I was able to catch the last 30 minutes on Eurosport. "Commentary free" which was a nice change. First class goal from Lilly. Solo's save in the 85th minute was brave. Canada did not really look all that dangerous, but at least they weren't fouling - just solid pressure.
USA defeats Canada 1-0 and captures the 2006 Peace Cup title. Congratulations to the ladies. I do have one concern with the USA's style of play. Julie Foudy mentioned it in one of the broadcasts this year, and I agree with her, that they seem to be having the inability to possess the ball for an extended period of time. They have such an attacking mentality that they force things too much. Getting Shannon Boxx back will help greatly in that area I think.
Yeah, she really made the difference when she subbed in. Wagner is able to win those balls and serve them up, and that just didn't happen in the first half. Hucles was practically nowhere to be seen around the ball.
Coach Ryan did what was a great strategy. After reading the reports and watching the first half (my stream kept freezing the second half so I gave up) it is clear to me that Canada played high pressure with long balls in behind the defense. We did not possess well the first half and kept sending long balls back to the forwards thus bypassing the midfield. The few times we did one and two touch we actually created some opportunities. This however was few and far between. When Ally got in the Canadians were tired apparently and this allowed her to have the time and space to work her magic. Had she been in there from the start with the pressure I am not sure the opportunities to do it would have been there. Plus, if I am a regular starter and found myself coming in as a sub, I would be hungry. Congrats to the entire team because what was nice about this tournament is the fact the coach got everyone in with significant playing time in preparing for the upcoming qualifiers and eventually the World Cup.
good thinking by ryan, but risky. wagner is definitely a more precise passer than hucles, but she is not as fast and needs time and space. however making it easier for her by sending her in when the other team is tired, could have meant sending her in with the team already down by a goal or two. i think hucles is a good player, but she does not have the passing ability of wagner or even lloyd. i add my congratulations to the team. but i wonder: how bad is abby's injury? will she be ready for wcq's? do the girls get all the prize money? does ussoccer take all of it? do the ladies just get a certain percentage?
Well next up in 3 weeks at The Home Depot Center, the USA takes on the always tough TBA! TBA is on a hot streak and it should be a good test! If you want good seats get your tickets now as TBA is always a big draw!
I hope it's a worthy opponent, not ********ing Taipai. I want to see the England ladies or France come down and play the US.
Well, that date is the semifinal of the Gold Cup, so it will be the winner of the Mexico/Trinidad&Tobago match. In other words, it will be Mexico. The US has already played France twice this year, along with Germany, Denmark, China, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Japan, and Mexico. Six of those teams are already qualified for the cup and it's almost certain that two of the three other teams (Canada, Mexico, and Japan) will qualify as well. Taipai was the exception, not the rule.
I was lucky enough to see the entire/uninterrupted video feed. This was the best prepared Canadian side that the USA has faced in a long while and the game could have gone either way. The US defence held up under a lot more pressure from Canada than they're used to; Lilly's goal was first class - and that was the difference. Canada was missing a lot of their top players (notably Hooper, Nonen, Latham, Lang, Timko and to a lesser degree, Thorlakson) but Pellerud now has enough depth to still field a very strong team - so no excuses and full credit the the USA for a hard fought win. I'm looking forward to the Gold Cup.
Are these players (Hooper et. al.) injured or out of rotation? It would be big news if Hooper weren't a part of a Canadian team. She's been around forever.
I assume that you do not look at the International forum (or were you just being sarcastic, without the emoticon to go with it?) Just in case you haven't looked there... https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=424472