by Theodore Lloyd-Hughes
USA-BRAZIL EXPRESS:
Aug. 10 in Paris
USA 1 Brazil 0. Goals: Swanson 57.
Att.: 43,813.
With resplendent sunbeams shining down on southwest Paris, the U.S. women’s national team took home a radiant gold medal with a narrow 1-0 win over Brazil in the women’s 2024 Olympic final. It was the first time returning to the top of the Olympic podium for the Stars and Stripes since the London Games in 2012 and a record fifth-ever gold medal for the program.
In a game of two halves, the USA appeared rattled after the first period but were able to stomach the blows that Brazil threw at them, and eventually topple the South Americans with a winning moment in the second half. At halftime, the USA trailed on expected goals 0.19 to 1.29 but by the end of the match it was a far more even 1.22 to 1.59. The Americans would finish the match second best in both possession (40%-60%) and in shots taken (9-13).
In the 58th minute, Mallory Swanson scored the gold-winning goal by meeting a through ball by Korbin Albert, bearing down on the Brazil goal, and cutely sneaking the ball into the net past Lorena. It was a magnificent way for the 26-year-old to celebrate her 100th cap for her country, especially after her and her teammates had struggled to make an impact for the best part of an hour.
Apart from a mighty save from USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher in the 88th minute, to deny Adriana’s diving header from four yards out, Brazil never summoned much of a response. Those final 30 minutes of the Olympic final summarized what Coach Emma Hayes’ team has done better than any other nation in France. Even when the USA doesn’t play its best, these players can always calmly compose themselves and close out a match with everything on the line.
USA Player Ratings
(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)
GOALKEEPER
Barely 90 seconds had passed before Alyssa Naeher was required to make a huge stop from just a few yards out. A mixup at the back allowed Gabi Portillho to lay-up Ludmilla wide open in front of goal. But the Brazilian’s big chance was sent straight into the hands of the American goalkeeper.
Naeher was called back into action to make an astounding save just before halftime, this time Gabi Portillho taking the close-range first-time shot herself. The Chicago Red Star not only was in the right place to make the reaction stop, but even managed to push the ball well away from danger. The fact the Americans went in at the break at 0-0 was in large part down to Naeher.
With all that fine work behind her, Naeher saved the best for last. With just a handful of minutes left, she pulled off an instantly iconic one-handed save to deflect Adriana’s header. The ball looked destined to go in. But not on Naeher’s watch. A true hero of this tournament.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
8
Alyssa Naeher(Chicago Red Stars) 112/0 (36)
DEFENDERS
At halftime, it would have been difficult to give anyone in U.S. defense a grade above a four. Brazil applied pressure and the USA appeared to be crumbling. But in the second half, the steel returned. The players looked revived and made vital stops. Outside of Adriana’s header, Brazil rarely threatened the backline after the interval.
Crystal Dunn looked incredibly nervous early on, and struggled to mark Adriana and contain Gabi Portilho in Brazil’s attack. The former almost scored on her watch, with the latter hoping to win a penalty kick when Dunn clattered into her on a 50/50 ball, but the referee and a VAR check decided not to intervene.
Like many of her teammates, Dunn grew into the game and could be seen tracking players tightly and fervently shutting down space as Brazil tried to get an equalizer. It became a much more confident showing after the break.
The same could be said for Emily Fox, on the right of the USA defense. Her marauding runs left space between her and Naomi Girma, and Brazil’s Ludmila exploited that space constantly.
U.S. fans were watching through their hands when Fox and Girma both made errors and Ludmila was sent through on goal. After a goddess-like tournament from Girma, perhaps this was just confirmation that she is human after all.
Having been arguably Brazil’s most threatening player, Ludmila was removed by Coach Arthuer Elias in the 60th minute, which certainly helped Fox have a resolute final chapter to the match. In place of Ludmila came Marta, who wasn’t able to find the same amount of joy unsettling the right side of the American defense.
Tierna Davidson, who suffered a knee contusion in the group stage, struggled to keep up with Brazil’s press and physicality. Hayes clearly identified her as a weak spot and used her first substitution to refresh the backline by bringing on Emily Sonnett for Davidson.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Emily Fox(Arsenal, ENG) 57/1 (26)
5
Naomi Girma(San Diego Wave) 40/0 (23)
4
Tierna Davidson(Gotham FC) 64/3 (25)
5
Crystal Dunn(Gotham FC) 155/25 (31)
MIDFIELDERS
While the USA’s defense was able to show stirring resolve in the second half to shut Brazil out and get the win, albeit with a big hand from Naeher, it felt as if the midfield never truly found its way into controlling the match.
Yes, the second half was better. Sam Coffey in particular showed nous to shield the players behind and help track the runners that wanted to make runs into the U.S. box. But her passing game was rarely seen. She committed two understandable fouls that helped slow down the verve of the South Americans, and whizzed one poor strike way over the bar from outside the box.
Lindsey Horan had another muddled affair where she was intended to be the most advanced player, and a commanding presence to help tee up the frontline. She also, perhaps due to fatigue, struggled with the physicality and tempo of the match. Especially in the first half, the game passed her by.
Overall, we never truly saw the best of the USA captain in the final, beyond one nice pass into space beyond Trinity Rodman that was played too far in front of the forward. She was fouled twice amid the choppy midfield battle, and almost had to be removed after a head collision in the 90th minute. Eventually, she returned to her feet and appeared fine.
Korbin Albert deserves credit for carving the Brazil defense open with the assist for the tournament-winning goal. She was a surprise start with Rose Lavelle not fit enough to go the distance through 90 minutes.
The 20-year-old plays her club soccer at the very stadium where the Olympic final was taking place, but she didn’t always look at home. Albert did make some good covering runs to get back and help Dunn.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
4
Lindsey Horan(Lyon, FRA) 156/35 (29)
6
Korbin Albert(Paris St. Germain, FRA) 18/1 (20)
5
Sam Coffey(Portland Thorns) 24/1 (25)
FORWARDS
The star-studded USA forward line – now affectionately known as ‘Triple Espresso’ – finished the tournament with a commendable 10 goals in six matches between them. Even more impressive is how evenly they spread out the goals: Mallory Swanson four, Sophia Smith three, and Trinity Rodman three.
The balance of the trio, and the ability for any one of them to come up big, has been their most remarkable feature. Swanson’s goal in the final also means that in each of the 1-0 knockout round victories, a different member of ‘Triple Espresso’ has scored the winning goal (Rodman: USA-Japan quarterfinal; Smith: USA-Germany semifinal).
Like those previous knockout round games, though, this was an outing where the USA attack struggled to show its true colors.
Beyond a dashing run before halftime, dribbling 40 yards and into the Brazil box, Swanson struggled to have much impact in open play or from set pieces, where her corner kick taking remains under par. Her winning goal was her second and final attempt of the match.
Clearly targeted by Brazil, Swanson was fouled three times. But again, couldn’t make those fouls count with dangerous set pieces. She then also committed three fouls herself, perhaps a sign of frustration.
Another one Brazil looked to impede with physicality, Smith also suffered three fouls and had the smallest impact of any of the front three. Her two shots taken didn’t threaten much, and she was lacking her usual burst. The 24-year-old – playing the final on her birthday – was almost in offside-call danger in the buildup to Swanson’s goal but did just enough not to be flagged for interfering with play.
If any American forward can handle fatigue and physicality it’s Rodman. There were times when her teammates appeared shaken but she was still getting into good positions. Spinning out of pressure, into space and playing inviting passes.
Rodman should have maybe tried to make more chances herself. Her only shot of the match was a bright breakaway run in the first half that ended with a poor effort curling wide of the post. But overall, it felt like she had more to offer in terms of trying to make things happen around the box and staying on the assignment defensively.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Trinity Rodman(Washington Spirit) 46/10 (22)
7
Mallory Swanson(Chicago Red Stars) 100/37 (26)
5
Sophia Smith(Portland Thorns) 56/20 (24)
SUBSTITUTES
With the USA a goal up, and Brazil seemingly ready to amp up the pressure, Hayes turned to Emily Sonnett as the plug needed to see out the final 16 minutes plus additional 10 minutes of stoppage time. It was a bold call, and the right one. Sonnet was assured and made plenty of no-nonsense decisions to make the Americans have gold medals.
Lynn Williams brought an important change of pace to the forward line and in general continued to freshen up the USWNT as the match reached its climax. The Gotham FC forward has been a model professional at these Games. Reliable, consistent, and willing to put in the hard yards and keep the shape.
With Hayes trying to kill any momentum in the final few moments, Casey Krueger once again came on as another veteran head to see out the game. One of the USA’s most wise and intelligent players. There wasn’t a lot of her to do in those final few minutes, but her presence made sure there were no late surprises.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Emily Sonnett(Gotham FC) 99/2 (30)
6
Lynn Williams(Gotham FC) 71/19 (31)
NR
Casey Krueger(Washington Spirit) 56/0 (33)
- TRIVIA: Emma Hayes is now the fourth coach to win their first major international tournament in charge of the USWNT. That follows: Anson Dorrance (World Cup 1991, Pia Sundhage (Olympics 2008), Jill Ellis (World Cup 2015).
- NOTABLE: By scoring the opening goal in the Olympic final against Brazil, the USWNT has scored the opening goal in 10 of 11 major tournament finals it has played in. The anomaly being the 1999 World Cup final against China, which finished 0-0.
- UP NEXT: Currently on the USWNT schedule: home friendlies against Iceland (Oct. 24 in Austin and Oct. 27 in Nashville) and Argentina (Oct. 30 in Louisville). It faces England at Wembley Nov. 30.
Aug. 10 in Paris
USA 1 Brazil 0. Goals: Swanson 57.
USA — Naeher; Fox, Girma, Davidson (Sonnett, 74), Dunn; Horan, Albert, Coffey; Rodman, Swanson (Krueger, 90+5), Smith (Williams, 84).
Brazil — Lorena; Lauren (Rafaelle, 84), Tarciance, Thais; Adriana, Victoria Yaya (Ana Vitoria, 50), Duda (Angelina, 61), Yasmim; Portiho, Jheniffer (Priscila, 61), Ludmila (Marta, 61).
Yellow cards: USA — none; Brazil — Tarciance 81. Red cards: none.
Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden). ARs: Almira Spahic (Sweden), Francesca Di Monte (Italy). 4th official: Rebecca Welch (England). VAR: Ivan Bebek (Croatia). AVAR: Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain).
Att.: 43,813.
Stats:
USA/Brazil
Shots: 9/13
Shots on target: 3/4
Saves: 4/3
Corner Kicks: 5/7
Fouls: 12/15
Offside: 5/2
Possession: 40%/60%
95 Comments
In any final, everything except winning is secondary. So kudos to the US ladies. However, when the euphoria wanes, hopefully sooner than later, the realization has to be that these players have significant deficiencies in ball skills, decision making, field vision and have been largely getting by on their overall athleticism. The dominant theme of most US Olympic games, and certainly the final, was the number of poor decisions made, and failure to execute when scoring opportunities arrived. Smith and Swanson (despite scoring critical goals in the last two games) were big culprits. Vision, i.e., seeing the field in order to make the proper passing option seems to be the biggest deficiency followed by execution deficiencies. When Emma Hayes was first selected, my immediate comment was that her biggest contribution might be to strongly encourage many of the younger players (particularly Rodman, Smith and Swanson) to get to the top clubs in the best European leagues – England, Spain, France. Surely this would not please US Soccer which like its support for MLS and now NWSL, has not historically been overly encouraging of US players going abroad. However, even a casual observation of the top European club games and the Women’s UEFA Champions League, would recognize obvious superiority over NWSL play. Originally, when a Women’s professional league was established, the US league was the top of the pyramid, with the best players in the world coming to the US. Then more countries, particularly in Europe, started making greater investment in the women’s game with professional leagues eventually being established. Initially, because of the difference in seasons, some of the top US players would go to Europe in the US league off-season. Now, few of the top European players come to the US and other than Horan and Marcario among the top US players few are playing in Europe. Not only would more of the top young US players playing in Europe beneficial to their development, it would benefit the USWNT. Moreover, playing the same season as the top countries in the world would eliminate seasonal conflicts and make it easier for the USWNT to get training sessions and play competitive matches during the FIFA international breaks. Overall, a potential for significant benefit to US Women’s soccer. But hey, enjoy the Gold, at least for a short period!
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Humm.??? Harley…
If eMMMa continues to Exploit the “DNA” of the American Athlete, and gets JUST a Little More/Better Combination Play Up-Front … AND we Finish those Chances you mention … The Rest of the World can Kiss my RED, WHITE and BLUE A$$.!!! As we Kick You Alls.!!!Log in to Reply
Agree with the hmmm??? A team wins the gold by reinventing itself in a short time and you find fault? Gold medal games are meant to be won. That’s it. Mission accomplished. The team can enjoy this and push the big decisions for another day.
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Harley; As for your Point about Sending our Players to Europe…
I do agree, That will probably be the Necessary Step(Just like the Men)…
UNLESS, the NWSL does as I have Advocated ….
BUY EVERY TOP PLAYER IN THE WORLD….NOW…NOW…NOW !!!
Before the Transfer Season Closes.
Bring them to USA, or Within 2 to 3 Years, it will be Too Late;
And the NWSL will be a Feeder League like MLS;
And the “Tulip Bubble” will Burst and The Franchises will be Bankrupt or only Worth Pennies on the Dollar they have InvestedLog in to Reply
I do agree they need to move the season to something Similar to Germany
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Doubling down on the NWSL is the best path forward. If NWSL has the best players and playing opportunities, “they will come”.
The problem with club ball in Europe is that internationals don’t see as much playing time. The whole purpose of the burst of women’s play in Europe was to end the dominance of the USWNT. The USWNT is hard hard pressed to find quality opponents for friendlies and the She Believes tournament.
Did not use to be that way. UEFA keeps their teams tied up.
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Bob, the real problem for NWSL is American coaches and USSF. Just this week UEFA announced major change for B and A licenses to refocus on technical development. The gap will be growing not closing. They made a good call with Emma – an import – with UEFA licenses – to their credit – but nothing has been done to close the coaching gap on the front lines of youth or at the tip of pyramid in NWSL/MLS.
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To focus on TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT???? Wow!!! what a major discovery by these fools that run these coaching schools….Anyone that can trap a 25 pound bag of cement could have seen this deficiency 30years ago…..
Why not play men’s teams?
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You means “Boys” Teams …
They tried that once…
Lost to an u16, Club TeamThis is a common coaching method in development. Just another form of “playing up”.
10s FOR EVERYONE
11 FOR THE COACH.!!!Log in to Reply
11 FOR USSF (for hiring Hayes and not getting in her way).
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Let’s Hope that Lasts…
And they do the same thing with the Next Men’s Coach.
Who, Should be eMMMa, as she is a Proven Winner.!!!Log in to Reply
The sun often appeared to be blinding the US defense in the first half – a few times hands were raised just above eyes to block it. The aggressive first half Brazilian press probably would have caused a few errors regardless, but it could only be aided by the blinding sun and can also explain why the defense was less error prone in the second half (along with Brazil not being able to keep up their first half pace).
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JR… The Brazilian Coach… “Out Coached” Himself…
He didn’t even try to come out in the 2nd Half with the same Press…
I don’t get it.???Log in to Reply
Or the players were spent and couldn’t do it anymore. I also agree that playing into the sun might have been much harder than we realize.
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Oldie, I can’t imagine that they were Spent at the Beginning of the Half…
I was Predicting they would “Peter Out” around the 65 minute… But, I think the Brazilian Coach, by Trying to Conserve Energy for possible Overtime, Took the “Spunk” Out of his Team…
Should have “Ridden the Horse” he got to the Final with, until it Died.
They might have Surprised him, as the American Girls “Suffered” and Surprised ALL of Us.!!!Log in to Reply
The players were getting tired…they had to do too much. They were spend .Yes, the Brazilian coach had a brilliant strategy but he didn’t know when and where to apply each time…He should have done it intermittently for it was too damn hot out there…
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The game wasn’t very good except for the result. Brazil will regret not doing better with their chances. The players ratings continue to be very confusing. Look forward to the building toward the next WC. The midfield is in serious need of help. Albert will be fine since, she is only 20 and playing in France. Coffey seems to be chasing the game constantly. Think Horan might be done. As a team, I don’t think the USWNT plays to her strengths. Was disappointed not to see Shaw play at all. Think Hayes will have her work cut out for her moving froward.
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Reason that eMMMa gets an 11.???
She was Brave enough to Move Lavelle out and Move Horan, Where she couldn’t Hurt Us…@ #10…
Even more Brilliant was to Realize we Needed to play Right Past the Midfield and NOT try to Play out of the Back … This Confused the Brazilians, as they Thought we would play like GGG, Fixed Tactics and Players…
The Next Brilliant move by eMMMa was to Start the 2nd half with Horan as Target #9(No point in playing a #10) and Smith playing off her as a Low Forward.
Brazil couldn’t play in Compact Pressing Lines, The Game got Stretched… And better USA Athletes Wore them Down.Log in to Reply
Then to Top it All Off …
eMMMa did the Unpredictable but that which I Advocated after our Last Game …
When you bring in Krueger…
DON’T Put her as a 3rd Center Back and Give the Offensively Struggling Opponent Free Service to Launch Long Balls into your Penalty Area.
Gusty, Out of “The Norm” Coaching…
A True Masterpiece, and Worthy of Naming her as MEN’s NATIONAL TEAM COACH.!!!
A SERIAL WINNER.!?!?!?
Isn’t that what Betty Crocker is Looking For.???Log in to Reply
100%. A coach who can make in-game changes. She also had Coffey and Albert stepping up to close down the Brazilians better in the second half. In the first those two were dropping off too much and giving Brazil too much space to play dangerous balls in
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1st half Brazil was playing a 3-2-5…
Going Man-To-Man in Their Continued Hope to Counter-Trap the USA Building out of the Back…
But, USA didn’t “Fall For It”
Played Direct over the Top and Forced their Defensive Mid back into a Center-Back Position…
They were Best when they got the Ball to their “Wing-Backs” and USA was Dropping tRod or Swanson back to help, until eMMMa said “Screw That”
And Pushed Dunn into M-T-M on one Wingback and Albert was Less Central on the Other side…
It was M-T-M like the Old Anson Dorrance Days …
DOMINANT YOUR OPPONENT IN FRONT OF YOU; TECHNICALLY, PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY..!!!Log in to Reply
Not starting Lavelle was an Ellis move. The willingness to make changes that help the team. I am all for those kind of decisions!
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USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
Proud of our team. Gold earned.P.S. – stats claim USA put 3 shots on goal & Brazil GK registered 3 saves … nope
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Hayes is impressive. So are the players. Things are looking bright for the next cycle with more young talent coming for the pool.
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Harley Rider, the US finishes poorly but scored 12 goals in 6 games compared to 9 in 6 for Germany, 9 in 6 for Spain, and 7 in 6 for Brazil. remind me, who is having the most trouble scoring? Spain, the most skilled team on the planet, lost 4-2 to Brazil and was shut out by Germany. 23 of the 44 players in the Gold Medal game (counting alternates) play in the NWSL. More players in the entire tournament from the NWSL than from any other league. In France, when Lyon and PSG play each other it is a competitive game at the highest level. All the other game in France’s First Division, Lyon and PSG win because they showed up. Similar situation in Germany and Spain. England stretches that to maybe four. The Italian league is second division at best. Netherlands is a one team league. In the NWSL, you can’t take a game off. The difference between teams in the NWSL is so close that two teams in the bottom half can be fighting for first the next season with the addition of a couple of key players. But of course because men’s leagues are better in Europe, it follows that the women’s leagues are better also? Does another national team have three players up front the quality of the Triple Latte’s? Is Naomi Girma the best defender in women’s soccer right now, maybe Ballon d’ Or good? Yeah, Europe is light years ahead of the US women. Until Andonovski was replaced.
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Well said.
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Donal.. Bingo, You have a Winner.!!!
But, will NWSL See the Handwriting on the Wall, and BUY All the Best Players THIS SUMMER.!!! or by January.???
Clock is Ticking on How Long NWSL will be able to Maintain “Superiority”Log in to Reply
Another Gritty Performance,
So happy to see the USWNT back on top. Have to give great tournament to the base XI players that played so many minutes in such a short time. Conditioning of our team remains one of its most important reasons the team remains in an elite status. Not sure too many other teams could have done that and been successful. Germany did much of the same and got Bronze for their efforts. Japan and Brazil rotated their rosters the most, with on silver medal to show for it and a host of chances to score in the gold medal game.Naeher is the hero of the matches in my opinion. Made the needed saves and clean up when it counted the most. Yes the Triple Expresso bunch scored a lot of goals, but the GK prevented teams from equalizing with some fantastic saves.
As far as the game goes, Brazil set the stage to win the match in the first half with man to man play and pressing that the US could not handle. Turnovers, and long balls resulted in more dangerous chances for Brazil and the US was very lucky to get to half 0-0 instead of 1 or 2-0. I don’t see that Hayes made tactical changes in the second half so to speak. I saw she instructed players to play the first pass quicker, and I saw the same thing Santi saw in the next pass skipped the midfield to the front line in a wide position where there was a bit more space. The front three were better 1v1 in the second half, but it opened the game up where Brazil had to sprint back to defend and allowed the US to then bring numbers forward into the attacking third. This made it much harder to counter attack running the length of the field to defend and then to run the length of the field to try and attack is tough for anyone.
Once the US scored the momentum completely shifted and Brazil was never able to get it back for the remainder of the match. Have to credit Hayes to sticking with her overall plan for the tournament as you cannot argue a gold medal result. Just glad no real serious injuries to any of the players. The small adjustments in game to get better play from the team and to attack the more vulnerable spots in the opposing team’s defense. Hayes was able to get the teach patience to the team that never went into panic mode in its tougher matches and stuck to the plan. Carly Lloyd was right in pointing that the team was not worried about winning, nor putting the team first. Hayes has changed that mentality in just a couple of months and has buy in from the players.
Looking forward to a bright future.
Horan continues to struggle, but watched the Hayes interview about Horan’s leadership that paid dividends on and off the pitch which must be why Hayes continued to play Horan despite her very poor form. If she cannot reinvent her game, I don’t see Horan being a starter much longer. Shaw, Macario, Yohannes (if she commits), Albert bring so much more the the #10 or #8.
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Balla,
I thought eMMMa Speech about Horan, while Moving, almost Sounded like a “Retirement” Speech…
I was waiting for the “Gold Watch” to come out…
If eMMMa keeps Horan, only because she is Captain, I will be Disappointed… Horan clearly Can NOT Keep up with the “Express”…
It’s a Tough, But Obvious, Call;
Just as with Alex Morgan.
If eMMMa is to keep her Credibility, she will have to be “Cut-Throat”…
Bring her in as an Assistant CoachLog in to Reply
Maybe she doesn’t have to make that decision. Three years is a long time in a professional career. Horan will be 33, could she retire from international soccer on her own? She, Sonnet, Dunn and Naeher have an opportunity to go out on top, or try to hang on like Morgan and Rapinoe and tarnish their legacy a bit. Maybe witnessing what happened with these two will impact their decisions.
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I Don’t know about Sonnet and Dunn…
As eMMMa Found out… Left Defense/Wingback a ???
I don’t imagine she planned on using Sonnet as much as she did, Especially at LeftCB… No Question that the Team “Played” better with her back there,,, But kinda left Coffey hanging out there on a Ledge. Until eMMMa made the Decision that she just Couldn’t win a Gold Medal with Horan as the other #6.
Coffey, Albert, ???
Will be Good in there for awhile, as Long as they keep Feeding The Express. The Midfield doesn’t Really need to get All That Involved…
NOW, what you gonna do when Shaw, Macario and Fishel are Healthy,,, and Thompson.???
Will eMMMa Slow the Team Down, Requiring more “Involved”, Thinking Midfielders, Overlapping Wing-Backs, Playing thru a Metronome/Regista #10 … or will she “Ride the Whirlwind”.???Log in to Reply
We won which comes as no surprise to me for we have a front line no other team can match. We can play horrible as a team or the first two lines, backfield and midfield but the front can save us butts…
The problem I find with women soccer is the lack of scoring or individuals who can put the ball in the net. Spain, Japan, for instance have a problem in scoring and some other teams who tend to play a good quality game, but lack the finish. And specifically in this tournament the better teams, had problems. Our last 2 games were against teams like Germany that had no front line, and Brazil who had major scoring problem throughout the tournament and that in a nutshell has been the perfect storm for us to win.
I do find many similarities of our team to how our youth teams play…For example, we lack team cohesive play which entails good ball movement like the Spanish, Japanese and some other teams who in the end lack a good finish for they don’t have scoring players…I remember in youth soccer there was always a team who a kid up front who can put the ball in the net consistently. The team itself was nothing great and their weaknesses were hidden by the succes of their wins through an individual up front . The parents were happy because they were winning and weren’t concerned or even understood whether their kids were really developing or learning.
Realize every coach that has coached the USWNT has had succesful winning records, hands down and some even won tournaments along the way. There has never been an issue of our Team not winning. But as other competitors began to improve their soccer through BETTER COACHING and PLAYER DEVELOPMENT our winning major tournaments began to wane but we in the overal sense were always in the running of winning…Our women team has reached a plateau whereby we’ll always be part of the top group among women soccer because we have the horses…
What has impressed me the most is that Spanish women have reached a level of soccer in such a short time that is beyond other team’s level of play. Obviously the Spanish women’s soccer has been influenced by the Spanish men who in the past 12years have created a new style of soccer that was not there before . I remember before Cruyff’s Barcelona’s Dream Team, Spanish was lot of running fighting and playing defense…it wasn’t pretty nor intelligent….It began with Guardiola that the Spanish finally set a tone , quality and style of play in such a short time span that the rest of the soccer world admires as ‘the’ Spanish style…
Our soccer has not improved one iota due to inadequate coaching and player development, so that we basically rely on the ‘horses’ to get us there. The Brazilians made the mistake of spending too much energy shutting down the US team of which they were successful at. They made ONE big mistake is that they didn’t let up but continued in the HOT ,HUMID weather and don’t forget in Brazil its winter time there….The Brazilians should have pressured us INTERMITTENTLY thereby confusing as to what they’ll do next. By executing INTERMITTENTLY it would confuse us which effect our manner of play.
We looked so bad under this relenting pressure that Judy Foudy incessantly made excuses for our bad play due to we were tired because Hayes made questionable , rotations. Foudy was trying to make excuses to prepare the public to accept a possible US loss. It was after we a scored a goal , Foudy no longer issued the ‘tired’ excuse.
It comes as no surprise that we looked bad for we are BAD in small spaces handling the ball under pressure, as well as unable to anticipate next actions. The Brazilians and the rest of the world know and seen it. So that the next when the weather is not hot and humid ,we are going to have some problems playing that know when and where to pressure us…We have weaknesses, technical and tactical and Brazil showed us what it is. And that is WHAT WE NEED TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS TOURNAMENT if we’re going to try improve our soccer….
What Brazil however did wrong was to play a 3- man backline against our front line of fast runners who can function when given space…The golden rule is that you should have one more defender than attackers. PERIOD!!! When Cruyff played a 3-4-3 , it was at a time when teams played with two strikers.
Our strikers, runners, are not sophisticated for they basically rely upon running as their actions or order of business…VERY PREDICTABLE….The difference between the Brazilian and American women is that the former can handle the ball in small spaces with no problem..A good example, is when Girma got beat in front of her own goal 1v1 by the Brazilian by a nice inside turn move. Of course ,Foudy immediately excused Girma’s blunder as being tired which is such BS. Girma was right on top her, which required no running but body position and anticipation….I constantly hear that Girma is the best defender in the world. PLEAZZZE ,Seriously ??? There is a lot of things one has to take into account, that makes for a good defender…. She is lucky that in women soccer her attacking opponents for the most part are not good operating in small spaces and usually lack good ball handling skills while on the run….
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Frank Get a clue, you judge the women to a man’s standard of play. Naomi Girma does not play against men, she plays vs other women and she shuts them down, plays accuarate passes to her teammates and gives the entire group peace of mind that it would take someone with Olympic Track speed to get past her with! the ball. What other female soccer player can do that ? What male defender has not been beaten in the penalty area in a tight space by a talented attacker? Van Dyke? Carvahal? Stones?
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Carlos , I didn’t say she plays against men. My point is that she’s lucky playing against women who, overal, lack the savvyness of what men have in striking potential. A good defender shouldn’t be judged on the weakness of her opponent. Girma under Brazilian pressure in her own backfield didn’t know how to handle the situation.
You judge a defender on a lot of different tasks she needs to have and especially under pressure , as well as ball techniques .For example a good goalie these days require than stopping, needs to have good ball distribution skills as well.As far as giving the team a good piece of mind, that was certainly not the case when our defense was under pressure..She might give the team a piece of mind defensively when we are stronger than the opponents which is usually the case…The old saying is a player can look like a million dollars with the ball when he has plenty of time and space but not when in tight situations for then you seperate the real good players from the not so good ones…And also it is not about Olympic track speed needed to beat a defender that is a simplistic way of looking at it. To beat a defender there are more subtle ways but until we raise the standard of the game, yes, often Olympic track speed is used…
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Carlos, there is only one standard of play. Everyone plays with the same ball on the same field with the same Laws. Good soccer is no different for men or women. First touch is the same skill for everyone.
Body types don’t matter. Yes the typical male is physically different than the typical female, but there are wide variations in body types in both genders. Football is played with the brain. In that women have just as much potential as men.
Frank sets a high standard for play, but he sets that high standard for everyone.
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Bob, there IS Only one Standard of Play;
The Team that Scores MORE Goals Wins.!!!
FIFA Laws of the Game: 10.2
“Winning Team;
The team scoring the greater number of goals is the winner.”
There are NO Style Points.!!!Log in to Reply
Yet shooting is not always the best choice! 🙂
Good Stuff Frank…
Not sure that USA will ever Need to “Fix” what Ain’t Broke.!!!
Granted it’s not “The Beautiful Game” that we all might like to see,
But; 5 out of 8 Gold Medals…
4 out of 9 World Cups.
Just about 10% better Combination Play up Front, about 5% better Timing of Runs in the Box; a Different player for Horan,
And DOMINANCE Will Continue.!!!Log in to Reply
Santi, I look at what we can improve, which is blatantly obvious out there and in so doing we can eliminate other competitors who are getting better and better, a la Spain….Fans are beginning to see and even complain that we are missing essential elements of the game that we can improve upon…..I’m not happy with a status type because we win for the moment. Soccer is an ongoing evelution and we need to constantly improve our game…
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Frank,
We are NOT going to Eliminate anyone’s Progress.
All we can do, is BEAT them, AT OUR GAME…
Not Theirs…
1v1 … Mano-a-Mano … Balls to the Walls …
I just don’t see any reason to Fix, what was Obviously Fixable in 8 weeks, with a New Coach.
It was a Interpersonal Issue, and Lack of “Herding the Cats” that did in the Last Group… Just like Carli Lloyd said.Log in to Reply
Santi, it’s not about eliminating anyone’s progress but eliminating their threat of progress upon us
Frank, we Can Not Stop their “Threat of Progress”… They ARE Going to Progress …
The Key is for us to be “On OUR Game”…. Not Theirs
This is the Debate going Forward ..
Tight Coach Control of the Players like a Video Game;
Or Good “Player Management” which allows Players the Joy of Expression, that Overcomes the iRobots of the Opponent.
Example: US Basketball… Other Teams are getting Closer, but I don’t hear anyone Shouting about, our US Players need MORE “Skills Development”Santi, it is very simple ,the opponents are getting BETTER. and that means we have to get BETTER and IMPROVE and not rely on status quo via a Tournament Cup win in which we had some luck and circ*mstances that helped us win.
When you see Spain win the world admires their style of play and the world wants to emulate their style as closely as possible and you have seen the results of other teams playing and improving in play due to this. But what can you say about the US game, for we win but world does not follow how the US played for it is just ‘happenstance’, by using some horses ,other than that there is nothing to write home about on how we play. That’s the difference for when the world gets better in overal play due emulating good soccer and not the US style for it all about the ‘horses’ and hoping for some circ*mstances to help win….Well ,maybe , that’s how you want to play, but I expect to have a better hand on things and look at how ‘details’ can improve the quality of play…. Those horses can only get you somewhere ,at times, if they have the ball but when the opponent has excellent ball possession and can also put the ball in the net then you might as well put your ‘horses’ out to pasture with their old trophies, along with your team
Santi, as far as Basketball goes, we are the top, the Norm…As you look at France they only have ONE player in the NBA, the rest are in some second rate league as most of other competitors are….
You can’t compare Basketball to soccer because, for one thing, you have to play with your feet, Athleticism and speed is not a dominate feature but Brains along with Ball skills as well as some athleticism…You will find no one group dominating in soccer like it is in Basketball. That’s why you can’t compare Basketball to Soccer…Frank, Athleticism and Speed ARE THE FACTORS… You can Train the Skills, and Tactics…
Speed Kills… And you can’t Teach that (Except on the Margins)As for BB…
The Men were Struggling, Even Behind, Until Curry LITE IT UP.!!!
And the Women only beat France by 1 Point (Should have been a Tie, but the Frenchie has her Foot on the Line for 2 points instead of 3)
I just Don’t hear all the Screaming and Nashing of Teeth, About our BB players being in Need of Special Coaching and Skills Drills.!!!Santi, soccer requires a wider variety of athletic abilities than any other sport. As for “speed” I assume that you mean running.
Sprinting is highly overrated. Almost all runs in soccer are during the acceleration phase, before sprinting starts. The most important type of speed is “first step”. First step speed and agility are what is most important. Speed after 40 yards is of little use. Players who have to sprint during games have made a bad mistake and are chasing the play.
If an opponent is a better sprinter, a smart player ensures by controlling the play that the opponent never gets the chance to use his sprinting advantage.
The important stuff, first step and acceleration, is easy to improve through athletic training. It is largely a function of power and technique.
Santi, Speed and Athleticism is only a very small part of soccer…If that’s the case we should recruit track stars to soccer…According to you Messi should be one of the speediest players in soccer, HE ISN’T.With his short legs who is he going to outrun? Maradona, Zidane, and all the about great soccer players were not famous known for their abilities in soccer to be able to blow by everybody. .. Like Cruyff states ,” it doesn’t matter how fast you are but that you are on time”.. In other words Cruyff was intimating that there is something else than speed that you a good players . Maradona stated that speed has nothing to do with soccer, instead he stated it was SPEED OF THINKING AND BALL HANDLING !!! ( exactly what Cruyff stated as well). Speed and Athleticism is great but it is meaningless because of an object called the ‘ball’ comes into play then many other factors become involved. Like Cruyff states the more one relies on speed the dumber you are”. Cruyff, “Soccer is played with your mind, and carried out with your feet”.
You mention you can train the skills and Tactics, but you left out one IMPORTANT thing, THE BRAIN and FAST ball handling skills… You can train some of the skills, but not finer ones for those are left to innate abilities that you can’t train like for example, INTELLIGENCE…you either got that or you don’t. That’s what makes Messi , Messi or a Cruyff ,Cruyff, or a Beckenbauer , Beckenbauer…
Santi, you better get rid of nasty ‘beep’ bras for it’s effecting your thinking…Stay with the blow up dolls!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Santi, our men were struggling in the Olympic basketball. Well, Sh*t happens.. In soccer we some to bit team give our great teams a game from time to time.
But one thing I have noticed the Europeans are getting better in Basketball too…Is it because they are coming closer to the Athleticism and speed of our American stars…HMMMM, I don’t think so….Remember Larry Bird who is described by his competitors as a white guy who can’t run, he’s slow, he isn’t fast, he can’t jump but he can play Basketball and was Smart, A thinker of the game….HMMMM
To paraphrase Frank…. We are the best team, but we suck… but we suck less than all the other teams…, and women’s soccer sucks in general.
P.s. – Cryuff could bring peace to the Middle East and solve every other world problem
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Jajaja… I might agree about Cruijff Bringing “Whirled Peas”.!!!
I think what our Wonderful and Eloquent “Theorists” of the Game; Bob and Frank forget is;
There are NO Style Points(Goals) for “Better Looking/Smarter Soccer”.
There is only the Score Board that Matters.
Most Direct Line from Point A, to Point B; Is a Straight Line…
If the Opposition can make you Vary that, then Worry about some other Aspects that are Lacking…
If you want to take The “Local” Train, that’s your Choice … But, “The EXPRESS” gets you there Faster.!!!Log in to Reply
Santi: you, I, and Frank all have long and short term goals. We all agree on what those goals should be. 1) Win today, and 2) play better tomorrow.
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True that Bob,
I just see it on the Margins, as far as what USA needs to do tomorrow.
Everyone talking about Positional Play, Smarter Soccer, Better in Small Spaces.
We are “Over-Thinking” It….
When you play with Joy and Enthusiasm, It SUCKS the Life out of the Opponent…
Compete… Beat the Player In Front of you.
Shoot, Shoot, Shoot the BALLThat was my view as a player. First dominate my mark and then extend my influence over a larger area of the field. A/K/A win the 1v1 battle.
You were a player so I know you will understand this.
Playing with joy is best. Anger makes you tense. Joy keeps you relaxed. Relaxed is faster.
Fear takes away your peripheral vision. Calm restores it. Calm players see better.Bob, you Know it, You’ve Felt it, You’ve Lived it.
Yet you believe in a Positional Play System that Stifles MOST Players Joy.
The “Joy” of Tiki-Taka Farça was, that they Actually LOVED the System…
Due to the Uniqueness of La Masia and The Catalan “Insurgency”; (AND MESSI/XAVI) they actually made it Look “Joyful” and “Fun” (Bet you Never thought you’d hear me Type that.!!!)
When you watch Man City (and Previously Bayern) You see the Players Chafe and Rebel against Pep.
Look at the Difference between the Self Expression of Real Madrid versus Man City…
Which System would you Rather play under.???Santi, What is soccer basically made up of but no other than a bunch of small games applying positional play… Since you understand the fastest way to move a ball when needed is through passing the ball to players in the right positions, it is not running with the ball when the ball can get their faster by a pass. I think you misunderstand what positional play really means and entails.
Technique is not only dribbling, but the various ways of passing the ball as needed to fit the circ*mstances. Technique is a beautiful trap coming from way high and not waste a second to pass it in one fluid motion to a player who is in the correct position to his correct foot which depends on where the defender is.
There is so much technique in the game that unfortunately is not taught by coaches for they can’t do it themselves…And yes I miss a Winger doing his thing 1v1 because we don’t teach that due to the lack of good technical coaches or those who have expertise. Yes, I don’t like certain aspects of Tiki-Taka like goals are no longer shot from distance but inside the penalty with a tap..but then again if it is for possession to keep the opponent from having the ball ,fine.You can’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. This is what I like about soccer it is a continued EVOLUTIONARY development whereby a coach will find a way to beat the contemporary trend through seeing certain ‘weaknesses’ and thus develop a system of training to that…Great coaches like Michels, Cruyff, van Gaal, Guardiola, have done that and other coaches than follow suit….I hope we can go back to the Sweeper style again for I got feeling we can’t continue playing with two stiffs as centerbacks….
Santi, I didn’t understand what “positional play” is until I realized that positional play is simply playing good soccer.
It isn’t about teaching players where to stand. It is about improving player vision and soccer IQ so that they can recognize their alternative that creates the strongest team shape.
My eureka moment was when Frank explained that the strongest position for a wide halfback when the winger was dribbling along the flank was moving a bit inside of the winger so that if the winger lost the ball, the half was already between the ball and the goal. No transition to defense phase required.
Positional play is about how you think, not about movement patterns.
Bob, Bingo!!! You got it. When you play positional ,you also run less, as in your example and when you run less you then can apply more technique for you have more time and space. When you run less you don’t get in someone else passing lane blocking progress.
..Piet Keizer, Cruyff’s mentor once stated that tactics are for the lesser gods…Tactics is basically a crutch for players that needed for the gods it’s a constant thinking game at each moment. Cruyff stated soccer is nothing other than a thinking game. For example, “When I have the ball and I’m looking to pass, I take into the account the length of the grass, the condition of the field, whether we in are situated in the shady or sunny part of the field, aware of my immediate opponent and his capabilities at that moment, the wind, the speed of the players at that moment, and able to be aware of your teammate looking out of the corner of your eye.
Taking in that context, Van Hanegem just pokes fun at the cast of characters (assistant coaches) on the bench in today’s soccer with their technological equipment in trying to interpret the game which evolves and changes from moment to moment. IMPOSSIBLE…..
Bob, this is why I sound too many of being critical about the game for they don’t really understand there is so much more to this that meets the eye than watching the game….And until we improve the thinking the IQ the more we can control the unsuspected happenstances better….
Frank, the reason your example resonated with me was because I played hundreds of matches as outside half and winger. I was usually playing in the strongest position, but I was stuck in the conventional “four moments” so I was only thinking of attacking principles. Never gave a thought ahead of time to defensive principles. You changed how I think about the game.
O.C I think one of the reasons why we have not improved our soccer technically in the past 50years is that we have coaches who are technical themselves and therefore miss those angles of the game..
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Frank, I don’t get it…
Expound please…
That’s what you get for putting one of your Shortest Posts EVER.!!!
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Santi, 🙂 I meant to say we DON’T have coaches who are technical themselves and therefore they miss looking deeper at various aspect related to technique that could aid and or improve the game…phew…….
Oldcoach, Frank didn’t say the US was the best team. He said the US had the best forward line, which was an important advantage.
Haye’s game plans took advantage of the team’s strength and minimized the team’s weaknesses. I think see saw the same problems Frank did.
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So now her Problem IS;
If I start Trying to “Rope the Players” into “FIXED” Positions and Playing Styles,,, AND WE LOSE.!?!?!? Then What.???
Of Course… We got until 2027 …
So I Expect a lot of “Experimenting”… Kabuki Theatre Talk about a more Nuanced approach. (after all, we don’t really have any Games until then.)
All to be Abandoned in 2027, as we go out and RUN the Piss out of the other Teams and Win the World Cup.!!!
Because as eMMMa has Proven… she is Practical and Perspective above all else, and willing to Throw out the “Norms” to WIN.!!!Log in to Reply
PRAGMATIC was the Word I was looking for… Not Perspective
Though she does have a Good Perspective…
I watched the WHOLE After game Presser with eMMMa and Horan.
I think I Broke Down Crying 2 or 3 Times…
This Women LOVES The USA MORE than some of her Players ..
I encourage all of you to Watch the FULL 16 Minutes.
OC, you need re-read that post a little better. I think Bob sort of mentioned that is his post…Your cute statement about Cruyff and the middle East and world problems doesn’t pertain to any points I made. I tend to answer posters who answer me back with facts or opinions how they see it with respect. But statements like help your cause any…..
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The USA earned at Least two cautions in the first half (Charging the goal keeper and stopping a promising attack). The referee was giving the players a little too much leeway and that assisted the USA who continued to body check the Brazilian players.
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tsstag418, I thought the foul in the peanlty area in the beginning was a penalty for the Brazilians. The replay showed that our defender never touched the ball. I can’t understand why that was not a penalty for the Brazilians
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The replay showed the Brazilian player had already lost the ball and two players clattered into each other. If she had the ball at her feet, it would have been a pk
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OC, you could be right on that, but not having a ball at your feet doesn’t necessarily mean no penalty… We have seen penalties called even when the player is no where near the ball…..you don’t have to be on the ball for a player get a penalty .
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An unwritten rule of thumb for officials is no penalty is awarded if the player had no chance of scoring when fouled.
Bob, if that is the case how come I’ve penalties called on corner where the player held or fouled is not even near the ball…
Frank, if a foul has no significant impact on play, it is “trifling” and not called. Referees are not supposed to stop play for fouls that do not matter.
Bob, You’re probaby right but rules no matter how clear they are can be subjectively called by refs, even when employing the VAR, who see things not exactly as the next ref. And in that context, I’ve seen penalties called on corners on fouls on players who were nowhere near the ball…
Exactly.
Just looked at the replay and it looked like a pk to me. Looked like she was cutting the ball back, had control, and got wacked on the back of her leg. Maybe she made a meal out of it, but from the video it looked like a foul in the box.
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Tst…
It was like She was Reffing a Game where she didn’t want to Give Cards; Because she didn’t want to see the Player “Miss the Next Game”.???
Made No Sense, to be so Lenient.Log in to Reply
The performance by “Triple Espresso” was fantastic display of front line talent, each scoring 3 or 4 goals in the tournament, and the sub Williams scored once as she came into games late. Proving the Emma Hayes knew what she was doing when she left Alex Morgan off the team. As much as I love the kid from Diamond Bar, CA her time on the USWNT is over and a farewell game is in order. Has she scored a goal yet this season in NWSL? Her San Diego teammate Jaedyn Shaw has scored more goals this season club & country but could not get on the field in the Olympics, much to my disappointment.
The women created so many chances that with their speed, varied attack and selflessness in sharing the ball that they won the gold medal and scored the most goals of any team, despite many misses, shots to the hands of the GK and poor finishing (the same criticism of all players male/female around the world at all levels–it’s a normal part of the game, stupid critics).
Congratulations to the Gold Medal winners and their coach who has reestablished the USWNT to the place I always want to see them – Top of the Podium!
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So True Carlos…
Imagine if the “Express” had Finished just A FEW of the Chances they Squandered.!!!Log in to Reply
Jaedyn Shaw should be the template for Nats players. She grew up playing futsal: youtube.com/shorts/M71LEM4XzrI
Shaw definitely should have been included, but perhaps Hayes needs more time to fix the midfield. They would definitely look different and play differently with Macario, Shaw and Yohannes there instead of Horan, Albert, Coffey. Two real 10’s and a deep-lying, play-making 6 would transform the attack.Log in to Reply
Not “instead of”. The 23 players selected should include 6 midfielders. For international tournaments, coaches have to think in terms of the best 23 players, not the best 11.
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Frank, you hit the nail on the head talking about goal scoring. Having worked with both genders, females don’t generally watch much soccer. Also don’t believe that, they get the training they should have in that area. Felt all along that if our strikers could improve their finishing, the team would be hard to beat. It did improve but, it can actually get better. Look forward to Fischel’s return the rebuilding of the midfield.
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Hummm.???
I thought Fischel is a Forward.???
That is why I am Stirring away from this “Triple ESPRESSO” thing,
because it is the Slippery Road to what happened to the Last Group.
Self Promotors to the Exclusion of Team Concepts.
The Brutal Fact is… We Need about 6 of these kind of Players.
Because, 2 or 3 are Bound to be OUT with ACL Injuries.
It’s the Nature of the Beast:
So let’s not get Caught Up in the Individual Personalities or Agendas …AGAIN.!!!
We have a USA “TEAM” Concept that wins GOLD MEDALs and WORLD CUPs;
and It DOESN’T involve a Bunch of Princesses that Drink “Euro Coffee”Log in to Reply
Yes Santi, Fishel is a forward. I look forward to her return and the rebuilding of the midfield.
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Oh, I get it now…
Fischel Back
Improvement in Midfield
2 Separate things, in a Run on Sentence…
You would think Santi; the Expert at Running at the Mouth, would have Figured that Out … Jajaja 🤣Log in to Reply
Kevin, You know right away when you have worked with both genders….The women are nowhere near of what man does as a striker…Two different worlds completely…Have you ever seen women play pickup soccer….I haven’t and Yes, they are not into analysis watching a game….
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I was Fortunate enough to be involved with some Training Sessions that Michelle Akers went thru…
THAT was a Striker !!!
And I Bet Abby Wambach could have Played STRIKER on Some Men’s Team … Fearless in the Box.!!!
I don’t see ANY Kids Playing Pick-Up or Analysing a game on Video..!!! Boys or GirlsLog in to Reply
Carli Lloyd too. All 3 were tough as steel.
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Bob, I was Commenting about STRIKER….
There are So Many of the “Older” Women’s National Team Player that I would have Gladly gone into “Battle” with…
Nowadays… they as Likely to “Shive” you in the Back, as support you.Carli switched to #9 for the 2019 finals.
I have been away from everything for 10 years, but in my experience economic status is tied to pickup soccer. In townhouses and apartments where there are affordable rentals, I saw pickup soccer in the parking lots, side streets, and playgrounds. There was one school yard I passed by which always had a neighborhood game going on weekends and summer evenings. Mixed genders and ages.
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