I was traveling when this tournament started, but I can't believe we're doing one long thread for all the games in a major tournament, so I think the knockout round at least should get a thread/game. The US plays Japan in the quarterfinal. The game is this Saturday on August 3, and will be 9 am ET (3 pm local time) in Paris at Parc des Princes. It will be shown on Telemundo and Peacock. That 3 pm local start time will likely be HOT; hopefully that suits the US players better than the Japanese except for the fact that a lot of the players may not have gotten enough rest. Obviously, Japan and the USWNT have a rich history in major tournaments. They've faced each other 4 times, just at the Olympics (a quarterfinal in 2004, a group stage game and semifinal in 2008, and the final in 2012). More recently, the US has faced Japan in the SheBelieves Cup this year and last year (a 2-1 win and a 1-0 win).
I'm recalling that the best soccer game ever played was in the 2011 World Cup: the U.S. vs. Brazil The second best soccer game ever played was the finale that year between the U.S. and Japan.
Hayes has said that Shaw and Davidson both could be fit for this game; they're waiting on the last possible moment to see if they're ready. If both are available, that does open up more possibilities of how to cover for Coffey sitting on the bench.
Shaw is available, but Davidson is not: Forward Jaedyn Shaw returns to the matchday roster after missing the group stage with a leg injury. Midfielder Croix Bethune, who was activated in her absence, returns to the alternate list. Emily Sams remains part of the matchday squad in place of Tierna Davidson (leg…— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 3, 2024
I was about to post some speculation on the line-up, when the starting XI drops: Our Olympic Quarterfinal XI 🇺🇸#USWNT x @VisaLineup Notes ⤵️— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 3, 2024 Looks like it's Albert, Horan, and Lavelle in the midfield. I think for this game in particular with Japan, the midfield will be where it's won or lost.
Japan's starting XI: 🔹なでしこジャパン🔹📝LINE-UP📝🏆第33回 #オリンピック 競技大会(2024/パリ)⚔️準々決勝1 #山下杏也加(GK)3 #南萌華4 #熊谷紗希(C) 6 #古賀塔子 8 #清家貴子10 #長野風花11 #田中美南13 #北川ひかる14 #長谷川唯15 #藤野あおば 20 #守屋都弥𝐒𝐔𝐁🔄22 #大場朱羽(GK)5 #高橋はな… pic.twitter.com/P8v2LQZ15o— JFAなでしこサッカー (@jfa_nadeshiko) August 3, 2024 Edit: That's 5 changes from Japan's last group stage game. They've done more rotation than we have, so hopefully the US players have the legs/fitness for this must-win game.
Japan seem to have mostly ceded possession to the US and are going for a transition game (and they're good in transition, we know; they just need one chance). We've had the better chances so far, but we need to make the most of our chances. Japan won't give us many.
I don’t think I ever heard anywhere so can someone please explain to me why US drew Japan for the QF? US won their group but didn’t get one of the best 3rd place teams like Brazil or Colombia?! And didn’t Japan win their group too?! So two group winners play each other? Da heck?
Japan was second in their group after Spain. And one winner of a group has to face a 2nd place team from another group since only 2 of the 3 third place teams advance.
Aaaah, ok thanks! For some reason I thought Japan won their group too! Anyway, I’m nervous how this is playing out so far. How can US break this bunker? Lots of possession but little to show for it
Making me nervous, it should have been in the pre-game: limit set pieces for Japan! But we get the clearance.