[R] USA-Norway post game

Discussion in 'Group G' started by Hachiko, Aug 6, 2008.

  1. Hachiko

    Hachiko The Akita on Big Soccer

    Jun 8, 2005
    Long Beach, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I have to say that the USA's effort against Norway had to be a wake-up call. This Norwegian side is the real deal, and there is no question, there is a sense of urgency to bounce back against Japan and New Zealand.

    Any USA WNT supporters want to comment on this? Norway, NZ and Japan supporters are welcome to also do so. Keep it clean, as always.
     
  2. giffenbone

    giffenbone Member

    Jan 22, 2006
    Raleigh, NC
    Re: [R] A rude awakening for the USA?

    Doesn't this thread title suggest a result?

    Just going by the guidelines thread. Not meaning to be an ass.


    But yes, it is a rude awakening. However the USA can (and I believe will) bounce back. As pointed out in the USA forum...USA beat Norway in 2000, but they bounced back to beat us and win gold. USA can do the same this time around.
     
  3. kool-aide

    kool-aide Member+

    Feb 1, 2002
    a van by the river
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: [R] A rude awakening for the USA?

    Yes, it does and I was going to say something, too.

    I would like to have had a game w/o Abby b/f the Olys started but maybe it is out of their system. They were shell shocked after the first 6min and unable to find composure.
     
  4. Bonnie Lass

    Bonnie Lass Moderator
    Staff Member

    Lyon
    Norway
    Oct 20, 2000
    Up top
    Club:
    Olympique Lyonnais
    Re: [R] A rude awakening for the USA?

    Thread edited.

    You cannot just slap an [R] on a title that implies a match result in the thread title. :rolleyes:
     
  5. kool-aide

    kool-aide Member+

    Feb 1, 2002
    a van by the river
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    thanks redcard. So, moving forward, I'd say that Norway is less likely to be "hungover" from their win today and slip up vs NZ than if they were to play Japan next. Perhaps I underestimate NZ, though. (the Aussies are the Matildas, what are the NZs?)
     
  6. Smulan

    Smulan Member

    Apr 3, 2008
  7. kool-aide

    kool-aide Member+

    Feb 1, 2002
    a van by the river
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    wow. so, where does the whole Fern thing come from? I get the "all-blacks" and the "all-whites" of the rugby&soccer teams for the men. Why not just go with that for the women? Love the "small whites" for the juniors :D

    thanks.
     
  8. Smulan

    Smulan Member

    Apr 3, 2008
    I feel like a failed Wikipedia peddler... But here you go- The ferns, as seen on their shirts;

    http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/nz_fern.html#fern
     
  9. kool-aide

    kool-aide Member+

    Feb 1, 2002
    a van by the river
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thank you, Smulan. I realize how little I know about NZ. See, you can learn from sports ;)
     
  10. Matt12

    Matt12 Member

    Nov 26, 2007
    Trondheim
    Club:
    Rosenborg BK
    I wasn`t to impressed with Norway today sure they had 2 quick goals but they mostly came from mistakes by the US.

    Oter then that the team had a few almost chances but seem to mess up at some crucial points.

    Defensively it was better the team seem to control the US most of the time. But the goalie seem shaky and i think that has to worry the defenders.

    Also no one els think that the referee quality in this tournament has been appalling ?
    Okey the ref in the Norway-US games wasn`t to shabby but after seeing some of the oter games. I most say there have been some really strange decisons. I just hope the refs won`T decied who will be champion.
     
  11. Bonnie Lass

    Bonnie Lass Moderator
    Staff Member

    Lyon
    Norway
    Oct 20, 2000
    Up top
    Club:
    Olympique Lyonnais
    Compared to the other two possibilities for GKs, Skarbo is leaps and bounds better. Hjelmseth really blew it in the U.S. Algarve Cup game, making some truly hideous mistakes the U.S. pounced on. Colombo Nilsen is a very good keeper as well, but she's not quite as sharp as Skarbo and has been prone to knee injuries the past few years. So, Skarbo it is. She did have some good saves, especially the one in stoppage time. It was very Bente Nordby, circa 2000 OLY, esque.

    Fun fact: Reidun Seth, the Norwegian GK prior to Bente Nordby, is Skarbo's club keeper coach.

    No, Norway didn't look stellar when compared to a WWC Germany or Brazil, but compared to the past few showings, they looked pretty good. They still have some kinks to work out before I believe they'll be a real threat in the KO rounds, BUT I'm impressed they did capitalize on the US mistakes and were able to get some good runs going.

    Instead of sitting back and trying to defend for the rest of the match, they kept attacking, kept putting together some counters. Not at all like the Norway I've seen the past few serious (non-Euro qualis) matches I've seen them in.

    But really, them FINALLY beating the U.S. for the first time in 10 matches will give them a much needed boost of confidence I think they've lacked for a while now.
     
  12. Woody-99

    Woody-99 Member

    Jan 19, 2002
    Germany
    I found Skarbø to be rather solid in general, but her goal kicks left a bit room for improvement.

    Overall Norway played it pretty smart, a year ago I don't think they would have kept the lead in that impressive manner. Very good counter attacking, as they're known for, but with this team they can actually move forward quickly by passing on the ground. Gulbrandsen back in the mix and Kaurin as well as Wiik played a great game.
    Asker has to be really proud these days...
     
  13. Matt12

    Matt12 Member

    Nov 26, 2007
    Trondheim
    Club:
    Rosenborg BK
    hmm i admit my knowlege of female soccer is limited i mostly only see the larger tournements like EC WC and Olympics.

    And yes i ws happy about the win but i don`t think the team is anything more then a outsider for a medal.
     
  14. amerinorsk59

    amerinorsk59 Member

    Mar 9, 2007
    Chicago area
    Club:
    Chicago Red Stars
    Nat'l Team:
    Norway
    :D Well, finally Norway scored first against the USA and then held on and won! This victory was long overdue! I think in the 10 straight losses to USA, the USA scored first! Although one of the goals was off a back pass mistake, many int'l goals in general generate off mistakes! Also, USA has scored many goals recently off Norwegian mistakes. Anyway, it is great to see them beat USA after 10 losses! I am USA fan too so I hope for a NOR-USA rematch! I like the 4-3-3 formation - it creates more exciting soccer - my only complaint with them (and with USA) were too many errant (sp?)passes. GO Norway!:cool:
     
  15. USArsenalLFC

    USArsenalLFC New Member

    Jun 4, 2007
    London, England
    Club:
    Arsenal LFC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Wow, just wow. I guess the USA hasn't learnt from their World Cup exit, they thought all it took was the sacking of Greg Ryan and they've done their job. I'm amazed....... just simply amazed.
     
  16. Madmartigen

    Madmartigen Member

    Jul 20, 2008
    Elgin, TX
    Club:
    Austin Aztex
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    From what I saw of the game (which was mostly highlights) I think the US just didn't really know how to play without Abby Wambach. Their rude wake up call (if you are a US fan, 2 goals in 2 minutes is rude!) might be just what they need to play better. I really thought that Norway was playing on pace to score 10+ goals without much problem. The fact that the US was able to come back and limit them to the initial 2 goals may prove to be the kind of inspiration they need. We will know more after Norway plays New Zealand and the US plays Japan...
     
  17. Nacional Tijuana

    Nacional Tijuana St. Louis City

    St. Louis City SC
    May 6, 2003
    San Diego, Calif.
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: [R] A rude awakening for the USA?

    So, since the (R) was not edited out:

    2:0 Norway over USA

    So, yes, it was a bizarre match. It seemed, to me anyhow, that Hope may have been more to blame for one of them, and a whole bunch of folks for the other. I am rather glad we didn't switch after going 2:0 though. That would have just made it worse. Sluggish, bad passing, lack of awareness. Horrible start, but hopefully everything will be pointed out methodically and we carry on. The air and weather sucks for everybody, not just us.
     
  18. BocaFan

    BocaFan Member+

    Aug 18, 2003
    Queens, NY
    Oh I think Norway is heavy favorite for a medal now. The win against the USA was huge because the winner of this group plays a 3rd-place team in the quarter-finals, while the second-place finisher plays Germany or Brasil.

    And once you're in the semis, a medal is likely.
     
  19. Dandal

    Dandal Member

    Jul 20, 2002
    Sweden
    Club:
    --other--
    But they haven't won the group yet. Their pre-olympic performances has been somewhat erratic, twice defeating Germany but suffering multiple goal defeats to USA (twice) and Sweden (twice) and a 2-1 loss to England. And even if they win the group, which I admit is likelier that USA doing it, the possible 3rd place teams they might be up against include Canada, North Korea and Sweden.
     

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