Semi-finals

Canada is having a very good tournament. They are very dangerous. The US did not have a great game vs NZ. They weren't bad but they weren't really good.

I'm looking forward to the France-Japan match. I don't have a rooting interest and I expect/hope to see a really great game.

USA didn't have a good game against NZ x 2, because Riley, esp early when she is fresh, causes problems with their over-the-top pace game. But once again, they came up with the late put-away goal because NZ doesn't have the 90 min depth. Styles make the match.

If the USA plays tight, which is 50/50 with this team, THEY will keep Canada in the game.

If Japan's coach has come up with a solution for Delie and Thomis running past his backs, I smell a USA vs Japan final again. Someone on France's back-line will give up a silly counter.

I'm having a hard time trying to pick between Japan and France in the semis. This game is a complete toss up that either team could win. This match will probably head into overtime. My gut tells me that France will need to win in regular time because Japan has shown a lot of heart as the game progresses into extra time.

The U.S. needs Morgan to play at her best against Canada and score a goal. Sinclair is one of the top 5 players in the world, so you can't afford to have them hang around late in the game.

She's good for one goal. After that, Rampone will turn her into a ghost.

France/Japan is a tough pick. I think Japan just has more mental toughness and discipline. France can be so good, and I do prefer the style of play we'll see from both sides.

Whatever France does, they will look good doing it.

USA 3 - CAN 1
FRA 2 - JPN 1

that feels right. the actual medal games will be a lot less predictable i think. Canada looked comfortable against Japan in group stage. France are best equipped to score against USA, but their containment has been suspect.

Looks like you could read those scores horizontally or vertically

i agree!

We have the referee assignments from refereewold.com

They're keeping Bibiana Steinhaus and Jenny Palmqvist in the pocket, hoping for Japan to make the final...

Palmqvist has already done a final, so I suspect it is Bibi they are keeping in the pocket.

2004 USA-BRA

Well, but Steinhaus just had a WWC final last year... Doesn't count?

She doesn't have an Olympic final on her résumé.

I wonder who they have if France gets to the final?

Good question, but I don't care, because a want to see USA-Japan again! It would make for an epic rivalry!

Yawn. How many showed up for the USA vs Canada? France would seem like a bigger draw and that smack they got from the USA is fresh on everyone's mind, including the Ladies in Blue.

The two dates in 2012 for USA-Canada were 25,427 and 16,805 for a qualifier and a friendly. This is a more important match than a friendly.

The USA-France match last week drew 18,090 in their opener of the Olympics.


The USA - Brasil match drew 500 in a friendly, for comparison.

Good point. Either one or the other will get the next Japan game. Even if it's not the Final it will be an important game - this is the Olympics; it's for a medal.

Herdman stirring the pot and likely putting the refs on notice about American illegal tactics

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...cer-women-use-illegal-tactics/article4464067/

They probably noticed a coordinated pick on review.

Riley struggled to make an impact in the quarter. Her speed was a non-factor.

Those set pieces are totally legal. The 2 offsides players aren't involved in the play. The offsides players tag up before they even involve themselves in the play.

I can't remember, did he mention LePeilbet? If so I don't believe she was one of the two who tagged up. I know Wambach was one of them at least once.

Just checked, he did mention her and he referenced her movement on a corner kick. The tagging up was done on free kicks from the center of the field.

I'd also like to see a replay because on at least one of the free kicks I got the feeling they were late and didn't both tag up.

God the refereeing in the NZ game was awful. The head and one of the AR's were way over their heads.

Um, coach...

If Amy took a battering, shouldn't a foul have been called on France?

Sounds like a PK.

I agree with Herdman. They need to look into it.

I think this France team has what it takes to go all the way. I love their flair, not to mention that some of these ladies are very good looking. It is worth noting that in the weeks leading up to the start of the tournament, Les Bleues beat Japan 2-0 in a friendly. Japan should also be concerned that in 4 games so far, they have managed to score just 4 goals. France, by contrast, have already registered 10...

Nah, Japan's not worried by that. They scored 2 against Canada and 2 against Brazil. They didn't even try to score against South Africa and 0-0 against Sweden was a result that suited both teams at the time as well.