Women's World Cup 2023

[Its DJOver]

Why didn't she play in the 1H?

Coming back from injury, on minutes limit.

Fullbacks rarely got forward. It didn't help we couldn't possess the ball in the midfield at all. 

Overlapping fullbacks or not, Rodman and Smith were way too narrow. They both clearly have a ton of potential but they're both still so raw I'm not sure I would have both in the first XI.

[MuggsyB]

I'm no expert but it appeared like the USA flipped the switch in the 2H. 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I'm no expert but it appeared like the USA flipped the switch in the 2H.

Lavelle is such a difference maker. She's fearless, strong on the ball and is just such a good playmaker.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Nice call!

Even a blind squirrel, eh? Game opened up once the US scored but the Dutch were completely content parking the bus until then.

[panda]

Coming back from injury, on minutes limit.

Overlapping fullbacks or not, Rodman and Smith were way too narrow. They both clearly have a ton of potential but they're both still so raw I'm not sure I would have both in the first XI.

Agree

[tower912]

Talented scorers.   Not yet in sync and making each other better.   Lavelle in the middle makes the offense better.

[pbiflyer]

Bizarre we only used one sub in the second half when we had absolutely nothing going for large portions of the half. Poor performance

"This is an absolute failure from the coach so far...if you only make one sub in 90 minutes, you get fired from a Jersey Mike's."


           The @SoccerCooligans stop by with a #WorldCup update and a few coaching pointers for Vlatko Andonovski.🇺🇸

[panda]

"This is an absolute failure from the coach so far...if you only make one sub in 90 minutes, you get fired from a Jersey Mike's."


           The @SoccerCooligans stop by with a #WorldCup update and a few coaching pointers for Vlatko Andonovski.🇺🇸

Lol that's hilarious.

But simply a bizarre decision in a tournament where they'll be playing again in a few days. The Dutch completely ran out of gas towards the end with their Uber aggressive pressing killing them. A couple of fresh legs coming on would've completely changed the game in our favor.

[wadesworld]

Lol that's hilarious.

But simply a bizarre decision in a tournament where they'll be playing again in a few days. The Dutch completely ran out of gas towards the end with their Uber aggressive pressing killing them. A couple of fresh legs coming on would've completely changed the game in our favor.

They played Wednesday and don't play again until next Tuesday.  They'll be okay.

[panda]

They played Wednesday and don't play again until next Tuesday.  They'll be okay.

The game yesterday was Thursday and then they play Tuesday. Four days in between is a quick turnaround. Knockouts are right around the corner. Odd decision from the coach.

[MuggsyB]

The game yesterday was Thursday and then they play Tuesday. Four days in between is a quick turnaround. Knockouts are right around the corner. Odd decision from the coach.

The TV analysts agreed with you. Hopefully it doesn't bite them in the ass

[tower912]

China a player down against Haiti. 

[shoothoops]

The U.S. didn't have great spacing and shape vs 3-5-2. Too much space between the back line and attacking third, especially when Sullivan was caught up on the goal.

Then they moved Dunn and Horan to help in the middle which allowed Lavelle to play high in the middle. Getting on the board also helped.

Some adjustment possibilities include getting Williams some playing time,(likely to happen) and perhaps movingk the back line and Ertz up into the defensive midfield. (less likely to happen)

[MuggsyB]

The U.S. didn't have great spacing and shape vs 3-5-2. Too much space between the back line and attacking third, especially when Sullivan was caught up on the goal.

Then they moved Dunn and Horan to help in the middle which allowed Lavelle to play high in the middle. Getting on the board also helped.

Some adjustment possibilities include getting Williams some playing time,(likely to happen) and perhaps movingk the back line and Ertz up into the defensive midfield. (less likely to happen)

Are there any concerns about Portugal?

[tower912]

'What, me worry?'



Obscure musical reference for the music snobs.

[Hards Alumni]

'What, me worry?'



Obscure musical reference for the music snobs.

Portugal. The Man.

But you could have bridged that reference into a Mad magazine reference.  You are awarded half points today, tower.

[tower912]

Dammit.

[shoothoops]

Are there any concerns about Portugal?

Every team is a concern and to be respected. I expect Portugal to play 4 in back instead of 3, to clog the central midfield, defend and counter of which they are sneaky capable, Pinto through Silva. I don't think they will aggressively try to play through like against a different opponent. They will also be physical. I think as long as the U.S. matches that they will be okay.

[tower912]

Announcers in the Jamaica Panama game said that 20% of the participants in the women's world cup played college in the US.

[shoothoops]

Announcers in the Jamaica Panama game said that 20% of the participants in the women's world cup played college in the US.

Title IX is the big reason.

That has been the pathway for Women's Soccer. Canada actually has more U.S. College Soccer Players than the U.S. Jamaica and the Philippines are next.

236 International players from 35 countries played across the NCAA Championships last year.

And, several U.S. college players that are very good players, but who would not make the U.S. team, have been playing for other countries too.

As professional opportunities increase, NWSL, the new Super League, abroad, etc...more Women players will skip college. Riley Jackson 2024 Duke commit did just that yesterday. Alyssa Thompson also did that as a Stanford commit. Both signed with NWSL teams. Horan went to Europe instead of UNC. It isn't the same numbers as U.S. Men, which is roughly 30 or so top national prep level players annually skipping college, with more playing less than 4 years. But it's a growing thing in the Women's game. And a few are starting to do so overseas too. (Ella Sanchez) But for many the resources and infrastructure of the Women's college game is better than the alternatives.
Another mini trend are a few top level players and students graduating high school in 3 years and starting their college career a year early. These are players that are used to playing up a class level throughout their club careers. Example: U19 2024 player playing with mostly 2023 teammates, skipping their Senior year of high school. This began as 2nd semester Se ior year recruits entering college a semester early. Now a few are doing it a full year early.

And now you are beginning to see American Women's professional soccer owners (Washington Spirit) buying European teams (Lyon). That will be a thing too.

College soccer is great fun. Preseason camps begin this Tuesday, as does official visit season for 2025 recruits. The Women's recruiting cycle is much quicker than the Men. A high percentage of 2025's will commit before the end of this year. Many will be within 4 months or so of initial contact. Men's recruiting takes much longer into the next year.

[panda]

Title IX is the big reason.

That has been the pathway for Women's Soccer. Canada actually has more U.S. College Soccer Players than the U.S. Jamaica and the Philippines are next.

236 International players from 35 countries played across the NCAA Championships last year.

And, several U.S. college players that are very good players, but who would not make the U.S. team, have been playing for other countries too.

As professional opportunities increase, NWSL, the new Super League, abroad, etc...more Women players will skip college. Riley Jackson 2024 Duke commit did just that yesterday. Alyssa Thompson also did that as a Stanford commit. Both signed with NWSL teams. Horan went to Europe instead of UNC. It isn't the same numbers as U.S. Men, which is roughly 30 or so top national prep level players annually skipping college, with more playing less than 4 years. But it's a growing thing in the Women's game. And a few are starting to do so overseas too. (Ella Sanchez) But for many the resources and infrastructure of the Women's college game is better than the alternatives.

And now you are beginning to see American Women's professional soccer owners (Washington Spirit) buying European teams (Lyon). That will be a thing too.

College soccer is great fun. Preseason camps begin this Tuesday, as does official visit season for 2025 recruits. The Women's recruiting cycle is much quicker than the Men. A high percentage of 2025's will commit before the end of this year. Many will be within 4 months or so of initial contact. Men's recruiting takes much longer into the next year.

Agreed and I'm curious to see what happens in the next 10 years. As bad as college soccer has been for development in the men's gsme, the complete opposite can be said about the women's game. 

[MUFC9295]

Clearly the world has caught up to what was a juggernaut USWNT.   In the current Cup our coach seems to be saving talent for knockout rounds.  But what a dangerous strategy that is.  As a player, I'll never understand why a coach does not press 10v10 vs an inferior opponent.  That's when mistakes are made and the better team capitalizes.   Right now, Portugal has more safe spaces than most universities. 

[MuggsyB]

It sounds like we could be in some serious trouble and the coach hasn't figured out how to get the most out of our roster. 

[panda]

0-0 in the 80th minute with everything to play for and still no subs. This guy is giving Berhalter a run for his money on in game tactical adjustments !

[MuggsyB]

0-0 in the 80th minute with everything to play for and still no subs. This guy is giving Berhalter a run for his money on in game tactical adjustments !

Are there assistant coaches?  It seems to me they have played one good half in three full games.