No wins against France the last three matches -- two losses and a tie. Hope we've got something new for them...
The USA has had a serious home field advantage in this tournament. I would say that they won't in Paris, but it is possible that USA supporters bought these tickets before anyone in Paris started to care. We will see. They will need the support since France can do everything Spain did but 5 times better.
Except for foul. I think that was actually the most disruptive for the U.S; the uncalled fouls. France plays much less dirty which should help us.
Much of the "fouling" was on Morgan. But it is possible she was injured coming in and small amounts of contact were making her go to ground. Complaining about rough play or whining to the ref is not a good mentality going into a big game against the host.
For the first time in this tournament both the US and France will face teams that want to play them straight up. It will all come down to execution and desire. I think France wins the first part and the US wins the second. It is setting up to be the most interesting and competitive match of the tournament. Which could mean that both teams play so conservatively that the match ends up as one of the most boring.
Lineups will be huge. If France figures out how to get Cascarino, Asseyi and Diani in the game at the same time, it's going to be a challenge. It means one of them would be central and that could force ertz to play deeper. Dunn is probably at LB specifically for this game. She's played well this WC, but I cant figure out if she is so often sucked inside next to her ctr back because of inexperience, or is she actually being coached to do it. I can't imagine it would keep happening game after game unless she's been instructed to tuck in. France has the skill in midfield to switch accurately and quickly same as we do...leaving either Asseyi or Cascarino with acres of space on the back side is asking for trouble. OTOH our wingers should be able to run at France's right side on the counter, and renard and mbock look vulnerable as a unit. Can't wait for this one...hoping its a classic!
You never know what the USWNT has up their sleeves. Except for maybe Sauerbrunn, back when she used to roll her sleeves up circa 2012.
(As applied to this game, two exaggerations followed by one rhetorical question; I just like the vibe of this quote.)
Will be in the stands for the game -- so psyched. Bought the tickets three weeks ago with a hope. The team needs to play much quicker and sharper against France. I do agree that Spain seemed to target Morgan. There was a side of me that wanted Lloyd in there to dish as much as she was given. I always told my daughter..."If she starts it, then give something back to let her know you can give it too." Not enforcer stuff, just protect yourself. Morgan seemed to be the victim and the ref let it continue to happen. Sorry, but in the men's game, a foot would have been stepped on, an elbow to the midsection would have been thrown, a head thrown back into the face of the defender, something, to let them know you weren't going to take it or force the ref to make a decision. Morgan needs to figure that out somehow once the ref doesn't call the fouls. Henry is a force...very impressed. Love Rose's ability to break down a defense. This is going to be a great game. May be very tactical, but for lovers of the game, it should be great. (And I hope for lovers of the US team it is a great game as well.)
I hope that doesn't include fouling our players. The ref in the Spain game should have given the Spain center back a yellow by about the 35th minute.
Donny meet Brooke. Could be a classic. Not a huge fan of Morgan in the middle vs physical teams. Could we see Morgan wide & Lloyd at CF?
The US will need to field wingers that can attack with speed then. I like Heath, but that's not her game really. And Rapinoe certainly can't do that. Press or Pugh has to start!
I mean, let's be honest, this was what we were hoping for right? The US had an easier bracket in 2015 that unfortunately prevented them from meeting the ever so talented French team. Some said that would have been a true FINAL. Well, it's here guys. This could very well be one of the most historical games in the WWC. This will in all honesty, feel like the WWC Final.
To put this in boxing terms: US vs Thailand = A poorly trained bantam weight against a well trained heavy weight US vs Chile = A moderly trained light weight against a well trained heavy weight with a bit of a hangover US vs Sweden = A well trained middle weight against a well trained heavy weight with an even worse hangover US vs Spain a well trained light heavy weight against a very well trained heavy weight that is almost recovered from the hangover And then there is US vs France = (hopefully) The Thrilla in Manila Enough said
Her ol’ buddy JD can hook her up. Must present evidence of Red, White and Blue pumping through veins.