People probably read my last post and said "Dude USMNT is apart of CONCACAF!! They always have a shot" well yeah sure...but then you actually watch their games and see how awful a coach they have and some of the formations.

Absolutely embarrassing the US is in survive mode vs Portugal and are hanging on for a draw to come in 2nd in the group. Humble pie isn't the word here. When you give up spots on the team to people like Megan Rapinoe who are clearly out of their prime and are at best, a 2nd coach in their career(She is more into social justice than football at this point, she's done a lot for this team but she gives you nothing say a younger body would have given). Alex Morgan is about as frustrating of a finisher/striker as you will have, everything works until the finish.

I think US plays Sweden now in the knockout round, geez I wonder how that will go based off the group stages and that Sweden was the last side to beat the US in the group stages.

How are Germany/Canada/Brazil all gone?! 

Jamaica/Nigeria/South Africa/Morocco all in. This is crazy. How good are the African/Caribbean countries? 

@admin  

Aug 3, 2023 13:27:26 GMT Blindy said:

How are Germany/Canada/Brazil all gone?! 

Jamaica/Nigeria/South Africa/Morocco all in. This is crazy. How good are the African/Caribbean countries? 

@admin  

I think my mild take earlier in the thread about the playing field levelling in women's football turned out to be quite prescient. The way the knockout bracket has shaped up means only one of the US, Sweden, Norway and Japan will make it to the semis too.

Jul 27, 2023 12:57:33 GMT Blindy said:

USA outplayed the Dutch in the 2nd half where NED was on hang on mode but good result for NED to get a draw there. US were outplayed and romped in the midfield on that 1st half, I don't know if this US side is good enough to get deep, deep into the tourney. Remains to be seen. Japan and maybe Sweden would give this US side fits.

Nigeria have been the darlings of the tourney. How the hell did they beat the Matildas @admin ?

In fairness to the US, Japan would have rocked em if they somehow snuck by. 

Shame the US lost vs Sweden, they outplayed them for much of the match(Watched bits and pieces, 5AM EST is a tough ask!), US lacked so much finish throughout the tourney. Alex Morgan didn't get a single goal! All the commercials and all of the glam for nothing really. 

Megan Rapinoe's final moment being a missed penalty kick is pretty crazy stuff. She didn't belong on the team and it was more of a good will gesture by the US to have her on the team, let alone coming in substitution. 

The US Women's belittled the Men's side for so long about equal pay and yucked it up when they won the last Women's World Cup while USMNT didn't qualify for Russia but they both left at the same exact round this time around. Amazing stuff really.

Needed moment of humbling for the USWMNT side. They were much better than Sweden today who looked borderline poor after dominating the group stage so I don't know if Sweden gets past Japan with the way they played today. New coach is going to be had for the US, there's no shot you keep Vlatko as the head coach. In way over his head this entire tournament 

Saw bits of this game. Didn’t think it was a particularly exciting game but the penalties were incredible drama. I think this was the best US played but they’re plodding performances in the group stage caught up with them.

FOOTBALL IS BACK BABY!!!!

Prem predictions, anyone?

Does Oligarch City become the first EFL side ever to complete the quadpete?

Can the Merseyside Reds bounce back from a mediocre campaign?

Are Ten Haag and Man U legit? Do the Magpies take the next step with Fort Tonali at the six?

Or is it the Gunners, now with Declan Rice, who are finally able to make good on what they came oh so close but no cigar to last season?

...And then there's Chelsea and Spurs.

Outside of European nights contention: Can little old Luton Town survive in the big tent? Are Villa, West Ham and Fulham able to start a club renaissance? Will the internet darlings of Brighton and Brentford maintain their David-esque charge?

So many great storylines to unravel and this will be my first campaign that I get to watch from start to finish. And with FC Cincinnati now knocked out of the Leagues Cup, the timing couldn't be anymore perfect.

Vlatko is gonna be out of the job the very second he steps back on to American soil.

That was absolutely embarrassing.

Aug 6, 2023 14:36:32 GMT rad said:

Prem predictions, anyone?

Does Oligarch City become the first EFL side ever to complete the quadpete?

Can the Merseyside Reds bounce back from a mediocre campaign?

Are Ten Haag and Man U legit? Do the Magpies take the next step with Fort Tonali at the six?

Or is it the Gunners, now with Declan Rice, who are finally able to make good on what they came oh so close but no cigar to last season?

...And then there's Chelsea and Spurs.

Outside of European nights contention: Can little old Luton Town survive in the big tent? Are Villa, West Ham and Fulham able to start a club renaissance? Will the internet darlings of Brighton and Brentford maintain their David-esque charge?

So many great storylines to unravel and this will be my first campaign that I get to watch from start to finish. And with FC Cincinnati now knocked out of the Leagues Cup, the timing couldn't be anymore perfect.

Arsenal to do it. Spent money in the right areas on bigger players. I think we’re ready.

Aug 6, 2023 14:36:32 GMT rad said:

Prem predictions, anyone?

Does Oligarch City become the first EFL side ever to complete the quadpete?

Can the Merseyside Reds bounce back from a mediocre campaign?

Are Ten Haag and Man U legit? Do the Magpies take the next step with Fort Tonali at the six?

Or is it the Gunners, now with Declan Rice, who are finally able to make good on what they came oh so close but no cigar to last season?

...And then there's Chelsea and Spurs.

Outside of European nights contention: Can little old Luton Town survive in the big tent? Are Villa, West Ham and Fulham able to start a club renaissance? Will the internet darlings of Brighton and Brentford maintain their David-esque charge?

So many great storylines to unravel and this will be my first campaign that I get to watch from start to finish. And with FC Cincinnati now knocked out of the Leagues Cup, the timing couldn't be anymore perfect.

Arsenal to win the league, Mags will fall off.


The lads to win the championship

KING KID thereallt  

I think he makes a good point, this really does seem borderline arrogant to do by Rapinoe. I really hope this humbles the entire team and the new guard don't end up making the same mistake and try and go political etc. over getting back to the basic fundamentals. I think the team will be better for this experience. 

The lads are not going up, I apologise

A good solid win by the Matildas last night. You could tell watching that when Denmark hadn't managed to score during their initial 20 minute blitz it might come back to haunt them, and then shortly afterwards Mary Fowler produced a bit of her trademark individual brilliance to create the opening goal. Denmark will be sick of the sight of us, eliminated them from both the men's and women's WCs.

The Lionesses had a big scare last night. They were down to 10 women for the final 40 minutes after that careless red card. But they survived the extra time, and eventually won it 4-2 in penalties.

Aug 6, 2023 16:49:00 GMT Blindy said:

KING KID thereallt  

I think he makes a good point, this really does seem borderline arrogant to do by Rapinoe. I really hope this humbles the entire team and the new guard don't end up making the same mistake and try and go political etc. over getting back to the basic fundamentals. I think the team will be better for this experience. 

I watch more MLS here than probably anyone so I can say this with full confidence: When Taylor Twellman is the voice of reason, you've done fucked up.

Aug 6, 2023 16:02:37 GMT @toddisdrunk said:

Aug 6, 2023 14:36:32 GMT rad said:

Prem predictions, anyone?

Does Oligarch City become the first EFL side ever to complete the quadpete?

Can the Merseyside Reds bounce back from a mediocre campaign?

Are Ten Haag and Man U legit? Do the Magpies take the next step with Fort Tonali at the six?

Or is it the Gunners, now with Declan Rice, who are finally able to make good on what they came oh so close but no cigar to last season?

...And then there's Chelsea and Spurs.

Outside of European nights contention: Can little old Luton Town survive in the big tent? Are Villa, West Ham and Fulham able to start a club renaissance? Will the internet darlings of Brighton and Brentford maintain their David-esque charge?

So many great storylines to unravel and this will be my first campaign that I get to watch from start to finish. And with FC Cincinnati now knocked out of the Leagues Cup, the timing couldn't be anymore perfect.

Arsenal to do it. Spent money in the right areas on bigger players. I think we’re ready.

I'm leaning towards either Arsenal or Man U myself. Arteta and Ten Haag have that quiet confident aura about them like Arsene Venga and Ser Alec did. It's probably too soon for United and they have big issues still, but no one expected Arsenal to finish 2nd last year either. Rashford and Casemiro were in peak form and I think they're just getting started.

City gets unlucky this year. A key piece like Haaland or De Bruyne suffers a big injury at a crucial time and they let it slip away at the end.

Liverpool had too much turnover. It's going to take at least one campaign to get this team back to playing heavy metal again.

With the exceptions of Tonali and Barnes, I think teams are going to have the Maggies figured out this year too.

I also think Villa are going to shock some people this year and break into the top 5. And Spurs with Ange could be a surprise too, considering that side is still loaded with crazy talent, just lacks cohesive direction.

Holy shit I've never seen a penalty shootout like that at this level, that definitely took a year off my life. Incredible scenes - we might win this thing!

Aug 12, 2023 10:06:11 GMT @admin said:

Holy shit I've never seen a penalty shootout like that at this level, that definitely took a year off my life. Incredible scenes - we might win this thing!

My brother was in Sydney last weak, he’s in Christchurch this week. Said he’s seldom heard cheering like he heard for the Aussie women. He’s only gotten to see one game in person, but he’s at bars and pubs every night. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from them too.

Massive semifinal incoming between the Aussies and England.

GO LIONESSES!!!

Aug 12, 2023 11:17:50 GMT All34LOL said:

Aug 12, 2023 10:06:11 GMT @admin said:

Holy shit I've never seen a penalty shootout like that at this level, that definitely took a year off my life. Incredible scenes - we might win this thing!

My brother was in Sydney last weak, he’s in Christchurch this week. Said he’s seldom heard cheering like he heard for the Aussie women. He’s only gotten to see one game in person, but he’s at bars and pubs every night. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from them too.

Absolutely, they've really captured the whole nation, it's really all anyone has been talking about. Soccer has always had the ability to cut through like this in Australia, but obviously having a incredibly likeable team - and the games on in primetime rather than the middle of the night like World Cups usually are is making a huge difference. Over 4 million people watched the game the other night, apparently the most watched event here since Cathy Freeman's gold medal at the 2000 Olympics, more than any AFL or rugby game which is wild.

I watched the England/Colombia game and wasn't overly impressed by England, they strike me as an effective team who know how to grind out a result but certainly not a side in particularly good form. The Matildas can definitely beat them (and indeed did last time they played) but they will probably need to be more clinical in front of goal than they were against France. My only other concern is fatigue - we have not used our squad at all and it will be interesting to see if the girls can raise themselves up again after the emotional rollercoaster of the quarterfinal.

How about that non penalty at the end of the United/Wolves game? It's so ridiculous that the Premier League can't sort themselves out. :lol:

Aug 15, 2023 1:26:54 GMT @admin said:

How about that non penalty at the end of the United/Wolves game? It's so ridiculous that the Premier League can't sort themselves out. :lol:

I don’t understand why we can’t hear the conversation between the video officials and the match referee. Even if it’s on a slight delay. The lack of accountability on referees in today’s game is a real issue.

re: Megan Rapinoe.

She has lived long enough to see herself become the villain, as Harvey Dent said. Nobody cares about her politics anymore and they just want the US to win trophies. They have one of the best teams in the world and her head is so far up her own ass with her fame that she isn't the leader the team needs on the field, and it shows.

Social media has been dumping on her for most of the tournament and I totally get it. I saw a video circulating of a child asking her for an autograph at an awards show and she looked so uninterested that it made me angry. She doesn't even look at the kid once, let alone say anything. I'm not saying you have to give every single fan that talks to you the time of day, but she's in a public setting with a camera on her and she can't even muster up a "hey," or make eye contact WITH A CHILD.

...

Anyway, Spain gets past Sweden and is in their first ever finals. That team has looked scary all tournament and I would not want to be facing them. Going to be tough for whoever makes it out of England/Australia. Of course I'm rooting for England but it would be crazy to see Australia win it on home turf. But I like England's chances over Spain more than Australia's. Should be a good final either way.

How funny would it be if the England women bring it home before the men do? So many pissed off uncles.

Aug 15, 2023 13:44:19 GMT RT said:

re: Megan Rapinoe.

She has lived long enough to see herself become the villain, as Harvey Dent said. Nobody cares about her politics anymore and they just want the US to win trophies. They have one of the best teams in the world and her head is so far up her own ass with her fame that she isn't the leader the team needs on the field, and it shows.

Social media has been dumping on her for most of the tournament and I totally get it. I saw a video circulating of a child asking her for an autograph at an awards show and she looked so uninterested that it made me angry. She doesn't even look at the kid once, let alone say anything. I'm not saying you have to give every single fan that talks to you the time of day, but she's in a public setting with a camera on her and she can't even muster up a "hey," or make eye contact WITH A CHILD

Even those of us who mostly agree with her politics wanted her to just shut up and dribble. It isn't what she believes for me, it's her ego and a supreme lack of any true leadership that makes me dislike her.

Can we just go ahead and make a clone of Mia Hamm already?

I'll say this, it made Canada's early exit look like small potatoes.

The last 20 minutes of Spain/Sweden went from 0-100 rapidly - what a finish! Feel bad for Sweden going out at the semi finals again but I think Spain were pretty clearly the superior team. 

One of the main things that has struck me watching the latter stages of the tournament is how many of the most impressive and eyecatching players are so young - Fowler, Caicedo, Becho, Paralluelo - the future seems incredibly bright.

Whoever wins tonight's (early morning here) semifinals, I feel, will win it all.

GO LIONESSES!!!

Spain's investment into Liga F and their national team seems to be working hugely in their favor this year. They're going to be really tough to beat for years to come.

But I'm really hoping Sam Kerr and the Matildas kick their and England's ass to win it all.

IT'S COMING HOME!!!

Just gotta beat Spain, and it's coming home!

I watched all of Australia/England and thought it was great. Both teams were courageous on the ball and tried to make things happen. England had a little bit of better interplay upfront and the Aussies didn’t have the best of days defending and that was probably what separated the two teams.