Women’s Olympic soccer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Game winner from Trinity!!

So in the end it’s just a kickball goal. The finish was great though (the defending was poor).

Beautiful ball from Dunn, exquisite touch from Trinity to bring it down before turning the defender inside out with sublime skill, and then a wonderful left-footed strike into the far top corner. Hell of a sequence and great finish!

Yeah don’t know about that. That is not a high probability shot and it is certainly not the shot you want her to taking all the time. A great skill and exquisite touch is not her game. It is more like an exhausted player get lucky against other tired players. The US physically beat up the smaller Japanese all day. The longer the game goes the more this impacts the smaller players.

The take away is the US is not a technical skilled team, has weaknesses in midfield and defense but plays a strong, athletic and physical game. They will beat 90% of the team with that. The one person who does not fit in is Rose Lavelle. She just does not fit this team. It would be interesting to see another player that is a better style of play fitin her place.

Credit for the win goes to Hayes putting the players in the right places, play your style and grind it out. Though I think the US would have won in a shootout.

I’m the pp, agree with this. We are good athletes, big and fast. As the game wore on we had the advantage. Japanese defender was definitely tired. But thats what won the game not technical skill.

So kickball does work!

[Anonymous]

Here is a breakdown with rating of all the US players

Trinity Rodman was the most aggressive and penetrative of the USA’s forward line. But that doesn’t mean she had it easy. The matchwinner didn’t attempt a single shot until the 90th minute, which was a blocked shot from the edge of the box that could have been destined for the net. She then added two more in overtime, including her extraordinary finish for the goal. The attacker also held her run perfectly to stay onside by a matter of inches. Another who appeared to show signs of fatigue, and at the final whistle looked to the sky in delight and relief.

Of course, what Rodman offers this team is so much more than just finishing. Defensively it felt like the 22-year-old was everywhere. Covering her defenders to stifle Japanese counterattacks, close down passing lanes, and get amongst it in physical duels.

https://www.socceramerica.com/usa-japan-womens-olympic-player-ratings/

Rodman got the highest score with an 8 on a 1-10 scale. Followed by Naomi Girma and Dunn with 7. The others were not as high but they do give there rationale for the rating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Game winner from Trinity!!

So in the end it’s just a kickball goal. The finish was great though (the defending was poor).

You are pathetic.. Do you have friends?

[Anonymous]

The haters will never be happy. After world cup it was “we can’t compete with the rest of the world”. Now we’re in semi finals in olympics with good chance of medaling. “All we can do is play direct”. Over 70% possession vs Japan today.

The team that everyone loves, Spain, was lucky to pull off a win today vs Columbia. Fact is we are competitive with a lot of young players who will only get better and be competitive with the rest of the world for years to come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Game winner from Trinity!!

So in the end it’s just a kickball goal. The finish was great though (the defending was poor).

You are pathetic.. Do you have friends?

I get what PP is saying here. Rodman was looking down the whole time, it was just blind shot that got lucky because the Japanese defensive line had their backs turned and moved out of the way. Rodman didn’t even see Horan making her run to the far post. It was dice roll that came up in our favor this time. You can’t build off of that.

The unfortunate thing is it bails just adds to the hype of Rodman without substance. So it’s hard to stomach in the long term because Rodman already is entrenching her mindset in a way that is unhelpful down the road. (Ie. Her quote about not being willing to change any of her play style to fit Emma’s plan).

Rodman is nowhere near good enough yet.

All that said, she does put herself in these spots to create chances. And that is a huge part of her upside. Two goals this Olympics from her have been lucky goals, and she has capitalized on them. There is a skill in that! And the USWNT needs more of that from their other starters, but they also need a lot more growth out of Rodman. Her footwork, and relational soccer IQ are pretty mediocre for a winger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The haters will never be happy. After world cup it was “we can’t compete with the rest of the world”. Now we’re in semi finals in olympics with good chance of medaling. “All we can do is play direct”. Over 70% possession vs Japan today.

The team that everyone loves, Spain, was lucky to pull off a win today vs Columbia. Fact is we are competitive with a lot of young players who will only get better and be competitive with the rest of the world for years to come.

I agree. Too much doomerism. The myth of the USWNT was built off of penalty shots in a 0-0 match…25 years ago. Our dominance, while true, was never as vast between the “next tier.” So it’s absurd when people cry about a 1-0 victory against a really talented, historically strong (WC winning!) Japanese team.

That said, a coaching change was only one part of putting the USWNT back on track after the WC, the needed retirement of some “tenured” players, and getting the younger players into the right places to succeed.

We are missing some pieces. Rodman needs more experience. We need a legitimate replacement for Horan, she is clearly at the end of her international career (she looked much stronger in the WC than she does right now). We need to figure out how to get Smith to convert, and get better service to Swanson. Rose needs to smooth her game play, Girma needs a wingman…etc etc.

There are plenty of things to gripe about. But the USWNT is a damn good team. And the constant misery sounds very British footy fan in nature - so maybe we can take it as a maturing of American football fandom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is a breakdown with rating of all the US players

Trinity Rodman was the most aggressive and penetrative of the USA’s forward line. But that doesn’t mean she had it easy. The matchwinner didn’t attempt a single shot until the 90th minute, which was a blocked shot from the edge of the box that could have been destined for the net. She then added two more in overtime, including her extraordinary finish for the goal. The attacker also held her run perfectly to stay onside by a matter of inches. Another who appeared to show signs of fatigue, and at the final whistle looked to the sky in delight and relief.

Of course, what Rodman offers this team is so much more than just finishing. Defensively it felt like the 22-year-old was everywhere. Covering her defenders to stifle Japanese counterattacks, close down passing lanes, and get amongst it in physical duels.

https://www.socceramerica.com/usa-japan-womens-olympic-player-ratings/

Rodman got the highest score with an 8 on a 1-10 scale. Followed by Naomi Girma and Dunn with 7. The others were not as high but they do give there rationale for the rating.

Soccer America gave Naher a 6 for a clean sheet. The defensive line a couple of 5s for a clean sheet (and had Dunn listed as defense…). And one of the perks they gave for Rodman’s 8 was Rodman’s defense…against a 5-4-1 low block Japanese formation…..

Smith was by far the most impactful forward this match…but they dumped on her.

Going out on a limb on this one to suggest this “hot take” article isn’t worth much value in interpreting the game or players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a breakdown with rating of all the US players

Trinity Rodman was the most aggressive and penetrative of the USA’s forward line. But that doesn’t mean she had it easy. The matchwinner didn’t attempt a single shot until the 90th minute, which was a blocked shot from the edge of the box that could have been destined for the net. She then added two more in overtime, including her extraordinary finish for the goal. The attacker also held her run perfectly to stay onside by a matter of inches. Another who appeared to show signs of fatigue, and at the final whistle looked to the sky in delight and relief.

Of course, what Rodman offers this team is so much more than just finishing. Defensively it felt like the 22-year-old was everywhere. Covering her defenders to stifle Japanese counterattacks, close down passing lanes, and get amongst it in physical duels.

https://www.socceramerica.com/usa-japan-womens-olympic-player-ratings/

Rodman got the highest score with an 8 on a 1-10 scale. Followed by Naomi Girma and Dunn with 7. The others were not as high but they do give there rationale for the rating.

Soccer America gave Naher a 6 for a clean sheet. The defensive line a couple of 5s for a clean sheet (and had Dunn listed as defense…). And one of the perks they gave for Rodman’s 8 was Rodman’s defense…against a 5-4-1 low block Japanese formation…..

Smith was by far the most impactful forward this match…but they dumped on her.

Going out on a limb on this one to suggest this “hot take” article isn’t worth much value in interpreting the game or players.

A 3 is absolutely a defensive position. What else would you say Dunn played?

Rodman has her faults but she’s saved the team’s ass multiple times this tournament by hustling back on defense. Today was no different. She absolutely deserved kudos for her defensive efforts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a breakdown with rating of all the US players

Trinity Rodman was the most aggressive and penetrative of the USA’s forward line. But that doesn’t mean she had it easy. The matchwinner didn’t attempt a single shot until the 90th minute, which was a blocked shot from the edge of the box that could have been destined for the net. She then added two more in overtime, including her extraordinary finish for the goal. The attacker also held her run perfectly to stay onside by a matter of inches. Another who appeared to show signs of fatigue, and at the final whistle looked to the sky in delight and relief.

Of course, what Rodman offers this team is so much more than just finishing. Defensively it felt like the 22-year-old was everywhere. Covering her defenders to stifle Japanese counterattacks, close down passing lanes, and get amongst it in physical duels.

https://www.socceramerica.com/usa-japan-womens-olympic-player-ratings/

Rodman got the highest score with an 8 on a 1-10 scale. Followed by Naomi Girma and Dunn with 7. The others were not as high but they do give there rationale for the rating.

Soccer America gave Naher a 6 for a clean sheet. The defensive line a couple of 5s for a clean sheet (and had Dunn listed as defense…). And one of the perks they gave for Rodman’s 8 was Rodman’s defense…against a 5-4-1 low block Japanese formation…..

Smith was by far the most impactful forward this match…but they dumped on her.

Going out on a limb on this one to suggest this “hot take” article isn’t worth much value in interpreting the game or players.

A 3 is absolutely a defensive position. What else would you say Dunn played?

Rodman has her faults but she’s saved the team’s ass multiple times this tournament by hustling back on defense. Today was no different. She absolutely deserved kudos for her defensive efforts.

Sure…the lineup had Dunn at 3 on the TV screen, but from kickoff onward, they were largely in a 3-3-4, not a 4-3-3, with Dunn in a LM/CM role. I’m not sure an analyst watching the game and handing out ratings based on performance can get away with basing his rating off what NBC said the position was vs what was on the field.

Just my 2¢

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a breakdown with rating of all the US players

Trinity Rodman was the most aggressive and penetrative of the USA’s forward line. But that doesn’t mean she had it easy. The matchwinner didn’t attempt a single shot until the 90th minute, which was a blocked shot from the edge of the box that could have been destined for the net. She then added two more in overtime, including her extraordinary finish for the goal. The attacker also held her run perfectly to stay onside by a matter of inches. Another who appeared to show signs of fatigue, and at the final whistle looked to the sky in delight and relief.

Of course, what Rodman offers this team is so much more than just finishing. Defensively it felt like the 22-year-old was everywhere. Covering her defenders to stifle Japanese counterattacks, close down passing lanes, and get amongst it in physical duels.

https://www.socceramerica.com/usa-japan-womens-olympic-player-ratings/

Rodman got the highest score with an 8 on a 1-10 scale. Followed by Naomi Girma and Dunn with 7. The others were not as high but they do give there rationale for the rating.

Soccer America gave Naher a 6 for a clean sheet. The defensive line a couple of 5s for a clean sheet (and had Dunn listed as defense…). And one of the perks they gave for Rodman’s 8 was Rodman’s defense…against a 5-4-1 low block Japanese formation…..

Smith was by far the most impactful forward this match…but they dumped on her.

Going out on a limb on this one to suggest this “hot take” article isn’t worth much value in interpreting the game or players.

A 3 is absolutely a defensive position. What else would you say Dunn played?

Rodman has her faults but she’s saved the team’s ass multiple times this tournament by hustling back on defense. Today was no different. She absolutely deserved kudos for her defensive efforts.

I am not sure I agree with Rodman “saving the teams ass with her defensive efforts.” Especially considering many of her “getting back / winning back” moments were results of her turnovers!

[Anonymous]

Yes if you don’t think Rodman’s defensive efforts were noteworthy then maybe it’s your hot take that’s not worth much.

[Anonymous]

Here’s Kelley O’Hara giving Trinity props for her total effort endline to endline

https://twitter.com/justwsports/status/1819852658817343564?s=46

You don’t have to think she’s the best player ever, or even on the team currently, to give her due. Smh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here’s Kelley O’Hara giving Trinity props for her total effort endline to endline

https://twitter.com/justwsports/status/1819852658817343564?s=46

You don’t have to think she’s the best player ever, or even on the team currently, to give her due. Smh

You’re missing the point I’m making. The defense and goalie got mid grades for a clean sheet, but a winger / forward got credit for the defense and the game’s highest rating partially based on that.

I’m not hating on Rodman, I’m critiquing the doofus that was rating the team.

Rodman’s work endline to endline is commendable, but it’s also largely because she IS a turnover machine. Her pass completion % is awful for a winger, internationally she is one of the worst at that. And as for progressive passes, the same - she lacks a team and field vision, which shouldn’t be the case for a player that should have a closer to 180° view of the field. Those are not debatable. For this game specifically, there was a chart out on the possession and passing from 70m into this match, and the glaring missed services all came from Rodman.

So I find it hard to justify crediting her for defensive effort when she causes her own workload. While dumping all over the defense for a clean sheet and relatively few Japanese attacks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here’s Kelley O’Hara giving Trinity props for her total effort endline to endline

https://twitter.com/justwsports/status/1819852658817343564?s=46

You don’t have to think she’s the best player ever, or even on the team currently, to give her due. Smh

You’re missing the point I’m making. The defense and goalie got mid grades for a clean sheet, but a winger / forward got credit for the defense and the game’s highest rating partially based on that.

I’m not hating on Rodman, I’m critiquing the doofus that was rating the team.

Rodman’s work endline to endline is commendable, but it’s also largely because she IS a turnover machine. Her pass completion % is awful for a winger, internationally she is one of the worst at that. And as for progressive passes, the same - she lacks a team and field vision, which shouldn’t be the case for a player that should have a closer to 180° view of the field. Those are not debatable. For this game specifically, there was a chart out on the possession and passing from 70m into this match, and the glaring missed services all came from Rodman.

So I find it hard to justify crediting her for defensive effort when she causes her own workload. While dumping all over the defense for a clean sheet and relatively few Japanese attacks.

You are not wrong at all. On one hand, she caused a lot of turnovers. Again, she could have passed the ball more to open teammates, but she did pull off a beauty of a goal. (Pure talent!) If she didn't make that goal, her rating would have been significantly lower. She has time to become even better, but let's hope that happens before her speed runs out... because when her speed does run out in 3-5 years time, her primary value to the team will diminish significantly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Game winner from Trinity!!

So in the end it’s just a kickball goal. The finish was great though (the defending was poor).

Beautiful ball from Dunn, exquisite touch from Trinity to bring it down before turning the defender inside out with sublime skill, and then a wonderful left-footed strike into the far top corner. Hell of a sequence and great finish!

Yeah don’t know about that. That is not a high probability shot and it is certainly not the shot you want her to taking all the time. A great skill and exquisite touch is not her game. It is more like an exhausted player get lucky against other tired players. The US physically beat up the smaller Japanese all day. The longer the game goes the more this impacts the smaller players.

The take away is the US is not a technical skilled team, has weaknesses in midfield and defense but plays a strong, athletic and physical game. They will beat 90% of the team with that. The one person who does not fit in is Rose Lavelle. She just does not fit this team. It would be interesting to see another player that is a better style of play fitin her place.

Credit for the win goes to Hayes putting the players in the right places, play your style and grind it out. Though I think the US would have won in a shootout.

I’m the pp, agree with this. We are good athletes, big and fast. As the game wore on we had the advantage. Japanese defender was definitely tired. But thats what won the game not technical skill.

So kickball does work!

It’s hard to make a stupider statement than this. They won the game on an inch perfect pass that Rodman took down well, cut back inside, and hit a brilliant shot to win it.
Highly technical all around.