The U.S. women’s Olympic team is set to face Australia in the final group stage match. The Americans have already clinched a spot to the quarterfinals, but Australia still need a good result for some hope to move on.
Match: USA vs. Australia
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FuboTV, USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock, NBCSports.com
What? No pony tail on the players doing the bicycle kick?
:^)
Another exciting game coming up. I’ll be at the dentist (true story, scheduled months ago).
DVR it is….
Pretty excited. Prediction- think this will be quite a physical game, whatever the level of quality Australia musters, so set pieces might be huge
Oof, Sam Coffey gets a yellow 3 minutes in, suspended for the next game. Maybe she thought she could nip Australia’s midfield engine early, and the presumption of no early yellows would protect her. Nope
Additionally, a pretty pointless play to get a yellow on, the opponent had her back to her own goal in her own end, just looked like she wanted to give her something to think about and throw off the Australian. Sigh
Apparently, we’d face Japan if we do the likely thing and win this group. Yay??
Australia so far doing a good job of putting off the US, though it’s cagey enough that Australia has not had even a sniff of an opportunity
I know the squad has eternal love for Sonnett, but in the backline, when a game is marginal enough, she’s a weak link.
Australia get a chance that goes wide. Hopefully the game opens up for the US at some point- extremely patient possession so far
Swanson looks to get subtly decked in the box with a full body one inch shove in the back
Think this would be an ideal game to blood Bethune as a sub. Especially since Lavelle hasn’t really gotten a foothold in this game at all to this point, 36 minutes in
Man, bend it like Foxy, what a service that almost allows Horan a close headed goal, goalie does just well enough
Rodman pokes it in on a toe poked goal on a scramble, that’s what the team and frankly the game needed
VAR might be malfunctioning???
To explain, there’s a subjective call to make on a Coffey offside, that she may have blocked the sightline of the goalie, cuz there’s no other way she’d be involved
Anyway, after a wild procedural moment, the goal stands
So, maybe VAR was fine, but the communication between the booth and the center ref wasn’t working? Looking forward to an explanation
My assessment is that, Emma may want to sub whoever she wants to preserve if she can, but Lavelle should be pulled for performance. Not a liability, but very invisible in the attack
Nighswonger for Dunn
I’m a big fan of Coffey’s game, but it’s maybe her eagerness to contribute to the team that has made her surprisingly undisciplined this tournament in the fouls she’s making. Neither of her yellows, nor the one she just avoided for a red, have been “take one for the team” smart plays. If we get through Japan, she needs to do better
Williams and Albert about to enter, Albert assumingly for Coffey. Will be fascinating who loses the sweep stakes to Williams in terms of staying on
Williams on for Trin, Krueger additionally on for Fox, who had run a lot these two games. Coffey actually stays on, with Lavelle coming off
To be clear, I don’t agree with keeping Coffey on when there’s five subs
And Albert now on an early yellow. This aggressive fouling in meaningless situations is going to hurt us
Albert gets a worldie for her first ever opener.
Knuckles into the 90.
2-0 US
Linesman fucks up what looked like a clear out of bounds on the end line, Us survives
Crouch Bethune, not a minute too soon. Think for Swanson
I agree with subbing Trinity–she’s been the offensive engine for the USWNT this tournament (as well as outstanding overall play). Not just keeping her legs fresh for Quarters. But the Matildas play a hard game–sort of like “Canada-lite” and I could see Rodman getting provoked and earning a yellow (and thus a Quarters suspension).
Preserving Trin is vital, for sure
Smith gets a deflection off a shot that hits both posts in incredible fashion, no one able to tap it in
Btw, had there not been a deflection on that Smith shot, probably unsavable
Credit to the Australian fans’ positivity, my goodness, still going knowing they’re eliminated
Oh, wait, third place shenanigans, never mind
Still, great enthusiasm from the fans
Tough goal scored by Australia, Nighswonger and a little bit Sonnett’s fault
Australia get another big chance, man, that was a big waste on a great service
Goalie coming up for the final set piece
8 goals, 9 points, 2 conceded. Both of those concessions required special plays, and we are playing 11 players at the end of the day, so you’d take it for now and look to improve.
US advances in first place. Japan awaits, and that’s a rough reward
Whoops, make that nine goals, cuz 7+2=9, duh
DC United winning on the road, at least winning in a place where the grass is always greener, in Chester PA.
Up 2-0 over Liga Mx’ Santos Laguna early in the 2nd half off goals by Benteke and KDP.
Now 3-0 with a nice finish by Dajome’ after some good work especially by Teddy KDP.
DC wins 3-0 (or I guess 0-3 since Santos was technically home team) and will advance to knockout stage.
Good match by DCU combined with a dreadful Santo Laguna. I am continuously amazed at how many 50-50 balls DCU wins, how often they dispossess other teams. Thus club is so bought in to what Lesesne is preaching, they work so hard. I’ve been of the opinion that Dajome’ has had a nice season but we should move on next year. But I’ve got to say–he works so hard defensively, does so much work off-the ball, is unselfish, and has speed, I don’t know, I just don’t know. Yeah, he’s over-priced. But boy does he fit Lesesne’s system.
I also thought Pirani had his best game in terms of movement off the ball, showing for the ball, putting himself in a dangerous spot. Still questionable decision-making. But the kid’s making progress.
I disagree about Pirani match tonight. I watched him carefully (in person in Chester). Three times he dribbled at defenders and was dispossessed when he had an open pass available. Also his shots were not on frame.
Surprised that we never saw Badji and still haven’t debuted Boris Enow.
OTOH, looks to me like Schnegg has solved our left back problem.
But Santos Laguna was a weak opponent.
I wouldn’t call it the best game Pirani has had but he was fine. The only reason why he didn’t have an assist on goal was because the forward, don’t remember who it was, Murrell or Teddy f’ed up. He also had two shots that didn’t miss by much. All dribblers, even Messi, get dispossessed a few times a game. Teddy does the same. That is the risk of overdoing it with the dribbling. I would like to remind DCU folks that Acosta used to do this all the time as well. Pirani will eventually learn to make better decisions, the technique and talent, however, are there.
I’m saying it’s Pirani’s best match in terms of positioning–putting himself in space where, when he receives the ball, he’s in a good spot. He consistently put himself in positions where either he’d show for the ball or when he received it, he was in a dangerous spot.
Now I agree he made some moves where I thought “ugh” or “not the right pass.”
But right now, Pirani has a couple of things in his favor. He’s young. He (mostly) is willing to work (including on the defensive side of the ball). He doesn’t avoid getting “stuck in.” And he’s got excellent technical ability.
But as a #10, he’s got issues. He has rarely laid off balls that set up goal scorers. He’s made a lot of poor decisions. He hasn’t shown for the ball consistently (and a #10 who disappears in matches is a poor #10). We’ll see if he can learn those things.
Badji, Santos, and McVey weren’t even on the bench last night. Without an official injury report it’s hard to know what is really going on, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Lesesne decided to just go with a 9-man bench to simulate MLS games while giving some players a night off (especially since they were traveling).
Biggest football news of day was USA women’s rugby winning bronze metal with player breaking through three tackles and racing 90+ yards on last play of match (!!!) to win 16-14 (or 14-12).
Reminiscent of the Lucharoo Buzzard Beater but with more at stake.
Rugby sevens is world’s best team spectator sport.
Hi Dave,
Just watched the USA ladies game vs Aussies. Both played hard, and the raw emotions at the end showed the collective commitment, and the “goodbyes” true sportsmanship.
I love it when we don’t play Thailand. Nuff said. The USA should always show sportsmanship.
I loved the post match enthusiasm by the game announcer. Such passion. Promoter of the game. Classy. And, tastefully sassy attire. Loved the red rose on blue suit with white accents.
Loved the nod to Parisian fashion