I considered waiting a few more days to post this thread after realizing tonight that this game isn't on the 20th as I expected but...
As with the other matches in this fluff period the only really important thing is that everybody gets through it without injury. One thing that I would like to see is McDonald get a start. I "think" she might be better early in matches than she has shown as a late sub. Also her size and strength might be very good for wearing down the defenders for later.
It'll be interesting to see where Ellis thinks she fits in (if we ever get to see it). My guess has been McDonald goes in late in a game if an opponent is trying to kill the game either because it has a lead or because it wants to get to PKs. McDonald, with her throw ins from the sideline into the box, can reduce the benefit of "kick it out" as a game killing tactic. Of course, that might be something Ellis doesn't want to broadcast to potential opponents.
There's an up to 1% chance I might crash this match. I think I may have waited too long to make the reservations, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Although hopefully there will be a Victory Tour back home starting in August, this match feels strangely...final.
That has been the apparent pattern but I just thought that having her in early and going flat out for 45 to 60 minutes would result in a feast for the rest of the forwards. We have seen what Lloyd can do against tired defenses and I wonder what might happen against exhausted personnel. Of course that presupposes that McDonald has sufficient skill, speed and strength to force defenses to play her hard all the time but I think she has shown that she does.
I think MacDonald can score on Mexico no matter when she plays. Always good for a striker's confidence to score. Might also be a good game for Pugh, Krieger, any one else, to get some game minutes.
Lil says no more in the litigation thread - - replaced by 4 matches in the fall FIFA windows. (Gut Punch) I dare say you might have taken a glance 12 months into the future at what the landscape might look like. High, high profile veterans saying goodbye Other players leaving (temp or perm) to start families. No matter the WWC result, can you imagine HCJE still coaching the Team 12 months from now. A General Manager of the USWNT may actually be hired - - I may have to throw my hat back into the ring. The only indelible fact that I know is that the USWNT will lose 0% of its awesomeness during that time.
I'm expecting that Ellis will not be the coach for the 2023 WWC, no matter how the team does in the upcoming WWC. There's something one of the old-time players said recently that makes me think Ellis already has made that decision. I'll be interested to see if this turns out to be the case. And, if it is, I'll be particularly interested to see if she steps down before the Olympics. If she's going step down, I think she should do it before the Olympics and let someone new be the coach for the entire 4-year cycle.
There you go again Lil, interjecting facts, logic and reality into my premise. Speculating here - when, d*mn skippy I said when, we achieve the desired result this Summer, I'm imagining a french-kissing Press Conference with USSoccer where she retires outright or steps into an Ambassador of Goodwill type position fulfilling her current contract period and to allow the next coach to assume the reins for a complete cycle. BWTHDIK
Very rare for a national coach to get 2 terms. They'd only get 3 if they were coach for life quality. Get out while the getting is good.
I know this is against the grain but if the US wins this WWC and Ellis wants to continue as coach/manager then there is no reason not to have her do so. I disagree with some of her moves but winning is all that really matters at the top level. You can't argue with success, well you can argue but it really says more about the person doing the arguing than anything else. Success cures all ills.
Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it
The send-off games are probably the last time you'll see the incarnation of the 2019 WWC roster before many of them retire and go down either as winners or failures over the Summer. I hope that everyone that had an opportunity to go see them, did already.
I'll be at the game in the Outlaws section. Weather is going to be hot, traffic will be a nightmare, but it should be fantastic!
Nightmare traffic, huh? Can one get off a flight at Newark Liberty International Airport at 11:02 AM and get to Red Bull Arena via taxi by 12:00 PM? (Asking for a friend...) Worst case scenario, the venue told me that if you get to the stadium gates with a valid ticket by halftime you can safely expect to get in.
One thing I noted the last time I flew into Newark (I admit it was several year ago) was that the cab drivers that picked you up at the airport were very good at finding and using the best routes no matter where you were going. One of them told me that they could make more money by making more trips that the could by trying to milk each trip. So if there is a way, and things have not change too much with Uber and whatnot, the chances are pretty good for your trip. Also the traffic is not at its worst at all at that time. The thing that could slow you down a LOT would be if you try to rent a car or you have checked luggage. I almost wish I was still able to travel well but, if I were, I think I would spring for a ticket to France and attend a couple of matches there. I have friends there that I could, probably, stay with but my old body does not hold up well to long walks or fighting crowds or being too far from drink and/or restrooms. I really find I miss traveling to some of the big events. My first WC was Mexico and the last one was the Germany WWC. In between I only missed two WWCs and four Men's. I even managed to get to Sweden in 1995. Oh well, enough crying. Good luck on your trip.
Good luck Semb, may the wind be at your back and all the traffic going the other direction on the Freeway. A true Hi-Bye trip. Congrats for recognizing that some things in life just need to be done.
Better would be to take the NJ Transit train to Newark Penn Station then transfer to the PATH train to Harrison. For the SheBelieves, the final mile to the parking took 2 hours. Maybe a cab could get you close, but the train is probably a sure thing.