Sept 2023 South Africa friendlies

Even though TNT has taken over BT Sport here in Blighty … They aren’t broadcasting the match on any of their 4 linear channels.
So… a hunting we will go.

 

Odd. My schedule shows both matches being shown on TNT and I have already set them to record, just in case.
I think the TNT/TBS contract with USA soccer does not allow the USA matches to be broadcast in England or outside the USA for that matter. I think the contract gives TNT/TBS the exclusive USA broadcast rights but others have the "rights" for other countries/regions.

 

Thanks. I checked and you are correct.

 

Thanks. Like the proverbial "Blind hog" it is nice to be "right" occasionally.

 

Is the WNT an "old girls club" with players called in over and over again are not proving themselves in the NWSL or elsewhere?.

Example: Naeher, Krueger, and Davidson of the Chicago Red Stars are all called into the squad for the South African friendlies. Two defenders and one goalie. Yet Chicago has by far the worst defense in the NWSL with 41 goals allowed in 19 matches. Next worse is KC with 29 goals allowed in 19 matches. Maybe we should give a try to players whose teams and themselves are excelling where they are playing week in and week out?

Why not Sam Staab and/or Dorian Bailey, Jenna Nighswonger for defenders? Or Lauren Milliet and Jaelin Howell as midfielders?. Or worst of all why not Morgan Weaver as a forward rather than Alyssa Thompson who may be good when she grows up, but doesn't deserve a spot on the team now?

After the debacle in the WC, it's time for change.

 

We’re surely the deepest in the world in terms of woso talent, but ironically, the USWNT acts like they’re from Iceland!(lol, where you figure there’s not much too chose from due to its small population)

don’t expect much from these self celebrating games, if I recall from the Wambach retirement match; the players looked like they were more interested in hitting nearby Bourbon Street(played in New Orleans)than winning it.
Remember too the Chinese had a knockout goalkeeper who was quite talented(she did shutout the US that day) only to quite soccer & instead to become a model!—-but that showed what the main problem our opponents previously had—-not much money to be made in woso

Though they made into the WC round of 16–South Africa probably send a makeshift squad with an half practice sessions, before going in sight seeing tour(surprised they didn’t play this time in Orlando)

 

Midge was never good enough before... has she magically gotten better? When will we stop with the dressing of the retreds and start building for the future? We just failed at the WC.... move on... find new players

 

Couldn't agree with you more. No need to prove yourself that you deserve to be there or earn it by your level of play. Throughout the whole youth cycle and now, it is call up the same over and over whether they are performing outside of the WNT or not. Not sure what the coaches and leadership is planning. It looked clear to me in the WWC that the style of play was shifting and the US needed to make a significant shift and yet calling up the same players does not show an ability to make that shift

 

Kind of heavy decision to lay on an interim coach isn't it?
I kind of expect one to work as an interim government, keep things working and change as little as possible until the next ordinary one is in place.

 

I don't know about you, but where I come from "debacles" usually involve things like losses, goals conceded, that sort of thing.

We ourscored our opposition 4-1 and did not lose a game. Disappointing, yes, but hardly a "debacle."

 

Well, theoretically, we didn't lose a game -- but we were eliminated by Sweden in the round of 16 -- and that's never happened before to my recollection. Moreover, in the match against Portugal, it was by the grace of God and a goalpost that we even made it to the round of 16. And our coach got fired. So, maybe it wasn't a debacle, but it was damned close to it.

 

It was "disappointing." They both start with "d". But it was nowhere near a "debacle." We didn't get beat, we just failed to win. Four players that we really needed weren't available. They will recover or be replaced and we'll be fine.

Don't tempt the debacle spirits to display the real range of their powers, 'cause that won't be near as pretty.

 

we definitely need an more comprehensive scouting system in place, I mean if Florida St can recruit from all corners of the universe, why can’t the USSF do likewise at the domestic level? Pretty sure scouts do it pro bono(if they’re already got jobs)if they can get their names attached to a national program.
Right now the NWSL is giving out mixed signals; it’s sort of open field style was outdated at the WC—considering that the league’s foreign based players fared even worse(Brazil & Canada failed to get out of group stage). So in the NWSL, you got currently Adriana Debinha & Kerolin running amok around NWSL defenders, yet at the WC they couldn’t get half way out the door without being intentionally fouled(thus stopping whatever attacking threat before it even begun).
To counter this. we ironically we got plenty of strong physical players whether in college or the NWSL or plenty of Americans playing in various leagues around the world, we just got to scout & recruit them.

 

Last I looked you need your USSF B license to get the USSF Scout license. Takes a while to get the B, you probably make much more at a top youth club compared to scouting if you've invested that time and m oney.

So, outof the "guys with a B who can't land a youth job/no longer want the demands of a youth job", how many do you think can evaluate talent for the modern game, vs how many are like the scout room scene in moneyball - "she's tall and fast qith a 32 inch veritcal leap, she'll start converting NWSL headers once she's exposed to NWSL headers...."

But, Im also of the opinion that the clubs develop players, so the scouting falls on them moreso than the federation...

 

US Soccer has a youth scouting network and they are paid. Who exactly do you believe they are missing? The full senior team is selected by the head coach. Clubs develop players. US Soccer selects them.

 

Absolutely right about the scouting network. And, with so many games now available on line, they have ample opportunity to see players in action. They also travel to get in person looks at players.

 

That's a wonderful photo taosjohn.
I felt a little more positive but not that much after the last game...

Anyway..
Training video before the match.

 

She’s doing great…

 

Game on.

 

Lynn Williams gets the first goal for the US off a corner earned by Ertz. Horan takes the corner deflection takes it near Williams who gets the header across the line.

Ertz unfortunately just misses the assist.

 

and now Rodman gets a goal! That was quick.

 

Boom
2-0
That Morgan pass… !!?!?!!!!!
God bless you Julie Ertz !!