Women's Olympics Discussion

[ForzaAzzurri]

And that's why it can be the cruelest game. If there was even an OUNCE of skill (heck, I'd settle for technique) exhibited by one of Sweden's players over 120 minutes of soccer, I (can you blame me?) missed it.

Not knocking the tactics/strategy/whatever --- they were successful in that they advanced --- but my goodness, they were awful...

[Unregistered]

And that's why it can be the cruelest game. If there was even an OUNCE of skill (heck, I'd settle for technique) exhibited by one of Sweden's players over 120 minutes of soccer, I (can you blame me?) missed it.

Not knocking the tactics/strategy/whatever --- they were successful in that they advanced --- but my goodness, they were awful...

So Forza, it seems as though in your mind Solo's commentary on Sweden's play, albeit badly worded and poorly timed, was more or less on point? Not taking a shot at you here, more just interested in your take on Solo's observations.

Also, how much of the blame for how Sweden played do you believe rests with Pia, or did she just do what had to be done, given the resources and talent she had at her disposal?

[Unregistered]

And that's why it can be the cruelest game. If there was even an OUNCE of skill (heck, I'd settle for technique) exhibited by one of Sweden's players over 120 minutes of soccer, I (can you blame me?) missed it.

Not knocking the tactics/strategy/whatever --- they were successful in that they advanced --- but my goodness, they were awful...

I don't know. The run, the vision to see it, the delivery of the through ball, the patience after receiving, and the finish, were all quite skillful.

[Unregistered]

So Forza, it seems as though in your mind Solo's commentary on Sweden's play, albeit badly worded and poorly timed, was more or less on point? Not taking a shot at you here, more just interested in your take on Solo's observations.

Also, how much of the blame for how Sweden played do you believe rests with Pia, or did she just do what had to be done, given the resources and talent she had at her disposal?

Coach's job is to win games. It's the other coach's job to adapt and overcome. All credit to Pia

This has been happening for years

[Unregistered]

It is partly a selection problem, valuing athleticism over skill. But a residency program alone, assuming US soccer values skill, vision, and touch more highly, will not fix the issues. USMNT has it, but stiil fall short. Understandable, when competing against even small countries that have major clubs training 10 times as many players in residency per year than the US.

We need to raise the expectations and level of play for more than an anointed group. This entails more opportunity for mixed and free play and valuing the proper aspects of the game, as well as making the cost affordable for large swaths of the population. It requires a change of culture, and a huge shake up of how things are done.

The current system favors profit for clubs over play for kids.

America's answer is always train more and look for more. You mentioned the small countries. To me it is an anti-American plan that says select earlier and train better. La Mesia and Ajax academy as the model. But we keep scouting and bringing players in as they develop outside the program too...

[Unregistered]

And that's why it can be the cruelest game. If there was even an OUNCE of skill (heck, I'd settle for technique) exhibited by one of Sweden's players over 120 minutes of soccer, I (can you blame me?) missed it.

Not knocking the tactics/strategy/whatever --- they were successful in that they advanced --- but my goodness, they were awful...

Compare the technique and skill of the player that took Sweden's last PK with Press' technique. *microphone dropped*

[Unregistered]

And that's why it can be the cruelest game. If there was even an OUNCE of skill (heck, I'd settle for technique) exhibited by one of Sweden's players over 120 minutes of soccer, I (can you blame me?) missed it.

Not knocking the tactics/strategy/whatever --- they were successful in that they advanced --- but my goodness, they were awful...

Toot, toot

[ForzaAzzurri]

So Forza, it seems as though in your mind Solo's commentary on Sweden's play, albeit badly worded and poorly timed, was more or less on point? Not taking a shot at you here, more just interested in your take on Solo's observations.

Also, how much of the blame for how Sweden played do you believe rests with Pia, or did she just do what had to be done, given the resources and talent she had at her disposal?

I don't follow the women's game nearly enough to be able to comment on your last point. As for the "cowards" comment, I understand where Hope and other "losing" players are coming from when they say or imply such things after a PK loss...and that is the key (i.e., that the "loss" was a result of a shootout). Unfortunately, a shootout has nothing to do with the game played on the field, and too often in soccer a team that objectively and truly speaking has zero merit in advancing otherwise, especially relative to an opponent that has significantly dominated play and chances, is rewarded with the "win". All one needs to do is look at the respective faces, body language, and reactions of the players on the two teams as they walk off the field when a referee blows the final whistle after the second OT period. (To wit, you'll see Sweden's players congratulate each other--really? for going to PKs?--v. the visible disappointment and consternation on the part of Brazil's players).

My post was basically to underscore something that essentially ONLY happens in soccer. (And as long as settling games by PKs persists, it will only continue).

[Unregistered]

Sweden in the Olympic women's final, USA crying on the plane ride home.
Everything is hunky-dory.

[Unregistered]

Sweden just beat Brazil in penalties. They're going for the gold. Might not be the "best" soccer but they're in.

[Unregistered]

I don't follow the women's game nearly enough to be able to comment on your last point. As for the "cowards" comment, I understand where Hope and other "losing" players are coming from when they say or imply such things after a PK loss...and that is the key (i.e., that the "loss" was a result of a shootout). Unfortunately, a shootout has nothing to do with the game played on the field, and too often in soccer a team that objectively and truly speaking has zero merit in advancing otherwise, especially relative to an opponent that has significantly dominated play and chances, is rewarded with the "win". All one needs to do is look at the respective faces, body language, and reactions of the players on the two teams as they walk off the field when a referee blows the final whistle after the second OT period. (To wit, you'll see Sweden's players congratulate each other--really? for going to PKs?--v. the visible disappointment and consternation on the part of Brazil's players).

My post was basically to underscore something that essentially ONLY happens in soccer. (And as long as settling games by PKs persists, it will only continue).

Coward -a definition
1. a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.

Courage - a definition
1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

So did Sweden cower in the corner, afraid to touch the ball? Nope. They just faced two of the best teams in the world and won. They figured out a way to beat supposedly better teams. It may not have been pretty soccer but they're in the final and Brazil and the US are not. On any given Sunday....PKs are part of the game. It could just as easily gone the other way. Players who can't accept that reality better find another sport.

[Unregistered]

Sweden in the Olympic women's final, USA crying on the plane ride home.
Everything is hunky-dory.

Any comments from Solo?
Pia?

[Unregistered]

So Forza, it seems as though in your mind Solo's commentary on Sweden's play, albeit badly worded and poorly timed, was more or less on point? Not taking a shot at you here, more just interested in your take on Solo's observations.

Also, how much of the blame for how Sweden played do you believe rests with Pia, or did she just do what had to be done, given the resources and talent she had at her disposal?

Pia did what she had to do. There were a very limited number of options open to her if she wanted to steal a victory, and she chose well. Sweden had very few players that would be impact players on the US team, but they did their jobs very well and won the game.

In contrast, I felt that there were a host of ways that the US team could choose to compete, given their roster talent and history. I thought their most dangerous chances came when they worked the ball central at the 18 and distributed from there, so the decision to insert Rapinoe to hit crosses was a curious one to me. I thought the insertion of Press (despite the missed PK) led to some opportunities that might have been fruitful if she had had more run.

Soccer is one of the few games where a less talented team can organize themselves to hang in there against a superior team and grab a tie or win on a fairly regular basis. It happens much more often in this sport than any other major sport, in my opinion. Sweden just managed to do it again today against Brazil.

[Unregistered]

sweden played a defensive 4-5-1. they were very careful about going forward and being caught out of defensive position. it is up to their opponents to draw them out, beat them individually, or make a few quick tight passes to break them down. neither the US nor brazil had the skill or game plan to pull this off. congrats to a deserving pia and sweden. they earned it

[Unregistered]

And just for the official record...........The US women have NEVER beaten Sweden since Pia took over as manager.