OT: Women’s World Cup soccer.. on to the final
The Women’s World Cup has been interesting from several perspectives.
In the first semifinal Spain and Sweden were tied 0-0 after 80 minutes of play, Three goals were scored in regulation. Spain took a 1-0 lead, Sweden tied it, and Spain scored the game winner - all three goals in a ten minute span. So, Spain advanced with a 2-1 win.
The second semifinal pits host Australia against England. England just defeated the Matildas 3-1.
So - the final is set - Spain v England.
And, in the US - the calls for a new coach to lead the USWNT are getting louder.
It’s been a good World Cup despite some drama - and the final features two of the strongest teams facing each other for the Cup.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:11 AM ^
I was hoping the Matildas would somehow manage to beat the Limeys, but alas, no.
Go Spain, I guess?
August 16th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
I like my soccer Caldentay. Go Spain.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:13 AM ^
Was hoping the Matildas could take it on their own soil but England has been fantastic for most of the tournament. Definitely deserved.
Now that the Matildas are out I'm hoping the USWNT will move on their coach, Tony Gustavsson.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:15 AM ^
The goal by Sam Kerr was one of the best finishes I have ever seen. Gutting loss for the Matildas they had so many close chances and the miscommunication on the Lauren Hemp goal will sting for a long time.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:38 AM ^
Both Hemp’s and Kerr’s goals were solidly struck.
Though we all have our likes - both Spain and England have played solidly throughout the tourney.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:55 AM ^
Here's a LINK to the goal.
And sheesh, what a rocket of a shot
August 16th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
That WAS a rocket of a shot. Looks like the safe play would have been to pass off to the trailer who was wide open though.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:32 AM ^
Managed to catch some early morning games - the timing has deprived a wider US audience of a very entertaining tournament. Terrific games. The lack of flopping relative to the last men's cup is refreshing.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:42 AM ^
Good point. I thought the play was physical and fair - and the officiating crew throughout the Cup seemed to do a very good job.
I look forward to the final.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:29 AM ^
The women are flat-out more fun to watch, to the point where I catch myself calling this "The World Cup" and the other tournament the "Men's World Cup". I don't care if they're not as athletic and this has shit to do with "better fundamentals". The men do whatever they feel it takes to win, even if it pisses on the game. The women play the game like they love it. Granted that doesn't apply to all players, but the overall feel is so different.
August 16th, 2023 at 12:33 PM ^
not to thread-jack, but i kinda feel that way about women's hoops. it just hits different.
i've thought about this a lot...the biggest stars in women's hoops and women's soccer can't (at this moment) reach anywhere near the level of global superstardom that their men's counterparts might reach, which (weirdly) makes me watch the games in a slightly different way. marta might be the greatest player of all time, but she's not likely to cross over to familiarity to a non-sports fan. put another way - your great-aunt myrtle knows who lebron is, but she doesn't know who diana taurasi is.
i know that an mbappe world cup goal will be trumpeted by thousands of social media doofuses of yet another example of OMG THE GOAT. a marta goal will, too, but the lower decibel level makes it less annoying.
i say i've thought about it a lot, which...obviously not enough, since this is so disjointed. but yaH. +1 to you!
August 16th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^
2 best leagues for womens soccer are in England and Spain.
The NWSL is now a negative for womens soccer against Euro leagues which are taking over.
Basically the NWSL is now the MLS , you can say a farm league compared to the Euro Leagues.
Should be sending the best to Europe now also.
The pace of game is faster and everybody else who is great in other countries play on those teams. The Skill level is also better than what the NWSL can now offer.
The world caught up !
Still happy Rapinoe choked though ! Couldn't of happened to a better player on the US Team if one was to choke which she did. Good Riddance. She made the US team and this world cup unwatchable. keep the Negs coming snowflakes. WGAF about the points. Your liberal tears are the same ones that like Men playing in womens sports and changing in the same locker room.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:28 AM ^
I would assume that European leagues will continue to become the best leagues in the world. They are funded by the men's clubs they are attached to...such as Barcelona, Chelsea, Tottenham, etc. Essentially it is the equivalent of the WNBA being funded heavily by the NBA.
Not making a "controversial" statement about the women's leagues being financially sound / profitable. No clue. Just stating the fact that the European leagues have much greater funding, facilities, and built in fans because they are attached to well established men's teams.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:25 AM ^
Europe may have better infrastructure, but training staff to men player ratio is better than for women, and the men get priority in shared facilities. So things could still be better.
My thinking is we're behind on training kids in basic soccer skills. Also we need a coach who can put our players in better position to succeed.
August 16th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
You basically drove the ball 95 yards, and in your final paragraph, fumbled the goddamn ball.
Do better next time.
August 16th, 2023 at 2:10 PM ^
you could've boiled your entire post down to "lol rapinoe airmailed the penalty because woke lol" and saved time.
August 16th, 2023 at 2:55 PM ^
You sound like the triggered snowflake, lil fella.
August 16th, 2023 at 7:37 PM ^
Ok thanks Shemy
August 16th, 2023 at 9:44 AM ^
I can't decide if the USWNT is moving backwards compared to these teams, or if it's just a combination of (1) our two best goal scorers (Swanson & Macario) being ACL'd out of the WWC (hence, goalscoring issues for us) and (2) our coach being bad at, you know, coaching. Whereas, I had very low expectations for our mish-mashed, inexperienced D coming into the WWC, but we gave up all of 1 goal in 4 games (although allllllmost 2, TY post). Had Swanson and Macario been out there, we likely beat Netherlands and Sweden b/c surely we are good for at least 1 more goal in each game, and from there who knows. (Although had we beat Netherlands we wouldn't have played Sweden... whatever, you get my point.)
Still, we aren't what England was today: Professionally boring, which is how you win knock out round games. Australia couldn't connect a cross, every one found four defenders. Kerr's goal was unbelievable, but the Matildas will rue (1) Kerr's horrific miss from in front of the net at 1:2, and (2) their defender's blunder that led to the 2d English score. Still, England was the more experienced team w solid tackling, no-flash passing, no bonehead mental errors, etc. It's not attractive, but it's effective. It's a sign of good coaching, and a good professional league.
Spain has a bit more flair, but have to figure England is going to win this.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:31 AM ^
Kerr had a couple prime chances - header & rebound - that went wanting. I wonder if she had just waited a bit for the ball to fall on the rebound if she can put that in, or does some English player get over to block? Even if she had scored, I think England still would have scored and won 3-2.
I feel bad for Ellie Carpenter. I think she got bumped at just the wrong time and missed kicking the ball, then she tried to kick again while still up in the air and missed again. Maybe needed to try and get both feet grounded and shield before attempting another kick.
August 16th, 2023 at 6:21 PM ^
I don't think it's USWNT moving "backwards." It was just a matter of time before Europe caught up to us. They have better funding and infrastructure. It's their most popular sport. Our football is their soccer sort of speak. Their best athletes play soccer.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:50 AM ^
It’s 1588 all over again.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^
Touché
August 16th, 2023 at 10:21 AM ^
I haven't seen England play, but Spain was very impressive in their win against the Netherlands. About 7 minutes into the game I told my wife the Dutch were going to lose, the difference in play was that noticeable.
Should be a fun final.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
Interesting because I thought the Netherlands looked stronger in that game until Salma Paralluelo came in and started dominating.
But I have never pretended to understand soccer.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:20 AM ^
Finally! We will see a clear victor to the Anglo-Spanish Wars.
But history says they'll play out regulation to a 0-0 tie, then go so deep into PKs that they declare the outcome inconclusive. Maybe trade a few players before signing a treaty, then they team up to pick on France.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^
Earlier in the tournament they said no team that didn't win their group won the cup. Spain could be the first.
August 16th, 2023 at 12:01 PM ^
It's been a good World Cup, there were some concerns about expanding the number of teams involved but it's pretty clearly been a success. My two favorites from the Semifinals have been knocked out so let me give England the kiss of death and proclaim them my favorite to win the tourney. They won the Euros so it's no shock they are doing so well.
The USWNT has a rivalry with England (Alex Morgan sipping an imaginary cup of tea triggered and shook some folks) but I am fine with showing the English team some respect.
August 16th, 2023 at 1:06 PM ^
After the Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes and the Women's World Cup, I'm beginning to think that sports are meant to be enjoyed in the early morning hours. It's going to be hard next month to wait until noon for a football game!
August 16th, 2023 at 6:09 PM ^
Looking forward to this match. England is more experienced/balanced and should be the favorite. Despite being the youngest team in the field, Spain's ball control and their ability to attack seamlessly with beautiful touches is fun to watch. They're gonna very good for a long time.
August 16th, 2023 at 7:46 PM ^
Vlatko just resigned. It's a start!
August 16th, 2023 at 8:19 PM ^
Sources added that current assistant coach Twila Kilgore is likely to be appointed as interim coach for two friendlies against South Africa on Sept. 21 and Sept. 24, though that deal has yet to be finalized.