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us defeats talented german side

6/30/2015

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The 2015 Women's World Cup
US vs. Germany

Featured also at Cardinal Publishers Group, June 2015

Finally, against China, the US team clicked, playing much better than previous performances in which critics across the board saw something wrong with the chemistry. No one was doing anything; or moving forward with positive results; it was hard to watch, etc. And then, against China, in the great rematch of 99’ Heath was the player that spun everything together, giving the US side confidence from the dribble, making the opponent look off balance and at times silly for even trying to be on the same field as her. 
   The quality of play from Germany, the world’s number one, and the rejuvenated US side was world class from the start. Back and forth…great possession from both sides, with technical skill at the highest level. (This match, tallied with the preceding games, marked the most yellow cards in Women’s World Cup history, but the play on the field wasn’t dirty, at times chippy with the referee keeping things under control.) Rapinoe and Lloyd were strong in the first half, winning tackles while surging forward. The Germans switched fields with pinpoint accuracy and pace. The first half reached the highest point with the pass of the game from Heath to Morgan for a one-on-one with Angerer who made a great save. It was one of many saves, as Heath stood out again as the best attacker on the field, creating havoc in the box with multiple attempts at goal.
   Moving into the second half Germany couldn’t capitalize on a penalty kick as controversy struck a few minutes later at the other end when Morgan – who is still a little slow, playing with a previous injury – went down just inside the box, or was it outside? Regardless, she made a great move on the German defender who clearly made the foul leading to a game winning penalty kick from the captain Lloyd, who looked left but went right. The subtlety of “looking the wrong way” or even “looking the right way” to throw off a goalie has always been an under-appreciated nuance. Whether Lloyd was trying to fool Angerer or not, and whether the keeper was even watching her eyes, is anyone’s guess. Some great combination play led to the final goal, putting an extremely talented German side out of the game. The winner of England and Japan will be irrelevant as this US team is without a doubt heading to the first place podium. With only one goal scored against the US “the whole tournament” it will take a miracle to overtake this momentum. The correct thing to say is, “We’re not there yet, we’ll take it one game at a time.” But please, nothing short of a shoot-out is going to stop this team. England or Japan: It really doesn’t matter at this point. All they can hope for is tying the game.

 

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Us moves on to semi's

6/29/2015

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The 2015 Women's World Cup
US vs. China

Featured also at Cardinal Publishers Group, June 2015

"In three short weeks it has become the hottest story of the summer,” said Robin Roberts from a sold out Rose Bowl stadium, in 1999. Four fighter jets soared over the crowd as the national anthem summed up and the crowd went crazy. Scurry, Chastain, Kate Sobrero, Overbeck and Joy Fawcett, Kristine Lilly, Michelle Akers, Julie Foudy, Hamm, Tiffeny Milbrett and Cindy Parlow. Some team.
   Yesterday’s rematch of the US vs. China saw the US women take the game right to China, not letting them out of their half if only for a moment. The Chinese were befuddled, utter disarray at times. But other moments allowed them the luxury to connect elegant passes together, showing what they’re made of. Indeed, they’re a good team, but on this day the athleticism of the US players took over the game. At times, from a dead start, a US player – I think Press, among others – would take a four-stride lead on her opponent. The loose balls won in the midfield were due to constant US pressure and great anticipation, particularly from Lloyd, the eventual goal-scorer, showing off her all around game. Absolutely, Lloyd is the leader on the field, setting the tone, winning tackles, setting up the offense, but of particular note is Heath, #17. It’s as though Robben and Denilson had a baby sister, raising her from the crib with dribbling skills to unleash onto the women’s World Cup someday. Keep going to Heath. An announcer noted to the affect of “Heath should give the ball up quicker so that Morgan can display her magic.” Morgan wasn’t displaying much magic. Heath was. If anything, Morgan, Lloyd and all the rest need to get the ball to Heath so she can do her thing which will bring good results for Morgan, Lloyd and the rest. Aside from Lloyd taking care of offense and defense, Heath is flat out the best player on the field. If she’s out of the next match…oh boy. Just keep her in coach. Better things will happen. Tuesday, a date with Germany, who defeated France in the other Quarterfinal, is set for the Semi-Finals. It should be good.

 

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us vs. columbia, next up: china

6/22/2015

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The 2015 Women's World Cup
US vs. Columbia

Featured also at Cardinal Publishers Group, June 2015

The US wins 2-0, getting past Columbia as expected but as the team prepares for a strong China side, there are still questions. Julie Foudy, speaking on the ESPN Freddie Coleman Show said, “Get stuck in,” with a laugh, responding to his question on how the US can defeat China on Friday in the Quarterfinal match. The echo chamber is more or less: “There needs to be more cohesive play; There needs to be more aggressive tackling; Better chemistry; More offense.” All this is true as the squad is not playing the best soccer, but they’re moving on. In similar fashion to the men’s Brazilian team last summer in 2014, they’re getting by, however it’s not very eye pleasing. The problem is, on paper, they have great talent. There are moments when the talent is clearly on display. The players have the skill and commitment, but there’s a quality lacking that’s holding them back from really getting things into high gear. There’s a lot of pressure on the team, particularly in the showdown with China: the rematch of 1999, when the best team in US women’s history, led by Akers and Hamm, were full throttle. The US should win, but enthusiastic fans are hoping for a thrilling show, which the team is more than capable of. 

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us vs. nigeria 1-0 win

6/17/2015

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The 2015 Women's World Cup
US vs. Nigeria

Featured also at Cardinal Publishers Group, June 2015

Game 3

Columbia Vs England will likely determine who the US plays next in Edmonton, Canada. The Women’s World Cup is getting more exciting! Wambach’s goal, a volley with her foot – not her head – put the US past Nigeria, as predicted, to win Group D. The midfield was better, with room for improvement. This win avoids a second round game against a strong Brazilian side. As Wambach and Morgan got more playing time, maybe that was the key as Abby’s goad in the first half finished the score against Nigeria, 1-0. Coming off a tie against Sweden this was a great confidence builder for the team in the next few days. Furthermore, Morgan’s start was the first in two months, due to an injury comeback. US fans are hoping to see more from her. Combined with Lloyd, and other midfield talent, things are coming together for the US, gaining momentum heading into the knock out rounds. Some keys to look for will be the US remaining composed in possession and not getting rattled when they don’t score right away, with a solid and relaxed defense, who, up to this point, has played well, keeping the US in games, but has also looked jittery at times. 





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us vs. sweden, 2015 women's world cup

6/12/2015

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The 2015 Women's World Cup
US vs. Sweden

Featured also at Cardinal Publishers Group, June 2015

Even though it turned out to be a tie, the US women looked much better in this second game against Sweden. That is, in the second half of this second game.
   Despite strong defense from the US in the first forty-five, the front side of the attack was lacking a connection, as opportunities in the box were missed, with a through pass massively over-paced as the first half came to a close, missing out on a prime opportunity to create danger in Sweden’s box.
   As the team regrouped at half, the pace to the next forty-five was much better. As the Winnipeg-based crowd picked up the spirit’s of the players, there was good patience in possession, the spacing was exploited in Sweden’s defensive third, along with good footwork from Lloyd, Krieger, and very good composure from Christen Press. Lloyd came very close to scoring near the Swede’s goal-line which turned into a clash of heads, leaving both players on the ground momentarily. There was a close call for a penalty kick as the ball ambiguously glazed off a Swedish defender’s hand, but the real attacking threat came from a delicate shot past Solo which a US defender deflected off her head into the crossbar, averting a near certain score from Sweden.
   In the end, a 0-0 score will do for now as the US moves on with a point, on top of Group D with four points. Wambach and Morgan came on late, with little impact. Overall, the US outplayed Sweden and things should pick up on the scoreboard carrying this confidence into the next match against Nigeria, which should be a walk in the park. 

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women's world cup: us vs australia

6/9/2015

1 Comment

 
The 2015 Women's World Cup
US vs. Australia

Featured also at Cardinal Publishers Group, June 2015

Every World Cup the US Women are the favorites. Most would agree that the Germans appear to be the forerunners this time around. Julie Foudy, a graduate of Stanford University, and a member of the women’s 1999 championship side, is one to point out the artificial turf being a ridiculous choice for a tournament such as this. Regardless, both teams have to play on it, as they say.
   Coming into the match, it was not expected to be a walk over for the US side, as the Australian bunch, known in some circles as the “Matildas” have managed to stay competitive over the years. The young team Australia fielded in the previous World Cup has had some time and experience for reflection. Their young players, Kyah Simon and Caitlin Foord have the responsibility to lead the team this time around.
   
   For the US, Carli Lloyd, alongside an injured Alex Morgan, will be leading the cause. Carli Lloyd, thought by some to be the best midfielder of her generation, is a good player but not nearly the caliber of Aly Wagner or Michelle Akers, of years past, who many feel represent the ceiling for quality midfield play – both in skill and technique, combined with that innate quality to create chances that others simply do not see.
   The Australian side gave the US a good run, as they have in past attempts, but fell short of walking away with a key win. The US started out slow, and very impatient. The keeper, Solo, had to make a number of saves in the first half. Add to that, with little build-up in possession from the back, the US looked like they were trying to get things arranged, but couldn’t quite find the right path. While in the second half, the team picked up the pace and the play became crisper, with energy brought from the bench. The build-up from the back improved, to mark the first game a 3-1 victory. With steady keeper play, the team got the jitters out, moving onward to the next step. Possibly, with Morgan’s injury – only coming on late in the game – the team must find a way to keep things moving in a positive direction into the next challenge.

 

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four year review - holland

6/7/2015

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The Four Year Review: America's Quest for the Cup

United States vs Holland
Friendly 
​4-3
In Holland

The Four Year Review is rumbling on! The US defeats Holland, in the Netherlands, by a score of 4-3, in the closing moments of the game. A great comeback for the US team, making nice touch passes "behind the defense" in the attacking third. Holland seemed surprised they had to play defense. For much of the game, Holland was in control, possessing the ball with great Dutch precision and awareness, led in the middle by number six, Clasie, as the US watched on, gaining momentum here and there. With the score at 3-1, in Holland's favor, they took their foot off the accelerator, allowing the US to climb back on board for a tremendous comeback. At 3-1 the Dutch simply went to sleep. Their defense became sloppy, and things fell right into the American's hands. This was the first victory for the US over Holland, ever. 
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fifa at it again

6/3/2015

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Picture
With the FBI involved, and Interpol, the plot thickens in respect to FIFA's corruption over the years. The plural of years is evident to most viewers, however, the investigations are giving "the people" something concrete to attach their longstanding suspicions to. In 1998, for the World Cup in France, and in particular the bid given to Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 are under the spotlight, yet high ranking government officials from Zambia, and other places, insist doing business with Sepp Blatter was respectable. Much more to come from these rising events, that keep escalating into something FIFA always thought they'd have a strong handle on. For now, they're watching the mess unfold, just as the rest of the world, while rumors are circulating around of possible new Presidents, including Micheal Platini - the longtime French captain, who led France to the European championship in 1984. 





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    (NS) refers to "Non-Soccer" related blog entries, stories and essays.

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    Shane Stay, author of The Euro 2020, The World Cup 2018 Book, Why American Soccer Isn't There Yet.

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