Women’s World Cup

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread is about the World Cup - right?

As in athletes performing in games, right?

Pointing fingers at the fictiocious boggie man may be good for headlines - but it doesn't fix anything.

They need to own this. This is not a US soccer problem or a youth soccer problem. It's a team and player problem.

They are the best funded women's national program in the world....but you wouldn't know that

Your message is kind of contradictory. What exactly do you think that "funding" goes towards? Do you think these "athletes performing in games" just pop up out of nowhere?

You're taking this personal. They are a well funded and supported squad. Perhaps the most looked after of all teams. Their performance has to do with them - nothing else.

Lol, not taking this personally at all. You're just not comprehending or making much sense.

The players and their coach are at fault. No one else. Hope that gets my point across.

So you've added the coach now? Making progress...

You'll eventually get there.

DP the coach has been questioned for a long time. It’s pretty common knowledge for anyone who follows the game a little bit. Obviously that is not you.

Read the thread before you make dumb comments.

You have cornered the dumb comments on this thread and most likely in life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thread is about the World Cup - right?

As in athletes performing in games, right?

Pointing fingers at the fictiocious boggie man may be good for headlines - but it doesn't fix anything.

They need to own this. This is not a US soccer problem or a youth soccer problem. It's a team and player problem.

They are the best funded women's national program in the world....but you wouldn't know that

Your message is kind of contradictory. What exactly do you think that "funding" goes towards? Do you think these "athletes performing in games" just pop up out of nowhere?

You're taking this personal. They are a well funded and supported squad. Perhaps the most looked after of all teams. Their performance has to do with them - nothing else.

Lol, not taking this personally at all. You're just not comprehending or making much sense.

The players and their coach are at fault. No one else. Hope that gets my point across.

So you've added the coach now? Making progress...

You'll eventually get there.

DP the coach has been questioned for a long time. It’s pretty common knowledge for anyone who follows the game a little bit. Obviously that is not you.

Read the thread before you make dumb comments.

You have cornered the dumb comments on this thread and most likely in life.

Everyone knows Vlatko is a problem, quit acting like you're bringing some genius insight. Slow. Down. And. Read. The. Thread.

[Anonymous]

Wow! This morning's matches were nail-biters. I don't think anyone envisioned Germany getting bounced this early, especially when you looked at the strength of the group based on rankings. Now Germany, Brazil, and Canada are all out - Morocco, Jamaica, and South Africa move on. Watching the German women's tears and utter disbelief at this outcome should make US fans appreciate the fact that their team was able to make it through.

The images of the Moroccan players and coaches watching the end of the Germany game and then celebrating their remarkable achievement were incredible. I was crying right along with them, just as I did yesterday watching the Reggae Girls celebrate their own history-making advancement to the knockout round. All of this is what makes the WC so special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow! This morning's matches were nail-biters. I don't think anyone envisioned Germany getting bounced this early, especially when you looked at the strength of the group based on rankings. Now Germany, Brazil, and Canada are all out - Morocco, Jamaica, and South Africa move on. Watching the German women's tears and utter disbelief at this outcome should make US fans appreciate the fact that their team was able to make it through.

The images of the Moroccan players and coaches watching the end of the Germany game and then celebrating their remarkable achievement were incredible. I was crying right along with them, just as I did yesterday watching the Reggae Girls celebrate their own history-making advancement to the knockout round. All of this is what makes the WC so special.

Incredible final day of group matches. I can't think of many sporting events that rival the drama of the last group games of World Cups. What a day for Morocco in the same year that their men's team made history. First ever Arab nation to qualify for the women's WC goes through at the expense of one of the top teams in the world, who they had lost to by 6 goals in the first game. But they beat Korea and Colombia and Germany couldn't. A bit lucky against Colombia but they defended well and looked dangerous on the break. The draw ended up working out well for them as it's always easier to play the top team in the group in the last game.

Hard to pinpoint what went so wrong for Germany. Apparently there were lots of injuries so some of their best players have been playing out of position. But no team is ever at its ideal full strength through a WC, making it as much a test of a team's depth as it is of quality. Clearly, their finishing and combination play in the attacking third weren't good enough in the last 2 games. An awful year for German soccer, with the women, then men and the Under-21 men all falling at the group stage of world cups. I (and many Germans I am told) wonder whether in turning their teams (both women and men at all levels) into attack-minded units with highly technical players, they have somehow lost their defensive mojo.

The fate of Germany, Brazil and Canada also helps add some perspective to the US team's showing so far. This is not the women's game of the 1990s or even 2000s, when the top teams would sail through the group stage. The gaps between national teams have closed dramatically as the game has gone global (most teams have at least a few players playing for top clubs with players from the top teams). This is the way it goes in the men's WC and it's fantastic to see the women's game go in that direction. Clear proof of the extent of growth of the sport worldwide. Soccer fans like us love it. This also means that top teams and their fans need to adjust their expectations. Put aside the arrogance of expecting to win, stop incessantly talking about the irrelevant past (thereby increasing the pressure on your players), and celebrate the hard-earned successes. For all you know, what you interpret as your team not playing as well as their predecessors could just be that the opponents are playing much better. And stop insulting other teams (such as US should "rest" players because Portugal is not a good team).

The US haven't been playing too well, but to give credit where it's due, the defense has held firm as a team, with just 1 goal conceded so far and few shots on their goal. Defense is not just the CBs, it's the team as a whole and shows the commitment and organization of players. Teams that defend well can go far in the knockout stages of a tournament like this. This has been proved over and over again in the men's tournament, and as the quality of teams converge in the women's game, it will be true for this WC as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! This morning's matches were nail-biters. I don't think anyone envisioned Germany getting bounced this early, especially when you looked at the strength of the group based on rankings. Now Germany, Brazil, and Canada are all out - Morocco, Jamaica, and South Africa move on. Watching the German women's tears and utter disbelief at this outcome should make US fans appreciate the fact that their team was able to make it through.

The images of the Moroccan players and coaches watching the end of the Germany game and then celebrating their remarkable achievement were incredible. I was crying right along with them, just as I did yesterday watching the Reggae Girls celebrate their own history-making advancement to the knockout round. All of this is what makes the WC so special.

Incredible final day of group matches. I can't think of many sporting events that rival the drama of the last group games of World Cups. What a day for Morocco in the same year that their men's team made history. First ever Arab nation to qualify for the women's WC goes through at the expense of one of the top teams in the world, who they had lost to by 6 goals in the first game. But they beat Korea and Colombia and Germany couldn't. A bit lucky against Colombia but they defended well and looked dangerous on the break. The draw ended up working out well for them as it's always easier to play the top team in the group in the last game.

Hard to pinpoint what went so wrong for Germany. Apparently there were lots of injuries so some of their best players have been playing out of position. But no team is ever at its ideal full strength through a WC, making it as much a test of a team's depth as it is of quality. Clearly, their finishing and combination play in the attacking third weren't good enough in the last 2 games. An awful year for German soccer, with the women, then men and the Under-21 men all falling at the group stage of world cups. I (and many Germans I am told) wonder whether in turning their teams (both women and men at all levels) into attack-minded units with highly technical players, they have somehow lost their defensive mojo.

The fate of Germany, Brazil and Canada also helps add some perspective to the US team's showing so far. This is not the women's game of the 1990s or even 2000s, when the top teams would sail through the group stage. The gaps between national teams have closed dramatically as the game has gone global (most teams have at least a few players playing for top clubs with players from the top teams). This is the way it goes in the men's WC and it's fantastic to see the women's game go in that direction. Clear proof of the extent of growth of the sport worldwide. Soccer fans like us love it. This also means that top teams and their fans need to adjust their expectations. Put aside the arrogance of expecting to win, stop incessantly talking about the irrelevant past (thereby increasing the pressure on your players), and celebrate the hard-earned successes. For all you know, what you interpret as your team not playing as well as their predecessors could just be that the opponents are playing much better. And stop insulting other teams (such as US should "rest" players because Portugal is not a good team).

The US haven't been playing too well, but to give credit where it's due, the defense has held firm as a team, with just 1 goal conceded so far and few shots on their goal. Defense is not just the CBs, it's the team as a whole and shows the commitment and organization of players. Teams that defend well can go far in the knockout stages of a tournament like this. This has been proved over and over again in the men's tournament, and as the quality of teams converge in the women's game, it will be true for this WC as well.

These two posts are excellent. I couldn’t agree more. Hopefully some of the people who come on here to tear down the USWNT, rip into the federation, the players, or how the US develops its future USWNT players, etc etc will remember that three of the top 10 women’s teams failed to get out of the group stage, and that one of them - Germany - has a rich tradition of excellence in women’s soccer and is regularly included as an example in that argument about how “European development of female youth players is superior to the US.” As the Germans just showed us by failing to advance from one of the easier groups in this World Cup, the gap is closing between the historic powers and the rest of the world, and there is no “one way” to achieve success for a women’s national team. How else to explain minnows with no funding or development to speak of - like Morocco, Jamaica, South Africa and Nigeria - advancing at the expense of countries like Germany, Canada, etc etc. There are no simple or “one size fits all” answers that explain why each of these nations succeeded, or failed, in this WC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! This morning's matches were nail-biters. I don't think anyone envisioned Germany getting bounced this early, especially when you looked at the strength of the group based on rankings. Now Germany, Brazil, and Canada are all out - Morocco, Jamaica, and South Africa move on. Watching the German women's tears and utter disbelief at this outcome should make US fans appreciate the fact that their team was able to make it through.

The images of the Moroccan players and coaches watching the end of the Germany game and then celebrating their remarkable achievement were incredible. I was crying right along with them, just as I did yesterday watching the Reggae Girls celebrate their own history-making advancement to the knockout round. All of this is what makes the WC so special.

Incredible final day of group matches. I can't think of many sporting events that rival the drama of the last group games of World Cups. What a day for Morocco in the same year that their men's team made history. First ever Arab nation to qualify for the women's WC goes through at the expense of one of the top teams in the world, who they had lost to by 6 goals in the first game. But they beat Korea and Colombia and Germany couldn't. A bit lucky against Colombia but they defended well and looked dangerous on the break. The draw ended up working out well for them as it's always easier to play the top team in the group in the last game.

Hard to pinpoint what went so wrong for Germany. Apparently there were lots of injuries so some of their best players have been playing out of position. But no team is ever at its ideal full strength through a WC, making it as much a test of a team's depth as it is of quality. Clearly, their finishing and combination play in the attacking third weren't good enough in the last 2 games. An awful year for German soccer, with the women, then men and the Under-21 men all falling at the group stage of world cups. I (and many Germans I am told) wonder whether in turning their teams (both women and men at all levels) into attack-minded units with highly technical players, they have somehow lost their defensive mojo.

The fate of Germany, Brazil and Canada also helps add some perspective to the US team's showing so far. This is not the women's game of the 1990s or even 2000s, when the top teams would sail through the group stage. The gaps between national teams have closed dramatically as the game has gone global (most teams have at least a few players playing for top clubs with players from the top teams). This is the way it goes in the men's WC and it's fantastic to see the women's game go in that direction. Clear proof of the extent of growth of the sport worldwide. Soccer fans like us love it. This also means that top teams and their fans need to adjust their expectations. Put aside the arrogance of expecting to win, stop incessantly talking about the irrelevant past (thereby increasing the pressure on your players), and celebrate the hard-earned successes. For all you know, what you interpret as your team not playing as well as their predecessors could just be that the opponents are playing much better. And stop insulting other teams (such as US should "rest" players because Portugal is not a good team).

The US haven't been playing too well, but to give credit where it's due, the defense has held firm as a team, with just 1 goal conceded so far and few shots on their goal. Defense is not just the CBs, it's the team as a whole and shows the commitment and organization of players. Teams that defend well can go far in the knockout stages of a tournament like this. This has been proved over and over again in the men's tournament, and as the quality of teams converge in the women's game, it will be true for this WC as well.

These two posts are excellent. I couldn’t agree more. Hopefully some of the people who come on here to tear down the USWNT, rip into the federation, the players, or how the US develops its future USWNT players, etc etc will remember that three of the top 10 women’s teams failed to get out of the group stage, and that one of them - Germany - has a rich tradition of excellence in women’s soccer and is regularly included as an example in that argument about how “European development of female youth players is superior to the US.” As the Germans just showed us by failing to advance from one of the easier groups in this World Cup, the gap is closing between the historic powers and the rest of the world, and there is no “one way” to achieve success for a women’s national team. How else to explain minnows with no funding or development to speak of - like Morocco, Jamaica, South Africa and Nigeria - advancing at the expense of countries like Germany, Canada, etc etc. There are no simple or “one size fits all” answers that explain why each of these nations succeeded, or failed, in this WC.

Agree!!! We should be celebrating the rise of so many women's teams. I'd be a lot happier if the US were playing like we know they can and should (and honestly they are getting terrible coaching) but it's so awesome to see these other women's programs catch up to the big dawgs.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs and just have to add that seeing Marta and Christine Sinclair leave the pitch with tears in their eyes was tough to watch. But SO much fun to see some of the first timers show what they’re capable of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PPs and just have to add that seeing Marta and Christine Sinclair leave the pitch with tears in their eyes was tough to watch. But SO much fun to see some of the first timers show what they’re capable of.

It was difficult to watch. However, the exchange between Bunny Shaw and Marta was literally everything. It was old guard and new showing respect and appreciation for each other. So moving!

[Anonymous]

Without writing a dissertation - tell me how the coach is to blame

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! This morning's matches were nail-biters. I don't think anyone envisioned Germany getting bounced this early, especially when you looked at the strength of the group based on rankings. Now Germany, Brazil, and Canada are all out - Morocco, Jamaica, and South Africa move on. Watching the German women's tears and utter disbelief at this outcome should make US fans appreciate the fact that their team was able to make it through.

The images of the Moroccan players and coaches watching the end of the Germany game and then celebrating their remarkable achievement were incredible. I was crying right along with them, just as I did yesterday watching the Reggae Girls celebrate their own history-making advancement to the knockout round. All of this is what makes the WC so special.

Incredible final day of group matches. I can't think of many sporting events that rival the drama of the last group games of World Cups. What a day for Morocco in the same year that their men's team made history. First ever Arab nation to qualify for the women's WC goes through at the expense of one of the top teams in the world, who they had lost to by 6 goals in the first game. But they beat Korea and Colombia and Germany couldn't. A bit lucky against Colombia but they defended well and looked dangerous on the break. The draw ended up working out well for them as it's always easier to play the top team in the group in the last game.

Hard to pinpoint what went so wrong for Germany. Apparently there were lots of injuries so some of their best players have been playing out of position. But no team is ever at its ideal full strength through a WC, making it as much a test of a team's depth as it is of quality. Clearly, their finishing and combination play in the attacking third weren't good enough in the last 2 games. An awful year for German soccer, with the women, then men and the Under-21 men all falling at the group stage of world cups. I (and many Germans I am told) wonder whether in turning their teams (both women and men at all levels) into attack-minded units with highly technical players, they have somehow lost their defensive mojo.

The fate of Germany, Brazil and Canada also helps add some perspective to the US team's showing so far. This is not the women's game of the 1990s or even 2000s, when the top teams would sail through the group stage. The gaps between national teams have closed dramatically as the game has gone global (most teams have at least a few players playing for top clubs with players from the top teams). This is the way it goes in the men's WC and it's fantastic to see the women's game go in that direction. Clear proof of the extent of growth of the sport worldwide. Soccer fans like us love it. This also means that top teams and their fans need to adjust their expectations. Put aside the arrogance of expecting to win, stop incessantly talking about the irrelevant past (thereby increasing the pressure on your players), and celebrate the hard-earned successes. For all you know, what you interpret as your team not playing as well as their predecessors could just be that the opponents are playing much better. And stop insulting other teams (such as US should "rest" players because Portugal is not a good team).

The US haven't been playing too well, but to give credit where it's due, the defense has held firm as a team, with just 1 goal conceded so far and few shots on their goal. Defense is not just the CBs, it's the team as a whole and shows the commitment and organization of players. Teams that defend well can go far in the knockout stages of a tournament like this. This has been proved over and over again in the men's tournament, and as the quality of teams converge in the women's game, it will be true for this WC as well.

These two posts are excellent. I couldn’t agree more. Hopefully some of the people who come on here to tear down the USWNT, rip into the federation, the players, or how the US develops its future USWNT players, etc etc will remember that three of the top 10 women’s teams failed to get out of the group stage, and that one of them - Germany - has a rich tradition of excellence in women’s soccer and is regularly included as an example in that argument about how “European development of female youth players is superior to the US.” As the Germans just showed us by failing to advance from one of the easier groups in this World Cup, the gap is closing between the historic powers and the rest of the world, and there is no “one way” to achieve success for a women’s national team. How else to explain minnows with no funding or development to speak of - like Morocco, Jamaica, South Africa and Nigeria - advancing at the expense of countries like Germany, Canada, etc etc. There are no simple or “one size fits all” answers that explain why each of these nations succeeded, or failed, in this WC.

Agree!!! We should be celebrating the rise of so many women's teams. I'd be a lot happier if the US were playing like we know they can and should (and honestly they are getting terrible coaching) but it's so awesome to see these other women's programs catch up to the big dawgs.

US can take some credit for some of the success of these teams as many players have dual citizenship and train in the US and play for US colleges. I think it’s something we can be very proud of!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! This morning's matches were nail-biters. I don't think anyone envisioned Germany getting bounced this early, especially when you looked at the strength of the group based on rankings. Now Germany, Brazil, and Canada are all out - Morocco, Jamaica, and South Africa move on. Watching the German women's tears and utter disbelief at this outcome should make US fans appreciate the fact that their team was able to make it through.

The images of the Moroccan players and coaches watching the end of the Germany game and then celebrating their remarkable achievement were incredible. I was crying right along with them, just as I did yesterday watching the Reggae Girls celebrate their own history-making advancement to the knockout round. All of this is what makes the WC so special.

Incredible final day of group matches. I can't think of many sporting events that rival the drama of the last group games of World Cups. What a day for Morocco in the same year that their men's team made history. First ever Arab nation to qualify for the women's WC goes through at the expense of one of the top teams in the world, who they had lost to by 6 goals in the first game. But they beat Korea and Colombia and Germany couldn't. A bit lucky against Colombia but they defended well and looked dangerous on the break. The draw ended up working out well for them as it's always easier to play the top team in the group in the last game.

Hard to pinpoint what went so wrong for Germany. Apparently there were lots of injuries so some of their best players have been playing out of position. But no team is ever at its ideal full strength through a WC, making it as much a test of a team's depth as it is of quality. Clearly, their finishing and combination play in the attacking third weren't good enough in the last 2 games. An awful year for German soccer, with the women, then men and the Under-21 men all falling at the group stage of world cups. I (and many Germans I am told) wonder whether in turning their teams (both women and men at all levels) into attack-minded units with highly technical players, they have somehow lost their defensive mojo.

The fate of Germany, Brazil and Canada also helps add some perspective to the US team's showing so far. This is not the women's game of the 1990s or even 2000s, when the top teams would sail through the group stage. The gaps between national teams have closed dramatically as the game has gone global (most teams have at least a few players playing for top clubs with players from the top teams). This is the way it goes in the men's WC and it's fantastic to see the women's game go in that direction. Clear proof of the extent of growth of the sport worldwide. Soccer fans like us love it. This also means that top teams and their fans need to adjust their expectations. Put aside the arrogance of expecting to win, stop incessantly talking about the irrelevant past (thereby increasing the pressure on your players), and celebrate the hard-earned successes. For all you know, what you interpret as your team not playing as well as their predecessors could just be that the opponents are playing much better. And stop insulting other teams (such as US should "rest" players because Portugal is not a good team).

The US haven't been playing too well, but to give credit where it's due, the defense has held firm as a team, with just 1 goal conceded so far and few shots on their goal. Defense is not just the CBs, it's the team as a whole and shows the commitment and organization of players. Teams that defend well can go far in the knockout stages of a tournament like this. This has been proved over and over again in the men's tournament, and as the quality of teams converge in the women's game, it will be true for this WC as well.

These two posts are excellent. I couldn’t agree more. Hopefully some of the people who come on here to tear down the USWNT, rip into the federation, the players, or how the US develops its future USWNT players, etc etc will remember that three of the top 10 women’s teams failed to get out of the group stage, and that one of them - Germany - has a rich tradition of excellence in women’s soccer and is regularly included as an example in that argument about how “European development of female youth players is superior to the US.” As the Germans just showed us by failing to advance from one of the easier groups in this World Cup, the gap is closing between the historic powers and the rest of the world, and there is no “one way” to achieve success for a women’s national team. How else to explain minnows with no funding or development to speak of - like Morocco, Jamaica, South Africa and Nigeria - advancing at the expense of countries like Germany, Canada, etc etc. There are no simple or “one size fits all” answers that explain why each of these nations succeeded, or failed, in this WC.

Agree!!! We should be celebrating the rise of so many women's teams. I'd be a lot happier if the US were playing like we know they can and should (and honestly they are getting terrible coaching) but it's so awesome to see these other women's programs catch up to the big dawgs.

US can take some credit for some of the success of these teams as many players have dual citizenship and train in the US and play for US colleges. I think it’s something we can be very proud of!!!!

Bingo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! This morning's matches were nail-biters. I don't think anyone envisioned Germany getting bounced this early, especially when you looked at the strength of the group based on rankings. Now Germany, Brazil, and Canada are all out - Morocco, Jamaica, and South Africa move on. Watching the German women's tears and utter disbelief at this outcome should make US fans appreciate the fact that their team was able to make it through.

The images of the Moroccan players and coaches watching the end of the Germany game and then celebrating their remarkable achievement were incredible. I was crying right along with them, just as I did yesterday watching the Reggae Girls celebrate their own history-making advancement to the knockout round. All of this is what makes the WC so special.

Incredible final day of group matches. I can't think of many sporting events that rival the drama of the last group games of World Cups. What a day for Morocco in the same year that their men's team made history. First ever Arab nation to qualify for the women's WC goes through at the expense of one of the top teams in the world, who they had lost to by 6 goals in the first game. But they beat Korea and Colombia and Germany couldn't. A bit lucky against Colombia but they defended well and looked dangerous on the break. The draw ended up working out well for them as it's always easier to play the top team in the group in the last game.

Hard to pinpoint what went so wrong for Germany. Apparently there were lots of injuries so some of their best players have been playing out of position. But no team is ever at its ideal full strength through a WC, making it as much a test of a team's depth as it is of quality. Clearly, their finishing and combination play in the attacking third weren't good enough in the last 2 games. An awful year for German soccer, with the women, then men and the Under-21 men all falling at the group stage of world cups. I (and many Germans I am told) wonder whether in turning their teams (both women and men at all levels) into attack-minded units with highly technical players, they have somehow lost their defensive mojo.

The fate of Germany, Brazil and Canada also helps add some perspective to the US team's showing so far. This is not the women's game of the 1990s or even 2000s, when the top teams would sail through the group stage. The gaps between national teams have closed dramatically as the game has gone global (most teams have at least a few players playing for top clubs with players from the top teams). This is the way it goes in the men's WC and it's fantastic to see the women's game go in that direction. Clear proof of the extent of growth of the sport worldwide. Soccer fans like us love it. This also means that top teams and their fans need to adjust their expectations. Put aside the arrogance of expecting to win, stop incessantly talking about the irrelevant past (thereby increasing the pressure on your players), and celebrate the hard-earned successes. For all you know, what you interpret as your team not playing as well as their predecessors could just be that the opponents are playing much better. And stop insulting other teams (such as US should "rest" players because Portugal is not a good team).

The US haven't been playing too well, but to give credit where it's due, the defense has held firm as a team, with just 1 goal conceded so far and few shots on their goal. Defense is not just the CBs, it's the team as a whole and shows the commitment and organization of players. Teams that defend well can go far in the knockout stages of a tournament like this. This has been proved over and over again in the men's tournament, and as the quality of teams converge in the women's game, it will be true for this WC as well.

These two posts are excellent. I couldn’t agree more. Hopefully some of the people who come on here to tear down the USWNT, rip into the federation, the players, or how the US develops its future USWNT players, etc etc will remember that three of the top 10 women’s teams failed to get out of the group stage, and that one of them - Germany - has a rich tradition of excellence in women’s soccer and is regularly included as an example in that argument about how “European development of female youth players is superior to the US.” As the Germans just showed us by failing to advance from one of the easier groups in this World Cup, the gap is closing between the historic powers and the rest of the world, and there is no “one way” to achieve success for a women’s national team. How else to explain minnows with no funding or development to speak of - like Morocco, Jamaica, South Africa and Nigeria - advancing at the expense of countries like Germany, Canada, etc etc. There are no simple or “one size fits all” answers that explain why each of these nations succeeded, or failed, in this WC.

Agree!!! We should be celebrating the rise of so many women's teams. I'd be a lot happier if the US were playing like we know they can and should (and honestly they are getting terrible coaching) but it's so awesome to see these other women's programs catch up to the big dawgs.

US can take some credit for some of the success of these teams as many players have dual citizenship and train in the US and play for US colleges. I think it’s something we can be very proud of!!!!

PP with the long post above. Couldn't agree more with this poster. US can take a lot of credit for the development of the game worldwide. Not just for the pipeline of players in colleges and clubs here who end up playing for many different countries, but also for our women being the "pioneers" of soccer in many ways. In the country I am originally from, little girls like my cousins grew up loving and playing soccer, but seeing no future in it because noone seemed to care and any attempt to promote women's soccer would be shouted down by hordes of beer-swilling misogynists with exclusive claim to football fanhood. This is changing so quickly, and the generations of proud, athletic, badass American players (along with an increasing number from other countries) have a lot to do with that. US women and our system, along with Title IX, have been important for the growth of women's soccer worldwide. This means we won't win so often any more and must get better, but so many ways we can be proud.

[Anonymous]

At the end of the day, it’s a lack of quality that is the problem…and has been a problem, even when the results were there. It’s the same issue on the men’s side and with MLS - unbelievable that there were knuckleheads who thought Messi would struggle in MLS. We desperately need better development and a stronger technical focus from youth to the highest levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! This morning's matches were nail-biters. I don't think anyone envisioned Germany getting bounced this early, especially when you looked at the strength of the group based on rankings. Now Germany, Brazil, and Canada are all out - Morocco, Jamaica, and South Africa move on. Watching the German women's tears and utter disbelief at this outcome should make US fans appreciate the fact that their team was able to make it through.

The images of the Moroccan players and coaches watching the end of the Germany game and then celebrating their remarkable achievement were incredible. I was crying right along with them, just as I did yesterday watching the Reggae Girls celebrate their own history-making advancement to the knockout round. All of this is what makes the WC so special.

Incredible final day of group matches. I can't think of many sporting events that rival the drama of the last group games of World Cups. What a day for Morocco in the same year that their men's team made history. First ever Arab nation to qualify for the women's WC goes through at the expense of one of the top teams in the world, who they had lost to by 6 goals in the first game. But they beat Korea and Colombia and Germany couldn't. A bit lucky against Colombia but they defended well and looked dangerous on the break. The draw ended up working out well for them as it's always easier to play the top team in the group in the last game.

Hard to pinpoint what went so wrong for Germany. Apparently there were lots of injuries so some of their best players have been playing out of position. But no team is ever at its ideal full strength through a WC, making it as much a test of a team's depth as it is of quality. Clearly, their finishing and combination play in the attacking third weren't good enough in the last 2 games. An awful year for German soccer, with the women, then men and the Under-21 men all falling at the group stage of world cups. I (and many Germans I am told) wonder whether in turning their teams (both women and men at all levels) into attack-minded units with highly technical players, they have somehow lost their defensive mojo.

The fate of Germany, Brazil and Canada also helps add some perspective to the US team's showing so far. This is not the women's game of the 1990s or even 2000s, when the top teams would sail through the group stage. The gaps between national teams have closed dramatically as the game has gone global (most teams have at least a few players playing for top clubs with players from the top teams). This is the way it goes in the men's WC and it's fantastic to see the women's game go in that direction. Clear proof of the extent of growth of the sport worldwide. Soccer fans like us love it. This also means that top teams and their fans need to adjust their expectations. Put aside the arrogance of expecting to win, stop incessantly talking about the irrelevant past (thereby increasing the pressure on your players), and celebrate the hard-earned successes. For all you know, what you interpret as your team not playing as well as their predecessors could just be that the opponents are playing much better. And stop insulting other teams (such as US should "rest" players because Portugal is not a good team).

The US haven't been playing too well, but to give credit where it's due, the defense has held firm as a team, with just 1 goal conceded so far and few shots on their goal. Defense is not just the CBs, it's the team as a whole and shows the commitment and organization of players. Teams that defend well can go far in the knockout stages of a tournament like this. This has been proved over and over again in the men's tournament, and as the quality of teams converge in the women's game, it will be true for this WC as well.

These two posts are excellent. I couldn’t agree more. Hopefully some of the people who come on here to tear down the USWNT, rip into the federation, the players, or how the US develops its future USWNT players, etc etc will remember that three of the top 10 women’s teams failed to get out of the group stage, and that one of them - Germany - has a rich tradition of excellence in women’s soccer and is regularly included as an example in that argument about how “European development of female youth players is superior to the US.” As the Germans just showed us by failing to advance from one of the easier groups in this World Cup, the gap is closing between the historic powers and the rest of the world, and there is no “one way” to achieve success for a women’s national team. How else to explain minnows with no funding or development to speak of - like Morocco, Jamaica, South Africa and Nigeria - advancing at the expense of countries like Germany, Canada, etc etc. There are no simple or “one size fits all” answers that explain why each of these nations succeeded, or failed, in this WC.

Agree!!! We should be celebrating the rise of so many women's teams. I'd be a lot happier if the US were playing like we know they can and should (and honestly they are getting terrible coaching) but it's so awesome to see these other women's programs catch up to the big dawgs.

US can take some credit for some of the success of these teams as many players have dual citizenship and train in the US and play for US colleges. I think it’s something we can be very proud of!!!!

PP with the long post above. Couldn't agree more with this poster. US can take a lot of credit for the development of the game worldwide. Not just for the pipeline of players in colleges and clubs here who end up playing for many different countries, but also for our women being the "pioneers" of soccer in many ways. In the country I am originally from, little girls like my cousins grew up loving and playing soccer, but seeing no future in it because noone seemed to care and any attempt to promote women's soccer would be shouted down by hordes of beer-swilling misogynists with exclusive claim to football fanhood. This is changing so quickly, and the generations of proud, athletic, badass American players (along with an increasing number from other countries) have a lot to do with that. US women and our system, along with Title IX, have been important for the growth of women's soccer worldwide. This means we won't win so often any more and must get better, but so many ways we can be proud.

Love this! The American women have much to be proud of 🙂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the end of the day, it’s a lack of quality that is the problem…and has been a problem, even when the results were there. It’s the same issue on the men’s side and with MLS - unbelievable that there were knuckleheads who thought Messi would struggle in MLS. We desperately need better development and a stronger technical focus from youth to the highest levels.

Yeah - Let's make little youth factories funded by the taxpayers and call it free.

Or you have a better idea?