Women's World Cup Final - USA v Japan, Running blog commentary

Aw, that was a cute bit on the space station, but maybe that's because I'm a sucker for space travel.

ESPN's Bob Ley calls the USA the favorites, and even a homer like Brandi Chastain has to point out that the USA isn't playing that great. 
Nice background on Pia, because she really is like that, in terms of working song lyrics into actual stuff she says. I like her decision to sit ARod, because Cheney and Rapino have been cool and effective customers. I think Amy sitting back and plotting how to make an impact when she comes on, will be a good idea. 
The highlights of the USA -France semifinal game are well-done, NFL films style - dramatic music and narration. 

tomsiff Siff

@soccercanales Alex Morgan gets the game winner at 82'

US 2 Japan 1

Predictions  coming in via Twitter, and if you're reading now, you can add them in the comments, too.

Um, I'm waiting for a nice video piece on Japan's semifinal win over Sweden, or their epic win over Germany. Still waiting. Be fair in your coverage, ESPN.
Ley is saying "pitch" now, endearing himself to the Eurosnobs, I guess. Foudy makes a good point about how the crowd may give sentimental support to Japan.
Ah, finally, here's Japan's video bit, and I'm teary already. The interviews with Sawa and Miyama, juxtaposed with the terrible tsunami images are touching, and a reminder that reality is so much bigger than sport, but sometimes, sport is a welcome relief from the burden of reality. It's a step back to normal, and joy, for Japan to be able to cheer their players.
The retro 1999 video would be more impactful if they hadn't  trotted out the players or had them on color commentary for the entire tournament. I'm with Hope Solo here, "tired of the comparison".
Ooh, Martin Sheen on the pregame intro commentary. Mr. President, basically, for all the West Wing fans.
Japan are already in their game gear, the USA still have warmup jackets on for the tunnel time before they march out.
Yikes, Ian Darke makes the Japan-Barcelona comparison again. Fine, then, I'm going to compare the USA to Real Madrid, since they're wearing white. It's about as relevant.
One of the little German ballkids looks startled to see the Japan players behind him with heads bowed and eyes closed during their solemn anthem. The USA players sing along to theirs, nicely in tune, for the most part.
Last time I saw Aya Miyama and Christie Rampone on the field together for a championship final, Rampone's team carried the day as Sky Blue defeated the favored LA  Sol, Miyama's team in the first-ever WPS championship.
I worry a bit about Buehler's speed, which isn't great. She risks fouls if she's playing catch-up.
1 - Cheney in the attack, but she doesn't pass to Wambach and her own shot gets blocked. The corner gets cleared by Japan.
2 - Reilly on the attack, but her cross goes awry and out.
4 - Japan has blunted the USA's early attacks and now is doing well at cutting off the USA's sloppy passes.
5- Nerves showing for both teams. Not really a chance since Cheney's.
6 - Wambach with a crappy backpass gives away possession.
7- Krieger, for me, is showing overawe at the moment. Almost all her touches have been poor. She needs to settle down.
9 - Rapino to Cheney - almost - the close redirect misses by less than a foot. Wambach on the next attacks shoots over the bar.
10 - Japan may be zeroing in on the suspect speed of the USA backline. They're playing longball to Ohno.
11- Lloyd with a shot as the ball bounces out, but it's over, though not by much.
12 - Cheney to Rapino - almost again! The close redirect misses. Except for the switch in assister to shooter, it was a similar play.
14- The USA really should have scored on one of their early chances.
16-  Game settling down tactically, but the crowd is restless, wanting to see more chances.
17 - That's interesting. German chancellor Angela Merkel is spending her birthday at the final.
18 - Lloyd may be trying too hard to be the hero. Two shots in a row off-target. Then Rapino has a go from a tough angle. Should have passed to Wambach in the middle.
20 - How does LePelbeit end up shooting? She's never scored for the USA before.
21- Despite the USA's industry and dominance of chances, they have nothing to show for it. Anyone who saw the Japan-Germany game should be worried. 
25 - Another attacking sequence of almost-chances that doesn't come off for the USA.
28 - It's a crafty strategy for the USA to drop back whenever Japan have the ball, forcing the team to look for spaces. Wambach lopes into the counter and strikes the ball well - OFF THE CROSSBAR. shucks.
31- Japan finally unlock the USA backline well, Ando free in the box shoots, but Solo is well-placed for the save.
34- A play like that is all Japan need to hang their hat on for a lead.
35- Cheney header - over the bar. Yikes. Another chance gone.
36- Japan with the ball in the USA end. A set play here for Miyama could be dangerous for the Americans.
38 - Japan have a corner kick - leads to an outside shot over the bar.
39 - Ando in the box again, but Solo picks off her feed.
41 - Japan will be happy to take a draw to the half, while the USA will be frustrated at themselves.
42 - Scrapping in the midfield, Japan have clearly stepped it up a notch before the half. But the USA break open and attack again, but Boxx lets the ball roll just out before hitting her cross.
44- Rampone far into the USA attack, but that doesn't happen, Japan coming the other way gets a cross into Ando, but she can't quite reach it. That was dangerously close for the USA.
45 - Japan on one last attack, with the final shot goes way over.
Now it's halftime and Bob Ley asks if this is the best the USA has played. Well, no. They played better when they scored. 

46- Cheney if off for Morgan, injured ankle. Unfortunate.
49- Morgan hits the post! What a nearly perfect entry that would have been to her joining the fray.
52- Lloyd from a tough angle and Foudy is now taking the USA to task for shot selection and rushing the play in their eagerness for a goal.
53 - Alex Morgan tries to take on three defenders with her limited dribbling skills. It ends predictably.
56 - Japan have a corner, and yet the ball misses everyone in the box and bounces free till the USA clear.
57 - OReilly earns a corner. Japan double-marks Wambach, and clears the service.
60 - Rapino toiling near the corner, but when she loses and then regains the ball, she fires aimlessly from distance for an easy goalkeeper catch.
62 - Sawa with a glorious chip pass to Kinga, but the shot is over the bar.
63 - Japan handled Germany on set pieces, they're doing just fine with Wambach and the USA corner kicks so far.
64 - Ohno is in on goal, called back for offside. Foudy has the guts to call the offside wrong - and it was.  Too bad she couldn't do the same in 2007 for the Greg Ryan call on goalkeeper switching.
65 - The USA with a chance the other way, but Kaihori makes a nice save on Wambach.
66- Nagasato on for Ohno.
67- Now Japan's compact defense is denying USA chances.
68- But the USA's defense is tough, too, holding a line at the box to dispossess the feed into the box.

69 -GOAL!  Rapinoe on the counter feeds Alex Morgan, and with a clear line in front of her, she bears down on goal and fires a low shot into the side netting. 1-0 USA.
71 - Well, Tom Siff did predict Morgan would score the winning goal.
73- Sawa from outside, Solo catches. Japan doesn't want their World Cup dream to die and they're fighting for it.
74 - Set play for the USA, but Kaihori's catch creates a quick Japan counter that Rampone chases down.
76- Japan chasing the equalizer, but also looking a little tired. They may lack the punch to get it.
79 - Miyama tries from distance. Solo collects.
82 - GOAL! Miyama! She got an extra chance when Buehler fell, then tried to clear from the floor, but the ball bounced off Krieger and fell perfectly for Miyama. 1-1
84- Tragic error from Krieger, who should have moved away from the ball as it came towards her, just turned to let it pass and clear, instead of blocking it to the opponent in front of her.
86 - USA with some frenzied play looking for the winner, but the finish is lacking.
87 - Morgan loses the ball in the corner again. She's fast, but she's not that tricky with her feet.
90 - Sakaguchi with a hard low shot, but it's wide.  USA on the counter firing into the box, a chance looks around the corner, but Japan scrape clear.
90+ - OReilly over the bar!
90+- Now Japan with possession, but O'Reilly runs all the way back for a good defensive play.
Extra Time!
I'm with DiCicco that better fitness doesn't mean a win in extra time. For example, the USA in the World Cup versus Ghana in 2010.
92 - USA lively right at the start. Corner kick bounces around, USA collects, feeds Wambach, but not from close and Kaihori collects the header.
93 - Pia, where's Amy Rodriguez?
95- Morgan in the box, keeps the ball, turns, shoots, wide. Good try, though.
97 - Yellow card for Miyama
98- Rodriguez and Cox, warming up for the USA.  Buehler in a footrace makes the play.
100 - OReilly and Wambach nearly combine in the box, but the Japan defense clamps down.
103- GOAL! Morgan shows she can pass, even if she's no dribbling wizard. She nails Abby on the pass, and Wambach doesn't miss from there. 2-1 USA
105 - Siff did predict a 2-1 win.
107 - Japan on the attack, and the USA are sloppy in the box again, but eventually escape.
110- Marayama from distance, but it's wide.
112 -   Bodies down in the box as Solo misses the catch and Lloyd trips with the ball free - and yet the USA somehow escape.
113 - Even unflappably cheerful  Pia looks like her nerves are fried now.
114 - Tobin Heath on for Rapinoe.
115- Heath foolishly dribbles into defenders instead of keeping the ball. Rampone clearance kick after Solo misses the catch when Sawa lofts a ball into the area. Close to disaster again for the USA. Solo is down for a bit.
116 - GOAL! Miyama with a low service, deflects off Wambach, past Solo and it's all even! WOW. 2-2
120- Wambach gets a great ball in the box, but her feet aren't as sure as her head and it's over the bar even though she was in super close.
121 - RED CARD - Iwashuma gets it for a sliding tackle on Alex Morgan just outside the box.
122 - Free kick trick play doesn't come off. Heath tries to follow but her shot is blocked out.
PENALTY KICKS!
It all comes to this. A still hobbling Hope Solo steps into her net.
Wow, the World Cup melted my computer for a while.
It all went south for the USA in penalty kicks.
Kahori made a great kick save on Boxxy, then Carli Lloyd had a terrible miss high, then Tobin Heath hit a weak low shot that was saved. Solo managed to save one shot and Wambach made her penalty, but when Kamugi stepped up and nailed her shot, it was over.
Japan wins their first Women's World Cup ever. They fought, and fought and never gave up, and in the end, they triumphed. What an excellent tournament. What a crazy game.


Well, well. Yes, the USA should have done better to put chances away, but Japan earned the win by taking the chances they did get. And in fact, the USA got lucky on a few points as well. Anyway, I'm off to see if Brazil chocked on penalties in the Copa America.

The End of the Innocence

Billy Witz has a nice piece up about how the USA Women winning the World Cup tomorrow could be bad for the team and the women's program in the long run. 

However, I don't agree with all of it. Yes, I do think the USA is now relying more on athleticism instead of skill to squeeze out wins against teams who have advanced their programs at a faster rate, but I guess I have more faith than Billy in Pia Sundhage. Granted, Billy says Pia has the right temperament for the squad, but doesn't explain beyond that. 

 I think Pia has recognized what are the strengths of the current USA program and tried to work within that context, while at the same time, she has also tried to bring more skill into the USA squad. 

Rapinoe and Cheney, probably among the most skilled players currently on the squad, are Pia's additions to the roster, and she has trusted both to make a difference when it really matters. Wambach is a useful warrior, but Pia proved she can get the team to win without Wambach in the 2008 Olympics. I think Pia's basically overseeing a transition period for the USWNT squad, and yes, she is looking to bring up more skilled youngsters like Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath to the forefront as time and her future contract status allows. Basically, I think Pia's doing a decent job with the talent currently at hand. 

Yet I also think it's a convenient sort of nostalgia to believe that Mia Hamm, Akers, et al, were so amazing as players because the USWNT trampled over the majority of teams in an era when most other women's programs were basically pitiful. The USA women didn't suddenly get less graceful and more brutish - other teams got a heck of a lot better. It happened even before Hamm left, too, which is why the USA didn't make the final in 2003. Even going back to that 1999 victory, it wasn't exactly a sporting vision of the beautiful game in full glory, given that the USA didn't manage a goal from the run of play. 

Basically, what Barcelona and Spain do at their best is very difficult. It's a worthy goal, of course, one destined to usually improve a team's play even if they don't reach it. Japan's improvement can probably largely be based in its pursuit of that model. It's not the only way to play or win, however. It also isn't the best fit for other teams that are talented in different ways. 

Soccer is soccer. What works shouldn't necessarily be condemned for not being pretty enough. While I agree that long-term development of skill will help the USA stay at the top of the increasingly competitive women's game, so will speed, strength, hustle and sheer determination. 

To me, if the USA Women win Sunday, it will in some ways be the most meaningful championship of all, because it has come in a new era of parity and rankings be damned, a dawning awareness that they are not the best by leaps and bounds. It's a real dogfight to be the top dog now, and if and when they are champions, they will have truly earned it over worthy rivals.

Email on WWC Commentary

Hi AC-  I read your blog and enjoy your media criticisms and was wondering what you thought of their Women's World Cup coverage?
I think it's better than the men for a few simple reasons
1. No Lalas
2. Diciccio- great analyst, just wish they'd allow him more than just a few sentences a game. 
3. Foudy, Chastain, Darke- They all know their stuff, and Darke has much better chemistry with Foudy than he does with the men.  And Foudy actually has critical things to say.   
Japan and France have definitely played the most attractive style of technical and fluid soccer.  Brazil had their moments too.  Speaking of Brazil do you see an underlying anger or fear in their players  Individually they just projected like very unhappy people to me.  Unless that was just their game face. 
Dicicco and Foudy are right about their constant criticism of the US midfield.  Boxx and Lloyd have been very substandard and expect another massacre for the US at midfield against Japan if it's Lloyd and Boxx in the middle.  I expect Pia won't wait as long to make the move this time to Rapinoe at left and Cheney in the middle. 

Thanks,

 JM

Thanks for writing, JM. I hope you don't mind that I'm sharing your email with other blog readers. 
I agree with many of your observations, though I can't help wondering if ESPN's coverage would be as comprehensive and enthusiastic if the USA team wasn't contending to the very end. Also, as much as I admire and respect former USA players, especially the ladies of 1999, do we have to have so many of them on the broadcast? Markgraf, Chastain, Foudy, Scurry, etc. it's a bit much, and comes off as jingoistic, too. Frankly, it also still raises the question of how objective these ladies are, since they know many of the players personally. There's insider, and then there's too close to the whole thing. What's funny is I did complain for the men's World Cup coverage that there were so many foreigners commenting who didn't know the USA men's team well at all, and for the WWC, it seems like the the numerous Americans on the commentary can say a lot about team USA, but not that much about the other squads.
ESPN hasn't done justice yet, IMHO, to Japan's story of inspiring their country in the wake of the tsunami disaster. Instead, I keep getting updates on whether Pia's going to start Rapinoe or Cheney. 
Part of me feels like I'm griping about small potatoes, because in the main, the coverage is really excellent. That said, Darke and Foudy don't need to push good chemistry into "wait, I know there's a game on, but let me get the next teasing comment in" territory. If it wasn't for Healey's occasionally completely baffling asides, I'd probably prefer him and Markgraf on the call. 
I think your observations on Brazil are valid, and I feel sorry for their women's team. Germany, as a country, does a nice job supporting both their squads, but I get the feeling Brazil's women feel like they wouldn't get attention in their home country even if they won the WWC six times. I'm also wondering if the reason the women's jersey has the five stars of the WC is because Brazil was too cheap to buy their women's team separate jerseys and just got them small ones of the men's that they had in stock. Seriously, though, Brazil's biggest problem is that they've overdue to win a WWC, and that weighs on them. It's like Spain before they finally won. In some ways, Marta adds to that burden. You have the world's best player, of course you're supposed to win, except it's tougher than that in a team game. 
Japan and France on their best games are so great to watch. Their players are capable of fluid, flowing soccer that really takes the women's game to another level. Both teams have really been a revelation this tournament, and in some ways, I think the great untold story in this WWC is the changing of the guard in Europe (France stepping forward, Norway and Germany left behind) and in Asia ( China falling back while Japan advances). The reasons behind those changes deserve investigation. 
As for the USA midfield, I also agree, though I think Boxxy doesn't get enough credit for how strong her game is when she's had plenty of rest. Lloyd has been disappointing, but watch that all dissipate if she cracks a great shot from outside to win it like she did in the Olympics. It's been Lauren Cheney though, who has really impressed me. The kid who fell just a bit short in youth World Cup and on the college level wants this one badly, and she's worked like crazy to get it. 
It's going to be a difficult match, though. Japan is the team of the tournament in many ways. Their cohesion is amazing, their emotional motivation is unreal, and finally, they know the USA team very well. They know what they have to do to triumph. No surprises. Best team on the day wins. 

USA - Brazil; Reflections

1) To me, the shots of Abby Wambach and Hope Solo hugging it out in triumph after the USA's legendary and improbable win over Brazil yesterday are the most poignant. The two were at odds in the last World Cup, with Wambach one of the harshest critics of Solo's outburst, ignoring the honesty of her statements to lash out at the breaking of the team code. 

Four years later, the teammates have clearly rebuilt trust and appreciation for each other, and the joy in their ecstatic embrace and recognition of each other's heroics was clear for all to see. 

2) It took a win this crazy, this controversial, this flat-out miraculous, for women's soccer to garner the kind of headlines Solo managed in 2007 by daring to question what was clearly a terrible decision by then-coach Greg Ryan. 

3) Credit to Christie Rampone for still having the speed to catch some of the world's best, but Rampone aside, the current lack of swiftness on the USA's backline is worrisome. 

4) The refereeing issues at the Women's World Cup will invariably raise the issue of whether it's a good idea to keep preferring female referees for these matches instead of just appointing the most experienced and accurate officials available, regardless of gender. It's sexist to not make a big issue of mistakes that would horrify fans of the sport in any other context simply because they're made by women and in a women's tournament.

5) Where's the YouTube videos of the fan reaction to Abby Wambach's goal like the ones made after Landon Donovan's goal versus Algeria? Point me to a link if you know.

6) Rachel, Rachel - Rapinoe, that is. I was just remembering Megan's twin sister, herself a great college player until ACL injury issues proved too much to overcome, and how special it must be to watch her little sister (by a few minutes) have her heroic moment in the World Cup, bouncing back from the start of the tournament, where Megan lost her starting spot. The sisters used to also play basketball together, and Megan's pass to Wambach was as close to an alley-oop Hail Mary as one gets in soccer and could one day be remembered along the lines of Lorenzo Charles'  (RIP) game-winning dunk from a Dereck Whittenburg pass in terms of doing for USA women's soccer what that moment did for college basketball.

7) The USA seems to have become the default team for the Germans to cheer for, especially with Kriger, who plays in the country, knocking home the deciding penalty kick to clinch it for the Americans versus Brazil. 

8) Ah, the adrenaline rush of the sport where it's not over until it's really, really over, and then there's still a bit of added injury time. 

9) Shannon Boxx is a beast - never mind the botched first penalty kick. With that in mind, it recalls again how doomed the USA was in 2007 when the red card sent her off versus Brazil. 

10) This seems to be the tournament showcasing how much women's soccer has grown worldwide, which means that it should also be time to finally revise some of those crappy qualification criteria. That the USA was so close to being out of the World Cup tournament, due to one loss, while Germany is now out of the Olympics, is kind of ridiculous. Now that there's more legitimate parity, there needs to be a more fair qualifying system.

WWC, Germany v Japan - Quarterfinals

Little preamble, as the previous match ran right up against this one. Prinz is not starting.
Kickoff!  
2- Japan has a corner. Miyama serves it up to Sawa, but it's a bit low.  
4 - Kulig with a header - high and wide, but not far off. 
7 - Japan trying to keep the ball versus the more physical Germans. 
8 - Schmidt in for the injured Kulig.  
9 - Garefrekes in to shoot, and Japan does well to clear.
12 - Japan chasing a lot, as Germany mostly have their way, so far not looking like losing Kulig has caused them to miss a beat.  Germany freekick cleared off the line. 
15 - Japan don't usually have to play rush and counter, but they're trying to do it now.  
19 - Getting a bit of a passing game going now.
20 - Da Mbabi with a shot, pulls it wide.  
23- Beeringer freekick and Germany nearly scores before a defender desperately hooks the ball away. 
27 - Germany are looking good, but Japan are also looking more competent than, say, England.  
35 - It's end to end stuff, but phone calls had me busy for a bit. 
39 - Because Japan is better than England, this game is refreshingly even, though Germany has been perhaps a bit better and with a few more chances.  
40 - Da Mbabi with a high boot in the Japan box ends that chance.  
45 - Grings bumped off the ball at the top of the box - she's furious, but nothing doing, and the halft ends scoreless. 
48 - More of the same with Germany probing, but lacking incisive play. There's no update on Kulig - she seems to have refused to go to the hospital until the game is over. 
56 - Japan clear the ball of the goalline - Germany just needed to poke it home there.  
57 - Ohno has nowhere to go against five German defenders, but give her a bit of credit - she hands on to the ball for a bit.  Sawa gives up a dangerous freekick by elbowing the ball just outside the box. 
58 - Kinga wins the header under tremendous German pressure.  
59 - Kaihori with a terrible goalkick - straight out of bounds.
60 - Bresonik on the attack - but her outside shot gets blocked.
62 - Miyama from outside, but it's over and Angerer had it covered anyway.  
63 - Ian Darke keeps calling for a Bajramaj sub. She hasn't done much this tournament yet, so I'm not sure why he's so convinced she would be the key to victory for Germany.  
64 - Bresonik is coming out for Goessling.  Sacaguchi with a good tackle on Grings kills a German attack. 
65 - Ohno off for Iwabuchi. 
67 - Ando with a nice runs wins a corner for Japan. Miyama to take it. Germany clear well, though. 
69 - Germany's freekick gets headed away by Sawa - who has led a good team effort by Japan in this match. 
70 - Germany may have the ball less than Japan, but they've threatened more. Japan has managed to frustrate them, however.  
72 - Sakaguchi gets a yellow for taking down Laudehr. The freekick service isn't great and Garefrekes' header pops wide.
74 - Ando fights for a corner. The ball drops for Sakaguchi, but her shot is blocked out and cleared.  
76 - Germany with a little run of play, but Japan makes them fight for everything and the team is clearly out of sorts. 
77 - Garefrekes in the box, but her cross isn't met until Behringer hits it at the top - way too high.  
79 - Germany again laboring to get into scoring position. As the players get more frustrated, their shots and passes get hit harder, so all precision is lost. Players are chasing even simple passes. 
80 - Ando in the box as Angerer bobbled the ball, but got away with it.
81 - Muriyama backheel sets up Miyama shot, but it's high. 
83 - Grings is down in the box, but the referee waves off a penalty appeal, though the crowd wants it. She was shouldered off the ball, sure, but the ref deemed it a fair challenge.  
85 - Japan attack, but the cross misses a charging Ando. 
87 - Sawa gets a yellow for a sliding tackle on Laudehr. Bit harsh. The freekick isn't bad, but Japan have really clogged up the box and get the ball away.  
88 - Missed call on the corner kick, but Germany win one anyway seconds later. 
89 - The crowd goes crazy, but the eventual long range shot by Peter is way over. 
90 + Da Mbabi gets a deep throw and Germany with a desperate spell of possession still can't really get a shot on goal.  
Garefrekes in the box - but with Miyama draped over her, the half-turn and shoot goes wide.  
91 - Bummer. I didn't budget time for extra-time. I won't be able to blog much longer. Iwabuchi has the ball, but Germany eventually take it off her. 
92 - Sawa is down and in serious pain. Could be a groin pull.  
94 - With a player advantage, Da Mbabi tries to turn and shoot, but puts it wide.  Sawa is back.Not a pull then. 
96 - Sawa helps Japan get a corner. 

 97 - Iwabuchi comes down on the heel of a German player. 
100 - I'm off, though the game still holds in the balance.  

WWC - England v France - Quarterfinals

Kickoff!

1 - It's on as Kelly Smith slices into the box - even two years ago, that would have been a shot on goal, but she hesitates and her eventual shot gets blocked.
3 - France recover from their bobbling start, look more comfortable in midfield. 
4 - Abily from distance goes over, but not by much.  
5 - Fara Williams earns an early yellow for a late tackle. 
7 - Delie with a decent, but predictable cross that gets blocked and cleared by Jill Scott. 
8 - Corner for France, with another attack down the same side.  It's handled easily by England, who despite not having much of the ball so far, seem determined to get the job done. Their ball play may not be pretty, but I'm not betting against them yet. They look primed to squash the more technical French by following Germany's game plan. 
11 - Sure enough, England now have a corner of their own and it looks dangerous - until the referee whistle saves the day for France after the goalkeeper failed to collect. 
13 - France have a huge share of the possession, but they don't seem confident. Maybe it's because the backup goalkeeper is in goal.  
15 - France send a ball into the England box and really both teams just watch it until is goes out over the endline. 
17 - Yankey bends in a sweet cross and Deville leaps for it, comes down safely. That could give her teammates more belief in her.  
18 - Or not. France on the break, ruin the chance with an overexcited, overhit pass.  
19 - K. Smith is offside. She also looks tired, which is surprising, as the game isn't yet 20 minutes old. 
20 - Now it is. 
22 - Corner for England gets cleared. 
23 - France counter gets ruined by Thiney offside. 
25 - France finally more effective on the counter. With room, Delie crosses to Thiney, who cranks a shot that has Bardsley diving to save.  
27 - Necib goes down, but the  ref isn't impressed - waits for the next knock to whistle. 
29 - England attack wilts on offside call. 
30 - France corner earned by Delie - leads to a Necib shot that zings too high.  
31 -  One again, France ruin their excellent build-up with nerves - Thiney's pass for Delie is too hard. 
33 - And again. 
35 -  England with a chance on the long pass, but DeVille is able to get it. 
37 - France have a freekick, and Necib puts it on goal, forcing Bardsley to punch it over. 
38 - The corner is cleared by England, but France puts the ball back in - wide. 
39 - Wide shot from distance by Abily. They're just raining pain on England, but no kill shot yet. 
40 - Ouch. Bardsley, coming out to catch a corner, pins Lepailleur against the post as she falls. That hurt. 
43 - France's possession is getting ridiculous - which means England is probably about to score. That's soccer. 
44 - England work like crazy to deny France another look at goal - which is not the same as trying to mount an attack. 
45 - England defenders passing the ball in the final moments of the half - to each other. Kelly Smith is on the ball - oh, it's taken from her.  England do manage to eventually earn a corner. It's cleared. 
45 + The whistle blows and it's even only where it matters, on the scoreline, otherwise, England have been taken to the woodshed.  
47 - Yankey in the box, but DeVille catches her cross. Powell must have yelled at her players. 
48 - Delie in for France - but she isn't right on the ball - and no one else from France is there to help.
49 - Delie! Just wide.
51 - Well, it's back  to what was - England deep defending, France pressing, nothing quite coming off. 
53 - Seriously, Markgraf, a smile isn't going to instantly make Kelly Smith play better. I'll say what others seem too polite to mention - she isn't the player she was. She's tired. 
55 - Scott just over the top! England may steal this yet, even with a fading Smith. France has wasted too many chances.  
59 - GOAL! It's Scott! France's backline sags, and the long pass works perfectly (with some help from Smith's handball) and Scott gets a shot that she bends well around the out-of-position DeVille. 1-0 England.
61 - Numerous Les Bluettes in the box, but it's no good, no one gets a shot in on goal.  
63 - It's sad, but England's direct approach  is making France's slick little passes look like a waste of time. 
64 - Smith is pissed at Bompastor's embellishment of a foul. Um, hey, handball princess, worry about your own game.
65 - Bardsley hangs on to the Necib freekick. 
67 - Delie misses from close, but it was a tough angle. 
68 - Elodie Thomis is in for Soubeyrand.
69 - Thomis in the box and her excellent cross is cut out by Smith just before it reaches a teammate.  
71 - Sometimes the better team doesn't win. That's soccer.  
72 - Maybe even the ref thinks that's an injustice. England's practical defending - pushing Thomis away from the box even before she's into the box, gets whistled for a freekick here. Bompastor gets a corner off the deflection from the wall, but Bardsley eventually collects. 
74 - England corner cleared by France, who now look despairing of getting the equalizer. Seriously, this lack of confidence for them is depressing.  
77 - Thomis in the box, Bardsley saves, and the follow by Delie is blocked out. As France collect to attack again, Georges is upended by a late E.White tackle. Yellow.
78 - The handball princesses, plural, now - in that scramble in the England box, A. Scott blocked the ball with her hand as well. Ref missed it. 
80 - Bretigny in for Necib.  
81 - France is getting crabby. It must be depressing to have 80 % possession, nearly 20 more shots on goal, and not a single tally.  
82 - Getting pissy is not helping their passing game, however.  
84 - Yankey, the quiet workhorse, is coming out of the match.  
85 - Thomis breaks free to catch a pass - she's one on one with Bardsley - through the legs, Thomis! - put she puts the shot straight into the body. 
86  - Double corner for France and England repels both, the player on the post heading away one attempt. 
88 - GOAL! Off the crossbar from Bussaglia - the luckiest, most speculative shot of all - from the top of the box as the ball popped out from the pass going into Delie. 1-1 France equalizes! Delie celebrates with Bussaglia by buffing the shoe that saved the French team.
90 - Thiney almost with the winner as France gun to win in regulation.  France then get a corner that Bardsley misses, but France can't capitalize.
90+ J. Scott gets a yellow for holding. 
Fulltime!
Powell, who a minute ago was being praised for subbing players to kill time as the game wound down with England holding the lead, is now being criticized for burning the subs when K. Smith is apparently hurt. Hindsight and all that.
92 - France look lively, eager to win in extra-time, not wanting to take their chances with penalty kicks. 
93 - I don't know the France keeper well on penalties, but Bardsley is pretty good. Bretigney with a shot. Bardsley collects. F.White is down for a bit.
96 - Thomis doesn't seem to realize her teammates don't have her speed. The pass in front of goal is too far ahead for Delie.  
98 - Abily wastes a shot from distance. This is where France miss Necib setting up the play.  
101 - The field is essentially cut in half, now, as England isn't even trying to go forward and France is pushing up.  
103 - France is tired, too - England actually get into the box, but the turn and shoot by Carney is poor. 
104 - E. White in on goal - but her shot is just wide. So close for England.  
105 - Bompastor with a poor freekick. France gets the ball to Thomis, but she can't beat Raferty to send in a cross.
107 - France make final sub, Le Sommer in for Bretigny. What the ? A sub for a sub? Aren't there players  France's squad that are dead on their feet? Why not have more fresh legs in? I don't get it.
110 - France corner. Bussaglia misses on the follow-up shot. 
112 - Bardsley down for a bit, but she's fine now as a France corner is cleared.  
114 - Bardsley catches a good Thomis cross. 
116 - France with good buildup, but the final header by LeSommer is too high. So close.
119 - England stumbling around, but their subs are working hard to defend and doing just enough to hold off France.  
122 - Bardsley out, can't reach the ball, but the shot isn't taken, and Scott is down with cramps. France have a corner.  
123 - France have another corner, but Bompastor wastes it into the side netting. Time for penalties.  
I'm still picking England, though I think France deserve it more.  
France kicks first.
Abily versus Bardsley.
Bardsley catches it! Told you she was good. 
Smith versus DeVille.  
Smith nails it. 1-0 England. 
Bussaglia hammers it home. 1-1 
Carney kicks it low and in. 2-1 England. 
Thiney dinks it past a guessing Bardsley. 2-2
Stoney roofs it! 3-2 
Bompastor, my fave French player, gets it done. 3-3 
Rafferty breaks - she pulls it wide. 3-3 
LeSommer does it! 4-3 France 
Faye White - OFF THE BAR! 
France advance, and England heartbreak in penalties resumes. 

So close for England, but honestly, it's a fair result for the better French team.
. 

WWC - Norway v Australia

Advance, Australia Fair! The Matildas will be hoping their anthem proves prophetic. Norway's anthem is more stately, but is apparently harder to sing, as their players look like they're just mumbling along.

I wish Noway was listening to Adrian Healey and Kate Markgraf intone their obituary. Great motivation to prove them wrong. 

Kickoff!   

1- Australian coach Tom Sermanni is working the Tom Skerrit look.  
2 - DeVanna stays on the ball too long and Norway knocks her down to get the ball away. Nordic practicality there.  
4 - Maybe Norway are a dead team walking. They played like zombies just there, with Australia creating all sorts of trouble in the box. However, Norway does escape eventually.  
6 - Healey mentions that Simon is the "pin-up girl" of the Australian squad. Because that's useful information.  
8 - Hjelmseth is used as an outlet by her team a lot. She's not as good with the ball at her feet as Hope Solo, though, so this strategy could backfire. 
9 - Flick on header from the pin-up girl is too soft and delicate to bother Hjelmseth. 
11 - So far, though, the Aussies look more effective and likely to score. 
14 - Kellond-Knight gives up a freekick deep and Norway nearly score on the play following the set piece. 
15 - Then a Kellond-Knight clearance in the box saves Australia again. 
16 - Corner for Norway - Australia clear and look to get the danger away. Shot over the bar.
 18 - Barbieri off her line to collect a long ball and drops it, leading to a scrum in the box, and shoving by both teams until Barbieri comes up with the ball again. Klutzy there. 
20 - Ronning is down, hurt her head going up for an air ball. 
25 - Hjelmseth is down for a while after a collision. 
33 - Norway from distance - Barbieri makes the save. 
35 - It's not elegant, but Norway have been playing better of late. 
37 - Another shot! for Norway, Australia saves. 
39 - And another! Throsnes again Barbieri has to dive for this save. 
40 - Australia threatens the other way - De Vanna forces a save of her own from Hjelmseth. 
42 - Healey gets markgraf to declare that norway have played the first half better than Norway. It's true. 
45 - Norway needs to win, however, a draw gets Australia through on goals scored. 
45 + Kim Carroll is booked and Norway get a free kick. Nothing comes of it, though. 
The first half ends scoreless with a whimper. 
Both teams seem tired. It could come down to who has the strength to score. 
46 - Skarbo is on for Hjelmseth, and and Heglund in for Haavi
47 - Australia test Skarbo from in close, but she comes up with the save!
50- Norway corner. Australia clear, but the ball is sent back in and causes problems until Australia give up a free kick not far outside their own box. Everyone misses on the header, though. 
52 - If wins are determined on the most rocking braids, Norway will get through. Then again, if that was a valid prognosticator, Equatorial Guinea would be leading Brazil. That's not happening.
54 - Norway in Australia's box again - but again fail to get a shot on frame. 
56 - GOAL! Thorsnes scores!  Australia's sleepy defense gives up a sloppy goal. Thornes dashes in on a ball near the top of the box as Barbieri hesitates, pokes it past her and has a path to goal. 
57 - GOAL! Australia striker back. Norway fail to clear the ball in their box and De Vanna nipped in and crossed well to Simon, the pin-up, who one-times it to the far post past Skarbo.
59 - The goals have opened the game up - end to end stuff.
62 - Australia have woken up and now have the better of play. Either that or Norway are still stunned that they gave up the equalizer only seconds after scoring.
67 - It's all Australia now, but they haven't scored yet.
70 - DeVanna feeds Simon again - but she pulls the shot wide of goal. 
74 - Norway with a little run of possession, but they haven't really threatened yet. 
75 - Norway earn a corner. The header is over the crossbar. 
77 - Pederson ignores an open teammate in her rush to shoot - and she puts it high and wide. 
84 - Norway with another freekick - off the crossbar! Yikes. Close call there for the Aussies.
87 - Australia with a corner of their own, and Kaya Simon scores! She jumped back into the fray as an attempted clearance was served back into the box and headed the ball in. 
90 - Norway can't answer. Australia are going to advance!
Full-time! It's done! The Matildas march on.

WWC - Brazil v Norway Running Blog

Brazil! They did open the World Cup with a win, but it wasn't particularly impressive over Australia, only one goal scored in the match. Norway is expected to be a tougher opponent, though many have tipped Australia and Brazil as the two teams to advance.

Anthems. Brazil's is peppy, Norway's is somber. Sad that Brazil get so few friendlies together. Officiating crew is from USA. With a win, Brazil advances to the next round.
Kickoff!
1 - Rosana on the run, but Norway snuffs out the chance with a nice save.
3 - It's a choppy match so far, lots of balls out of bounds.
5 - Norway with a wayward shot.
7 - The crowd is doing the wave - Brazil in the box, but Norway cuts off the pass intended for Marta.
9 - Brazil is slipping on the wet field.
11 - The long-ball approach also isn't working for Brazil.
13 - Marta is already looking frustrated. She sent a not-great long pass, and when the receiver couldn't handle it and lost the ball out on the sideline, Marta threw her hands up in exasperation.
15 - Fabiana has her right show off, apparently injured.
18 - Shot on goal, and Brazil's keeper has to make the save.
20 YELLOW! Daiane brings down Haave.
21- Christiane from distance. Not much of a chance there.
22 - GOAL!  A long pass finally finds Marta, who pushes her way into the box, evades two other defenders and fires a low shot just inside the near post.
24 - Marta's path to the goal gets squeezed shut by two Norway defenders who are probably still mad about that push.
28 - Corner for Brazil is punched by Norway's keeper. Eventually it leads to another corner. That goes out for a goalkick.
30 - Giske with a rather sucky shot. That's not going to get Norway back in it.
32 - Norway mad at USA ref Seitz. First she missed Marta's push, now she doesn't give Norway the corner they deserve.
34 - It's Brazil with the next corner, but Norway do a good job of screening them off the ball.
36 - Foudy is foolishly defending Marta's push as a good no-call. It's bogus. If players were allowed to push their defenders over, a lot more would score goals, not just Marta.
39 - Herlovson with a low header in the box, but it's blocked by Aline.
40 - Ok, Marta was hit there, but what a theatrical fall that was.
42 - Rosana from distance - Hjelmseth makes the save with a two-handed push that barely resists the power of the strike.
43 - Norwegian freekick gets their fans fired up, but leads to Andrea falling in the box and the play being whistled dead before Norway can shoot.
45 - Rosana again from distance. This one was over by a lot.

Haftime - Bob Ley defends Marta, too. More bogusness. Monica Gonzales on the ESPN desk nailed it - Marta shouldn't have to cheat to get her goals. She's too talented. Tony DeCicco earns my scorn by glossing over the push, as if Marta's ensuing juke and shoot was so good it magically negated the push. It doesn't work that way.

46 - Foudy opens the second half in bad form by still saying Marta's push was "ok". Whatever.
47 - GOAL! See, Marta doesn't need to cheat. A hard run by Marta slides the defense to her, then she pushes the ball square for Rosana to lash into the goal. 2-0 Brazil.
48 - GOAL - Norway are falling apart, as a bad backpass leads to chaos in the box and Marta pounces in to score. 3-0 Brazil.
53 - Brazil are rolling now, but I predict karma for the squad later on in the tournament. Marta lost fans with the push, or I'm a mushroom. 
57 - Norway with a slight counter, but then the ball gets away for a goalkick.
59 - Norway counter - working to get a shot, but Brazil are able to counter before that happens.
63 - Even as Darke and Foudy run down Norway, they've had a bit of the run of play lately, though it really hasn't threatened Brazil much.
65 -  Brazil now charge into the box, but Marta's pass to Christiane is too strong and Norway recover.
68 - Marta charge into the box gets snuffed out by a clearly tired Norway squad.
71 - Brazil looking downright cocky - they always play confidently with the lead.
75 - Norway is learning in real time how outdated and slow their tactics and gamer are.
78 - Credit to their persistence - they keep at it, though. They haven't given up looking for the consolation goals to cut down the differential.
81 - As Darke finally points out, Brazil is looking good now because playing counterattack actually fits their style perfectly.
84 - Norway with a threatening corner, but the final chip shot by Giske ends up on top of the goal.
88 - And another corner chance for Norway ends up with the ball on top of the goal again.
90 Norway have run out of steam and seem to accept their fate. 
There it is! IT's over. The win is tainted by Marta's push, but it was probably inevitable. 

WWC - USA - Colombia Running Blog

USA lineup - Solo; Krieger, Rampone, Buehler, LePeilbet; O'Reilly, Lloyd, Lindsey, Cheney; Rodríguez, Wambach

Colombia - Sepulveda; Montano, Gaitan, Peduzine, Arias; Ospina, Salazar, Dominguez, Rodallega; Castro, Usme  
Brandi Chastain is rocking some mini French braids in the commentary. Haven't seen players in anything so fancy - probably because it would be a pain if it came loose. Cheney is composed in her interview - I remember her arrival to UCLA and how she used to have curly hair. The next generation of USA players is on the scene folks. There won't be another Mia, but they're still pretty good. 
 Not sure about the video intro piece with the male rock star violinist. O-kaay. Nice piece with the American high school students from Heidelburg, though.
The USA need to win to assure advancement. Sweden has already won twice, so a USA victory would eliminate both North Korea and Colombia. Colombia's players are singing, loud - "Yellow, blue and red, Colombia is in my heart": among other lyrics.
Just to clarify, Colombia's players were singing in the tunnel. Now everyone is on the field.  Rampone doesn't sing the USA anthem. Too focused. Colombia's bench players are all singing the anthem as well. That's a bit unusual. 

1 - USA free kick into the Colombia box, but they don't manage to get a shot off. 
3 - A Rod is in the box, but her cross is cut off by the goalkeeper. 
5 - Cheney sends a long  ball for LePelbet, but then gets hacked and is limping slightly. 
7 - SAVE!. Wambach gets a great pass from O'Reilly, but Sepulveda makes the tough save. Rodriguez rushes the shot on the rebound, misses high. 
10 - A-Rod with another miss - this time off a fantastic through ball by Lori Lindsey, who looks very comfortable in midfield. 
11 - Sepulveda catches an incoming cross. 
12 - GOAL! OReilly showing A-Rod how it is done. Off the goal kick, a bad touch gives O'Reilly just a bit of a chance and she charges in for the ball and fires it straight into the side netting. Kickass kick. 1-0 USA 
13 - The team celebrates in unison with a salute to the American military folk serving in Germany.
15 - Colombia do manage to cross the halfway line, there. 
17 - O'Rielly tries to chip the keeper, who had come out to prevent an A'Rod run.
20 - Crowd boos as a Colombian chance gets snuffed. Sympathy for the underdog. 
22 - O'Reilly again in the box, but she does a Cheney, shoots straight at the keeper. 
23 - On the ensuing corner, Wambach goes wide with her header, after Cheney hit a great corner kick. 
25 - USA again threatening the Colombia goal, but so far the lead remains narrow. 
27 - A'Rod from the top of the box, but Sepulveda makes the save.  
29 - Colombia is actually providing a bit of grit in the midfield for the last few minutes - it's not so unfettered for the USA now. 
30 - Wambach misses an almost open header! Great O'Reilly cross to set it up. 
32 - Castro on the break gets a weak shot off that was a bit wide, but Solo shut it down for practice anyway.  
34 - USA corner kick, Cheney sets up. It's a bit far, but Colombia clear for a throw.
37 - It's a scramble in front of goal, and Cheney forces another Sepulveda save. 
39 - Sepulveda out again to catch a pass before A-Rod can reach it. 
41 - Sepulveda picks off another Cheney pass just before it reaches Wambach. 
43 - Another USA attack is repelled.  
45 - Colombia is offside, but Castro shoots and celebrates.  Foudy mentions A-Rod might be subbed at halftime, but Wambach has been just as wasteful.

46 - It's Rapinoe who comes in for A-Rod. 
48 - Another USA build-up is wasted.  
49 - And Colombia are on the break, but Rampone snuffs it out before a shot gets off. 
50 - GOAL! Rapinoe! She takes a pass from Cheney, cuts across the top of the box and hammers it in.  2-0 USA.
54 - Colombia goes down fighting, and Solo is forced into a high save. 
55 - Colombia with another shot - this one low - Solo saves again. 
57 - GOAL! Lloyd from distance hammers a shot and Sepulveda makes the save, sorta, but can't push it back strong enough and the ball drops in.  
65 - It's more back and forth now for both teams. 
68 - Rapinoe off the crossbar!
73 - With Colombia out of their defensive shell, the USA has more room to exploit chances.
75 - Tobin, one of my fave players, tried to do too much there, lost the ball.
77 - Technically, the USA women are having the same problem as the men this World Cup. None of their forwards are scoring yet.   
79 - USA passing the ball around, not looking too eager to score.  
80 - Wambach off the post! She didn't even get up for the rebound, she seemed so sure it would go in. It didn't. 
83 - Rapinoe testing her dribble skills - eh, they're not so hot and she gets dispossessed of the ball.  
84 - Wambach clatters into the keeper - and gets a yellow. 
85 - Velasquez at the top of the box, hesitates and then shoots weakly. Carli Lloyd is limping.  
88 - Despite the wasted chances, the USA have garnered a pretty efficient victory here. 
90 + Rapine should have seen yellow for that tackle. 
One last attack for Colombia, but Solo collects the through ball. 


It's over! the USA win. It all comes down to the final match versus Sweden for the leadership of the group.  

WWC - England v New Zealand

England players look a little resentful while singing their national anthem. I don't think they were expecting as much criticism as they got for their draw against Mexico.

FAIL - Announcer just said Hope Solo instead Hope Powell.

Kickoff!

2 - Bardsley catches an incoming pass.
3 - Yankey jukes her way into the box and earns a corner. It eventually results in another corner, which is taken short and leads to another corner.
4 - This corner turns into a Jill Scott header, but her awkward position results in the ball going wide.
5 - Smitch looks eager for redemption, aggressive on the ball.
7 - Freekick for England is collected by Bindon.
8 - Kelly Smith down for a while - she was stepped on by Bindon when she challenged for the ball.
10 - Smith hobbles back into the game, walking off the pain.
12 - NZ captain Smith nearly blew if for her team as a wayward touch gets picked off by Ellen White, but the last defender closes her down to prevent the shot.
13 - Fara Williams fires a shot on target, Bardsley makes a save.
16 - NZ corner confidently handled by Bindon.
18 - GOAL! Bardsley is hung out to dry by her defense as Hearn scampers down to dink a little cross right in front of the goal. Sarah Gregorious pokes it home after the England defenders sandwiching her fair to clear. 1-0 New Zealand.
22 - Scott from distance - wide of the goal, but close enough to make Bindon dive for it.
24 - Smith jukes and jives in the box, but her cross is cleared. Still a corner. NZ clear it.
27 - England are fighting for the equalizer, NZ defending with numbers.
32 - Smith offside. That was a poor run - she must be a little desperate to be that sloppy with the offside.
33 - New Zealand in the box again, but England finally clear and Smith runs hard at the defense, before shooting side. Smith needs to be introduced to her teammates again.
37 - NZ with a freekick, but Green shoots straight to Bardsley.
38 - Gregorious free in the box, closing in on Bardsley, but Unitt toepokes from behind to save the day for England.
41 - New Zealand putting a bit of pressure on England's goal, breaking the rhythm of the English squad chasing the game.
44 - Smith in the box, but her cross deflects off a NZ defender and pops forward for Bindon.
45 - Scrappy New Zealand have England as frustrated as Nigeria yesterday - actually , more, because they're ahead.

Halftime - Could NZ pull off the shocker? We'll see second half.

46 - Maybe England will have better luck going at the other end of the field.
47 - But it's NZ who threaten first! Gregorious latches on to a free ball, gets deep in the box and loops a cross to Hearn, whose header pops over the crossball, but barely.
50 - Smith from the arc - but she didn't set up well at all, it was just an impatient swipe at the ball and it goes over by far.
54 - Smith, setting up fro a FK, shoves an NZ defender who doesn't back up fast enough for her. England are clearly frustrated. They're letting NZ see them sweat, which only encourages the underdogs more.
56 - It's E. White's turn to show she's cranky, shoving Moody down from behind.
57 - On the freekick, Smith isdraped with and England defender - no call.
59 - Gregorious free on a break, but eventually England get the ball back.
60 - Now England is in the NZ box, but a deflection results in a goalkick.
63 - GOAL! Alex Scott crosses into the box at the perfect angle and gangly Jill Scott heads the ball into goal. 1-1
65 - Kelly Smith fires on goal - oh, wide, actually.
67 - On the replay of the goal, it definitely looked like Scott pushed off on NZ's Smith to reach the ball, but the announcers are pretending they didn't see that.
69 - Kiwis have a corner, but take it poorly, into the side netting.
72 - White comes on for Percival, and nearly is the hero with a chance on goal, but bobbles the shot leaning back for the ball.
75 - NZ are fighting for this game, showing more initiative since England's goal, than England has.
78 - Fara Williams from distance - Bindon looks comfortable with the catch.
80 - NZ in the box, but then England break out and make a hash of the counterattack with an offside.
81 - GOAL! Clarke! NZ's organized defense breaks down, Bindon is off her line, but without the ball, Scott with the cool layoff and Clarke is deadly - one-timing a roofer into the net.
84 - England have been pretty dire, but it looks like they'll move on with this win, if they hang on.
87 - Williams shot on goal, but Bindon makes the kick save to keep NZ in range of the equalizer.
90 - New Zealand have run out of gas. England is doing just enough to deny chances.

Final whistle! England escape and are likely to move on.

WWC Japan v Mexico

El Tri Femenil are in trouble.

13 - GOAL! Slight height advantage for Japan - they're a bit taller on average for Mexico, comes into play on this set piece as veteran Sawa outjumps the defense to put the ball past Ceci Santiago. 1-0 Japan
15 - GOAL! This time Ohno splits a pair of defenders and puts the ball up high. 2-0 Japan
17 - Mexico is working their way back into the game, trying to regroup.
20 - Garza cracks a shot on goal, but it's pretty easy for the Japanese goalkeeper.
24 - Santiago is out of her goal, but misses the ball as the Mexico defense swarms before Nagasato can shoot.
27 - The crowd is successful in getting the wave going.
30 - The camera keeps showing Steffi Jones in the stands. The FIFA politico, sadly, seems the be the only high-profile attendee at these matches.
32 - Seriously, stop the Japan - Barcelona comparisons. It's bogus that every team trying to possess the ball is suddenly Barcelona. That really cheapens what Barcelona does so well.
33 - It did look like Garciamendez's arm made contact with the ball - Mexico is lucky not to have given up a PK.
34 - Shot from distance by Veronica Perez. Way wide.
36 - Sawa = Xabi? Stop it, announcers, please.
38 - Ocampo nearly gets to a pass from Dominguez, but goalkeeper Kaihori gets there first.
39 - Nagasato earns a corner.
40 - GOAL! Miyama gives perfect service to Sawa, and no one closes her down as she heads the ball perfectly into the goal. 3-0 Japan. Cheers to Sawa, the old lady of the squad at 32.
41 - Poor Santiago. It's not the teenager's day.
43 - Nagasato past Santiago - but it's offside.
44 - Dominguez is offside as well.

Halftime - Mexico clearly need to regroup.

47 - Mercado has replaces Rangel.
50 - Finally, Mexico force Kaihori into a good save. Don't do anything with the corner that results, though.
56 - Nagasato charges through but Vinti's deflection of the shot results in a corner kick for Japan.
57 - Miyama with rare bad service hits the top of the net.
60 - Nagasato tussles with Santiago in the box - play is dead for roughing the keeper.
62 - Cuellar could be playing the odds here, taking out Dominguez to put in Kenti Robles, a defender. Possibly trying to deny Japan any more goals, and hoping to wallop New Zealand, and hope Japan beats England.
64 - Ocampo in the box, but Kaihori is out to grab the ball before she can shoot.
65 - Cuellar's days in the NASL get an on-air shout out.
66 - Santiago grabs the ball off Miyama's corner.
68 - Ocampo from distance - she's firing on goal, but ends up ignoring her teammates.
69 - Ohno comes off for Kawasumi, Iwabuchi on for Endo - kittens are dying with each Iwabuchi-Messi comparison, kids.
72 - Mayor commits a foul, giving Miyam a tasty freekick, but Santiago collects the redirect.
75 -Nagasato gets whistled for a handball in midfield.
77 - Mayor from distance has accuracy on her shot, but not much power - Kaihori makes the catch.
79 - Noyola comes on for Perez. It hurts a bit less to see her in an El Tri uniform the more it happens, I guess.
80 - GOAL. Sawa! Kinga charges into the box and knows where to get it. Sawa buries it far post corner with one touch.
83 - Utsugi on for Sawa. Miyama takes over the captain's armband.
85 - Miyama can afford to laugh as her header goes wide. She's fun to watch when she's enjoying her game.
88 - Goalline clearance for Mexico from Miyama's corner. They nearly conceded another there.
90 - Nagasato in the box, forcing Santiago into a kicksave.
90 + Japan won't stop, earning another corner. Mexico clear - and there's the final whistle.
Dominant display by Japan. Mexico's first loss in the World Cup leaves them with still a chance to advance, depending on the other group games.

WWC - Germany - Nigeria, Running Blog

It's the two-time and defending champions versus the scrappy and speedy Nigerian squad.

Anthems. Nigeria looks focused. Germany looks German. The captains fist pump at the center circle with the referees. Howie Mandel, germaphobe who is a big proponent of the fist pump, would be proud.

2 - Germany in Nigeria's box early on - Laudehr nearly puts it in.
4 - Nigeria's athleticism on show there, with a steal and a break, but the final pass is a bit short.
6 - Nigeria are probably encouraged by the team which only beat them by a goal (France) getting such a good result versus Canada.
8 - Nigeria lose the ball a lot in the midfield, but their defenders are good at takeaways. Prinz, just now had the ball stolen off her foot.
10 - Ohale with a shot from downtown off to the boondocks, that was so off-target.
12 - Kulig with a shot from downtown, on target, forcing Precious Dede to make the save.
14 - Garefrekes gets a great crossfield pass that frees her from the Nigerian defense, but falls down when she cuts too hard on the grass. Fail.
17 - The ball runs safely in to Dede - Nigeria holding Germany off - even if they're not creating much on their own yet.
20 - What's interesting is how as supportive as the crowds in Germany are for their squad, their opponents haven't been intimidated. Nigeria certainly aren't cowed. If anything, they seem excited and joyful in their play. Pressure makes them.
22 - Chikwelu in the box, but puts her cross too close to Angerer, who collects it well.
24 - Bartusiak saves an Orji break by putting the ball out for a corner.
25 - Crowd is quieter now. Nigeria set up for the corner. Bresonik clears it for Germany.
27 - Dede grabs a wayward cross.
28 - Germany, shockingly, look tired.
30 Behringer is injured and Nigeria comes close on a freekick while Germany is a man down, but Angerer handles the danger.
31 - Nigeria get another corner, but the header attempt goes wide. Popp is now on - Behringer is done.
33 - Germany's coach Sylvia Neid looks elegantly grumpy at the match thus far. Nigeria has played Germany even, and the scoreline is an honest reflection.
35 - Da Mbabi kicks Nkowcha, wasn't malicious, but it nailed her knee and now she's on the sideline.
38 - Peter is now down. They're dropping like flies out there. Peter also got hit on the knee.
40 - Both injured players are back now, in time for a Germany freekick.
41 - Dede catches the ball.
43 - Nigeria still fighting hard, stymieing the German attack.
44 - Nigeria have a freekick. Brezonik clears it.
45 - Popp in the box, but she's caught by a Nigerian defender on the tackle and goes down hard

Halftime - Good points by Viola Oderbrecht on the desk that the Germans needs to stop complaining about Nigeria's physicality and get aggressive themselves, make their goals happen, instead of being surprised by how well Nigeria is playing. Very true.

46 - Nigeria already has a corner, and Germany are screaming at each other setting up to defend it. Not looking harmonious.
48 - Prinz gets knocked down, gets up very painfully.
49 - The freekick is cleared by Nigeria, and they also shut down a follow attack.
50 Popp gets cleaned out MMA-style, by Ohale. Finally a yellow shown.
52 - Prinz is coming out for Inka Grings. Not a good day for her.
53 - Nigeria deny two corners, and now, face a freekick from Da Mbabi.
54 - GOAL! Germany break through. Behringer flicked it on, Popp took the first shot, which was blocked - then Laudehr banged in the rebound before Dede could react. 1-0 Germany.
56 - Nigeria seem understandably deflated.
58 - Nkwocha shoots from outside - wide.
60 - Now it's Nigeria's turn to be the team whose players pick themselves up from collisions and tackles last. They've been bouncing back up first until the goal.
63 - Nigeria freekick into Germany box is whistled dead for a foul on Angerer.
63 - Good German buildup fizzles out with an off-target shot by Garefrekes.
66 - Nigeria spell of possession broken up by Germany.
67 - Popp from distance. Dede has no problems with it.
69 - Nigeria's hard effort is beginning to show in their weariness, and sloppy passes.
72 - Or not. Mbachu in the box, fights for a shot, but gets whistled for a foul.
74 - Kulig gets a yellow for a late kick.
76 - Angerer catches a high ball, but Nigeria's players try to pressure her anyway, risking a yellow, but the referee makes no call.
79 - Nigeria still attacking the Germany goal, but the Germans are defending stoutly.
80 - Kulig from distance. High.
81 - Nigeria give up a corner kick on a bad backpass. They clear, but Grings is fouled as Nigeria try to counterattack.
85 - Nigeria throwing everything they can forward.
87 - Bajramaj coming in for Da Mbabi.
90 - The chippiness of this match continues to the end.
90+ Freekick for Nigeria leads to a corner kick. Angerer punches the ball clear, then gets fouled, but there's no call.
Popp suffers a blow to the head on a breakaway and there are murderous boos for the referee.
Final whistle! The battle royal is over. Germany and France advance.

Women's World Cup, Canada - France, Running Blog

Christine Sinclair is wearing an awesome face mask, but if it gets loose, it could be hard for her to do those quick turn and shoots.
Players are in the tunnel. The mask does look pretty snug on Sinclair. The camera is finding a lot of Canadian fans in the stands, as compared to the previous game versus Germany.
France's players are the underdogs here, though the teams are ranked close together.
"Oh, Canada, we stand on guard for thee!"
vs
Aux armes, citoyens,
Formez vos bataillons!

1 - Oops, ESPN graphic was wrong - McLeod is still in goal for Canada.
2 - Bompastor is tricky player, in contrast to Canada's more direct attack.
5 -Sloppy France handball gives Canada a freekick chance, but desperate defending denies Sinclair on the attack that follows kick.
6 - On the other end, McLeod comes out for a France break.
8 - France trying to go over the top of the defense, but they're much shorter than the Canadian backline.
11 - It may be a weird sentiment, but I don't think Canada plays as well in their white unis as they do in their red ones.
15 - Matheson blows a chance in the box, taking an extra touch after reaching the ball, instead of just firing. Ruthless, Matheson, you have to be ruthless.
16 - Like Abily there, kicking on Schmidt while on the ground. Ruthless, though not very sporting.
19 - France is holding strong against Canada - who look frustrated.
22 - McLeod out of her box again to kill a France attack.
24 - GOAL! Thiney! Necib stole a ball and got it to Bompastor, I think, whose shot bounced up to a ready Thiney, whose header popped over McLeod as she came out. 1-0 France.
26 - McLeod might have done better to hold her line and try to stop the shot.
27 - Two losses and Canada is likely eliminated.
29 - Delie creating worlds of trouble for Canada's defense.
31 - Necib with a quality outside shot that forced McLeod into a great save.
32 - The ensuing corner leads to another. Canada's players are clearly shocked that they're in their own end so much. They finally clear it.
34 - Fantastic build-up play from France, but Delie just misses on the header.
36 - Chapman's freekick easily cleared - Canada just isn't threatening France right now.
37 - Seriously, this game is Exhibit A for how Morace's on the ground approach for Canada may not be as effective as Pellurud's direct approach was.
49 - Because so far, France is much better on the ground than Canada.
50 - Matheson with Canada's first shot of the match. It's wide.
40 - Sinclair from distance, misses even worse.
42 - France back near Canada's goal. They earn a corner.
43 - Canada escape that threat, but they look baffled by France, still.
44- Necib almost has an Olympic goal, bending it from the corner kick, but McLeod barely punches it out.
45 - France look closer to scoring a second than Canada does to equalize.

Halftime: The problem with some teams with a big star player like Sinclair is that they take their cue from that one star so entirely, that they don't regroup well when that star is hobbled for any reason. Canada should have another plan of attack besides Sinclair.
That said, Canada could just be really tired. They toiled mightily versus Germany. France had an easier start, though Nigeria is a lively team.
Pia talking openly about here lineup options again - Lory Lindsey might come in for Boxx or Carli Lloyd. It could be that Boxx needs a rest.
46 - Teams are back on the field - let's see if Canada can regroup.
47 - Thiney holds the ball well against one of Canda's best players, Schmidt.
48 - Sinclair clatters into the goalkeeper Sapowicz
49 - Delie in the box again, but she can't catch up to a long pass.
50 - Canada with a long shot. Wide. They're rushing everything, not building up play.
51 - Necib in the box, but a Canada defender takes the ball away.
52 - Sapowicz gets Matheson sliding into her face in the box, which gets Matheson a yellow. Sapowicz is tough, most goalkeepers would have cleared that ball with their feet, instead of risking their face by diving in there.
54 - Delie in the box with a driving shot, but right at McLeod.
57 - Kyle with a poor shot ruins a good Canada buildup.
59 - Sinclair charges into the box, but for some strange reason, doesn't shoot and ends up passing to no one.
60 - GOAL! Thiney again! A bad clearance out of the box, provoked by a pesky Delie, falls to Thiney, who cracks a shot that ricochets in to the goal off the right post. No chance for McLeod. 2-0 France.
64 - Canada look far more defeated than they ever did versus Germany.
65 - Ugh, Feligno beats her defender into the box, then straights slips on the ball itself, and balls down before she can shoot.
66 - GOAL! Abily heads in a great ball from a France corner. Goodnight, Canada. Nice knowing you. 3-0 France
67 - Feligno in the box again, gets ball to Sinclair, who shoots, and misses. Nothing going right for Canada now.
68 - Sinclair in the box again, but France's swarming defense won't let her shoot. The pass to Feligno gets cut off.
73 - Canada can't buy a final pass to save their lives.
75 - Freekick for Canada is ruined by an offside.
77 - Canada look clueless. France is playing a blinder of a match.
79 - Hero Thiney is out, perhaps to rest her up for that third game versus Germany. Bolleau comes in.
80 - OUCH! Bompastor cleared a ball off Sinclair's face mask. She goes down, takes off the mask, and bleeds on the field. That's got to hurt.
83 - GOAL! I'll bet this hurts worse. Necid with a perfect pass over the defense for the speedy Thomis, who takes a touch past McLeod, then rolls the ball into goal. 4-0 France.
85 - - France look more likely to score a 5th than Canada looks to get a consolation.
87 - Tancredi in the box, Bompastor prevents the shot.
88 - Corner bounces dangerously in the box, but France clear.
89 - DeCicco with great insight on how France has been "the better team". Uh, 4-0, ya think?
90 - Les Bluettes have dominated, no doubt about it. Canadians, should Morace stay on?

Final whistle sounds! Boy, was that a beat down for the 2015 hosts. Allez France.

Women's World Cup USA - North Korea

Predictions? Give them in the comments. This has been a low-scoring World Cup so far - 2-0 USA is my guess, and I think I'm being generous with the scoreline. To the USA, that is.

Lineups: USA - Solo; Le Peilbet, Buehler, Rampone, Krieger; Cheney, Boxx, Lloyd, O'Reilly; Rodriguez, Wambach

North Korea - Hong; Jong, Ri Un Hyang, Ho, Song; Ri Ye Gyong, Jo, Jon, Kim; Yun, Ra

I like Rapinoe's skill on the ball, but Cheney offers more of a finishing threat, so I'd guess Sundhage's move is to try to put more scoring punch into the lineup.

Team USA seemed to do wonderfully when Sundhage first arrived, and winning the Olympics got her an extended contract. However, she's hit a bit of a Bradley downturn, where her style of attack seems a bit dated and predictable - or maybe it's some the current players, the last of an aging generation hanging on for a final shot at glory, making it look that way. What I see of the American ladies right now is tough physical play, but it's too obvious what they're going to do whenever they have the ball and they are rarely surprising and creative.

Tobin Heath's play is one notable exception, but she's only one player, and not even a starter.

Ha! The start of this match cuts off blathering Drew Rosenhaus trying to convince the world Owens is just fine after an ACL injury. Sure.

Funny, again, to see Hope and Abby the central focus for the USA promos, considering what happened last World Cup. Oh well, I guess it's all water under the proverbial bridge.

Despite the focus on Wambach, I look for Krieger to make an impact, partly because I'd like that to be an argument for more USA players to go abroad. I don't want all the USA players to leave the U.S., but more should try leagues abroad.
Holtzman had Pia's thoughts on the Cheney pick, yep, it's partly the offensive angle.
I think Solo is cagey about the info about her right arm having trouble on high balls for a reason. Watch her opponents aim high a whole bunch and miss. Seriously, it's hard to keep a shot low as it is. Most misses are high.
Scurry quite gracious about looking back on the Solo comments. DiCicco, not so much. I wish he'd just be honest that Greg Ryan was wrong, which was really all that Hope was saying, for the thousandth time, people.
Hey, that was Clint Dempsey's Modelo Especial commercial. I'm crushed. I was hoping he's speak some Spanish.
The USA look happy and excited in the tunnel, but as has been pointed out, they've lost a number of their matches leading up to this game.
Anthems. North Korea does look really young. But some of these players were the same ones who upset the USA U20 team (which included Cheney) in that World Cup a few years ago.
Kickoff!
1 - Cheney tries to reach Wambach in the box, but Abby can't quite get there. The Wombat has lost a step.
3 - Lloyd gets pushed off the ball surprisingly easily there, but the USA recover.
5 - Kreiger with a good cross-kill starts O'Reilly on the counter, but her pass to Rodriguez is cleared.
7 - O'Reilly fails to catch up to a Krieger pass, and that ends the latest USA attack.
9 - Buehler misses badly trying to touch down a long Korean pass and it's dodgy for the USA for a bit before the ball is out for a goal kick.
11 - It's early, but Cheney is justifying Pia's pick so far. She's creating chances and just fired from outside.
13 - The USA are failing in the third pass. Passes one and two are fine, but the third is continually dodgy and North Korea tends to break up the play on that one.
14 - North Korea with a deep throw, but a foul in the box benefits the Americans.
15 - Cheney pass right into a defender kills USA chance.
17 - The USA are knocking on the door of getting the final pass right. From there, it's getting the finishing right. Baby steps, folks.
19 - Heather Mitts is a fine player, but is there any need to mention that she's on the bench, unless it's to keep her male fans hopeful of a sighting or game time to come?
20 - Cheney sets up for the game's first corner. The USA do what looks like an I formation in the box, then break apart as the ball is kicked. Not sure it helped a lot, the NK side eventually clears the ball.
22 - Lloyd muffs a good shot and then recovers to send a pitiful one on goal. Easily saved.
24 - Lloyd leaps for a ball and cartwheels down to land on her head. Ouch. Looked painful.
25 - Hwa shoots high, so maybe Solo's plan is already working.
27 - The USA is almost too eager, trying to take balls down high, instead of letting them drop, charging into the box instead of waiting for help, and taking too many hopeful shots from distance instead of looking for the pass.
29 - Solo looks good in purple - her old Washington colors. She's going to need to be sharp, as USA defense just looked really shaky there, finally managing to desperately clear a good NK cross.
31 - Krieger, O'Reilly & Boxx working hard to make something happen.
32 - They get a corner, but Cheney puts it too low.
34 - Cheney hammers a shot on goal, but it's right at the keeper.
35 - SAVE! Solo's defense cracks again, but she makes the near post punch.
36 - Game is more back and forth than many might have suspected. Lloyd fires a rather tame shot, easily saved. Didn't get any mustard on it.
38 - Jong Sun beats Lepiebet again, getting into the box and puts the ball past Solo, across the front of the goal, but no teammate is able to poke it home. USA escapes.
40 - Rodriguez in the box, but the NK defense is tighter than the USA, and they shut her down.
42 - Ra Un Sim shoots for the corner of Solo's goal, while she misses, it's not by too much.
43 - USA defenders let Solo down again, but she makes the tough close save and gets ball out for break - Rodriguez great work to get down the field and into the box, pass to Wambach is there, but unfortunately, happened right when Wambach was cutting to change direction and she sprawls awkwardly trying to reach ball. Misses it.
45 - Why does Wambach chase balls she has no chance of getting? She's a veteran, she should know what she can reach and not waste energy.
45+ - Last chance on a freekick for the USA, and it's a metaphor as the ball misses everyone but reaches the goalkeeper, who keeps calm for the catch.
Halftime - The USA have to step it up. North Korea's teenagers are tough, fast, and skilled.
47 - Cheney looking to make something happen for the USA - but yet another shot is right at Myong Hui.
49 - USA with a freekick - Kreiger lines it up. It's put back out and Boxx eventually fires off a shot. High and wide.
50 - Nice cross from O'Reilly leads to Cheney shot, but it's saved.
51 - Wambach in the box. Fires way high in her rush to get shot off before defenders block it.
53 - Lepeilbet with a crappy pass. Where's Cox?
55 - GOAL! Lloyd with a great long pass to Wambach, who does well to take a look around, and sends a cross to goal - Cheney heads it in to the corner. Nicely done.
57 - Gyong fires from distance, gets solo diving, but misses high.
58 - Scrambling, sloppy defense from the Americans, gives NK another chance. Yikes.
60 - Lepeilbet with another pass that makes life difficult for her teammate.
62 - Cheney lines up a freekick. Gets a corner out of it. Sets up for that. Boxx can't reach it, falls down.
66 - Ouch! Wambach heads a creat Lepeilbet cross on goal, but the keeper and the crossbar combine to deny her. Looked like a sure thing.
68 - Lloyed with another great long pass to Wambach, but Wombat's cross is poor and kills the USA chance.
70 - Speedster Rodriguez nearly catches up to a Solo goalkick in the box, but not quite.
71 - Crappy corner from Cheney.
73 - Wambach to A-Rod, who manages to check back for the ball and fire a shot that earns a save and a corner.
74 - Cheney takes the corner short with LePeilbet and the two make a hash of it.
75 - Alex Morgan in for A-Rod. Cheney and LP combine better now to earn a corner.
76 - It bounces around, and Kreiger puts it back in the mixer - and it falls to Buehler, who quickly fires it into the corner. GOAL! 2-0 USA. Check prediction above, folks.
79 - Rapino in for O'Reilly. I don't think the bright blonde hair suits her. She should try red. Go bright ginger, Megan!
82 - Wombot whiffs at the corner ball as it bounces in the box. Kreiger connects, but it's way wide.
85 - Rapinoe has good ball skill, but not quite the push forward Cheney provides.
86 - Morgan fires at goal, good turn, crappy shot.
87 - Solo saves as the USA defense gets a little lazy.
89 - Wambach jumps for the ball, doesn't really get it, but cleans out her defender.
90 - GOAL! Rapinoe - oh, its dissallowed because Rapinoe kicked it out of the goalkeeper's hand, though it wasn't really in the goalkeeper's control at all.
90+ Corner chance for North Korea, but the shot is off target.

Fulltime! The USA with a neat little win get their World Cup campaign off on the right foot.