I didn’t think this game would be close! Instead, it kind of is! The USWNT benched their best player! It’s the World Cup final! I can’t stop using exclamation points! So, join in for the second half (and for the other games later today, too)! I’ll be popping in and out! Goodbye!
1) The Dutch are playing a 4-4-2 with two central midfielders. The USWNT are playing a 4-3-3 with three central midfielders. The USWNT have more central midfielders! They should play through the midfield! And yet, they're forcing things up the wings.
2) Oh, and the USWNT's best midfielder isn't playing because /shrug.
Two World Cups in a row. That's what you call unfuckwithable. Shoutout to this group of women. It's hard to imagine there'll ever be a better collection of talent -- in any sport.
I guess, my parting note here is this: Most national teams are poorly coached and poorly managed. As you guys probably know, I've written about why countless times -- not enough time to build cohesion, more money in the club game, most federations are deeply flawed and politicized, and etc. -- and that's not to say that teams shouldn't strive for something better. But: France won the World Cup with a handbrake on and a striker who didn't score a goal, Croatia made the final by playing a style from 1997, England did nothing in open play and made the semis, Germany left Leroy Sane off the team, Spain fired their coach right before the tournament started, and Argentina LMFAO ARGENTINA. So! I think it's important to keep that in mind when you're assessing the performance of the US or any other national team. Had a blast today, though, guys! Thanks as always for hanging out. We'll do it again soon.
This is one of the few times where I'll use this word, but: The US "should" be up a goal right now. Didn't take as many shots, but the chances were all pretty high quality. Fun game!
Brazil's record under Tite is absurd. He took over in 2016, and they've lost twice: to Belgium at the WC and to Argentina in a friendly. They're deserved winners of the Copa: 13 goals scored, one conceded in six games.
Feels like the only time Gabriel Jesus touches the ball for City is when he's missing tap-ins. It's been fun to get to see him flex a little bit for Brazil.
Are 100% of the people here from the USA or cheering for them? I'm wearing my Ajax jersey and hoping these women deliver the first World Cup to Cruyff's country.
the only thing I remember about Ochoa is that when he played at Granada someone who knows things told me he was the worst professional keeper in a top 5 league they had ever tracked (and then immediately after said that the team was so bad it was hard to say any of it was his fault)
I ... don't think that was that bad? Pretty even game overall. US were really unlucky not to score, given the quality of all chances they created. Mexico were dominant in the second half, though, and GB's adjustments and subs were very [shrug emoji]. I guess the question is: based on talent, should the US only be playing a not-full-strength Mexico toe-to-toe?
What do we think: Tata masterclass in the second half to turn things around, or is Mexico just handling the long balls now? Bit of both, I'd say. And as they type that, a flick-on comes off and Pulisic takes his first touches (I assume) of the second half in the MEX box.
There are two injury replacements -- guys who weren't in the initial squads until others got hurt -- starting this game. One for each side. I'm always baffled by that.
US are playing long to bypass the Mexico press. If Altidore can keep winning those individual battles with the backline, then that strat seems like it'll pay dividends eventually.
I just looked up the average club-team ranking (per 538's rankings) for both outfield starting XIs. For the US, it's 266 -- or Sydney FC in the A-League. And for Mexico, it's 139 -- or Reims in Ligue 1. https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/global-club-soccer-rankings/
Predictions anyone? I "feel" like the US is going to win, but this whole enterprise is premised on the idea that you should question our gut, so I'll do that and say ... 2-1 Mexico.
Ah, yes, Peru are maintaining the exact same shape they used in build-up play when they were at 11v11. I hate that. You have an extra player! Do something with it! Look how many defenders they have back when they're establishing possession. It's maddening.
Is anyone watching the Copa America final? And if so, can anyone sketch out a scenario in which Peru wins that does not involve penalties or massive amounts of good fortune?
I'm gonna head out for a bit, but I'll pop back over for the Copa final and the Gold Cup, too. A couple parting thoughts:
1) Despite coming into the tournament with the reputation as the best attacking team in the world, the US won mainly because of their defense. Just three goals conceded all tournament. Chalk another international-tournament win up to a dominant rearguard.
2) As Joe pointed out below, there are only five players on the current team who will be under 30 come the next World Cup. Two of 'em are, imo, the two best players on the team -- Lavelle and Horan -- but it's gonna be a tough transition to manage.
The USWNT are going to win but it's obvious that it is despite Jill Ellis not because of her. That's the moral of this World Cup, that the individual talent (similar to France last year) triumphed over any coaching mediocrity.
Horan goes into the Final rested, motivated, and now not worried about carrying a yellow card. Sam Mewis would be starting on nearly any other team in the world, has been scoring a LOT, plays both wide and centrally very very effectively, is tall, and is a strong 50/50 ball player. There was absolutely no downside at all to having Horan lay back unless we needed her. We also didn't need to play through the middle with Press on the field. The most important thing was to not get caught down the lines n the backfield on defense, and play wide up front so that Alex couldn't be double-teamed.
Today we should have Horan. Also, WNT very dynamically shifts from a 3-4-1-2 and a 4-3-3. But if the Dutch try to press high with their outside midfielders there will be a lot of trouble. The Dutch don't want to play through the midfield either unless they think the US offense is not clicking and there is low risk of turning the ball over in the midfield. We now know that US will willingly go to a 4-4-2 and even a 5-4-1 if they get in trouble. One thing we really need is for Lavelle to not spray shots from 35 yards out into the upper seats instead of passing into the 18.
I continue to be both amazed and perplexed at the state and direction of the US men’s program.
A huge rich country with unparalleled resources and facilities. Three times population of Mexico and many more times the economic base. Yet, the record seems clear. The US sends almost no players of consequence to big teams and leagues and still loses regularly to Mexico.
Anyone have and idea as to why? And a suggestion for change?
I’m a Mexico supporter so that colors my view, but was the USA team as poor as I think? Bradley, my lord he is Mr. Mistake and no, zero, nada offensive cohesion.
Long balls and pray! Mexico really misses Lozano and Tecatito on frontline and back line wobbled too frequently.
Just realized this: The US are playing the same way they played when Abby Wambach, who is not on the team, was on the team.
I have two thoughts:
1) The Dutch are playing a 4-4-2 with two central midfielders. The USWNT are playing a 4-3-3 with three central midfielders. The USWNT have more central midfielders! They should play through the midfield! And yet, they're forcing things up the wings.
2) Oh, and the USWNT's best midfielder isn't playing because /shrug.
Two World Cups in a row. That's what you call unfuckwithable. Shoutout to this group of women. It's hard to imagine there'll ever be a better collection of talent -- in any sport.
Announcers are saying "shoulder to shoulder", but that was just silly defending.
This is nuts https://twitter.com/sidlowe/status/1147987422006972417
That should do it. Netherlands have only taken one shot so far. They need two goals. Rose Lavelle: pretty, pretty good.
Michael Bradley is the player dumb Liverpool fans think Jordan Henderson is
I guess, my parting note here is this: Most national teams are poorly coached and poorly managed. As you guys probably know, I've written about why countless times -- not enough time to build cohesion, more money in the club game, most federations are deeply flawed and politicized, and etc. -- and that's not to say that teams shouldn't strive for something better. But: France won the World Cup with a handbrake on and a striker who didn't score a goal, Croatia made the final by playing a style from 1997, England did nothing in open play and made the semis, Germany left Leroy Sane off the team, Spain fired their coach right before the tournament started, and Argentina LMFAO ARGENTINA. So! I think it's important to keep that in mind when you're assessing the performance of the US or any other national team. Had a blast today, though, guys! Thanks as always for hanging out. We'll do it again soon.
This is one of the few times where I'll use this word, but: The US "should" be up a goal right now. Didn't take as many shots, but the chances were all pretty high quality. Fun game!
Brazil's record under Tite is absurd. He took over in 2016, and they've lost twice: to Belgium at the WC and to Argentina in a friendly. They're deserved winners of the Copa: 13 goals scored, one conceded in six games.
Feels like the only time Gabriel Jesus touches the ball for City is when he's missing tap-ins. It's been fun to get to see him flex a little bit for Brazil.
[John Madden voice] Worst thing that could’ve happened to Peru was conceding an early goal.
That was the first converted penalty in a WWC final. Wow!
Are 100% of the people here from the USA or cheering for them? I'm wearing my Ajax jersey and hoping these women deliver the first World Cup to Cruyff's country.
the only thing I remember about Ochoa is that when he played at Granada someone who knows things told me he was the worst professional keeper in a top 5 league they had ever tracked (and then immediately after said that the team was so bad it was hard to say any of it was his fault)
Jill Ellis must know something about Horan that we don’t bc I can’t find a reason she shouldn’t start
I ... don't think that was that bad? Pretty even game overall. US were really unlucky not to score, given the quality of all chances they created. Mexico were dominant in the second half, though, and GB's adjustments and subs were very [shrug emoji]. I guess the question is: based on talent, should the US only be playing a not-full-strength Mexico toe-to-toe?
That goal was not the first time McKennie's been McKennie'd this game: midfielder makes a late run into the box right past him.
What do we think: Tata masterclass in the second half to turn things around, or is Mexico just handling the long balls now? Bit of both, I'd say. And as they type that, a flick-on comes off and Pulisic takes his first touches (I assume) of the second half in the MEX box.
I don't totally "get" Christian Roldan. Berhalter definitely needed to tweak things, though.
Someone should tell Mexico about xG ...
US is lucky that it's Pizarro, and not Chucky, out there trying to create things for Mexico.
I'm tempted to say that this kiiiiiind of looks like one of those hectic Bundesliga games where both teams cancel each other out.
There are two injury replacements -- guys who weren't in the initial squads until others got hurt -- starting this game. One for each side. I'm always baffled by that.
US are playing long to bypass the Mexico press. If Altidore can keep winning those individual battles with the backline, then that strat seems like it'll pay dividends eventually.
Wow. That's two HUGE chances for the US in the first eight minutes.
I just looked up the average club-team ranking (per 538's rankings) for both outfield starting XIs. For the US, it's 266 -- or Sydney FC in the A-League. And for Mexico, it's 139 -- or Reims in Ligue 1. https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/global-club-soccer-rankings/
Predictions anyone? I "feel" like the US is going to win, but this whole enterprise is premised on the idea that you should question our gut, so I'll do that and say ... 2-1 Mexico.
I previewed the US-Mexico game in here: https://nograssintheclouds.substack.com/p/your-soccer-crib-sheet-75-edition
I'm off to catch some sunlight, but I'll be back for the Copa Oro in a few hours.
Ah, yes, Peru are maintaining the exact same shape they used in build-up play when they were at 11v11. I hate that. You have an extra player! Do something with it! Look how many defenders they have back when they're establishing possession. It's maddening.
First goal Brazil's given up all tournament.
Is anyone watching the Copa America final? And if so, can anyone sketch out a scenario in which Peru wins that does not involve penalties or massive amounts of good fortune?
I'm gonna head out for a bit, but I'll pop back over for the Copa final and the Gold Cup, too. A couple parting thoughts:
1) Despite coming into the tournament with the reputation as the best attacking team in the world, the US won mainly because of their defense. Just three goals conceded all tournament. Chalk another international-tournament win up to a dominant rearguard.
2) As Joe pointed out below, there are only five players on the current team who will be under 30 come the next World Cup. Two of 'em are, imo, the two best players on the team -- Lavelle and Horan -- but it's gonna be a tough transition to manage.
The USWNT are going to win but it's obvious that it is despite Jill Ellis not because of her. That's the moral of this World Cup, that the individual talent (similar to France last year) triumphed over any coaching mediocrity.
Who should win the Golden Ball?
Arjen robben to come out of retirement with a wig for a 20 min hat trick?
I'm never watching the Dutch play a final again
It’s time to bring in Press. I don’t care who gets subbed off rapinoe or heath.
#FREEHORAN
We used a sub before the 80th minute! Huzzah!
This just shows that the Dutch are the real deal, and that great goaltending is underrated...
coming. Exile Bradley to the moon
he should get the goal just for that nutmeg
Firminho worst player on the pitch for Brazil today, right? Seems a step off the rest of the team
I'm guessing the ref has a car idling at the gate and a charter gassed up at the airport after that penalty call
as a liverpool fan, there are few players I have wanted them to sign for dumber reasons than Everton
Horan goes into the Final rested, motivated, and now not worried about carrying a yellow card. Sam Mewis would be starting on nearly any other team in the world, has been scoring a LOT, plays both wide and centrally very very effectively, is tall, and is a strong 50/50 ball player. There was absolutely no downside at all to having Horan lay back unless we needed her. We also didn't need to play through the middle with Press on the field. The most important thing was to not get caught down the lines n the backfield on defense, and play wide up front so that Alex couldn't be double-teamed.
Today we should have Horan. Also, WNT very dynamically shifts from a 3-4-1-2 and a 4-3-3. But if the Dutch try to press high with their outside midfielders there will be a lot of trouble. The Dutch don't want to play through the midfield either unless they think the US offense is not clicking and there is low risk of turning the ball over in the midfield. We now know that US will willingly go to a 4-4-2 and even a 5-4-1 if they get in trouble. One thing we really need is for Lavelle to not spray shots from 35 yards out into the upper seats instead of passing into the 18.
I continue to be both amazed and perplexed at the state and direction of the US men’s program.
A huge rich country with unparalleled resources and facilities. Three times population of Mexico and many more times the economic base. Yet, the record seems clear. The US sends almost no players of consequence to big teams and leagues and still loses regularly to Mexico.
Anyone have and idea as to why? And a suggestion for change?
I’m a Mexico supporter so that colors my view, but was the USA team as poor as I think? Bradley, my lord he is Mr. Mistake and no, zero, nada offensive cohesion.
Long balls and pray! Mexico really misses Lozano and Tecatito on frontline and back line wobbled too frequently.
Mex gets a 7-8, US 4-5.