I'm not so sure. The LB is really quite poor defensively but the two central defenders are strong. The MF is fast and the front line can score on anyone (though I wonder if Morgan got injured yesterday). They have more depth than any other team in the tournament and play with a chip on their shoulder. I'm surprised that Germany was not mentioned as one of the teams capable of defeating the US. France is probably the other top team in the tournament and they are likely to meet in the quarterfinals!!! I'm not a fan of US trainer Jill Ellis though it is good to see them playing a 4-3-3 these days.
Most of the times one can make a fair assesment of strength of a national team like the male ones because of the high exposure to the players in club competitions. With the women that's far less the case, as many players donot act in high quality divisions or in the CL for women.
Part of the problem is there are really very few good club teams. Lyon is such a powerhouse that all good players want to go there. Wolfsburg and Bayern are decent and there are a couple of good English teams. I wonder if the Nordic club teams will weaken because of this.
The USA has as an advantage that it's more a continent than a country, so a pond the size of all European countries together. So it's easier to collect a bunch of good players, even if a club system isnot that good. Dunno how that's the case in the States.
US started youth soccer programs in a lot of areas starting around 1970. It was an easy sport for both boys and girls as the equipment needs are minimal. In 1972, the law governing equal access to education was passed (Title IX) and this eventually applied to college athletics (though the colleges were against this because they did not want to equally fund women's sports). Soccer and basketball were the two big team sports that then took off. A number of foreign born soccer players came to the US to play soccer and go to college (go see the movie "Bend it Like Beckham" for an example). This is what drove the women's soccer movement in the US. I think we have had three tries at a women's professional soccer league and it's always touch and go. It doesn't help that they play their games during the summer here where it is really too hot for 2-3 months for a sport that requires to much running.
I was just saying those teams are teams that could stop them from reaching the final because they're on the same side of the bracket. Netherlands and Germany are both big threats to whoever makes the final with them.
With the draw, Netherlands avoids USA until final. The US is on another level than the rest of the teams. Having say that, perhaps the Netherlands Women will win the World Cup before the Men?
Van der Gragt trains full power with the reserve players and seems ready for a come back into the team.
https://www.ad.nl/wk-vrouwenvoetbal...en-we-dat-europese-landen-verliezen~ac23667b/ Dominique Bloodworth juicht na haar goal tegen Kameroen in de tweede poulewedstrijd. © BSR Agency Bloodworth: ‘Natuurlijk hopen we dat Europese landen verliezen’ Bloodworth: "Of course we hope the European countries lose" She means the other European countries. Unfortunately that hasnot happened yet. We need to be one of the three best European countries in this WC to directly qualify for the Olympics.
https://www.ad.nl/wk-vrouwenvoetbal...tten-kunnen-wij-heel-ver-komen-hier~a453f434/ "Vivianne Miedema kreeg zondagochtend een appje van de Japanse aanvalster Mana Iwabuchi, die ze kent uit hun gezamenlijke tijd bij Bayern München. 'We gaan zo trainen, alleen maar op hoe we jou gaan afstoppen', stond er in het bericht. " Sportredactie 23-06-19, 23:16 Vivianne Miedema sunday morning received an app message from Japanese attacker Mana Iwabuchi, Whom she knows from their time together at Bayern. "We're about to train, just at how to stopp you, the message read"
https://www.ad.nl/wk-vrouwenvoetbal/japan-mist-een-type-miedema~ae3c5f06/ Mana Iwabuchi (rechts). © EPA Mana Iwabuchi thinks Japan misses a Miedema type. Vivianne Miedema watches every match in her hotel room and knows the strengths and weaknesses of the teams. According to her Japan creates a lot of chances, but donot finish them off with a goal. The juvenated team has players that are agile, fast and good on the ball. The only thing they lack is physical strength.
Wiegman's complete selection fit and hungry in the last training for the next match. Stephany van der Gragt apparently isnot having trouble with her knee anymore and is ready for the come back. Dekker and Roord are on a yellow and could miss the next match when Orange progresses. Is Rennes going to be blistered by the heatwave? Which team is more heat resistant, Japan or the Orange Lionesses?
Krijgt Europa recordaantal landen in kwartfinale? De eerste vier kwartfinalisten op het WK vrouwenvoetbal komen allemaal uit Europa. In theorie zouden dat er zelfs acht kunnen worden. Could Europe get a record number of 8 quarter finalists?
https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/21/women-world-cup-2019-power-rankings-usa-england The Guardian has us as a 4th ranking team.
Mrs O14 and I are headed to Banff in the Canadian Rockies and probably will be traveling while tomorrow's match is on. You guys will have to provide the spirit. Hope BD wins his bet!
If the men's front 3 are as good as the women's front 3 (compare to the rest of the team).....we could have won Nation's League. Is there a rule that allows sub men with women players?
Comments were placed here: https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/the-netherlands-2019.2092761/page-9#post-37915777