The US is varying the attack very nicely. Let's hope it holds up. Bri went down with the knee stinger. I thought the Australian ref was goin to let them do knee surgery and rehab the knee with amount of time they gave to Briana. I hope Bri can shake it off since Ape decided not sub Siri in for Bri.
I wasn't too impressed by the USWNT today, they played all right and did what they had to win. Canada was unlucky to hit the crossbar from the corner in the second half, it could have changed the game. If Canada drew at that point(2-2), anything was possible. The difference today V the game against Germany was LILLY, when she is playing great, USA wins............. Remember Germany beat Canada by 4 goals to 1. GERMANY 4 - Canada 1 USA 3 - Canada 1 Oh wow, Milbertt finally shows up for the WWC, too bad it was kinda too late.
My ratings for USNWNT against Canada ------------------------------------- Scurry: 6.5 Pearce: 6.5 Fawcett 5.5 Reddick: 6.5 Soberero: 6 Foudy: 5 Boxx: 7.5 Lilly : 7 Hamm : 6.5 Wamback: 6 Parlow: 5.5 --------------------------------------------- Subs Bivens: 6 Milbertt: 6.5 MacMacMillan: 5 ---------------------------------------------- WOTM: BOXX ------------------------------------ AH: 6.5
I actually didn't think Lilly played all that well. She did score one of the best goals I've seen in a long while and maybe that's all she needed to do in this game. But, she couldn't really get by the Canadian defense and down the flanks into dangerous positions.
She scored a great goal, there not that many players on the USWNT that can score a powerful goal like that, plus when USA scores first, they usually win.
Is there a bigger hack than Hooper? She looked like she was playing hockey -- in the NHL she would have spent 1/2 the game in the penalty box. Then she has the nerve to complain about the calls against her.
The ref did an atrocious job controlling the game. By letting many clear physical fouls go, she simply sent the wrong message. If this were a men's game, I won't be surprised it would degenerate into a free-for-all.
Yes her name is Wambach (led the WUSA in fouls) and she probably also led in diving. I do like Wambach it is too bad that the US won't let any more young players like her play.
the bulldozer Abby Wambach had never won every body contacts with smaller canadians, i wonder why, it looked as if she was diving...
I agree with Abby's play rating of 6, but I if you used another scale for composure, I would rate her as a 9. Until the referee finally pulled the yellow card I was thinking that players would have probably been better off if they called their own fouls without officials. Hooper had at least four YC offenses I saw--some of which were not even called as fouls. I was pleasantly surprised that Abby didn't take a poke at Charmaine. If there had been a cat fight, it might help the ratings. In short, I hope that FIFA moves to bring in the BEST referees, not the BEST FEMALE Referees. In short, if the US had to lose, the Semi-Finals were the place to lose. I think getting a win in the third place game was vital to restoring confidence. Having the German loss having over the USWNT for a couple of months would not have been productive. The attack was much more varied, but the field still seemed to be tilted to the right. I think attacking the flanks was somewhat effective. I would still like to have some balls taken through the center of the middle ending with diagonal passes to wingers cutting in rather than running toward the corners.
I agree that the attack looked more varied than against Germany. The U.S. also seemed more willing to possess the ball and knock it around the back line and the midfield -- they seemed more composed, to me.
Beulah's analysis Beulah's analysis. A little late, but worth waiting for. http://www.beulahsports.com/wwc03_10_11_03.htm I edited this post to add a quote. Here's Beulah's last paragraph. Call me a sentimental fool...