After sweeping the group stage, USWNT must beat Japan to advance.
Match: USA vs. Japan
Time: 9 a.m. ET
How to watch: Telemundo, Peacock, NBCSports.com, FuboTV
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I’m actually a little surprised that Lavelle is starting again, but maybe she’ll smash it this time
Watching on Telemundo. Thanks for the thread.
Bethune not on the bench. Huh
I wonder if this has something to do with Shaw being available again from a procedural standpoint?
I’m sure Hayes would prefer to have them both available, considering
Yes, to bring Shaw back onto the roster, Bethune had to return to the alternate pool.
Seems like this is a higher bar to jump over than we’ve seen this far, which, I’d say is unsurprising. Japan are making a lot of smart plays out of possession. We need to trouble them more, cuz they will get a few counterpunches.
Sorta unfortunate foul by Fox leads to a very dangerous free kick at a good angle for a chipped cross right outside the box.
Cagey game, but on Japan’s terms out of possession so far
Wondering if this is a game for Nighswonger to shine. Someone skilled at lashing in left footed service and bypassing the middle from a dribbling standpoint might be just the thing.
Horan allows a Japanese attacker to get in a wicked shot, too close to Naeher in the end
Another chance pretty quickly for Japan, if that’s on frame, it’s a goal.
Japan continues to frustrate the US with their collectivity, skill, pragmatism, and smarts. Feels like we’re waiting for a moment of individual brilliance, but we’re waiting for the play that’s going to set up that player, whoever it may be. We have difference makers, but Japan is keeping a lid on our team play.
So far the quality and confidence for the US has been low. To be fair, not a lot of blood in the water
Very much what I expected. In an open-field, on a counter, we’re deadly. But against an organized team or one that overloads midfield, we’re basically kicking the ball out to one of our frontline and saying “go make something happen.” Less so now than the past decade. But we are tactically not capable of doing with the Spanish do. The Japanese (with their technical ability) are very capable of winning this match–unless we can get a goal and force them to push forward. That’s why your comments about Lavalle being “meh” so far this Olympics are so on-point. If Lavalle isn’t creating something, we struggle against teams that either defend well in-depth or flood the midfield.
That’s not a criticism of Hayes. That’s just a statement on how far the US Women need to go tactically. Our talent level if top-shelf. But we’re too dependent on athleticism and a good front-line to beat the best teams in the world.
We’re not Spain, but we are a good team. However, if Japan can stay this disciplined and don’t suffer any mental lapses, they win, cuz we’re not going to be perfect.
I remember having a disagreement about Dunn and Akers, who was the more well rounded player. Akers was a beast, but I feel she couldn’t have made the defensive play that Dunn just made.
You’re probably right about that defensive play. But Akers would make plays as a ball winner and in the air that Dunn wouldn’t make. In either case, both are versatile players.
Feels like the US is playing a video game on a setting heavily skewed toward the computer opponent. No way out but through, though
We’re keeping on with the same strategy, but I doubt we clear this challenge with it. Reminder that we had 78% possession, and conceded the best two chances in the first half.
Once again, think Lavelle hasn’t impacted. Shaw for Lavelle is my guess, and we lean on our front three to finish, both literally and time wise
My goodness, Japan are simply refusing to lose out on more than one consecutive play, it’s a little unnerving
We’ve been pushing Japan deeper, which is at least progress
Lavelle struggling after a block.
Maybe it’s just the lack of bench, but I’m floored that we haven’t made a sub. Is she saving everyone for extra time?
This is getting insane. This feels less like “let your starters leave it all on the field” and more “the red zone doesn’t exist” vibes
Now that Japan has to push forward to get an equalizer, this is absolutely the worst time for the US to have heavy legs on the frontline. Smith in particular is showing that. I think this is a good time to sub in Shaw–either on the frontline or in place of Lavelle.
What I’d do is a double sub. Krueger on for Lavelle, Shaw on for Smith. Get some speed/fresh legs on the frontline for the US to exploit the space they’re going to see from Japan as they push forward. And Krueger gives you fresh legs, good individual defending. Either Sonnett moves in to a twin D-mid setup with Albert and Krueger is a CB with Girma. Or more likely you’d just play with 5 in the back 3 of them are CBs (Sonnett, Krueger, Girma) as you drop back and encourage the Japanese to come forward.
I’d leave Rodman on (even though she’s got to be dead tired) because that goal has got to have her juiced and let her get another 10 minutes out of legs and body.
I’m stating to think Shaw on the bench was a head fake to make Japan worry about the late game
Fuck, what a save by the Japanese goalie. Don’t know where Smith got the energy to make that press play
Looks like Albert has a muscle strain, at least
I’m just gonna say it. Hayes has done a lot of good, but if you hate your bench this much, you failed at roster construction. We have too much depth in this pool for this
My take: I think this is the result of Hayes not having much time with the team. She really hasn’t had the time and number of competitive matches to teach and implement a more systematic passing approach. So as a result, I think she’s relying on “chemistry”–both on offensive and defense. And thus, she’s reluctant to sub in other players. Cuz yeah, the legs are dead. And that has implications if you go to PKs in this match. And it has major implications going in to the semis (assuming the US advances).
But I don’t think passing structures have anything to do with bringing players you can trust.
I understand that argument. I think Hayes believes that you want people next to you that you’ve had a lot of minutes with (so you know what they’ll do when someone tries to screen you on a corner or when a runner goes behind you). I’m not arguing I agree with it. Only that Hayes is going for familiarity over free legs.
I was having major flashbacks to Vlatko coaching this team at the World Cup. The depth is there; crazy not to trust the likes of Williams, Shaw, and Krueger over bone tired starters.
Lo there, do I see Trin, rising like an eagle to the occasion. Holy shit, what a left footed strike
RODMAN!!!!
Man, in case you were wondering if Japan can come out and play, yowzers, this is scary
Fox has been tremendous, and she’s down at the death
Big, big result gutted out after a sensational finish from Trin.
I can’t help but feel a little sad for Japan, this was not a quarterfinal exit performance, and they arguably deserved better. Still, the laws of the game are clear- finish, or fail.
Spain and Colombia are at 2-2 at the moment. Leicy Santos (Spirit signing) got the first goal for Colombia.
And Spain advances on penalties (4-2) after the two teams are tied through overtime 2-2.
Looks like Germany vs. Canada is also going into extra time with a goalless slug fest, which is the kindest thing these teams could have done for the US
We’re facing Germany.
Exactly. It will be fascinating to see how Germany adapts their tactical scheme from the first game to the second. Horst Hrubesch ain’t no idiot. And I have to wonder about how to give people some breaks (either earlier subs or actually a new starter or two). Smith seems to me, to be someone who’s game especially suffers from fatigue–I remember the data from the last WC–and so maybe we see Lynn Williams or Shaw earlier for Smith as a sub.
I think Coffey should be back and that helps. I hope Davidson is back–she was evidently close with the Quarters match. You have to wonder if Lavelle gets a break. I have no news on Fox but that might mean Krueger is starting on that side.
Take home: the play and results of these games reflect how the world has grown in women’s soccer. The difference between the top and bottom is slim, as shown in these Olympics. Japan played a very organized game from my looks here and there, with old friends at the always magic Four Courts.
I am curious as to how Germany will approach this game. Japan’s strategy was revealing.