Gal

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It’s funny that ppl here still bring that Barcelona game. I watched on YouTube (incl other games)
- pda was not adapting to the situation (no possession during tiki-taka)
- pda players were visibly frustrated and started making mistakes
From other games, you could see Barca players could also do 1-1 if needed, they just didn’t have to do it. In fact, it seemed to me that they played a little slow and tentative in their first 2 games, and were easily beaten under high press. PDA had the plan of exploiting that, just did not adapt when it didn’t work. Also, mentally they were not ready to fight from being goals down.

PDA coming off high school soccer season with minimal preparation. Baraca in mid-season form. Wonder how that impacted how each team played?

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PDA coming off high school soccer season with minimal preparation. Baraca in mid-season form. Wonder how that impacted how each team played?

PDA would have beaten Baraca 5,6 nil in mid season form. That’s what the folks that don’t know the beautiful game understand. USA soccer is still dominant and PDA is still the premier international club. Baraca just had a lucky day.

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Remember the 11!

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Why bring up "slacks on practicing"? No one is saying that any of the players being discussed here are slacking on practicing. The topic is the contrast in style of play between PDA and Barca...playing "direct" vs. "possession". Apparently PDA is being crucified for playing direct and Barca is being put on a pedestal for playing possession. The counter-point is that PDA is developing better individual ball-skills at the expense of field vision, and Barca developing better field vision at the expense of individual ball-skills.

So, because the Barca girls weren't trying to ram it down PDA throat they don't have individual ball skills? I would wager to guess that these girls have just as good if not better ball skills. If anything, the Barca girls don't have a single player used as a blunt instrument for attack and don't have the me me me attitude that is so dominant in the US.

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You cannot teach athleticism, speed and quickness. Those are qualities that are innate. Same way some gifted musicians can pick up an instrument and teach themselves to play. Athleticism gives the individual an advantage in almost all sports. You can teach any person to improve these qualities but they will only peak at a certain level and not get any faster. You can also develop the mental attitude and smarts to help you over achieve but you still will have limitations. I have seen plenty of players who are highly skilled and technical but are always 2 steps behind the more athletic player. What has made the USA Women’s team so accomplished and successful is their athleticism, speed and quickness. They do not play with a high level of passing but rather direct with their mental toughness, physical prowess & athleticism. That’s their style and they have been highly successful. Stop being a snob if you think its not real football to you.

I have seen average players, through shear will, turn into respectable starters and I've seen athletic players turn into over weight slobs by being sloths. Athleticism is great and all but with out actual training, guidance and determination it doesn't mean sh*t.

[Unregistered]

Does anyone know if GA will adjust their Spring schedules to remove some matches off the calendar? Our team has 17 left to be played which is a massive figure...all the fall cancellations sure did not help the matter. Not sure how we get in all the showcases and tournaments and 17 matches....

Sure hope you like driving

[Unregistered]

PDA coming off high school soccer season with minimal preparation. Baraca in mid-season form. Wonder how that impacted how each team played?

I'm sure that PDA team had 0 practice time before hand. They would never allow a team to go into a major tournament like this unprepared.

[Unregistered]

PDA would have beaten Baraca 5,6 nil in mid season form. That’s what the folks that don’t know the beautiful game understand. USA soccer is still dominant and PDA is still the premier international club. Baraca just had a lucky day.

Will be real interesting to see how team USA does in the World Cup and Olympics coming up. As the team has gotten older, fought over money and shut down the DA the other countries have been pouring money into their women's programs. Last World Cup the US barely made it past Spain and should have lost vs France while scraping by vs England. She Believes Cup will be very telling as the dropped the power houses of England, France and Germany and now have Brazil, Canada and Japan.

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Sure hope you like driving

That’s the crazy part no need to do All that driving and spend $ on hotels playing subpar GA teams. The league is a shadow of the DA days.

[Unregistered]

Will be real interesting to see how team USA does in the World Cup and Olympics coming up. As the team has gotten older, fought over money and shut down the DA the other countries have been pouring money into their women's programs. Last World Cup the US barely made it past Spain and should have lost vs France while scraping by vs England. She Believes Cup will be very telling as the dropped the power houses of England, France and Germany and now have Brazil, Canada and Japan.

The Netherlands didn't get a shot off against the US in their friendly. The midfield trio of Lavelle, Mewis and Horan are on another level. The dominate the center of the field.

[Unregistered]

I'm sure that PDA team had 0 practice time before hand. They would never allow a team to go into a major tournament like this unprepared.

That PDA team had just won the ECNL National championship. They were very well prepared.

[Unregistered]

Will be real interesting to see how team USA does in the World Cup and Olympics coming up. As the team has gotten older, fought over money and shut down the DA the other countries have been pouring money into their women's programs. Last World Cup the US barely made it past Spain and should have lost vs France while scraping by vs England. She Believes Cup will be very telling as the dropped the power houses of England, France and Germany and now have Brazil, Canada and Japan.

Show me the countries pouring money into their women's programs than the USA are?

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The Netherlands didn't get a shot off against the US in their friendly. The midfield trio of Lavelle, Mewis and Horan are on another level. The dominate the center of the field.

Horan? Didnt even play. Ertz did,

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Show me the countries pouring money into their women's programs than the USA are?

"more money"

[Unregistered]

The Netherlands didn't get a shot off against the US in their friendly. The midfield trio of Lavelle, Mewis and Horan are on another level. The dominate the center of the field.

https://***********/yxghcuru

Netherlands might have lost on the scoreboard this time but they won in time of possession 62%, Passes 558 to 331 and Passing Accuracy 77% to 70%. You can't lose those and expect to be dominate for long.