Women's FIFA World Cup

[Kingspoint]

Don't know who else watched the game with Columbia yesterday, but it was pretty clear that the refs were out to get the United States.

They have two yellow cards (which means these two players will miss the match against China) against two of their best players (Rapinoe, and I forgot who got the other one). Both calls weren't even on the questionable side of things. They were flat out made up calls.

Maybe this is the first we'll see of FIFA's retaliation for the U.S.' investigation into corruption at the top of FIFA.

[Hoosier Red]

Don't know who else watched the game with Columbia yesterday, but it was pretty clear that the refs were out to get the United States.

They have two yellow cards (which means these two players will miss the match against China) against two of their best players (Rapinoe, and I forgot who got the other one). Both calls weren't even on the questionable side of things. They were flat out made up calls.

Maybe this is the first we'll see of FIFA's retaliation for the U.S.' investigation into corruption at the top of FIFA.

Crappy calls no doubt. I doubt it had anything to do with the US investigation. Rapinoe and Holliday both committed clear fouls. While I thought they were probably undeserving of yellows, it certainly wasn't cut and dried.
The US is fortunate it hasn't had to play anyone with much of an offensive pulse so far. Hopefully they find their footing soon.

[Kingspoint]

Crappy calls no doubt. I doubt it had anything to do with the US investigation. Rapinoe and Holliday both committed clear fouls. While I thought they were probably undeserving of yellows, it certainly wasn't cut and dried.
The US is fortunate it hasn't had to play anyone with much of an offensive pulse so far. Hopefully they find their footing soon.

It's a massive jump to go from a "foul" to a "yellow" card. Neither had the hint of suspicion to be worthy of a yellow card.

[bucksfan2]

Crappy calls no doubt. I doubt it had anything to do with the US investigation. Rapinoe and Holliday both committed clear fouls. While I thought they were probably undeserving of yellows, it certainly wasn't cut and dried.
The US is fortunate it hasn't had to play anyone with much of an offensive pulse so far. Hopefully they find their footing soon.

I actually think the US is playing terrible. Wambaugh is playing on reputation and is impacting the game very little. While Rapinoe may be one of their best players, I have yet to see it (and I want those hours of my life back I spent watching them.) If you are already playing on a yellow and know the team you are playing is going to flop at any contact, you have to play extra careful, those women did not.

If you really wanted to go conspiracy you could have had the ref not issued a straight red on the GK. That is the second game in a row the US has played with a man advantage yet really didn't blow the game open. When you have a talent and depth advantage use it, move the ball from one side to another, make the other team chase. Force the opponent to expend energy playing defense not letting them control the game.

[MWM]

I think Rapinoe has been playing really well, and will be sorely missed. She's probably the most important player on the field for the US, and Holiday isn't far behind. I thought they were terrible cards, but I'm not going to blame any conspiracy. Of all the teams I follow across all sports, the only ones I've ever felt were consistently on the short end of officiating is the US in international soccer. This is nothing new.

I'm not sure what others have thought, but I've really enjoyed watching the Women's World Cup. I think the quality of play has been really good. They may not be as strong and fast, but from a technical skills perspective, I don't think there's such a huge gap with the men. These ladies can really play and it's been a lot of fun to watch.

I don't think the US gets past China without Rapinoe and Holiday. I'm not sure anyone's beating the German team.

And has anyone else noticed how angry Alexi Lalas seems to be in the coverage? It's painful to watch.

[Chip R]

I actually think the US is playing terrible. Wambaugh is playing on reputation and is impacting the game very little. While Rapinoe may be one of their best players, I have yet to see it (and I want those hours of my life back I spent watching them.) If you are already playing on a yellow and know the team you are playing is going to flop at any contact, you have to play extra careful, those women did not.

If you really wanted to go conspiracy you could have had the ref not issued a straight red on the GK. That is the second game in a row the US has played with a man advantage yet really didn't blow the game open. When you have a talent and depth advantage use it, move the ball from one side to another, make the other team chase. Force the opponent to expend energy playing defense not letting them control the game.

You guys have forgotten more about soccer than I know but I had many of the same opinions watching the game last night. From what I heard, I expected the US to blow a lot of these other teams out but they don't look great, IMO. I think those yellows should have just been fouls though. Columbia was flopping and initiating contact so much I thought I was watching a Duke game. OTOH, I didn't think what Columbia's keeper did deserved a red card. Yellow, maybe. It was a foul but I don't think it was bad enough to be red.

I thought I heard the announcers say that when Columbia's keeper was sent off, they had to play with their #3 keeper. Was I hearing things or is that right. If it is, why couldn't they put in the #2 keeper?

[MWM]

Chip, it was a red card because there was no one else between the player and the goal. It's kind of like when a defensive back in the NFL basically pulls down a receiver after he's beat when he sees it's going to be an easy TD catch. It's better to get the PI call than to give up 6 points. It's more penal in soccer.

The rule says that any foul when there's no other defender between the player and the goal is a red card.

[Boston Red]

You guys have forgotten more about soccer than I know but I had many of the same opinions watching the game last night. From what I heard, I expected the US to blow a lot of these other teams out but they don't look great, IMO. I think those yellows should have just been fouls though. Columbia was flopping and initiating contact so much I thought I was watching a Duke game. OTOH, I didn't think what Columbia's keeper did deserved a red card. Yellow, maybe. It was a foul but I don't think it was bad enough to be red.

I thought I heard the announcers say that when Columbia's keeper was sent off, they had to play with their #3 keeper. Was I hearing things or is that right. If it is, why couldn't they put in the #2 keeper?

Geez, we already beat Colombia. We don't need to insult them by misspelling the country's name, too! :)

[Kingspoint]

I actually think the US is playing terrible. Wambaugh is playing on reputation and is impacting the game very little. While Rapinoe may be one of their best players, I have yet to see it (and I want those hours of my life back I spent watching them.) If you are already playing on a yellow and know the team you are playing is going to flop at any contact, you have to play extra careful, those women did not.

If you really wanted to go conspiracy you could have had the ref not issued a straight red on the GK. That is the second game in a row the US has played with a man advantage yet really didn't blow the game open. When you have a talent and depth advantage use it, move the ball from one side to another, make the other team chase. Force the opponent to expend energy playing defense not letting them control the game.

I personally think it was just piss-poor officiating.

[Chip R]

Chip, it was a red card because there was no one else between the player and the goal. It's kind of like when a defensive back in the NFL basically pulls down a receiver after he's beat when he sees it's going to be an easy TD catch. It's better to get the PI call than to give up 6 points. It's more penal in soccer.

The rule says that any foul when there's no other defender between the player and the goal is a red card.

Gotcha. Thanks. So what's the deal with the 3rd string keeper?


Geez, we already beat Colombia. We don't need to insult them by misspelling the country's name, too! :)

:doh:

[paintmered]

Gotcha. Thanks. So what's the deal with the 3rd string keeper?

Colombia's first team keeper was injured, so they were down to their third keeper after the sending off.

[MWM]

That second string keeper was keeping Colombia in the game. She played a really strong first half. The Morgan goal wouldn't have been a goal with most goalies. I wouldn't call it a routine save, but it wouldn't have measured that high on a degree of difficulty scale.

[Chip R]

Colombia's first team keeper was injured, so they were down to their third keeper after the sending off.

I see. I thought it was one of those crazy NFL rules where if the 1st string QB gets hurt and comes back you can't use the 2nd string guy or something like that.

[paintmered]

In my opinion, having a keeper get sent off is the most devestating thing that can happen to a team. It costs the team a precious substitution, they have to play a man (woman) down for the rest of the game, and the new keeper (often an inferior player) has to come in cold and face the penalty shot. Having played keeper growing up, things go so much better if I could get a few touches early and into the flow of the game. The hardest situation for me was having to come up with a big save after 20 minutes of being a spectator. This is why it is doubly unforgivable for Wambach to not put her penalty shot on goal.

In football terms, it is akin to giving up a safety and then the returning team returns the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. It swings the scoreboard and the momentum.

[redrum]

Colombia's first team keeper was injured, so they were down to their third keeper after the sending off.

Actually the first string keeper was serving a suspension for picking up 2 yellows in group play.

[paintmered]

Actually the first string keeper was serving a suspension for picking up 2 yellows in group play.

Thanks for the correction. Either way, she was unavailable.

- - - Updated - - -


Actually the first string keeper was serving a suspension for picking up 2 yellows in group play.

Thanks for the correction. Either way, she was unavailable.

[M2]

Let's see, the ref was terrible, but I don't think it indicates an anti-U.S. conspiracy. Never seen a women's team dive like Colombia. It was appalling.

The ref had no choice but to issue the red to the Colombia keeper. Missed the ball, took out the player, defender was behind the play, clear goal scoring opportunity. The replacement keeper made a huge mistake leaving that much space on the near post for Morgan's goal.

I actually think losing Holiday is a blessing in disguise. She's been terrible. The team has been getting nothing from the deep-lying playmakers - no ball control, no penetrating passes, slow to shift the play. At the very least, maybe missing a game kicks Holiday into gear. Hopefully O'Reilly plays for Rapinoe instead of Press, who seems programmed to dribble straight into opposing defenders.

Lots of talk about how they should play a 4-3-3 since they brought five forwards with them. Should have had Kristie Mewis on the roster (for depth) if they wanted to play four middies.

Much as the attack has been a mess, the back line has been spectacular. Julie Johnston has been a wall. The U.S. might win this tournament the Italian way.

[bucksfan2]

I think Rapinoe has been playing really well, and will be sorely missed. She's probably the most important player on the field for the US, and Holiday isn't far behind. I thought they were terrible cards, but I'm not going to blame any conspiracy. Of all the teams I follow across all sports, the only ones I've ever felt were consistently on the short end of officiating is the US in international soccer. This is nothing new.

I'm not sure what others have thought, but I've really enjoyed watching the Women's World Cup. I think the quality of play has been really good. They may not be as strong and fast, but from a technical skills perspective, I don't think there's such a huge gap with the men. These ladies can really play and it's been a lot of fun to watch.

I don't think the US gets past China without Rapinoe and Holiday. I'm not sure anyone's beating the German team.

And has anyone else noticed how angry Alexi Lalas seems to be in the coverage? It's painful to watch.

I guess my opinion differs. I think the US's play has been poor. I understand there is a difference between the men's and women's game, but the same fundamentals should apply. The US has been poor at ball reversal, they have been poor in switching fields, and you haven't seen the overlapping runs. They look like a team who is content on winning by not allowing any goals, which isn't a bad plan with a freak of nature back there in Solo, but they aren't taking advantage of their talent.

Personally I don't think Rapinoe has been playing well because as a midfielder she should be one of the key factors in keeping the ball moving. The past two games they have had a man advantage for a large portion of the second half. For a more talented and deeper team, you should annihilate the opponents. Move the ball, make the opponent chase, tire them out by making them defend, take advantage of your talent. They almost look like a team resting on their laurels and haven't been pushing the envelop.

[redrum]

Let's see, the ref was terrible, but I don't think it indicates an anti-U.S. conspiracy. Never seen a women's team dive like Colombia. It was appalling.

The ref had no choice but to issue the red to the Colombia keeper. Missed the ball, took out the player, defender was behind the play, clear goal scoring opportunity. The replacement keeper made a huge mistake leaving that much space on the near post for Morgan's goal.

I actually think losing Holiday is a blessing in disguise. She's been terrible. The team has been getting nothing from the deep-lying playmakers - no ball control, no penetrating passes, slow to shift the play. At the very least, maybe missing a game kicks Holiday into gear. Hopefully O'Reilly plays for Rapinoe instead of Press, who seems programmed to dribble straight into opposing defenders.

Lots of talk about how they should play a 4-3-3 since they brought five forwards with them. Should have had Kristie Mewis on the roster (for depth) if they wanted to play four middies.

Much as the attack has been a mess, the back line has been spectacular. Julie Johnston has been a wall. The U.S. might win this tournament the Italian way.

I agree that Holiday has been horrible. I was starting to think I was the only one with that opinion. Will it be Boxx or Brian to replace her though? Boxx is more of a defensive player which might allow Lloyd (who has also struggled) to get more involved in the attack, but Brian has the young legs.

I also agree about Julie Johnston defensively, however I think her propensity to play the ball long has been part of the issue with the US attack. Maybe the mids aren't creating options for the back line, but the linkage between the defense and the midfield has been terrible. I like Press, but not as a midfielder. I wonder if pairing Morgan with someone a little more active would help create opportunities. I'm afraid Abby has become statuescque and is now completely one-dimensional. If the US were consistently getting the ball deep into the corners and crossing into the box then Abby would be more useful, as it is she is really just a set piece specialist.

[Will M]

Norway-England was a great game. When a player occasionally went down they popped back up & kept playing. There was no writhing on the ground like you had 2 broken legs only to be miraculously healed 2 minutes later. The Norway-England game overall was also overall less physical. It was soccer, not rugby. It was the most enjoyable game I have seen.

as to the US I'm no soccer expert but other than Rapinone (I'm not sure I spelled this right) they seem to lack players who can create. They might have women who play solid fundamental soccer but they are lacking a Gretzky (hockey), Lemieux (hockey), Pele, etc. someone who beats 3 defenders & scores or beats 3 defenders then makes a perfect pass to a wide open player who scores. its like the Jordanaires minus Jordan

[M2]

Norway-England was a great game. When a player occasionally went down they popped back up & kept playing. There was no writhing on the ground like you had 2 broken legs only to be miraculously healed 2 minutes later. The Norway-England game overall was also overall less physical. It was soccer, not rugby. It was the most enjoyable game I have seen.

as to the US I'm no soccer expert but other than Rapinone (I'm not sure I spelled this right) they seem to lack players who can create. They might have women who play solid fundamental soccer but they are lacking a Gretzky (hockey), Lemieux (hockey), Pele, etc. someone who beats 3 defenders & scores or beats 3 defenders then makes a perfect pass to a wide open player who scores. its like the Jordanaires minus Jordan

There's actually a lot of women's game like the England-Norway game. Generally speaking, the women get out there and play. You don't see a lot of diving, rolling around or prima donna routines. That's why Colombia was so shocking. That team was awful to watch. The Brazilian women lay it on fairly thick too (especially Marta). Hopefully that style stays contained within South America.

Outside of Mia Hamm, the U.S. never really has had a 10 shirt player. The squad has had lots of athleticism and skill, but creativity has never been its hallmark. It's played a classic German style. U.S. players beat defenders with straight line speed and attack open space. It's become even more pronounced with Wambach because she's gifted at playing direct soccer. Non-linear, creative players don't necessarily fit the team's style. Heath has some fly's-eye vision at times and moves in unexpected directions, but you need teammates who can improvise with you for it to work. To a degree the team would need a massive culture shift to enable that sort of player.

[MWM]

Julie Johnston is this team's MVP. She's playing with such confidence right now. The men's team could use her on the back line.

[Eric from NC]

Was a little sluggish tonight. I wondered what people thought about the Canada - England game? Pretty good matchup?

[M2]

Julie Johnston is this team's MVP. She's playing with such confidence right now. The men's team could use her on the back line.

Yep. And I think she's going to strangle Carli Lloyd if the cheap turnovers don't stop.

[lollipopcurve]

Going to the semi with my brother. Will report back.

[Roy Tucker]

To me, they've played stupendous in the defensive 1/3, pretty good in the offensive 1/3, but their midfield play has been spotty. Particularly with connecting passes. They seem to fly all over the place.

[Tony Cloninger]

If you want to see some bad officiating go watch most of Copa America games. Having a team host the tournament really helps the fear factor of some of these refs.

I still like Japan, even if they only seem to win 1-0 in most of their games. They pass the ball and get back to defend better than most if not all the teams I have seen, yet they are barely talked about as having a chance to win this tournament.

Only their finishing has been lacking.

[M2]

Going to the semi with my brother. Will report back.

Get some smoked meat at Schwartz's.

[Boston Red]

England is clearly my favorite team in this event.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--4BaRJjKw--/1311707178483166018.png

[IslandRed]

To me, they've played stupendous in the defensive 1/3, pretty good in the offensive 1/3, but their midfield play has been spotty. Particularly with connecting passes. They seem to fly all over the place.

I thought it was better against China. Brian played the holding role well, letting Lloyd go forward more. Lloyd and Holiday seem to step on each other's toes a lot. Kinda hope Ellis stays with the Lloyd-Brian pairing even though Holiday will be available next time.

[MWM]

Oh man, how did Morgan miss that?

[MWM]

Morgan can't seem to finish. Very costly.

[RedTeamGo!]

Excellent first half by the U.S. Women. Only thing they didn't do was put the ball in back of the net.

[MWM]

Holiday has been really bad this game. Hoping she gets subbed out soon.

[RedTeamGo!]

Is there someone on Germany named "Sausage?"

[Chip R]

Is there someone on Germany named "Sausage?"

Closed captioning says Sasic but it does sound like sausage.

[Yachtzee]

The US has caught a few breaks. Probably should be playing with 10 after the foul in the box on the goal scoring opportunity. Break #2 was Sasic missing the penalty. And then the foul on Morgan was borderline and probably outside the box. But they get a penalty and convert it. I suspect Wambach has no complaints.

[Chip R]

That was kind of genius advertising having that wall of sponsors behind the coach and the player there after the game.

[M2]

Best game ever played by a U.S. national soccer team? Maybe. Brian and Rapinoe had monster games. Johnston too, outside of the penalty. Despite all the talk about the formation, I thought the bigger thing was they got a group of player on the field (regardless of formation) who could win the ball and work a possession game.

[Chip R]

They played very well. Very aggressive.

[SunDeck]

First WWC game I've seen; did I pick a good one or what? Hated the penalty call that put the U.S. up; I was very surprised to see the ref pull it into the box. Usually, it's the other way around. But Germany missed their chance on a clear penalty.

a couple observations:

Germany was wearing vintage DDR uniforms.
U.S. staff were wearing vintage West German warm ups.
When did they start giving coaches home theater furniture to sit in on the side lines?

[Will M]

its nice to see the US get past Angerer, who is the best goalie in the tournament. she is very active & she has great great instincts. I saw Germany play a lot and Angerer goes to the ball as opposed to sitting in the box & letting the ball come to her. Its very risky as if she messes up she is out of position. but I never saw her mess up in all the games I watched. Today the US scored on the PK & Angerer had no chance on the 2nd goal.

the US just shut down Sasic and the rest of the high powered German offense. they had very few good chances and very few shots on goal (I'm not sure they had more than a couple if that)

[Kingspoint]

Strange seeing Germany backpedaling most of the game.

[Chip R]

Strange seeing Germany backpedaling most of the game.

Haven't seen Germans backpedal like that since 1945. ;)

[IslandRed]

Best game ever played by a U.S. national soccer team? Maybe. Brian and Rapinoe had monster games. Johnston too, outside of the penalty. Despite all the talk about the formation, I thought the bigger thing was they got a group of player on the field (regardless of formation) who could win the ball and work a possession game.

Good point. The 4-5-1 gave them the extra central-midfield body to pass their way through Germany's usual pressure and break up attacks that were forming. Even though Alex Morgan didn't have a good finishing game, her presence discouraged their back line from coming up and getting more involved. Not sure Germany ever fully figured out a response; in the second half they just started bombing balls into the box and hoping for the best.

Having said that, who knows what happens if Sasic doesn't blow the PK. But she did and Lloyd didn't.

[bucksfan2]

That was a very entertaining game to watch. There is such a stark contrast in the talent level in women's soccer that it is fun to watch a game in which teams had similar talent levels. I thought the US played well, they dominated the game just couldn't get a goal in the 1st. They have struggled with this for the entire tournament.

As for the Julie Johnson yellow card, it was a poor play on her behalf to start, and she did deserve a yellow for pulling the German player down, but in the replay it looked like Solo was in perfect defensive position to make a short very difficult. I wonder if that was the reason a yellow instead of a red.

As for the Alex Morgan won penalty kick, the initial contact was just outside of the penalty area. However I wonder if the play would have been called a straight red had a penalty kick not been given because the German woman made an American Football play, not a futbol play.

I don't understand the substitutions that Ellis has made. Subbing Wambach in with a lead is contrary to what many coaches make, they usually go defensive not offensive in those situations. The same can be said about Leroux with only seconds remaining. It would have seemed when the US scored their second they would have gone defensive maybe keeping one player near the center circle.

[Chip R]

I don't understand the substitutions that Ellis has made. Subbing Wambach in with a lead is contrary to what many coaches make, they usually go defensive not offensive in those situations. The same can be said about Leroux with only seconds remaining. It would have seemed when the US scored their second they would have gone defensive maybe keeping one player near the center circle.

I'm guessing the Wambach sub was for sentimental reasons.

[dougdirt]

When I can't find your highlights on ESPN.com - you're doing something very wrong.

[M2]

As for the Julie Johnson yellow card, it was a poor play on her behalf to start, and she did deserve a yellow for pulling the German player down, but in the replay it looked like Solo was in perfect defensive position to make a short very difficult. I wonder if that was the reason a yellow instead of a red.

I think it was a makeup call. In the 1st half the German right back, Maier (who probably has scorch marks all over her body after that game), committed what should have been her second yellow and the ref didn't card her. Johnston was the U.S.'s "get out of jail free" call.


I don't understand the substitutions that Ellis has made. Subbing Wambach in with a lead is contrary to what many coaches make, they usually go defensive not offensive in those situations. The same can be said about Leroux with only seconds remaining. It would have seemed when the US scored their second they would have gone defensive maybe keeping one player near the center circle.

They really don't have any defensive upgrades on the bench. They had their best tackling and possession middies on the field. Wambach gave them some hold up play to finish the game. She can eat clock. Leroux was sent in to burn off some extra time and run for about 30 seconds. Also, pressuring Germany was working too well to get away from it. No way I'd have laid back.

[Chip R]

When I can't find your highlights on ESPN.com - you're doing something very wrong.

Since Fox is carrying the World Cup, I can see why you can't find the highlights on ESPN.

[Hoosier Red]

I'm guessing the Wambach sub was for sentimental reasons.

That's probably reason #1, but it made some strategic sense to me as well. Despite her declining form and fitness, she's still a force on set plays offensively and defensively.

It's sort of the opposite of bringing up a large central defender to get on the end of a corner kick offensively. Here the US brought in Wambach to get a head on an opponents corner kick and/or set play.

[dougdirt]

Since Fox is carrying the World Cup, I can see why you can't find the highlights on ESPN.

Fox carries baseball, football, golf, nascar.... and somehow ESPN still finds a way to show highlights.

When your sport is telling the absolute leader in the coverage of your sport that they can't show highlights, you're doing something very poorly.

[Hoosier Red]

I wonder if not being on ESPN is as big of a problem now as it used to be.
I can't imagine I'm the only one who hasn't watched Sportscenter for more than a minute or so for at least 5 years.

It's not out of dislike of ESPN, I just don't spend time waiting for Sportscenter to catch highlights.

[Hoosier Red]

Fox carries baseball, football, golf, nascar.... and somehow ESPN still finds a way to show highlights.

When your sport is telling the absolute leader in the coverage of your sport that they can't show highlights, you're doing something very poorly.

I agree with you that it's poor strategy if FIFA/Fox is in fact preventing ESPN from showing highlights.
My concern isn't with what they're missing out on, but rather the little that is gained.
I should also note that ESPN has itself been pretty petty when it comes to showing leagues/competitions where they do not have a contract to carry it. (NHL and NASCAR spring to mind)

[Chip R]

I agree with you that it's poor strategy if FIFA/Fox is in fact preventing ESPN from showing highlights.
My concern isn't with what they're missing out on, but rather the little that is gained.
I should also note that ESPN has itself been pretty petty when it comes to showing leagues/competitions where they do not have a contract to carry it. (NHL and NASCAR spring to mind)

It's probably FIFA/Fox but ESPN shows a lot of soccer so they would be doing the fans who watch the soccer they show a huge disservice.

[bucksfan2]

The Olympics and NBC do the same thing. You can't find highlights of the events on ESPN. The same can be said about big time prize fights, ESPN has analysis but not highlights. I don't think it does any of the networks any good, Fox may want the rights, but highlights on SportsCenter can drum up more interest.

Does Wambach remind anybody of Andy Carroll at this stage of her career? Tall, striker, useful in short bursts, but a liability when forced to play the entire game?

[Chip R]

The Olympics and NBC do the same thing. You can't find highlights of the events on ESPN. The same can be said about big time prize fights, ESPN has analysis but not highlights. I don't think it does any of the networks any good, Fox may want the rights, but highlights on SportsCenter can drum up more interest.

Sure, but Fox probably isn't interested in ceding the highlights to SportsCenter since they have a highlights show of their own. If they start going to Fox for World Cup highlights, perhaps they will start going there for baseball, football, basketball, etc. There's no law saying ESPN is the only network that can show highlights.

[Hoosier Red]

Sure, but Fox probably isn't interested in ceding the highlights to SportsCenter since they have a highlights show of their own. If they start going to Fox for World Cup highlights, perhaps they will start going there for baseball, football, basketball, etc. There's no law saying ESPN is the only network that can show highlights.

I'm sure that's what they're thinking. It just strikes me as poor strategy. I don't think people going for highlights really function that way anymore. Anyone wanting to watch "World Cup highlights" will go to a site where they can get them 24 hours per day on demand. I think the average person watching Sportscenter is a generic sports fan who simply wants to know what sports choices are available.

In other words, I'm guessing you'll get more crossover to your WC broadcasts from people who are watching Sportscenter, than you'll get to your Sports Highlights show by not distributing World Cup highlights.

[Hoosier Red]

The Olympics and NBC do the same thing. You can't find highlights of the events on ESPN. The same can be said about big time prize fights, ESPN has analysis but not highlights. I don't think it does any of the networks any good, Fox may want the rights, but highlights on SportsCenter can drum up more interest.

If I remember correctly, NBC ceded a certain number of minutes to release Al Michaels from his non-compete clause.



Does Wambach remind anybody of Andy Carroll at this stage of her career? Tall, striker, useful in short bursts, but a liability when forced to play the entire game?


My friend made a good analogy, he said she's like Late Late career Shaq. Still a physical freak, still bigger and stronger than most of the opposition, but unable to convert anything that is not put perfectly in place for her.

5 years ago, if you put a ball anywhere within a meter on 1 side or the other, she's hammering it home. Now, she'll hammer a ball home if you put it exactly where she's jumping to But can't correct for anything not exactly on point.

[IslandRed]

That's probably reason #1, but it made some strategic sense to me as well. Despite her declining form and fitness, she's still a force on set plays offensively and defensively.

I think it was also what M2 said re: holdup play. When they subbed her for Rapinoe, they kept the same formation, just moving Morgan over and putting Abby in the middle. Since everyone else was playing behind the ball, somebody had to be the outlet for clearances and it takes a physical presence to win balls in the air and hold off defenders long enough for help to arrive. That helped them keep possession after fending off the German attacks.

As for the TV thing and exclusive rights to highlights and such -- it's FIFA. Every World Cup, every time, either gender. Good luck trying to tell those guys anything about anything.

[M2]

As for the TV thing and exclusive rights to highlights and such -- it's FIFA. Every World Cup, every time, either gender. Good luck trying to tell those guys anything about anything.

My guess is you've nailed it. It's the sort of thing that happens when you're run by kleptocrats.

[Stray]

As far as worst possible ways to lose in sports go, that has to be up there.

[KronoRed]

That's freaking tragic.

[M2]

The entire stadium went into shock when it happened. That was Bucknerian.

[Kingspoint]

Just saw the own goal by the England player that ended the game in the 92nd minute and gave Japan the 2-1 win.

Place her on suicide watch for a while.

[dougdirt]

The Olympics and NBC do the same thing. You can't find highlights of the events on ESPN. The same can be said about big time prize fights, ESPN has analysis but not highlights. I don't think it does any of the networks any good, Fox may want the rights, but highlights on SportsCenter can drum up more interest.

Does Wambach remind anybody of Andy Carroll at this stage of her career? Tall, striker, useful in short bursts, but a liability when forced to play the entire game?

For prizefights - the reason is because they tend to sell the PPV after the event as well, so they don't want you to see the ending for free.

[RedTeamGo!]

In regard to the Olympics ESPN and other networks show photos.

Doug, you don't like soccer. We get it.

[Eric from NC]

I agree with you that it's poor strategy if FIFA/Fox is in fact preventing ESPN from showing highlights.
My concern isn't with what they're missing out on, but rather the little that is gained.
I should also note that ESPN has itself been pretty petty when it comes to showing leagues/competitions where they do not have a contract to carry it. (NHL and NASCAR spring to mind)

From what I saw last night, ESPN shows highlights. They just have to wait for the Fox Post Game show to go off the air. I think that's typical with most major events. I did see some highlights with Julie Foudy. She is a really good analyst. Hope she gets a chance to bolt to Fox if they are keeping mens and women's world cup for 8 years. But, with Fifa who knows.

[reds1869]

As far as worst possible ways to lose in sports go, that has to be up there.

I feel terrible for the player and England. I feel less terrible for the USA who just got an easier shot at the trophy. Not easy, but easier than England.

[bucksfan2]

I feel terrible for the player and England. I feel less terrible for the USA who just got an easier shot at the trophy. Not easy, but easier than England.

Huh? England is a better team than Japan?

[Hoosier Red]

Huh? England is a better team than Japan?

Well you could argue they were playing better yesterday. But I'm not sure they were truly a better team overall.

[Tony Cloninger]

I feel terrible for the player and England. I feel less terrible for the USA who just got an easier shot at the trophy. Not easy, but easier than England.

This response is more towards the general media during this WC.

The lack of credit given to Japan this whole tournament by the people in the FOX room....Like Lalas who is such a blowhard. I mean Richard Burton could not sound any more pompous, the guy is in love with his own voice and sarcasm. But they have been given barely any talk at all of even reaching the final. It is all USA, Germany France and then all of a sudden England.

I get they are smaller, but they don't play small and they sure do a better job of keeping the ball and defending. They have lack good finishing though and that will probably hurt them in the final.

[reds1869]

Huh? England is a better team than Japan?

I don't necessarily believe England is better than Japan, just that Japan is an easier matchup for the US. I think the Americans can physically dominate Japan in a way they would not have dominated England, and that plays to the USA's strengths.

[M2]

I don't necessarily believe England is better than Japan, just that Japan is an easier matchup for the US. I think the Americans can physically dominate Japan in a way they would not have dominated England, and that plays to the USA's strengths.

I'd argue the U.S. would physically dominate either of those teams. However, Japan can grab the ball and keep it, thus negating the American physicality advantage. Against England the U.S. wins the track meet. Against Japan it needs to win a chess match.

[lollipopcurve]

Best game ever played by a U.S. national soccer team? Maybe. Brian and Rapinoe had monster games. Johnston too, outside of the penalty. Despite all the talk about the formation, I thought the bigger thing was they got a group of player on the field (regardless of formation) who could win the ball and work a possession game.

I was there, and I can tell you the Stade was a tinder box, waiting for the US to score. 50,000 people totally locked in to the play, every pass. I got goose bumps when that 2nd goal scored and the place exploded. It'll stand as one of the most electric moments I've ever experienced at a sporting event, and one of the most memorable sporting events I've ever been to. All those exuberant, spirited, positive little girls made for a kind of fairyland vibe -- so much nicer than the beer guzzling guys crowd you usually get at pro sports -- and the storybook ending seemed like destiny. We believe that we will win, indeed.

[M2]

I was there, and I can tell you the Stade was a tinder box, waiting for the US to score. 50,000 people totally locked in to the play, every pass. I got goose bumps when that 2nd goal scored and the place exploded. It'll stand as one of the most electric moments I've ever experienced at a sporting event, and one of the most memorable sporting events I've ever been to. All those exuberant, spirited, positive little girls made for a kind of fairyland vibe -- so much nicer than the beer guzzling guys crowd you usually get at pro sports -- and the storybook ending seemed like destiny. We believe that we will win, indeed.

Whenever I hear that they don't score enough in soccer, I think of games like this. When you're in a stadium and the tension is building and the crowd is trying to will the ball into the net, nothing like it. It's the best kind of torment. Montreal before and after the game doesn't suck either. Fully jealous of you. Epic game.

[reds1869]

Simply a fantastic start for the Americans. 2 goals in 5 minutes, can't ask for more.

Edit: and both by Lloyd, I might add.

[RedTeamGo!]

Wow. What a start by the U.S. This is like Germany vs Brazil in last year's World Cup.

Wow! What a goal from half field. Only other time I saw that was by Beckham!

[Chip R]

Holiday decided she didn't want Lloyd bogarting all the goals so she scored one of her own.

And the hat trick for Lloyd!

[reds1869]

What an unbelievable performance.

[Tony Cloninger]

US saved their best for last or Japan just got exposed for not being as good as I thought.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Well that was awesome. Need to keep the hammer down for about the first 15 minutes of the second half, no reason to let Japan think they have a chance.

That mid field chip was something else. I wish the men's team had a player like Carli Lloyd.

[The Operator]

There it is!

What great game. I think I might love Carli Lloyd.

[Chip R]

Congratulations, ladies!

[Stray]

Woohoo

9393

[ukredleg]

From a slightly neutral's point-of-view, the game was over within 15 minutes which killed it off as a contest. But I'm happy the USA won and I'm happy for the coach Jill Ellis....at least we have a representative in the final :p

[Slyder]

From a slightly neutral's point-of-view, the game was over within 15 minutes which killed it off as a contest. But I'm happy the USA won and I'm happy for the coach Jill Ellis....at least we have a representative in the final :p

I was actually worried Japan was going to find a way to make it interesting. US took its foot off the gas and fortunately was able to kick it back into gear for that 5th goal. Japan possessed a lot of the last 25 minutes of the first half and early in the second. They had momentum until that 5th goal, that was the back breaker.

[Hoosier Red]

I was actually worried Japan was going to find a way to make it interesting. US took its foot off the gas and fortunately was able to kick it back into gear for that 5th goal. Japan possessed a lot of the last 25 minutes of the first half and early in the second. They had momentum until that 5th goal, that was the back breaker.

My friend and I were talking about how impressive it was(though largely inconsequential) How Japan went from being completely overwhelmed and folding to "unfolding" as he put it. They probably had the better of the run of play for large chunks of the game. It just didn't matter.

[Caveat Emperor]

My friend and I were talking about how impressive it was(though largely inconsequential) How Japan went from being completely overwhelmed and folding to "unfolding" as he put it. They probably had the better of the run of play for large chunks of the game. It just didn't matter.

If there's one thing I've learned from being Chelsea fan (other than money fixes all problems) it's that soccer is a results-oriented game -- beautiful play and being the better team for long stretches yields to goals scored 100 times out of 100.

Also, Japan looked completely overwhelmed whenever the US decided to advance and attack. The stretches of play where Japan dominated were almost entirely a product of the US sitting on a multi-goal lead and conceding possession to Japan in order to avoid being picked on the counter.

[bucksfan2]

If there's one thing I've learned from being Chelsea fan (other than money fixes all problems) it's that soccer is a results-oriented game -- beautiful play and being the better team for long stretches yields to goals scored 100 times out of 100.

Also, Japan looked completely overwhelmed whenever the US decided to advance and attack. The stretches of play where Japan dominated were almost entirely a product of the US sitting on a multi-goal lead and conceding possession to Japan in order to avoid being picked on the counter.

The game changed completely when the US went up 2-0 very early in the game. One goal isn't insurmountable, two early goals and you have to change your philosophy, especially trying to score against the US. They had to push forward, made two early first half subs, and ended up conceding 5 total goals. While the US's overall performance wasn't as good as it was against Germany, they put the ball in the back of the net early and often. They took advantage of Japan's misplays and made the game a laugher before halftime.

The tension was lifted early and it was basically a coronation of the best Womens Team for 45+ minutes.

[M2]

Injuries and red cards may have won the World Cup for the U.S. If Rampone and Boxx had been healthy, we may not have seen Johnston and Brian. If Holliday and Rapinoe hadn't been out for the Colombia game, then who knows if they sort out the midfield. Ultimately it was a throng of younger players who made the difference.

Give Ellis credit, she chucked Plan A, which was built around her forwards. When Press, LeRoux and Wambach were ineffective, they got sent to the bench. Ellis found the right role for Lloyd, who was rough in the group stages. She hit paydirt with Brian as the DM and Heath on the right wing. That was a classic case of a team finding itself during a tournament.

[IslandRed]

Yep. Sometimes it takes a little luck to find the right combinations. With so many forwards to choose from and Alex Morgan being injured for much of the run-up to the tournament, it probably never occurred to Ellis to try a one-striker formation until she had to game plan for Germany. The Morgan Brian move turned out to be a masterstroke, especially since there were other options involving more experienced players. It was no sure thing; like every midfielder not named Boxx, she's an offensive-oriented player by nature. And as great as she was earlier in the tournament, the last couple of games were a reminder than Johnston is not a center back by trade.

[Chip R]

Does anyone think that the sun shining right into the keeper's eyes has something to do with those 4 first half goals?

[Slyder]

Does anyone think that the sun shining right into the keeper's eyes has something to do with those 4 first half goals?

The really poor defense (especially on set pieces) is what directly attributed to 2 of those first 4 goals and a really poor clear on another. When you give players the caliber (World Cup Final) the ball inside 10 yards... you're going to get goals more often than not. The fourth one is on the keeper for stumbling a bit and being too far off her line, and great vision by Lloyd to see that.

I don't think there was/is many goal keepers who could have stopped many of the 7 goals scored by both teams (men or women). The 2nd Japan goal was bad luck of how it hit off the American defender and that took a lot of luck to not hit someone else on the way).

[M2]

The 2nd Japan goal was bad luck of how it hit off the American defender and that took a lot of luck to not hit someone else on the way).

I was surprised Sawa wasn't called for a foul on that play. Johnston went to head the ball and Sawa slammed into her without even coming close to the ball. Without the human projectile in her side, Johnston clears that ball.

[Chip R]

I was surprised Sawa wasn't called for a foul on that play. Johnston went to head the ball and Sawa slammed into her without even coming close to the ball. Without the human projectile in her side, Johnston clears that ball.

Do they usually call a lot of fouls on plays like that? Kind of like in basketball, especially the NBA,you can get away with quite a bit in the paint. Or in the NHL where there's a lot of pushing and shoving and cross-checking that doesn't get called. Also, isn't Sawa a superstar? In most sports, again the NBA, superstars rarely get called for fouls.

[M2]

Do they usually call a lot of fouls on plays like that? Kind of like in basketball, especially the NBA,you can get away with quite a bit in the paint. Or in the NHL where there's a lot of pushing and shoving and cross-checking that doesn't get called. Also, isn't Sawa a superstar? In most sports, again the NBA, superstars rarely get called for fouls.

They tend to call blatant shoves and elbows in the box. A couple of things that make this one different is Sawa innovated and hurled herself backwards into Johnston, also it caused Johnston to misplay the ball rather than miss it completely. So it wasn't your standard in-the-box foul. Add in that Sawa is a superstar and that the score was 4-1 and that probably explains why the ref swallowed her whistle. A 2-1 game and she might have called the foul.

Had that been in a men's game, it would have touched off a minimum of two minutes of histrionics and arguments. In lower profile leagues it might have resulted in a fistfight. Sawa also flirted with a red card when she kicked through the back of Abby Wambach's leg to prevent a breakaway. She played an extremely cynical game.