I wrote about the USWNT, who look completely different at the Olympics despite having 85 percent of the same players on the field as they had at the World Cup:
Put more simply, it appears the Americans can actually possess the ball for ... maybe the first time ever. They have ideas for how to break down the opposition -- advanced midfielders frequently combining with their same-side wingers, especially on the right with Lavelle and Rodman -- and then they're able to actually hold on to the ball when they have a lead.
Again, it's only two games, but they're averaging more possession than ever (66%), and those crossing and forward-passing numbers are the lowest they've been for the U.S. for any tournament in the Stats Perform database, which goes back to the 2011 Women's World Cup:
I wrote this before the comfy win over Australia, so, if anything, the message is even stronger now: They’re real good, and they’re real different. Happy Olympics, everyone.
My dude, you’ve been wrong about manager impact for ages.