Going back to what I said in the Canada/Sweden match, I don't understand how the best player doesn't take the shot if she's playing. This is the moment when the best player MUST show what he/she is made of. If the primary taker can't take it because of an injury, then there has to be a precise pecking order for penalty takers.
Ok overall the US is the better side with the right tactic, but they went back too deep in the 2nd half which gives England too much space and freedom in the middle, both the offside goal and the PK were from that. That must be put into attention. Not starting or sub up Toni Duggan was a big mistake.
Given the condition that she just got knocked, I don't think it would be wise to let her take it. Bronze should be the one.
I think Sweden's got a fair chance to challenge the US in the final if they get so far. They have the defense and attacking players to do it. Not because I think they are a better team than Netherlands, I mean Sweden's play if they have to dictate the game and score from open-play is pretty miserable as we saw against for example Canada, but their front-trio with Rolfö, Blackstenius and Jakobsson might create trouble for the US on counters But US keeps on winning and steamrolling the competition in one way or another, so I have them as favourites no matter who they're facing
Actually Naeher hadn't much to do in that: it was one of the worst taken PK I've ever seen! After the third miss in this WWC I have to wonder if England has half a decent penatly taker. Good for them that the game didn't go to penalty shootout or they would have embarassed themselves even more!
Lavelle looked good for the U.S. Will she be out of the final? Is Morgan setting a world record for diving? Or being legitimately knocked down? She's on the ground every 5 minutes. Naeher was the obvious player of the match and Lavelle second. Rapinoe's spirit was missed, but Press got a goal so she can be happy with her performance. . England looked amateurish in the final minutes. Bronze, the world's best player? I don't think so. It takes luck to win the World Cup and the U.S. has had it up until now. They've had close calls in the last three games. I still hate VAR.
The problem is we don’t really have a good penalty taker. The one whose technique I would trust most is Bronze.
Measured by talent and effort probably. But they got their gutless lucky breaks (particularly by VAR) evrytime at the right moment. If they had deconstructed France or England ... which was possible for a certain period of each game ... I wouldn't deny their "worthyness". All in all they didn't feast on their whole talent and structure. The rich,big bullygetting all the lucky breaks doesn'tmake themmore likeableat all. I am happyfor Ali Krieger and Kristen Press to get more honors .. astonished of what became of Lavelle in the last couple of years (compared to Wunderkind Horan). Yet this WWC is a serious let down.So many sides staying below their potentialand instead of challenging the US, the opposition literally gifted the title to them. Whoever willface them in the final is getting blown out anyway. Sweden hasn't the talent and Holland is sadly to dysfunctional and vulnerable. Actually a mixture of both teams might have been an interesting mountain to climb for the U.S.Ladies ...
No, sorry. Basically the tournament ended today and USA won it. I can't see any of the other two finalists challenge them. Booooooooooooooooooooring!!!!!
She's good for her team and a really good finisher. She's also knows where to be. I would love if she played for the U.S.
I would take a dozen penalty less and some good off-side-for-an-inch goals any day, instead of this fun-killer instrument. VAR at this World Cup was simply the most depressing thing happening on earth since the invention on melancholia.
It's not about a decent penalty taker. It's about taking penalties seriously (no pun in there). After the famous penalty fiasco of the Orange Lions against Italy in the semi for the Euros the Dutch started practicing taking penalties, ignoring decades of idiotic remarks practicing it doesnot work. Now almost every penalty is a goal.
Their players are just solid all the way, none are really bad and they work really well together and I just have the feeling that whenever I see them play, they will be organized and just throughout solid. Yes they've been lucky lol, I've pointed that out myself but in terms of what I've seen in this WC, they really do deserve the title. However you pointed out the quality of the opposition. I mean France really gave them a run for the money, but I don't think we saw the full potential they had. England is a great team and could've very well punished US today whereas Germany is a bleak shadow of what they once were, although a final between those two nations is always interesting really, but the US compared to Germany we've seen this tournament would've steamrolled the defense lol So although I've wanted them out and sent back home to US as early as possible, I can't deny that I think they've overall been the best team although I'd personally would wish for France sending them home
It's a trend I see too often in football nowadays: a severe lack of pace, power, height, and accuracy in penalty kicks. Players are becoming lazier by attempting to place the ball rather than master the technique of shooting into top corners. All of that as if they didnt take the goalkeeper into consideration before the shot. I know it's difficult to spend countless hours practicing those, but it's the best weapon any player can have. If I was coaching a boy or a girl on how to shoot penalty kicks, my first references for videos would be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Alan Shearer.
Watch my words Not that I think Sweden's that great but if they park the bus and do their usual counter game, they might be in with a shot
The Lioness gave the US a great battle today, as I expected, their tactic is better than France on the 2nd half. But they really need to find a good PK taker.
Agreed, everyone loves to watch an offensive, attacking style. And those teams definitely like to get forward.
People are underestimating both teams. This is a good USA team but they are more beatable than past ones.