OT: USA Women's and Men's Soccer Team

[Fleet]

It might have been some indecsion. Naeher said that she should have gone deeper, and maybe Saurebrunn wasn't ready for it. On the second penalty, just think of the gnashing and wailing if it was against the US. I think it was a penalty, but 'soft'... like the NFL, there wasn't sufficient evidence to overturn, but the cleats were up.

The whole thing just looked off. Like they were not on the same page. The Spain player was probably a little to close to play a ball right on the edge of the box like that. I think Kerr scored a goal for Aus in a similar fashion this WC. You cant have this type of boneheaded play in the WC.

Overall though we had a lot of shots on goal it seemed like. Rapinoe was pretty active. Were they resting Lloyd?

I agree on the penalty kick. It just looked like she went untouched and sort of flopped.

[chargerkdb]

Yeah, and Italy missed last, as well, but its tougher to qualify in UEFA. Mexico only made the 2014 as the US didn't blow off their last hex game. Losing to T&T in the hex is still the WTF moment in recent national team history.... even more so than the women losing to Sweden in the Rio Olympics.

Less margin for error in UEFA for sure but the 6 team groups are usually only 1 good, 1 middling and the rest Lichtenstein's, Moldova's and San Marino's. Italy didn't qualify after going 7 wins 2 Draws and 1 loss because they were unlucky to be drawn in Spain's group. Now swap USA in England's group and we would have qualified.

In CONCACAF the Hex is the Hex, no reason we can't be top 3 or at worst 4th place playoff. The last cycle was clearly US Costa Rica and Mexico, one of those 3 had every opportunity to screw up. As you said, Mexico almost did it the cycle before. I firmly blame Klinsmann for that debacle. You draw away and win at home. Get the points, experiment in friendlies or after qualifying assured. MLS has also made some marginal teams in CONCACAF better. It makes the away points harder to get.

[Panamamike]

lol. Qualifying in Europe is a helluva lot harder than Concacaaf. the Panama side that qualified was rubbish...old slow and severely lacking in ralent.

[chargerkdb]

lol. Qualifying in Europe is a helluva lot harder than Concacaaf. the Panama side that qualified was rubbish...old slow and severely lacking in ralent.

Again it depends your draw. England had Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta and Scotland in their group. Not exactly the group of death

[Bolt-O]

USMNT wins their group in the Gold Cup off a bicycle kick off a corner by Jozy Altidore. 1-0 over Panama. They will play Curacao in the quarters, then the winner will play the winner of Jamaica-Panama.

[Panamamike]

Again it depends your draw. England had Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta and Scotland in their group. Not exactly the group of death

Slovakia and Scotland both rated a helluva lot higher than Panama/TT/ Hon. Just saying....USA failed to qualify in one of the easiest regions, behind a terrible old amd slow Panama team that was embarrassed in the WC, and LOST to Trinidad and Tobago with everything on the line. Sorry, u can colour it anyway u want but it was a FAILURE of epic proportions.

There is 0 excuse for USA or Mex to fail to qualify for a WC. to not be in the top 3 out of Concacaaf is embarrasing. Yes Costa Rica has a decent side right now and others come and go but to not be in the top 3 is inexcusable.
.

[chargerkdb]

Yes , the US failing that qualify from Concacaf is embarrassing. We backed ourselves into a corner by taking only 1 of 12 possible points against Ticos/El Tri . After second Costa Rica loss it was it was the lowest point in our program in 30 years. And yet we still fielded B teams and got draws against minnows when we needed 3 points.

[Fleet]

That goal by Altidore was sweet.

[chargerkdb]

That goal by Altidore was sweet.

What are things we only here every few years, Alex
i actually like Josy, seems like good dude. He did stink it up in England though

[Bolt-O]

Bicycle kicks are among the most beautiful things in sports.

[chargerkdb]

Bicycle kicks are among the most beautiful things in sports.

And hot streakers

[chargerkdb]

I have a sneaking feeling that France is going to send the USWNT home today. France is no joke and will be insanely tricky to beat at home. All the White House jibes and ass wiggling conga lines in a 13-0 route just make me think a humbling may be in the cards