past Columbia, inserting Brian (as Holliday and Rapinoe were suspended), pushing Lloyd up higher, and it all changed so dramatically, even as they felt their way past China.
Ellis ducked a question from the Sports Illustrated writer in the post-game when he challenged her to say it all started to come together when Brian was inserted and did she have thoughts about that. She sort of said she had confidence in all her players. But those cautions handed out in the Colombia match (and AW crucified the ref) turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise for Lloyd, for the team.
That's the big question, isn't it? Did the suspensions force Ellis' hand, or did it give her the cover she needed to do what she had wanted to all along? Luck or great coaching? Maybe some of both and maybe in the end it doesn't really matter. The torch has been passed and it will be fun and interesting to see what comes next for this team.
Now my kids think I'm a soccer genius:)
I think Ellis did a great job in morphing as the tourney went on, which is a sign of a good coach who is responsive. Not sure whether the suspensions forced the actions or not, but Lloyd was the hot player and the attack started to come to life. The World Cup really is an arduous process. While the US hadn't let up a goal since their first game, the cracks were there. Johnston had a rough game against Germany and struggled again last night when plays came into the box. But she was aces in the group stage.
Glad to see the team come together over the multi-week tourney and build momentum with each game. That's what champions have traditionally done.
I had the same feeling. This was a really, really feel good, statement victory, to the entire soccer world, this WC cycle for the women. Very happy for the 15s and those passing the torch to them, as well as those somewhere in between, Rodriguez and maybe Leroux, but she may step back. USWNT are now back on top and have to figure out how to stay there.
And, of course, your mention of Johnston and German brings to mind some thoughts over the w/e: I didn't watch that much of the consolation match, but it's almost as if Germany's indifferent play was to show the tournament (i.e., the US) that it was out of sorts and not at their best.
We were better than Germany last week, but if Johnston had been shown a red, as she probably should have, there's no telling the outcome. On a competitive basis, and given the caliber of play, it was the best match of the WC, edging out France-Germany.... The WC grind may have gotten to Johnston, so pitch perfect until that match. Then the cracks, as you say, in her perfection, or maybe her confidence, as the intuitive yanking on Mittag's shoulder (was it ačic?) to bring her down, perhaps left her doubting herself. But she is still relatively inexperienced, and this will only help her going forward, imo.
I think the sun did have an impact on keepers and defenders in that end of the Stadium. Solo's reaction to the OG looked hesitant and a bit late.
SE - good capsule
Link - ( New Window )
What is important now is what happens next in the development of the national team. Now is the perfect opportunity to infuse new blood and talent into future squads, starting with friendlies that will lead up to the Olympics. Yesterday's game featured the two oldest squads in this year's World Cup. While that may speak well for experience, in the case of the American team the contributions of youth were critical to their ultimate success.
Also agree that Johnston had a rough final stretch after a terrific tournament, but really liked the way she came back in both games to play fearlessly and aggressively, with no hesitation, even after her mistakes.
Link - ( New Window )
And, Tobin Heath is very attractive.
23 Stories - ( New Window )
link - ( New Window )
The championship prize for women pales in comparison to the $8 million in prize money awarded to mens teams who lose in the first round. Every mens team was awarded $1.5 million just for participating.
FIFA, which generates billions in revenue, also forced women but not the men to play this years World Cup on artificial turf. This not only increased the risk of injury, but also increased temperatures on the field by 20-30 degrees. During tournament, field temperatures reached 120 degrees.
Dozens of top players filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against FIFA in Canadian court, citing the artificial turf issue. The case was dropped when it became clear FIFA would not change the field surface even if they lost. FIFA did agree to play the 2019 womens World Cup on grass.
The U.S. womens team has won the World Cup three times. The U.S. men have never won the tournament.
Link - ( New Window )
When they kicked it wide, she was at least 10 yards behind 3 defenders and beat them to the spot just 25 yards later. Then finished it off the bounce.
Terrible play by the defender but great play by the scorer to get there and finish.
When they kicked it wide, she was at least 10 yards behind 3 defenders and beat them to the spot just 25 yards later. Then finished it off the bounce.
Terrible play by the defender but great play by the scorer to get there and finish.
Lauren Holiday. She volleyed the ball as it was still coming down - it's wasn't off the bounce. It was a great play.
At first blush it looked totally as a goalie error, but there aren't a lot of players (male or female) who could put that kind of touch on the ball from that distance.
For me, the really impressive thing was how she got to that point to be in position to make the kick.
Link below
If at work -- use headphones!
Telemundo - ( New Window )
Thanks, awesome!!
For me, the really impressive thing was how she got to that point to be in position to make the kick.
Agreed. Her timing was perfect and her shot was a rocket. World class goal IMO, along with #4 by Lloyd.