🔒OT: Soccer - Women’s World Cup - USA vs Sweden

Submitted by Amazinblu on August 6th, 2023 at 7:22 AM

The US women’s side is facing Sweden this morning.   The score is 0-0, which is a pleasant surprise.

Best match of the Cup for the USWNT.

 

[edit @12:35pm: Locked because some don't have the decency to leave their politics outside the door when signing on to the MGoBoard.  More info will be posted in the Mod Sticky thread once I finish pulling weeds. -rob f]

Other

BKBlue94

August 6th, 2023 at 12:39 PM ^

You can speak up for yourself politically  and play sports well. It’s not one or the other, and that’s that’s the reason this team was bad. It’s also possible that worrying about not making enough money could cause you to do other work to make more instead of training.
Basically just saying athletes can participate in politics like anyone else and also can try to get a pay raise like anyone else 

Joined: 12/22/2021

MGoPoints: 4791

Rico

August 6th, 2023 at 8:56 AM ^

The problem with their stand on fair pay, is that they had multiple payment contract offers, and willingly chose the lower risk less-performance-based and therefore lower paying one, then made a fuss when it paid out less than the mens, which is why they weren't going to win that part of their fight in a legal setting. Their issues with other aspects such as commercial vs private flights, smaller medical staffs, etc. were valid problems of inequality the USSF needed to improve.

Joined: 03/06/2017

MGoPoints: 4466

DesertYooper

August 6th, 2023 at 9:04 AM ^

More like members of the shining example of success of Title IX taking a dump on it on their way out the door.  Easy to do when you'll never have to play against biological males and a slap in the face to every female trying to emulate your success.  Megan Rapinoe is an abhorrent human being and her missing the net on a PK to advance is sweet karma to all those she betrayed.

Joined: 01/22/2023

MGoPoints: 151

L'Carpetron Do…

August 6th, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^

The board can set it's own conduct rules (I have a personal rule where I never post politics here but I'll respond to it). The players are American citizens, aren't they? They can say what they want.

They get paid to play sports. I'm sure you get paid to do something as well but does that mean you shouldn't get to have an opinion?  

 

Joined: 03/15/2010

MGoPoints: 8664

Solecismic

August 6th, 2023 at 8:09 AM ^

They played very well today, but they need finishers and Morgan/Rapinoe - they can't do what they used to do, and they kept trying rather than adjusting. It's a shame - that team was good enough to win it all, but they couldn't put it together. I guess it's symbolic they lost by what looked like a fraction of an inch on that graphic.

Joined: 11/27/2016

MGoPoints: 7330

Perkis-Size Me

August 6th, 2023 at 8:11 AM ^

I’m sure Hope Solo is thrilled with this outcome! 

Isn’t she the same one who called the Swedes a bunch of cowards for their style of play a few years back?

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 106010

Westside Wolverine

August 6th, 2023 at 8:24 AM ^

Rapinoe should have retired. She looked slow and lost. Her crosses were trash and she missed the PK badly. This should be a lesson for the US, let the next generation play early and often rather than depend on past their prime stars.

Joined: 12/24/2011

MGoPoints: 3800

GLORY

August 6th, 2023 at 9:38 AM ^

Or how about Vladko doesn't sub her in? 

He should know better the her time has passed.  We can see it...bad plays, bad energy and what an embarrassing reaction after the PK miss.  Seriously, WTF was so funny about missing that winning PK on the biggest stage?  Really feel for her teammates who have to wait another four years.  

Joined: 06/12/2021

MGoPoints: 20492

colonel

August 6th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^

I think the PK reaction was more of a “laughing through the pain” situation, and I don’t really fault her for that… but your point stands. She should not have been in the game, and it’s kind of unclear why she was even on the team, aside from the fact that she’s a big name.

Rapinoe and Alex Morgan were the weak points in the USA lineup today. Seems like an unfortunately obvious case of a coach not giving aging legends the hook in time (not an easy thing to do, I guess). Morgan did some stuff, but she was clearly fourth best of the forwards who played during regulation. That we didn’t see Rodman, Smith, and Williams together was a real bummer, and I would argue why we didn’t advance. I get that Rodman had been sick, but still, come on, she’s young. Play her until she can’t go. She was great!

Joined: 09/18/2013

MGoPoints: 973

gmoney41

August 6th, 2023 at 8:26 AM ^

Oh well.  Usa was a huge disappointment in this tourney.  Now to watch some big boy soccer in a couple hours. Man city vs arsenal and Messi tonight.  

Joined: 07/13/2009

MGoPoints: 3938

Amazinblu

August 6th, 2023 at 8:36 AM ^

The US women played their best match of the Cup against Sweden.  And, as others noted - despite their possession throughout the game, shots, pressure, etc. - the inability to find the back of the net, which has been a challenge for this side - resulted in PKs - and a loss by the closest of margins.

The USSF decisions about future rosters, the development program, and approach for the USWNT will be topics for discussion.

One thing I don’t know is - what are women’s professional soccer leagues like in other parts / countries of the world.  I would think the US professional league is among the stronger leagues in the world, which is good.  And, building on that strength is essential.

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 42168

Amazinblu

August 6th, 2023 at 9:32 AM ^

I don’t follow the women’s EPL, but I do believe the men’s EPL is arguably the most talented men’s league in the world.

And, I would guess - the women’s EPL has players from a number of teams that are playing well in this Cup - including England, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, etc.

Perhaps, one aspect that’s being seen is the rigor of their training regimens.

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 42168

snarling wolverine

August 6th, 2023 at 11:42 AM ^

This was inevitable.  European countries (not only England, although it's certainly the most obvious example) care more about men's soccer and were eventually going to start caring about women's soccer, too. 

We had the early leg up because we adopted Title IX earlier than they did their equivalents, but that advantage has now been lost.

Joined: 12/14/2011

MGoPoints: 98609

I Bleed Maize N Blue

August 6th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^

Fire Vlatko!

Putting in Sonnett for double pivot helped the US play its best match, but it wasn't enough, ends in our earliest exit. I think Vlatko stuck with the veterans too much over the course of his tenure. Needed to see more of the yutes. Rapinoe did not produce the crosses she used to, did not finish on the PK. Morgan does have the size to challenge the physicality of Sweden - Sophia Smith was getting knocked down - Morgan shouldered aside a challenge and got off a shot. Ultimately never put one in the back of the net. This World Cup cycle is over, time for a new coach.

Kudos to the Swedish goalie, she made a ton of saves. Naeher played well, can't believe we lost on a PK that she got a hand on, but it got over the line by a millimeter.

Joined: 09/27/2008

MGoPoints: 58918

Amazinblu

August 6th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^

One general question - is any women’s team sport as visible as soccer?  I don’t think anything comes close.

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 42168

The Oracle 2

August 6th, 2023 at 9:06 AM ^

I’m happy to hear they lost. I’ll root against any team that purports to represent the USA while while condemning the USA. Maybe the end of Rapinoe as a team member will inspire a change in attitude.

Joined: 02/25/2018

MGoPoints: 19223

DesertYooper

August 6th, 2023 at 9:36 AM ^

Athlete/celebrity makes political statements to the point it's part of their brand.

People disagree with political stance because it literally subverts biology and fairness standards that permitted said athlete to rise to multi Olympic and World Cup championships.

Liberal Response 101: "misogynists, homophobes, and racists".

 

Joined: 01/22/2023

MGoPoints: 151

NittanyFan

August 6th, 2023 at 9:38 AM ^

It's America, a free country - somebody doesn't have to root for fellow Americans in international competitions.

Various "Olympic Dream Teams" faced this dynamic over the years too.  Barkley elbowing the Angolan player in 1992 - the lackadasical 2004 team that figured they'd win because the Dream Teams always won.

You need to earn the fandom.  Likeability helps a lot here.  Even excluding the off-the-field and political stuff, this USWNT team had an element of unlikability to them - e.g., what many many people called them out for following the Portugal escape.  It's not unfair to say certain members of this team came off entitled.

Joined: 12/04/2012

MGoPoints: 43659

L'Carpetron Do…

August 6th, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^

Nittany - you root for your fellow Americans in international competitions BECAUSE IT'S YOUR COUNTRY.  There was a clown in the USWNT thread last week saying he's free to root against whoever he wants, etc. and he's free to root against Ohio State.  And I thought to myself 'you root against Ohio State because you're a Michigan fan!' You don't pick and choose some of this stuff; there are rules and that's how fandom works.

Americans don't need to earn your support when it comes to the World Cup and the Olympics. And you sure as hell don't ever root AGAINST a USA team ever. I've been meh on some USA Olympics hoops teams mostly because theyjust cruises without a challenge and I'm a Knicks fan so I tend to hate every other player and team in the NBA. But, I've never been like 'fuck them, I hope they lose.' 

It's simple: root for your country's team. 

Joined: 03/15/2010

MGoPoints: 8664

SalvatoreQuattro

August 6th, 2023 at 12:38 PM ^

In America we are free to root for or against the national teams. Patriotism isn’t determined by support or lack thereof of sport’s teams.

I must admit to some ambivalence towards the USWNT because of all the politics the past few years, but I am not taking malicious glee in their defeat as many conservatives are currently doing.

It’s Megan Rapinoe’s inalienable right to express her opinion. It’s my inalienable right to agree/disagree with her. Frankly, I am just tired of the hyper partisanship so I tend to turn away from sports when the ugly head of partisan bickering intrudes.

I saw a poorly coached squad. Rapinoe was terrible. Why is she even on the team? Morgan is past her prime although still could be a super sub. Sophia Smith— poor girl clearly want’s it so much. Any conservative who thinks the team doesn’t care should look at Smith. That’s a young lady who cares deeply.

I am not knowledgeable enough to discuss tactics so I won’t be even try.

Joined: 11/30/2010

MGoPoints: 79390