Women's World Cup 2019

bankshot1

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Feb 12, 2003
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where I was last at
I sense/fear the Dutch are using a modified rope-a-dope strategy, taking a lot of US shots, none landing and then waiting for the US to let down/tire and then to land their own kill shot.
 

Cellar-Door

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Aug 1, 2006
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I wonder if this is the last hurrah for the dominance of the USWNT. The European nations in particular are actually investing in the sport, and their superior training styles and coaching structures is becoming apparent. The USWNT is still physically dominant, but on a technical level several squads in the this WWC were probably better, and tactically they get thoroughly out-coached consistently. Feels like pretty quickly Women's soccer is going to be a whole lot more competitive, and like the USMNT, the USSF is going to have to really invest in better coaching outreach and structures at the youth level if they want to continue to dominate.
 

Cellar-Door

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Aug 1, 2006
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I sense/fear the Dutch are using a modified rope-a-dope strategy, taking a lot of US shots, none landing and then waiting for the US to let down/tire and then to land their own kill shot.
They're definitely trying to play a counter game, and their defensive tactics have been strong, forcing everything out to the wings forces the US into lower probability chances.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
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Dec 16, 2010
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I sense/fear the Dutch are using a modified rope-a-dope strategy, taking a lot of US shots, none landing and then waiting for the US to let down/tire and then to land their own kill shot.
I'm not sure the US is going to tire---they mentioned earlier the Dutch players had played a lot more minutes.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
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Dec 16, 2010
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Tough angle to see her, but Rapinoe had Lavelle with a late run at top of box.
 

lars10

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Jul 31, 2007
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I sense/fear the Dutch are using a modified rope-a-dope strategy, taking a lot of US shots, none landing and then waiting for the US to let down/tire and then to land their own kill shot.
What team would ever allow this many shots on goal as a strategy??
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
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Dec 16, 2010
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Rapinoe doesn't have it today. She's still good enough to obviously pull off a moment of brilliance, but for a consistent threat, Press should come in.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
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Rapinoe doesn't have it today. She's still good enough to obviously pull off a moment of brilliance, but for a consistent threat, Press should come in.
Not sure if need Press' speed or Horan's size more. Either one now please.
 

Cellar-Door

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Aug 1, 2006
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The USWNT is a far superior side, they have a speed advantage at basically every position. This is pretty classic park the bus and counter out strategy. The thing is... that strategy often fails because you give up too many good shots, but so do most strategies against superior sides, playing too open often leads to a multi-goal avalanche. The Dutch are playing like they are a Championship side that drew Man City in the FA cup, congest things up, take away their speed advantage, then push late in each half to try to get a goal.