I was perusing through a few WC articles this morning, catching up for next week, and couldn't help but be a little turned off by Chastain's comments. She has something negative to say about Ryan and the team in almost every article in which she's quoted. I'm not saying she has to be blindingly supportive, but she comes across as very bitter.
Do you have some links or citations? Wait a minute, I have to tell a CalTechie we need links or citations??
I should have known better to criticize without providing evidence, so here's but one recent article: http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/07/womens-world-cup-view-from-brandis-house/ There have been more, but unfortunately I'm too lazy to find them at the moment. I'll try to search for them in a bit.
On what she would like to see : “Just in the connectivity from back to midfield to the front, I think we need a better rhythm,” she said. “We’re always going to be an athletic and physical and a quick team, but I would like to see better combinations and a style that is just more enjoyable to watch. I would agree
i'd agree too. july foudy has made a broadcasting career on this point w/ this team. then again, she was arguably the best holding midfielder we've ever had.
Chastain's comments couldn't be more accurate. As we can see with the N korea game this morning: no connectivity in the midfield with the forwards. Maybe the 2nd half we'll get our act together.
Yep, after waking up to view the game live, I would have to agree with Chastain on her point as well. I think I started this thread after reading a comment from another article, which struck a particular nerve, but as I can't locate it now, forget my little diatribe about Mrs. Chastain's bitterness.
The reason US couldn't put anything together today was because N. korea is a well disciplined machine and they were all over the US like stink on SH__t! This wasn't N. Zealand they were playing. Brandi will always be bitter toward the Greg Ryan for cutting her. But let's not forget that Anson cut her also from the NATS when she was supposed to be in her prime.
The other reason was that we were trying to go with a 4-3-3 against their 4-4-2. We were outnumbered at midfield and never had time to get into a rythem. Couldn't tell if we adapted since everybody was all over the place but we never did seem to figure it out. That being said, we still almost pulled it out and if Ryan had subbed Abby out, we might have saved the win. Two goals while down a person is a pure coaching blunder
I am no fan of Chastian, but she is right on this one. The world has caught up to the USA soccer power house in only a few short years!
I wouldn't say the world has caught up. Maybe Germany and Korea has...but I honestly think other games against other teams this world cup will be lopsided in USA's favor.
I would agree that at this point we don't have a big time play maker or someone to tie the defense with the offense. I would like to see Wagner given a chance. Right now we're just fighting for the ball and when we get it we're forcing and rushing. Wagner brings also some flair to the game.
Absolutely. Whether it is Wagner or not, our team has been playing boring, direct soccer for way too long. We need to get creative and start playing with some flare. The fact that AW scores such a high percentage of all of our goals is proof. We are too predictable.
BChaz tells it like it is. Hey, where's Waldo? They'd make a great soccer power couple as well as a kickass announce team!
"But one of the players confirmed what I had a feeling about: the forwards don’t practice with the midfielders and the midfielders don’t practice with the defenders. How can you have a good group dynamic when you don’t train together. When you’re in separate groups it’s hard to have the chemistry." That is a bit odd.