There's a bit of discussion already elsewhere about South Korea, and we also have a roster, so it's time for a thread! The USA will play South Korea on Thursday, Oct. 21 in Kansas City, Kansas (8 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and TUDN). In the second match of the 2 game series, they will again play South Korea in St. Paul, Minnesota on Tuesday, Oct. 26 (7:30 p.m. ET pre-game on FS1 and 8 p.m. ET on TUDN). Roster: GOALKEEPERS (2): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 6), Adrianna Franch (Kansas City NWSL; 9) DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper (Houston Dash; 76/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 41/1), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville; 4/0), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red Stars; 36/0), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit; 147/2), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC; 195/0), Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit; 60/0) MIDFIELDERS (5): Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 104/23), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign; 64/16), Catarina Macario (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 10/3), Kristie Mewis (Houston Dash; 30/4), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 19/2) FORWARDS (7): Tobin Heath (Arsenal, ENG; 179/36), Carli Lloyd (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 314/134), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride; 188/114), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars; 65/18), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign; 185/61), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC; 8/1), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage; 42/13) Naeher, S Mewis, and Ertz will be in camp, but are not ready to return to matches yet. Press and Dunn have opted out of this camp. Notes: These will be Lloyd's last matches. In Kansas City, Horan will be honored for her 100th cap (earned against New Zealand at the Olympics)
It is in the contract that all players that played in the Olympics must be rostered (I think is is player's choice weather they play or not) for the tour. Nobody is "waiting" to bring new players in. Actually I guess we are "waiting" by playing these weak sisters for the sole purpose of making money. We will learn nothing from these crap matches except what out threshold of boredom is. But it is better than what the men have put on the field lately.
Fox, Sullivan, Smith, and Pugh are all "new" in the sense that they weren't on the Olympic roster. I imagine that the Australia trip (if it happens) will be the real reset though (if Vlatko actually wants to bring in a lot of new faces...we'll see). This is pretty harsh for the team ranked #18 in the world. For you to be happy, are we limited to only playing top ten teams?
It is that we are consistently playing very weak teams. I understand that we cannot always play strong teams. I just object to playing matches with no meaning and no development potential. I believe this "tour" should be about starting to season or find new or developing players not just running the oldsters out so people can see them. But this is a bit better than nothing. I actually would rather the players all went back to their clubs as that is better development right now.
Just because the contract requires certain players to be called up, that doesn't mean you can't also call up new players as well. ...but yeah, this is the roster I expected.
Did you know South Korea did tie the US when they last met exactly two years ago? Since then they’ve hired a very experienced coach in Colin Bell who in 2016 won the Champions League for the Frankfurt club. He also was able to get an away tie in Holland when he coached Ireland in World Cup qualifiers(though ultimately failed to make it into the WC). Due to presumed tighter Covid restrictions, the Koreans have only played 5 games so far for the year(just two last year), so that might make them more suspect in producing stronger competition this time around vs US(who’s played now over 20 games in 2021)
But look who IS in Kansas…..welllllllllll if it isn’t the Greatest Team in the Universe!!!!! PLEASE NOTE: While this BIOsteel may be “Hydrating U.S. Soccer” - - - I am still very much in charge of Hydrating U.S. Soccer Fans. Due to the presence of the USWNT, for the next three days my home State of Kansas has been voted the #1 State to live in America based on the overall Quality of Life. Tomorrow, Children’s Mercy Park will be the Center of the Galaxy as the Only Team That Matters takes the Pitch at 8 pm (ET) – 5 pm (McSkillzTime). For the next two Matches, I’m breaking out the Black Armband to protest the retirement of Carli Lloyd. Tuesday, the Journey takes us back to Brew Hall…… I mean St. Paul for the 2nd Match of the series and Carli’s North American N.T. farewell (Aussie in November???). There is an extremely high probability that I will be seen pre-match in Brew Hall soaking up the atmosphere…….along with a few IPA’s.
It appears that the "passion" folks have shown in the past for the USWNT is diminishing. It is now 30 minutes before kickoff and the game day posts are extremely low in number. I wonder exactly why? Personally I hope only for a good, well played and competitive match. S. Korea is not a horrible team and they are, probably, the best currently available but I do think that this, and the earlier matches on this third place tour, have any real value. Players are placed at risk and there is little to gain. But that does not mean the matches are not enjoyable to watch. It just means that the risk vs reward for these matches is very tilted toward the risk side.
ESPN 2 and TUDN. It may be on ESPN 3 as well but of that I am not sure. In fact ESPN probably does not see this as important enough to stream on ESPN 3 as well as 2.
It would be nice if "opportunities" meant real chances to score but, so far, the US and S. Korea are playing about even. No body has really looked likely to score.
Some nice dribbling followed by a back pass all the way to the keeper killing the attack and allowing S. Korea to get organized. No threat to score but at least it was not a goal for S. Korea when they got the only clear breakaway so far.
The USWNT is in the middle of their club seasons but they are playing like it is early preseason. So many poor passes and bad first touches that it almost looks like we are watching the USMNT instead.
Morgan hit the keeper dead center once again. It seems the US can only hit the part of the goal where the keeper is standing. At least SK has made the US keeper stretch a bit to make a save or two.