I watched England beat Norway in the Euros (9-0 I think) , and England seemed to convert every scoring opportunity. By contrast, we have watched Morgan, Smith, Horan and others miss “chip shots” time and time again. It is almost as though our players don’t want to give “that extra degree of effort” to assure getting the damn ball in the net. Instead, we see them shaking their heads and giving off a “ stunned look” of frustration. We need to either get hungrier players or make these players hungry. Otherwise, third place in a real tournament will be lucky. We also still have no real idea of how our defense will perform against a team that can threaten. So far, we have pretty much just needed to show up. I could have a clean sheet against Concacaf.
Let’s try to keep some perspective. The point of the Euros is to win the Euros. The main prize is actually winning the tournament. The point and prize of the CONCACAF W tournament is to qualify. I know the US wants to win every game but the stakes are much different in these 2 tournaments. Both Costa Rica and Jamaica looked perfectly content with losing their respective games and trying to win the 3rd place game instead. There’s 0 chance of that happening in the Euros. It seems silly to compare these 2 tournaments. Also, it’s about 75 - 80 degrees in England while in Monterrey it’s almost 100. I believe when the US took the field the “feels like” temperature was 105. Most people could barely breathe in that climate and yet we expect this team to pour all of their energy into this game and be technically perfect? I have a lot of questions about this team and Vlatko’s tactics and decision making but people need to come back down to earth a little.
Excellent points, Caity. I am tough to please. I can’t help wondering how the Mexican site was chosen to host a July tournament. There is the 100 degree thing, and there is “no fan interest “ at all, save for the home team. It is a disservice to the players to see absolutely no one ( except family) cheering. Canada will be an interesting match. And winning it means a lot.
That’s another reason this is reminiscent of Tokyo. It feels like there are Covid restrictions in place and that’s why the attendance is so low, which is sad. I wonder if that messes with the players at all too. They have higher attendances at their NWSL games. I have no idea who thought it would be a good idea to have this in Mexico. I appreciate moving it out of the US because in a sense it really isn’t fair that these tournaments are so often home games for them. I also understand that in CONCACAF there aren’t a ton of viable options for host nations, but this has not been a good look for the region.
And I think the organizers would know that only in the US can they draw varied crowds ( every Concacaf nation has substantial population centers in the US), and ( as a rule) people have more discretionary income to purchase tickets. But I get it. There are other nice stadiums in all the countries. And it seems wrong for the US to get everything
Understand not thinking the USWNT would do well at the Euros, and know that winning the final will be important, but I think you underplay how much the team is looking towards next year (for valid reasons).
The USWNT is using this tournament as a testing ground, rather than playing for results. And given their history, suggesting they won’t be ready when it is time to play for results is a definite gamble.
The US doesn't look good right now. It is the "eye test". Better tonight than against Mexico, but just a lot of sloppy passing and play in general. Clearly there is a lot of talent on the squad but there is a lot of room for improvement. And that's good, at least in the timeframe of the WC. Oh, and I love Rose Lavelle -- she may be the key for US WC success. Such a fabulous player.
I think that the US and Canada are every bit in Germany's and France's and England's league. What is so amazing is how solidly these European teams have caught up to the two North American powerhouses and -- even more interesting -- how the European sports and soccer public has suddenly discovered these teams! They are really popular and followed by many! This is totally new and very interesting!
I watched England beat Norway in the Euros (9-0 I think) , and England seemed to convert every scoring opportunity. By contrast, we have watched Morgan, Smith, Horan and others miss “chip shots” time and time again. It is almost as though our players don’t want to give “that extra degree of effort” to assure getting the damn ball in the net. Instead, we see them shaking their heads and giving off a “ stunned look” of frustration. We need to either get hungrier players or make these players hungry. Otherwise, third place in a real tournament will be lucky. We also still have no real idea of how our defense will perform against a team that can threaten. So far, we have pretty much just needed to show up. I could have a clean sheet against Concacaf.
Let’s try to keep some perspective. The point of the Euros is to win the Euros. The main prize is actually winning the tournament. The point and prize of the CONCACAF W tournament is to qualify. I know the US wants to win every game but the stakes are much different in these 2 tournaments. Both Costa Rica and Jamaica looked perfectly content with losing their respective games and trying to win the 3rd place game instead. There’s 0 chance of that happening in the Euros. It seems silly to compare these 2 tournaments. Also, it’s about 75 - 80 degrees in England while in Monterrey it’s almost 100. I believe when the US took the field the “feels like” temperature was 105. Most people could barely breathe in that climate and yet we expect this team to pour all of their energy into this game and be technically perfect? I have a lot of questions about this team and Vlatko’s tactics and decision making but people need to come back down to earth a little.
Excellent points, Caity. I am tough to please. I can’t help wondering how the Mexican site was chosen to host a July tournament. There is the 100 degree thing, and there is “no fan interest “ at all, save for the home team. It is a disservice to the players to see absolutely no one ( except family) cheering. Canada will be an interesting match. And winning it means a lot.
That’s another reason this is reminiscent of Tokyo. It feels like there are Covid restrictions in place and that’s why the attendance is so low, which is sad. I wonder if that messes with the players at all too. They have higher attendances at their NWSL games. I have no idea who thought it would be a good idea to have this in Mexico. I appreciate moving it out of the US because in a sense it really isn’t fair that these tournaments are so often home games for them. I also understand that in CONCACAF there aren’t a ton of viable options for host nations, but this has not been a good look for the region.
And I think the organizers would know that only in the US can they draw varied crowds ( every Concacaf nation has substantial population centers in the US), and ( as a rule) people have more discretionary income to purchase tickets. But I get it. There are other nice stadiums in all the countries. And it seems wrong for the US to get everything
Understand not thinking the USWNT would do well at the Euros, and know that winning the final will be important, but I think you underplay how much the team is looking towards next year (for valid reasons).
The USWNT is using this tournament as a testing ground, rather than playing for results. And given their history, suggesting they won’t be ready when it is time to play for results is a definite gamble.
I wonder how you can compare the quality of teams like this! Meeting the eye test?
To be discussed
I guess that's what it is. Not sure it's entirely fair to do, but it's hard not to when tournaments are happening at the same time.
The US doesn't look good right now. It is the "eye test". Better tonight than against Mexico, but just a lot of sloppy passing and play in general. Clearly there is a lot of talent on the squad but there is a lot of room for improvement. And that's good, at least in the timeframe of the WC. Oh, and I love Rose Lavelle -- she may be the key for US WC success. Such a fabulous player.
I think that the US and Canada are every bit in Germany's and France's and England's league. What is so amazing is how solidly these European teams have caught up to the two North American powerhouses and -- even more interesting -- how the European sports and soccer public has suddenly discovered these teams! They are really popular and followed by many! This is totally new and very interesting!