McCabe is a butcher, really violent, i would say almost psychopath, i can read it on her face... And i am not very happy France, with a team already widely depleted, will play Ireland in a friendly just few days before the WC Van De Donk and Egurola can be tough players but far from the crazy McCabe and i saw them playing each weeks to say that PS : Ertz is a tough player too, i remember some very critical tackle ...
I am not the one who brought stats up. That was HotJam. I was just countering what he posted with facts. I agree that goals and assists (and any specific stat) all need to be taken in context.
all you did was link to Man City’s official site thanking Méwis & Lavelle for their services, the stats might of included WSL, Champions League, 2 domestic cups, pre season & winter break friendlies. My stats were based on league only where everything’s based equally) Unofficially doubt if MC was too happy with the team results—2nd place in the league/blown out by Barca in the CL quarters—-considering they bought nearly the whole English NT, as well as four Americans(if you include Beckie) for the season With only 3 league starts, Lavelle was considerably disappointing as MC preferred the Scott, Weir, over her at the #10. ——————————————————- Macario on the other hand, in my opinion snubbed for Ballon d’or as possibly the best player on earth(they gave it again to Putellas, even though Lyon ended beating them at last year’s CL final Van de Donk has many of these dirty tackle vids out as well(more from her Arsenal days/especially where she shoved the referee with no penalty given) Lyon/Chelsea matched I remembered she completely bloodied the face of just turned mom, Melly Leupolz(most comments I’ve read she purposely did it) The newer Egurrola; (from last year’s CL) kept shadowing Bayern’s Klara Buhl to a point of kept fouling nearly every time she got the ball. Ironically she was defending against countryman(lady) Miedema when she got her ACL. Don’t think she made contact, just the imitation factor made Miedema make an awkward move to avoid her —————- sorry to read Cascarino missing the WC. Are Katoto & Diani as well?
A) I do not understand why there is so much discussion of non - USWNT players in this particular thread. B) I would pick Katie McCabe for nearly any team I was putting together. She and Frida Maanum carried ACL-decimated Arsenal on their backs ever since January. If I could not have McCabe, I would take van de Donk. Every team needs a player with attitude and bite, like Rachel Daly, my avatar.
Back to USWNT. I just made myself a list of 29 players for the US World Cup roster. IMO being in form and healthy are of utmost importance. I would not take more than one “iffy” player from an injury perspective. Today, I would pick the following, without regard to what I think Vlatko and the USSF brain trust (using that term loosely) will do: GK (3): Naeher, Murphy, Kingsbury Central Defense (4): Sauerbrunn, Girma, Cook, Davidson Fullbacks (3): Fox, Pickett, Huerta Defensive Midfielders (2) Sullivan, Sonnett Attacking Midfielders (2) Dunn, Sanchez Other Midfielders (2) Horan, Mewis Forwards (6): Morgan, Williams, Smith, Hatch, Rodman, Rapinoe Out of form/crippled (1): Ertz or Lavelle or O’Hara Deadline to announce is July 10, but Vlako is expected to announce before the June 26 camp. I think the “brain trust” will dictate Thompson goes as a forward, which will bump Hatch and piss me off. I also think Vlatko has proved he is an excellent club team coach, but in the national team set-up, the absence of day-to-day work with players plus the politics are challenges he has not adapted to very well.
Thanks for posting the video of Katie McCabe — it's at turns instructive and amusing. She's not shy and she has a petulant side but I don't think the video shows she's anywhere near a dirty player. The 2nd incident, for example, McCabe' getting her foot in front of the ball to block it; her other knee appears to ram the back of her opponent's leg. It's close to good execution but I have no problem with the ref, who has a better vantage point, thinks the force is too great. Nowhere near a red card though. Worst one is probably #5, a seemingly unnecessary swipe at Manchester City's Lauren Hemp as they cross paths. Bad behavior but nothing especially dangerous. #6, opposing player makes a quick clever touch to avoid McCabe's attempt to deflect and try to move past McCabe. It's a foul; YC is fine; but McCabe is coming to a stop, doesn't go through her opponent, keeps studs down. Again, nothing remotely like a red card #8 against Chelsea, McCabe gets left foot on ball, there's contact but she's spinning away to lessen the contact. I'm not even positive it's a foul, but again the referee has a better vantage, but nothing remotely dirty about it. What I'm seeing in this video is a good, physical soccer player with good tackling technique, who mainly keeps her cleats away from her opponents and doesn't go crashing uncontrolled or with full force through her opponents' legs.
maybe another vid might change your mind, Going afterGK's seems to be another dark trend in soccer I would think Hatch will make the NT--she currently leads the league in scoring & got chemistry with teamies Rodman, Sullivan & Sanches=z. Word from Angel City fans that Thompson might score an nifty goal once in an while, but doesn't do anything for the other 89 minutes(with all the hype, AC practically in last place). Most likely Lavelle & Ertz taking it easy--an route done many times previously by others as well
Seems rather naughty of McCabe and might land her in the Naughty Place (But did the 'keeper drop the ball or bounce it right in front of McCabe?!! I can't tell from the video) * Interesting comment about Thompson. So others are thinking it?! I hadn't said a word to anyone else, I promise! I don't want to be down on such a young player, just realistic.Of the young 'uns, I think Jaedyn Shaw and Olivia Moultrie have much more complete games right now.
You lost me at Dunn in the midfield. She is not a midfielder. She would not make the team as a midfielder. All she does is sprint down the field and tap in crosses from close range. She has no ability to help possession. There is a reason both Jill and Vlatko play her at outside back. And you can’t take three outside backs to the World Cup. It is arguably the most demanding position on the field. Vlatko would kick your ass with his lineup if that is yours.
Hatch has been invisible this NWSL season. Most of her goals are PKs. Ertz isn’t ready yet. Her timing, quickness and fitness are still off. I hope she isn’t sitting out to rest. She isn’t in form.
No that is not all that I did. You said Mewis was not successful in Europe. Scoring a goal every other game is impressive for a forward. And Mewis did it as a midfielder. Here it is again for you: “Mewis figured 32 times in a blue shirt, scoring 16 goals, while Lavelle turned out for City on 26 occasions, finding the back of the net five times. “ https://amp.mancity.com/news/womens/sam-mewis-rose-lavelle-departure-63756794 Mewis brings an arsenal of world-class talent and experience back to Courage Country, from earning five major trophies with the NC Courage, to winning the FIFA World Cup with the US Women’s National Team, to dominating on the European stage with Manchester City. https://www.soccerwire.com/news/uswnt-star-sam-mewis-departs-manchester-city-to-re-join-nc-courage/ Sam Mewis has also said she played some of the best soccer of her career in Europe. How do you reconcile Daly’s 21 goals this season in the WSL but struggling to score in the NWSL?
I wish more people spoke on what they see. its not being down, its what is missing from WoSo for me. Fans talking about the good and the bad. As far as young players are concerned, it seems that bringing them along in a measured way is not the MO. Thompson has been marketed on the basis of successes vs boys, clips of her on the track and hearsay from people with an agenda. Throwing a player with her body type and experience into NWSL and NT games is almost unfair to her development arc. From what I have seen, she is not ready to be a major player at this level yet and frankly, its ludicrous to expect her to be. the easiest thing to do is show flashes of 1v 1 ability. When opinions are based on watching a few highlights, the picture can get distorted. I hope she gets to fully develop her undoubted potential. I dont think the NWSL has an environment that is conducive to developing younger players yet. I've been consistent on that.
It’s sink or swim. She chose this path training against boys and playing with senior USWNT which many girls dreamed of. She has show flashes but can improve better. Maybe the team needs to be better as well especially the midfield to link up with the forwards. Moultrie didn’t do much in her first season yet improved much last and this season.
I have no info, but training against boys needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. If a u15 boys team can beat the WNT, then reports of her dominating u17 boys says more about the boys than her! Thats just it. Should flashes be good enough to make the WNT? I agree on the team aspect. Moultrie faces a difficult path imo. Historically we have had a hard time integrating players of her type into the NT successfully. we focus so much on offensive stats, but unless you can afford to carry an 8 or 10 who is limited defensively, its hard to see where she goes. If she was not on the Thorns do you think she would be a regular NWSL starter?
Missing our two best attacking players (Swanson & Macario) and Sam Mewis is a huge blow. Ertz & Lavelle are a bit dodgy right now as well. Sauerbrunn & 'Pinoe are 4 years older. For the first time since 2007, I do not think we are favorites.
I think USA remain anyway favourite, if only because a lot of their potential contenders (England, France, Netherlands) are as much plagued by key-injuries as them or possibly worse.
I agree with this generally, with the exception of Moultrie. She is 17 now and has been in the Thorns organization since she was 13. They appear to have brought her along quite carefully and systematically, rather than rushing things, and she has continuously gotten better. Where she will level off, who knows, but for someone her age she appears to see the field really well and is an outstanding passer. Her one-on-one defensive abilities at this point seem a short-coming, and she does not seem good in the air, but those may be yet to come as she develops her strength and works on those elements of her game. Word is she is extremely coachable and has a great attitude. On the other hand, throwing some of the other newbies immediately into the mix, rather than focusing on their long term development so they can end up as the best possible versions of themselves as players, may be an issue. Ttime will tell, I guess, but I would prefer the slower development model.
Cat is not a loss. We have never had her. Hard to say she is a top two offensive player when she has so few caps and goals. Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan have much better track records with the USWNT.
To be fair, Thompson also excelled at every age of the USYNT teams, including the U20’s. The YNT’s exist for a reason- to prepare players for the full team.
I believe you are misinformed about Crystal Dunn. In 2015, as a forward: she scored 15 and assisted 3, won the Golden Boot and was league MVP. In 2018, as a midfielder: she scored 8 and assisted 5 for the league champions, who only lost 1 game all season. In 2019, as a midfielder: she scored 7 and assisted 4 for the league champions, while missing 9 games for the world cup. She has played as a midfielder for Portland since she joined in 2021. Regarding needing another fullback, even you could play fullback for the group game against Vietnam and the team would still win by a lot. As you pointed out Dunn can play fullback and both Sonnett and Davidson can also put in shifts there. As Jill Ellis was fond of pointing out, players with flexibility are so very important on a world cup team.
I reread my comment on Moultrie and I should clarify. By difficult time, I meant in becoming a WNT regular. I dont know what her ceiling is as a 10 and she does not quite seem to have the engine to be a dominant 6 or 8 in a 433. She currently reminds me of a less imposing Horan.
Her previous coach Parsons says she does have an engine to be an 8 as well besides being a 10 and that was when she was 15.