I can't help noticing that Sweden, two goals worse than the United States in group play, were just one goal worse than Germany, which was three (OK, maybe 1) better than the Americans in the knockout round. What was different, I think, between the knockout and the group phases was the lack of Brandi Chastain. Oh, sure. The showy, slow-footed, stripping back. But you have to wonder how Germany would have done with her in there. Same with Pearce. But that's another story. Discuss.
I thought the overall level of defensive play went UP after Brandi left. However, against Germany it could be VERY different in scoring. Brandi seems to really be able to score in games vs Germany: into ANY available net.
Cat is better than Brandi at both defending and score from set pieces. I can't see how it could have helped. Brandi can't prevent Foudy from getting beat in air on the corner.
Her loss wasn't any greater for the US than Steffi's was for Germany - it's a wash, both are similar type players.
Agreed. She didn't have a good season in the WUSA and wasn't playing well leading up to the WC, nor in the first game prior to her injury. This was a blessing in disguise...
Exactly how would Brandi's play have helped us? We won 5 games. You can't improve on those five games. The one game we did lose we held the ball in the attacking third most of the game - which is not where you want your central defenders hanging out. I couldn't believe the postgame interview when April made the big revelation that Brandi's injury was a big blow. I'm sorry, last time I checked our defense was not the problem. The problem is that we forgot how to finish against Germany.
I disagree. But that's just me. Defense, last I heard, wins championships. So do bada$s goalkeepers, sometimes!