The quarterfinals are set, and let the individual match threads begin. QF20 is the Netherlands playing the United States on 30 July 2021 at 8 pm local time in the International Stadium in Yokohama. I'll let you all figure out (and possibly post here to help others) when and where the game is broadcast in your area of the world.
🇺🇸 @USWNT held the record for goals in one Women's #OlympicFootball Tournament: 16 in 2012 ⚽️🇳🇱 The Netherlands have smashed it by scoring 21 – and, astonishingly, in just 3 matches 🤯#Olympics #Football #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/pKO8kGrfYs— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 27, 2021
US media critiques of their team - With its fewest points ever in an Olympic group stage and a conservative approach vs. Australia, the #USWNT doesn't quite look like its glorious self. @GregBishopSI from Kashima on the players' perspective and what was missing against the Matildashttps://t.co/KIpFDpnhKa pic.twitter.com/5oTNJyJnW1— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) July 27, 2021 The #USWNT has advanced to the knockout round of #Tokyo2020 but they sure don't look like the aggressive attacking team we all know after a conservative, listless and scoreless draw to Australia: https://t.co/n0wqmEd9Tj— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) July 27, 2021
That picture is so 2012 vs. 2021 in terms of when they were in their prime. {EDIT: this is inappropriate (deleted) content. Cut it out.}
Well, maybe talking menopause about a woman who just had a baby one year ago is kind of a stretch? What do you say?
.@AndrewDasNYT asks Vlatko Andonovski how difficult it is to ask the #USWNT to dial it back and just get through to the quarterfinal. Alex Morgan smirks. Vlatko says he is happy they executed the game plan. #Tokyo2020— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) July 27, 2021 USA coach maybe thinking he is leaving something extra in the tank for the knockout phase? Managing the exertion of the oldest squad in the tournament? USA are probably going to be pragmatic like in the last WC (I think they only had about 40% possession in half the knockout games). Press high and try to overwhelm the Dutch midfield. Maybe the coach thinks they need maximum energy to play this approach. Whatever he’s doing it’s a massive gamble.
I am very curious because the USA performance wise have been really under par. And the Netherlands have rotated their squad a little bit but not a lot too, so might end up tired late in the game.
It's not like the Orange Lionesses had to run their socks off in the Zambia/China matches. The Brasil match was basically a midfield passing operation by the Brasilians with 60% possession and not much chasing. So I guess it's not that bad. Anyway, for both the Orange Lionesses and the American ladies the only match that matters is the one you go to play. The other ones are bygones.
These were the teams the last time these teams played (2-0 USA win). Netherlands might play the same team but with Miedema starting up front. USA coach might look back at this game and think the same front three is the way to go. Pace, directness and high pressing. That would be the ideal front three but it means dropping two high profile players (Morgan and Rapinoe).
This match is hard for me to handicap. Dutch have scored bunches of goals and should have beaten Brazil had it not been for some defensive snafus. I don't think the US back line is as strong this go around and of course Miedema is one of the best strikers in the women's game today. I don't know whether the American coach knows what he is doing. Maybe they felt they could coast through their group and ease into the QFs. That they were happy to settle for a draw against Australia was disappointing and teams that don't play the way that is in their DNA tend to under perform in the long run. It just might be that they get knocked out on Friday or they suddenly spring to life. "That's Why They Play the Game!!"
Interesting read on Naeher - Showdown vs. Netherlands could offer a new start for Alyssa Naeher and the USWNT https://t.co/2BOuMjreES via @YahooNews— Matthew (@ChelseaMatt33) July 29, 2021
“We have again scored eight, which I think is also a gesture to show that we are not afraid of America,” midfielder Danielle van de Donk said. “Let them keep [their] form, because in my eyes they are not very strong now. “Somehow I feel like, save the best for last. But maybe they are not the best at all, this tournament.” https://www.goal.com/en/news/not-af...e-games-uswnt-stop/140wjzkkl8t8j11bw6tf6z522e
👀 “I can’t wait for us to finally show what we’re capable of."🇳🇱🆚🇺🇸 @USWNT midfielder @JulieErtz previews a mouthwatering 2019 #FIFAWWC final rematch with us@Olympics | #OlympicFootball | #Tokyo2020— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 29, 2021
Netherlands vs USA R: JACEWICZ Kate (AUS) AR1: KIM Kyoung Min (KOR) AR2: LEE Seul Gi (KOR) 4O: YAMASHITA Yoshimi (JPN) VAR: AL MARRI Abdulla (QAT) AVAR: BIN JAHARI Muhammad (SGP)
Caitlin Murray going for the minds games after the criticism from that one article. Lol USWNT underdogs in Olympic quarterfinal, but players are trusting the process under Andonovski
1-1 now. Netherlands defense is horrible. I’m logging on to work early. I know how this is going to play out.