On to other teams and games.

Didn't see Sweden play. Great result for South Africa to beat Italy and get through to the knockouts. Football is insanely popular in that country among the non-White population, but now slowly supplanting rugby and cricket among Whites as well. The women's team doing well will give a boost to the sport and make up for some of the disappointment with the underachieving men's national team. It's a very sports-crazy culture, just like Australia, so the rest of the world better watch out as the girls come up. They are already the reigning Africa champs.

France vs Panama (parts of which I saw) was entertaining. The French are, stereotypically perhaps, mercurial. Reminds me a bit of the French men's team before they started winning championships. Talented, fast, creative and fearless in attack, but also loose at the back with big lapses of focus. Some of the girls in this team are among the most exciting footballers I have seen. The way they flow forward, with flicks, dribbles and 1-touch passes and running off the ball is a joy to watch. On our visits to France we have seen a bit of the popularity of football among boys and girls alike among all ethnicities and they way they play it in the city parks and neighborhoods. Reminds me a bit of the way basketball is played in the inner cities of our country. The French aren't going to win this one - too undisciplined at the back - but the farther they go, more the entertainment value.

Sad about Brazil. But apart from their first game, they were a big disappointment. Good moments in possession and attack, plenty of physicality and skill, but lots of errors and (probably) lack of organization - what else would explain the no. of times against France and even Jamaica they seemed to be caught 1-on-1 in their own half in dangerous positions?

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.

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.

2023 - blame the coaches - blame the teachers - blame your parents.

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.

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone see Marta’s departing press conference? She emotionally talks about how she has always thought about the collective. Compare that to Rapinoe’s quotes about worrying that her career was over when Portugal almost made that shot… just such a different world view

White privilige on full display, what your point? Some of us folks could have predicted that difference in their approaches

Did anyone see Marta’s departing press conference? She emotionally talks about how she has always thought about the collective. Compare that to Rapinoe’s quotes about worrying that her career was over when Portugal almost made that shot… just such a different world view

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.

Help me - whose fault is it

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.

Alright Sunil Gulati whatever makes you sleep better at night

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.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aww - "the brand"

Well - if USWNT is the "brand" that brings in the real money - I suggest the people that benifit from the brand take better care of it's image.

Its (no apostrophe, genius) image is just fine.

Image is just fine (in your opinion).

They are not your team. They represent a nation and as such, they represent everyone within its borders. That is suppose to be their brand.

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.

Anonymous wrote:Aww - "the brand"

Well - if USWNT is the "brand" that brings in the real money - I suggest the people that benifit from the brand take better care of it's image.

Its (no apostrophe, genius) image is just fine.

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?