Olympic Soccer [R]

Yup. They're not competing as US Soccer, but rather the US Olympic Team.

 

Thursday at 2:45

 

This is when you maybe find out how good your "backups" are. I meant, Mitts was on the bench, for one. That was a war out there. Depth could make the difference here. Maybe you bring Abby off the bench, for example. Yeah, I know that's heresey, but this team *has* to be exhausted.

 

Officiating for the game was so abysmal it ain't funny. Canada can cry all they want, but US got mugged in the box numerous times and no calls. So with that said, it evened everything out and the better team won.

 

They must all be TFC fans. They deserved butter.

 

Tchani was making some of the same kind of tweets during the game, too.

 

I was thinking that this team may be forced into more of a "rope-a-dope" mode where having her come in at the half might be decisive--and remembering what Cunningham used to do as a sub to tired legs. We played the status quo last time against Japan--and lost. I fear that same old/same old will have the same result.

 

I don't care if you are a soccer fan or not you have to love the USWN team. They never give up and always think they can win. They are class at every position and can rely on every person coming off the bench. What more do you want?

 

Really exciting to watch (I was streaming at work and stayed and hour late so I wouldn't miss anything).

But lets be honest, it terms of actual soccer played, that was horrendous (yes guts and heart can be fun to watch too). If the US perform like that against Japan, we will be crushed. I really hope they don't spend any time today patting themselves on the back. They have to get to work now. A complete lack of fundamentals and basic soccer knowledge was on display (never leave the inside post on a corner until your goalie calls you off, never turn your back or spin around when defending, close down the space in your final third, boot and run offense, etc...). USA should have won that game 6-1, terrible technical play.

Rapinoe was the only player out there at displayed consistent skill. She carried that team last night. I want these girls to win gold, and if they play like that against a very organize Japan team, they will get killed.

 

I hardly ever watch the US women's team but every game I watch either Hope Solo never has to make a save or she gets beat a lot.... Is there a reason that you always here about her being a big part of this team? Maybe I've just missed her good games but I don't see her as an outstanding keeper.

 

Bench Guillermo! He'll be more fresh for the second leg!

 

You would.

 

You should see what every other woman's keeper in the world looks like. Solo, for her faults, is MILES better.

 

Different situation though. This *is* tghe "second leg" and she already played 120 in the first one. But my point is that the same old tactics probably won't work vs Japan. They didn't the last time.

 

Given that I mentioned the 120 min as well, I don't think I'm basing my point solely on last years result. Let's add to that that this team, while having a fighter's heart, has been a bit inconsistent in this tournament, and I'm saying that some changes might just make sense here--ones we normally might not consider and ones that 120 minutes might make neccessary, especially as the Canada game was a physical battlefield. In any case, it makes for a lively discussion.

 

Mia was THE female soccer player that my generation looked up to in awe.. I am so glad that the current female youth soccer players have Abby. She is amazing. Though, amazing might not be a strong enough word to describe her.

 

This morning NBC Sports showed a replay of a Canadian player stomping on Carly Lloyd's head while she was down. A clear red if it had been seen by an official. The US was not the only team who got a break.