She could be a huge factor if she's fully healthy. All signs point to her being able to play but not sure if she's in the starting lineup. Her speed could cause problems especially since the Netherlands played an extra 30 minutes and had one fewer day of rest.
Miedema is their go-to forward, crafty and tall, she can do it all.
Martens on the left is very solid, but I think O'Hara will handle her.
The MF are strong across the field, Spitse has a tremendous leg and can strike from 30 or > yds out; Van de Donk is a playmaker and glue for this side, and Groenen had the winning goal vs the Swedes, accurate hard shot that caught Lindahl more or less flatfooted.
Changes to the back line to address the US
Win! Come out of it as champs! Less than an hour to do go now before kickoff.
Looking back, only because of the great pics in today's WSJ: wasn't the shot of the tea drinking celebration by Morgan in the England game the best celebration photo ever, producing bitching by our own anti-everything people? Idiots.
In the early going Crystal Dunn is pushing a lot further forward Â
Orange marking well in the PA
and US not looking especially sharp, esp. on service from MF to forwards, not reading each other well, some of that is the Dutch defenders
pressure by the U.S. is relentless. The only chance for the Netherlands to score is either on a counterattack or a set piece. The Netherlands GK has been excellent. She's like Tim Howard against Belgium. She's single handily keeping her team in the game.
goalie, they missed a ball that was out by a foot for what should have been another corner. Completely changed the momentum when the Dutch were on their heels.
RE: Alex Morgan gets sandwiched while airborne.... Â
yet she gets a foul called on her. Some very questionable calls.
That was a horrendous call. Morgan gets wailed on from behind and driven into an onrushing player yet gets the foul. Referee is a bit dubious. Missed a Dutch foul just outside the Dutch box a few minutes earlier too.
agree, beyond those, and a couple of solid pushes from behind just outside the PA by Dutch defenders, the clear push on Morgan just to the right of the near post by Bloodworth, 7 times out of 10 that's going to be called as a penalty. Ref has resolved in her mind not to. She is ignoring what she is clearly seeing, or at least is clearly visible.
Way too many none calls on the Dutch while the US is not allowed anything. Too bad seeing the biggest game in women’s soccer with such biased officiating.
Dutch keeper is the only reason their team defeated the Swedes and she’s doing it again today.
good early D by NED, wore them down some, and opening up gaps now as they need to push more players forward...dutch keeper still having a good game really, and there have been some dutch threats on goal so definitely not over yet...
about every sport to criticize, but the fact that the World Cup can be decided by that "high boot" and obligatory acting job is ridic.
Silly sport.
If you miss the ball with a high boot in the box and get the player it's a penalty. She got Morgan pretty good too
it's funny when people can't understand or appreciate a sport that is new to them. How is winning on a penalty different than winning or losing on pass interference?
Many of the US players: Lavelle obviously had a great tournament, Mewis was very good also in midfield, Ertz versatile enough to score on set plays and also drop into CB, Dunn looked great in key games at LB, and of course the attaching trio of Rapinoe/Heath/Morgan (with players like Lloyd, Press, Horan mostly playing as depth that would start for most other teams). Thought Heath may have been the best of the front 3 despite the goals going to Pinoe/Morgan more. Excellent team all around and future still bright for many players - though also impressed was several other teams making up ground on US (Eng, Ned, Fra, Swe, even Spa fought them tough).
I'd agree with Lavelle as Woman of the Match, especially with the knock she came in with....great game all around for US
With Dunn a 2nd choice. She was great holding the ball and was a rock down left side. She advanced the ball beautifully to making a few nice runs.
They could have and should have had 2 more goals.
I'd agree with Lavelle as Woman of the Match, especially with the knock she came in with....great game all around for US
With Dunn a 2nd choice. She was great holding the ball and was a rock down left side. She advanced the ball beautifully to making a few nice runs.
They could have and should have had 2 more goals.
Dunn played like a captain. Except for that game against France where she was outmatched she did a leader's job when nobody else was ready to play left back
definitely the revelations of the WWC....Dunn was excellent all around at FB, especially defensively in the Fra game etc. Showed some great attack also...2 players that I don't think many were focused on before the tournament really played great on the biggest stage...
Gotta give it to the US women....the field (especially European teams) are gaining ground fast and the US went through almost every other major contender on the way to the final (except maybe Germany) on the way to the final win. Even if you think they were the big favorites coming in, it's still tough to go out and win each match when every other team has a target on you...a near perfect tournament all around, the US star power and depth all over helped seal a great championship!
takes home the Golden boot & ball, Morgan silver boot and Lavelle (well desreved) bronze ball...there's always that preference in sports for the 'stats' like goals, but Lavelle was every bit as good as any player I saw in this WWC.
NED keeper seems a deserving pick for the Golden gloves, I didn't see all their games but she kept them alive in the 1st half of the final with several excellent saves.
The whole tourney. If she scores a few more times, she would have been recognized.
Like many sports, the raw numbers don't always tell the story. Agree Heath was excellent, I thought the best US attacker also, despite not getting the actual goals (she seems to be more a provider, looking to set someone else up - her pull-back to Rapinoe against France was a great pass, easy finish).
The whole tourney. If she scores a few more times, she would have been recognized.
Like many sports, the raw numbers don't always tell the story. Agree Heath was excellent, I thought the best US attacker also, despite not getting the actual goals (she seems to be more a provider, looking to set someone else up - her pull-back to Rapinoe against France was a great pass, easy finish).
Heath and Dunn have great ball skills. Very impressive.
definitely the revelations of the WWC....Dunn was excellent all around at FB, especially defensively in the Fra game etc.
Agree the revelations, but Dunn was not excellent vs France, she was beat several times, several giveaways, she did better in the 2nd. It was as much as to protect Dunn from worrying about her inside/right exposure as protecting a one goal lead that Ellis went to a 5-4-1.
THAT SAID, she grew before our eyes the remainder of the tournament, gaining experience, confidence, and assurance over the ball. Her athleticism is over the top: early on it was not translating to soccer excellence, as the grind wore on, it did.
Lavelle like a firefly in the midfield, so light on her touches, so quick to change direction without sacrificing pace. Got muddled a few times near the PA in prior games, not today.
And nary a mention here of Sauerbrun, who, after absorbing two nasty hits the second a deep gash, came back and was solid as could be when the Dutch were still in the game and threatening.
So many missed ops in the PA with numbers up in 2H...aaarrrggghhh
Love this team. Congrats to this team, for whom 'Pinoe is their controversial, emotional rock.
Now the part I hate after a WC or other major tournament: withdrawal, with no games to look forward to (with a nod to GC opioid substitutes).
Missed the first half of game but several observations Â
USWNT won tournament going through the toughest bracket. Beat Sweden, pesky Spain who were very physical, France and England before beating the Dutch.
Women’s soccer around the world is on the rise( especially in Europe where club teams are making a major investment in the women’s game).
As I mentioned in earlier threads, LaVelle had a wonderful tournament. She has world class speed and scored a beautiful goal.
Dunn improved dramatically during the tournament playing in the back four. She was excellent today.
In four years look out for Spain to be a major contender for the WC.
Just love Tobin Heath’s game. She leaves everything on the field.
Congrats to the USWNT on their fourth and best WC victory.
Even against France when she was overmatched in terms of height and speed - she battled her @ss off to hold a dominant player down. Really impressive and hard-nosed. My type of athlete.
In comment 14493877 Peter from NH (formerly CT) said:
Quote:
Even against France when she was overmatched in terms of height and speed - she battled her @ss off to hold a dominant player down. Really impressive and hard-nosed. My type of athlete.
I think that’s what makes the girls team so likes me. Rapinoe, Morgan, Lloyd, and to an extent Ertz get the pub but Dunn, Heath, Lavelle, Mewis, O’Hara are just fucking tenacious. Love watching them play.
Although I would say for a superstar in her sport; Morgan is a total team player, generous to the other players and nails tough
I think they all are cause the one thing I noticed in the first game where they scored a ton of goals is when someone scored, the teammates seemed more excited than the goal scorer. Sometimes that doesn’t always happen.
van der Gragt mouthed the f-bomb when the yellow was shown...hmmm Â
should have been called, take a look at the photo posted just above. That’s is a foul 1,000 times out 1,000. Cleats up above the waist, without even any touch on the ball. It’s not even debatable.
Was the fastest person in the class regardless of gender even back then. Also was in my Latin class almost every year from 6th-12th grade. Very reserved, quiet individual off the field, but a fierce competitor on the field. Very happy to see her win (again).
should have been called, take a look at the photo posted just above. That’s is a foul 1,000 times out 1,000. Cleats up above the waist, without even any touch on the ball. It’s not even debatable.
My daughter who played briefly in HS could not believe v.d. Gragt tried to play that with her foot. Her only chance was with her head. I'm surprised it wasn't a red card.
(agreed w/your comments on thread, btw). The rules changed ~ three years ago: you are right, normally that is a straight red card and sending off. But FIFA/IFAB considered that when a foul inside the penalty area punishable by 1/ red card (sending off with no substitute permitted/team plays short) AND 2/a penalty kick was too harsh.
So, in such case a foul ordinarily punishable by red that occurs in the PA a yellow is given when a penalty is awarded. Fouls punishable by a red card (violent play, intentional or reckless play that is dangerous/endangers the safety of the opponent) outside the PA remains the same. So had van der Gragt hit Morgan studs up as she did anywhere else on the pitch but the PA, she would have been sent off.
I like the description of Lavelle as a firefly and it makes for a great pairing with Mewis who is a bulldozer. Lavelle is going to be a problem for the rest of the world.
Great game for Sauerbrunn. I've been a fan of hers since we overlapped at Virginia and in past tournaments she was a dominant wall. She had a shaky tournament this go-around, but she fights and always leaves it on the field.
O'Hara has been a huge part of the team for quite some time and while it sucked to see her go out with a concussion, it was great to see Krieger (an old favorite) come on and lock down for 45 minutes
Tobin Heath is my favorite offensive player on the team. Her dribbling and possession skills are just on another level from her peers and she is always looks to create for her teammates.
I didn't think Rapinoe had a great tournament, or perhaps I like 2011 Rapinoe better she she was more focused on playing out wide and sending in beautiful crosses. But her ability to step up to the PK line and drill it time after time is not something that should go unrecognized and was the linchpin of many of the victories.
Hats off to Crystal Dunn for grinding out of position against an improving field of attacking women.
Overall, this team has an embarrassment of riches. That great talents like Brian, Press, and Pugh barely see the field speaks to how loaded this team is.
That's just the black cloud iver your head lately. Haha
Their field hockey team could be a calendar tho! Haha
Quote:
Send those clog wearing tulip lovers back to the Fords where they came from!!!
Their field hockey team could be a calendar tho! Haha
don't tease - post the link!
Martens on the left is very solid, but I think O'Hara will handle her.
The MF are strong across the field, Spitse has a tremendous leg and can strike from 30 or > yds out; Van de Donk is a playmaker and glue for this side, and Groenen had the winning goal vs the Swedes, accurate hard shot that caught Lindahl more or less flatfooted.
Changes to the back line to address the US
Looking back, only because of the great pics in today's WSJ: wasn't the shot of the tea drinking celebration by Morgan in the England game the best celebration photo ever, producing bitching by our own anti-everything people? Idiots.
and US not looking especially sharp, esp. on service from MF to forwards, not reading each other well, some of that is the Dutch defenders
That was a horrendous call. Morgan gets wailed on from behind and driven into an onrushing player yet gets the foul. Referee is a bit dubious. Missed a Dutch foul just outside the Dutch box a few minutes earlier too.
Dutch keeper is the only reason their team defeated the Swedes and she’s doing it again today.
Let’s go USA!
fabulous shot...needs to keep it up and one will get thru...
Silly sport.
Gruinnings - you don't watch much soccer huh?
Silly sport.
Thanks for the comment. Might as well not have penalties if you think it's ridiculous when called
*Lavelle
Quote:
Lavalle: Badger
*Lavelle
Finally something good from that school.
Silly sport.
If you miss the ball with a high boot in the box and get the player it's a penalty. She got Morgan pretty good too
Quote:
In comment 14493698 Jon in NYC said:
Quote:
Lavalle: Badger
*Lavelle
Finally something good from that school.
Been a tough couple years
Quote:
about every sport to criticize, but the fact that the World Cup can be decided by that "high boot" and obligatory acting job is ridic.
Silly sport.
If you miss the ball with a high boot in the box and get the player it's a penalty. She got Morgan pretty good too
it's funny when people can't understand or appreciate a sport that is new to them. How is winning on a penalty different than winning or losing on pass interference?
Dunn needs to play that across for the tap in.
lovely move by Dunn
Yup...
Quote:
Great save by van Veenendahl
lovely move by Dunn
she had a shot that she created on her own.. i dont blame her for trying to finish it..
That Pen puts Rapinoe and Morgan in a tie for the Golden Boot? or is Rapinoe ahead?
Too much looking for the perfect shot on those breakaways.
she was killing time and never had the clean look..
USWNT world champions and well deserved!
With Dunn a 2nd choice. She was great holding the ball and was a rock down left side. She advanced the ball beautifully to making a few nice runs.
They could have and should have had 2 more goals.
Quote:
I'd agree with Lavelle as Woman of the Match, especially with the knock she came in with....great game all around for US
With Dunn a 2nd choice. She was great holding the ball and was a rock down left side. She advanced the ball beautifully to making a few nice runs.
They could have and should have had 2 more goals.
Dunn played like a captain. Except for that game against France where she was outmatched she did a leader's job when nobody else was ready to play left back
Gotta give it to the US women....the field (especially European teams) are gaining ground fast and the US went through almost every other major contender on the way to the final (except maybe Germany) on the way to the final win. Even if you think they were the big favorites coming in, it's still tough to go out and win each match when every other team has a target on you...a near perfect tournament all around, the US star power and depth all over helped seal a great championship!
yes it is!
NED keeper seems a deserving pick for the Golden gloves, I didn't see all their games but she kept them alive in the 1st half of the final with several excellent saves.
Ha - while I doubt the players care much, it is quite a bit smaller than the Men's WC trophy
Like many sports, the raw numbers don't always tell the story. Agree Heath was excellent, I thought the best US attacker also, despite not getting the actual goals (she seems to be more a provider, looking to set someone else up - her pull-back to Rapinoe against France was a great pass, easy finish).
Quote:
The whole tourney. If she scores a few more times, she would have been recognized.
Like many sports, the raw numbers don't always tell the story. Agree Heath was excellent, I thought the best US attacker also, despite not getting the actual goals (she seems to be more a provider, looking to set someone else up - her pull-back to Rapinoe against France was a great pass, easy finish).
Heath and Dunn have great ball skills. Very impressive.
...2-0 could have been 6-0.
THAT SAID, she grew before our eyes the remainder of the tournament, gaining experience, confidence, and assurance over the ball. Her athleticism is over the top: early on it was not translating to soccer excellence, as the grind wore on, it did.
Lavelle like a firefly in the midfield, so light on her touches, so quick to change direction without sacrificing pace. Got muddled a few times near the PA in prior games, not today.
And nary a mention here of Sauerbrun, who, after absorbing two nasty hits the second a deep gash, came back and was solid as could be when the Dutch were still in the game and threatening.
So many missed ops in the PA with numbers up in 2H...aaarrrggghhh
Love this team. Congrats to this team, for whom 'Pinoe is their controversial, emotional rock.
Now the part I hate after a WC or other major tournament: withdrawal, with no games to look forward to (with a nod to GC opioid substitutes).
Women’s soccer around the world is on the rise( especially in Europe where club teams are making a major investment in the women’s game).
As I mentioned in earlier threads, LaVelle had a wonderful tournament. She has world class speed and scored a beautiful goal.
Dunn improved dramatically during the tournament playing in the back four. She was excellent today.
In four years look out for Spain to be a major contender for the WC.
Just love Tobin Heath’s game. She leaves everything on the field.
Congrats to the USWNT on their fourth and best WC victory.
I think that’s what makes the girls team so likes me. Rapinoe, Morgan, Lloyd, and to an extent Ertz get the pub but Dunn, Heath, Lavelle, Mewis, O’Hara are just fucking tenacious. Love watching them play.
Although I would say for a superstar in her sport; Morgan is a total team player, generous to the other players and nails tough
And those back 4 + 1, solid gold (Becky a bit banged up!! right eyebrow) Still giggling over this cycle and this victory.
Although I would say for a superstar in her sport; Morgan is a total team player, generous to the other players and nails tough
I think they all are cause the one thing I noticed in the first game where they scored a ton of goals is when someone scored, the teammates seemed more excited than the goal scorer. Sometimes that doesn’t always happen.
My daughter who played briefly in HS could not believe v.d. Gragt tried to play that with her foot. Her only chance was with her head. I'm surprised it wasn't a red card.
So, in such case a foul ordinarily punishable by red that occurs in the PA a yellow is given when a penalty is awarded. Fouls punishable by a red card (violent play, intentional or reckless play that is dangerous/endangers the safety of the opponent) outside the PA remains the same. So had van der Gragt hit Morgan studs up as she did anywhere else on the pitch but the PA, she would have been sent off.
Great game for Sauerbrunn. I've been a fan of hers since we overlapped at Virginia and in past tournaments she was a dominant wall. She had a shaky tournament this go-around, but she fights and always leaves it on the field.
O'Hara has been a huge part of the team for quite some time and while it sucked to see her go out with a concussion, it was great to see Krieger (an old favorite) come on and lock down for 45 minutes
Tobin Heath is my favorite offensive player on the team. Her dribbling and possession skills are just on another level from her peers and she is always looks to create for her teammates.
I didn't think Rapinoe had a great tournament, or perhaps I like 2011 Rapinoe better she she was more focused on playing out wide and sending in beautiful crosses. But her ability to step up to the PK line and drill it time after time is not something that should go unrecognized and was the linchpin of many of the victories.
Hats off to Crystal Dunn for grinding out of position against an improving field of attacking women.
Overall, this team has an embarrassment of riches. That great talents like Brian, Press, and Pugh barely see the field speaks to how loaded this team is.