Only allowed 2 shots on goal in the tournament.I don’t understand the US acting like they’re happy with their play and they’re proud of themselves. They massively underperformed.
Proud of the defensive effort, sure. The finishing was atrocious.Only allowed 2 shots on goal in the tournament.
Agree Wiegman would be excellent.The US is qualified for the Olympics. (Jamaica & Canada have a 2 legged playoff for the second spot coming up next month.)
Historically, the Olympics has been a run-it-back tournamentf for the US, but that needs to change now. They need a new manager who is empowered to experiment in that tournament to find what works. @Eastchop’s Harvey suggestion is a good one. I think Sarah Wiegman one of the best managers in the world (men and women) and would pay whatever it takes to pry her from England. She’s really reshape the entire program.
I've never felt that the US Women would play for a tie or for PKs... until this manager. Felt like regressive tactics all tournament.. and the lack of subs and adjustments to offensive strategy were equally uninspired. Even with that the US had a chance to progress twice on PKs and failed which is incredibly unlikely/unlucky.. so they could have won even with the coaching they got.Agree Wiegman would be excellent.
And fwiw I was kind of joking with my ‘run it back’ comment. Like- outside of these several major changes starting with a complete change in coaching/leadership, yeah they’ve got a lot of talent…
Which, they do. Jill Ellis had her issues but she takes this team another round at least. I am certainly not suggesting they revisit that. Just saying coaching was a major issue and should be the first upgrade.
Players get to the level they’re at with psychotic confidence, that’s why it’s up to the manager to make those calls.My perception was that Rapinoe’s inclusion was for her leadership and experience, as well as a somewhat honorary sendoff. Maybe I’m way off base. I’m disappointed that somebody with Rapinoe’s experience and winning mentality couldn’t put the team first and admit that she wasn’t up for it (since her manager was incapable of making blindingly obvious decisions). She was an absolute boat anchor with the ball in play. There’s an argument that her set piece delivery could make up for that, but she was below replacement in that department as well. Just an awful way for her to end her sparkling national career, with an inexcusable penalty as the cherry on the shit sundae.
I’m trying to think of a worse penalty display by a good team. Maybe Spain on the men’s side? They weren’t as talented relative to the field, however. Very disappointing stuff.
He joins several USMNT coaches in making really dumb decisions at the World Cup.. both teams need better managers..Players get to the level they’re at with psychotic confidence, that’s why it’s up to the manager to make those calls.
It was very strange for Vlatko to lose confidence in a huge chunk of his bench seemingly as soon as the plane landed (Thompson, Sanchez, Cook), given that they were all in the mix as late as the sendoff.
He really should have either lost confidence in them months ago when he could adjust the roster, or never so we could substitute effectively. He picked the absolute worst time to do it.
At least on the men’s side these decisions have often come with a healthy dose of talent deficit (until Qatar although there were still serious depth issues).He joins several USMNT coaches in making really dumb decisions at the World Cup.. both teams need better managers..
fatal flaw decisionI don't want her in the first five PK takers, but I'm guessing she is.
Harsh, but totally fair for a Canadian.To me this is like YED.
I hate when overdogs win, and happy to see them lose
Being half Swedish and half Norwegian..born in the US.. I'm hoping the Swedes are able to win.I’m for any first time winner, though Spain would be mixed feelings. I’d be happy for the players but feel disgusted that the manager and FA would also claim credit.
Shades of David Beckham vs ArgentinaJames may be going off for stepping on her opponent while getting up. VAR checking to see if her yellow will turn to red. And she's OUT! England will play with ten for the rest of the match.
Sadly there are going to racist comments too, remember what happened after Saka, Sancho, Rashford missed penalties in the Euro 2020 finals.If England go out the tabloids are gonna have a field day. They love a hero to villain narrative.
Good thing Lauren James has a really good support network. I'm not excusing the play, it is what it is, but we've seen it before.
As an Italian-American (half), the obligatory "Too Soon"Baggio
Hasn't been that easy over the past two days.Pick a spot and smash it.
The net looks enormous until you're standing in front of it in those situations. One moment of hesitation or doubt and its over.Pick a spot and smash it.
If so, they are succeeding spectacularly.Seems like modern coaching theory for penalties is to tell the player to take a deep breath, pick a spot, overthink it, change the decision during the run up, flop between precision and pace, and blow it spectacularly.
I'd be interested in seeing success rates for penalties in major tournaments (club and country) year by year. See if they've gone up or down. My impression of the statistics is that the success rate has gone up, but my subjective impression watching is that they've gone down.Seems like modern coaching theory for penalties is to tell the player to take a deep breath, pick a spot, overthink it, change the decision during the run up, flop between precision and pace, and blow it spectacularly.