2015 U.S. Women's World Cup Soccer (was Hope Solo)

[Abu3baid]

https://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/hope-solo-could-left-off-us-world-cup-204811084--spt.html

Quote:

Goalkeeper Hope Solo faces the possibility of being left off the American roster for this year's Women's World Cup if she fails to complete tasks set for her by the U.S. Soccer Federation, which may include alcohol counseling.

Quote:

"The situation warranted a consequence, and we thought it was reasonable," Ellis said. "This is important for us to be able to focus the players that we have on these games and then allow Hope some time to sort of reflect on some things. So I think as far as the specifics, like Sunil said, we're not going to get into those, but Hope and I had some very good conversations and I'm optimistic about moving forward."

Basically last week Hope got into some sort of trouble for her actions while practicing with the team.  She was then suspended and told she wouldn't travel with the team for exhibitions with mexico I believe or some other country.  Now, the news is coming out that she might be left out of the world cup team.

All of this happened right after she was acquitted of all charges for her fight with her nephew or other relatives.  She just joins the long list of athletes who squander the talent they were given because of off field and in this case some on field actions.  go figure.

[RandallT]

I'm watching USA-China now. There's Hope. Is she THAT good? Seems to be playing an ok game, but she just punched one out to the top of the box that I thought she could've just caught. With a tight one goal lead, we can't afford a mistake to the tough Chinese team. They are pressing us.

[Vinsk]

Most girl keepers and even some men make the horrible mistake of punching out balls they should've caught. USA dominated the offense against China....but overall I'm not impressed with the slow and horribly fuddlesome strikers for the USA. But it's what you generally get with women's soccer. No good shots outside the 18 as they're just not strong enough. Of course most the women keepers can barely jump high enough to clear the cross bar so it can sometimes be a decent gamble.

[RandallT]

Most girl keepers and even some men make the horrible mistake of punching out balls they should've caught. USA dominated the offense against China....but overall I'm not impressed with the slow and horribly fuddlesome strikers for the USA. But it's what you generally get with women's soccer. No good shots outside the 18 as they're just not strong enough. Of course most the women keepers can barely jump high enough to clear the cross bar so it can sometimes be a decent gamble.

Rodriquez impressed me. I haven't seen our team play in a while. She blew an early goal chance but was pretty dynamic. I guess she is a new star and has Wombach on the bench? Surprised me. But yes, we didn't generate too many chances despite controlling most of the game. Was somewhat dull match despite close score. Not sure we can get away with lackluster match against Germany in semifinal next. Possibly the match of the tourney? #1 v #2 in world.

[Vinsk]

Agreed. But I think Abby had her time. She's just way too slow to be out there now. She won't make anything happen, she pretty much hangs around hoping for any easy goal. We need Ropinoe, she's the only one on the team with a good boot. I actually would like to see her as center striker, her feeds to the middle are great but just too forceful for the weak forwards to handle them. Stick Morgan out on the wing and let Ropinoe fire away at the goal.

[RandallT]

Thread jack- this seems to be a good spot to discuss Women's World Cup 2015:

Hoping the match tonight lives up to this billing!

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/u-s-vs-germany-is-the-greatest-womens-world-cup-game-of-all-time/

Quote:

Tonight’s semifinal match between the United States and Germany is the greatest Women’s World Cup game of all time, according to our Women’s Soccer Power Index, which gives this game an average WSPI rating of 95.5. That’s the largest average WSPI of any two teams to ever play each other at a Women’s World Cup. By this measure, the 1999 final is only the eighth-greatest game of all time.

Germany appears stronger, but maybe the US finally puts things together. Another quote from the article: " Historically, when the U.S. and Germany have met at a World Cup, the winner has gone on to win the tournament. "

[Vinsk]

Bad call...we didn't deserve our spot ball. But nonetheless we scored an honest goal as well. First half we looked great with our passing and ball control. Unfortunately as usual the highly overrated Alex Morgan flubbed some easy ones and killed a few good chances to assist as well. Our girls will win the WC but we have a few time bombs that could cause a disaster: 1. Alex Morgan. Watch a video of her "best goals" all her goals are unchallenged gimmie inside the pk mark. She has a weak boot and poor ball control. Not sure how she made it to the WC team. 2. Wambach. Great motivational speaker....but keep her on the sidelines...too slow, tires quickly. 3. Hope Solo. Grossly overrated as a keeper. Her vertical leap is pathetic, she dives for no reason other than show and she constantly punches the ball when she should catch it. She also tends to stay back when there's action in the p box where she should be coming out with knee up and going for the ball. But if the worthy strikers can get in sync with Rapinoe then we can pull this off.

[RandallT]

Bad call...we didn't deserve our spot ball. But nonetheless we scored an honest goal as well. First half we looked great with our passing and ball control. Unfortunately as usual the highly overrated Alex Morgan flubbed some easy ones and killed a few good chances to assist as well. Our girls will win the WC but we have a few time bombs that could cause a disaster: 1. Alex Morgan. Watch a video of her "best goals" all her goals are unchallenged gimmie inside the pk mark. She has a weak boot and poor ball control. Not sure how she made it to the WC team. 2. Wambach. Great motivational speaker....but keep her on the sidelines...too slow, tires quickly. 3. Hope Solo. Grossly overrated as a keeper. Her vertical leap is pathetic, she dives for no reason other than show and she constantly punches the ball when she should catch it. She also tends to stay back when there's action in the p box where she should be coming out with knee up and going for the ball. But if the worthy strikers can get in sync with Rapinoe then we can pull this off.

Agreed. Our team is relying on Lloyd to make things happen. Where was Ridriguez tonight? We were lucky tonight. Johnson should've been red carded too. Down 1-0 with 10 players. Dodged a bullet.

[Vinsk]

Yep. Good call on Lloyd. I think Rodriguez may have been sidelined as a risk in that she'll be fresh for next game. She's been kind of a "finisher" if you will. If we had been losing they would've pulled her in I think. My preference? Rapinoe center striker, Rodriguez on right wing and Ohara on the left. I'd bench Alex Morgan....no way near WC level.

[boogielicious]

Yep. Good call on Lloyd. I think Rodriguez may have been sidelined as a risk in that she'll be fresh for next game. She's been kind of a "finisher" if you will. If we had been losing they would've pulled her in I think.

My preference? Rapinoe center striker, Rodriguez on right wing and Ohara on the left. I'd bench Alex Morgan....no way near WC level.

Disagree. If anything, she occupies the attention of a full back due to her reputation, which opens up more space for others.  That is almost as valuable.  I agree with Abby.  They are putting her in defensively for her height now, but she has lost a step.  Still, she has been awesome in the past.

I also would not take Rapinoe off the field.  Best player for the US so far and maybe in the whole tournament.  But I would not put her that far forward.  I like her to control play behind the center striker.  She excels at that and she has great range.

This is the best defense the US team has ever had IMO.  Germany looked frustrated the whole second half.  My sense was they were in desperation mode after the Lloyd PK and went completely out of character for a usually disciplined German side.  Lots of dump passes and over kicks. The US squad looked to have more stamina too.

I find watching the Women's World cup more exciting than the Men's.  I know they are not as fast and strong, etc.  But they seem to hustle a whole lot more. These are the types of players I used to look for when coaching.

[Vinsk]

Alex Morgan has a range well inside the 18 and requires multiple touches if challenged in the least bit. She often completely misses the goal when pressed because she doesn't know where she is on the pitch. This happens because she keeps her head down which is a common fault of lower skilled soccer players...which she is. Rapinoe has a great boot. The best one out there. All those gorgeous crosses she sends into the box? Too strong for Morgan to control, too fast for others. If those were being fired at the goal, any woman keeper would struggle to handle them. Rapinoe can fire a good shot outside the 18 but doesn't get the chance. Instead she and Johnston have to feed it up to the likes of Morgan who just bumbles with it. Height plays little role unless it's a profound amount. Any player placed in striker will occupy the center fullbacks attention, Morgan gets their attention but then it eases up after the defenders realize unless she's alone by the pk spot she's not much to worry about. I understand the midfield is key to control the game. But with most women keepers being challenged to cover the goal, decent shots placed off center or just under the cross bar are high percentage shots. Rapinoe could do this. Morgan only if she's alone and within 10yds. I really liked the play in the first half...girls looked awesome I thought. Good call on Germany looking frustrated...totally agree. We were breaking their outside plays left and right. Japan will be tough.

[Gunther]

I find watching the Women's World cup more exciting than the Men's.  I know they are not as fast and strong, etc.  But they seem to hustle a whole lot more. These are the types of players I used to look for when coaching.

Not as many ridiculous dives either (although some), which is refreshing. I enjoy watching the men's US world cup games more than the ladies but gimme a US ladies world cup game over any EPL or other men's game, for sure.

[boogielicious]

Alex Morgan has a range well inside the 18 and requires multiple touches if challenged in the least bit. She often completely misses the goal when pressed because she doesn't know where she is on the pitch. This happens because she keeps her head down which is a common fault of lower skilled soccer players...which she is.

Rapinoe has a great boot. The best one out there. All those gorgeous crosses she sends into the box? Too strong for Morgan to control, too fast for others. If those were being fired at the goal, any woman keeper would struggle to handle them.

Rapinoe can fire a good shot outside the 18 but doesn't get the chance. Instead she and Johnston have to feed it up to the likes of Morgan who just bumbles with it.

Height plays little role unless it's a profound amount.

Any player placed in striker will occupy the center fullbacks attention, Morgan gets their attention but then it eases up after the defenders realize unless she's alone by the pk spot she's not much to worry about. I understand the midfield is key to control the game. But with most women keepers being challenged to cover the goal, decent shots placed off center or just under the cross bar are high percentage shots. Rapinoe could do this. Morgan only if she's alone and within 10yds.

I really liked the play in the first half...girls looked awesome I thought. Good call on Germany looking frustrated...totally agree. We were breaking their outside plays left and right.

Japan will be tough.

I would think you would want the stronger leg back (i.e. Rapinoe).  For me, striker should have speed. Even with her injury, Morgan has got behind defenders.  She is still getting better and faster. I think the US coach knows that.  That is why she is out there. You are very down on her abilities, but I think a lot has to do with the bone bruise.

[Vinsk]

I would think you would want the stronger leg back (i.e. Rapinoe).  For me, striker should have speed. Even with her injury, Morgan has got behind defenders.  She is still getting better and faster. I think the US coach knows that.  That is why she is out there. You are very down on her abilities, but I think a lot has to do with the bone bruise.

Very good points. But the WC is not a time to cater to "getting better" players. I agree Rapinoe is good back...but I'd like to see her get the defending keeper nervous. Morgan scores the left over gimmies....she doesn't rip rockets at the keeper like Rapinoe could.

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

I would think you would want the stronger leg back (i.e. Rapinoe).  For me, striker should have speed. Even with her injury, Morgan has got behind defenders.  She is still getting better and faster. I think the US coach knows that.  That is why she is out there. You are very down on her abilities, but I think a lot has to do with the bone bruise.

Very good points. But the WC is not a time to cater to "getting better" players. I agree Rapinoe is good back...but I'd like to see her get the defending keeper nervous. Morgan scores the left over gimmies....she doesn't rip rockets at the keeper like Rapinoe could.

Then who instead of Morgan?  I'm not sure they have a better back up.

[Vinsk]

I would just swap Leroux with Rapinoe, I'm not sure of the bench crew, and I know I'm harsh on Morgan, but it can't be hard to find another forward to replace her. Morgan just isn't WC level..may be the injury, but either way, she's not good enough for this level.

[Vinsk]

England looks awful right now....

[RandallT]

England looks awful right now....

Wow that was a cruel ending. My heart goes out to Bassett and England.