Today's Ref The referee for today's match will be Nicole Petignat from Switzerland. Petignat was the referee for the WWC '99 final match between the U.S. and China and according to the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, Petignat was also the first woman to referee a UEFA Cup men's match.
''To be honest, I think we’re going to win'' ''To be honest, I think we’re going to win'' by Hege Riise
Riise's comments about Dagny and Marianne are a little obvious but was she going to tell any secrets? No. "Instead I would rather see Anne Tønnessen starting with Stangeland in the center of the Norwegian defense and move Knudsen into more of a defensive midfield role. Tønnessen is another player who really impressed some of the USWNT staff and some of the Spirit players enough so that San Diego attempted to sign Tønnessen before the start of the 2002 season" I have to agree. Anne is a solid player in the center of defense. Petignat is probably the best female ref out there right now. "One Norwegian reporter who attended Monday's practice commented that Anita Rapp was mainly playing with the first team and that Unni Lehn was playing more of a central midfield role with Trine Rønning and Lise Klaveness taking turns playing in the midfield as well" Rapp running along the wings is dangerous. Her size and relative speed are excellent for attacking. Reminds me a little of Lilly.
I have been doing a lot of careful thoughtful analysis of the match. The tactics, player match ups, impact of psychological, travel, game time, and crowd factors. As a service to the Big soccer community I would like to offer the benefit of this extensive thought: WOO HOOO, THIS IS GONNA BE GREAT!!!! CAN"T WAIT FOR GAME TIME BABY!!!!!! thank you.
No sun today. Cloudy and cool. Highs near 60. We had rain this morning. There is still a slight chance of rain this evening. (The Scots would call this a sunny day. ) USA and Norway meet again http://www.cybersoccernews.com/Women's World Cup/secondrounds/030930us-noradv.shtml The quarterfinal match-up is unexpected
Help. Do y'all think I can trust ESPN to replay the quarterfinal games tomorrow morning as the schedule says now? Even if the USA loses? I have a conflict that I'd really rather not bail on but will if it is the only way to see the game. For various reasons I can't record it at 7:30.
A Beautiful Summer Day in Bergen Dagny Mellgren and Lise Klaveness will feel right at home with today's weather in Boston.
Wonder if dagny remembers the handball that preceded the goal she is bragging about? Since when is heroism defined by a blown call by the ref? Time to settle the score
Last Three Matches vs. U.S. Psychologically it was important for the U.S. to prove that they could still win against Norway after four straight losses, but it is important to note that Norway's current squad is much stronger than the one that lost those last three matches. Bente Nordby and Marianne Pettersen didn't play in any of those matches and other key players such as Dagny Mellgren and Solveig Gulbrandsen missed at least one of the three.
Hamm and U.S. excited by Norway test Here's some of what Mia Hamm had to say about the rivalry between Norway and the U.S.: Hamm and U.S. excited by Norway test
Malley Will Get Hege's Jersey If Hege Riise scores the winning goal for Norway today, she has promised to give her jersey to the trainer of the USWNT, Cody Malley. As the trainer of the Carolina Courage during this past WUSA season, Malley was the person most responsible for helping Hege to make such a rapid recovery from ACL surgery just 4 1/2 months ago. USAs fysio får Riises trøye
Re: Today's Ref If memory serves correct, Petignat is an excellent referee. It looks like she is doing fine so far... 22:00 USA looking disjointed at times, having problems connecting with any passes. Wambach's hard shot off of Mia's great free-kick was awsome. You gotta like that tie-dye jersey the Norge keeper is wearing. 25:00 Yes !!! This time Wambach with the header, and this one is in. Huge goal for USA, off a long free-kick from Reddick... Stan
Stan, Anymore updates? Edit: Just realized they are at HT...if possible, can you give some updates in the 2nd half, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
55:00 I've missed some of this half, but the USA is pushing forward. They are connecting on passes, making runs, and looking very dangerous. Fawcett and Reddick having great games at the back.
58:00 Foudy nice play in midfield, finds Lilly who just misses from 20-yards. I think Julie Foudy has had a nice game so far...
66:00 USA really controlling the game now. Norway unable to get any offense going at all. They've been down to 10-women for the last few minutes due to injury.. PK to USA.... Hamm shoots right down center, GK holds her spot and saves easily... Replay shows the PK call was pretty lame. Actually, it was a totally lame call. ----- Someone else is going to have to explain to me what happened 5-minutes ago. I think Parlow got away with a seriously high boot...
Did the US start with a 4-3-3? I noticed Mia, Parlow, and Wambach were all playing (now Millie, but whatever).