OT: Soccer - USWNT vs Australia
USA 2, Australia 1
Game 2 of the Fan Tribute Tour, and I thought it showed. That is, since the USWNT isn't in training for a major tournament or a WC qualifier, they weren't that sharp: passes at the beginning of the game weren't as crisp as you'd expect, often getting intercepted, and the urgency wasn't there. So the Matildas had better chances early, including a couple shots off the posts.
Alex Morgan, earning her 50th cap, did get behind their D a couple times, with one shot to the outside side netting on the left, and another shot just missing outside right. During the broadcast the announcers said Coach Sundhage was telling her to get behind their D more. She had another shot hitting the outside of the net just before the half.
Australia scored first in the 34' as the fastest player on the field, Lisa de Vanna, beat our fastest player, Christie Rampone, all the way from her side of the field (starts about 2:30 in the highlights vid below).
Kate Markgraf, former US defender, was calling the game, and said if it weren't a friendly, Rampone would have grabbed her shirt, fouled her, even if you draw a yellow card. She was asked how she would have defended de Vanna, and responded "grab her shirt, or just crack her," and the older guy mused that he wouldn't want to play in an NBC pickup game against her.
Morgan got her 32nd international goal at 55' (4:18 in vid). She took a pass from Heather O'Reilly on the right, her first touch getting her into the box, a quick cut to get room to shoot, and she ripped it home. In the 60' she drew a penalty, beating the D and getting tripped by the goalie, who came off her line to challenge. Shannon Boxx put it in for the winner.
Highlights video
Reactions video
Pia Sundhage pregame interview
The USWNT faces Australia again in Colorado on W 9/19 @ 10PM ET on ESPN2.
After the game Alex Morgan talked about being open to the possibility of playing overseas, if a league doesn't start up here. If it doesn't, I hope our players will find good opportunities and have the chance to work on their game against good competition.
September 17th, 2012 at 9:49 AM ^
...the USWNT for this win. I wouldn't normally comment on a USWNT friendly recap, but I just don't like seeing threads with zero comments.
September 17th, 2012 at 10:22 AM ^
Any word on who the next manager will be for the women?
September 17th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
No. From the SI article on the game:
U.S. Soccer officials said in a statement that it was "early in the process of the coaching search" and that a committee led by federation president Sunil Gulati and including former U.S. standouts Mia Hamm and Danielle Slaton are "making a list of candidates and will soon start having conversations with those candidates."
I found a Women's Soccer Express post discussing candidates. Winning the U-20 WWC is a plus for U-20 and UVa head coach Steve Swanson.
September 17th, 2012 at 10:59 AM ^
Sad these great athletes have nowhere to play.
My daughter has been glued to the TV watch these players this summer.
September 17th, 2012 at 4:16 PM ^
Well, there isn't currently a US pro women's league, but that doesn't mean there's "nowhere."
Women's Soccer Express has an Americans Abroad page. Sweden & Germany have a number of US players, and France, Japan, and Belgium/Netherlands a few combined (that WSE has learned about).
Soccer is very interesting game having a lot of fun and entertainment. When Match USWNT vs Australia held then i like to support Austalia team which is my favorite team. As Australian i proud my team and i think they deserve it. My team has won a lot of international titles. Actually, Now i try to find out some trustable source to do my assignment but i'm happy to read that this match won by the Australian team with good margin.