still 2-2 Italy subs: 79th minute: Boni for Panico 84th minute: Deiana for Gazzoli 85th minute: Pontil for Sancassani
Hey...did Bivens ever serve a suspension for yellow cards that she got prior to the WWC? Or am I talking out of my arse?
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly The Good: 1. Mac's goal 2. Lots of new players The Bad: 1. Once again, no goals from the run of play. 2. Bad Start ( again ) 3. Continued relaince on crosses, tired tactics. 4. Lack of checking to the ball and little or no combination play. The Ugly: Did any of you think that the US touch was awful? I saw lots of bouncing balls on first touch, lots of stiff legged passes, and an inability to take on opponents 1v1. We showed the technical and tactical sophistication of U-12's. Yes, they bunkered. But we could not play interior through balls, we could not keep possession under pressure, and we seemed content to keep possession with uncontested square passes in the back. we did not show any hope of being able to penetrate AND keep possession. We certainly have a lot of work to do.
Time is running out for AH. US has not looked very good since she took over. I thought it was mostly the post Akers effect, but ball movement is predictable. Wagner while highly thought of is not the answer in the middle at this level. Yes she plays some nice balls forward, but A) she is too slow, B) she doesn't hold the ball well under pressure, and C) she is always looking for the through ball up top completely missing the open flank and better ball as she constantly did with San Diego and Zhang. Although she does connect sometimes she has a one track mind. And she is suppose to be the creative one, ha! Time to step down April.
That was embarassing... Admittedly, Italy played much better than I thought they were capable of. How did this team lose out to ICELAND (and Russia) in World Cup qualifying? Or barely beat Switzerland and fail to beat Finland in Euro 2005 qualifying? This is another feather in the cap for the European women. Still, the US should be ashamed, especially that they couldn't beat Italy in the second half when their superior fitness and depth should have taken over. Although the subbing may have broken some of their rythym, the creativity was lacking and Italy made liberal subs as well. Even though this was just a friendly, this was not a match the US should fail to win on home soil. Was Reeses really the only outfit who wanted to buy ad time for this? Not a good sign for the WUSA resurrection... Does Wendy always claim the US opposition is playing a 'bunker' whether they are or not? She was getting pretty annoying (so what else is new?)
Italy 2- USWNT 2 Italy scored 3 goals (one was a OG) I bet Bob now thinks tying with Italy, who are 3 times WC champions is a superb job by AH. OPS, that's the IMNT team USWNT is going..............to be become a medicore team soon..............unless they get a real coach.
And on a minor note, someone please tell JP and Wendy that an 11 sec goal was scored in the Turkey/SK WC game and just recently by San Jose in MLS. God, they acted like this was the most wonderous event ever to grace soccer.
Pathetic isn't it, when fans know more than these so called experts. The world saw SUKUR"S goal against S.Korea, but of course it doesn't count, since it was not in the US.
I had to step out for first 18 minutes of the 2nd half, so how did USWNT score the second goal ( run of play or a set piece) ANYONE?
US in the OFF mood, tired (you could see from their footworks ) after a heavy tourney, while Italy in the ON mood, looked fresh and was looking forward to this game.
Yeah, I was disturbed by the "bunker" comments. There was none obvious throughout this game. The US did generate more attacks at goal, but that, alone, does not constitute a bunker defense. There were few penetrating runs and passes by the USWNT. But, Tarpley could take Milbrett's place as an attacker who can get behind the defense. And Wagner is getting quicker in her play. I liked the way the US moved the ball around in the second half. I didn't like Bivens in the midfield. And Roberts on defense is even worse.
It's been a long year blah,blah,blah, It's a meaningless friendly, blah,blah, blah, Subs will get a chance to show their stuff, blah,blah,blah too old, blah,blah,blah, Foudy said ....., blah,blah,blah, This is not the USWNT team that we know and love! It's ugly. I'm going to a High School play-off game tomorrow that will have more build-up in one HIGH SCHOOL game then I've seen in the last 6 USWNT matches. I'm beginning to think that this team is coached in practice with the same (lack of) enthusiasm that's displayed during the game from the bench It's time for new direction or maybe a return to the "old" direction. And, if the brass in Chicago don't see it....well.......too bad for us.......all of us - men's fans, women's fans, American soccer fans Thanks for listening. I feel better.
Lilly won a free kick to the left of the goal at the edge of the PA. MacMillan laced a shot near post that the 'keeper got a hand on. Lucky she didn't lose the hand.
No. This was a US team that was not prepared to play. Please, don't show up if you don't want to play. The opening sequence of this game showed that the US team simply thought they owned the dirt in KC. Italy proved otherwise. They did come to play. The contract for this game (and the Dallas match) stipulated the WWC squad. These folks are going to earn a good paycheck for these games, but they owe the fans their best for 90+ minutes.
On the Soccer Radio interviewed, Even Pelerud said that the US has the best talent pool in the world and could easily beat any team in the world but, there's team problem that has to be addressed. Does that mean the coach has to be replaced? , his statement kinda makes sense after watching this game.
I honestly think that we should give AH another chance (Olympic that is) to regain her reputation before her retirement.