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US draws Sweden, advances to Algarve Cup final

Jeff Kassouf March 11, 2013 123
Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan scored the equalizer on Monday vs. Sweden that helped the United States through to the Algarve Cup final. (Copyright Patricia Giobetti | http://www.printroom.com/pro/psgiobetti)

Pia Sundhage sat on the opposite bench this time, but the United States still looked like a carbon copy of the team Sundhage guided to the 2012 Olympic gold medal.

It took about 55 minutes for the Americans to show that championship form under new head coach Tom Sermanni, but the world’s No. 1 team eventually came alive in the second half for a 1-1 draw vs. Sweden in Algarve Cup group play. The result puts the US through to the final on Wednesday against Germany.

Alex Morgan scored the equalizer in the 56th minute when she headed in Megan Rapinoe’s corner kick. That ended a 475-minute scoreless drought for the 23-year-old forward and gave the US a confidence it lacked throughout the first half.

Lisa Dahlkvist had given Sweden the lead in just the fourth minute with a wonder goal from 45 yards out. Swedish captain Lotta Schelin got in behind the US defense and forced goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, making her first senior team appearance, to come off her line. Harris cleared that the ball with her feet from the top of the 18-yard-box, but it fell right to Dahlkvist at the midfield circle and the Sweden one-timed it over the head of a retreating Harris.

Heather O’Reilly hit the outside of the post on a close-range effort a minute later, but the majority of first half play revolved around Sweden, who out-muscled and out-played the Americans.

The match opened up considerably after Morgan’s second half goal, with O’Reilly nearly putting the US in front four minutes later on a counter attack. Her far post shot, however, was saved and Morgan’s rebound effort was blocked.

Sofia Jakobsson pick-pocketed US defender Becky Sauerbrunn around midfield in the 73rd minute, but her decision making in the 2-vs.-1 that followed proved wasteful.

Rapinoe was denied on the other end in the 88th minute by Swedish goalkeeper Kristin Hammarstrom. That goal would have iced a spot in the final for the US, but the draw still puts the US back in the title game after settling for third place at last year’s Algarve Cup.

Observations and thoughts from Monday’s draw:

– Kelley O’Hara was brilliant on both sides of the ball. Defensively, she matched the physicality put forth by Sweden and was the best US defender – if not player – on the field. O’Hara was a threat going forward for the US on the dribble and in the air; she had several looks at goal off headers. This is the Kelley O’Hara everyone envisioned when Pia Sundhage moved her to left back over a year ago – one who can get forward and add an extra layer of attack, but not be a defensive liability as an ex-forward. Games like this won’t be a constant just yet, but Monday may have been a watershed moment.

– Like I said Friday: Alex Morgan is not in a slump. And she wasn’t in one before that goal, either. Morgan’s goal was a good one and certainly relieved some frustrations of a stretch that equated to over four games without a goal, but she’s been productive in setting up other players throughout those goal-less games. Her header in the 56th minute should quiet any murmurs of a slump setting in.

– Whitney Engen came on for Shannon Boxx in the 85th minute and played in a defensive midfield role. Engen didn’t play long enough to get a good assessment of what she looked like in that spot, but it’s interesting given Engen is a center back. The move from Tom Sermanni was likely just to sure up the back line for the final minutes and have Engen sweep in front of the back four.

– Lotta Schelin gave US defenders nightmares all day and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet. Schelin has been one of the top forwards in the world for some time and has given the Americans plenty of trouble in the past. That she didn’t find the net on Monday is a small miracle for the US. Ashlyn Harris did well in net when called upon for the US and it is hard to fault her for Sweden’s lone tally of the day.

– Sermanni’s decision to field nearly the exact same lineup that Sundhage stuck with as US coach all last year (with now healthy Ali Krieger in place of now injured Amy LePeilbet) is an interesting one. Same players, nearly identical 4-4-2…all against a coach who built that. The decision looked like an awful one in the first half, but the match turned in favor of the US in the final 45 minutes. Sermanni could not have gone with a young lineup vs. Sweden like he did against China given the magnitude of the match and strength of opponent, but drawing Sunhage with the same team she built was bold, at the very least.

Box Score:

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Sweden
Date: March 11, 2013
Competition: 2013 Algarve Cup
Venue: Municipal Stadium; Lagos, Portugal
Kickoff: 3 p.m. local / 11 a.m. ET
Attendance: 750
Weather: 59 degrees, cloudy

Scoring Summary:   1    2    F
USA                           0    1    1
SWE                           1    0    1

SWE – Lisa Dahlkvist                                     4th minute
USA – Alex Morgan (Megan Rapinoe)          56

Lineups:
USA: 24-Ashlyn Harris; 11-Ali Krieger, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 3-Christie Rampone (capt.), 5-Kelley O’Hara; 9-Heather O’Reilly (23-Christen Press, 80), 7-Shannon Boxx (14-Whitney Engen, 85), 17-Tobin Heath (16-Yael Averbuch, 72), 15-Megan Rapinoe; 13-Alex Morgan, 20-Abby Wambach (2-Sydney Leroux, 72)
Substitutions Not Used: 6-Crystal Dunn, 8-Kristie Mewis, 10-Carli Lloyd, 18-Nicole Barnhart, 19-Rachel Buehler; 22-Lindsey Horan
Head coach: Tom Sermanni

SWE: 12-Kristin Hammarstrom; 3-Emma Berglund (4-Annica Svensson, 69), 5-Nilla Fischer, 6-Sara Thunebro, 13-Lina Nilsson (18-Jessica Samuelsson, 62); 7-Lisa Dahlkvist (23-Hanna Folkesson, 74), 11-Antonia Goransson, 14-Johanna Almgren (15-Emmelie Konradssson, 46), 17-Caroline Seger; 8-Lotta Schelin (22-Olivia Schough, 79), 9-Kosovare Asllani (10-Sofia Jakobsson, 62)
Substitutions Not Used: 1-Carola Soberg, 2-Malin Levenstad, 16-Carina Holmberg, 19-Susanne Moberg, 20-Marie Hammarstrom, 21-Sofia Lundgren
Head coach: Pia Sundhage

Stats Summary: USA / SWE
Shots: 18 / 5
Shots on Goal: 6 / 2
Saves: 1 / 5
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 8 / 16
Offside: 5 / 8

Misconduct Summary:
SWE — Lina Nilsson (caution)                        52nd minute

Officials:
Referee: Esther Staubli (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Ella De Vries (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Manuala Nicolosi (FRA)
Fourth Official: Teodora Albon (ROU)

TAGS »
POSTED IN » Algarve Cup, Analysis, International, News, USWNT
About the author: Jeff Kassouf View all posts by Jeff Kassouf

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  • EC

    Pia’s experiment (O’Hara) paid dividends this game . first half lacked creativity for the most part.

  • Anton

    Game went as I expected, always tough to play an opponent when their coach coached you for 4+ years. I also find it interesting that Sermanni seems to prefer Sauerbrunn to Buehler.

    Gotta say, every time I watch Lotta Schelin I come away more and more impressed, girl is such a beast.

    • Steglitz49

      It is not surprising that TS prefers Ms Sauerbrunn to Buehler because any alert referee ought to have sent Buehler off in the Olympic final and awarded a penalty for her offense, not counting the penalty for hands that was not awarded. Whether Ms Sauerbrunn is the best alternative is a separate issue.

  • AP

    Great article, especially when it comes to pointing out O’Hara’s fantastic game, and noting that Morgan was not in a slump. She was still creating plays and setting up goals, just couldn’t find the net herself. And O’Hara is only going to get better in that spot.

  • NYRick

    Sweden match thoughts:

    1. Kelley O’Hara. Kelley O’Hara. Kelley O’Hara. You were absolutely magnificent. You shouldn’t just get Woman of the Match, they should give you the award twice for that performance. As a good a game as I’ve seen a LB play in a long time, and probably the best I’ve ever seen in the woman’s game. Although it often looked like you were playing an attacking mid flanker you were so dominant.

    When this team needed someone to step up with energy and passion (the first half was played nervous and shaky by the US), aside from AM who we know always brings it, you did just that. As I’ve said several times about you, you are the future captain of this team, one of the key young core players going forward and a natural LB too. Moving you to the backline will be Pia’s greatest lasting favor to this team. It came back to haunt her today. I want you on the pitch for every game this team plays.

    KO should have and almost scored 3 goals today, and in a week where Engen, Krieger and Buehler of all people scored, KO deserved her first. It’s coming real soon though. Maybe Wed. I hope.

    2. Who else but Alex? It’s getting a little silly listing the big goals this girl scores. Even with an invisible first half (manly due to Abby being so slow and out of the flow to help her up top), you showed up when it mattered most. Like you always do. That’s why you are the best woman footballer in the world.

    3. TS got the tactics wrong. He caved to the veterans again. I know the outcry for Boxx (she’s the best holding mid blah blah blah), but I really just don’t get it anymore. She fouled continuously and dangerously too. She should have had two yellows.

    Averbuch is such a better option as the holding mid. Plus a real weapon on set pieces and she gives you size and strength too. Press was fully wasted today. She should have started AT FORWARD, not bought on in the 80th minute as a mid. And if she did start I honestly think you are probably looking at 4-1 US scoreline. Abby was flat out awful today, and Christen would have supplied the help AM needed. Leroux put in another useless performance as the forward sub. HAO the other surprise starter is one dimensional and a one-trick pony. She had one nice run but was invisible for the most part, and should have been red carded in the first half for a real clumsy tackle.

    4. Nilla Fischer for Sweden is a player. She played AM the way you should play AM. She got physical, she was in her face all match and Fischer controlled and basically bullied the midfield the whole match. She was the key to Sweden keeping it close.

    5. Lotta Schelin: thank goodness you didn’t have your Wheaties today. Your first touch was awful on several clear breakaway chances. Your off game really saved the US’ bacon. And it needs to be mentioned that Rampone was outstanding staying with you and cleaning up the long balls to you.

    6. Pia: you have my apologies. You totally outcoached TS and really deserved the game. I guess you really do know this US team quite well. You’ve learned one thing about them that is quite clear: take AM out of the game the best you can, any way possible and you can stop and beat the US team. It’s really that simple. One moment of brilliance by AM denied you, but you won this match on many levels.

    • Anton

      1. Agreed on O’Hara. Kind of stunning she hasn’t scored yet.

      2. C’mon. Alex is not the best female player in the world. She’s not even close to Marta, sorry, just because Brazil is in a massive tailspin doesn’t mean she’s still not the best, by a pretty far margin. Is Alex top 5? Probably. But she’s not the best, at least not yet.

      3/4. Averbuch is absolutely not a better option at holding mid than Boxx. You need your DM to be aggressive, Yael, IMO is too passive to be a holding mid, she’s an attacking player. As your next point says, Fishcer was controlling the midfield, I think that had more to do with Tobin than Boxx. Tobin is not a CM, she’s a flank player. But in defense of Tom, he didn’t have Carli and Cheney available and I agree with not throwing Mewis out there in a fairly big game. Rapinoe – Boxx – Averbuch – Heath is the MF he should have trotted out today.

      5. I actually liked Schelin out there today. Sure, her first touch was god awful, but she found herself in dangerous positions time and time again. Pia is going to work wonders with her.

      6. Pia knows each of the U.S. players better than Sermanni does, of course he was going to be ‘outcoached’ today. You’re being way too harsh on him.

      • NYRick

        OK, I see your point on Marta. But right now let’s just say that AM is the most impactful player in the women’s game, if not the best. I personally think the best. If we’re choosing sides and I can pick one player to have on my team from any female footballer in the world, I’m taking Alex. I may be wrong, but that’s how I feel. And if you can possibly list 3 others ahead of her aside from Marta I’ll be glad to listen.

        Schelin scared me going into the game. She is dangerous every time she gets a touch and has great creativity and speed. She was thankfully off today for the US.

        Boxx has her supporters, but Fischer controlled the mid with Boxx there. You claim it was because Tobin was a CM. You may be partially right, but that’s why I think TS was outcoached. I just would like to see more of Averbuch in the CM position. I think she brings more to the table, and maybe Mewis would too. Granted, TS is still experimenting and learning about what he has on the roster. I’ll give him some time.

        We are in agreement about Press. She should start up top with Alex. They would make a dynamite tandem. Abby should not start any longer, but her pending record and ego will hinder the progress of this team.

        • Anton

          At this moment, aside from Marta, I’d only take Sinclair and Necib on my team over Alex. Possibly Delie and Miyama too, but for me it’s splitting hairs between those three. In 1-2 years? It’ll be between Marta, Alex and Delie for the crown, IMO.

          My lineup vs. GER would be:
          Barnhart
          Krieger – Rampone -Sauerbrunn/Buehler – O’Hara
          Rapinoe – Boxx – Lloyd (if healthy) – Heath
          Morgan – Press

          With HAO as the main sub for Pinoe/Tobin, Averbuch as the CM sub and Abby as the forward sub. If we need a goal late, not many people better to bring off the bench than Abby Wambach.

          • NYRick

            Why do people always think Sinclair before Alex. No way. That is not to diminish Sinclair’s greatness, but she’s not better. And please don’t bring up the Olympic semi game. That was the game of a lifetime for Sinclair. Sorry. When they both play for Portland, it will be proven. Alex can do things on the pitch that Sinclair can’t dream of doing. And as for Necib, I’ve seen her play several times and that might not be a fair accessment, but c’mon. I would even say Schelin and Miyama before Necib. And what about the young 20-year old on the German side? Can’t remember her name but she was very dominant in the two US friendlies on the Victory Tour. I think Marszapan or something like that. Hope she’s playing Wed. You see, I can understand giving her a mention with Alex. That’s who her comp going forward is going to be the next 5+ years for FIFA Woman Player of the Year.

            As for your lineup, no way Buehler. That’s a mistake. Hopefully Rampone can go, or certainly Engen before Buehler. And if Morgan-Press don’t start up front with Abby off the bench, I don’t like the US chances.

          • Anton

            First off, why are you doing this to me? You’re making me defend a Canadian. That’s like asking me to defend Chicharito and Mexico.

            Sinclair has carried Canada for her entire career, she’s never had the luxury of having a world class teammate to play with, Tancredi is the best, and she’s really not that great (Press and Leroux are better). By saying ‘don’t bring up the Olympic semi-final game’ is a slap in the face to Sinclair, that’s basically calling her a one game wonder. She’s had plenty of games like that, that one just happened to be in the biggest game of her career. Take away that semi-final and she’s got 141 goals, at 29 years old and is showing no signs of slowing down. She’s the best pure striker in the world. And right now, if I had to choose, I’d take her over Alex, nationality aside.

          • NYRick

            Hey, careful about Chicharito. I’m a Utd. fan and he’s a nice, humble guy. LOL. Look, I’m not trying to diminish Sinclair’s accomplishments by any means. She’s great, no doubt. But in my opinion, I just think Alex is better. See my explanation above as to why.

            I just think Alex is the best pure striker in the world. You think Sinclair. That’s fine. We can agree to disagree. Remember one thing about the Olympic semifinal game, who won? And oh, who scored the most memorable goal arguably in the history of woman’s international soccer in that game in the most absurd, ridiculous fashion? Sinclair played a game for the ages, but she couldn’t in the end will her team to the finish line. She didn’t score or rarely touched the ball the last 43 minutes of that match. That’s fact. The last 20+ minutes of that match, with everything on the line, the best player and most relentless player on the pitch was Alex. She deserved and got the winning goal. Not comparing a career with one game, but you want to bring up that game.

          • Anton

            Man U fan? That’s another thing we’ll agree to disagree on. We could use both Alex and Sinclair on Arsenal about now. Can’t be any worse can they?

            Final thing I’m going to say about that game is that Sinclair put on perhaps the best performance in women’s soccer history that night and was the only person who had a right to complain to the press at the end of that game. When I see Alex do that for 90+ minutes in a game as big as that one, I’ll concede and say she’s the best, or 2nd behind Marta ;) .

          • NYRick

            If you’re an Arsenal fan, please tell Wenger he can start wearing at the very least least a waistline windbreaker instead of those Northpole knee-length parkas he shows up in every game. Even when it’s about 70 degrees out.

            Actually, I do enjoy watching Arsenal play. Wilshire is out of this world and a pleasure to watch, and Theo Walcott (kind of like a male Alex) is one of the most exciting players in the sport. BTW, Chelsea really took it to Utd. the second half on Sunday. I never saw them overrun at OT like that before. Lucky to get out with a tie and replay. Do you think Arsenal can make the top 4 in the EPL?

            As for that Olympic semi, yes it was one for the ages for Sinclair. And yes Canada was robbed. But even with that, Sinclair should have stayed classy and quiet and let the greatness she exhibited that night be the lasting memory. She had a chance to end it too for over 40 minutes even after Abby’s PK, but she didn’t. And remember Alex is only 23 and only a starter for one year. She has already, and will continue to put forth many memorable games.

          • Anton

            Don’t hate on the bubble coat.

            It’s going to be really tough to get to the CL, the defensive breakdown at WHL really killed us. We had to get a result there. But Spurs have a history of collapsing and Chelsea could implode at any second, we’ve got a pretty favorable schedule down the stretch also, so I’m not giving up hope just yet, but I really don’t see it. Team is just not good enough, especially along the back. Every team I support has mediocre backlines; Arsenal, Sounders, USMNT, WNT… it’s a curse.

            C’mon Alex. Give me a hat trick vs. Germany, make me look like an idiot.

          • luke

            “Alex can do things on the pitch that Sinclair can’t dream of doing.”
            - like what?

          • NYRick

            Like the following:

            1. Basically outrun any defender on the pitch…at any time.

            2. Total fearless when it comes to going at anybody. Absolutely dares you to beat her to the ball, and on the ball.

            3. Turns and stops on a dime at breakneck speed. I haven’t seen anyone in the woman’s game do anything close to how she can do it and she does it consistently.

            4. A cannon of a left foot, and extremely accurate when she’s on her game. Go take a look at the goal she scored in a friendly against Japan right before the Olympics (the first goal of the game). Lucky for the Japan keeper she didn’t even get her hands on it or they would have wound up in the net with the ball.

            5. Amazing touch within the box and just outside of it. The best natural finisher the woman’s game has ever seen. That includes Mia.

            6. Ice water in her veins. It is no longer a coincidence or should it be that when a big goal is needed, she produces. That’s greatness personified.

            7. Totally unselfish. 28 goals and 27 assists. That’s ridiculous. You never see a pure scorer with that many assists.

            8. No one in the woman’s game can create something out of absolutely nothing like she can.

            9. Relentless and a great motor like no other forward in the game.

            10. One of those players who is just made for big moments. It’s a strange intangible that only the great ones have. But she has that. She is fearless and is not afraid of failure.

            11. Makes everyone around her better. A trait only the truly great ones have. Ask yourself, is there anyone she can’t develop chemistry with on this team? She will make Press a 20+ goal scorer if paired together.

            Can Sinclair do “some” of the above. Sure. But no one in the woman’s game can do it all like AM. As an US fan, am happy and proud she plays for us. And she does it all with class and humility.

            Shall I go on? I can.

          • luke

            1 – agreed
            2 – agreed
            3 – probably half of Nadeshiko squad turn and stop quicker than Alex
            4 – agreed
            5 – very poor first touch lately, has always been her problem (she admitted it), deadly finisher – absolutely, not Mia’s level yet though
            6 – agreed, but would like to see her taking PK in WWC/Olympic knockout stages to be sure
            7 – agreed 100%, very impressive
            8 – cmon, she’s not alone: Sinclair, Marta, Sawa, Rapinoe, hey, even Carli Lloyd can do unexpected sick things with a ball in breakthrough moments
            9 – agreed
            10 – agreed
            11 – agreed

            Give Alex perfect body to Sinclair and she would do 90% of the points above. And Christine has better first touch and headers. I think Alex is better provider and has stronger killer instinct though.

          • NYRick

            For #3: I agree the Nadeshiko squad is incredibly quick, but I said at “breakneck” speed. I see only one player who can do that: AM.

          • Christy13

            I agree NYRick with nearly all of your assessments, however, what has made sinclair great is how many goals she has scored and games she has won with a sub par supporting cast. At this time however I defer to my opinion on the Marta comparison, Alex has far more upside than Sinclair, CS is nearing the end of her career, she is no longer improving, she is the player she is and sooner than later (like abby) the downward trend will start, sooner, than later. Sinclair also has never been as physically aggressive, shes more of a right place right time, crafty type, she wont beat you 1v1, she wont even try, but she anticipates a defense like no one I’ve ever seen, if she gets behind the back line that’s it where as Alex can either get in behind the back line with pace, or just run the line over knee the keeper in the face and keep going.

          • Steglitz49

            Your point #7 is well taken. The others are trivial in comparison.

          • NYRick

            They are not trivial when attempting to compare two or several great players. Arguments like this are made all the time for baseball HOFers who played in different eras too. I know you are a fan of hers, but AM possesses athletic qualities and internal intangibles that are truly startling and what set her apart. The question was asked, and I was merely trying to articulate what makes her special.

          • Steglitz49

            Those who understand the beautiful game do not put Ms Sinclair before Ms Morgan. The Canadians like to see their heroine as a female King Eric and they are entitled to their opinion.

            Miyama is the greatest midfielder the modern game has seen.

            Necib has wonderful skill and vision but she is too slight for today’s game. 12-15 years ago she would have been a superstar. Also, the lack of bottle in the French team makes it hard for her to shine. The second half of the France-Japan semifinal last year was the best soccer of the tournament but to my mind Necib blotted her copybook by declining to take the ill-fated penalty.

            Like you, I doubt if Buehler will make many more appearances in a USA jersey for obvious reasons.

            As for Ms Morgan being Player of the year? Maybe starting in 2015 if USA does well. This year it is more likely to be someone from Euro-13 and next year it is anyone’s guess but if the CL final continues to be good, a player from the winning team or maybe someone from Japan playing in Europe?

          • Anton

            Except I’m not Canadian. I hate curling…. and Molson.

          • Steglitz49

            Careful what you write about curling because the Swedish ladies excel at that too.

            As for Molson, try Zeunerts Original or Zlaty Bazant.

          • luke

            Zlaty Bazant Tmave ummmmmm 8P~~

          • Anon

            Dzsenifer Marozsan is who you’re thinking of. One of the reasons I’m so fond of Julie Johnston was the U20 WWC final; I haven’t re-watched it in a while but I don’t recall many very serious chances for Marozsan and her German squad.

          • NYRick

            Yes, that’s her. Marozsan. She’s impressive, correct? Is she at Algarve and playing on Wed? I haven’t followed really what Germany has done other than the scores.

            Agree, great job by the U20 at WWC final with JJ leading the way. I totally agree that she should be here at Algarve. It would have been a great experience for her. She didn’t have to play against Sweden or Germany (although she’s probably familiar with their style from the U20), but she would have not embarrassed herself against either Iceland or China. Buehler is a bull in a china shop, and I could never understand her roster spot. No one on the roster unnerves me on the pitch more than her. It should be JJ’s time. As much as we can have her around Rampone, the better for the future.

          • luke

            JJ is very mature and skilled for her age and has great leadership skills, but I don’t see much room for athletic improvement and that may be a problem in TS mind…

          • Steglitz49

            The obsession with winning in Algarve is spoiling it for the US juniors. Both Japan and Germany brought young teams. Japan took a pasting by a Norway, who may be on the way back to glory — beware 2015 — but the Nadeshiko did OK against Germany.

            This has been a wasted Algarve for USA. Let’s hope the match against Germany is a cracking game — 4-3 like last year’s final; and, why not 5-4?

          • Terry Lash

            Wasted algarve? I disagree. TS has been able to learn a lot about his players. Moreover, winning is important to promoting women’s soccer.

          • Anon

            I haven’t seen too much of her but she’s pretty good from what I have seen. She’s started every game at Algarve 2013, so I’d expect to see her on Wednesday.

      • vert2013

        Boxx had left something to be desired the last few games in my opinion. Today her passes were off and her tackles were late ( it was a miracle she didn’t get a yellow). She hasn’t been as commanding as she was even 6 months ago but I don’t think we have a suitable replacement.

      • Steglitz49

        “I agree with [NYRick] not throwing Mewis out there in a fairly big game.” Ms Mewis is 22, that is 2 years older than Saki Kumagai was when she won the World Cup and the same age as Alex Morgan when she didn’t. You have got to start somewhere and Sweden had not been playing convincingly for quite a while.

        Given that for the next 2 years the USWNT will not have any serious matches, it will be hard to assess Alex Morgan’s relative worth but it is difficult to disagree with NYRick’s assessment that she is the best and can also become even better. That does not exclude someone else showing up on the horizon but I can’t think of anyone but I am not so familiar with South-Korea and Japan.

      • http://www.phasedma.com Anthony

        Marta isn’t half as good as the world wants to pretend she is. She sure as hell wasn’t worth that $500,000 (or more) salary the Flash paid her.

        • Anton

          80 international goals in 72 caps says otherwise.

          Marta scored 10 goals in 14 matches that year and they won the title, safe to say they probably recouped that 500k, no?

          • http://www.phasedma.com Anthony

            I highly doubt they recouped that money, and if they did it was because Abby brought about 13,00-20,000 people to the game that otherwise wouldn’t have shown up.

        • Steglitz49

          At her peak when she played for Umeå, Marta raised the technical level of women’s play beyond measure. She did things with ease that others could not even attempt. On the men’s side you go back to someone like Cuijff to see the same difference in skill.

          Like Cruijff and Puskas before her, I expect that Marta will never get to lift a major NT trophy, though she helped Umeå win their second CL trophy. The people of Umeå loved her but could not afford to buy Marta back so she went to Tyresö instead. The rest is history as they say.

      • Christy13

        Alex has huge upside, she’s a better provider and a clutch goal scorer. Marta is a veteran player about 3 years older than Alex and while shes still in her prime shes on the top side of her prime and has already peaked. Alex hasn’t peaked yet (upside). Is Marta the better player today? Yes in skill and agility on the ball, without question! That said, using American Football as an example, Who would you rather have on your young team, a good young QB who’s improving with every snap or the veteran QB who is still great, but running out of time?
        Honestly though, based on the last year or so, the player I want on my team when the time is running out and we need that last minute, last second clutch goal, I’m going to choose Alex every time, but I’d take them both in a heart beat without hesitation, Marta is an amazing player!

    • Anon

      Was Abby completely awful today or was that just me misreading things? It seemed like she was pretty poor when the ball came to her feet, turning the ball over on several occasions. I thought she was a bit slow on the ball Morgan played to her after stealing the ball in Sweden’s zone, although I’m not sure if a faster player could have gotten it. I’m almost thinking it isn’t worth it having her on the field if all she’ll contribute to are set pieces (although the US seemed to play a couple of their corner/free kicks short).

      Additionally, what is it with this team starting slowly? I almost wonder if they should start people like HAO, but explicitly tell them that they’re coming out at halftime. Instead of the subs injecting energy in the second half, when the starters seem to get into rhythm, they should give a boost when the rest of the team is a bit off. I don’t know, maybe that is just me over thinking things, but you can’t afford to play so ineffectively for a whole half.

      Sermanni, please let Press play forward…

      • Anton

        Abby has never been great with her feet, she’s made a living in the six yard box her entire career. Her strengths have always been her heading abilty, leadership and her well, strength. She still commands two, sometimes three defenders each set piece, which opens up Alex, Boxx and co to win balls in the air. As for not catching up to Alex’s pass after the GK gifted her the ball, nobody, not even A-Rod would have caught up to that. It was a poor ball by Morgan, which she would probably admit.

        • Anton

          But I agree, with Press playing the way she is, she should be starting over Abby.

          • http://www.phasedma.com Anthony

            I wouldn’t plan on it until Abby gets past Mia. Abby has more than earned that record with her absurdly high goals per game ratio and US Soccer is going to make sure she breaks the record if not crush it.

            I seriously want to see how she plays after the pressure of the record is gone. I’m not convinced anymore she deserves to be on the 2015 squad, but she more than deserves to be on the roster right now. Press can wait a year for the legend.

          • Steglitz49

            Records are there to be broken. A few are not, but only exceedingly few. (It takes guts, like Gold-Lena, to walk away and admit you can’t motivate yourself any longer.)

          • NYRick

            Steg: As you say so well, “Hear, here.”

          • NYRick

            And I’m afraid to ask, but who the heck is Gold-Lena?

          • Steglitz49

            It is an odd quirk that the two greatest (women) biathletes are both called Magdalena — Forsberg and Neuner. Forsberg was always Magda with the fans so when the second one burst on the scene she became Gold-Lena. Both are wonderfully kind, bubbly extrovert and handsome — and loved by the people.

            Neuner became famous for declining to be folded out in Playboy and instead made knitting and felting instruction videos for one of her sponsors (Lana Grossa) and also two pattern-books! Later she modeled luxury underwear. Probably no modern woman athlete has been so expertly marketed as her. Forsberg is an expert commentator and never says an unkind word. No matter how dreadfully a competitor performs she can find something nice to say.

      • Steglitz49

        My impression was that Nilla Fischer took care of Abby.

        Canada but also USA have raised the ante by playing a more physical and muscular game. The rest of the world is following suit and by 2015 will have caught up. Let’s hope the refs can keep up too.

        Where this is taking ladies’ football is a curious question because women will never run as fast, jump as high or shoot as hard as men. The world might as well forget about ladies’ soccer and watch the men play. Maybe that miserable OG-12 tournament will be seen as the beginning of the end?

        • heremerawr

          My impression was that Nilla Fischer took care of everyone, haha. Too bad she wasn’t covering AM during that corner.

          • Steglitz49

            Seeing how patchily Sweden has been playing and how well USA, 1-1 was a decent outcome and the optimal for Sweden. Now the ladies won’t get too big for their boots.

            Sweden playing Norway is always fun — and seeing how Johan Olsson bested Petter Northug in Val di Fiemme — this will add spice to the Norwegian lasses. OK. For a Norwegian girl the dream is to one day get to pull on that red skisuit, but failing that the national soccer jersey is not too bad. They have a glorious heritage, even if it has been a while. Watch out 2015 — if not Euro-13 already.

      • luke

        It wasn’t Abby’s type of game – strong, quick defenders, great pace. I don’t get this #chasingMia stuff, she can score important goals in 2015, but she shouldn’t and can’t start every game till then. She can be supersub and she will remain deadly IMO.

        • http://www.phasedma.com Anthony

          Hmmm… Put Abby on the back burner except for crucial games? That’s a crazy idea that could work.

    • Terry Lash

      I disagree with your dismissal of Syd. She brings some excitement because of her speed, and she scores goals. She is better for the team than A-Rod.

  • Kendra

    The 1st half wasn’t good at all with the exception of O’Hara. In the 2nd half TS did make a small change that probably wasn’t that noticeable by moving O’Reilly into the attacking midfielder role and Heath back out to right midfield. The move allowed Morgan to get a few runs on both sides of the pitch. O’Reilly made good runs off of Rapinoe out to the flanks to do what she is better at and thats crossing the ball. O’Hara got up the flanks a lot but would like to see Heath on the left linking up with O’Hara because they have such great chemistry.
    I’m still not sold on Wambach starting neither was I happy with Leroux in this game would have preferred Press coming in at forward in this type of game rather than at outside midfield. Harris was good in her first cap. She was tested more than when Barnhart started against China. So it will be interesting to see who TS goes with against Germany.

    • Steglitz49

      Sweden used 5 substitutes to USA’s 4 and Sweden substituted earlier in the game than USA. This may reflect differences in fitness. It could also be that Pia wanted those that came on the get some real play time.

      For Sweden, 1-1 was a decent result and possibly the optimal preparing for Euro-13 but the result must be seen as a failure for USA.

      I expect Sweden to lose against Norway. The final will depend on the referee and the two captains.

      • Kendra

        It was obvious Pia was giving minutes and really preparing for Euros compared to the US who was looking to win the game. Still looking at the subs and when they were used for the US has been consistent with the way TS coaches and this is good for the team to get an understanding of how he likes to coach during the game.
        I actually expect Sweden to win the 3rd place match. As long as Schelin, Asllani, and Seger are linking up well they should be fine offensively. They are pretty solid defensively. When Schelin is on her game she is tough to stop at any cost.

  • NYRick

    LOL. I just went to the ussoccer.com site for a second and they listed HAO as Woman of the Match. Are they seriously kidding? The person who made such a determination should be fired immediately, if not sooner. That is proving that they didn’t watch the match and know absolutely nothing about the game. A blind squirrel (probably a Kelley favorite) could have seen that O’Hara was easily and ridiculously Woman of the Match.

    • Don B.

      Incredible.

      • Sky13

        That is completely absurd. Everyone who watched the game knows KO was the player of the match. She played out of her mind. The press people who ruin US Soccer are completely incompetent, starting with Aaron Heiftz. Seriously he needs to be fired.

        • luke

          It wasn’t KO, it was god in soccer uniform disguised as KO. ;)

    • Wear Nikes Drink Gatorade

      I think that a fan vote. Take it for what it’s worth.

      • Don B.

        Nope. It’s determined by US Soccer, and they are usually right, but not this time. Sometimes, though, it does seem as if they randomly give to someone who hasn’t had it in a while. Or maybe it really is determined by a Budweiser employee who should be fired for drinking on the job.

  • luke

    Kelley Phuckin O’Hara, KELLEY O’HARA!!!

    Have you seen that performance people? Seriously, this was beyond women’s game, this was beyond Robero Carlos, beyond Ashley Cole, I don’t know what it was!

    I’m not an expert, you tell me what I just saw!!!??? :) )

    • Steglitz49

      An odd comparison because isn’t Ashley Cole better known for his activities off the field than on it, allegedly?

      • luke

        Wikipedia: “Primarily a left-back, Cole is considered by critics and fellow professional players as one of the best defenders of his generation.”
        I don’t care what they do off the field, go Chelsea!

      • luke

        Wikipedia: “Primarily a left-back, Cole is considered by critics and fellow professional players as one of the best defenders of his generation.”

        I don’t care what they do off the field, go Chelsea!

        • Steglitz49

          Both the Magic Dwarf and Jordi Alba outrank him on the whole (though they might not be classed as of his generation, I suppose).

  • vert2013

    I think the “Alex is in a slump” thing can most of the time be written off as people using slump and goal scoring drought interchangeably. She was and is playing awesome she just could t find the back of the net.

    As for todays game, Kelley O’Hara owned it. Girl deserves a goal and I think she’ll get one soon. The midfield was pretty sloppy on the first half, but I think that has a big part to do with the ever changing starting XI. I think what we saw today was pretty close to Sermannis starting group. Give or take Carli. Abby looked a bit sluggish today, there were a few missed scoring opportunities that were missed because Abby was a half step behind.

    I think Wednesday will look better assuming Sermanni sticks with this starting XI though.

  • Steglitz49

    I did a bit of research. Swedish media has covered the game with photos. CNN = not a sausage.

    Of the German media I checked, Der Spiegel had a piece on the German ladies beating Norway but neither Bild nor SZ had anything. Norwegian media still had the story about their draw against Denmark but tons about future men’s CL matches.

    Finally, Eurosport were meant to show the USA match live, indeed the kick-off was delayed at their request, but in the end they did not.

  • GOD

    Wambach’s play looks so off, there’s no union between her game and Alex. She can’t keep up with her anymore. We need another player like Leroux or Press.

    • Anton

      Agreed. But it’s not going to happen until she’s done #chasingMia, if ever.

      Just do it already, mainly so I can stop seeing that stupid hashtag.

      • Sky13

        Couldn’t agree with you more.

        When she does it, she still won’t be close to the player Mia was.

      • vert2013

        I’m so sick of that stupid hashtag. 1) It kinda pits them against each other in my eyes 2) Abby has never been one for personal achievement, she always wants team achievement and 3) it’s obviously an awesome accomplishment but records like that don’t give you a full picture of a players ability.

        • Anton

          Exactly. While Abby has been nothing short of a legend, she could never do most of the things Mia, and even Akers could do. They were magicians, Abby has always been pretty straight forward.

          That’s why I think when Sinclair eventually passes them both, it’ll actually be a full picture of her ability. She is Canada’s Mia Hamm, Mia’s still a better player, but what Sinclair has done for the sport on and off the pitch in Canada is near the level of what Mia did in the U.S.

  • heremerawr

    Player of the Match should be Nilla Fischer… that girl was like a brick wall. Also, I winced when AM lashed out at her after a collision. It makes me nervous, because AM’s temper has been rather short in many of the recent matches. I get it’s frustrating to be played hard and physically, but Alex needs to control herself. Part of me wonders if irritating AM this way is going to be part of many team’s game plans, as her finishing seems to be off when she’s ticked. Also, I was appalled with the way we gave out needless fouls, and am still trying to figure out how Boxx and HAO avoided getting carded. Finally, for someone so huge, Abby seemed to be constantly falling whenever she was on the pitch/near the ball. Hopefully we were off mainly due to nerves and the fact Pia knows the team inside out… still, here’s hoping for some proactive changes come Wednesday.

    • heremerawr

      Feel the need to clarify real quick to head people off; yes, I know Fischer is Swedish. :P
      By the way, anyone hear about Mia’s rebutt to Grant Wahl when he mentioned AM breaking her “slump” via Twitter? It was rather amusing to me, haha.

      • JTOWN

        What did she say?!

        • heremerawr

          Something along the lines of, “you’re joking, right?”

          • JTOWN

            haha I love Mia

    • NYRick

      Fischer was a beast out there, but this was Kelley’s match.

      I agree with everything else you said. The one weakness in Alex’ game seems to be her maturity at times on the pitch. She has to understand that she is a big star and the number one objective for any team playing the US is to stop, frustrate and most likely get physical with her. Doesn’t mean she can’t dish it back a bit when necessary, but the play you are talking about has been called red on several occasions in the men’s game. She kind of threw an open handed punch back at Fischer when they were on the ground. Her competitiveness is what makes her great, but it has to be kept under control too,

      I know from reading your posts that you have a strong understanding of the women’s game, so I just want to ask your opinion on this. Why are cards so rare in the women’s game? Even in a physical match like today. HAO deserved a red card for a dangerous challenge, and Boxx and Lloyd at times literally maim girls without getting carded. In fact, I can’t recall seeing many straight reds, if any, in the women’s game. Thoughts?

      And you’re right. Abby has been going down like a sack a wheat anytime she’s modestly touched. It makes her look slower and more clumsy out there and not fit really.

      • heremerawr

        Your complements are too kind. I thought Kelley was really good, but I was honestly floored by the way Fischer handled Alex and Abby and effectively controlled the midfield. Especially since I believe Fischer was originally a defensive mid, and therefore playing a new position at center back. Just looking at the US team, though, I agree that Kelley was the best player, with Christie and Ali tied for second (once Rampone stopped running up into the offense, that is). How weird is it that the USWNT’s notoriously weak defense has been the highlight of the tournament?

        I believe Steglitz has mentioned it, but it does seem like the refs are not nearly as tight in the woman’s game as compared to the men’s. While this helps prevent diving, which is nice, the growing physicality in the game is becoming a problem. However, considering this was a low-key tournament, but still a tournament, I think there should’ve been more yellow cards, but a red card? Nah. Especially since, if I’m remembering correctly, the foul was in the middle of the pitch and not, I think, intentional, just reckless (there’s my ref training coming through lol).

        Still, when three Swedish players in a row are brought to the side-line in a span of, what, five minutes, then a yellow really should be meted out. Which reminds me, did anyone else think Morgan should’ve gotten a penalty when Fischer pulled her down, or is that just the sore loser (tier? :P ) in me overreacting?

        • luke

          Nah, it wasn’t a penalty. It’s Alex locomotive Morgan we are talking about, nobody can pull her down – she must have tripped on grass-stalk or sth ;-) )

          • heremerawr

            Stalks of grass can be quite dangerous to the female footballer… if Abby and Cheney’s constant flopping is anything to go by.

          • Steglitz49

            The standard of refereeing at ladies matches has to be raised a notch. Unfortunately, the Olympic tournament has left an image which will take a while to rub out. If FIFA are not willing to do the needful, let’s trust that UEFA through the CL and Euro-13 will blaze a trail.

            An example of good refereeing in OG-12 was the group match between Canada and Japan. Early on in the match there was a blatant and serious foul on a Japanese player (not by one of the usual suspects). The referee read her the riot act but did not card her. However, it was obvious that the payer was told that she would sent off if she continued in that vein and please could she tell her team-mates. The match was played in a comradely and mutually trustful spirit.

            The odd bit about the OG refereeing was that some of the fine new referee faces were not asked to take the later games. That Jenny Palmqvist was asked to referee Canada’s final match was not surprising even though she has refereed a number of top matches over the years. Sadly, the experienced referee who took the final had a bad day at the office like the one in the semi-final did. Both refereed well below the standard we have come to expect. Odd.

        • Derrick

          It was definitely a penalty, but seeing as how this official was avoiding giving cards and calling fouls when needed it’s no surprise we didn’t get it. I was also confused by the extra four long minutes she dished out at the end of the match. Should have been 2 tops.

        • NYRick

          Thanks for the insight. Put your ref training to the test for another second: was that a straight red on Nani the other night or did the ref get it wrong.

          Also, Cheney and Abby have become major floppers. They are actually soaking wet when they get up. It’s pathetic. In addition, if Carli played I’m sure a Swedish girl would have been stretchered off. She is borderline dirty.

          • heremerawr

            I missed the game due to personal reasons, but looking at a clip… eh, it’s hard to say. I’d probably go with a yellow, though, personally, since it didn’t seem malicious or intentional, nor did it prevent a blatant goal scoring opportunity.

          • heremerawr

            Just as an add on, I’m not a big fan of straight red cards, unless it’s due to two yellows or prevents an obvious goal scoring opportunity/break away. In referee school we’re taught that a foul that uses “excessive force”, as in overtly malicious, is an automatic red card, but if it isn’t obvious, such as in the case with Nani (I can’t tell whether he did it on purpose or not, although that may be because of the camera angle), then it shouldn’t be a red card, especially since the effects during such a high end game were so devestating.

          • Steglitz49

            Nani’s red card was an example of fine refereeing. More referees need to work to that standard else the Alex Morgans of this world will have their ankles kicked to pieces.

          • heremerawr

            Perhaps you’re right. Again, I missed the match, so I’m unaware of the circumstances leading up to the the red card. However, from the clip I did see, it seemed a bit over the top and a yellow card probably would’ve sufficed in the situation. But then again, I don’t much care for either Real Madrid or ManU, so the decision doesn’t really bother me.

          • Steglitz49

            I sher your view. Man Utd infamously closed its ladies’ division about 6-8 years ago. They transferred the money to their boys’ youth development.

            Chelsea were going to do the same when John Terry, of all people, stepped in and opened his wallet to keep them going. (He had earlier bought the women new track-suits when he learnt that they were getting hand-me-downs.)

            Real also do not have a ladies’ team — the Madrid women play in Atlético’s colors — but Real do have a ladies’ academy.

            Finally, it is rumored that Yuki Ogimi will transfer to Chelsea Ladies. Maybe the thought of playing with her kid sister sucked — even if Yuki is married.

          • necron99

            It is strange to me how many USA fans think Carli is borderline dirty, but will also say Fischer was the woman of the match for Sweden. Sure the slowed down Abby and Alex, but she was persistently aggressive and physical. Worse then Carli.

          • Steglitz49

            Odd how when thing do not work for USA the other side is “persistently aggressive and physical”. Funny that.

      • necron99

        The bigger question is why the refs swallow the cards completely. Fischer had 4 or 5 “professional” tackles to slow down plays that should have been yellow carded. She consistently shoved players to the ground in the box, and yet not one card. Slide tackles into 50/50 balls in the midfield are not straight yellows as hip tosses should be, The USA was the less physical of the teams out there today. In her interviews afterward Pia said that she wanted it to be a bruising physical game. We seem to be moving back towards the mid to late 90s when the Norways and Chinas of the world started fouling Mia to keep the slow the better players down.

        • Don B.

          I’ve certainly noticed an uptick in the number of blatant fouls that are going unpenalized. You mention China, one of the worst offenders. In the four recent matches with the US, they had 10 yellow cards, and should have had 15 or 16, with a couple of reds thrown in. The most obvious blind eye from the ref was the sandwich play on AM with the defender coming nowhere near the ball, but plowing full on.

          And speaking of Alex and her temper, how much is the girl supposed to take? In the rain game against Germany during the victory tour, after a few hard challenges, a German player purposefully ran her cleats down AM’s shin. Alex turned and said something to her that caused several German players’ mouth to drop open, but they played her clean the rest of the match. Yes, teams are going to challenge her hard, but that’s really nothing new – she’s been fairly challenged hard many times. She normally just gets up and keeps going. Lately, it seems that she is the target of overly aggressive, even punishable, challenges.

          China aside, remember Scotland; there were three separate and escalating fouls leading to AM leaving the game with an ankle injury. The first, which began as a fair challenge but turned into shoving contest instigated by the Scottish player. The second, which was an obvious retaliation by a Scottish player not involved in the first, when no play was made on the ball, but with Alex grabbed and spun around. The fouling player was screaming at AM and the original (first) offender was pointing her finger in AM’s face. The ref did nothing. Only when the third foul put AM on the ground did the ref finally issue a yellow card. The whole situation could have been avoided if the ref had taken action sooner.

          I don’t know how many times Fisher today should have been carded, but we only see the obvious and not what goes on away from the camera (and with the quality of the camera crew you really need binoculars to watch the game on your monitor). If Alex took a swing at her, I’m of a mind that she deserved it. Not that I condone it, but sometimes enough is enough. I remember my son, a striker and captain of his high school team, being marked aggressively by a DB. Away from the play and out of sight of the ref, the DB would stand directly behind my son and punch him in the back. Normally very reserved and willing to let his play be his equalizer, he finally had enough and brought his Adidas Predator titanium cleats down on the guy’s instep. That put an end to it. Sometimes you just have to let someone know that they can’t beat on you without payback. I have no problem with that.

          Sooner or later this will need to be addressed by FIFA and the federations. The Chinese, the N. Koreans, the Colombians, and yes, the Tancredis need to be served notice that there is a limit, and a price to be paid for dangerously aggressive and dirty play.

          • heremerawr

            You bring up a lot of good points. I agree that treating AM like a punching bag is unfair and quickly becomes dirty, and the refs are doing nothing to stop it (by the way, good point on the camera angle… the amount of times they zoomed in had me in a near rage, although that might be more a result of game play, lol, who can say?) until it’s far too late. However, I’ve also noticed that when AM loses her temper it disrupts her normally fantastic ability to finish, and that’s something teams are picking up on. Really, it comes down to the refs, as Alex shouldn’t have to retaliate to get people to leave her alone, and I also hope that preventative measures are taken so that we don’t have to worry about AM being wheeled off the field on a stretcher a la Krieger.

        • Steglitz49

          The USA and Canada WNT started to make their size count. It was an obvious tactic. It is not so much fun to be on the receiving end when teams with equally big and powerful players dish it out in full measure in return.

          Maybe one reason the women’s soccer world have taken Japan to heart is their style of play. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the young team that Sasaki brought to the Algarve is on average 5 cm (2 inches) taller than the one who played in London (and, presumably, a couple of kg heavier).

          Women’s soccer took a wrong turning in the London Olympics. Hopefully Euro-13 and the CL final can wipe that image out.

      • Steglitz49

        There is no reason why a top player should accept being fouled. Look at the dark ages in men’s soccer before Colina and Frisk started to clean out the stables and other referees also stepped. At top level the first match where the rules were applied was the 3rd place match in WC-94, and by a totally unknown referee, so Colina and Frisk had forerunners, which maybe made their task easier.

        As you write, until the refs are prepared to deal with USA, nothing will happen except that the violence will escalate. It seems almost as if the refs are not allowed to. In the Olympic final Buehler should have bee sent off and Japan get a penalty (in addition to the one for hands not given).

        Oddly enough, foul play is rare in the NFL, presumably because the game is inherently dangerous. It will be interesting to see how the NWSL pans out.

        • NYRick

          I agree with you on the officiating at OG-12 for the USA matches against both Canada and Japan. It was abysmal.

          First off, in the US-Canada match, it was obvious that Canada’s strategy was to play a brutally physical match (really their only chance) led by their resident in foul play and overall hatchet master, Tancredi. A good ref should have recognized it immediately and spoke to both captains with a severe warning that is was not going to be tolerated. She didn’t and it escalated to embarrassing proportions. The head stomp by Tancredi on Lloyd’s head was one of the most hideous acts I’ve ever seen on a football pitch. She deserves a severe and lengthy ban from international play just for that. If the ref didn’t see it on the pitch, there is obviously replay which FIFA should review after matches too and act accordingly. They didn’t.

          Aside from allowing the unsettling and roughneck play (it really ruined the game in a lot of ways) to continue, the decisions of the 6-second goalie rule and handball in the ball leading to Abby’s tying PK in around the 80th minute were for a lack of a better word, pure incompetence by the referee. As a US soccer fan, I’m embarrassed by that game. Yes, it had the incredible finish and drama with the 123rd minute winner, but I take little pride in that win.

          Then the Japan final was beyond belief poorly officiated and yes, it did severely affect the final result. Blatant handball in the box by Tobin should have been a Japan PK. She was so isolated it was impossible to miss. And the Buehler (as is her penchant when she panics in the box) rugby takedown of the Japan player was straight red and a PK as well. Japan was robbed and it does led to speculation that the US absolutely had to win gold for the formation of the NWSL to occur. It’s as if Japan had to take one for the team for the good of women’s soccer. Not fair, but just calling it like I see it. That does not take away from the grit and resolve of the US team along the way, but they did not deserve gold at OG-12.

          • Steglitz49

            I think you are a bit hard on the USWNT. With two such evenly balanced teams as Japan the result will always be tight. Many, including ego, had expected a USA-France or USA-Gbr final.

            At the same time it was a pity that the last stages of the tournament got shrouded in controversy. It is a curiosity that the Japanese quickly recovered from their disappointment while Canada did not. Maybe when your country has been put through the wringer of an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown, and you are the reigning world-champions, it puts it all into perspective. It also could be a reflection of Miyama’s and Sasaki’s leadership. Probably it was a bit of both.

            Finally, USA taking the gold no doubt helped with the NWSL and because ultimately that will benefit all women playing soccer. Fans do not always appreciate what a tremendous force for good USA has been for the ladies’ game. Long may it continue!

          • heremerawr

            While I wish that the refereeing had been better in the final games, it’s a little unfair to say that the USWNT did not deserve gold. We can’t ever know what may or may not have happened had certain calls been made or not, and the USWNT is not number one in the world for nothing. I like to pretend that even if the correct calls had been made, our team would’ve found a way to make it through. But that could simply be my patriotic delusions coming through lol. I do agree about the Buehler red card, though… I’ll be the first to celebrate when Buehler is no longer on the roster. No offense to her, because she’s a very nice person, but some of the plays she makes… yikes.

          • Steglitz49

            Seeing that I defended the USWNT against NYRick’s strictures, you seem to be preaching to the converted.

            Japan are world champions at least for 2 more years and therefore by definition number one. The last time the Olympics cut any ice in soccer was 1948.

            Let’s trust that ladies’ football will continue to grow and that its finest hour has yet to come. Btw there is a rumor that Yuki Ogimi will move to Chelsea Ladies (the UK women play a summer season)..

          • heremerawr

            My apologies, my resonse was more aimed at NYRick, I wasn’t really thinking when I selected your post to reply to.

    • Don B.

      I’ve just watched the replay of the AM/Fischer incident. Quite frankly, it looks like in rolling over Fischer was going to put her hand down and use Alex’s face to leverage herself up. AM pushed her arm out of the way and one of her hands appeared to catch Fischer in the face. In any case, this has been made into a much bigger deal than it actually was.

  • celia

    Sermanni knows what he is doing with the national team. I like how he is given opportunities to young players. I really don’t see abby wambach, carly lloyd, shannon box,and rampone playing in the 2015 WWC.

  • tigerdee

    Without seeing the game, I still think that Carli Lloyd would have helped the midfield play. When healthy she’s strong, a great shot and can take a beating, which sounds like Sweden was giving our players. I also agree that Press should have been put in much earlier–she’s quality playmaker!! Also heard besides KO, that again Ali Krieger had a strong game at RB. I really don’t see anyone taking KO or AK’s positions away in the near future. Solid backs!

  • sol1711

    in germany has been reported about the victory, against norway, and the final detail.

    kicker, spiegel, bild richtig gucken, dann schreiben 49

  • Steglitz49

    Looking at all these comments it is interesting that no-one seems to be willing to state the obvious, that 1-1 against Sweden was a resounding failure for USA.

    In the comments leading up to the match there were entries about how Press or Morgan would score hat-tricks and so on and so forth. None came to pass. Pride before a fall and counting unhatched chickens, leap to mind. Instead praise is now heaped on a left back. The USA’s lone goal came from a set piece.

    The match against Germany will be the moment of truth, obviously. Let’s trust that the manager will use his winnowing-hook, pruning saw and secateurs liberally. Ring out the old; ring in the new!

    • NYRick

      I kind of agree with you on that since I was one of the people you are referring to and will bitterly eat my crow. The 1-1 result is extremely disappointing, but I expected it as soon as I saw the US lineup. Plus, Pia knows the only way to play the US and have a chance to win is to take AM out of the game. She coached an excellent game. Get in her face, press her buttons with some physicality and get her off her game. In Nilla Fischer she had the perfect girl for the job. Stop AM, you stop the US. It’s beyond obvious. AM is now being double and triple teamed and it shows the severe drop off in Abby’s game that she no longer is able to capitalize when that is happening.

      If the US wants to beat Germany in the final (which I imagine they badly want to do), they need to match Press up front with Alex as the starters. Press is a forward, not a midfielder. A poacher, an opportunist. She will feast on the many opportunities Alex creates, and her game has improved to the extent that she is also ready to properly service and give support to Alex as well for goals. It’s just this BS Chasing Mia record that US soccer is so obsessed with for Abby. Other than a severe injury she will get it by accident during the year. Stop hindering the progress of this team for that stupid record and bring Abby in off the bench in the second half where she’ll be more effective. If she’s this great “team player” like she and everyone claims she is, and that’s all she cares about than she needs to sit for the good of the team. Plus, her fitness out there is pretty embarrasing and she is falling now every time when someone goes near her. It’s as is, she knows her effectiveness is only through set pieces and she now tries to draw as many as possible. Mostly ones even undeserved. And yes, once again yesterday’s result was poor. They got through but were fortunate a lethal striker like Lotta had an off-day in the final third of the pitch. Switch to Press up front with Alex against Germany. No guarantee they’ll win, but it offers in my opinion their best chance. Beat Germany with quickness and skill, not a slow, plodding wrestling match which Germany by the way would love to play against the US. Proper tactics usually win most matches.

      • Steglitz49

        He should also use as many substitutes as he is allowed. Pia used one more than USA and she started substituting earlier. Whatever her reasons, it gave her girls more play time than the US’ substitutes.

        Denmark drew with Germany so it has been done. Mind you, China drew with Sweden but that did not help them much against USA.

        • heremerawr

          Tom Sermanni wants to see players play for the full 90 minutes, that has already been established. It’s simply his coaching style, and now that I understand what he’s doing, I agree with it. How much impact can a player have on the game if they’re coming in in the middle of the second half? How can you assess a player if they come in as a sub in the final fifteen? As you yourself said, the Algarve Cup should be about experimenting, and there is more than one way to experiment. Just because TS doesn’t use a handful of subs every game doesn’t mean he isn’t testing out players. I honestly never would’ve guessed TS would start an untested goalkeeper such as Harris in the game against Sweden… but he did. Sure, there were a lot of the old guard in this game, and yes, the result was disappointing. But have a little more faith in TS, he hasn’t coached the US for 4+ years and is still trying to decide who he wants where and how.

          • Steglitz49

            Being coach of the USWNT sometimes seems a poisoned chalice because everyone knows better than the manager and if the team does not win it is the coach’s fault. I suppose it is not so different from running the Brazilian, German or Italian men’s NT. Like those, the choice seems endless — and now he has the added hassle of several top players taking the foreign coin.

            I think I will stay in my armchair with my coffee and the cat by my side.

  • NYRick

    Let’s talk Tobin Heath. I’m a big fan like I’m sure many of you are of Tobin the person, and her amazing skill set on the soccer pitch. But sometimes, like yesterday’s match against Sweden, she is so invisible and has little impact on the match. And that is baffling when you think of the things she can do out there.

    It seems yesterday she played a center mid position. In theory, this would seem a good spot for her when you take into account her vision and soccer IQ, but she seemed quite lost and bullied for the most part.

    I just think this should start to really be her time. She has a ton of experience with the national team now, and is playing in France too to broaden her horizons and game. But it needs to translate now. She should be one of the most dominant players on the pitch. Often she is not. Anyone have thoughts on why, or feelings on this matter? I fully understand that she is such a fan favorite, a free spirit and everyone loves her. But she should be ready to take on a role as one of the best players in the world now in my opinion. Her skill set and overall athletic body allows for that too. She should be the US’s version of Miyama. She also has a talented forward like AM who she can grow with and excel for years to come. Will it fully happen for Tobin?

    • Kendra

      Tobin can play that attacking CM position well, but it all depends on who she has with her in the other CM position. Boxx doesn’t understand how she plays when she is on and off the ball. Chemistry is very critical. We all saw what she can do with O’Hara on her side when playing outside mid along with the great games she’s had with Morgan. Tobin would play well with Cheney or Averbuch if she is in the CM position. She was off in the game against Sweden.
      Her playing in France will help her decision making, vision, and technical game but at the same time she is still playing mainly at outside mid. Some games she has gone into the deep lying CM position in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but the US doesn’t play a 4-2-3-1 formation like Germany and France so who knows how much help that will be.

      • Steglitz49

        “Tobin is still playing mainly at outside mid” — you do not buy such an expensive player as Ms Heath and play her out of position. The name of the game for PSG is to qualify for the CL, that is claim that second place in the league. Winning the French cup would be icing on the cake.

        If Tobin is prepared to throw in her lot with PSG she could no doubt make it a condition that she be given more varied tasks. For now, qualifying for next season’s CL is the primary objective for PSG.

        • Kendra

          You do if it gets all the players you want on the field at the same time especially if she can play the position. PSG is looking to qualify for CL along with getting to the finals of the Coupe de France Feminine. Even against Lyon I thought she would play there if they wanted to have both Dali (whose been in form as of late) and Asllani on the field. Their coach opted on benching Asllani which was definitely a bad move. With her vision and defensive efforts she can play the position. She wouldn’t necessarily be out of position she played the CM position for UNC her whole senior year. It’s Heath’s versatility that allows her to play any position in the midfield.

          • Steglitz49

            Tobin Heath is an attacking midfielder and provider for the strikers. I nickname her “baronessa” because she is more like Nisse Liedholm than Gunnar Gren. I am not sure what man in the modern game to compare her to — maybe Iniesta but I am not persuaded, and it is trivial anyway because we know Tobin’s caliber.

            As for Asllani being benched, I have not the foggiest. She was, against expectations, left out of Sweden’s 2011 squad where Sweden did famously. Maybe they would have won with Kosse — though Japan’s name was always on that trophy.

            Losing to Lyon was not a disaster but PSG must beat their main rivals Juvisy and Montpellier.

    • heremerawr

      As a big fan of Tobin, I’ll bite. In my humble opinion, one of the best games Tobin has ever had was the first game against Scotland. Why? First of all, she was an outside midfield, which I think is the best place for her… not as a center mid. Secondly, and most importantly, she was on the left side, along with Kelley and Alex. Those three together have fantastic chemistry, far better than anything Pinoe can produce on the left. I mean, for one, they were roommates for a good chunk of the summer, Kelley and Tobin have played together in youth world cups, and, as has been mentioned before, Tobin is well aware of the fact that feeding Alex leads to goals. The trio link well together, and have provided beautiful combinations in the past. They are the core trifecta that make up the left half of the pitch, and should start every game together to continue to build on their already fantastic chemistry. I feel like moving Tobin all over the pitch messes with that, and it boggles my mind when I see Pinoe as the left middy instead, because as good as Pinoe is, she doesn’t have the same connection that Tobin does with Alex and Kelley.

      • Steglitz49

        Your point is well taken. Because Tobin is a left-footed player (which is rarer than being left-handed) her natural position is on the left side of the field. Obviously, if she can develop her right foot then she can play centrally.

        Since I call Alex professoressa I obviously have to start calling Tobin baronessa.

  • Steglitz49

    Denmark is putting about $200k towards its Euro-13 campaign. It is a bit unclear what it covers. Travel expenses are obviously not going to be onerous as the team bus can cross the Öresund bridge or take a ferry to Sweden.

    This shows the precarious budgets that ladies’ soccer operates under. In Algarve, Denmark drew against Germany and Norway but lost against Japan and so is playing a match against Mexico

  • heremerawr

    Let’s talk theoretical for a second. Say when Alex got pulled down in the box we had a penalty. At the time both Boxx and Abby, the two who, in recent memory, have taken PKs, are subbed off. Who do you guys think should’ve taken the PK?

  • NYRick

    Anyone know yet what time the Germany match is on tomorrow (ET time)? Haven’t seen anything yet on PPV.

    • http://twitter.com/BostonRedSoccer Boston Red

      From USSF:

      The USA will play Group A champion Germany in the Algarve Cup Final on
      March 13 with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at Estadio Algarve in
      Faro, Portugal. Fans will be able to watch the clash for the Algarve Cup on TV or online via Pay-Per-View and follow along on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and on
      Twitter @ussoccer_WNT.

      • NYRick

        Thanks! I just saw it not too long ago. It should be a good one. Have to work my schedule around it.