I also like the men's team, remember they beat Spain 2-0 and lost to Brazil in the final of 2009 Confederation Cup? I don't see people blame him.
Yes but not many people blame them because Spain and Brazil are the 2 top teams in the world. USWNT did a better job than them this time, it's sad but they are a great team, too.
Maybe look at this from another direction. Men shouldn't be criticized as harshly as they are. Fans from throughout the world have completely unrealistic expectations of their team and if - God forbid - the team falls before reaching those in an unflattering manner (losing a lead, missing three straight penalties in a shootout, etc.), fans rip the team apart, perhaps thinking for some reason that if it was them out there they would have been calm and easily made those penalties. Like it is something easy to do that should have been a piece of cake. That's not how sports work. They are intense and there are a lot of moving parts as to who wins a game. Bottom line, a team that finishes second at the World Cup is reason to celebrate. Too many people feel that if a team loses in a championship it is more reason to be ashamed than if they never came close to that level. Like somehow it is better to just toil in the ranks of the unappreciated then it is to actually be one of the top couple teams.
I sent Ms. Hill a blistering rebuttal of the choke charge, and I forwarded it to FakeSigi. I'm curious to see if he replies to me.
did you see the crap Gumble "stop coddling women athletes" piece? I'm not going to even link to the video here. Don't want him to get views w/o getting blistering rebuttals for that drivel.
Also, did ESPN or any other big websites have a vote about how far USWNT will go before the tournament began?
That was a great response, much more detailed as far as the match was concerned than my piece. Thanks for sending it along! Also, feel free to post that, or a truncated version, in the comments of the site. My readers like to see different takes. Thanks again! -FS
FakeSigi, I posted it. And, one other point merits mention. I wrote to Ms. Hill before someone posted the slow motion video of Sawa's goal. That goal was a masterpiece, as crushing as it is to have to say it. But, it reinforces that the USA did not choke. It lost a late lead on a spectacular play. By the way, as wrong as it is to say that the USWNT choked, those of you who are fans should at least be grateful that so many regular sports fans care enough to voice this opinion. This team is significant now. The team matters. Only teams that matter get accused of choking. And, keep in mind this team's resonating with sports fans. Even those who accuse the team of choking have had to admit that the run to the final was a meaningful accomplishment.
I read in a interview Ali Kreiger did that she was slated to take the number 5 PK against Japan. So essentially as many of pointed out our PK order would have been almost the same as against Brazil with the swap of Rapinoe & Tobin and Abby moving to the 4 spot.
I sent Brennan an email before Sunday's final pointing out how intense the support for the team was this time around and how unique it was (and asking her to pass it on to the team since it might be likely to reach them coming from her). She sent a very nice response back. It's not the most earth-sh*ttering piece of news (I put the asterisk in so that the computer would not think I'm typing in an obscenity), but it's rare to have it happen, so I note it for good.
Oh, it's happening here, too. I've argued a couple places (including on Bill Archer's blog) that maybe the equality needs to go the other way around. There's just too much noise in sports (which 99% of the airtime means men's sports). Too much yelling. Too much screaming. Too much like a playground sandbox when the 5 year olds get out of control. What is that word that keeps recurring in articles around the world on this World Cup? "Refreshing". Refreshing when it comes to the game. Refreshing when it comes to the lack of cynicism. Refreshing when it comes to the fans in the stadium.
Yes, France did actually have a 38 year-old playing defensive midfield: Sandrine Soubeyrand. Rampone, on the other hand, is actually 36 (I almost said only 36 ). Assuming both retire, the age gap becomes larger rather than smaller.
I saw a clip and one od his kids plays soccer so I am sure Lbaron James is getting into soccer Too. Although I do not like roster selection I will be cheering the gals on.