There are a ton of soccer fans that refuse to watch the women play. Lieke Martens makes it worth it. Might be the most skillful and funnest female player to watch ever.
USMNT/Soccer Thread
- Thread starter BigBlueSean_rivals178247
- Start date
She isnt, She makes a ton of mistakes. Solo might have been the greatest ever in the womens game.
If you look at our games against our level of competition this year it is not an inspiring picture.
3-1 Loss to France
2-2 draw vs. Japan
2-2 draw vs. England
5-3 Win vs. Australia
No clean sheets against top 10 teams. 4 games, 10 goals conceded. Not good. Not good at all.
Now she has no goals allowed against Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and Belgium but those are all ranked outside the top 20.
First, let me say that she is way better looking than Messi.....
2nd, (just based off the one video provided), she doesn't have the help. She creates great opportunity, but I don't see the finishes as much.
3rd, (just based off that one video provided) Tobin Heath and Rose Lavelle could make equally as good of videos.....and just based off passing/creativity Sam Mewis could make a video as well.
They had 3 injuries in the euro's and still won (pretty impressive). Plus they have added to her since Euro's. Their defense is not that good, but Goenen is 22 and did not go to Euros. Miedema is 21 and also just joined. Also Roord who is 21 has been called up as of late too as well as Pelova who just turned 19. She has far more help in the WC than she did in Euros. They will concede goals. But in 2018/2019 I just read they averages 3.9 goals a match.
Only reason I know this is I am a massive Netherlands fan. That orange and blue might be the best kit in the world.
For so much it relies on our team selection. Unfortunately there are a couple of guys in our u20 world cup team that I think should be on our gold cup team as well. Costa Rica seems to be bringing a large portion of their quality players and of course Mexico will still be good even though both Lozano and Vela won't be available to Mexico. For many of the players that I believe should be selected this will be their first major experience in a competition. It will be interesting to see how they respond okay. But if I'm being completely honest I think Mexico takes it. And for me it simply comes down to the abilities of Tata as a manager. I'm not saying our manager can't do it, but he doesn't have near the body of work that Tata has.
@BlueRaider22 I mean, just look at the difference in Atlanta United without Tata...
Nice move there by US. Needed 1 more pass though. That inverted through ball was the one that needed to be played.
Pretty pathetic showing so far. No grit. No sense of urgency. No shot anywhere close to being on goal. Qatar dominating this game. They are getting every single second balls. At least 10 occasions a Qatar player has picked the ball up and gone on 40 yard runs to open us up. Team needs their *** chewed out.
That is why Tim Weah needs to be on the senior team. Wonderful bit of skill, nutmeg and a tidy finish.
There is no national outrage quite like "US Soccer Fan Questions Formation and Lineup" outrage. I will give a tip of the hat to that Club by saying I thought Uly Llanez would get the nod on a wing yesterday since he hasn't gotten a minute in 180 possible nor has Ledezma...and with Mendez already sitting on a yellow Ledezma starting seemed like a slam dunk. It is going to cost in the Round of 16 not having Mendez and that is probably best put on Tab Ramos. And for those scoring at home...those three are Mexican-American dual nationals, and Mexico's U20 squad was punchless aside from Uber boy Lainez.
...and Llanez's entry seemed to really goose the American attack. Ledezma was impressive in a very brief stint. Mendez again with one of those fantastic center-of-the-pitch 40 yard missiles to spring a breaking wing for a goal opportunity. The lack of quality finishing is vexing...and it seems like Ramos chose a warped formation to rest some people. Or that's the hope.
...and Llanez's entry seemed to really goose the American attack. Ledezma was impressive in a very brief stint. Mendez again with one of those fantastic center-of-the-pitch 40 yard missiles to spring a breaking wing for a goal opportunity. The lack of quality finishing is vexing...and it seems like Ramos chose a warped formation to rest some people. Or that's the hope.
To me the most noticeable absence was Paxton Pomykal. Also, please never put McKenzie in a fullback position ever again.....
I understand the rationale behind both once I listened to a Scuffed podcast; Ramos is trying to get McKenzie on the field after an extended absence due to an appendectomy--prior to that he was the likely captain of the squad. Rather than pare him immediately with Richards--who was dinged against Nigeria--he got to get Dest some rest, Araujo was such a late addition that there was some risk to giving him the RB slot and he opted for getting McKenzie onto the field with the overprotection of an extra D mid as well as the original two game CB paring.
Pomykal has played a lot of minutes, not just in this Tournament but in the weeks leading up to it which is VERY different than the bulk of the squad. This particular age group is much deeper with internationally affiliated clubs, but given a number of them had to wait until their 18th birthday to professionalize there aren't many that are truly in form players. Llanez being the most visible example and even to a lesser extent Mendez. Ledezma is skilled, but due to injury largely unplayed over the last ten months. The US roster is loaded with those types of examples. Contrast that to a France example of Zagadou who not only is getting time on the field, he's been on the field in the midst of a Bundesliga top of the table season. Weah is playing a lot in part to get back to a form largely lost with the coaching change at Celtic that put him on the outside looking in for first team nods.
Unlucky there for spurs, letter of tge law over spirit of it interpretation, hopefully doesnt ruin the match
I do not understand European tournaments. All the good teams play in one tournament, the also rans in another. And those two winners compete? So like if Virginia played NIT Champion Texas? The Patriots played the Steelers after the Super Bowl?
Not really no... those two compete only for fun, this is soccer’s superbowl right now and it’s been ****
He asked for the hand ball call with arm up in air unnecessarily. Wouldn't surprise me if deliberate. Stupidity at best.
No, these are the two finalists of the top level tourney. Chelsea & Arsenal played the NIT a few days ago.
He’s talking about Supercup... spurs looking good here, they will scorevi think and make a game of this afterall..
Handball was harsh because he was likley using it for balance or to point out something to defenders, liverpool player likely struck the ball with direct intention of hitting hand... there was no real advantage, that said shouldnt have your hand out like that in box and take unecessary risk. End result was liverpool doesnt really have to play and spurs were sloppy desperaye to dig out of hole
Handball was harsh because he was likley using it for balance or to point out something to defenders, liverpool player likely struck the ball with direct intention of hitting hand... there was no real advantage, that said shouldnt have your hand out like that in box and take unecessary risk. End result was liverpool doesnt really have to play and spurs were sloppy desperaye to dig out of hole
And now with 30 minutes to play, liverpool makes defensive substitution to ride the gsme out. **** final for neutral observer, ruined in the first minute
If you were trying to persuade a non-soccer fan that the game is actually fun and exciting... 
Edit: I usually tell people to watch the club teams over nations for the best displays of skill and teamwork but today is a let down... so far.
Edit: I usually tell people to watch the club teams over nations for the best displays of skill and teamwork but today is a let down... so far.
The best way to explain it is our sports here in the states have the "regular season" first then based on those records we seed the teams and have the tournament.
For soccer in Europe the prior years table (standings) determine who plays in the champions league competition. For the most part it looks like this in the major leagues:
1) Champions League Spot
2) Champions League Spot
3) Champions League Spot
4) Champions League Spot
5) Europa League
6) Europa League
Champions league is the NCAAT. More winnings available
Europa League is NIT. Still has winnings, but not as much as UCL. Also, if you aren't in your domestic league's top 4 and win The Europa League, it qualifies you for the next year's champions league. This year, if Arsenal would have beaten Chelsea they would have gotten qualified for a Champions League Spot even though they were 5th in their domestic league.
There will be a game at the beginning of next season called the Super Coppa between UCL winner Liverpool and Europa League winner Chelsea. But it's not as important and used as a "pre season" match.
Insane statistics from this champions league final:
Lowest # of completed passes since 1997
Lowest # of percentage of completed passes since 1993
That is precisely why I'll never buy into the Premier League being the best league when it comes to quality of play. Definitely the best in marketing and revenue. But not in quality of play.
Lowest # of completed passes since 1997
Lowest # of percentage of completed passes since 1993
That is precisely why I'll never buy into the Premier League being the best league when it comes to quality of play. Definitely the best in marketing and revenue. But not in quality of play.
I think the inconsistent play had everything to do with the 3 weeks off for both sides. I think the fa will have to look into pushing back the last games going forward if more epl teams keep getting to the finals.
The argument in quality of the play in leagues so stupid. Watch what you find entertaining each league has its own perks. That final was more of an Italian game than any epl game.
The argument in quality of the play in leagues so stupid. Watch what you find entertaining each league has its own perks. That final was more of an Italian game than any epl game.
Seeing replay of the handball today, yeah had to be called... real time to me it seemed he was trying to hit his hand to get a cheap pk, but there was a player making a run in to open space at the top of the box and it would've been a good chance on goal.
Quality of the game had everything to do with the start though, I don't think three weeks off really matters, maybe... months off certainly matter, but when the game starts like that whatever game plan you had going in is thrown out the window. Had spurs managed to score soon thereafter, or after regrouping at halftime like it looked they were threatening to early in the second half, then maybe we would've had anmore entertaining game.
I don't think criticizing English football makes sense either... part of it does have to do with style of play, english being typically man marking defense and european typically zonal defense is easier to pass the ball, but all games are unique and liverpool simply didn't have to play after going up 1-0 and players like Kane, Son, Delle Alli and Eriksen were uncharacteristically poor... first half Son had an excellent opportunity to beat one defender in the first half to go 1v1 vs keeper and he stupidly tries to nutmeg van dijk i think it was, Kane may as well not been out there, Eriksen was left open to shoot in the first half and all he could muster a flubbed shot into the stands and Delle Alli played like he never played in a big match before. ONly spurs player up to the moment imo was danny rose.
Quality of the game had everything to do with the start though, I don't think three weeks off really matters, maybe... months off certainly matter, but when the game starts like that whatever game plan you had going in is thrown out the window. Had spurs managed to score soon thereafter, or after regrouping at halftime like it looked they were threatening to early in the second half, then maybe we would've had an
I don't think criticizing English football makes sense either... part of it does have to do with style of play, english being typically man marking defense and european typically zonal defense is easier to pass the ball, but all games are unique and liverpool simply didn't have to play after going up 1-0 and players like Kane, Son, Delle Alli and Eriksen were uncharacteristically poor... first half Son had an excellent opportunity to beat one defender in the first half to go 1v1 vs keeper and he stupidly tries to nutmeg van dijk i think it was, Kane may as well not been out there, Eriksen was left open to shoot in the first half and all he could muster a flubbed shot into the stands and Delle Alli played like he never played in a big match before. ONly spurs player up to the moment imo was danny rose.
Yeah hating on the EPL is dumb. I mean they had all 4 finalists in both major tourneys. And everyine loves Liverpool's offense and talks about hevay metal football....they are becoming one of the beat defensive teams for the ages. VVD and Alison are 2 of the best in the world.
We all wish the game was prettier yesterday but you cant put that on a League thing. The EPL is clearly the best league in the world from top to bottom.
We all wish the game was prettier yesterday but you cant put that on a League thing. The EPL is clearly the best league in the world from top to bottom.
I am not "explaining away" anything. They had a great year in which from a historical perspective Juventus, Bayern Munich and most of all Real Madrid had down years as it pertains to the UCL. I did not say EPL sucks. I simply said the brand of football they play just isn't exactly great. It is so much predicated on the long ball and pressing. I do think it is by far the most demanding. But from a skill standpoint it lacks and it showed in the final.
On the other hand--- although it is the end of the Club season, we have a JAM PACKED June:
Copa America - June 14th - July 7th
TV Channel: ESPN+
Gold Cup - June 15th - July 7th
TV Channel: Fox Sports
Womens World Cup - June 7th - July 7th
TV Channel: FOX and FS1
UEFA Nations League Semi/Finals - June 5th, June 6th, June 9th
TV Channel: ESPN 2
Euro 2020 Qualifying Matchday 3&4 - June 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th
TV: ESPN
(Good Matches : Ukraine v. Serbia, Croatia v. Wales, Greece, Italy, France v. Turkey, Spain v. Sweeden, Belgium v. Scotland, Iceland v. Turkey, Italy v. Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Who you got for all the competitions?
Copa America - Uruguay
Gold Cup - Mexico
Womens World Cup - Netherlands or France
UEFA Nations League Final - England
Copa America - June 14th - July 7th
TV Channel: ESPN+
Gold Cup - June 15th - July 7th
TV Channel: Fox Sports
Womens World Cup - June 7th - July 7th
TV Channel: FOX and FS1
UEFA Nations League Semi/Finals - June 5th, June 6th, June 9th
TV Channel: ESPN 2
Euro 2020 Qualifying Matchday 3&4 - June 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th
TV: ESPN
(Good Matches : Ukraine v. Serbia, Croatia v. Wales, Greece, Italy, France v. Turkey, Spain v. Sweeden, Belgium v. Scotland, Iceland v. Turkey, Italy v. Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Who you got for all the competitions?
Copa America - Uruguay
Gold Cup - Mexico
Womens World Cup - Netherlands or France
UEFA Nations League Final - England
Of course those team you mention had down years - the English teams beat them!. And if those English teams aren't great, then I hear you saying we can't have great teams unless they come form the continent & play flowing style. IOW, demanding & pressing style can't be as great as open flowing. So as I said, you value O over D.