Womens Soccer Championship.

[MU82]

Gooooooooooooal! Rapinooooooooooooooe!

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Cleats making contact with the shoulder in the penalty box.   Really a no brainer.

Yea, that wasn't even a question. Studs up, whiffed on the ball and her foot was at Morgan's shoulder.

[Jay Bee]

Seems like WE have done a weak job of converting great chances.. looking tired and making dumb decisions. Fortunately we're up by 2.

[mu_hilltopper]

Explain substitutions .. are the players out for the rest of the game?  When one of the US players was bleeding, she went out and they said the US was down a player.  They can't put someone in for injury?  (Or they could, but the injured player would be done?)

Also .. one on-field ref? 

[Mr. Nielsen]

Cleats making contact with the shoulder in the penalty box.   Really a no brainer.

So, it was the location on the field of the nature of the foul that resulted in the penalty kick?

[CreightonWarrior]

So, it was the location on the field of the nature of the foul that resulted in the penalty kick?

Probably the location made the ref scared to call it when she should have.

[jesmu84]

Explain substitutions .. are the players out for the rest of the game?  When one of the US players was bleeding, she went out and they said the US was down a player.  They can't put someone in for injury?  (Or they could, but the injured player would be done?)

Also .. one on-field ref?

Yes.

At this level, you get only 3 subs. And once a player gets subbed off, they're done for the game.

You can temporarily exit the field to be tended to for injury and come back on. But, if subbed off due to injury, again, you're done for the day.

With the sub situation at this level, it's why fitness is so important. If a more talented player isn't fit, a manager may choose to play a less talented/more fit player. You want to hang on to subs to make tactical changes and not be forced to use a sub for fitness/injury.

One head/center official. 2 linesmen officials. 1 fourth official (subs and added time).

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

What a satisfying ending.  Felt like watching Jordan's Championship bulls teams — you knew what was going to happen but it's still fun/entertaining along the way. 

[tower912]

So, it was the location on the field of the nature of the foul that resulted in the penalty kick?

Yes.  If it happens outside the box, it would be a free kick and a yellow card.   Inside the box, a PK.

[brewcity77]

That was fantastic. Incredibly tense first half, nervous as hell at the half. Pinoe with the winning goal, the Golden Boot, and the Golden Ball. Amazing performance all around. I would've gone to Press a little sooner, but credit to Ellis sticking with the starters as the Dutch wore down. The Dutch keeper was fantastic.

Four World Cups, all in my lifetime and memory. It's amazing how good the USA women's program is. They match the Germany & Italy men's programs for the second most World Cups behind Brazil's five, but they did it in 28 years, whereas the fastest to 4 previously was Brazil in 36. Amazing.

[mu03eng]

Amazing that you can get a free goal (penalty kick) off a play like that?!?

Much more about what a stupid play by the defender.....that was not a dangerous moment that warranted throwing caution to the wind

[Mr. Nielsen]

Well, go Team USA tonight on FS1 in the Gold Cup final vs. Mexico.

[WarriorDad]

Congratulations to the ladies. 

Only thing that bothered me was the commentary after the game.  One of the announcers said against all odds this team won the World Cup.  What?  This is a great team and way ahead of the world in terms of when we started.  We were one of the favorites to win it all, not aware how someone with a straight face can make that comment as a professional.

Will the rest of the world catch-up in the next decade as countries start to care?

[WarriorDad]

Four World Cups, all in my lifetime and memory. It's amazing how good the USA women's program is. They match the Germany & Italy men's programs for the second most World Cups behind Brazil's five, but they did it in 28 years, whereas the fastest to 4 previously was Brazil in 36. Amazing.

Let's not get too crazy with the comparisons when one considers how many truly great men's teams could win it all the last 60 years.  Not really the same comparison for the women.  Incredible accomplishment, but the competitive levels and the outcomes are not the same comparison.

[MU82]

Let's not get too crazy with the comparisons when one considers how many truly great men's teams could win it all the last 60 years.  Not really the same comparison for the women.  Incredible accomplishment, but the competitive levels and the outcomes are not the same comparison.

Totally agree. It's apples and coconuts. They might as well be completely different sports.

[brewcity77]

Let's not get too crazy with the comparisons when one considers how many truly great men's teams could win it all the last 60 years.  Not really the same comparison for the women.  Incredible accomplishment, but the competitive levels and the outcomes are not the same comparison.

Let's also not diminish their accomplishments. Their level of dominance is ridiculous. While it would be easy to say no one else is on the USA women's level, the world has had decades to catch up and based on results the USA women have pulled further away rather than letting the world close the gap. They've won three of the last four major tournaments (including Olympics) and overall have won 8/14 overall. Countries like China, Germany, Brazil, & Sweden were powers that never overtook us, while new rising nations like France, England, & the Netherlands still aren't there.

This is one of the most dominant programs in sports history. Based on the sport's history, the smarter money is on taking the USA than the field in major international tournaments. In a world where there's a constant trend towards sports parity, the USWNT has defied that.

[The Sultan]

Let's also not diminish their accomplishments. Their level of dominance is ridiculous. While it would be easy to say no one else is on the USA women's level, the world has had decades to catch up and based on results the USA women have pulled further away rather than letting the world close the gap. They've won three of the last four major tournaments (including Olympics) and overall have won 8/14 overall. Countries like China, Germany, Brazil, & Sweden were powers that never overtook us, while new rising nations like France, England, & the Netherlands still aren't there.

This is one of the most dominant programs in sports history. Based on the sport's history, the smarter money is on taking the USA than the field in major international tournaments. In a world where there's a constant trend towards sports parity, the USWNT has defied that.

I would say that Germany did catch up at one point, only to have the US go out ahead again.

[jesmu84]

Let's also not diminish their accomplishments. Their level of dominance is ridiculous. While it would be easy to say no one else is on the USA women's level, the world has had decades to catch up and based on results the USA women have pulled further away rather than letting the world close the gap. They've won three of the last four major tournaments (including Olympics) and overall have won 8/14 overall. Countries like China, Germany, Brazil, & Sweden were powers that never overtook us, while new rising nations like France, England, & the Netherlands still aren't there.

This is one of the most dominant programs in sports history. Based on the sport's history, the smarter money is on taking the USA than the field in major international tournaments. In a world where there's a constant trend towards sports parity, the USWNT has defied that.

I wouldn't say it diminishes their accomplishments to say US women's soccer had a huge headstart compared to most other countries due to cultural differences

[Jay Bee]

Why did they not take their shirts off this time?

[mu03eng]

Why did they not take their shirts off this time?

Ah so you're a Brandi Chastain was marketing truther. Cool

[brewcity77]

I wouldn't say it diminishes their accomplishments to say US women's soccer had a huge headstart compared to most other countries due to cultural differences

But again, the headstart means a lot less now and they've won 3 of the last 4 major tournaments as the rest of the world should be in its ascendency. A record 26 goals in a World Cup, 26-3 scoring margin, the rest of the world has had three decades and they don't seem to be closing the gap.

[MU82]

brew, knowing the way the hype machine works, I don't think there is much danger of the USWNT's accomplishments getting diminished.

[brewcity77]

brew, knowing the way the hype machine works, I don't think there is much danger of the USWNT's accomplishments getting diminished.

As soon as people start talking about them next to the 50s-60s Celtics, the 2000s Patriots, Soviet Hockey, John Wooden's UCLA, the Yankees, UConn women's basketball, and the Brazil men's national team, then they will be treated appropriately.

Frankly, I haven't heard that yet. This is one of the greatest sports dynasties in modern sporting history. It isn't that they're the greatest team in women's soccer history, that's not even a conversation. It's that they are one of the great programs in any sport, period.

[MU82]

As soon as people start talking about them next to the 50s-60s Celtics, the 2000s Patriots, Soviet Hockey, John Wooden's UCLA, the Yankees, UConn women's basketball, and the Brazil men's national team, then they will be treated appropriately.

Frankly, I haven't heard that yet. This is one of the greatest sports dynasties in modern sporting history. It isn't that they're the greatest team in women's soccer history, that's not even a conversation. It's that they are one of the great programs in any sport, period.

Well, you're people ... and you're talkin' about it!

The obvious problem is that it isn't a mainstream U.S. sport. Most people into sports in the U.S. don't talk about the Brazil national team or UConn women's hoops, either.

If the only way they are truly respected is to be compared to the 50s/60s Yankees, Belichick/Brady Patriots, Wooden UCLA and Russell Celtics, then yes, I agree with you that they never will be truly respected.

[jesmu84]

But again, the headstart means a lot less now and they've won 3 of the last 4 major tournaments as the rest of the world should be in its ascendency. A record 26 goals in a World Cup, 26-3 scoring margin, the rest of the world has had three decades and they don't seem to be closing the gap.

I sure wouldn't say they don't seem to be closing the gap... 2003, 2007, 2011.

It's possible that the headstart helped the US initially. The rest of the world caught up. Then US (on the backs of early success from the women in 90s) put together a world-class roster for the last 8 years.

That's not bad-mouthing or diminishing. At the end of the day, they are the best in the world and have been at the top of the ladder in women's soccer since inception.

My only critique was when you tried to compare their success to Brazil. Got to put it all in context - competition,etc.