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.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
WWC - England v France - Quarterfinals
Kickoff!
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.
.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Eh, that didn't work out
Woah, that's embarrassing for the Copa America. The stadium sound failed at the start of Brazil - Venezuela, and now there are no anthems. So much for tradition.
And embarrassingly for me as well, my cable died.
Technical difficulties, they abound.
Anyway, cable is finally back - I'm watching the Republica Deportiva highlights now of the scoreless draw right now. The most exciting part of the game was Neymar's rocking mohawk.
Fernando Fiore just referenced Tim Howard's objections to speaking in Spanish while interviewing Venezuelan and Brazilian fans. Heck, that's cool that he's laughing about the whole thing now.
And embarrassingly for me as well, my cable died.
Technical difficulties, they abound.
Anyway, cable is finally back - I'm watching the Republica Deportiva highlights now of the scoreless draw right now. The most exciting part of the game was Neymar's rocking mohawk.
Fernando Fiore just referenced Tim Howard's objections to speaking in Spanish while interviewing Venezuelan and Brazilian fans. Heck, that's cool that he's laughing about the whole thing now.
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.
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.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
WWC - USA - Colombia Running Blog
USA lineup - Solo; Krieger, Rampone, Buehler, LePeilbet; O'Reilly, Lloyd, Lindsey, Cheney; RodrÃguez, 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.
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.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Sack Bradley?
Is it time for Bob Bradley to go?
Most US national team supporters will answer with a resounding "Yes!" when asked that question. I've not been calling for Bradley's head on a platter or anything of the sort, but I'm starting to think that removing him is the only way for the US to really move forward.
Now, before I move on I'd like to point out that I was against re-hiring him after the 2010 World Cup for the simple fact that I think a fresh set of eyes, a fresh perspective and new people are needed at the start of every World Cup cycle. Period. Regardless of the circumstances. It's no coincidence that the US did well from 1998 to 2002 with a new man in charge and stalled from 2002 to 2006 with the same man in charge.
The pattern is repeating itself. The US had a much better 2006-10 than it had 02-06, but now the start of this cycle is already seeing some setbacks and disappointments. The US did not win the Gold Cup, lost to its biggest rival in said tournament final for the second consecutive time, and will not compete in the Confederations Cup two years from now.
Those are the tangible setbacks from this year. The subjective setbacks, the ones that many will argue about, are the ones on the field.
* The defense has been miserable.
* Production from forwards has been non-existent.
* Bleeding in new players has been hit and miss.
* The players who are supposed to step forward and take over now that Donovan and Dempsey are getting up there in age (yes, they are getting up there in age, in soccer terms of course) are not exactly revealing themselves.
Now, how much if this is Bradley's fault? Honestly, this was always going to be an uphill struggle for him. Too much time in the national team's manager position makes for a stale environment and it's difficult to maintain a high level for an extended period of time.
The US isn't exactly a world power but when Bradley came in, the US was the best team in CONCACAF. They are no longer that, and based on how the team played in the Gold Cup, World Cup qualifying might not be a stroll in the spice garden either.
So must Bradley go? Should US Soccer pull the trigger and sack him?
As much as it pains me to say this, yes.
Having covered Chivas USA in 2006 and having seen the kind of changes he made then, and the changes he made with the US national team the next year, and knowing how much work Bradley and his staff put into the team, I know that Bradley's work is just as diligent now as it ever was.
But the US is a team running on a treadmill right now. They're working hard but going nowhere. And that needs to change.
Otherwise, participating in World Cup 2014 might be in jeopardy.
Most US national team supporters will answer with a resounding "Yes!" when asked that question. I've not been calling for Bradley's head on a platter or anything of the sort, but I'm starting to think that removing him is the only way for the US to really move forward.
Now, before I move on I'd like to point out that I was against re-hiring him after the 2010 World Cup for the simple fact that I think a fresh set of eyes, a fresh perspective and new people are needed at the start of every World Cup cycle. Period. Regardless of the circumstances. It's no coincidence that the US did well from 1998 to 2002 with a new man in charge and stalled from 2002 to 2006 with the same man in charge.
The pattern is repeating itself. The US had a much better 2006-10 than it had 02-06, but now the start of this cycle is already seeing some setbacks and disappointments. The US did not win the Gold Cup, lost to its biggest rival in said tournament final for the second consecutive time, and will not compete in the Confederations Cup two years from now.
Those are the tangible setbacks from this year. The subjective setbacks, the ones that many will argue about, are the ones on the field.
* The defense has been miserable.
* Production from forwards has been non-existent.
* Bleeding in new players has been hit and miss.
* The players who are supposed to step forward and take over now that Donovan and Dempsey are getting up there in age (yes, they are getting up there in age, in soccer terms of course) are not exactly revealing themselves.
Now, how much if this is Bradley's fault? Honestly, this was always going to be an uphill struggle for him. Too much time in the national team's manager position makes for a stale environment and it's difficult to maintain a high level for an extended period of time.
The US isn't exactly a world power but when Bradley came in, the US was the best team in CONCACAF. They are no longer that, and based on how the team played in the Gold Cup, World Cup qualifying might not be a stroll in the spice garden either.
So must Bradley go? Should US Soccer pull the trigger and sack him?
As much as it pains me to say this, yes.
Having covered Chivas USA in 2006 and having seen the kind of changes he made then, and the changes he made with the US national team the next year, and knowing how much work Bradley and his staff put into the team, I know that Bradley's work is just as diligent now as it ever was.
But the US is a team running on a treadmill right now. They're working hard but going nowhere. And that needs to change.
Otherwise, participating in World Cup 2014 might be in jeopardy.
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Eddie, the unknown pioneer
I find it interesting that not even Eddie Hawkins was really aware, for a while, of his status as the first American-born black man on the USMNT.
Hawkins beat Dave Cayemitte there by only minutes. Of course, others were nationalized into the team first - notably Haitian Joe Gaetjens, who scored against England in 1950 at the World Cup.
Go ahead and read the piece - it's nice to find out how Hawkins is trying to help the next generation of players.
Hawkins beat Dave Cayemitte there by only minutes. Of course, others were nationalized into the team first - notably Haitian Joe Gaetjens, who scored against England in 1950 at the World Cup.
Go ahead and read the piece - it's nice to find out how Hawkins is trying to help the next generation of players.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Those Guys Have All The Fun - Soccer Edition, V
The next to final mention of soccer in the ESPN history book is on page 715, courtesy of writer/personality Bill Simmons.
Now, I can appreciate that Simmons is a new fan to the sport of soccer, but honestly, nothing makes me roll my eyes more than a) Those who act as if Americans, not English, invented the word "soccer" for the game b) Those who act as if the sport needs to change to appeal to Americans.
Anyway, the mention in the book is when Simmons makes a statement about something he said on a podcast done with SNL personality Seth Myers (who is a crush of mine, and not just because he's a trooper for soccer charity matches).
We were talking about soccer and I was talking about how they call exhibition games "friendlies" in soccer, and I had made some sort of joke like, 'Note to soccer: if you want people to think you're a little less gay, don't call exhibition games "friendlies."'
I didn't hear the podcast, but if Myers laughed at a joke this lame from Simmons, I've lost respect for him. (Meanwhile, soccer rolled over, scratched itself, read the memo from Simmons and responded thusly, "Note to Simmons: if you want people to think you're actually funny, stick to Karate Kid jokes instead of stuff about how the oldest game in town has to change to please you or other newbie American soccer fans.")
Turns out this soccer mention in the book isn't really about the beautiful game, but rather, ESPN censorship. Not of the lameness of the Simmons joke, sadly.
The final coverage of soccer in the ESPN tome is where Landon Donovan finally makes a statement. Depressingly, it's on page 719, because yes, that Simmons anecdote actually serves as the lead-in to the tale of ESPN's 2010 World Cup coverage. Before we hear from Donovan, there's some fun stats on the impressive World Cup viewing numbers and a bit from Ian Darke, the English commentator for some of the USA's World Cup games, about how he was asked by ESPN to do the World Cup because he was an EPL announcer. Donovan took the view that ESPN helped promote the USA team, and he was grateful for that.
ESPN has the ability to market and push things just because of their resources, but the passion and the creativity really struck me.
Still, the YouTube video Donovan mentioned as being the memorable result of his goal against Algeria, that was an organic, original moment, and, no disrespect to Darke intended, the emotions of the USA fans in those clips contrasted vividly against his own as a self-described "neutral". We'll never know if the whole thing would have hit another level of emotion if the call had been made by an announcer who personally cared about the USA advancing. Oh, wait, we do - here's Andres Cantor on the call. It's in Spanish, but the feeling transcends language.
So that's it for all the soccer in the book. I'm frankly surprised, given that Donovan gets three paragraphs in the entire 762 pages, that he made the cover.
Anatomy Of A Technological Meltdown, Gold Cup Style
On Saturday, I was all ready to go. The Rose Bowl, site of the Gold Cup final, would host 90,000-plus fans and I'd be there to give as much of a full account as possible. With A.C. blogging away even before we got to the stadium, I was also set on providing my own inside info, complete with pictures and descriptions.
And then my phone died.
Well, my phone didn't die but it may as well have. I got a new phone recently, the iPhone 4, and this was the first real test for it. Would it be able to handle the pressures of covering a big game? Okay, well, maybe the only pressure would be coming from my fingertips but still I needed it to do what I asked and it was not up for the challenge.
The phone itself was, and is, okay. But the SIM card was a different story.
Just before 4 p.m., I was up in the press box and the stadium was empty. Inside it anyway. Looked like this.
At 4:30, CONCACAF head Chuck Blazer would give a press conference so I scurried down there at about 4:15. Fans were already being let inside the gates.
As I made my way down to the tunnel towards the press conference room, I saw a team bus approaching the stadium. Although there were lots of cheers for the bus initially, it turned out to be the "away" team's bus. Yeah, the road team that was the United States. When others also realized this, the cheers turned to boos, whistles and small chants of "Me-xi-co" from above.
I recognized assistant coach Jesse Marsch sitting up near the front. I had a clear view of him and others through the window so I stopped to see if I could snap some pictures of the players. At this point, my phone was working fine, thank you very much.
I got two pictures of players.
Once that was over, it was nearing 4:30 so I made my way into the press conference. I had to make sure I didn't step in anything as there was plenty of crud flowing from this man's mouth.
At this point, my phone was in and out. This isn't new to me. In the bowels of Home Depot Center, I don't get coverage. At all. Once I go downstairs, it's like going into a cave. If you have Verizon, you're fine but if you don't - and I don't - then your phone is useless there. At the Rose Bowl, I figured I'd have problems.
I was getting some random messages though but mostly I wasn't able to update much. Wasn't worried.
The presser took a while and I stayed until the end. Afterward, most of my colleagues made their way back to the press box, probably to work on their Blazer stories or perhaps to dig into the chow - food was supposed to have been served at 5 and it was already about 5:10. Instead, I figured I'd try to get as close to the field as possible. There were security personnel at the end of the tunnel, where the cement gave way to grass, but nothing until then. I got as close as I could.
I tried to respond to some text messages. It was taking an extraordinarily long time to send. This was odd. I wasn't in a bunker anymore but rather had a clear view of the sky. Oh well. I figured I'd Tweet some pictures once I got back to the press box, where I had full reception.
Now, just over the tunnel that led to the field were these guys (and gals):
Enthusiasm emanated from this hearty band of supporters. But not everyone was thrilled with them. Where the American Outlaws sat was seemingly not a great place to be. They were pinned into a corner, surrounded by green and black Mexico shirts. I feared for them, especially with these sorts of tough guys within reach of them.
Tough guys... ha. These guys are clowns, hiding behind the force that was the massive pro-Mexico crowd. They had it easy because unlike the American Outlaws, they weren't sitting targets. They could throw something in the AOs and then disappear into the crowd and nobody would know any different. And worse, the people around them may look innocent enough and maybe they're not throwing things or flipping off the American fans but they simply look the other way when that happens.
My stomach was unsettled because I knew the American supporters had no chance. I'd experienced something similar in 1998 at the Gold Cup final at the LA Coliseum, and hoped that those sorts of things were ancient history.
After hearing more taunts from the tough guys in the crowd, I saw some U.S. players begin to emerge. However, at this point my phone said there was something wrong with my SIM card. It was an odd message. I took one final picture.
On my way out, the rest of the U.S. team started coming down towards the field. I saw Jonathan Bornstein and gave him a fist-tap. Landon Donovan was the last player out there and I tried to give him some words of encouragement but he was hyper-focused and probably didn't even hear me.
Back upstairs I went, but I still had the "No SIM" message on my phone. Something was wrong. I'd had a BlackBerry for, I dunno, five years maybe, maybe more, and I was very familiar with it and knew what to do when that phone (or rather those phones) wouldn't cooperate - the old battery pull. This time, though, was different. I was clueless.
In stumbling around the phone, I figured out how to turn it off for the first time. I turned it off, turned it back on but still saw the "No SIM" message. I was angry now. Kickoff was approaching, I had all these great pictures that I knew would have been well-received by my Twitter followers, but had no means to get them out.
(Now, I could have gotten onto the WiFi feed but at this point my head wasn't thinking clearly)
The teams came out onto the field and here I was, all but ready to toss my brand-new suddenly useless iPhone out the window. I longed for my BlackBerry.
I shut the phone off. It was the only thing I could do. I still needed the damn phone, to record the post-game press conferences and player reactions, and the battery was draining quickly. I tried a few times during the game to see if the SIM card magically re-appeared but it didn't. Early in the second half, I resigned myself to the fact that the phone was a piece of crap and I would simply be wasting my time trying to get it to work.
I'd hoped for different things of course, had hoped to have taken plenty of pictures during and after the game, but the SIM card disaster threw me off my game. I had stories to write and I was unable to concentrate on them. I couldn't even call my editors at The Press-Enterprise to check in and all that good stuff. I resorted to e-mails and several went unanswered.
Ultimately, I was able to record interviews and pressers with my phone. It hadn't let me down completely. I didn't get any post-game pictures but at that point I just needed my phone to respond in a better way than it had before the match.
In way, like Mexico, my phone made a comeback that night.
The next day, I took my phone back to where I got it and the salesman was able to replace the SIM card, which had died for some unknown reason. My phone was, and is, working just fine.
My only hope is that it's up for the challenge every night for every game in whatever stadium I happen to be at. Otherwise, there could be an iPhone flying out of my hand at some point in 2011.
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.
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.
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