1-0 halftime lead. The US needs to do something to control the midfield. I think bringing Lindsey at the half would be a wise move. She has fresh legs and is a little more defensive minded than our current center mids. I have a feeling Pia may bring in Morgan at the half and I would be okay with that. However, Rodriguez has done a pretty decent job defensively today. Both of our forwards have been tracking back to defend. We're losing the game in the midfield. Funny it looks like we are down a player today more so than it did when we were actually down a player against Brazil.
Necib really is a joy to watch and the French midfield as a whole have a great understanding between them. But I don't see them beating Hope with these 30-yard bombs. Their best bet to equalize may come from a set piece.
So many stream issues. I guess there are tons of people watching this. Through my FIOS account I can actually log in to regular ESPN and watch. I usually watch SportsCenter on it in the mornings, and I just let it run right into the match...so far, no problems (fingers crossed, though).
I don't understand the fascination with ARod. She really hasn't done much this tourney. Who is the first sub in you think? And for who?
Boxx looks gassed and appears to be running in sand. She's got to come out soon. ARod is once again ineffective. I would love to see Alex Morgan making runs at that backline. And Sauerbrunn has been very solid. if the USA go through, Becky should keep that spot. And Hope is looking very sharp. If the French are hoping that she'll give up rebounds on those long shots they are sadly mistaken.
I think it will be Lindsay for Lloyd first, then Morgan for ARod, we may keep the third in case extra time comes. Just me 2 cents.
Really wish she'd come over and joined Bompastor with the Freedom, as Gabarra was trying to make happen. Perhaps she'll be in WPS eventually.
HT 0-1. France's 2-3 in midfield seems to be clogging USA's 4, with enough pressure on our poor receiving skills to cause a stream of bad touches. They haven't even had to foul or shoulder-charge us, just wait for our inevitable turnover. Then they're off to the races. I've never seen one team get so many opportunities to pick up and run. They will score bunches if they keep this up. For all that pretty repositioning, France seems to peter out at box top. They haven't created combos in the box. 46' 0-1 France subs in (1 of 3) #9 Eugenie Le Sommer for #18 Marie-Laure Delie.
Le Sommer for Delie is the right move for France in my opinion. They are going to pound our backline once again.