Very entertaining match between Lyon and the Courage--very open and rather loose defensively in the midfield. Too teams loaded with talent; they play different styles, but each is hugely effective. I'm surprised there weren't more goals, and the Courage could have had two or three, and maybe Lyon, too, but the centerbacks for both teams made some last-ditch stops (Mbock in the first half for Lyon, Erseg for Carolina), and Bouhaddi was very good in goal for the French squad playing in her sweeper style. I'm sure Carolina benefited from being in mid-season form as opposed to Lyon being in pre-season form, and Lyon looked somewhat heavy-legged in the second half (Henry was dragging from the 60' mark) but it was competitive throughout. A treat to watch.
here's the full game the key was that the Courage couldn't get their high press going in this one(as compared to the Man City match). Got to wonder; who would win if Lyon played the USWNT?
In a 10 game series, I'd say 5 to the USWNT and 3 to Lyon (2 draws), assuming both teams were practiced and in form. Same for USWNT vs Courage if you had the magic of cloning players so both had their first-string team up.
Lyon seems very strong as compared to the 3-4th ranked France NT. Minusing the same 6 starters from both lineups(Bouhaddi, MBock, Renard, ESL, Majri, Henri) you got left Bronze-----------Torrent Greenwood-----Bussaglia Marozsan-------Thiney Parris------------Diani Hegerberg-----Gauvin I would pick 4 of the 5, better for Lyon(only Diani over Parris for the lone France pick). it gets even better on the Lyon bench Cascarino----------Cascarino van de Sanden---Asseyi Buchanen--------- Tounkara Kumagai..............??? Bronze definitley looked more at ease playing for Lyon than for England(but then she don't have to worry about those two horror defender---Houghton & Bright). Would give her mvp for this tournament, if just for her break down of NC's high press.Got to say Bouhaddi as well, very quick off her line
The AFC has announced the establishment of the AFC Women's Club Championship to be held in November between the champions of 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan and 🇰🇷 Korea.Great initiative and hopefully one that only grows bigger.— Paul Williams (@PaulWilliams_85) September 27, 2019 If the Asian Champion club team will be invited to ICC 2020, this could really become the World Cup for clubs we're all waiting for.
From thread club friendlies: Maybe it's best to continue the discussion in here (as the ICC is the time when Lyon actually play in the U.S.)
Just went browsing Twitter to try to see if there's any indication of who's interested in/likely coming to the ICC this year. Most of the ICC's recent Tweet from the women's account are about Man City, OL, and the USWNT, though their very most recent Tweet highlights Miedema (Arsenal). Also, back in December, ICC held a youth tournament, and the international teams on the girls' side were Man City, PSG, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid. Taken together, that's six international teams (two new to ICCW) from three countries (none new). In theory, you could take all six of those teams and two US teams to create two four-team group stages with one team from each country - but I would hope a fifth nation gets involved somehow too.
Big question is dates as many players will be barely back from the Olympics if the tournament is played in early august.