Hello All, I was wondering what people think about the 25 day layoff between the sendoff game vs China, and the first game of the Olympics? It seems most of the other top teams are playing friendlies in the leadup much closer to the Olympics. France: France v Romania 7/4/12 France v Russia 7/11/12 France v Japan 7/19/12 Sweden/ Great Britain GreatBritain v Sweden 7/20/12 NZ / Canada / Brazil / Colombia New Zealand v Canada 7/14/12 4:00pm Brazil v Colombia 7/14/12 7:00pm New Zealand v Colombia 7/17/12 4:00pm Canada v Brazil 7/17/12 7:00pm Will we be rusty? Will those other teams be fatigued? Here is the layoff from the last few Olympics and Women's World Cups for comparison. 2003 WWC (14 days) 9/7/03 - 9/21/03 1st game vs Sweden 3-1w 2004 Olympics (10 days) 8/1/04 - 8/11/04 1st game vs Greece 3-0w 2007 WWC (17 days) 8/25/07 - 9/11/07 1st game vs Korea DPR 2-2t 2008 Olympics (21 days) 7/16/08 - 8/6/08 1st game vs Norway 0-2l 2011 WWC (23 days) 6/5/11 - 6/28/11 1st game vs Korea DPR 2-0w
My first thought reading the headline was "is't this normal?", but reading the full posting, it appears Pia likes a longer camp overseas than the prior coaches. My memory is that there were closed door games in prior years and I assume that there will be some this time. We just don't hear about them all the times.
it's not really a 25 day layoff. as rufan points out, they'll be training and probably playing a closed door game or two before their first match on the 25th. they've done it enough times so they know the best way to do the buildup.
Not sure. But.... Field alternates get to go and practice this time around. http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Womens...c-Training-Camp-in-Middlesbrough-England.aspx
Believe France v. Japan is just 6 days before group opener against U.S. I'd be concerned about injury and very little time to get ready for the match. I'm very glad Morgan has a month to get her knee ready. I do think rust is a problem for USWNT. They are sometimes very ragged for the first 15-20 minutes. Thanks for the date of France v. Japan. I'm going to try to catch it.
Looking at past statistics listed on ussoccer.com, the USWNT has already played 16 games this year. If they hopefully reach the finals (or even the semifinals) in the Olympics, they'll play an additional 6 matches. Assuming that they have another 4 friendlies after the Olympics, it'll bring their total up to 26 for 2012. In 2011, the USWNT played 20 games, which included the WC and preparation matches for the WC. In 2010 they played 18 matches including WC qualifying. However, in 2009 the USWNT played only 8 matches! Since there are no major tournaments or qualifications next year, are we to assume that the USWNT will have very limited matches outside the Algarve Cup? This could especially be the case considering most of the national team will wind up playing in Europe in absense of a professional league here in the states. I must admit that this scenario is a bit depressing.