Im not sure the talent is any less than past teams but the way it is handled has definitely taken a turn for the worse. I think going to a full time coach has definitely hurt the YNT programs. It isn't being full time as much as the quality of coaches who'd take the position. Instead of an elite college coach who brings experience to job we get some Heinrichs/Ellis crony. The other thing that is missing is good team chemistry. Personally I think it's a mistake to cherry pick players to move back and forth between the senior camp and the 20s. It takes away from the all for one attitude u need in these kind of tournaments and u never know how it psychologically effects players.
The second half of the Mexico vs Canada game was quite exciting! Congratulations to Mexico for pulling off a good win. Honestly didn't see that coming. As to the USA, while we haven't looked particularly great, I personally feel that this tournament has been way better than when this same group played in U17. I'm willing to hold some optimism yet. ...except for Sanchez's final touch. I've completely given up on that....
Well stated. Soccer is the worlds game, all you need is a ball. Yet in the US with the ODP system in place, how on earth do kids whose parents arent in the one percent afford to send them to these elite camps across country and tournament's around the world?
Not really. Some, including myself have predicted repeatedly that when other countries which actually have soccer cultures (we do not) begin really matching us in fitness and athleticism (see haiti), they will catch and surpass us because their soccer was always better than ours. They have parents who are better at bringing up soccer girls than some of our coaches. That’s one of the benefits of being in a soccer culture. We have actually begun to curate more of a team with girls who can handle the ball a little better. This is what everybody has been asking for. But that has in many cases been at the expense of girls who nobody could run past (haiti run past us many times yesterday) and girls who could run past anybody (our lack of top notch speed and a good haiti offside trap held us back yesterday). Kealia ohai had defenses quaking. Morgan and leroux up front scared those poor little girls. Those were the last times we won (i know there were other reasons as well) u20 world cups I remember. I also remember... She could get behind them easily. Defending was atrocious. Gks were worse. ...and then it was 2018. Concacaf was better. Way better. And that’s a good thing. ...still want us to win tho.
The Howell goal was basically the one time passes through the midfield were put together. Instead of simply the first chance long balling it up to an isolated forward. During the sequence, De Melo does take a heavy touch and the ball bounces back to her off a defender and Howell did the usual U20 finishing by shooting right at the keeper, only to get it right back. Luck was involved but it was a good move and it has happened so rarely this tournament and the previous Nike tournament. It is like the coach forbids more than three people touching the ball. DeMelo and Howell are very good technically, and when Pinto came in, she also was good. But I pass map would probably show almost not interconnection between them.
In the senior friendly against Denmark there was a play where a goal kick by Denmark goes to Davidson, who is all alone to head it. She sort of bends forward at the last second, misses the ball, that kind of bounces up off her feet. Nobody from Denmark was near or expected a complete whiff. Some USA teammates were commenting on a GIF of it on twitter as good natured razzing. The weird thing is it happened to Davidson again in the Haiti game. Just a complete whiff on a goal kick header.
Disagree. While the 2nd tier of CONCACAF has made strides in the last two cycles it doesn't explain things like having to beat Haiti on PKs. The US honestly looks like a pickup team ud find playing in the park.
I remember it being Sullivan, too, and I think it was on a popped up ball that was coming straight down. I thought she shouldn't have tried to head it anyway. Its one of those that's easier to bring down with the foot or chest.
with what specifically? that the rest of concacaf is now matching us in fitness and athleticism? that we choose more ball handlers and less speedsters than we used to? that we can't run past them as much as we used to? that their defenses have gotten better? that their gks have improved?
Well I agree with all that but I still don't agree with ur conclusion. Let's say the US, Mexico and Haiti r the three teams to go to WC.If this truly is about CONCACAF catching up then all three of those teams should be able to compete at least for a semi final birth. I would be more inclined to think that this was more about the US playing down a level from where they previously played and that the CONCACAF representatives will need to play much better to avoid being anything but cannon fodder this summer in France.
Here is another point I will concede. It has reached the point where u just can't throw a bunch of good players on the pitch and expect them to overwhelm people. Other teams have gotten much better organized. The US needs to play like a team not a bunch of individuals and Im not seeing that. They have adapted the individual brilliance system instead of building team goals and playing team defense.
As the rest of the world develops women's soccer, the US has been caught on the physical side while not progressing tactically or in the player identification process. Why? Jill Ellis and April Heinrichs. The "while not" is the issue. If you are going to have a dictatorial setup where a few control the many, then you better be prepared to own the digressions and failures of the program and stop blaming the youth and college levels. In addition, Jill and April have surrounded themselves with inept, under qualified and subservient coaches and staff. The digression of the YWNT program from top to bottom is startling. Our best coaches and staff for the female game are in college and NWSL and, until they're lured away to the YWNT program to scout, identify, select and coach players, this is only going to get worse. And even if those coaches aren't selected, there is better personnel then the current staff. Maybe the only thing worse then the state of the YWNT program is that Sunil Gulati either a) doesn't know and can't recognize the trends or b) doesn't care. And anyone who can find a true positive from the current U20 CONCACAF competition goes into the category of Sunil, Jill and April. Qualifying from CONCACAF for a YWC is irrelevant and will expose us more later this year.
So everyone vote for Kathy Carter for change because u want a new president who was a team mate of Ellis and coached by Heinrichs at William & Mary.
Looked like Mexico caught US defenders sleeping and scored one...USA still has the whole 2nd half to equalize and win...
Mexico looks more composed in this game than US. Other than 2 real good opportunities, the US has not really threatened.