5-Ring Circus: The Olympics Soccer Thread

McBride11

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Jul 15, 2005
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Ruh roh

There is some contact but the Egypt guy is flailing prior

Edit - im cool with that. Having the game decided on that woulda sucked. Ref handled it well
 

67YAZ

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Dec 1, 2000
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Tough to watch Egypt and not wonder what Salah would have done here.
 

67YAZ

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Ya. Why wasnt he one of the overage options. Is he hurt?
Like most Liverpool fans, I was surprised and glad Salah didn’t join the Olympic team. I haven’t heard a good explanation other than Mo wanted to be with Liverpool for a full camp. Which is great for the Reds, but surprising given how passionate Salah is about playing for Egypt. I kind of figured a medal here was his last best chance to win something with them. Maybe the next AFCON? But he’s getting older and the competition is getting tougher.

Edit: I’m sure Mo is going to make a push for WC 2026 qualification.
 
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wonderland

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Jul 20, 2005
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Tomorrow should be great day for the women’s game with 2 compelling match ups.

US-Germany 11am est

Meeting twice in a tournament makes things all the more intense. I don’t expect the US to have the same fast start. This German side is full of hard nosed pros who have played in big matches. They’ll take the embarrassment from last week and use it as fuel.

One great thing about Hayes is that she will launch a surprise in big matches. She done it in the WSL and UCL to great effect. Now Hayes and this squad are still feeling each other out, so maybe not a dramatic formation change, but maybe a new starter and or have Mal & Trin switch sides? There’ll be something.

In the end, Germany employs a direct, athletic style that plays to the US’ strengths. It will be a much closer affair, but I have it as US 2-1 Germany.

Spain-Brazil 2pm est

What an epic upset for Brazil and a massive let down for France. (That has to hurt Renard’s chances for the US gig…I hope.). Brazil will be energized by that win plus Marta’s return. Hell, even Rebecca Andrade winning gold today will get the whole nation dreaming.

But Spain are a quantum leap better than France. They won’t gift away possession so often and be so wasteful near goal. Their movements and tika taka passing make them exhausting to defend. And if you foul them, the best free kick taker in the game, Putellas, steps up.

But we have seen Spain get opened up on the counter and hit on free kicks in this tourney. They can be can be beat by a side that defends tirelessly and counters ruthlessly. I don’t think Brazil have another performance like that in them. Spain 2-0 Brazil.
Heads up the USA game is at NOON est and Spain at 3pm est.
 

67YAZ

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Not enough movement in possession for the US. It’s too easy for Germany to keep shape and shuffle around to keep coverage.

The static possession is especially glaring after watching Spain a few times in this tourney. They are non stop movement.
 

allstonite

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Oct 27, 2010
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Girma is so cool.
It really is like watching VVD. You see a pass going to a dangerous area and look up and see her in perfect position calmly stop the threat and find a pass out of danger. She’s incredible
 

67YAZ

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As Johnny Cash might say, Mal was everywhere, man, Mal was everywhere.

Hold on for 5 more…
 

ThePrideofShiner

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Jul 16, 2005
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In the last 10 minutes of regulation, the ref did one of my least favorite things - called advantage when there wasn't much of an advantage and the foul occurred near the box.

Like don't call advantage when it is 3v3 after our player gets hacked to the ground.
 

Ed Hillel

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Dec 12, 2007
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Here
Surely that was offsides on the header, though. One in the area, one clearly offsides, other probably was.
 

Eastchop

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Jul 31, 2006
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They look tired but got it done. Can’t argue with Emma’s product. I still don’t get it with Horan who looked particularly spent today. Sam Mewis early retirement is makes the all time what might have been list for me. Feels like the Vlatko era was ages ago.
 

67YAZ

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Dec 1, 2000
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Whatever happens in the gold medal game, this has been a success. Hayes has had something like 8 training sessions with the squad, leas than a preseason week in the club game. And they already have more grit, determination, and Trinity Rodman than they did 12 months ago.

Now rest up and go stomp the way to gold. Let’s goooo.
 

67YAZ

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Another huge Brazil miss. Oh my my.

they are just pressing Spain high & hard and Spain look flummoxed.