RealGM

Consistently underperformed until today, then choked in PK's. Sad day

Lots of headwinds this tourney. Too many key injuries (Macario, Sam Mewis, Saurbraun, Swanson); players both pre and post prime; weight of three peat expectations and, maybe most importantly, “arrivism-“ or the feeling that you don’t need to train and play with an edge.

The US losing in the first round of knockouts is not good for the sport. Still do not understand their coaching decisions moving up to this.

excruciating loss

US women will be back again.

Inauspicious ending to Rapinoe's great career

long suffrin' boulez fan wrote:Lots of headwinds this tourney. Too many key injuries (Macario, Sam Mewis, Saurbraun, Swanson); players both pre and post prime; weight of three peat expectations and, maybe most importantly, “arrivism-“ or the feeling that you don’t need to train and play with an edge.

Vlatko refused to play the kids. And in general barely used his subs.

While I don't think Alex Morgan is 'washed', she couldn't finish prime opportunities. Subbing her for Rapinoe now looks terrible. I didn't like the move in real time.

For this tournament, its Japan's to lose.

FAH1223 wrote:

long suffrin' boulez fan wrote:Lots of headwinds this tourney. Too many key injuries (Macario, Sam Mewis, Saurbraun, Swanson); players both pre and post prime; weight of three peat expectations and, maybe most importantly, “arrivism-“ or the feeling that you don’t need to train and play with an edge.

Vlatko refused to play the kids. And in general barely used his subs.

While I don't think Alex Morgan is 'washed', she couldn't finish prime opportunities. Subbing her for Rapinoe now looks terrible. I didn't like the move in real time.

For this tournament, its Japan's to lose.

Can’t disagree with much of that. Agree that Japan is FUN to watch. I’d love to see them go all the way.

Vlatko missed some obvious changes. After the Holland game, I’d have put Ertz in the midfield and gone with duel high central midfielders - Horan and Lavelle, then Sanchez once Lavelle could not find play against Denmark.

There was a structural problem with the team, however. The youngs were too young and the olds were too old. And the ones in their prime - like Sullivan and Kristi Mewis - just aren’t that good.

We should be really good in 2027. Macario, Rodman, Swanson, Girma, Thompson, etc, all in their prime… and I hope hungry like this team wasn’t.