What This World Cup Shows...

[Unregistered]

Apparently you didn't watch the game. The better team does not always win. France controlled the mid field and were attacking the US all game and were better technically. France's issues were there lack of organization in the back. They seem to have difficulty defending in the box. The US scored some good, timely goals but I think we got a little "lucky" yesterday. Obviously, Iwant the US to win it all but Japan is the sentimental favorite especially with the recent disater the country had. It would be a great lift for the country if they won.

"Japan is the sentimental favorite especially with the recent disater the country had."

that's just silly. The Japanese parade around at the opening of every game with the "thank you" banner and everyone feels bad for them. Maybe we can get Rampone and Boxx to remind everyone about Midwest tornadoes and flooding so we can be 'sentimental favorite" in the finals.

"France's issues were there lack of organization in the back."

Yeah- that little ol' issue of DEFENSE is the only thing that kept them from glory. Poor French- other than that they were terrific. Their unrelenting attack and total control produced ONE goal and a bunch of missed opporunity ("it's okay, honey! Nice try!")

[Friend of MOFW]

"Japan is the sentimental favorite especially with the recent disater the country had."

that's just silly. The Japanese parade around at the opening of every game with the "thank you" banner and everyone feels bad for them. Maybe we can get Rampone and Boxx to remind everyone about Midwest tornadoes and flooding so we can be 'sentimental favorite" in the finals.

"France's issues were there lack of organization in the back."

Yeah- that little ol' issue of DEFENSE is the only thing that kept them from glory. Poor French- other than that they were terrific. Their unrelenting attack and total control produced ONE goal and a bunch of missed opporunity ("it's okay, honey! Nice try!")

Cantankerous!

[Unregistered]

Yeah- that little ol' issue of DEFENSE is the only thing that kept them from glory. P

Haha....good post....defense has been a problem for France for the last hundred years!!!!

[Unregistered]

Excellent summary.

True Japan, France, North Korea (even though they didn't advance) used their technical skills which are the best in a team concept. And as the thread stated we are starting to see a change in the women's game making it more marketable commodity like the mens game.

Brazil which has some great technical skills as individuals but would not be held in the same category as the above mention teams. As great as some of their individuals skills are, they are using them as individuals not as a team.

The game is evolving for the better, like all sports do. And why do some sports survive and others fade? If you don't give a good product that is worth watching you are doom to die.

[Unregistered]

Successful soccer requires all four of these components: Technical Skills, Tactical SKills, Physical Shills, Mental Skills.

Every team searchs for the best in all four categories - but as in life, there are compromises and debates. Which is better; Technical or Physical? Tactical or mental?

At the level of World Cup Teams (Men or Women) all players are in the top levels in all of these categories - but how do they compare to each other?

IMO France, Brazil, Japan are the highest level in terms of Technical Skills. IMO USWNT is the highest level in terms of Physical Skills, Tactical Skills and most definitely Mental Skills - behind some of these coutries on the pure individual technical skills.

In the France game, France started controling the game in the second half - US made some subs and adjustments. As did France. US got better France, not so much. Tactical advantage to US.

Physical advantage. Strength, conditioning - advantage US.

Mental. The US would not give up. They were determined.

The "Beautiful Game" preachers are only focusing on one of the four aspects of winning soccer. Would the US be better if they had some of the Marta's on their team? I don't know - how is her attitude? will she do whatever it takes to win? will she get off up off of the ground when a stronger player continues to slam her? will she whine and complain to the ref?

I'd love to see a player with Wambach's attitude, physical attributes and Marta's technical skills - who wouldn't. But they are few and far between.

In building a team, the US has done a pretty good job of putting together a group of women who are getting the job done.

Physical teams gone: Germany, Sweden both knocked out by little ole technical Japan. Physical Sweden beat Physical U.S. Don't get me wrong I hope little ole technical Japan doesn't knock off all 3 physical teams and we win, but I'm afraid at some point our luck will run out, I just hope it's after Sunday

[thebes20]

Successful soccer requires all four of these components: Technical Skills, Tactical SKills, Physical Shills, Mental Skills.

Every team searchs for the best in all four categories - but as in life, there are compromises and debates. Which is better; Technical or Physical? Tactical or mental?

At the level of World Cup Teams (Men or Women) all players are in the top levels in all of these categories - but how do they compare to each other?

IMO France, Brazil, Japan are the highest level in terms of Technical Skills. IMO USWNT is the highest level in terms of Physical Skills, Tactical Skills and most definitely Mental Skills - behind some of these coutries on the pure individual technical skills.

In the France game, France started controling the game in the second half - US made some subs and adjustments. As did France. US got better France, not so much. Tactical advantage to US.

Physical advantage. Strength, conditioning - advantage US.

Mental. The US would not give up. They were determined.

The "Beautiful Game" preachers are only focusing on one of the four aspects of winning soccer. Would the US be better if they had some of the Marta's on their team? I don't know - how is her attitude? will she do whatever it takes to win? will she get off up off of the ground when a stronger player continues to slam her? will she whine and complain to the ref?

I'd love to see a player with Wambach's attitude, physical attributes and Marta's technical skills - who wouldn't. But they are few and far between.

In building a team, the US has done a pretty good job of putting together a group of women who are getting the job done.

Excellent comment.