5-Ring Circus: The Olympics Soccer Thread
- Thread starter Zososoxfan
- Start date
Yeah, basically one side of the bracket gets two group winners and two 3rd place teams, while the other half gets one group winner (which would be the US if they finish first) but all three second place teams.
I mean, when you win one of the four games you play at last year's World Cup en route to a R16 exit, it's hard to point fingers here.
I get it, but the #4 team (Germany) didn't even get out of their group.
5 of the top 6 are in Europe, so they get credit for playing each other a lot. The US ranking when playing anyone in CONCACAF outside of Canada (#8) gets hurt. Next highest in CONCACAF is Mexico at 29.
How much do you want to bet that 3-0-0 Canada will get one of the 3rd seeds and make that side even more unbalanced.
If Canada beats Colombia they'll probably end up coming in second, which will put them on the US side.
Defensive reliability, and become more defensively reliable, respectively. I like Jenna's game a lot offensively, but she is small and she is not super fast and she's not super experienced at fullback.
Dunn's also small, but the other two things are not so much issues for me.
Bump for matchday 3 today.
Group C is underway first, with Spain already through against Egypt, who only needs a draw to advance. I won't be watching but it wouldn't surprise for the first half to be contested by starters followed by emptying the bench in the second half. The other matchup is Dominican Rep. vs. Uzbekistan (gawd I love the Olympics!).
Group B kicks off at 11am and has the terrific 'everyone on 3 points' setup. Argentina plays Ukraine while Morrocco plays Iraq. All 4 teams will have to go for the win!
USA and Group A kickoff at 1pm, with USA-Guinea and France-NZ. France is on 6 points, USA and NZ have 3 each. France should go for points if not an outright win, leaving the US with a good chance to advance to the QFs with a win (assured) or a draw (possibly/likely).
Group D kicks off at 3pm with Japan-Israel and Paraguay-Mali on the schedule. Japan is already through, Paraguay has 3 points, and Israel and Mali sit on 1 point.
Group C is underway first, with Spain already through against Egypt, who only needs a draw to advance. I won't be watching but it wouldn't surprise for the first half to be contested by starters followed by emptying the bench in the second half. The other matchup is Dominican Rep. vs. Uzbekistan (gawd I love the Olympics!).
Group B kicks off at 11am and has the terrific 'everyone on 3 points' setup. Argentina plays Ukraine while Morrocco plays Iraq. All 4 teams will have to go for the win!
USA and Group A kickoff at 1pm, with USA-Guinea and France-NZ. France is on 6 points, USA and NZ have 3 each. France should go for points if not an outright win, leaving the US with a good chance to advance to the QFs with a win (assured) or a draw (possibly/likely).
Group D kicks off at 3pm with Japan-Israel and Paraguay-Mali on the schedule. Japan is already through, Paraguay has 3 points, and Israel and Mali sit on 1 point.
Ukraine getting good chances against Argentina in the first half but neither team can connect. Lots of back and forth action
They are dominating Guinea. Really impressive showing.
2-0 now on a Paredes breakaway fed by Aaronson.
2-0 now on a Paredes breakaway fed by Aaronson.
Paredes is causing all sorts of problems, and his crosses have been fantastic. Just need to cash one in.
Ukraine gave Argentina a big scare in the first half, but really ran out of gas in the second. As Ukraine pushed for a goal, they showed some threat, but their biggest chances came off Argentina turnovers in the final third. Nice finishes from Almada and Echeverri (El Diablito, joining MANC in January) put Argentina thru in second position behind group winner Morrocco.
Morocco up next for USA, that will be a challenge. Although it looks like France-Argentina will be the must see match of next round.
It's unknown. After the New Zealand game, he made comments that made it sound like a return is possible. However, it's a quick timeline for a hamstring, so we'll see.
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Surprised at the lack of rotation for the women given that the US is out of the group stage, but also Hayes has less than 10 matches with the group and maybe thinks the reps are worth it.
Does mean we get to see basically the A-team cook this suspect Aussie defense.
Does mean we get to see basically the A-team cook this suspect Aussie defense.
Wow. Marta has already said that this is her last major international tournament, so this very well could be her final moment in a Brazil jersey. Unbelievable.
Edit: That is a deserved straight red. Her foot came up after the Spanish player's head was already down, even if it was a deep bend to get down to head that ball.
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Lavelle is amazing when she’s healthy. Coughs it up and quickly sprints downfield to win it back