All this kvetching about "the world has caught up"

oops; I was writing about the current trends/changes in the women’s game(not the men’s)

 

Men or women it makes no difference.

 

It doesn't seem like it. Despite having neutralized each other, France and England remain ahead. And Germany which gained more points than USA moved to 4th. First ever time USA is 5th.
Spain reached the 2100 points mark

 

That’s cuz the US insists on playing game at home/refuses to go on the road. So despite Canadians loosing to the US, they gain points from that particular game/US looses points

 

If indeed Spain reaches the 2100 mark in the official ratings, they'll find themselves in elite company. As far as I know, only four other teams have ever reached the 2100 plateau: the US, Germany, Brazil, and Japan.

But now that FIFA publishes the ratings to two decimal points, will Spain be denied because of rounding (or lack of it)?!

 

France also reached the 2100 plateau in 2015 (2103 pts, march 27 2015 ranking). This time was for me the strongest french NT, with notably Louisa Necib. I remember the drama against Germany at the 2015 WC, France had dominaited the match until a stupid penalty given at the 83", Germany equalized then won the PKSO...

Possible. But if not now, it's just a matter of a few months...

 

I know you more into the point system of it but Spain can look vulnerable at times do to maybe a lack of competition(when your so much better than anybody else). They certainly needed a wake up call in their last outing; trailing 2-0 late in their home game vs Denmark. But finally scoring 3 goals in the last 15 minutes to win it.
Even though France jumps past England in rankings, I feel the Lionesses are the better team. The problem is that while Sarina Wiegman is an excellent ‘tournament’ coach, but not quite as good during FIFA one week/open window matches(an home tie to Sweden is why they were overtaken in the rankings). Evrn though Wiegman the ever so meticulous tournament coach, doesn’t have the preparation time for the Euro qualifiers and suffers ranking wise accordingly.
So how well a coach prepares their squad for the Olympics will be an major X factor

and got to add; don’t watch much men’s soccer, but did watch last nite’s Brazil/USA match. My surprise was how superior our tactics & formation were to the Brazilians(who were really only better/well versed in ball handling). They ran out of ideas by late first half on how to penetrate our defense other than taking nose dives,

Likewise in woso, we usually have strong tactical formations/defenses but the key would be more on how good Emma’s preparation is for sn major tournament(.obviously Vlatko was miserable at this)

 

And yet, I'm OK with that, in the lead up to the new coach. Going forward, post Olympics, I would expect more international play abroad.

 

Paris 2024: Hayes bemoans 'disrespectful' USA expectations - ESPN

 

She's mostly right. We, in the USA, disrespect and undervalue virtually the entire world in virtually everything. "The Ugly American" was based closely on truth.
I have heard, in other countries, Americans saying "Why don't they (the local citizens) speak English like civilized people."
Many people really don't know just how arrogant we (USA citizens) sound and behave when not at home. It is only the French that exceed us in arrogance and we are rapidly descending to their level.
My only real question is why anyone would expect different behavior. The basic personality of USA citizens has not changed much since the early 1800s.

Shoot, we have even lost a couple of wars this century. (But we can still really clobber most Central American countries in any fight.) As in most soccer matches.
Yep, if the country is small enough we have a good chance of winning in war or soccer. But that is for the men. Fans of our USA women still think they should beat everybody. It is just not that easy anymore.
Our rep only gets us so far and then we have to perform.
The new coach is still learning and the players are still adjusting.
I think we will get better each match unless we get a number of injuries or draw stupid cards.
I am not even particularly worried about Germany except it would be better to play them third instead of second. We may lose to Germany but we can assure advancement with even one draw. Four points should be enough but nine would be better.

 

I have traveled to many other countries and never have heard Americans say anything like this. In fact, most Americans I have seen are impressed and appreciative if those from other countries speak English.

 

1)the NWSL really stepped up this year in terms of heavy investment money & building infrastructure that’s now got 14 fully paid professional clubs

2) only three Euro teams in it/only two allowed to qualify,

3) NO Sweden—-dunno what it is about those wild n crazy Swedes bring so much fear for us but they’ve usually had our number in the past

my theory is our USWNT must of watched the Swede flick—-Midsommer—-you know, the one where they gather all their old folks up & throw them over an cliff? This might of had an chilling effect especially among our over-the-hillers

4) are the Euros taking this tourney all that seriously? I mean the lack luster crowds seem to suggest really not a marquee event. Meantime yesterday’s Rock Wall Climbing(yes, like the one’s you see at malls to keep our kiddies busy) competition drew an sellout

 

Ignorance is not only ingrained, but exalted, in American culture. This is by design.

An ignorant and stupid populace is easily controlled, so the powers that be in America knowingly amplify these qualities to easily manipulate people into doing whatever the rulers want them to do.

The American educational system also beats any intellectual curiosity out of people from an early age. Americans are taught to obey and do as they are told. They are also taught that the USA is "number one" all the time, no exceptions.

The late comedian George Carlin once said that a U.S. population capable of critical and independent thought is dangerous to those in charge. Everything you're describing is largely a result of this ingrained and exalted ignorance forced upon the average American.

Also, English people are even more arrogant than the French. English snobbery is so bad that all they have left is lecturing people about the word "Soccer", a word that England invented.

 

So, you're a "glass half empty" guy. And by the way, every country teaches their country is the greatest, doesn't make it true. In some countries you are shot for teaching otherwise.

This country excels at people thinking outside the box... The Elon Musks of the world, the Jennifer Doudna of the world, and the list is extensive. USA is still the number 1 nation at creating Billionaire's. Why? Not because of ignorance. Because this nation allows independent thinking, people who can take a chance on selling books online and turn it into a $1.75 trillion company. And yes, Title IX which has led the world into this world of Women's soccer/football (not to offend anyone). If not for the push of the US would the world of women football/soccer be what it is today? Why? Because of a fairness, outside the box thinking this nation excels at.

 

That one of the two people you brought up as examples was born and raised in South Africa and moved to USA after he was 23 says a lot about the US school system..

 

Yup, say's it was probably a good thing he moved here an enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

I have some comments I could make, but this is a soccer forum. Could we keep it that way?

 

I know you got good intentions but sweeping underlying issues under the rug isn’t the way to go either?—-there’s enough raw, raw, raw America’s the Greatest threads already.
Let there be an place where everybody can air out their grievances—we can surely learn from it