Off-topic but I just saw Amandine Henry saying that this tournament was a "failure" for France. Only in the sporting sense of course. Respect for her to use this hard word.
To me Tellford is an clear upgrade on Bardsley. At least going by this game. The defense couldn't clear sh**t in the first half hour once a high ball/cross entered the box. Watch the early free kick where six US women are surounding Tellford and no defender in sight. They were either sleeping or totally disorganized. Made it easy for the US to score. When Tellford cleared that volley from Lavelle I couldn't resist to think how an unlucky Bardsley mishap would have ended in the net. While not super-talented I found Tellford refreshingly solid and clear in her game. Thats all thia English side needed to have a chance to win. Do not screw up. Very recognizablehow the US exploits simple weaknesses and scored via free kicks/headers/penalties. They should be able to "out play" other sides yet they hadn't so far. Really not. All of their matches scream "thank you for the presents".
And it is really... I mean QF exit again and on home-soil after the men's success in Russia last year. I really feel for France, I really do.
I think both teams like and respect each other a lot, but there are a lot of competitive juices flowing. Exactly what you'd expect in a match between two sides believing in and fighting for a result.
While I think the US have (mostly) deserved their wins, they did get lucky at times as well, particularly against Spain and now England. If the Netherlands can keep that style of play up, i.e. be the third or fourth team to keep pushing at the US backline consistently, I would not be surprised if they find the breakthrough. The US backline has been somewhat porous and I think that it's got to bite them at some point, so after two or three good results... Also, Sweden usually can frustrate the US. Since they didn't in the group stage, again I'd expect things to revert to the mean at some point soon.
super proud of the Lionesses Great sportswomen brilliant footballers and fantastic role models Credit too to Phil Neville
As much as I’m happy and beaming with the result, there’s one important thing you don’t do against the USWNT: don’t bloody let them score and get behind early!
The U.S. definitely got lucky in this match. I think England only have themselves to blame for losing it. England could've won this match if White stayed onside and Houghton converted her PK. Oh well. I'm happy, but what a nervy ending.
Nice game. England brought the hunger and was certainly on par with the Usa. A bit unlucky with the off-side of Ellen White, but if you don`t use your chance from the penalty, it gets difficult to win. ( though at least she was on frame, unlike a certain german player 4 years ago ). I would have made White the penalty taker. She looked like she had the most confidence and cojones. If everything goes to plan, Usa should win the World Cup back 2 back. They have been the best team so far and when they where tested, they overcame the obstacles. What I find interesting, is that every team playing the Usa so far, has conceded a goal in the first 15 minutes. It would be interesting to see what happens, if they fail to score in the beginning vs Netherlands/ Sweden in the Final and the pressure gets absorbed.
As a USA fan, it's tough to see it like that. I've been sweating bullets during all these knockout matches. Although, maybe after the WWC, when I've had time to rewatch these games, I might come to the same conclusion.
They started it waaayyyy too earlier, and I don't personally like to see it. However, to call it gutless and ghetto when ALL the best teams in the world use this tactic is stupid.
Chances of Holland scoring is slim since they only know to play one way. The triple threat. They are not a threat to this US team. Sweden won't score because they will park the bus in front of goal. The team bus, with cowards in it.
I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. – Thomas Jefferson#TuesdayThoughts #TuesdayMotivation pic.twitter.com/PHU5SYc6Bf— Innovexa Solutions (@innovexa) July 2, 2019 Please, define lucky vs 3 consecutive WWC appearance which were never easy.
Funny, cause before seeing Rapinoe take those two against Spain, I didn't think the U.S. had a good PK taker. Lloyd used to be the "go to" PK taker, but she's been riding the bench AND missed one in the Chile match.
I think you're forgetting that the U.S. got knocked out of the last Olympics by Sweden in the first knockout match.
Netherlands with the swager and discipline of 2017 would challenge th U.S. For sure! But despite Miedema being her best self - their formerly most dangerous weapons Martens/van de Sanden have been complete no shows so far. Yes Martens scored yet she failed to put her mark onany of the games played. Unlike Sweden or past hurdles like France/England the Dutch don't have the defense or goalkeeper to sit this one out and rely on counter attacking. Sweden at this time is just good enough to killt he knights of this trourney but not the dragon. The group stage game versus the Americans was just a training session of what we are facing if Sweden really overcomes Holland.
Don’t worry. My kids are safe. I took them to a neutral (Welsh) pub down the street for the second half. Beers (for me), ice cream and brownies were had.