Pretty appropriate that it’s a 4th of July weekend with the recent results. If all goes as planned, it will be a Red, White and Blue weekend, or more precisely, a really big Sunday at least. The US Women’s National Team plays for a World Cup Title at 10:00 on Sunday morning and then later that night, The US Men’s National Team plays for a CONCACAF Gold Cup title at 8:00. It is a really big day for US Soccer. Sandwiched in between is another final, Brazil v. Peru in the Copa America finals. If you love soccer, you should really be getting excited for Sunday.
Women’s World Cup
It’s hard being #1 and having all those expectations on you, but the US team has lived up to expectations on their way to the finals. I have not been able to catch every minute, but have been able to catch the majority of the games and did record and watch the entire semi-final game against England. Let’s get right to the highlights.
It was quite a game, full of quality play, a bit of drama, some controversy, and in the end, one big moment. Some take aways from the game.
–The US team just looks better than everyone they play. The ball movement, the physicality, the athleticism, the quality of play….they certainly deserve the #1 spot in the rankings. Offensively, they have players who can break you down in Heath, Rapinoe and Morgan. And then there is Rose Lavelle, who looks like maybe the best midfielder in the world, and is also a Badger (UW Wisconsin graduate). Take a look at these highlights. The nutmeg was epic! A little lost in the win over England was Rose’s impact on the first goal. It was an awesome cross from Kelly O’Hara and a wonderful header from Christen Press, but did you catch the dummy from Rose? The play starts with a midfield pass from Heath right at Rose. She has the field awareness to see O’Hara flying down the wing and rather than taking a touch, she dummies the touch, lets the ball roll under her legs and right into the path of O’Hara….and well, you know the rest. A more selfish player takes a touch there and no goal. Really good stuff from Lavelle on that play. Wow, how did she see that.
–I watched the other semi-final with Sweden v Netherlands and the game just does not look quite the same. I think I get spoiled watching the US team.
–If you are England, you are feeling a bit unlucky or maybe that you didn’t get a fair result. The offside and the PK will likely get discussed for a bunch of years. One of those remember when moments. All of England will remember that game where they got robbed and missed the PK. The offside was really close. In live play I thought maybe she was off, but when they showed the VAR review, wow, that was close. I am pretty sure all of England now hates VAR.
–The PK, well, honestly, it was a pretty easy save as PK saves go. Now, no PK saves are that easy in a World Cup semi-final. It was not well hit, but all the credit to Naeher for the proper read, and the composure to collect the save. I have seen those sneak under a GK before, so well done and what a moment. If England gets that goal, who knows, momentum has shifted, England are energized, another goal was in the cards. And the US must count itself a bit lucky as well, if Sauerbrunn doesn’t accidentally foul White, I think it’s a goal for England. It was a tap in from there. Sauerbrunn tries to cut her off but is not in a good position so she pulls off and then the accidental clip of the heal. Oh man!
–With all due respect to coach Jill Ellis, why does she go to the 5-4-1 late in games when the US is in total control. She knows her team and is a well respected and very successful coach. Just confusing a bit. The moments the other teams have looked the best against the US in when we go to the 5 back set up. I get she is trying to protect a lead, but it seems to welcome more pressure and more scary moments. So far so good, all wins, but man, that makes me nervous. We have so much offensive firepower, lets just go possess rather than sit back and absorb pressure. Oh well, that’s all I got there, just an observation from a fan.
–Netherlands is European Champions but ranked 8th in the World coming into the tournament. England and France were ranked 3 and 4. Could this be an easier game for the US. Throw out the standings and records in a World Cup final, this will be a Battle. Go USA.
Gold Cup Update
The US Men’s team is finding their form and moved on to the finals with a hard fought and exciting win over Jamaica on Wednesday night. This is a huge game on Sunday. after missing out on the recent World Cup….the low point in US Men’s Soccer history for me….this team has the chance to redeem themselves and take a little glory along the way. A Gold Cup title would be the US statement that we are back. And as well, there has been a little changing of the guard under new coach Gregg Berhalter.
This is Christian Pulisic’s team! Just 20 years old and now recognized as the top American player in the world. He has carried this team all tournament with assists and timely goals. He netted 2 last night in the 3-1 win. His confidence and swagger are evident. He is the man! As well, the youth is now delivering results. Weston McKinnie, also just 20, has stepped up his game and is scoring goals. Tyler Boyd, 24, Zach Steffan 24, Tyler Adams, 20 and Paul Arriola 24 are other players earning their spots and creating a young core for the future.
Shout out to Chelsea. They signed Christian Pulisic this summer. I am really excited as a Chelsea fan to watch Pulisic all year in a Chelsea jersey, now being coached by just appointed club legend Frank Lampard. A big day for me!!
Back to the Gold Cup. The US has wins over Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Panama, Curacao, and also Jamaica. And now, they face their biggest rival for the title. Mexico. It should be interesting. The two teams know each other well, both are in need of a boost in their international status, they don’t like each other very much so expect some fireworks on the field. It will be a battle of the top two teams in CONCACAF. Mexico, world ranking #18, the early favorite to win the Gold Cup, but the US, world ranking #30 but improving, surging a bit the last two weeks and are undefeated in the tourney. Go USA.
Copa America Update
Brazil v Peru. Well, we all expected Brazil to get to the championship game, but we are all a bit surprised by Peru. Peru had a win-loss and tie in the group stage but advanced to the quarter finals. Then they survived a 0-0 OT game and won on PK’s against Uruguay. Big upset. And in the semi-finals they took down current champions Chile 3-0. On the other side of the bracket, Brazil defeated Argentina and Lionel Messi. Messi has many trophies to his name, but has never had much success with the National Team. Copa America titles and World Cup success has eluded him. There is now a Messi curse on the National team. They just seemed destined to disappoint, even with a ton of talent on the pitch.
World Rankings have Brazil #3 as the clear favorite over #21 Peru.
So–everyone get their popcorn ready, get a few lemonades iced down and get ready for a day of high quality soccer. It could be a really big day for US Soccer. A really big day!!