This match kicks off at 5:00 AM EST on ESPN2 Studio 90 will air on FSC tonight at 8:00 PM EST to talk about China '07. From the attached FIFA article: As for the Koreans... a result against the mighty Americans, who some consider to be in a period of decline, would represent a major coup. This should be fun. On a side note, the new "Greatest Team You've Never Heard Of" ads by Nike featuring Rainn Wilson are great. I loved his interpretation on how to celebrate after scoring. "I'm caught in the net... I'm caught in the net!"
With Hope Solo in goal, the opposition has 2 chances of getting even one past her; slim and none. Prediction: 3-0, US.
I couldn't believe a FIFA article would say that, but there it was. Here I was thinking this was a relatively young team and the team was on the rise. Who am I to think there is more depth now than at any time in the past and that more players are proving themselves to have skill and creativity than any time in the past. The new Nike ads are interesting.... It's about exposure, right?
Agreed. I found it pretty funny which is why I included it. The funniest part to me is how completely unintersted the US team is. They realize they don't need "360 degree" exposure to be good at this game. In the WWC99 ads, we saw the US women carrying the "funny" load. This time our group is all business and the comedy relief is left to the masses.
I was being facetious about their total record since Germany 03 and Algarve Cup losses. Someone correct me if Im wrong, but I dont think they have any other losses. I suppose "period of decline" means a period of competitiveness as opposed to totally annihilating most teams.
I can't wait for tomorrow's game, partly because I have no idea what to expect. The North Koreans, if they translate all their hype to the field, could very well earn themselves a result. If they're anything like China in 1999, as some sources have claimed, I'm a little nervous; China had won two of three matches against the US in '99 prior to the World Cup final. I have confidence in our team, but the ambiguous nature of Korea is intriguing and scary at the same time. I have no idea what to expect formation wise, as Greg Ryan has shifted things around all year. The 4-2-4 seems a bit risky against a team with allegedly such a strong midfield. Something like this, maybe? -------------------------Solo------------------------- Rampone------Whitehill---Markgraf------Lopez---- ------------------------Boxx-------------------------- ------Tarpley----------Lloyd--------Chalupny------- -----------Wambach----------Lilly------------------- Lloyd and Chalupa both have good defensive skills, so either of them could adapt into a more conservative role to help Boxx if needed. Likewise, Tarpley could easily become a third forward.
I'd like chalupa to play less defense and play more of a creative attacking mid role. Her skills and flair on the ball will be a waste on the defensive end. Let girls like osborne, boxx, and jobson do that for her.
I don't think the USA has lost a single game since Ryan took over after the 2003 WWC. If this is a period of decline then it is very odd because it is easily the best record of any women's team in the world - and better than the previous 3 years under AH.
I assume this is the in-game PBP thread... Is anybody else watching ESPN? They seem to be struggling with their pre-game show. What's going on?
oh my god. I slept like 2 hours tonight. I couldn't sleep as i kept thinking about this game. I felt like a kid at christmas!