Since Coach K and Melissa Moore (goalie coach) are over in Thailand along with the rest of the national team, why not extend the life of the forum a little bit longer? US got off to a ripping start today, blanking South Korea 3-0, and it sounds like Mark is up to his 'picking folks you wouldn't expect to start and then come through' m.o. From the FIFA match report: The U.S plays Russia Sunday morning at 5AM Philadelphia time. Paul
I'm a Canadian fan so I'm very worried about how much Mark might have improved this team since qualifying. I watched the CONCACAF final and to say the US team is loaded with talent is a bloody understatement. Plus Mark has them playing a beautiful style of soccer. They slice teams up as opposed to bludgeoning them to death which is the Canadian approach at this point. Hard to say how much of a test Korea was, but I know Russia's a tough team because they gave Canada had a hard time in a couple of exhibition games just days before the tournament started. Plus Russia did hammer Spain 4-1, the surprising #1 Europe team - surprising because Germany was expected to quality #1. One concern would be that Russia plays a very rough game. Two big Canadians went down hard in the 2'nd exhibition game, one with 18 stitches to the head, the other with a mild concussion. I'll be watching the results with great interest. Pity there isn't full televised coverage of this event. No doubt future stars of all nations are showcasing their talents just like Tarpley, O'Reilly, Marta, Sinclair etc. did in 2002.
The Koreans did win the Asian championship, but then, are there any good teams from there apart from one or two? So Russia = the Atlanta Beat? I get the picture... Paul
With about 15 minutes to go, the US leads Russia 4-1. Angie Woznuk converted a second-minute penalty kick, Jessica Rostedt tallied twice (25th and 60th) and Megan Rapince joined in on the fun 3 minutes later. Russia scored in the first minute of the second half. Paul
And that's a wrap. 4-1 final. US wins Group C and will face Spain on Thursday, also at 5AM. Their quarterfinal game will be on November 21st. Paul
The U.S.' final group game was tougher than expected, a 1-0 squeaker over Spain with a Rostedt goal just a minute from halftime the difference. The defense clamped down after that, and the Yanks go undefeated. Korea beat Russia 2-0 in an upset, but needed to score one more to get to the round of 8 to unseat the Russians, who had them over a barrel in goal differential. Therefore, beginning Sunday, here’s how the quarterfinals shake out: 5AM ET: Germany-Nigeria, Brazil-Russia 7:45AM: US-Australia, Canada/China Semis are next Wednesday: winners of GER-NGA vs USA/AUS, and winners of BRA-RUS v. CAN-CHN. Paul
The Aussies are through to the 1/4's. After matches against Germany and Canada in group play they now get to take on the USA. Got to be the toughest schedule in 2004.
Semifinal bound we are...2-0 over Australia, with second-half goals from Amy Rodriguez and Megan Rapinoe. Next up: Germany, a winner over Nigeria 5-4 on PK's after a 1-1 regulation tie. Brazil was losing 1-0 until a second half stoppage goal sent it into OT, and then unloaded three goals on Russia, swamping them 4-2. They'll face China in the other semi, who delivered the mega-upset of the tournament, beating Canada, 3-1. Paul
Wish I had better news on this dank, dreary day, weather-wise... Germany dethroned the US, 3-1 in the first semifinal this morning. Goals by Annike Krahn (11th minute, and gave the Americans their only score on an own goal 5 minutes later), Behringer (69th) and Hanebeck (82nd). As a result, the U.S. will play either China or Brazil in the third place game this weekend. Paul
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=128577 Coach K: "I thought in the beginning of the second half, especially in the first 20 minutes or so, we were able to develop a very nice rhythm in the game. Our movement was good and our defending was nice and solid. But when the Germans were able break us down and create the second goal, it certainly changed the complexion of the game. It seemed that early in the second half the flow of the game was going our direction, but again credit to the German team for being able to defend and limit our chances, get a chance for themselves and score a goal. "The German team was much like Australia as they were very organized in the way they defended. We know they were going to try to protect the space behind their back line and that would minimize the amount of room for Rostedt to run. She's more of an active, running player as opposed to a target player and we were hoping that the Germans had fatigued a little bit and her quickness and speed would allow her into the space, but again the Germans played very well. They are certainly the best team we've faced in the tournament." It didn't help that Rostedt didn't come in until the 82nd minute after the third German goal. What was she doing on the bench all that time? :| Paul
The US-Germany semifinal as well as tomorrow's bronze medal match with Brazil will be shown on tape delay on consecutive days at 5PM eastern on Fox Sports World. The former will air next Thursday, and the latter one week from this afternoon. 4AM start time for US-Brazil tomorrow, and a very real possibility the team will finish out of the money, I fear... Paul
The US beat Brazil 3-0 on goals by Kerri Hanks (21st minute) Megan Rapinoe (27th) and Angie Woznuk (73rd) to clinch third place today. Full report from US Soccer later on this morning, but for now, here's the preliminary match stats: http://fifa.com/en/womens/comp/U19MatchReport/0,3971,U19W-2004-1-01,00.html Paul
US Soccer's match report is now posted: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=129306 Paul
FIFA's take on the bronze medal game, and don't forget to watch it Friday afternoon on Fox SportsNet at 5PM ET: http://fifa.com/en/news/feature/0,1451,104390,00.html?articleid=104390 Paul
If anyone saw the US-Germany semifinal, feel free to post here, since I missed it, unfortunately... Paul