Yep. I plead old brain and arthritic fingers. Once it got to that 3-0 I did not really pay a lot of attention. But the US still must win to be sure of advancement. I think we can be pretty sure the Dutch will defeat Ghana so the Dutch will have 6 points and Japan already has 6 points so the US mus get to 6 points to have any chance at all. After that it could come down to goal differential and Japan sits at +5 The Dutch at +2 and the US at -1. If the US beats Japan by one goal then Japan wins the tiebreaker In fact I think it will take a three goal win to catch Japan. The Dutch should beat Ghana by at least 3 or 4 so catching them may be out of the question. In any case the US cannot rely on anyone but themselves so they need to aim to beat Japan by at least 3 or 4. Any less "might" be good enough but why risk it.
I think we can rule out nerves. This team is not very good. Highly unlikely they will even advance. They have to beat Japan like 3-0. Not happening. Awful play once they get inside 30 yards. Just horrible. And the defense was obviously shaky. Not very impressed with this cohort. Hope they find some magic switch for game 3.
Poor goalkeeping positioning here. 🇳🇱¡PRIMER GOL DE PAÍSES BAJOS EN EL #U20WWC!👏 Todo gracias a Saane Koopman quien nos regaló un bonito remate de cabeza 🔝 📱 Síguelo por @NBCUniverso y la APP Telemundo Deportes ➡️ https://t.co/WBbXr3nVkP#U20WTD pic.twitter.com/UkiSMiw2Nj— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 14, 2022
Great hit, but poor positioning again by the keeper. OH MY GOODNESS 😳This BEAUTIFUL strike from Foederer gives the Netherlands a 2-0 lead 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/1a1b9044Ep— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 15, 2022
The Netherlands go up 3-0 after this PK 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/akVJ8tDRVO— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 15, 2022
I was not sure so I checked the FOX Sports app and I found a number of the U20 WWC matches available on demand. More than likely all matches will be available on demand through the FOX Sports app. I am not sure how long after the match they become available but they are there.
Welllllllllllll THAT didn't go as planned. The Orange were the better team......didn't think they were 3-0 better though. I wouldn't claim to know the first thing about correct goalie positioning, but the 2nd goal was just a perfectly weighted, placed strike - - like one in 75 chances type of strike. (Goal of the Tournament so far?) The USA finds itself in the unenviable position of needing a win/tie vs. Japan (Wedn. 7pm ET - FS2) and, and, and a Ghana victory over the Orange to advance to the knockout rounds. Kyrie Eleison.
Looks like the US only have to beat Japan by two goals ( this is a 4 goal swing between the 2 teams in the GD tie breaker) in order to get into the top 2 and advance regardless of what happens with the Dutch. Will be interesting to see the tactics in the final group game. The US likes to press and try and turn the opponent over to create easy chances...outside of individual brilliance, this looks to be the only US offensive plan. Japan has the reputation of being very technical and organized...will they be susceptible to the US press? US should have the athletic advantage. With the speed of Thompson and Cooper, this would be a game that maybe they could do some serious damage by sitting deeper defensively and then springing those 2 on the counter. Being down in the GD tie break though, I doubt we see that. They will probably need to come out on the front foot with high energy and hope to get an early goal and keep forcing the issue.
The decision should come down to their employer, if they are professionals. If not, then purely up to the player.
The payoff in US womens soccer is heavily skewed towards building your individual reputation. Selfish play is rewarded. Head down, dribble, ignore higher percentage passes that create better opportunities for teammates are eschewed for long shots, 1vs 3/4 take ons etc. When one of those is successful, the legend grows, even if it happens in a loss. In my opinion, this playing style up front is the result. Im sure others will disagree, but thats my opinion. This is the embodiment of the culture we have created with what we encourage, celebrate and reward. I think some of these players are very talented, but as a collective, the balance is wrong. I feel the same about the full team.
With respect, if one of the US players scored this goal , no one would be talking about poor positioning. It would be endless reposts and social media comments.
both of them are only 17 years old & an team that seems to. E build around 16 year old Moultrie’s AM performance. Be great if it was an u17 tournament, but nothing older
Michelle was born Dec 4, 2002 is a very physically mature soon to be 20 year old. Thompsons speed plays well above the u17 age.
The Netherlands played like a team. With one exception, the US played like a bunch of individuals. While the US playing like a bunch of individuals may have to do with the US players trying to show what stars they are individually, it also is possible it is a function of the much broader pool and geographic dispersal of players in the US as compared to the Netherlands. I am guessing (only a guess) that the Netherlands players have been playing together over a much longer period of time and have better familiarity with each other than the US players. It is almost as if the extremely large pool of players in the US, with the geographic dispersal of players, makes it more difficult to develop a true team. The game reminded me of some comments from Alex Morgan recently suggesting that some of the young WNT pool players were having difficulty sticking to the roles Vlatko was assigning to them in games. I thought she essentially was saying, rather diplomatically but nevertheless firmly, that some of the youngsters were not being team players.
I said it was a great hit. But, if she was in proper starting position she could have had a chance to save it. Her positioning was not just off, but really poor on both goals she gave up in the run of play. That should not happen at this level. Even the play by play announcer called her out for her positioning.
It is the job of the coach to remind them that this is a team sport team comes first and its his responibility to come up with tactics that benefit the TEAM not just single players..
Again thats on the coach if he sees it as a problem he needs to have a firm chat with the younger players instead of always using the veterans as scapegoat.
Why was Korbin Albert on the bench and didn't play in this game when she was a catalyst in the win against Ghana?
The coaches responsible for the YNT programs over the past 6-8 years seem to have encouraged and selected individual “superstars” that are big and athletic instead of being skillful soccer players with high soccer IQ. US Soccer has not rewarded or trained teamwork and collaboration on the field. Seems to be more interest in bragging about how many goals they have scored against lower performing teams like an ECNL team going to an AYSO tournament and then bragging about scoring 40+ goals against their opponents. The first time they play a more appropriate level of opponent they fall flat. A little humility would serve them well in the future. It also doesn’t seem there is chemistry among the players and maybe some of the strong players are not as great as they think. The NED played calmly and with intention, anticipating where there teammates would be and what they would be doing. It was great soccer to watch.
I think Shaw is a good player, but she's not incredibly ath It was would easy to point to this as the reason for the poor showing, but I can assure you that the US program and Tracey absolutely are playing to win and expect to win. I agree with your assessment. The last u20 World Cup saw the US get exposed as well. This particular group has has a lot of success even against teams in Europe. Recently, they beat France and the Dutch (in PKs). Pre-Covid, a lot of these same players were coached by Tracey at the younger age groups and also were successful. I think these past successes kinda papered over the cracks...it's a collection of very good players, but not a cohesive team that plays together and combines. IMO past success led to stagnation in development of modern tactics...why change from what's working? Do we even have a system or style? Meanwhile, the traditionally strong (men's side) "true soccer" nations in Europe continue to develop, evolve, and implement their tactical systems. Their new investment and prioritizing the women's game spells trouble for the US.
I said maybe for a reason. I know Tracey and believe she is a fine person and good coach. I Also know that the players spend very little real time with her. Not enough to change ingrained habits. Tracy is an employee. Others set the agenda.