Re: Gold Medal Match [R] I suggested the "physical" approach first, because it will help SLOW the game in the beginning for the U.S., which would benefit the U.S. more than Brazil, but also because Brazil and the rest of the World haven't seen that starting frontline. Why not throw a curve? This is the Gold medal game. Cheney fires the longshot, Kai cleans up the rebound. Bodies fly all over the box for 45 min. Brazil is crying in the lockerroom at halftime. THat's pretty much how I see it It probably won't happen and with how strong the U.S. team is playing right now...a curveball isn't needed. I think our team can't wait to take that field. They are fraking ready now to play. ARod will be unstoppable on the Int'l level next year. This experience she's getting now will pay dividends later. No Defender will be able to even drag her shirt next year. It remains to be seen how well she transfers her level of play in the OLY to the Glorious Field of Dreams known as U.S.C. but if I'm a pimp at Nike...ARod is on my freaking radar for 2009 Marketing.
Re: Gold Medal Match [R] Actually I could see it, too. Brazil's backline is such that Cheney could give them lots and lots of trouble if she's got someone up there with her to give-and-go with or scramble for a rebound.
Carli Lloyd has been terrible all tournament and even worse today. She has created 3 attacks so far this game -- all for Brazil. We really need to get her off the field. You can't afford to bury a one-dimensional player at the most important position on the field, and she doesn't have the ability to play anywhere else. Bring in Wagner, or drop Hucles into that spot or bring in Kai. Otherwise, she's going to cost us a goal. It's a miracle she hasn't already.
Anyone else watching on NBCOlympics.com? I love that it is just a stadium feed - no commentary - beautiful.
Good lord, the US is playing within 20 yeards of their own goal and panicking. Every ball they win they try to boot, no matter how much time and space they have and they have been miskicking most of them. They will be lucky to hold on.
hey, what do I know? Lloyd was better in the second half, and got the goal, though her best pass of the match was the perfect ball she played to Marta right after the goal. She tried to give one away, but Brazil couldn't convert. I'm not sure they US deserved to win, but they got it done.
I don't mean to be rude, but could someone tell me who the grandma (I don't know how else to describe her) on our sideline is. Thanks.
And Hope Solo gets to smuusshhhh this in the face of last year's coach. Gotta love it. LOL What a tool he was. Taking out your starter for the semis inexplicable is the work of an idiot of epic proportions. It screwed with the chemistry of his team and he needs to go down in lore for the fool that he is.
When you get two balls across the goal after good plays, in the second half of overtime in the olympic gold medal match, and there's not a single player to put a foot in, of course you're gonna whine.