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Official US Women's soccer thread: ***Update- Christen Press retires (3 Viewers)

encaitar said:
I think Horan has to see the field.  Our midfield shape is stronger with her in there.  If I were the coach and not an out of shape, clearly expert armchair ummm..... QB?(What's the footy equivalent of this?) that's commenting while sitting in front of his computer, I'd do something like this....

                            :unsure:

O'Hara     Dahlkemper    Ertz   Dunn

Lavelle           Mewis          Horan

Heath            Press              Rapinoe

I feel like Dahlkemper/Ertz gives us two CBs who can play out of the back.  I like Sauerbrunn's defending, but she doesn't have the same passing skill of these two and she's been a bit slow to the ball a few times.

If you move Ertz to CB, then Mewis becomes our best option at 6, with Horan playing the 8 and Lavelle being a hybrid 8/10.  

Press starts over an injured Morgan who was clearly a step or two slow.  I'd also consider Press over Rapinoe and starting Lloyd, but I think that'd be better as a halftime/50 minute change if needed as Lloyd doesn't have the legs for 90 anymore IMO.  Press gives us speed in the attack and those through balls that Morgan and Rapinoe watched go beyond the end line have a much higher chance of finding home if she's the one chasing them.
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I'd rather see Press' speed come on as a sub to go at the tired defenders.  Also not sure she's CF material; I've always seen her on the wings.

 
The US will be fine Friday. They are the better team. Not saying it's a guarantee, but I think they pull through and win this thing.

The Brazilian women's team is not the same as the Brazilian men's team. France beat a good team, not a great team. 

 
An excerpt from an article I saw this morning on Squawka:

With her shock of purple hair standing on end, Megan Rapinoe looks more like a superhero than a footballer. In truth, she plays like a superhero too. The winger is elegance personified whenever she takes the field and whether she’s passing, dribbling or shooting everything she does look absolutely sublime.

Today against Spain she was such a driving force for the USA, and whenever they were dominant it was usually because Rapinoe was carrying the ball herself or she’d switched play to Tobin Heath on the other side. And of course when it came time to take the pressure penalties and put the USA into the lead, both in the 7th and 76th minutes; Rapinoe, wearing the captain’s armband, obliged with nerveless precision. Both penalties dispatched into the same space but put there so well that Sandra Paños had no chance.

When she was withdrawn in the 95th minute, the entire ground erupted in applause for her magnificent efforts and she received a standing ovation as she rounded the pitch and headed to the bench. A worthy appreciation for a supreme performance, rescuing the USA in their hour of need as any good superhero would.
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encaitar said:
I think Horan has to see the field.  Our midfield shape is stronger with her in there.  If I were the coach and not an out of shape, clearly expert armchair ummm..... QB?(What's the footy equivalent of this?) that's commenting while sitting in front of his computer, I'd do something like this....

                            :unsure:

O'Hara     Dahlkemper    Ertz   Dunn

Lavelle           Mewis          Horan

Heath            Press              Rapinoe

I feel like Dahlkemper/Ertz gives us two CBs who can play out of the back.  I like Sauerbrunn's defending, but she doesn't have the same passing skill of these two and she's been a bit slow to the ball a few times.

If you move Ertz to CB, then Mewis becomes our best option at 6, with Horan playing the 8 and Lavelle being a hybrid 8/10.  

Press starts over an injured Morgan who was clearly a step or two slow.  I'd also consider Press over Rapinoe and starting Lloyd, but I think that'd be better as a halftime/50 minute change if needed as Lloyd doesn't have the legs for 90 anymore IMO.  Press gives us speed in the attack and those through balls that Morgan and Rapinoe watched go beyond the end line have a much higher chance of finding home if she's the one chasing them.
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No way we win without a goalkeeper.

 
General Malaise said:
Italy sneaky good.  Rooting you on, GB. 
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:hifive:  

hey, if Chiner can pop at least one goal i'll just about break even, regardless of outcome - ideal sitch is a 2-1 Italy win in rt, that would hit all 3 to the tune of roughly $225. 

General Malaise said:
 I'm done with gambling on this.  The Scottish collapse was the disembowelment of William Wallace Malaise.
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:lmao:

not laughing at your misfortune, GM ... that #### was brutal!  :wall:

it's the Wallce line that got me all  :lol:

 
The Z Machine said:
Did they watch the game or did they write all that before hand and then filled in some bits of the action?
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This highlights a catch-22 I've read a bit about in this world cup.  This event attracts the big sports media sources, but they staff it with reporters who don't know women's soccer or plain don't know ####.  That's good for exposure, but not so good for those looking for quality coverage.  We end up debating goal celebrations for a week. Meanwhile, the dedicated women's soccer journos who cover the sport year in and out often get pushed aside or drowned out.

 
At a glance, it appears all of the Dutch players are bigger than all the Japanese players. Like, different planets bigger.

 
encaitar said:
I think Horan has to see the field.  Our midfield shape is stronger with her in there.  If I were the coach and not an out of shape, clearly expert armchair ummm..... QB?(What's the footy equivalent of this?) that's commenting while sitting in front of his computer, I'd do something like this....

                            :unsure:

O'Hara     Dahlkemper    Ertz   Dunn

Lavelle           Mewis          Horan

Heath            Press              Rapinoe

I feel like Dahlkemper/Ertz gives us two CBs who can play out of the back.  I like Sauerbrunn's defending, but she doesn't have the same passing skill of these two and she's been a bit slow to the ball a few times.

If you move Ertz to CB, then Mewis becomes our best option at 6, with Horan playing the 8 and Lavelle being a hybrid 8/10.  

Press starts over an injured Morgan who was clearly a step or two slow.  I'd also consider Press over Rapinoe and starting Lloyd, but I think that'd be better as a halftime/50 minute change if needed as Lloyd doesn't have the legs for 90 anymore IMO.  Press gives us speed in the attack and those through balls that Morgan and Rapinoe watched go beyond the end line have a much higher chance of finding home if she's the one chasing them.
Click to expand...
Press isn't a striker. If Morgan can't go, I'd rather see them keep Ertz at 6, bring in Horan and play Mewis at a false 9 with Press in place of Rapinoe.

 
Christo said:
Press isn't a striker. If Morgan can't go, I'd rather see them keep Ertz at 6, bring in Horan and play Mewis at a false 9 with Press in place of Rapinoe.
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She's played striker many times before.  Most of her time in the USWNT is at wing, sure, but she's primarily been one of two strikers in a 442 most of her club career.

I agree I'd rather see her(or Pugh) over Rapinoe, but considering Jill Ellis's ghostwriter is out there writing gushing articles about Rapinoe(only explanation I can see for the article linked above) in spite of what everyone's eyes can see, I doubt Megan sits.  If she doesn't, a front line with Lloyd, Rapinoe, and Heath is going to be way too slow IMO.  Maybe Morgan will be healthy and her normal speedy self come Friday, gets the start, and this is all moot, but if not I worry.

 
Whilst there are certainly some valid criticism's of Ellis in there, I would certainly be interested in seeing the author's credentials and expertise of the women's game.  Let's face it, other than the WC and international games leading up to it, how many are watching women's professional league soccer?

The U.S. team has to be the deepest and most talented team in the WC, however that does not always equate to winning it all.  The key is finding your best team and getting your players out there in position to excel.  It's plain to the eye that Rapinoe has lost a step or two, but she is also a very respected player on the team and in the game, so it's a little difficult to just cut her out. And she did score the two PK's - ask Canada how valuable that type of leadership is to advancing.

Sure, Dunn is out of place, but the team is loaded and it's great that she is able to get her speed on the team even in the full back position.  It sucks having Horan on the bench, but I mean she is a like for like with Lavelle (aka America's sweetheart) and one of their best players.  

Difficult decisions are going to need to be made for every game.  I think Ellis's in game decisions are the most warranted of criticism, but having her switch around positions for players is just a bit of the nature of the beast when you have such a loaded lineup.  Let's not forget that the U.S. has allowed exactly 1 goal, on a terrible gk decision this entire tournament and has really had much control of play thus far.  If/when they win this tournament, no one is going to remember Ellis was even the coach.  If/when they lose, every one is going to blame Ellis. It's kind of a no win here.  I'm not a big fan of her, but I think these slam pieces are just a touch harsh.

 
guru_007 said:
Whilst there are certainly some valid criticism's of Ellis in there, I would certainly be interested in seeing the author's credentials and expertise of the women's game.  Let's face it, other than the WC and international games leading up to it, how many are watching women's professional league soccer?

The U.S. team has to be the deepest and most talented team in the WC, however that does not always equate to winning it all.  The key is finding your best team and getting your players out there in position to excel.  It's plain to the eye that Rapinoe has lost a step or two, but she is also a very respected player on the team and in the game, so it's a little difficult to just cut her out. And she did score the two PK's - ask Canada how valuable that type of leadership is to advancing.

Sure, Dunn is out of place, but the team is loaded and it's great that she is able to get her speed on the team even in the full back position.  It sucks having Horan on the bench, but I mean she is a like for like with Lavelle (aka America's sweetheart) and one of their best players.  

Difficult decisions are going to need to be made for every game.  I think Ellis's in game decisions are the most warranted of criticism, but having her switch around positions for players is just a bit of the nature of the beast when you have such a loaded lineup.  Let's not forget that the U.S. has allowed exactly 1 goal, on a terrible gk decision this entire tournament and has really had much control of play thus far.  If/when they win this tournament, no one is going to remember Ellis was even the coach.  If/when they lose, every one is going to blame Ellis. It's kind of a no win here.  I'm not a big fan of her, but I think these slam pieces are just a touch harsh.
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This is good posting, IMO.  

 
🇬🇧 obligatory!  🇬🇧

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

:towelwave: :towelwave: :towelwave:

currently -105 for rt W - but methinks the safest bet of the match is -150 for both teams to score ... might just parlay these two  :popcorn:

ETA: we also have +165 for both to score/no draw.

 
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General Malaise said:
This is good posting, IMO.  
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It is, and provides good context.  But the article isn't wrong.  Took an all world tourney by Lloyd for the US to win in 2015 and teams around the world, esp Europe are improving.  Also Ellis has shown she can sit "a very respected player on the team and in the game" by her use of Wambach in 2015, so her constant use of Rapinoe is inexplicable.

The US is winning despite Ellis, not because of her.

 
B Maverick said:
It is, and provides good context.  But the article isn't wrong.  Took an all world tourney by Lloyd for the US to win in 2015 and teams around the world, esp Europe are improving.  Also Ellis has shown she can sit "a very respected player on the team and in the game" by her use of Wambach in 2015, so her constant use of Rapinoe is inexplicable.

The US is winning despite Ellis, not because of her.
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I don't think anybody in here ever suggested the US was doing well because of Ellis.  

 
Bringing Horan on at the end of the match was the thing that did it for me. i don't think you need any sort of in-depth understanding of the women's game and/or player pool to call that out as really dumb. And Dunn is getting roasted out there, so, it's nice that she's really fast, but it would probably be better to have someone that can play defense in that spot. Call me crazy. 

 
I think Horan is the best midfielder on the team, and there's really no excuse not to start her in the knockout rounds. I like Lavelle as much as everyone else, but she shouldn't be in over Horan.

 
Moe. said:
Bringing Horan on at the end of the match was the thing that did it for me. i don't think you need any sort of in-depth understanding of the women's game and/or player pool to call that out as really dumb. And Dunn is getting roasted out there, so, it's nice that she's really fast, but it would probably be better to have someone that can play defense in that spot. Call me crazy. 
Click to expand...
I can understand being conservative with Horan since she had the yellow, but I totally agree, bringing her in that late was inexcusable and should absolutely be called into question.  

Who would you guys like to see in for Dunn?  Krieger?  Long?  

 
General Malaise said:
I can understand being conservative with Horan since she had the yellow, but I totally agree, bringing her in that late was inexcusable and should absolutely be called into question.  

Who would you guys like to see in for Dunn?  Krieger?  Long?  
Click to expand...
I think Davidson is next in line, but she's a little young/unproven?

 
General Malaise said:
I can understand being conservative with Horan since she had the yellow, but I totally agree, bringing her in that late was inexcusable and should absolutely be called into question.  

Who would you guys like to see in for Dunn?  Krieger?  Long?  
Click to expand...
I think Krieger would be a better option, yes. Not sure about Long, I think she'd be out of position there as well. There has to be an actual left back in our player pool somewhere. 

 
Moe. said:
I think Krieger would be a better option, yes. Not sure about Long, I think she'd be out of position there as well. There has to be an actual left back in our player pool somewhere. 
Click to expand...
I think thats the problem.  Ellis spent so much time trying to convert Dunn that they haven't developed a true left back.  Davidson is the backup but has limited game time experience.

 
guru_007 said:
Whilst there are certainly some valid criticism's of Ellis in there, I would certainly be interested in seeing the author's credentials and expertise of the women's game.  Let's face it, other than the WC and international games leading up to it, how many are watching women's professional league soccer?

The U.S. team has to be the deepest and most talented team in the WC, however that does not always equate to winning it all.  The key is finding your best team and getting your players out there in position to excel.  It's plain to the eye that Rapinoe has lost a step or two, but she is also a very respected player on the team and in the game, so it's a little difficult to just cut her out. And she did score the two PK's - ask Canada how valuable that type of leadership is to advancing.

Sure, Dunn is out of place, but the team is loaded and it's great that she is able to get her speed on the team even in the full back position.  It sucks having Horan on the bench, but I mean she is a like for like with Lavelle (aka America's sweetheart) and one of their best players.  

Difficult decisions are going to need to be made for every game.  I think Ellis's in game decisions are the most warranted of criticism, but having her switch around positions for players is just a bit of the nature of the beast when you have such a loaded lineup.  Let's not forget that the U.S. has allowed exactly 1 goal, on a terrible gk decision this entire tournament and has really had much control of play thus far.  If/when they win this tournament, no one is going to remember Ellis was even the coach.  If/when they lose, every one is going to blame Ellis. It's kind of a no win here.  I'm not a big fan of her, but I think these slam pieces are just a touch harsh.
Click to expand...
I agree with much of what you said, but the bolded isn't the correct way to look at things.  The USWNT isn't just the deepest and most talented team in the WC, they are light years ahead of everyone else.  This isn't just a great team like Germany in 2014 and France in 2018 were for the the men's game.  This is much more closely related to the 1992 Dream Team in basketball.  Obviously not THAT level, but much close to that than to just being the best team in the world.

Our 2nd string would make the semis and likely the finals with the right coach.  The girls we left at home would also likely be a top 5 team in the world.  Our team is so much better than the rest of the world that losing to Spain would've been the equivalent of the USMNT losing to Trinidad and Tobago in the last qualification cycle and that was so bad of a look that it tarnished Bruce Arena's legacy forever.

Now, we meet what is likely the only team that can realistically expect over even hope to beat us in this tournament.  If Ellis does something stupid like play a dead legged Rapinoe for 95 minutes or leave our best box to box midfielder on the bench, we will lose.  And it will be all on her.  If it were the men's team she'd get fired the next day.  As it is, she's likely insulated from that and that's all due to how good our players have been IMO.

 
B Maverick said:
I think thats the problem.  Ellis spent so much time trying to convert Dunn that they haven't developed a true left back.  Davidson is the backup but has limited game time experience.
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Agreed.  I think Davidson is the one who should be there, but she should've had 6-7 starts under her belt there already.  Because of Ellis decision to try and force Dunn out of position, Davidson isn't ready for a test like France, but then neither is Dunn IMO.

 
encaitar said:
The USWNT isn't just the deepest and most talented team in the WC, they are light years ahead of everyone else.  This isn't just a great team like Germany in 2014 and France in 2018 were for the the men's game.  This is much more closely related to the 1992 Dream Team in basketball.
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This is just not true at all.  Who have they beaten so far?  Chile and Thailand are marginal teams to even qualify.  Sweden and Spain are okay but they certainly were not light years ahead of either.

Germany has been dominant throughout and lost arguably their most important player in the opening match.  They haven't allowed a goal yet.

France will be a huge hurdle, and not just because of home field advantage.  I watched the game back in January and France were much the better side.  There is no way the US deserved to win, and they lost 3-1. I don't think the Dream Team would have lost to any team in the world, ever.

And I was thinking about this previously and in the hierarchy of historic women's soccer players, I am not sure how many would make an ALL-TIME US starting 11 from the current squad.  Hamm, Wambach, Akers, Lilly, Scurry, Chastain, and Foudy were all better I think than any current player (maybe Foudy would be the weak link in that group).  

The team is deep, sure.  Germany and France at the least can field just as good starting 11 right now and don't count out England.  Women's game is definitely a world of haves vs have nots .

 
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encaitar said:
I agree with much of what you said, but the bolded isn't the correct way to look at things.  The USWNT isn't just the deepest and most talented team in the WC, they are light years ahead of everyone else.  This isn't just a great team like Germany in 2014 and France in 2018 were for the the men's game.  This is much more closely related to the 1992 Dream Team in basketball.  Obviously not THAT level, but much close to that than to just being the best team in the world.

Our 2nd string would make the semis and likely the finals with the right coach.  The girls we left at home would also likely be a top 5 team in the world.  Our team is so much better than the rest of the world that losing to Spain would've been the equivalent of the USMNT losing to Trinidad and Tobago in the last qualification cycle and that was so bad of a look that it tarnished Bruce Arena's legacy forever.

Now, we meet what is likely the only team that can realistically expect over even hope to beat us in this tournament.  If Ellis does something stupid like play a dead legged Rapinoe for 95 minutes or leave our best box to box midfielder on the bench, we will lose.  And it will be all on her.  If it were the men's team she'd get fired the next day.  As it is, she's likely insulated from that and that's all due to how good our players have been IMO.
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I pretty much disagree with most of this.  The bold is all I will agree with.  Any of the teams left have a good shot at beating the US.  IMO they are not as far ahead of the teams left as you want to believe.  Yes we have talent and depth.  A lot of teams have talent, few have depth.  But the US has holes.  And a coach that doesn't know how to adjust in game.  The first true challenge of the tourney was Spain and two soft penalties saved them.  Ellis folded.  The GK showed her issues. They panicked and played frantic.  The world is catching up.

I do have a question for you and any other talking about how good the backup team would be.  What is your #1 lineup and your #2 lineup.  Keep in mind that your anchors like Delkempher & Ertz can only play on 1 team.  Yes Press, Lloyd, Pugh may be a comparable front 3 to Rapinoe, Morgan, Heath, (and Press may be > Rapinoe) but behind them?  Do we even know the #2 GK and if she can play why isn't she starting? Left Back who can't get time before Dunn?

 
guru_007 said:
This is just not true at all.  Who have they beaten so far?  Chile and Thailand are marginal teams to even qualify.  Sweden and Spain are okay but they certainly were not light years ahead of either.

Germany has been dominant throughout and lost arguably their most important player in the opening match.  They haven't allowed a goal yet.

France will be a huge hurdle, and not just because of home field advantage.  I watched the game back in January and France were much the better side.  There is no way the US deserved to win, and they lost 3-1. I don't think the Dream Team would have lost to any team in the world, ever.

And I was thinking about this previously and in the hierarchy of historic women's soccer players, I am not sure how many would make an ALL-TIME US starting 11 from the current squad.  Hamm, Wambach, Akers, Lilly, Scurry, Chastain, and Foudy were all better I think than any current player (maybe Foudy would be the weak link in that group).  

The team is deep, sure.  Germany and France at the least can field just as good starting 11 right now and don't count out England.  Women's game is definitely a world of haves vs have nots .
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:goodposting:

And Sweden made 7 changes since they were through and the results didn't matter. Spain was the first real test and they barely passed.

Ertz could maybe get in.  Heath is making a case.  Solo is better then Scurry, but your point still remains.  

 
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