Women’s World Cup

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:USNT looked a southwest awful against Vietnam and Vietnam didn’t even get a shot on goal. We also got rattled way too easily. These women were half the size of our players yet throwing us down like rag dolls. That should have been handled on the field to let those players know they are t getting away with it- if ref wasn’t going to do anything.

Alex had a good assist, but was way off tonight.

Argentina lost to Saudi on the 1st game and won the World Cup. I don't think the first game means anything.

Agreed. France, England, US all looked a bit sluggish in their openers, but those teams along with Spain will be there in the end. Was also pleasantly surprised by Haiti. Decent team.

France is not considered contender and Spain brought its B and C squad.

The Vegas odds makers have Spain with the second best odds to win it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't care now that they are getting a payout from the success of the men's team .

When has the mens team ever succeeded?

The women's team should adopt that position and not get payouts for what the men's team accomplishes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:USNT looked a southwest awful against Vietnam and Vietnam didn’t even get a shot on goal. We also got rattled way too easily. These women were half the size of our players yet throwing us down like rag dolls. That should have been handled on the field to let those players know they are t getting away with it- if ref wasn’t going to do anything.

Alex had a good assist, but was way off tonight.

Argentina lost to Saudi on the 1st game and won the World Cup. I don't think the first game means anything.

Agreed. France, England, US all looked a bit sluggish in their openers, but those teams along with Spain will be there in the end. Was also pleasantly surprised by Haiti. Decent team.

France is not considered contender and Spain brought its B and C squad.

The Vegas odds makers have Spain with the second best odds to win it all.

Yes it is strange. Would have been nice to see the Spanish A team. The A team is much better(and mostly play for one club) vs what they brought to the World Cup. Also they did not suffer the injuries that most of the others top teams have suffered. It is bizarre that they did not fire the coach and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I firmly disagree with “stick to the game”. If you have a platform you can choose to use it however you want. Once they stop playing their reach and power to speak out is diminished so use it while you’ve got it.

I find it interesting that people say stick to the game when they don’t agree with the message. But are perfectly fine with people speaking out in other positions of power even though they are speaking about subjects that have nothing to do with their popularity. Business leaders speak out all the time about any number of topics - Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon, politicians, entertainers, musicians. Do we say “stick to making electric cars” or “stick to making money” when they spout off on a topic? Athletes have been using their platform to speak out for a long time. Muhammad Ali. Bill Walton. Kareem. Ask yourself why this is different and why it bothers you so much.

There is a difference between speaking out in public and speaking out during a game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I firmly disagree with “stick to the game”. If you have a platform you can choose to use it however you want. Once they stop playing their reach and power to speak out is diminished so use it while you’ve got it.

I find it interesting that people say stick to the game when they don’t agree with the message. But are perfectly fine with people speaking out in other positions of power even though they are speaking about subjects that have nothing to do with their popularity. Business leaders speak out all the time about any number of topics - Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon, politicians, entertainers, musicians. Do we say “stick to making electric cars” or “stick to making money” when they spout off on a topic? Athletes have been using their platform to speak out for a long time. Muhammad Ali. Bill Walton. Kareem. Ask yourself why this is different and why it bothers you so much.

There is a difference between speaking out in public and speaking out during a game.

Who is speaking out *during* the game? I guess there may be slogans or symbols on uniforms. NBA players write stuff on their shoes. NFL players wear breast cancer ribbons. Are you ok with those? The national anthem isn't during the game, it's part of the pre-game introductions. I get why they do the anthems before international events like World Cup, but honestly I wish they'd end the performative rituals altogether in professional sports, things like the national anthem and military shows. Why are sports tied to these things? They don't play the national anthem before the movie starts at the movie theater, or at a broadway show or music performance or a golf or tennis match. Why do it before a basketball game?

[Anonymous]

maybe Germany, Japan, Brazil or Spain look better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I firmly disagree with “stick to the game”. If you have a platform you can choose to use it however you want. Once they stop playing their reach and power to speak out is diminished so use it while you’ve got it.

I find it interesting that people say stick to the game when they don’t agree with the message. But are perfectly fine with people speaking out in other positions of power even though they are speaking about subjects that have nothing to do with their popularity. Business leaders speak out all the time about any number of topics - Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon, politicians, entertainers, musicians. Do we say “stick to making electric cars” or “stick to making money” when they spout off on a topic? Athletes have been using their platform to speak out for a long time. Muhammad Ali. Bill Walton. Kareem. Ask yourself why this is different and why it bothers you so much.

There is a difference between speaking out in public and speaking out during a game.

This is the kind of stuff that happens, when you want to make the tournament all about socio-political issues. What an idiotic reporter.

https://talksport.com/football/1510448/bbc-inappropriate-question-morocco-womens-world-cup/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:USNT looked a southwest awful against Vietnam and Vietnam didn’t even get a shot on goal. We also got rattled way too easily. These women were half the size of our players yet throwing us down like rag dolls. That should have been handled on the field to let those players know they are t getting away with it- if ref wasn’t going to do anything.

Alex had a good assist, but was way off tonight.

Argentina lost to Saudi on the 1st game and won the World Cup. I don't think the first game means anything.

Agreed. France, England, US all looked a bit sluggish in their openers, but those teams along with Spain will be there in the end. Was also pleasantly surprised by Haiti. Decent team.

France is not considered contender and Spain brought its B and C squad.

Don't think thats true. They are missing a handful of players 5-6 maybe which is significant, but not in respect to Spain and there current development arc. They are reaching or approaching their peak and the world has seen it already at the youth level, now I think we're going to see it at the senior level. Look out for Spain in 2027 though, they should figure it out by then; and missing a couple of players ultimately means little in spain's system. It's more about chemistry and getting the right 13-15 players together for a tournament when you have loads of talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Spain brought its B and C squad.

Don't think thats true. They are missing a handful of players 5-6 maybe which is significant, but not in respect to Spain and there current development arc. They are reaching or approaching their peak and the world has seen it already at the youth level, now I think we're going to see it at the senior level. Look out for Spain in 2027 though, they should figure it out by then; and missing a couple of players ultimately means little in spain's system. It's more about chemistry and getting the right 13-15 players together for a tournament when you have loads of talent.

USA are missing the same "handful of 6 players" -- ~4 starters + 2 veteran reserves, albeit due to injuries and not the Spain drama -- but I haven't seen anyone claim they have brought their B squad. And like Spain, expectations are extremely high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:USNT looked a southwest awful against Vietnam and Vietnam didn’t even get a shot on goal. We also got rattled way too easily. These women were half the size of our players yet throwing us down like rag dolls. That should have been handled on the field to let those players know they are t getting away with it- if ref wasn’t going to do anything.

Alex had a good assist, but was way off tonight.

Argentina lost to Saudi on the 1st game and won the World Cup. I don't think the first game means anything.

Agreed. France, England, US all looked a bit sluggish in their openers, but those teams along with Spain will be there in the end. Was also pleasantly surprised by Haiti. Decent team.

France is not considered contender and Spain brought its B and C squad.

The Vegas odds makers have Spain with the second best odds to win it all.

Yes it is strange. Would have been nice to see the Spanish A team. The A team is much better(and mostly play for one club) vs what they brought to the World Cup. Also they did not suffer the injuries that most of the others top teams have suffered. It is bizarre that they did not fire the coach and move on.

This is not a B or C team. A few good players haven't come back after the protest, but some of the best players have, including Putellas (probably the best player in the world but coming off an ACL injury), Battle, Bonmati, Hermoso, Paredes. Some of those who have taken themselves out of running wouldn't have been starters given how good some of the young ones who have replaced them are.

"Some of the signatories, including Manchester United's Ona Battle and Aitana Bonmati, have returned to the squad, while others seen as sympathetic to the complaints, like Jennifer Hermoso and Irene Paredes, are back in the fold too. Whether Alexia Putellas would be involved was also a cause for concern. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner had somewhat stayed out of this situation after she sustained an ACL injury on the eve of the Euros. She didn't play at all for Barcelona until late in the season, and both her fitness and her views on the protests were unknown quantities. Happily for Spain fans, she too is back, and the upheaval has even allowed some younger faces into the side."

The absence of some of the senior team members has also made it possible for others to come up from the youth team, which might have even been better for the senior team. Spain has an incredible level of talent pipeline that is improving every year as the women's game soars. This is what happens when a soccer-crazy culture like France and Spain take to women's football.

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/spain-women-world-cup-2023-squad-team-roster-players
https://www.goal.com/en/lists/spain-women-world-cup-2023-squad-who-is-in/blt8c5c0231fbbeea8b

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think other countries will be able to beat USA this year? It’s USA doing enough to keep winning championships?
I know football is growing a lot with girls in Europe and in Brazil and Argentina.

I'd look at England giving the US a tough time. I think we are falling behind in one area: Academy Development. In England, they now have residential girls academies nested with the big Premier League Clubs. Other clubs in Europe are now planning for girls academies as well. There are a few youtube videos about girls in England at the age of 16 being selected and training full time at these academies. I haven't read much more than this, but it would seem NWSL should have a developmental program on par with MLS's homegrown academy players. In this regard, we are likely to see European nations start to advance their game more than the US in the next 3-5 years.

This. I was disappointed when Alex Morgan left Tottenham. I even bought the d*&^ shirt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:USNT looked a southwest awful against Vietnam and Vietnam didn’t even get a shot on goal. We also got rattled way too easily. These women were half the size of our players yet throwing us down like rag dolls. That should have been handled on the field to let those players know they are t getting away with it- if ref wasn’t going to do anything.

Alex had a good assist, but was way off tonight.

Argentina lost to Saudi on the 1st game and won the World Cup. I don't think the first game means anything.

Agreed. France, England, US all looked a bit sluggish in their openers, but those teams along with Spain will be there in the end. Was also pleasantly surprised by Haiti. Decent team.

France is not considered contender and Spain brought its B and C squad.

The Vegas odds makers have Spain with the second best odds to win it all.

Yes it is strange. Would have been nice to see the Spanish A team. The A team is much better(and mostly play for one club) vs what they brought to the World Cup. Also they did not suffer the injuries that most of the others top teams have suffered. It is bizarre that they did not fire the coach and move on.

This is not a B or C team. A few good players haven't come back after the protest, but some of the best players have, including Putellas (probably the best player in the world but coming off an ACL injury), Battle, Bonmati, Hermoso, Paredes. Some of those who have taken themselves out of running wouldn't have been starters given how good some of the young ones who have replaced them are.

"Some of the signatories, including Manchester United's Ona Battle and Aitana Bonmati, have returned to the squad, while others seen as sympathetic to the complaints, like Jennifer Hermoso and Irene Paredes, are back in the fold too. Whether Alexia Putellas would be involved was also a cause for concern. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner had somewhat stayed out of this situation after she sustained an ACL injury on the eve of the Euros. She didn't play at all for Barcelona until late in the season, and both her fitness and her views on the protests were unknown quantities. Happily for Spain fans, she too is back, and the upheaval has even allowed some younger faces into the side."

The absence of some of the senior team members has also made it possible for others to come up from the youth team, which might have even been better for the senior team. Spain has an incredible level of talent pipeline that is improving every year as the women's game soars. This is what happens when a soccer-crazy culture like France and Spain take to women's football.

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/spain-women-world-cup-2023-squad-team-roster-players
https://www.goal.com/en/lists/spain-women-world-cup-2023-squad-who-is-in/blt8c5c0231fbbeea8b

Women’s World Cup: Spain pick three of 15 players who quit national side in 2022

The Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas has also been included in the preliminary list of 30 for Australia and New Zealand having finally overcome the knee injury that forced her to miss the European Championship last summer, as has Irene Paredes who first returned to the national team after a seven-month absence in March. Neither Putellas nor Paredes had sent the letter but both supported those who had.

Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey from Barcelona and Manchester United’s Ona Batlle have been included in the initial squad, which will be reduced to 23 at the end of June. They had all previously spoken to the federation about a return. The other 12 players who pulled out in September last year – among them the Champions League winners Patri Guijarro, Mapi León and Sandra Paños – have not been called up. In March, León said: “It will really piss me off not to go to the World Cup but my values come first.”

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/12/spain-pick-three-of-the-15-players-who-quit-national-team-last-year-for-world-cup

Alexia has not come back from her injury.

Why are Barcelona stars missing from Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup squad? Absences of Patri Guijarro, Mapi Leon and more explained

Stars from Barca, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester Utd and more will not play for Spain at the World Cup. Why?

In the build-up to the 2023 Women's World Cup, no nation has had more uncertainty surrounding its squad than Spain. That's because in the weeks that followed the 2022 Women's Euros, 15 members of the team withdrew from selection, six of whom would be key to a Barcelona side that lifted the Women's Champions League trophy in June.

https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/why-barcelona-stars-missing-spain-2023-women-s-world-cup-squad-absences-patri-guijarro-mapi-leon-explained/blta26334ca1486764b

[Anonymous]

With 10 of the 12 players who have stayed away having been part of Spain's Euro 2022 squad, the final 23 to represent La Roja at this summer's Women's World Cup will be very different.

Those absentees will have a big impact on the team's starting line-up, too. Panos, Leon and Guijarro - as goalkeeper, centre-back and holding midfielder - formed crucial parts of the spine of the team that reached the quarter-finals in England and are among the best in the world in their respective positions.

https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/why-barcelona-stars-missing-spain-2023-women-s-world-cup-squad-absences-patri-guijarro-mapi-leon-explained/blta26334ca1486764b#cse6e82f890ea29361

This had a huge impacted on the Spanish team. Not only are they really good they played on the same team. It would have been a huge advantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't care now that they are getting a payout from the success of the men's team .

Finally. After all those years where the women were the only successful ones.

I fully expect all the people obsessed with transgender athletes and the integrity of women’s sports to be fully supportive both of that pay decision and also rooting loudly for their success in New Zealand. Glad to see them be so supportive of women’s sports finally. Looking forward to that consistency.

LOL. So am I. Let’s all hold our collective breath for that to happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did Rapinoe make his roster? She was terrible last night, couldn’t complete a pass against an extremely weak Vietnam team. Hope that’s the last we see of her in this tournament.

Marketing. Rapinoe is very recognizable and the face of the team/women’s soccer. She was over the hill in ‘19 - out of position, slow, not getting back on defense and a turn over machine. Rapinoe is why Dunn plays defense and not offensive. They needed someone to cover for Rapinoe. They still win.

The US has a huge pool of players and I am sure there are other players who would preform better vs the older players but few would recognize them. Let’s see what the lineup is when they play the more competitive teams.

The ugly truth of the matter is a lot of the players of that generation, including Rapinoe, are straight up about themselves and mask their greed and selfishness in talk about "development of the women's game". They should have stepped aside for younger players a while ago.

Yes, this is my main problem with women's soccer in America. The game of soccer is secondary to themselves and their social justice causes. Not just on the national team, but every women's soccer podcast and radio show. I have to hear all about their contrived fight for equality and sexual orientation before they get down to talking about the game. I don't watch the men play and think to myself, "I wonder how Christian Pulisic feels about the immigration issue on the border?" Luckily, I know he won't tell me either. Stick to the game ladies. Once you retire then you can spout off about whatever you want if you think people will listen.

“Ladies?” And no, they “can spout off” now and you’ll just have to learn to cope with it.