USA vs. DPR Koread [R] So it's North Korea and the U.S. tommorow, and the girls are ready. A win will gurantee the USA a spot in the Quarterfinals, so you know they will be bringing it all. Korea are looking to upset the U.S. It'll be a great game for sure.
Should be interesting. North Korea look really good and entertaining, but haven't shown enough composure/experience in finishing chances. They need to win, and preferably well while the US only needs to draw and I'm sure will play their physical game. I reckon it will be 3-1 to the US, but a tight game with the US scoring a couple late on from set pieces after an early Hamm goal, and the Koreans missing a a few golden chances to go in front and not making their superior possession count.
Win the match and win the group -- and face Norway in the quarter final round. I'd like to see the girls get a comfortable lead on NK, then pull 3 key players to avoid injuries. Stamina is not a factor, the whole team could probably run for 8 hours and party for another 8 and never know the difference. But injuries are another matter.
Union-Tribune pregame outlook on the two teams. The paper has an article on the North Korean team, I'll post that in the NK section when it shows up on the website... http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sun/sports/news_1s28usasocbx.html
Ok, I am getting worried about this. It will be a hard game, but with the Sweden v DPR K. result, maybe it is not that bad. The US needs a win or tie, both I guess would be ok. But a... oh I just can't say it. Anyway, I am knda worried about the game today, but I am really worried about the next game. The US will get by this game, and then they will be the top of the group, that means they will play Norway in Foxboro on Wed. But the US will have travelled from Wash. to Columbus, and then on to Foxboro over a weekened. Where Norway went to Foxboro on Friday, and then demolished the Korea Rep. (Ok it was expected I guess). Now they get to hang out in Foxboro for a couple day getting sleep and practice. While the US team has wandered all over the eastern seaboard, and have one day less of rest. I still believe that the US will beat Norway, but I am worried. In other news the Sweden v. Brazil should be very interesting. Brazil proved they are a team to look out for after the game with Norway, but now after the game with France, I don't know. It seems that Brazil is a little inconsistent to say the least.
Wow, interesting lineup! Five defenders, 3 middies, and Wambach and Millbrett. I wonder if Bivens goes to the right midfield position? This will be a new combination of folks. Matchtracker lists: Scurry, Sobrero, Reddick, Pearce, Fawcett, Bivens, Roberts, Wagner, Lilly, Wambach, Millbrett. I figure the idea is that they give folks a well-earned rest and they can substitute in more attacking presence if needed at the half. This should be fascinating! mingyung
Indeed. Bivens is playing right mid. Very pleased that Hamm, Foudy, and Boxx are being rested. If Hucles didn't have a fracture in her leg, I imagine she would've started in place of Lilly. Why Sobrero is playing LB instead of Reddick, however, is beyond me.
Sweden 3 - Nigeria 0 Sweden won their game, so this means that the cheating FIFA has rigged it so the all the US has to do is not lose by 5 goals. What a disgrace, these group games should be played at the same time. I can picture a scenario where the US is down by a goal in the 75th minute, and April pulls out some players to either give them a rest or prevent them from getting a second yellow. This give the US a huge advantage by allowing for rested players in the quarterfinals. This is such bull*#*#*#*#*#!!
With what little I'm able to catch (game is on TV behind me), NK is keeping posession of the ball pretty well, US squandered a corner kick earlier.
Beautiful center, close into the box. Ref rules a PK due to handball from NK. (it seems that way, can't tell, small screen) Wambach (?) to take the shot. GOAL GOAL GOAL US. 17th min
WTF was the cardable offense?????? They've shown the replays several times and I don't see a handball.
That was the oddest card I've ever seen. There was no handball. At least Abby got to take the PK cause that was a beautiful finish.
It looks like Wambach kicked on goal, and it bounced off the hand of a NK defender. Ref apperently ruled it as handball. Pulling up matchtracker to verify. Matchtracker shows a yellow card against YUN In Sil. Doesn't state if it was a handball or not though Yellow card to Wambach in the 22nd
Damnit!!! I thought this game started at 1:45 Pacific Time. My guide says the game is on ABC from 1:30 to 4:00 AZ Time. I'm away from the TV right, so I wonder if my local ABC station is showing the game tape delayed.
That pisses me off. I checked on the Yahoo TV listings and my guide on my TV and both say the pre-game starts at 1:30 Pacific Time. If they screwed me over, then I'm going to write a complaint letter to the local station.
NK still pressing forward, few chances. Missed a grand one-two chance to get the ball upfield a moment ago.
NK freekick from the near side (according to TV camera) RI Un Gyong had a good header, probably a half foot at least above the US defender, just wide of the goal. Their best chance in a while, imho.
Blown centering cross in the 34th by the US. Good clearing by NK. 36-37' US defender falls in the box, no call by the ref. Can't tell what happened from here.
Cat Reddick is a workhorse, chasing down players. Milbrett gets a yellow. Frankly, about time. Ref's fault for not calling other fouls first, though, Millie started to get away with more.