2015 Women's World Cup

[okatty]

On June 6 the WWC begins in Canada. US Team is considered oh-so slight favorite over Germany with Japan, France and Canada also in the possible mix. Maybe Abby Wambach's final WC and upcoming stars like Alex Morgan take the big stage. All happening when the beautiful game is being overshadowed by ugly and corrupt governing body and officials. Should be fun!!

[bradh]

Very excited for this, the U.S. women are exciting to watch.

[okatty]

Game 1 for USA is tonight @ 630 v Australia. For a little local connection, game 3 is against Nigeria which includes Edmond native Courtney Dike.

U.S. women's soccer team: extroverts enter World Cup - CNN.com

[okatty]

First game of the knock-out round tonight for USA v Columbia. Some nice chatter going on between the teams. Brazil lost a shocker yesterday.

[C. B.]

I'll be at the watch party at Skinny Slims in Bricktown for the Columbia game tonight. Going to be a fun one!

[elitespy]

I'll be at the watch party at Skinny Slims in Bricktown for the Columbia game tonight. Going to be a fun one!

Same, should be a really great match.

[okatty]

2-0 win sets up quarterfinal game versus China. Interesting write up and analysis in NY Times regarding Columbia and other SA teams (Brazil lose over weekend):

The Americans are the beneficiaries of four decades of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting discrimination based on gender that has widely increased women’s opportunities to play sports. Colombia’s players, by contrast, grew up in a Latin American culture in which women were considered unfeminine simply for kicking a soccer ball.
“Parents, men, not wanting you to play — ‘this isn’t a woman’s game; you’re manly,’ ” Perez said before the match. “But I feel like we’re opening a new path for all of soccer to grow in Colombia.”

[Lord Helmet]

We keep finding ways to win even though our attack is pretty weak. The ladies still haven't found their stride yet here we are in the quarterfinals. Here's hoping it all comes together starting Friday.

[okatty]

I agree. Germany and France looking pretty stout assuming we get past China.

[bradh]

2-0 win sets up quarterfinal game versus China. Interesting write up and analysis in NY Times regarding Columbia and other SA teams (Brazil lose over weekend):

The Americans are the beneficiaries of four decades of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting discrimination based on gender that has widely increased women’s opportunities to play sports. Colombia’s players, by contrast, grew up in a Latin American culture in which women were considered unfeminine simply for kicking a soccer ball.
“Parents, men, not wanting you to play — ‘this isn’t a woman’s game; you’re manly,’ ” Perez said before the match. “But I feel like we’re opening a new path for all of soccer to grow in Colombia.”

You know who else benefits from Title IX? Teams like Colombia. The pool of players in this tourney is littered with women from across the globe who earned their skills on many a NCAA pitch.

[okatty]

The goalie is at U of Miami. Oopsy on the R-card.

[bradh]

The goalie is at U of Miami. Oopsy on the R-card.

Yeah she fouled the hell outta Alex on that play, that was the correct call too, Alex's foot was on the line.

[okatty]

She's a very aggressive player. Good but maybe a little raw still. From here out the matches
should be really good.

[okatty]

BIG BIG BIG match tonight - USA v Germany in the semi-finals! Top 2 womens teams in the world (by the rankings). USA defense versus Germany which has 20 goals so far in the tourney. Something gotta give!

[bradh]

Wambach can NOT start tonight, if she does we're F'ed.

Rodriguez is the only forward that makes Morgan better. She's a terrible finisher, but makes a sees runs that our others don't, and despite her stature, is our best hold up forward, riddle me that.

[okatty]

Abby's over/under minutes played number should be on he board in Vegas tonight! That was their best offensive showing for sure. Lloyd was freed up a lot with O'Hara and Brian playing. Rodriguez is speedy. BUT China was not a great team. Rapinoe will for sure be back and so O"hara or Brian to the bench. Heath has not done much from what i can see so far and wonder if Ellis might make any changes there.

Will be fun to watch@!!!

[bradh]

Ellis is too stubborn to make a formation change to get the best players there.

[Lord Helmet]

Ellis is too stubborn to make a formation change to get the best players there.

Guess not. She switched to a 4-3-3 last night. Great win. On to the final where glory awaits!!

[okatty]

Heck of a match! Blood and gore even.

[bradh]

Guess not. She switched to a 4-3-3 last night. Great win. On to the final where glory awaits!!

Yeah no kidding, I was SHOCKED

[okatty]

And really even a 4-2-3-1 with Morgan top and Rapinoe, Lloyd, Heath in that next group and holiday, Brian behind them. Dominated the midfield and freed up the outside. Rapinoe was driving her German counterpart nuts all match. Brian played that holding mid position fantastic - pretty nice play for someone who first got in line-up due to the suspension in the China game.

[bradh]

Really disappointed in Holliday, she's had a bad tourney, but last night was by FAR Lloyd's best game. As she goes this team goes.

[okatty]

FIFA getting grief over their Alex Morgan comment "very easy on the eye."

[bradh]

FIFA getting grief over their Alex Morgan comment "very easy on the eye."

In today's world it's a sin to call someone beautiful apparently.

[okatty]

Truth is a defense in a defamation case - maybe it is in a "not being politically correct" situation too!