Everything Soccer

[NDMIA]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Handball? Play on?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FRA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FRA</a> have a penalty shout turned down, and there's no VAR intervention. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FRA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FRA</a> 1-2 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USA</a> after 89 minutes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWWC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWWC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OptusSport?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OptusSport</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ryb6rqUSPu">pic.twitter.com/Ryb6rqUSPu</a></p>— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptusSport/status/1144708804870721537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Nice win by the US. Kind of a meh game by many of team USA’s players. Lots of mistakes and Dunn was hmmm, less than stellar as LB. Also it’s official that nobody has any idea what a handball is and they need to clarify that in the future cause I’ve seen at least a couple of handballs called penalties which were less egregious than that one by O’Hara. Onto England!!

 

[Irish YJ]

Nice win by the US. Kind of a meh game by many of team USA’s players. Lots of mistakes and Dunn was hmmm, less than stellar as LB. Also it’s official that nobody has any idea what a handball is and they need to clarify that in the future cause I’ve seen at least a couple of handballs called penalties which were less egregious than that one by O’Hara. Onto England!!

I thought Dunn was very solid and had her best game so far. I feared she'd be the weak link today, but I was very wrong.

Overall not pretty after a very promising start to the second half, but they got it done. Defensively very good IMO.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Dunn had a huge challenge and they didn't score against her. So, good-on Crystal Dunn.

My view of that non-handball on OHara was that it was too close, and Kelly was pulling her arm back, so correct call.

I also believe that we were not offside on our last/third "goal."

The only goal France scored was due to Mewis not holding her line properly at all, and putting the girls marking Renard in a trailing position --- something that Ellis shouldn't be doing anyway with Ertz, Horan, Mewis, and the CBs all out there. That goal was on Ellis and Mewis or we could have had a shut-out.

Ertz and Thiney spent the entire game knocking one another down usually outside the area of play. Ref was oblivious. Testy "good game" handshake at the end. France's best player, Henry, played as hard and dirty as she could, but couldn't crack us.

I was quite impressed, and Rapinoe was, as usual, cold as deadly ice. Our grand old lady, Becky Sauerbrunn, was just magnificent. She and Julie made scoring nearly impossible just by themselves.

That doesn't mean they'll beat England. That is a very good team. Which doesn't even start Rachel Daly ... boggles my mind.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

Dunn had a huge challenge and they didn't score against her. So, good-on Crystal Dunn.

My view of that non-handball on OHara was that it was too close, and Kelly was pulling her arm back, so correct call.

I also believe that we were not offside on our last/third "goal."

The only goal France scored was due to Mewis not holding her line properly at all, and putting the girls marking Renard in a trailing position --- something that Ellis shouldn't be doing anyway with Ertz, Horan, Mewis, and the CBs all out there. That goal was on Ellis and Mewis or we could have had a shut-out.

Ertz and Thiney spent the entire game knocking one another down usually outside the area of play. Ref was oblivious. Testy "good game" handshake at the end. France's best player, Henry, played as hard and dirty as she could, but couldn't crack us.

I was quite impressed, and Rapinoe was, as usual, cold as deadly ice. Our grand old lady, Becky Sauerbrunn, was just magnificent. She and Julie made scoring nearly impossible just by themselves.

That doesn't mean they'll beat England. That is a very good team. Which doesn't even start Rachel Daly ... boggles my mind.

Agree on the "handball" and we were definitely not offsides on the goal that got called back

 

[BabyIrish]

Fantastic game by the defense. They didn’t let France get into any sort of rhythm. Really smart soccer. My gameball goes to Dunn. She was charged with guarding their best player and she came through in a huge way. If she actually played meh, France would have had three goals. We’ll see if we deploy a similar strategy against England or be more aggressive with the ball and possession. Dunn will once again need to be huge going against Parris.

 

[Legacy]

Germany's women: 'We don't have balls, but we know how to use them'

Ahead of the World Cup in France, Germany's women's national team have hit back against stereotypes with a powerful campaign. The hard-hitting video has received widespread praise for its message of female empowerment.

Video https://twitter.com/i/status/1128306663226843137

Their best player and one of the world's best, Dzsenifer Marozsán, returned today against Sweden after a pulmonary embolism. Marozsan led Germany to the World Cup title four years ago. Born in Hungary and emigrating with her parents at the age of four, Germany Football League pushed for her to get naturalized as she became a star.

 

[EddytoNow]

Germany's women: 'We don't have balls, but we know how to use them'

Video https://twitter.com/i/status/1128306663226843137

Their best player and one of the world's best, Dzsenifer Marozsán, returned today against Sweden after a pulmonary embolism. Marozsan led Germany to the World Cup title four years ago. Born in Hungary and emigrating with her parents at the age of four, Germany Football League pushed for her to get naturalized as she became a star.

Not questioning Marozsan's ability, but didn't the USA win the Women's World Cup Championship four years ago?

 

[Legacy]

Not questioning Marozsan's ability, but didn't the USA win the Women's World Cup Championship four years ago?

Serves me right for reading the German newspapers quickly. The Champs were honored afterwards at the White House.

He praised them for endorsing the First Lady's "Let's Move" initiative and Carli Lloyd's three goals performance and then quipped:

"Carli's performance was so good that by the time the game was over someone had changed her title on Wikipedia from 'Midfielder' to 'President of the United States.' Which by the way, the job's about to open up. What's another candidate in the mix? I guarantee you Carli knows more about being president than some of the folks who are running."

 

[Irish YJ]

very fun game vs MX and CR right now. ET.

part of me wants CR to take it, part of me wants MX to move on so the US has an opportunity to take them.

 

[Irish YJ]

pretty sleepy effort by the US, especially in the 2nd half. it's a win... will need to do better vs Jamaica...

 

[IrishFaninTX]

pretty sleepy effort by the US, especially in the 2nd half. it's a win... will need to do better vs Jamaica...

True but Jamaica barely beat Panama and only did because of a PK. I think this was a classic game of playing down to their opponent. They just didn't look excited in the 2nd half

 

[calvegas04]

pretty sleepy effort by the US, especially in the 2nd half. it's a win... will need to do better vs Jamaica...

True, lets just beat Jamaica then worry about those Fu*kers mexico

 

[Irish YJ]

True, lets just beat Jamaica then worry about those Fu*kers mexico

Was at the 2015 game with prime seats when Jamaica knocked the US out. I hope we throttle those SOBs.

 

[Rogue219]

Last night the USA was playing a country whose population is that of Elk Grove, California.

If the boys play like they did last night vs Jamaica, they're going to lose. Simple as that.

Spare me any notions of the squad seeking "revenge" regarding losing that friendly to Jamaica a few weeks back, too. Not fucking interested. If you're seeking "revenge" over a loss in a friendly, you've completely missed the plot.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I was a little more sanguine about our Curacao win than most. Curacao was surprisingly competent, and a real major league goalie. We suffered most because of a peculiarly bad game from Boyd --- he couldn't connect on anything; destroyed our offense regularly. His bad game also nullified the good things that Lima has been doing, thus canceling our right side.

Also, Curacao is composed generally of players with strength and speed, and some of them have good skills. Had the goal-keeper not have done a supernatural plastic man imitation on Pulisic, we'd have had the second goal.

McKennie must get the occasional slow-roller pass out of his system; he's no Michael Bradley Zen Master on that stuff. Zimmerman looked great marauding forward --- hope he continues to increase that. Ream solidly held his end up for a change.

Goal-keeping was a circus too often again --- the US needs to initiate a Tim Howard/Hope Solo school of Keepers to furnish our future teams, neither of which looks like it really knows what they are doing in goal.

 

[Rogue219]

I've been very positive up until last night. It looked like shit. I was really starting to get a sense after Panama that they could win the Gold Cup. Now I'm back to thinking they won't have enough to beat Mexico in a final.

Move on to Jamaica and get the win.

 

[Old Man Mike]

It's not a popular thing to say, but we don't look anywhere near as smooth as Mexico. I'm ignorant of the following, but why is Mexico playing without studs like Herrera and Vela (even Chicharito)? With Herrera and Vela their solidity and threat goes way up.

 

[Rogue219]

It's not a popular thing to say, but we don't look anywhere near as smooth as Mexico.

The truth sucks sometimes.

Doesn't mean the US can't win the next two matches and take it, but last night just wasn't good.

 

[NorthDakota]

No thanks on Hope Solo mentoring young goalies. She's a trash person in a big way. Timmy can do boys and girls.

 

[GowerND11]

It's not a popular thing to say, but we don't look anywhere near as smooth as Mexico. I'm ignorant of the following, but why is Mexico playing without studs like Herrera and Vela (even Chicharito)? With Herrera and Vela their solidity and threat goes way up.

Herrera decided he wanted to work on his fitness and skipped. Chicharito is expecting his first child so he skipped, and I don't think Vela was selected.

 

[fightingirish26]

Last night the USA was playing a country whose population is that of Elk Grove, California.

If the boys play like they did last night vs Jamaica, they're going to lose. Simple as that.

Spare me any notions of the squad seeking "revenge" regarding losing that friendly to Jamaica a few weeks back, too. Not fucking interested. If you're seeking "revenge" over a loss in a friendly, you've completely missed the plot.

tbf a lot of that Curacao roster has Dutch second nationality and play in the Eredivisie, plus Leandro Bacuna who has several years of PL experience. Not your typical tiny ass island with no footballing history.

I was at both games yesterday and Jamaica looked awful as well. If Jamaica plays like they did yesterday they're going to lose, simple as that.

Plus, Mexico looked really bad against Costa Rica. Someone has to win the Gold Cup, no one is playing well so just survive and advance.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

I was a little more sanguine about our Curacao win than most. Curacao was surprisingly competent, and a real major league goalie. We suffered most because of a peculiarly bad game from Boyd --- he couldn't connect on anything; destroyed our offense regularly. His bad game also nullified the good things that Lima has been doing, thus canceling our right side.

Also, Curacao is composed generally of players with strength and speed, and some of them have good skills. Had the goal-keeper not have done a supernatural plastic man imitation on Pulisic, we'd have had the second goal.

McKennie must get the occasional slow-roller pass out of his system; he's no Michael Bradley Zen Master on that stuff. Zimmerman looked great marauding forward --- hope he continues to increase that. Ream solidly held his end up for a change.

Goal-keeping was a circus too often again --- the US needs to initiate a Tim Howard/Hope Solo school of Keepers to furnish our future teams, neither of which looks like it really knows what they are doing in goal.

If Steffen hadn't made a ridiculous circus save that game goes to OT. I was not upset with GK. Through 4 games, they haven't given up a single goal. GK is not the problem with this team (other than Steffen's mistake in a friendly not too long ago that directly led to a goal)

Edited to add that I do think Naeher will likely be the reason if the US does not win the WC. She does not look confident at all. She makes good saves but as my daughter has learned playing the position for 7 years, that's not even the most important aspect of being a GK. If you show fear, you play scared and do not inspire confidence with your team.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I have hope for Steffen, but he makes more poor/risky passes to my eye than apparently to yours.

As to giving up goals: that's almost independent (weirdly) of the goal-keeping on our teams --- witness that Naeher might "win" the whatever-it's-called trophy for goalkeeping just because our defenders are so stifling. In the USMNT case, the reason is more that the opponents so far pretty much stink on offense, and we have good defenders at centerback and defensive midfield, plus hardworking other guys like Lima.

Again, I have hope for Steffen because he's still young, but I haven't seen him rise to anything like the group of really good keepers worldwide. I'd take a couple of the CONCACAF goalies in a heartbeat.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

I have hope for Steffen, but he makes more poor/risky passes to my eye than apparently to yours.

As to giving up goals: that's almost independent (weirdly) of the goal-keeping on our teams --- witness that Naeher might "win" the whatever-it's-called trophy for goalkeeping just because our defenders are so stifling. In the USMNT case, the reason is more that the opponents so far pretty much stink on offense, and we have good defenders at centerback and defensive midfield, plus hardworking other guys like Lima.

Again, I have hope for Steffen because he's still young, but I haven't seen him rise to anything like the group of really good keepers worldwide. I'd take a couple of the CONCACAF goalies in a heartbeat.

I think it's because he's young. His distribution is a little suspect at times but I've seen a lot of improvement with him over the months. Naeher just scares me and though she can make saves, I just don't think she's that good. I actually like Ashlyn Harris better and not because she and my daughter share the same first name. She reminds me of a girl in my daughter's club. Really good at saving shots but not fast enough and her decision making is terrible.

I didn't like the character of Hope Solo but she was for sure one of the best goalkeepers I've ever seen and funny thing is she didn't start playing the position until college. She used to be a forward. And I really liked Tim Howard but more so his later years. He took some time to develop IMO.

 

[NDMIA]

I have hope for Steffen, but he makes more poor/risky passes to my eye than apparently to yours.

As to giving up goals: that's almost independent (weirdly) of the goal-keeping on our teams --- witness that Naeher might "win" the whatever-it's-called trophy for goalkeeping just because our defenders are so stifling. In the USMNT case, the reason is more that the opponents so far pretty much stink on offense, and we have good defenders at centerback and defensive midfield, plus hardworking other guys like Lima.

Again, I have hope for Steffen because he's still young, but I haven't seen him rise to anything like the group of really good keepers worldwide. I'd take a couple of the CONCACAF goalies in a heartbeat.

Steffen will likely be the #2 GK for a top 5 goalie in the world in Ederson in Manchester City with one of the best coaches in the world. I think he’ll do just fine. Hopefully he goes out on loan a time or two to get some game time but we’ll see cause he’s gonna be in great hands.

 

[fightingirish26]

Steffen will likely be the #2 GK for a top 5 goalie in the world in Ederson in Manchester City with one of the best coaches in the world. I think he’ll do just fine. Hopefully he goes out on loan a time or two to get some game time but we’ll see cause he’s gonna be in great hands.

He's going on loan to Fortuna Düsseldorf this season. Another yank in the Bundesliga.

 

[gkIrish]

Rapinoe not starting, supposedly because she is tired...

 

[dublinirish]

Rapinoe not starting, supposedly because she is tired...

Bronze is pretty good though, likely she would be nullified anyways

 

[Old Man Mike]

Nullified? I doubt it. Rapinoe has been ruffed up almost as much as Morgan and Ertz in these games. I'll bet that this is more than just tired.

 

[IrishLax]

Christine Press just gave away a goal. All she had to do was tap it to Alex Morgan and it's 3-1. Wow, haven't seen a brain fart like that since...?