Their job is to promote the program and matches. That's a tough sell if you're honest. The players are there. The team isn't.
Boring? That match was anything but boring. Both teams with near-chances near the end. I thought England's back four were shaky--gave the ball away a LOT with attempted passes to midfielders and England was lucky not to have given up more goals. I think Neville should have put Daly up front late--she's got great pace and is very dangerous in an open game. He could have pulled Duggan as well--she looked gassed. For the U.S., Rapinoe played well--she is very talented and showed more stamina in this game than I thought she possessed. Franch won't be starting any more games for the U.S., I don't think. I had to cringe at some/most of the inspirational women chosen by the U.S. players. Let's just say they didn't show much intellectual or historical perspective. Ertz chose Carrie Underwood (!). I think Pugh picked Beyonce--and others picked Jennifer Lawrence and Cardi B. OKaaay. It was a good idea but one that should be shelved if the players can't do better than that, frankly.
I couldn't agree more! Why does the network keep trundling out that loser? Good grief, I am so tired of him. Just a dumb idea to have him commenting on the women's team--get Mia Hamm or a another women's who knows the women's game and the U.S. team.
Not exactly a bunch of Billie Jean King or Madame Curie. Buuuuuuut..... I love our players and by extension, I love their choices.
I disagree strongly with your last paragraph. All of those women are strong and confident and have been role models for lots of girls over the years. More importantly, I don’t really believe girls should be criticized for who they look up to.
I know 12 year olds with more soccer knowledge than Lalas. I know 8 year olds that have English as a third language with more ability to actually make a point and articulate it so it can be understood. Also Lalas was one of the most overrated soccer players I have ever seen. His only real talent was the ability to lie down in the possible path an attacker might take and flail around like a stranded fish. But, having said all that, there are a rather huge number of fans of US men's soccer that have a high opinion of him and that draws an audience and FOX "thinks" that will draw fans from the men's side and increase viewership. But what it has really done is drive a lot of soccer fans, like me, to hit mute whenever he comes on and to try VERY hard to start viewing with the start of the match and end it as soon as the final whistle blows. I will not listen to that level of verbal diarrhea unless I have no alternative.
I've never considered Lalas to be a particularly astute soccer analyst--but he was given that broadcast role many years ago and he's like a boil you can't rid of--always there, in every broadcast match, to offer his not-very-insightful commentary. And, yea, I don't think you need to have a woman analyze a men's match just for the sake of diversity, which has clearly happened, and likewise there is no reason to have Lalas commenting on a women's match. As someone says above, Lalas likes to talk and seems to have a high opinion of himself, but I've never been impressed by his comments. Broadcast executives of course don't make these on-air talent decisions based on real-world skills, however; it's all about name recognition.
Like the men are much better? Half of what Holden says is wrong and Twellman throws a fit about something inconsequential every single game
My patriotism compels me to disagree, but I can definitely state that we are not the favorites as Mr. Lalas seemed to think before this match.
Hey all keepers have bad games.....i had plenty lol. But her positioning was fundamentally poor. That is not something that happens on a bad day. Its more of a flaw in understanding. Especially on a set piece. Some just don't get it and if you don't get it by this point you probably never will.
Yeahhhhhhhh, I hear you. Though its easy to play MMQuarterback, 1st goal, if Eng tries to go up and down over the wall, 49 out of 50 end up in Row 15. Around the wall far corner seemed to be the overwhelming choice. But Goalie positioning is wayyyyy outside my purview. + WTHDIK If you took the Top 8 Teams and played 4 separate single elimination tournaments over the next 4 months...you would probably get 4 different winners. Parity noun 1. the state or condition of being equal, especially regarding status or pay. "parity of incomes between rural workers and those in industrial occupations" Unfortunately, incredible awesomeness does not guarantee World Cup Championships.......but it sure doesn't hurt.
I think it’s been kind of swept aside that England is a very good team. However, I think any of us who have seen this team play can clearly see there are some pretty big holes. I said the same thing about the ‘15 team, tho. That’s why I really think what they need the most is motivation. The ‘15 team was determined and and focused because of ‘11. They set themselves apart by going after ever loose ball and constantly wanting it more than their competition. I predicted the Olympic failure because they seemed too complacent. Now they seem like some players are hungry and talented and some are clueless or complacent. I just don’t have a very good feeling about June.
the 15' squad was nearly injury free, featuring a strong band of forwards like Morgan, Leroux, A-Rod, Press & Wambach. These days our one lone attacker is Morgan. Yep. Morgan, Morgan, Morgan(as nobody else seems to be upfront these days). We still got the strong wide play of Rapinoe & Heath(but they were around & starting in 2015 anyways) 2015 featured the strong attacking mid presence of Cheney & in her prime then, Lloyd. Now who do we got? Lavelle & Pugh, who alongside other Ellis NT pick, Sullivan, propelled the Spirit to it's brilliant, 2nd to last place finish in the NWSL, lol England changed 4 players from the previous game(which they won) Checking Australia in their own current tourney, they switched 5 & still won comfortably in their last match the US? after the underwhelming, Japan performance, changed exactly none of the field players. Its the same lineup, over & over again(and you mentioned complacent in your post, lol) and to think our country can boast over 30K players in college ball. Two 2nd tier leagues that got 130 teams between them. Solid, quality players in the NWSL, 18 which Ellis apparently refuses to pick & who went over to Australia to dominate their league over this last winter(& who I might; Australia still make up one of the top NT's in the world). and there's one other question ask? why on earth Ellis don't swallow her pride & stack her starting lineup with what proved themselves to be the best pro woso team in the whole world last year; the NC Courage? so considering we got more women players than any other nation & sure way more money than anybody, who's else is to blame for the dismal performance other than a certain somebody?
I hate to see Jill Ellis drafted players into the WNST and put them in positions that they do not play at their best, like Pugh in mid, Heath in forward who obviously played so much better in mid near the end of the England/US match, Dunn in defense who frequently left a vulnerable hole at the back until it was closed by Underwood in the same position. One should place players in positions which they are most comfortable with. For forwards, there are people like Press, Pugh, Morgan and others from the NWSL to draw from. For Mid, one needs players with creativity to feed the forwards or involve in the attack. Heath, Rapinoe, Lloyd, Mewis, Dunn, Revelle, etc. are good. I think defense very much needs to be strengthened with players like Ertz in the middle. Just some thoughts from an unknowing guy like me. At least I hope it will starts the National Team Coach thinking.
Ellis may not pick the roster. Until we know what's in the contracts and nobody seems to be telling, I'm guessing her hands are tied. I'm not a fan of Ellis in any way but I can't fault her if this is out of her control.
The NWSL ended months ago, the players are simply not sharp. They generated quite a bit of offense but the final third passing/decision making was terrible. Generally what you see in pre-season. However, the main problem in this calendar year has been defending. The goals they are giving up are poor and mostly down to defensive errors than offensive execution by the opponents. On top of that, the problems have been with college players who have no pro experience yet, players out of position, and the failure to get any GKs besides Naeher game time. While the contract situation is secret; it can't be 100% the answer to why college players are being selected and used in place of actual professional players. Further, the Allocated Players turns over in January doesn't it? So, Jill has had 3.5 years to come up with a 23 and get those players on the USSF payroll. I've heard Davidson is not on there; which begs the question of whether there are only 2 CBs on contract or if there are CBs on contract not being called. Either makes no sense. Horan is hurt, but Jill has everyone else available. Why not plug Mewis in for Horan and roll with the lineup she has been working with for 18 months? Why the complete change and the insertion of Pugh in midfield? Rapinoe called out the midfield as playing too soft. But what do you expect when you have a winger/forward playing there and a small often hurt flair player next to her? A midfield of Horan/Ertz/Mewis is imposing; Pugh and Lavelle are not.
I believe she does pick the roster tho Im sure she is given guidelines (ie Lloyd is going if she can still walk). She also has a big say in who gets the contracts.