FofF is right. For the overall good of the Game, to stress the importance of Futbol Fans and I dare say for the survival of the Planet - - - I’d like to suggest an additional variable to the existing tie-breaker equation for Women’s International Soccer: The seldom used “Big Soccer Poll” !!!!!!! As the Group Stages are winding down, we would have to remain vigilant cause the “Tie-breaker Poll” could only remain open for 2 hours tops. It should definitely garner consideration in the existing Hierarchy, certainly before Yellow Cards and a coin flip. For Spokesperson Obligations and Media Interviews of the Poll Results – McSkillz would be the logical choice. I think FIFA might buy it!
Australia have been poor recently but could absolutely beat us if a lot goes wrong, like a 1st half red card.
from an friendly couple of weeks back, Germany started their B squad against Sam Kerr & Australia and the result was devasting, an 20 year old scores their 1st goal, an 18 year old scores the fasted goal ever recorded(2 minutes) by an GER NT debutant/Sam Kerr never got an shot off(as the highlights show)
Perhaps the roster design must include a serious consideration of this question: Will Macario and Smith be on the Olympics roster? I think the context for answering this question must include whether the USWNT brain trust (whoever they may be) consider those two as potentially significant contributors on the 2023 World Cup team. If the brain trust considers them as potentially significant contributors, then the next question is whether the process of integrating them into that team should include the Olympics, given that the World Cup will be only 2 years off. If they are to be on the Olympics squad, then that means some past key players will not be. And, it seems likely to me those would be players who are likely to not be on the World Cup squad.
With an Olympic roster of only 18 players and potentially lots of games in a limited time period, I don't believe 2023 World Cup considerations can count for all that much. Suppose the U.S. crashes in the group stage or loses its first do-or-die game this summer. Can Vlatko be certain he'll still be the coach in 2023? If Vlatko considers Macario and/or Smith ready to be one of his best 18 now-- even if he views them as likely subs rather than starters--then of course being on the Olympic team would be valuable for their future with the USWNT. But I don't see Vlatko picking either for the Olympic roster unless he really feels they're ready now AND that one or two of our aging stars or other roster candidates simply isn't as good at this point.
I do not see the "must be on the Olympic roster" opinion as necessary. Keep in mind the Olympic roster is 18 and the World cup roster is 23. Now, if Vladko deems it important enough, the Olympic roster does have 4 subs for injured player replacement. It will be interesting to see who is on the 4 spot back up squad.
I want to add this to my comment just above. Suppose that Vlatko ideally would like to drop an aging star or two from the Olympic roster. He'd have to decide if it's worth the potential furor that could result and how that would affect veterans and others who'd still be on the team. For example, suppose he views Macario as slightly better right now than Lloyd. Only slightly. Would he keep Lloyd just to avoid controversy?
D*mn, cpt with all these existential, meaning of life questions and topics……..and on a weekend to boot. Oh, and don’t forget to throw in the looming expiration of the CBA on 12/31/21 - - who the H. knows what the quantity and quality of International Matches will look like in 2022 and 23 leading up to WWC23. When you are a program that is at the forefront on so many different levels (talent and sport science aspects), you are afforded the luxury to focus more time on the medium to long-term goals. I believe that “Winning World Cup 2023” is written in an upper right box on every chalk and white board in every team meeting, coaches office and certainly in the office of GMKM. Our Veteran Players have earned such glorious achievements that have placed them in the highest pantheon of History of Women’s Soccer. Once that level has been obtained - - what’s next…….you don’t like sharing. In the recesses of their minds, don’t you think that Becky, Megan, Christen, Kelley, Alyssa, ATG, Carli, Ali, Tobin, Ashlyn, Julie and Morgan all want to eclipse their USWNT predecessors and our 12 German friends including the absolutely adorable Adiane Hingst to achieve the seemingly inhuman status of 3-Time WWC Champions? At this level, the distinction of “Only” is a powerful motivator. Given the well-publicized “mentality” of the USWNT, inclusion on the Olympic Roster could be viewed as an end all be all. If the potential decision doesn’t go their way, I can see a couple of Veteran Players NOT taking it well both privately and publicly. No matter the outcomes of the upcoming Tournaments, even if HCVA wins the Olympics and WWC 2023, I want to go on the Record right now: FIRE VLATKO !
Macario seems to be making a good case for herself at Lyon, starting her last 3 games, scoring a goal in each of those games, so I think at this point we will just have to wait for the next camp and friendlies to determine if her Lyon training has helped her enough to make the 18 player roster. One thing for sure is she certainly is being discussed a lot in Lyon media about her impact on the team.
It’s pretty much an hypothetical question; Vlatko’s used both Lloyd & Williams in the last several friendlies, so their definitely in, as well as Macario(even though she had to miss the last 3 game). On the last road trip, Vlatko only used 15 players. With Heath not coming back from injuries, it’s probably down to between Kristy Mewis & Smith for the last spot
You really think Williams has done enough to make the 18 person roster? I don't think so. I think Vlatko keeps playing her, trying to give her every opportunity to make the team, to show something more than just speed. She may be the odd woman out for a Macario if Macario shows something at the next window. No way Lloyd doesn't make the roster. It is owed her and I think there would be a mutiny if she is kept off.
Yes, the possible "mutiny" is what I was trying to get at. My guess is that all of our aging stars will definitely be on the team unless there are injury issues. (Tobin Heath certainly seems at least a question mark at this point.)
Yes, Lynn Williams has done enough to make the team. Certainly more than Macario. I really looked forward to her start against Canada. She tried her little tricks like flipping the ball over her head, and Canada just snuffed them out. She found out this isn't college. She's young and she may be the future of the team, but she's not one of our top 5 forwards yet although I can see her making the team as a 6th forward / 5th midfielder You're right that Lynn Williams isn't our star player, but the team has been good with her in it and she's prove she can put in the minutes, which, as Andy Mead and others have pointed out, is an issue on a team forecast to include Rapinoe and Morgan in it. Even though Press has stayed healthy, she doesn't appear to have the stamina and endurance of Williams.
Which is a problem. The players aren't, or shouldn't be, bigger than the badge. It should be the best team, not the "chosen team." Basically your talking about what happened to Tom Sermanni. Tom was one or two sets of friendlies away from doubling the size of the USWNTPA and changing the voting dynamic and priorities within the union. The players got Sermanni fired, not because he was a bad coach, but because he was threatening the entrenched players control. The USWNTPA, as it currently exists, will never agree to a merger with the men's union, nor be willing to sign a CBA that the men sign. The priorities of the majority of the members will always be diametrically opposed while the barrier to membership is so vastly different in the two unions. It's one thing people seem to struggle to understand whenever the MLS/MLSPA CBA negotiations happen. Fans are screaming that the union should raise the salary cap or increase the number of DPs or any other number of things that favor the best players. What they miss is that the large majority of players, while making decent money, aren't making retirement money. They struggle with wealth acquisition when traded, they worry about things like off-season health insurance and 401k plans. The membership of MLS is far more interested and vested in seeing the minimum salary go from 12k to 40k to 60k to 100k and up than whether or not Josef Martinez gets another million dollars. And that's the difference between the USWNTPA and the MNT union. The USWNTPA is akin to if the DPs in MLS had a union. They don't care, collectively, about the peons, they just want to make sure they don't become one. Whereas if you wear the MNT uniform once, you're in the union and get a vote.
Interesting that you brought up the Canada game, as 2-Allysha Chapman handled Williams all game long with no difficulty and with little help from any other defenders. Williams could not get around her, speed or no speed. You never see that kind of shut down versus a Press or a Heath or even a Rapinoe. Williams to me is a one trick pony, perhaps 2 trick pony. Speed and hustle. I love that about her. However, she is deficient in the main category that you expect from a striker... The ability to put ball in net. Will she make the team? In MY mind, if Heath can't go due to illness, I would expect so with one caveat. Macario. A lot is riding on the Macario showing come the June window & camp. If Macario continues her scoring streak exhibited in Lyon the last 3 games... You know the whole goal in net thingy... She could push Williams out, and we are discussing the 5th forward off the bench?!?!. I honestly believe Lloyd is safe. She is a two position player, first 3/4 of her career was midfield, last 1/4 at the 9 with an amazing number of goals after she turned 35...
Heh, the funny thing about this discussion about the players union... What is the USWNT asking for? Same thing the USMNT receives in benefits via their negotiated deal.
Actually they're not. They never define "equal". They're not asking for the same USSF deal. They want the USSF to equalize FIFA and CONCACAF payouts. And they don't want to give up any of the terms of their CBA that are not in the MNT CBA. And they don't want to change their membership eligibility rules to match that of the MNT's union. I'm a former union organizer. I'm a staunch socialist and believer in trade (and labor) unions. The USWNTPA is dealing in a lot of half-truths and misinformation, and it really pisses me off. Because they have a lot of real grievances, and they could make things better for all international and professional women's soccer players, but that's not what they're doing. It's what they say they're doing, but when you really look under the covers, this is all about enriching a very select group of players, damn what it does to the system as a whole. Funny how they never want to discuss the "our lowest paid member must make more than the highest paid non-member in the NWSL clause" they had inserted in two different agreements with USSF. "Equal pay for me, not for thee". It's all very Animal Farm. They have a legitimate case. Against FIFA. Wimbledon equalized the payouts between the genders over 20 years ago and it's as successful and as popular as ever. But instead of addressing the organization that has the financial wherewithal and frankly the mandate to make "equal" a reality, they're willing to burn it all to the ground in an effort to make USSF make up the difference in FIFA payments. USSF has offered the USWNT an Australia type deal, but the WNT union has declined. They've offered the WNT union the MNT's contract, but they declined.
This is not correct. They offered the WNT union the MNT contract with one exception. They would not agree to the same payout as they agreed to give the men in relation to World Cup results. Instead, they told the WNT union that possibility was off the table -- explicitly. The women had told the USSF they would accept the same agreement as the MNT if there were not that exception that USSF insisted on.
What are you talking about? Hannah Glas just shut down Press in the Sweden game. There are games where Rapinoe doesn't do too much except it's great to have her for the PKs. I remember Allysha Chapman having a pretty good game against Williams and the entire Canada team under their new coach, Bev Priestman, having a pretty good game but I don't remember Williams being glaringly ineffective, especially considering she at least was up against veteran defenders on her side in Chapman and Shelina Zadorsky. Meanwhile, Rapinoe was up against... Jayde Riviera? No Kadeisha Buchanan or Ashley Lawrence for Canada that day. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's obvious that Lynn Williams is going to be subject to unfair and relentless criticism from US fans without the dedicated protection of a loud group of fan boys and girls like Press, Heath, Morgan, and Kelly O'Hara have always had. The criticism of Crystal Dunn was disproportionate for years, too, despite her being, like JJ (Ertz), an undeniably key strength of the US lineup.
I said I did love a couple of aspects of William's game. I implied her problem is scoring goals. She isn't particularly gifted in this regard on the world stage. Also, if you recall, you brought up the Canada game first.
We got to realize by now Vlatko doesn’t go looking for the best players in the country, he goes looking for the best among the pool all ready designated by the USWNT. So perhaps answering some questions; are there better forwards in the country than Macario or Williams?......probably will Vlatko be searching for better forward?...NOPE! Vlatko’s proven he’s an ‘the ‘best defense is an good offense’ type of guy so the last few spots that will be open will most likely forwards. Going with this, both Williams & Macario should make an NT going with Vlatko’s previous game picks here be my prediction for his starters plus the subs GK Naeher(sub; Campbell) DEF O’Hara, Dahlkemper, Sauerbrun, Dunn (sub; Davidson) MID Lavelle, Ertz, Sam Mewis (sub; Horgan) FWD Williams, Morgan, Rapinoe (subs; Press, Lloyd, Macario) the only one with an outside chance to make it is Kristy Mewis, and that’s basically based on her flexibility to play different positions if injuries start mounting. Lack of starts makes me think that Vlatko wouldn’t pick her I would definitely start Williams. She might be a poor man’s Tobin Heath, but her speed is important in setting the pace at the beginning of the game, though if we fall behind & the other team bunkers, Press would of been the better starter