|
Post by bbg95 on May 29, 2023 11:42:35 GMT -5
The Women's World Cup is less than two months away. I think the draw lines up well for Team USA. If they can win their group, they would play the first knockout match against the runner-up of Group G and then potentially the winner of Group A in the quarterfinal.
|
|
|
Post by mervinswerved on May 29, 2023 11:45:33 GMT -5
Reposting my brag from the other WC thread:
Got our seat assignments for NZ/Australia this summer. I ended up buying tickets to a bunch of games because they're cheap. We finalized our travel plans, so we'll be seeing:
Canada-Nigeria in Melbourne Italy-Argentina in Auckland USA-Netherlands in Wellington
I have tickets for NZ-Philippines in Wellington and USA-Portugal in Auckland (awesome seats for both) but the schedule ended up not working out.
A big bummer is we're going to miss the All Blacks against South Africa in Auckland by a few days, a NZ Warriors (Rugby League) game by a few days, and the All Blacks against Australia by a week. Would have been very cool to see the haka live an in person.
|
|
|
Post by mervinswerved on May 29, 2023 11:47:10 GMT -5
If anyone wants third row for NZ-PHI or front row for USA-POR let me know.
|
|
|
Post by Mocha on Jun 21, 2023 15:15:06 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Mocha on Jun 21, 2023 15:21:39 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by mervinswerved on Jun 21, 2023 15:26:44 GMT -5
Interesting mix of youth and experience. Not a ton of defensive depth or, frankly, proven quality. Vlatko has mentioned Ertz possibly playing some CB (her original position with the USWNT).
Crazy to think this is still a powerhouse roster even though they're missing four world class players (Sauerbrunn, Macario, Swanson, and Mewis) through injury.
|
|
|
Post by bbg95 on Jun 21, 2023 15:53:54 GMT -5
Rapinoe isn't retired yet?
|
|
|
Post by ned3vball on Jun 21, 2023 17:03:03 GMT -5
Rapinoe isn't retired yet? The injury bug solved that problem. Her main job will not be playing, as the quotes already state her minutes will be managed. 14 players going to first world cup, they need a few of the old guard.
|
|
|
Post by bbg95 on Jun 21, 2023 17:16:35 GMT -5
Rapinoe isn't retired yet? The injury bug solved that problem. Her main job will not be playing, as the quotes already state her minutes will be managed. 14 players going to first world cup, they need a few of the old guard. Hmm, I think I'd rather bring someone who won't be 38 and on a minutes restriction (there is no shortage of great US talent), but whatever. As I recall, the major criticism of the team that failed to win the Tokyo Olympics was that they were too old. I guess we'll see. They have a favorable draw.
|
|
|
Post by mervinswerved on Jun 21, 2023 17:26:39 GMT -5
Rapinoe isn't retired yet? The injury bug solved that problem. Her main job will not be playing, as the quotes already state her minutes will be managed. 14 players going to first world cup, they need a few of the old guard. I doubt she starts, but I could see her playing in all the important games. She's still the best dead ball specialist on the roster. Playing on the left lets Dunn provide some needed defensive cover for her, too. Rodman is going to play one of the three forward spots along with Morgan. Question is who takes the third and on which side. That'll have as much impact on Pinoe's PT as anything.
|
|
|
Post by Wolfgang on Jun 21, 2023 17:30:37 GMT -5
My last Women's World Cup was in the 1990s when Brandy Chastain took off her shirt.
|
|
|
Post by mervinswerved on Jun 21, 2023 17:31:38 GMT -5
The injury bug solved that problem. Her main job will not be playing, as the quotes already state her minutes will be managed. 14 players going to first world cup, they need a few of the old guard. Hmm, I think I'd rather bring someone who won't be 38 and on a minutes restriction (there is no shortage of great US talent), but whatever. As I recall, the major criticism of the team that failed to win the Tokyo Olympics was that they were too old. I guess we'll see. They have a favorable draw. Who would you take instead of Rapinoe? Mallory Swanson is hurt. Macario is hurt. If they were both available, it's probably Smith and Thompson who get bumped before Rapinoe. I'd keep Williams just because she can come in and press the hell out of people.
|
|
|
Post by donut on Jun 21, 2023 17:47:20 GMT -5
Interesting mix of youth and experience. Not a ton of defensive depth or, frankly, proven quality. Vlatko has mentioned Ertz possibly playing some CB (her original position with the USWNT). I think it's more likely Sonnett plays CB. I think our midfield depth is concerning with DeMelo having 0 international caps, Lavelle not being 100%, and Sullivan just... not being Ertz. Hell, I've heard analysts suggest that if Ertz isn't 100%, the USA should consider 4 midfielders. I'm definitely in the camp that if she isn't playing in the 6 position, our chances at three-peating go down significantly.
|
|
|
Post by donut on Jun 21, 2023 17:50:36 GMT -5
Casey Krueger is the biggest snub. Not even sure it's close.
|
|
|
Post by mervinswerved on Jun 21, 2023 17:55:37 GMT -5
Interesting mix of youth and experience. Not a ton of defensive depth or, frankly, proven quality. Vlatko has mentioned Ertz possibly playing some CB (her original position with the USWNT). I think it's more likely Sonnett plays CB. Neither option fills me with confidence. The midfield was bad in Tokyo. Playing Horan deeper with Ertz might help, then you just let Rose and the three forwards cook. I can't see how Ertz can be anything close to "2019 Julie Ertz" who was arguably the best player in the world. The question is how much can she be? If she's 85% of that peak, that's still pretty great. That Netherlands game is going to tell us a lot about the group. It should be an extremely fun tournament to watch- a lot of the big teams are a mess this summer. Pretty wide open, if you ask me.
|
|