Rapinoe’s scored 4 goals in the past 2 games. 100% chance she starts vs England.

Dunn was the game changer here. Shut down the flank, conceded a few corners but I think the US was ok with that approach.

I see a lot of different perceptions out there. I watched the game on the tactical camera (overhead). I think Rapinoe was behind the ball maybe 30 seconds of the game in play.
I have to assume that she has been given that freedom and is not just dogging it or taking it. Given that, Dunn's speed is essential to cover all that space, knowing that help is not coming from the winger.

A win is a win, so I dont want to get too picky. That said, I feel like Rapinoe and Morgan can't keep up with Lavalle's speed right now. A lot of harshness on Lavelle on boards, but as I see it Heath and Lavelle are the ones creating, threatening, and creating the huge space Rapinoe and Morgan have. Lavelle's run and play off to Mewis yesterday was beautiful and had both Morgan and Rapinoe open at the posts at the box, but Mewis inexcplicably fired that one off frame. I thought that was the best scoring chance of the day wasted.

Right now, the US is too reliant on set piece play. Working so far because of a superior defense. If the US is gonna play this false 4-3-3 leaving Rapinoe and Morgan up as the 2, then I think they should start Horan over Lavalle and just play 4-4-2. My preference is they go 4-3-3 for real and for that I'd put McDonald in for Morgan(as she is right now) and Press in for Rapinoe. And I'd sit Mewis for Horan and leave Lavalle in. I'd roll the dice and attack England with speed. England will be grateful if we leave Morgan and Rapinoe out there just drifitng around.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:France lost because they couldn’t get a shot on goal to save their lives until it was too late.

Because the US played a compact, swarming defense.

Thank you Dunn!

Dunn did great, particularly given that our left wing did not track back much to help her to defend. So did O'Hara on the other flank, but she had more help from Tobin Heath, who put in lots of defensive work.

How do you see the defense caring against England? Does the game plan change much? I agree that O’Hara and Dunn were fantastic, as was Ertz. Heath did do a lot defensively. She is so fit, covered so much field and never seemed to fatigue. Naher has me nervous though. The goal that Renard scored was good but I think another keeper would have been able to come out for the cross (it really floated in there).

I agree regarding Ertz and Naher. I would not be surprised if we used a similar game plan against England, but we could also try to press them higher up to cause turnovers because they are less technical than France. If we are able to deny England space to run into, we should be fine. My main concern is one less day of recovery, but this US team is very fit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:France lost because they couldn’t get a shot on goal to save their lives until it was too late.

Because the US played a compact, swarming defense.

Thank you Dunn!

Dunn did great, particularly given that our left wing did not track back much to help her to defend. So did O'Hara on the other flank, but she had more help from Tobin Heath, who put in lots of defensive work.

How do you see the defense caring against England? Does the game plan change much? I agree that O’Hara and Dunn were fantastic, as was Ertz. Heath did do a lot defensively. She is so fit, covered so much field and never seemed to fatigue. Naher has me nervous though. The goal that Renard scored was good but I think another keeper would have been able to come out for the cross (it really floated in there).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:France lost because they couldn’t get a shot on goal to save their lives until it was too late.

Because the US played a compact, swarming defense.

Thank you Dunn!

Dunn did great, particularly given that our left wing did not track back much to help her to defend. So did O'Hara on the other flank, but she had more help from Tobin Heath, who put in lots of defensive work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:France lost because they couldn’t get a shot on goal to save their lives until it was too late.

Because the US played a compact, swarming defense.

Thank you Dunn!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God the US plays an ugly game.

That's what you're getting from this fantastic game!?!

Are you on crack?

It was (yet another) ugly win for the USA. Maybe it was fantastic in that it was some top teams playing, but watching the USA was painful.

Come on England! It’s coming home!

I really liked Megan Rapinoe's article in The Players' Tribune:

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/megan-rapinoe-united-states-world-cup-youre-not-gonna-get-rid-of-your-girl-that-easily

Sounds like she'd be hilarious to have a beer with.

Anonymous wrote:Rapinoe haters? Where arrrrrrreeee yoooooooou?

Yeah really! She literally won the game for the US.

Whew. That was awesome. God I forget how much fun soccer can be. Now we have to get through England. They looked so good yesterday. I hope Ellis has as good a game plan for them as she did for France.

Morgan is obv still not 100% but she drew the foul from which we scored the 1st goal and she assisted the assist for the 2nd goal. Ertz was outstanding.

Anonymous wrote:France lost because they couldn’t get a shot on goal to save their lives until it was too late.

Because the US played a compact, swarming defense.

France lost because they couldn’t get a shot on goal to save their lives until it was too late.

Rapinoe had a brace, set up most of our shots on goal, and made a handful of defensive contributions. Yeah, it’s all luck.

I hope they don't relax and look past England...they've looked really good, and attack far more than France does.