It is very hard to look at this match and see much of anything other than a four or more goal victory by the US. The only reason I do not think it will be more is that I expect the US to rest as many players as possible and Panama to work to their maximum to keep the score down. I really do not think Panama should do that as I think they should rest people as well bringing up a winner take second place against Mexico and simply make it a dice roll weather goal difference is in their favor and I also expect Mexico to really put a whipping on T&T by 4 or 5 meaning that Panama should assume that Mexico will win the goal difference battle pretty much regardless of GD in the Panama match against the US. So my guess for this match is 5-0 for the US and in the other match it is Mexico 6-1 over T&T.
The Planets are once again in alignment. Everything is right in the World. Semb has started the Thread. Another warm beautiful day in Cary. Ssssssssssscrew the NFL. Me likey 5 matches in 14 days. In 4 hours 49 minutes, 20 women will unite to form the most incredible force in the Universe. It is MATCHDAY
That is hard to say. I suspect that the backup will start but it is pretty clear that Naeher is being groomed as the #1 keeper no matter if anyone not part of the USSF wants that or not. That means that it may be important to the staff that she get continued work with the entire team including the backups. Also keepers are not usually subject to the cumulative fatigue that field players experience in a tournament like this with a short turn around. However I expect every player from the bench in the last game to start in this one, at least that is what I would do. All we really need is a victory in this match and our backups are a LOT better than Panama's starters and we will win by multiple goals no matter who starts and whichever keeper plays will probably have no more than three or four meaningful touches in the entire game. If there ever were near meaningless games in a WC qualifier tournament these next two are those. All we need are victories and we will get those unless there is a collapse of epic proportions..
Eleven as one. We in this together.Lineup notes » https://t.co/OFUJTBmAgS pic.twitter.com/esnGizd98O— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2018
So we rest Heath, Rapino and Morgan for this game...There's no way we lose this game so next round is automatic...
Well I pretty much called the changes to the starting group. I hope I do not dislocates my shoulder patting myself on the back.
Short makes a stupid play by dribbling right into two panama players. But it makes no difference as they give it right back.
Nice run from Mewis on a good ball from Press. Mewis is just taller than everyone and did well on the finish.
That's one of the 5-6 I expect. It could even be more as Panama is playing even worse than I expected.