I think it's great that they are giving a player who is new to the national team opportunities to slowly ease back into the team as a starter after injuries. ... ...
Arrgh, come on Sydney. She messed up that easy wall pass with Wambach. A little less pace on the ball and Abby would be in. I'd like to see Press for Leroux at half. Let Press play down the middle for once.
43' 1-2 USA steal and hit Leroux at 21m arc left, one-touch inside-out pass for Wambach chasing to box left foot -- too hard. Wambach is running 44' 1-2 Brasil holds at circle top mid-left ... long switch right. Patient possession ... 45' 1-2 Brasil switch to 20m wide left, somebody facing away does a donkey kick down box left. Rampone shields 1, ball rolls over.
But she hasn't played a competitive match in 4 months. She's still working on getting that match fitness back.
45+1' (of +3') 1-2 Rampone chases to 25m right touch, #9 slides in and -- takes ball? Pops up and sprints toward box top left -- but foul given. 45+2' (of +3') 1-2 Leroux slides through #4 Tayla. Foul, no card. Ball pops around midfield near touch, nobody controls ... Replay shows both were running laterally, Tayla tried an on-the-run step-around roundhouse just as Leroux slid. Right foot nestled between Leroux's thighs, left foot hit ball and stopped.
45+4' (of +3') 1-2 Brasil surge to box arc top, lay siege. Flick pass leftward blocked back. 2nd pass to box left, 1-v-1 with no window -- shot high. HT 1-2.
We have no defensive midfielder and outside backs out of position caught up field. Every opposing team should counter attack this team.
To me, this half reinforces that Leroux is best used as a sub. In the 2012 Olympics her pace and willingness to harry tired defenders was helpful. As a starter she just doesn't bring enough to the table. Another subpar half by Holiday. I'm not sure it's entirely her fault. She just is not a tough tackling holding midfielder and yet is being asked to be one. It's like Ellis has this fantasy that Holiday will be allowed all the time and space she wants to pick out out beautiful passes. But Brazil, as any good team would, is not letting her do so. Whoever said the formation would revert to a classic 4-4-2 with Abby and Syd up top was correct. Brazil still has their mojo. They've been written off prematurely by some experts, I think.
was it readlly "heads" ?! ¿pero viene de una mano de Sauerbrunn? BRA 0-1 EEUU, 8' http://twitter.com/ProtagonistasDJ/status/544237295696875522/photo/1pic.twitter.com/QU3152toLT
What is Abby's role today, reserved forward? i'm confused where she is supposed to be on the pitch. regardless, she's not helping. Syd still doesn't have great touch, ugh. Horan is our best passing/holding forward and she's not even on the team, she could help in this formation, Abby doesn't really bring anything. I'd love to see Brian get in and agree, Chupa for only 30 minutes? Also, it's clear Brazil is quicker and more athletic, would be nice to have Dunn back to keep up with the pace. and there's huge huge holes in the middle, counters should be pretty easy in the second half. ...for brazil
Brazil's field players have great skill, but without a keeper and with that sometimes porous defense, I don't think they'll go very deep next summer. Ellis has talent all over the field and simply does not know how to implement it. As has been the case with the team under her charge, things look aimless. It looks like the US players are frantically trying to figure out where to be rather than playing positively or trying to implement some sort of tactics/game plan.
If brazil's defense didn't suck as it usually does, they would be winning this game. Sorry folks, but it is apparent the difference in skill on the ball and dribbling between Brazil and our players. Brazilians love to take them man on. Anywhere on the field. Our players are so conditioned from Club team through College through NWSL to USWNT to have no individuality, just kick the ball into space and chase after it.
Great cross by Lloyd, and Rapinoe with another very close acute angle shot. Good start to second half.
51' 1-2 Brasil longball bounces through box top left, 1-v-2 ahead of us -- Krieger(?) recovers? Backpass to near midfield ... 52' 1-2 Rapinoe fouled at midfield wide right. 53' 1-2 USA somehow into box mid-left, shoot over? 54' 1-2 Brasil gk, USA steal at midfield and chip up centerline. Leroux runs around 1 at box top center, hooks a shot while falling down -- wide left. Foul anyways?
wow, so Brazil's backs are faster than Leroux.... When her speed is neutralized, her stock greatly goes down.