Without Heather, Taylor S and Dudley, of course they lost. As to the Colombia game. Suarez has good ball skills and is a deft passer, but I didn't see an attacking mentality. Dudley would have schooled some of those defenders trying to hold her 1v1. Taylor had one opp. to go 1v1 with the GKer, had a really heavy touch. HG played well, but got away with a hand ball in the box. Colombia are either divers or the worst conditioned team in the world. Suarez will learn a lot from our players and be a key cog this season IMO. That said, I don't see JD level of offensive striking at this time.
I'm going with divers. I haven't watched the 2nd half yet, but the front line wasn't getting any help with the through balls in the first half. The US did some nice things in tight spaces, but the touch on the through balls - almost every one of many (10?) - was too heavy.
I think Dudley developed a lot during her first college season although I still wonder what the deal is with her and the YNT because those performances don't stack up to her FSU games and now she didn't play at all. Either way though, I think Suarez and Dudley will be very fun to watch and Washington is also damn good from what I have seen.
Me too! The JD we witnessed is waay better than any forward we saw against Colombia. Part of that may be getting familiar with team mates and moves. Regardless, JD is more aggressive 1v1, a better passer and a more aggressive defender than what I saw on the replay. Let's see what the next game shows. I'll be interested to watch the next game and see how she looks. Hopefully she's not injured! No jinx.
Savy King did not play in that first friendly either. They have two games and some players who played in game one will sit in game two. I would not read into Dudley not playing in the first game.
Looking forward to next year, the most important personnel decision IMO is who takes over for Nesbeth? and how well do they do it?
I agree. My point though was FSU JD was also way better than YNT JD which imo is due to the international game being different and no team chemistry on that squad.
If you find the video for the second game, can you please share it? I cannot find it for the life of me.
I'm hearing that Ran Iwai is strongly leaning toward returning to FSU for one more year. It's not set in stone (she could still get an offer she can't refuse) but it seems likely at this point that she is returning. This would obviously be huge for FSU for a number of reasons: 1. Iwai is a good player in her own right. 2. Iwai plays a position of need on the backline especially with Gilchrist likely missing about 1/3 of the season. 3. FSU will be a young team next year and her experience as a fifth year senior would be absolutely critical. Remember, FSU is set to have only three seniors returning next year that have experience playing for FSU (that could be only two depending on Brown's decision).
I don't think there is one or it hasn't been televised at all. I only know Gilchrist started again and Dudley was subbed in in the 2nd half.
FWIW: Ran and (maybe) Jody would be the last players remaining on the roster that played for Mark Krikorian.
As a Nadeshiko Japan's fan, I'd be interested to know when it will be confirmed: is there a deadline for her to commit to FSU for this fifth season?
She can confirm if/when she wants but she doesn't have to. The only real requirement/deadline is that she has to be taking classes at FSU in the fall semester to play next season. Therefore, whether or not she explicitly confirms if she enrolls for classes in the fall that would be de facto confirmation.
IDK if this is the right thread, but I thought Nighswonger played really well last night against Colombia. Of course, her one-touch goal was the highlight, but she was active all game. I really like her at left wingback. The back line looks so much better with Nighswonger, Davidson, Girma, and Fox. College is still producing (or at least helping) high level talent…for now.
Could not agree more. Nice addition and will compete to be in the US 11 at that position in the near term. Don't know if you heard the entire commentary but they said that if Kreiger had not been injured, Nighswonger might not have been tried as a wing back and might not be where she is. Good example of being open-minded and just doing your best when called upon. Obviously, quite a few wide backs were not always wide backs! And maybe won't always be wide backs! Dunn, O'Hara, what about Fox? I think it's interesting that Emily Sonnett is apparently no longer a back with the WNT. Will be interesting to see how their club teams use these players this season. I'm sure there are forums for this discussion but let's hope we can get Canada Wed and in to the Final. Hopefully, better crowds! If this thing was closer to me, I'd be at a few of these Gold Cup games.
I did hear that. I have to think that Krikorian might have whispered to try Jenna back there. And…yes, you are right. I’m gonna jump over to this thread re: W Gold Cup. https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/2024-concacaf-w-gold-cup.2128709/
The fact that Casey Short Krueger hasn't been with the full national team for the past decade still grinds my gears. Happy she is with them now.
She is frequently with the NT when healthy, just not for the Olympics and WC. I too have been disappointed in the same.
The timing of her pregnancy did not help her prospects with the World Cup roster (because she missed some camps), but she still should have made it. She absolutely would have made mine. She is three times the player that Kelley O'Hara is. It was a crime that she was on the roster.
Nailed it, Casey is a better defender than most of the previous starters on the full team. She is a world class athlete.