The Soccer Thread

[cl smooth]

espn3 is down, so i can't watch it at work. bummed.

 

is there a radio feed?

[jersey cubs fan]

USA was pressuring for a while, but France has had quite a few chances the last couple minutes.

[shnsajax]

USA was pressuring for a while, but France has had quite a few chances the last couple minutes.

 

France still putting on too much pressure.

 

And they tie it as I type this.

[jersey cubs fan]

USA retake the lead on a corner kick/header from Wambach

[Mark Priors Calves]

Wambach is a beast.

[shnsajax]

Wow, Wambach again 2-1 US.

[jersey cubs fan]

that was pretty

 

3-1

Edited July 13, 2011 by jersey cubs fan

[Mark Priors Calves]

Beautiful, patient finish.

[jersey cubs fan]

The final is going to have huge ratings.

[shnsajax]

The final is going to have huge ratings.

 

Alex Morgan could give Hope Solo a run for her money.

[DiamondMind]

wambach is a beast

[shnsajax]

I believe Brazil is in a must win situation to advance to the quarters. Not sure on the tie breaker rules, but I believe 1 Costa Rica win would trump Brazil's 3 draws should that happen. And unless they have a 3-3 draw they will have less goals scores than Paraguay. Of course expecting this result from Ecuador is a little bit much but Brazil have hardly played great this far. Should they lose they are out regardless.

[Guest]

Wow, Wambach again 2-1 US.

 

Terrible defense on that one. Just like Brazil losing Wambach and giving her a free header, I don't know how you lose her on a corner kick. She's the last player on the team that should be left open.

[shnsajax]

Wow, Wambach again 2-1 US.

 

Terrible defense on that one. Just like Brazil losing Wambach and giving her a free header, I don't know how you lose her on a corner kick. She's the last player on the team that should be left open.

 

Wambach is a mismatch against anyone on Japan, but the US has to do a better job on maintaining possession.

[biittner77]

Do other countries use the ESPN feed for these games? I'm just wondering why American announcers are saying things like "Cheeky" and using the word "pace" to an American audience.

 

Also, Japan has a player named Ono and it took me a while to realize that the PBP guy kept saying Ono instead of oh no.

[Guest]

Do other countries use the ESPN feed for these games? I'm just wondering why American announcers are saying things like "Cheeky" and using the word "pace" to an American audience.

 

Because it's Ian Darke and he's English and those are the words he uses?

[wvcbxl]

Wow, Wambach again 2-1 US.

 

Terrible defense on that one. Just like Brazil losing Wambach and giving her a free header, I don't know how you lose her on a corner kick. She's the last player on the team that should be left open.

 

Wambach is a mismatch against anyone on Japan, but the US has to do a better job on maintaining possession.

 

Surely the US are heavy favourites for the final?

[Banedon]

The final is going to have huge ratings.

 

Alex Morgan could give Hope Solo a run for her money.

 

Alex Morgan wins that contest, imo.

 

Between how much I enjoyed the Men's WC, and now this one...I really need to start watching more soccer....

[Exile on Waveland]

Wow, Wambach again 2-1 US.

 

Terrible defense on that one. Just like Brazil losing Wambach and giving her a free header, I don't know how you lose her on a corner kick. She's the last player on the team that should be left open.

 

Wambach is a mismatch against anyone on Japan, but the US has to do a better job on maintaining possession.

 

Surely the US are heavy favourites for the final?

 

I know next to nothing about Japan -- hell, I'm far from an expert on the US -- but I think they have to be. I hardly knew Japan was good at women's soccer at all coming into the World Cup (though consecutive wins against Germany and Sweden are obviously impressive). I have a hard time believing Japan's midfield will be as skilled/creative and as able to hold possession against the US as France was, and, well, I can't imagine they have anyone to contend with Wambach in the air. But I'm guessing.

[shnsajax]

Wow, Wambach again 2-1 US.

 

Terrible defense on that one. Just like Brazil losing Wambach and giving her a free header, I don't know how you lose her on a corner kick. She's the last player on the team that should be left open.

 

Wambach is a mismatch against anyone on Japan, but the US has to do a better job on maintaining possession.

 

Surely the US are heavy favourites for the final?

 

I would list the US as very slight favorites. Japan is playing the best they have in their history, play very technical and like to control possession. The US didn't respond well to France who was similar but I think they have a little bit more fire power than Japan. The US will play very physical against Japan and play down the wings a whole lot more and try to use their size advantage on crosses and set pieces. If the US can control close to 50% of the possession I think they win fairly easily. Hope Solo could win this game alone too.

[jersey cubs fan]

Do other countries use the ESPN feed for these games? I'm just wondering why American announcers are saying things like "Cheeky" and using the word "pace" to an American audience.

 

Because it's Ian Darke and he's English and those are the words he uses?

 

Plus any American who talks about the sport feels obligated to speak British.

[wolf stansson]

Do other countries use the ESPN feed for these games? I'm just wondering why American announcers are saying things like "Cheeky" and using the word "pace" to an American audience.

 

Because it's Ian Darke and he's English and those are the words he uses?

 

Plus any American who talks about the sport feels obligated to speak British.

It's hard not to use the catchphrases. It fits the sport, it's the short hand we hear when we watch, when we read and when we listen.

[shnsajax]

Do other countries use the ESPN feed for these games? I'm just wondering why American announcers are saying things like "Cheeky" and using the word "pace" to an American audience.

 

Because it's Ian Darke and he's English and those are the words he uses?

 

Plus any American who talks about the sport feels obligated to speak British.

 

I remember Brad Friedel developing an accent just from playing over there.

[Guest]

Wow, Wambach again 2-1 US.

 

Terrible defense on that one. Just like Brazil losing Wambach and giving her a free header, I don't know how you lose her on a corner kick. She's the last player on the team that should be left open.

 

Wambach is a mismatch against anyone on Japan, but the US has to do a better job on maintaining possession.

 

Surely the US are heavy favourites for the final?

 

I know next to nothing about Japan -- hell, I'm far from an expert on the US -- but I think they have to be. I hardly knew Japan was good at women's soccer at all coming into the World Cup (though consecutive wins against Germany and Sweden are obviously impressive). I have a hard time believing Japan's midfield will be as skilled/creative and as able to hold possession against the US as France was, and, well, I can't imagine they have anyone to contend with Wambach in the air. But I'm guessing.

 

Germany had some pretty tall players and Japan was able to shut them out so I'd expect them to have a good plan to deal with Wambach as well. That's not to say it will work, but I don't see her getting many free headers on Sunday.

 

I agree with shnsajax in that I'd put the US as a slight favorite. Any team that knocks off Germany and Sweden in consecutive rounds has to be considered a legit team and I wouldn't be surprised if Japan won.

[wolf stansson]

I have a hard time believing Japan's midfield will be as skilled/creative and as able to hold possession against the US

They're maybe the most skilled midfield in the tournament. They're possession has been their strength.