On to the next. Hope it's a good match. I'm traveling 1300 miles just to attend it. ...okay, mostly to attend it.
3:00 Central, Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas. At kick - Low 60's, winds about 10 mph, no precip. NO Live T.V. Replay Sat night NBCSN at 8:30 Central. Streaming live on NBC Sports Live Extra......... http://www.nbcsports.com/live-extra/2016-02-13 One down, four to go. Bigger story......Match on the field -or- Semb17 in attendance....Coin flip. I'm buying pre-game margaritas - Blue Goose Cantina.
The USWNT is always the biggest story. If my presence at a game was to ever outshine their performance in it I would seriously question reality. The players are the artists; I am merely a patron of the art.
Thanks. I'm curious to see how much Ellis changes up the starting XI from Wednesday's game, if at all.
I'd be surprised if there were too many changes. I think Ellis might make those changes for the Puerto Rico game.
She should rest one or two of last starters... In the running positions maybe. She will have them leg dead by the time we face Canada if she doesnt. Maybe Press or Horan for Morgan. Somebody for Dunn. Rest Lloyd BTW - Im still not convinced on her but we'll see how she manages this
That would be the smart thing to do, and I imagine it will be what we see. Still bothers me that the US needs to do it. We have skilled depth at every position capable of beating Mexico, PR, even Canada. I don't like the idea that we have "starters" who play every game... it should be about who matches up best against the opponent. Personally, against Mexico, I'd like to see speed on the flanks, not wingers who are going to cut in all the time. The Mexican fullbacks like to join the rush, so that is where the space will be . . . why neutralize it by cutting inside into the depth of the Mexico defense? So . . . a 433 with speedsters on the wings . . . Pugh & McCaffrey perhaps (HAO would be nice), Press central... rest Morgan, or maybe bring her in at '60. I'm predicting Lloyd will have a bad game (she will make me eat crow for this, of course)... I'd prefer a ball handler who won't rush out of the space at the #10 vs Mexico, so Heath or Horan. Horan & Brian a nice combo behind the 10, but I think Mewis & Brian would be better vs Mexico . . . your not likely to catch them with those long directs that Horan excels at... definitely need more incisive passing . . . and Mewis & Brian far better at it than Horan. Center backs don't matter too much here... but you probably want two of your better defensive full backs... that'd be O'Hara & Krieger if she's healthy.
Heading into this game, the US has gone 1,321 straight minutes in major tournament qualification without conceding a goal and have outscored their opposition 69-0 in that span.
Who has been running the most in the last game? Probably need to rest those people, the bench warmers are as good as the "starters".
I only wish those numbers were against at least some quality opponents. With the exception of Canada, no team can really hang with the USWNT.
Jill Ellis rolls out the same #USWNT XI v. Mexico as the XI which beat Costa Rica, 5-0 on Wednesday: pic.twitter.com/nxr0rxAkUn— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) February 13, 2016
I expect for Mexico to bunker in on the defensive side, so that they can keep the score down and remain ahead of Coasta Rica on goal differential.
Costa Rica is up 8-0 on Puerto Rico with 3 minutes to go and they're doing it with their best player - Shirley Cruz - on the bench to start the match.
I'm not sure if Mexico wants the game to "get out of hand" though. Aren't they concerned about goal differential?
Btw, super lame this nbcextra stream doesn't have a "pre-show". I mean it's an internet stream guys, you are more than allowed to show the players training
I don't know if they have a choice in the matter. If they get down by 3 goals, goal differential won't matter.
In a short tournament like this, goal differential is important. Costa Rica is +1 on Mexico now. We must beat Mexico today; then, we can play anyone we want v. Puerto Rico because goal differential will not matter.
02' 0-0 All USA pressure and frenetic possession. Mexico starts 5 defenders (5-3-2?). Correct! Standings so far: 3+6 (+6-0) Mexico 3+5 (+5-0) USA 3+4 (+9-5) Costa Rica 0-15 (+0-15) Puerto Rico Ergo, if Mexico ever trails USA by 3+, then they also drop to 3+3 or worse in the table, and Costa Rica floats to 2nd on GD. Then Costa Rica can bunker and counter in the decisive 3rd match vs. Mexico. Still, as GD did matter already, you could say more precisely: GD won't matter any more