Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - woacfan

#1
I agree....eating a lot of crow.  Jill Ellis,  who looked lost in the prelims was brilliant in the knockout stages.  I really didn't like her late subbing of Wambach, but in the quarter-finals it led to a goal.  Was actually away for the final and streamed the game in the wee morning hours in Europe while staring at the new stadium for St. Petersburg Zenit! Not a bad way to watch the final!

I am happy to have been wrong!  Go USA!

Also,  pleased to see some of the young players contribute.  With a lot of the veterans leaving,  its promising for the future. 
#2
Great game tonight!
Some thoughts:

(1)  Ellis made great substitutions tonight.  They proved extremely effective.  I am even beginning to question my dislike of her habit of subbing Abby in late. Tonight Wambach was crucial on the buildup to the second goal.  The other sub, O'Hara made a beautiful finishing move.

(2) Johnston looked good again except for that wild play in the box that resulted in the PK

(3) If the US wins in the final expect Hope Solo to bring some drama to the team.  In her post game interview she was asked the rather lame question of "What are you thinking?" or something to that effect and Solo responded that we would all have to wait until after the last game to know what she is thinking....if its not about soccer,  I don't want to know.

(4) Tobin Heath returned to her usual form- hard worker making bad decisions.

(5)  Carly Lloyd-  Fantastic.  She has been amazing in the last 3 games.

(6)  Meghan Rapinoe -  Great!   She is the creative force on the wing.  Imagine if we had someone like her on the other side!

Overall,  whether they face Japan or England,  if they play another game like the last two,  they will be hard to beat and would have to be considered a heavy favorite. 
#3
The Abby sub-in continued a string of questionable substitutions for Ellis.  Being ahead late in the game, it didn't make sense to substitute in an immobile target forward. 

I've been critical of Tobin Heath in the group stage, however, she played a very nice game on Friday.  She was strong and tactical.

The US played a high pressure game, which might be what's needed to break down the German passing attack.  I would take a page out of France's playbook.  The French had the run of play in their game versus Germany.  If we can pressure and pass like we did against China I wouldn't rule a win out.  It will be tough, but with their very best game it might be possible.

Finally,  the China fans were great.  The atmosphere at the game was great!   We had lots of pictures with Chinese and American fans arm-in-arm....a great day for international diplomacy.  Surprisingly,  the few ugly episodes I noticed at the game were Canadians hurling insults at American fans....disappointing!
#4
Was at Friday's game~ Great atmosphere!
Also,  the best performance for USA.   The score did not reflect the run of play.  The passing was much more crisp than it had been in previous outings.  For the first time in the tournament,  USA looked like a potential champion.   Tuesday's match versus Germany looks to be the big hurdle! 

Germany is formidable, but many would argue France is the team that should have advanced.  The USA will have to play their best game to hope to go through.
#5
Men's soccer / Re: D3 soccer tryouys
June 23, 2015, 06:40:18 PM
A lot of it depends on where you will play.
My suggestion is to e-mail the coach and ask for the summer workout he has given to his players.
If you do the summer workout, you'll have a leg up on the guys who haven't done their fitness.
After fitness,  it will probably come down to how you scrimmage, so keep your skills up.
The level of competition will depend on how competitive your college is.

Good luck!

#6
Couldn't agree more.  I think their dependence on Wambach is telling. 
I am not a huge fan of target forwards because they lead to a one dimensional attack.  The whole offense is geared to serving the ball into the stud player.  Abby is too old to for that role.  In fact,  in the Columbia game she was a detriment.  I love all that she has given to the team, but they have to move beyond that game if they are going to remain dominant.

The foot skills are lacking compared to other teams.  I think Columbia showed that last night.

I do disagree with one point.  I think that the failure to develop better players is not a gender issue, but an American soccer issue.  I've addressed this before and gotten "smited" for my thoughts, but if you look at ODP the coaches have a love affair with big physical players even when their football skills are lacking.  Physicality is great when matched with football skills,  alone it only takes you so far.  Its a problem with both the men's and women's game.

Here's hoping for some creativity!  We'll be at Landsdowne screaming our heads off for USA regardless!
#7
Great fact FC Grizzlies Dad!
That was an ugly win if there ever was one!
US needs to develop an offense that doesn't completely involve Wambach;  she's too old to be the centerpiece of the attack.  Watching the game, I wondered if Klinnsmann would have jettisoned her the way he did Landon Donovan?
I still love Abby, but she isn't the same player any more and the USA needs more diversity in their attack....anyway,  have tickets for Ottawa Friday!  Anyone else going?

#8
This team is short on finishers.  One problem I've noticed is their stubborn commitment to serving the ball to Wambach.  She is 37, and although still a great leader and veteran, not the guaranteed goal machine she once was.  They need to have a more diversified attack.  We're starting to see some flashes of pre-injury Alex Morgan.  They need to get her going if they want to push through....
#9


USA have struggled and yet their destiny is in their hands.  A win and they take the group,  a tie and they go through.
#10
USA manages a draw with Sweden.
They owned the second half but could not finish.   The back line looked strong.   The substitutions seemed to weaken the midfield.  Rapinoe and Johnston looked great.  Klingenberg made a game saving header.

Can they take the group with a win over Nigeria? 
#11
I agree with your assessment.  Do you see it as a problem with leadership or the need to build a soccer culture.  My experience has been that leadership perpetuates the athleticism over skill.  You see young players who have great skills, but they seem -often- to get passed over by physical players with less skill.  I don't think its a coincidence that Rapinoe was the best player on the pitch in game 1.  She's probably our most skilled player.

#12
You're most likely right.  Today the US take on Australia; they shouldn't be much of a test.  I read an article this morning that described USWNT as "deep".  Do you agree?  I see them as having some younger members, but relying more on the old veterans.  My concern has been that the US has let the game pass them by. 
#13
Women's soccer / Women's World Cup 2015 - Canada
June 07, 2015, 07:50:22 PM
Ill start the ball rolling....please comment!
Should we just call it now....Germany 10 -Ivory Coast 0.....The Germans look dominant.  I think its going to be hard for the Americans to compete with that.  We're an aging team that still relies on serving the ball to Abby Wambach.  The final warmup game showed how one-dimensional we've become.  I hope I'm wrong, but USA has its work cut out.  Sweeden is sure to give the USA fits. 

Thoughts?
#14
Women's soccer / Re: 2014 NCAA Tournament
December 07, 2014, 09:25:12 AM
Congratulations to National Champions Lynchburg!  A hard fought win in a classic championship game!  Both sides should be proud of their effort!
#15
Women's soccer / Re: 2014 NCAA Tournament
November 16, 2014, 08:32:21 PM
I am afraid I've started the wrong argument.  I really am not trying to run down Washington, the UAA or any other conference or program. Rather, I was offering a comment on the ranking system that favors "insiders"  over outsiders. I'm not even certain how I would see it improved. I suggested Capital as an example last year because despite making it to semis they didn't get a whole lot of respect.
Even if you are of the mindset that Washington was far superior, then at least respect the Cap keeper who kept them in the game.