Algarve Cup 2014

The other groups are believed to be:

GROUP A: Germany, Norway, Iceland, China
GROUP C: Portugal, Russia, Austria, Northern Ireland

 

Sounds about right to me. I mean, it's a "friendly" tournament, no "need" for balancing things out.
Still, I must admit that have USA, Sweden, AND Japan in the same group is a bit nuts. Couldn't one of them have gone to Germnay's group instead? One great time will be playing for fifth place.

 

Last year they finished like this
1 US
2 Germany
3 Norway
3 Sweden
5 Japan
6 China
7 Denmark
8 Mexico
9 Iceland

So as Denmark is in the wrong group to have seeded everyone from last years results, Id guess they seeded the top four and drew the other four.

 

according to current fifa world rankings, this is what the 2 major groups look like this;

Group A: #2, #10, #15, #16

Group B: #1, #3, #5, #12

due through their strong bond, Pia & Sermani might of asked to have their teams play together in the same group

 

I agree that it probably depends on last year's placement, but I also agree that Group B is plain crazy...

(Although, according to the results of Euro 2013, one could argue that, despite FIFA rankings, Norway is stronger than Sweden... But we all know that it mostly depended on the fact that Sweden had to meet Germany in SF and Norway had not...)

Anyway, I guess Japan will have to raise the level of its play from 2013, if they want to come out of this group-of-death with a result up to their World Champion status... Hopefully Kinga and Sameshima will be back in full form for Algarve. And I hope Sawa also will be ok.

The problem is that Algarve it's before the start of Nadeshiko League, so normally the players aren't at their best state of fitness... I hope JFA will plan at least a pair of friendly matches before Algarve, so the girls can train some more...

 

They have to balance the groups for the fans. No one wants an angry mob of 250 people storming the press box

 

one potential problem for the US, unofficial mvp of last year's tourney, left ankle is not healing(as this most recent pic is indicating)

 

how recent? what does the date stamp say?

she was called in to the december camp - i assume she was healthy. injured players were left off the roster. still recovering players were specifically named, and "evaluated" rather than taking part in regular training. alex was not mentioned. so, again, i assume she was healthy.

maybe she got reinjured in camp. did they report anything about that?

 

just noticed some explanation in the equalizer.

http://equalizersoccer.com/2013/12/...oot-christmas-ankle-recovering/#comment-37633

ussoccer says everything is precautionary. they expect her to be ready for the jan. 31 game against canada in frisco, tx.

 

Jeff(the author) sometimes moves from right to left field without stepping down. But if I'm not mistaken, the photo was from Christmas(2-3 days ago). It's still her recurring injury that she suffered late in the NWSL season. I hope she does NOT play against Canada and give that ankle a rest

 

If she keeps drinking wine on crutches it might be a wheelchair.

It was the 23rd. Two days later on Christmas: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BcUPEaZCcAAQRLW.jpg

 

Hey, I recognize the back wall with all its well-framed pics... So, she chose to spend Xmas at the Overlook Hotel... I worry for more than her ankle, now...................

​

 

They should just rename this tournament the "USA Cup".

 

doesn't make a difference given the other two forwards ankles work quite well.

 

IMO mvp of last year's tourney was KO. I would never have thought defender can dominate the game of soccer like she did. She was everywhere: back, middle, front, she tackled, she slided, she dribbled, she ran, she shot. Quick, sharp and determined. It was fascinating to watch.

 

I only watched the finale between the USA vs Germany. It was all Morgan in the first half

thankfully Wambach sat out this game & Morgan plays so much better when she pairs up with her best buddy & much quicker, Leroux, up front. The game also introduced Press as an AM. So the US did play their best offensive hand. Unfortunately same can't be said about Germany as Neid had mostly 2nd stringers on defense in that game.

The US had the 2-0 lead going into halftime. Decided to hold back, and as you mentioned played brilliant defense in the 2nd half. Neid tried to get her team to pass more and dominate the middle through her patented short passing game. The US however brought up their defensive line and Germany hoplessly got stuck playing at 'close quarters' as they couldn't break the off sides trap. Here's the full 2nd half as definitely one of the US best defensive efforts ever.

 

Fifa has announced list of referees for Algarve. "New faces" with a possible shot for Canada WC's.

 

I don't seem to recognize "big names" of international women's refereeing, except maybe for Rumanian Cristina Dorcioman, that probably I heard in some WCL or Euro 2013 matches...

What's FIFA's policy with this kind of tournament? Do they see it as a way to give some high-level international experience to younger referees, giving them a chance to direct "big" National Teams without "burning" them right away in a "real", not-friendly, international tournament?

Or maybe it's just me (since I am not so well informed about women referees) and, unbeknownst to me, these are already established internationals?

 

I'm not sure about all of them, but the 2 CONCACAF referees are 2 of the newest to make it to the international grade. However, I think Neguel and Mitsi both at least did the '12 Olympics. I believe Albon and Dorcioman are also more established.
I'm not sure about any FIFA policy but I'm sure the Algarve is mostly to give some great experience to referees as the games are really just friendlies. But really, who can understand the ways of FIFA?

 

Yes both Albon and Dorcioman refereed in the Euros last year. And that was the first time I noticed UEFA or FIFA allowing two refs (not counting assisting) from the same country, in a major tournament.

 

That would seem to be the case.
It's worth to notice the number of 31 different countries presented by refs, when London OL tournament had "only" 21 of those. It's getting more "global" in the refs world, perhaps it's because this merry bunch doing?
It's all to the good either and we'll soon see the quality of their work.
Personally I would rather see more and better cooperation between whole ref teams on the pitch than some new strong individuals emerging. However having a somone of Palmqvist, Hekkinen, Chenard or even Alvarado caliber wouldn't hurt either.