Big match today.

USA vs. Spain
11:00 AM CT
Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France
TV: FS1, Telemundo

Spain is slowly starting develop into a women's soccer power. They won and placed 2nd in the U-17 & U-20 World Cups and play a very similar style to the men's team with their tiki-taka style of play. The USA beat them 1-nil back in January in their only meeting. On paper, the USA should probably cruise and hopefully they aren't overlooking this match and focusing on France in the next round as most of the fans seem to be.

Wonder if Horan not starting is strictly to not risk the second yellow?

so at this point rapinoe starting has to be just to make a statement right? it cant be for tactical reasons because she has been awful all world cup long

I don't get it. Give me Press or Pugh all day long right now

I'm guessing this is Rapinoe's last WWC and these are courtesy starts.

gambochaman said:

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so at this point rapinoe starting has to be just to make a statement right? it cant be for tactical reasons because she has been awful all world cup long

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And she's our captain to boot (pun intended). Yuck.

Ellis isn't going to start someone in the biggest tournament in the world to "make a statement". She sees something we don't and/or is tactically using Pinoe to spread the field and create space for Rose & Morgan to work the middle. Agree Pinoe has not had a good tournament but defenses still can't ignore her as a threat.

I agree

In stadium update: this is the most pro-USA, loud, active crowd we've had yet despite the small stadium. It feels like a home game.

dcaggie04 said:

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I'm guessing this is Rapinoe's last WWC and these are courtesy starts.

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any coach that does this in a WC (unless its the last game of the group stage and there is nothing to play for) should be fired immediately.

That French girl who walked out with the team was taller than half the players

USA and France, the only teams that can fill a stadium this tournament.

gambochaman said:

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only one player without her hand over her heart

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And its our Captain

Big early block by Sauerbrunn on a ball headed toward goal.

Sauerbrun with the face block

Penalty!

Rapinoe converts.

Captain cool as ice

well, that was beautifully taken...she can at least do that

Well, well, well...

I'll take it but thats a weak foul in the box call

I know it worked out, but how do you have Rapinoe take that kick and not Morgan?

She made it. Who cares?

1-1

Damn. They just said we hadn't conceded in 639 minutes.

LOL, JP with the instantaneous jinx

USA: 0
Spain: 1
Independent Athletes of FIFA: 1

Terrible mistake in the back. Naeher never should have played that ball to Sauerbrunn.

bad mistake on our part and a beautiful kick from the spaniard

That's the sloppy crap they did the other games, terrible

Hand Of God said:

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Terrible mistake in the back. Naeher never should have played that ball to Sauerbrunn.

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Yep...high press from defenders and you play it short. Dumbass.

She got rocked.

wangus12 said:

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USA: 0
Spain: 1
Independent Athletes of FIFA: 1

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? That was a clear foul in box, not even questionable