I was really disheartened by most aspects of the W*USA All-Star Game last night. From Danielle Slaton's inane ramblings in her sideline interviews to the lack of fire among the US players on the pitch, to the lack of honesty among the announcers as to the play of the US team. If all we are able to hear is that Brandi's antics after her goal, to include her posing for a photo from the bench, were cute, then someone is missing the point. Brandi actually figured in 3 goals directly: the one she scored and the two she allowed the World Team to score. You could actually give her an "assist" in the World's third goal, since the cross to Charmaine that led directly to the goal was made under her feet as she jumped in the air. I'm not trying to pick on any one player, because there was plenty of blame to share in the debacle (I'll get to Jim Garbarra later), but I would, once again, ask UP90, who replied to my comment in another thread that Brandi was "lazy." She replied, "If Brandi has even been 'lazy' I've never witnessed it." That's exactly what she was on the first two World goals. In the first, she let her mark get behind her and tried a sliding stab to stop the shot. Bri had no chance. On the second goal, it was like she didn't even know her mark was wide to her left (she never turned her head, until she saw the through pass). Then she made a feeble stab at the ball - alas, too late. That, UP90, is why Brandi is a liability as a wing defender. She a little less so in the middle, but she's still a liability. If she could balance the enthusiasm following her goal (might go thank Mia for the pass, I suppose), with her defensive lapses, her game would be more even and the USWNT defense would be more solid. Now to Jimmy - what? Of course, let's put Mia at right midfield. I liked Ape's dig at Jim during the game against Ireland, when she stated that one of the reasons she put Mia in was to get her "reacquainted" with the forward position, since she doens't play there for her W*USA team. The starting 11 did fairly well. Mia should've finished better after her juggling act in front. Foudy almost scored as did Lil with her rocket left foot. There were other chances too. The half would have ended 1-0 except for Brandi's "heroics." The subs near the end of the game, while netting us a goal on a nifty cross by Millie to Fotop, left me perplexed. Let's see, on the pitch at the same time, we had Fotop, the Wombat and CP. Hmmm...we're certainly not going to burn up anybody with those three. And Millie was playing so far back at times, she seemed like the attacking midfielder. Hopefully, Ape watched and saw that three hulks in front ain't the way to go. The World kept their front line and constantly pressured the US defenders throughout the second half. I started this thread to express my dissatisfaction with the product on the pitch last night. It was a second-class performance by women who can do better. The bottom line: I do not think it advanced the cause of the W*USA among the soccer population of this country. It was not spectacular nor exciting. The only drama was could the US side tie, or could the World side make a rout of it. It wasn't fun or pretty.
I agree with everything you've said, especially about Chastain, however you may have missed the point. Once we were told that halves would be 40 minutes, with unlimited substitutions, we knew this was not going to be a real game. This was not about soccer, it was about seeing some very good players having fun. Everyone was smiling, not putting out a lot of effort. I think it was entertaining.
LOL And I agree with Heartplay's assessment. Disappointing. I learned long ago to ignore caring about All-Star games in other sports. Somehow I expected this to be different.
Thank you, Mike Lane, for your comments about having fun. Yeah, I can see how having Danielle Slaton smoozing on the sidelines was fun, but players still have pride. I would say that the World All Stars had more fun than the US All Stars, because they won. Because a game is more for fun for both players and fans, doesn't mean you leave you skills in your kit back in the locker room. I can see how my comments about this not being a good advertisement for the W*USA were a bit harsh. However, my commenst about BC's performance and JG's coaching skills (?), I believe, were spot on.
Congratulations to Brandi on figuring on all three 1st-half goals. Her vision and pace was fantastic. Hardest-working player out there. Can't wait for WWC so we can see more of the world-class defender.
Heartplay, 1) It was an exhibition. The last player to take one of these games competitively was Lothar Mattheaus. 2) The players all have games that actually count for something only 2 or 3 days later. 3) Don't think for a second that Riise and MacMillan aren't on everyone's minds. The closer the World Cup gets the less risks you're going see any Cup-bound or Cup-wannabe-bound players are willing to take in games that don't count. Anyone expecting a "game" last night - or is offering up any "analysis" on the play needs to step back and let the faster groups play through.
a fifth of what? Foudy downed a fifth at half time? Wow, last time I did that I didn't wake up until 3 pm the next day!
If they were the same cookies that they had in the media room, they were 1) very small (bite sized) and 2) very good (and I don't really like chocolate chip cookies).
I only watched a few minutes of the 1st half and about half of the 2nd, but it pretty much looked the same as the MLS all-star games do. Nobody really takes it seriously, so it's best treated as a dessert, tasty but non-nutritious. But since it was ESPN and not PAX, couldn't they at least have made Dorrance by a ticket? First, a color commentator is by definition useless for these things unless he/she is an entertaining talker, because there ain't gonna be no analysis. Second, I thought I heard him express bewilderment about Meinert not playing for Germany, as if they didn't pick her, when I'm pretty sure she retired from the national team.
C'mon guys, it was an ALL-STAR GAME, for god's sake. Show me an all-star game in any other sport where the players take it too seriously. Hey, it could have a tie like baseball's. That said, what was with the time-out for commercials? That's the only thing that urinated me off.
USA-Turkey prevented me from seeing this... interesting part was Pichon begging off due to a bruise, the Hoffmann, her replacement, saying thanks but no thanks..so Katia was the next option... meinert retiring, should tell you germany got some young 'uns to look out for in a couple months..
That was a preseason scrimmage where players are trying to get into match shape. I'm talking about All-Star exhibitions. The DCU/AU game was certainly no exhibition. There is a world of difference between a scrimmage and an exhibition. I can't believe you don't know the difference.
The MLS All-Star game will (supposedly) be against Chivas of the Mexican League. This is bound to be serious; I don't think there will be time for milk and cookies on the bench. We will be measuring what we have against one of their best, with both sides wanting the win.
i watched it, i enjoyed it, was suprised to see so many breakers on the teams (not a WUSA follower). I was also glad to see the USA get beat. I'm sick and tired of watching the USA women win everything. Im glad the rest of the world is catching up and is goin to bring more competiton to the world stage, hopefully bringing better women's soccer. But the game didn't impress me enough to go see the Breakers play live, but if they are on TV (if no other soccer game is on), i'll gladly watch it.
Boston Breakers/New York Power Wed June 25th 11:30 pm on NESN (tape delay) or Thurs June 26th 7:00 pm on NESN (re-air)
an American U. college freshmen. But in all-star competition, I propose Dema Kovalenko against his teammate at the time, DMB.