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***Soccer Post*** Reflections on that finish by the US Ladies...

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AzzurriDawg4

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Nov 11, 2007
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That was just sick. Every time I see the replay I am amazed. That play by Rapinoe/Wambach was, by far, the single best athletic accomplishment I have ever witnessed in women's athletics. Hell, Rapinoe isn't even left footed and she hit that cross with perfect depth and pace from the far sideline with her wrong foot. Then Wambach just enforces her will on the competition. <div>
</div><div>I have really enjoyed watching the girls play. On the whole, a lot of the soccer is messy, but there are flashes of brilliance, like Marta's goal and the buildup for that and then Wambach's goal, that make it almost as enjoyable as the men's game at times. Not to mention the PKs that were absolutely ripped by the US girls and Hope Solo's awesome save. Just good entertainment. </div><div>
</div><div>I hate I am going to be on the road for the France game. </div>
 
dawgstudent

dawgstudent

Heisman
Apr 15, 2003
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they are pretty damn good but the MLS game (Seattle vs Portland) that came on yesterday afternoon - it was amazing the difference in speed between the women and men.
 
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patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
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That game was beyond hopeless, with the US playing 1 down for almost an hour and both Brazil goals being set up by bad calls by the ref. Latest goal in women's World Cup history, and I would bet in men's World Cup as well. And the ball that Rapinoe played in was perfect. 35 yards and if it had been a couple of inches off in any direction, it wouldn't have been a goal.

In related news, both the German and French teams have had nude photos published recently. This is a women's soccer developmentI can definitely endorse.
 
HotMop

HotMop

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May 8, 2006
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or at least a good link. Hell fool, this is the 6 pack, provide!
 
I

idog

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Aug 17, 2010
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the fact that both Brazil goals and the straight red card were questionable at best, makes it only more rewarding that the US pulled it out. great effort by the team and superb stop by Solo in the 3rd round of PKs.

hopefully they won't be too fatigued on Wednesday(?). hate to see a let down like the USMNT vs Ghana last summer.
 
M

Mr Meoff

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Jul 31, 2008
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The Rapinoe/Wambach play was as good a play at a clutch moment as I've ever seen, but I believe it was matched by maybe the best individual play ever in the '99 game. I had forgotten about this, but Kristine Lilly single-handedly saved the game by heading a ball out of the goal after Scurry was beaten badly on a shot... If she hadn't gotten the ball out, obviously there was no shootout, and no World Cup for the US. She doesn't get enough credit for that, but what a clutch play.<div>
</div><div>For you mongos who are too cool to watch women's soccer -- here's our goalkeeper, Hope Solo:</div><div>
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R

RebelBruiser

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Aug 21, 2007
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but from what little I've seen of this Women's World Cup in comparison to what I saw from the Men's version recently, as a non-soccer fan, I think the Women's version has potential to be more entertaining BECAUSE of the lesser amount of speed. In the men's games I saw, goals were extremely hard to come by and chances were normally highly contested. It usually took a lucky bounce, a player getting just off his assignment, or something like that for goals to happen.

The women being a little bit slower tends to leave a more open field of play, which I think creates opportunities for better looks.

It's a little bit like hockey. When they have a 4 on 4, scoring opportunities are better because there is less crowd on the ice. The women's speed on the same size field makes for a less crowded field and more gaps that aren't closed as quickly.

As an American that doesn't really like soccer that much, I prefer seeing a game that has more scoring opportunities. Maybe I'm wrong on that, but that's just the feel I get in the difference between the men's and women's games.
 
A

AzzurriDawg4

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Nov 11, 2007
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</div><div>But I agree, there is something about Hope Solo. And I think if you just saw her on the street you wouldnt think too much of it, but something about all thatathleticism and power she has, zammm. </div><div>
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C

Cousin Jeffrey

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Feb 20, 2011
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Goals per game:

Men's 2010 WC: 2.27 in all games; 2.75 in knockout games
Women's 2011 WC: 2.54 in all games; 2.75 in knockout games

Now as far as scoring chances, I don't know. But the number ofactual goalsis close, and even identical in the knockout rounds. For all games, the difference is only 0.27 goals per game, or 1 goal in every 4 games. Not very significant.

And as for your point... If the defenders are slower on average, it would create more open space. However, if the offensive player is also slower on average, it negates the effect.

ETA: The Men's total above is actually the fewest it's been since changing to the 64-game format (1998).
 
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patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
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I hate I didn't like soccer enough in the 90s to catch a men's or women's World Cup match. If either ever comes back to the USA, I won't miss the chance again.
 
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