Would have liked to play Spain just to end that argument…ah well, maybe another time. They prolly worried about us too much to pay attention to the team in front of them. The addition of Marta might actually play in our favor. Check this out—- our heavy reliance on Wambach before some 2000s Olympic tourney, then her leg fracture the friendly before, helped create a chemistry that brought us gold. Marta’s addition might disrupt the chemistry this Brazil team has during her absence…
I did not see any significant diving by Brazil. They did take time whenever they could but that is just good match management and Spain had already gifted Brazil the win. It was just a matter of how long the ref would allow the Spanish players to stink up the field with their stupid play. Playing smart soccer is neither dirty or cheating. It is just smart soccer.
Exactly. I'm glad that you get it (and that guy doesn't). Well, you're a milanista, so, cheers, mate!
You mention Marta, who has watched her teammates defeat France and now Spain. Will Elias (inadvisedly) start Marta in the Final or (correctly) save her for late-game heroics and/or PKs? We shall see.
I think he should NOT start her. She is old and not very good, now, but her companions (deservedly) respect her too much and will feed the ball to her. Brazil played better without her, very clearly. Yes, she should be on the bench and if Brazil is winning the final 3-0 she should come in for the last 5 minutes. But I assume the coach won't have the balls to do that, because Marta is such a big idol in Brazil! This is similar to Rapinoe coming in for the US last WC. It was a disaster. She was clearly washed out, a pale shadow of her former self, and she damaged the team. The Brazilian coach should not commit the same mistake. Veteran players can inspire the youngsters, can lead, can encourage, but shouldn't play too many minutes.
Difficult not to start Marta, but we agree Brazil shouldn't. I wonder if Hayes is capable of doing something similar, for example not starting Horan, who - to my eyes - has been not just relatively ineffective but low energy. That would be a huge position to take in a Final, and of course, one would have to calculate the impact on the team (as a whole, not just on Horan). Or sitting Lavelle, perhaps - again unlikely. With a small roster, you have to plan your lineup and subs very carefully, so my guess is that Hayes will stick with what has been winning (but not necessarily working).
Hayes is a fantastic coach; the best in the world, clearly. I think she will do the right thing, whatever increases the chance of winning, either technically or psychologically. I entirely trust Hayes. As for the Brazilian coach, I have no idea if he is good or not; I haven't followed closely.
I know vitually nothing about Brasil's current side or Marta's current fitness. But I just assume that if she plays it will be a cameo. Either because they are losing and need an X-factor, or because they are winning and can afford to give her a swansong.
amazing how far Brazil did it without not only Marta, but also missing Debhina, Kerolin & Bia—all who’ve been so dominating in the NWSL. I don’t much about Gabby Porhito & Jhennifer. Apparently still playing in the Brazilian league. Willing to bet they’ll be an bidding war by thr major
I love well placed sarcasm. I don't rely on this Board to provide humor but every once in a while it does pay off. Let me try - - it doesn't get dark at night or water isn't wet.
Credit to Emma. Late in the game, I was jussssssst about to post "what are we doing with Mal as a 10? Has she ever played 10 at the pro level or internationally?" Then Mal pulled the string perfectly. Great game Emma! Great game Mal !
FWIW, VAR would have called back a Germany goal for offside if Naeher hadn’t saved it. Clear and obvious. https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/womens-soccer-recap-aug-6-brazil-shocks-spain-will-play-uswnt-gold (Third clip)
Rodman probably had her best game today in terms of just technical execution. And she made a number of good tackles. I wish Smith didn’t need 4 1v1s to score, but one was enough thanks to Naeher., and she made it count. Of the front six, only Rodman and Coffey had strong games. Lavelle, Horan and Swanson were way below their par. And yet Swanson came up with one nice pass when needed. Hope all three can step it up in the final. The D was very good. Especially Girma. Masterclass today.
She won’t sit Horan. I mean, she’s passing her hand written notes during the game…. Plus, they’re winning. I wouldn’t mess with anything if I was her.
I tried to pause my recording and it looked to me like it would have been just onside. I assume VAR never reviewed because why would they, right?
I haven’t gotten a chance to watch the second half yet. She didn’t do much for me in the first half. I just see way too much sloppiness on her first touch. Yes, she has pace, yes she tracks back, but she really needs to tighten up her close quarters play in order to keep offensive buildup going…
Actually Fox kept them both on. I grabbed the screenshot from the ref forum. This is the moment the ball is kicked.
USA has historically been a very physically fit and well-conditioned side, and Brazil has not. I don't know if that's still true today, but I feel the extra time matches will not affect the US all that much.
@kolabear going back with tactics; after being too adventurous in their first game vs USA, Germany decided this time with its 4-4-2 with its two back lines to turning into an very tightly knit, compact triangle shape defense meant to close down the easy passing lanes the US had the first time around. While this new tactic kept them basically sound on defense—as it stop the US from penetrating—it gave them very little offense(as their usual star offensive players had to race back & be part of that cocoon defense. They probably could have lasted to PK shootout like this, but the one catch was that their GK Berger, was several years for Chelsea, so Emma would have known her every move & weakness inside out about her. Fearing a PK loss, their coach at OT decided to take them out of their comfortable zone & switch to a more adventurous 4-3-3 to try to win the game outright. So now their winger, Buhl, was playing more upfront & could come to the aid of their atrociously awful defending FB, Rauch, and that proved their downfall—but it would of probably ended in an PK loss. Germany just didn’t have the personnel to match the US anyways as they actually missing three starters(Popp, Schuller, Linder) from their first Olympic match. They had to bring in the previous unused Anyomi, who’s actually faster than their usual striker(Schuller) but hot leg cramps & taken out by the 69th minute. Even the energizer bunny, Brand, stopped ticking(as she was forced to play every which way but loose in this particular match) now got to ask you as our resident , ticci takka expert, why was it such sn thud this time around?—though to be fair, Spain had that extra noose hanging around their necks that no current WC champ would win the next Olympics