snowdog90 said:

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AustinScubaAg said:

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snowdog90 said:

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Dunn is the left back for one reason. Her name is Diani.

She is the best winger in women's soccer and annihilated USA in a recent friendly. USA had to find someone to play left back with enough pace to keep up with Diani. Dunn is that person. I think it has been a great move by Ellis, along with O'hara at right back. We'll see if it pays off now that Dunn vs. Diani has arrived.

As for Ellis' other moves, I'm not a fan.

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Sorry you don't player out of position a whole tournament without a quality replacement in expectation of a single match up. Especially when she does not look sound defensively.

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There should definitely be a sub. But Dunn is the option that USA has decided is best vs. Diani. Dunn has always been a striker. She needs all the playing time she can get at left back. Diani is a killer, and USA is hedging all bets hoping that Dunn's pace can marginalize Diani's dominance.

I don't know if it will work, but USA had to do something. If Dunn is not the answer, then USA will have to figure something else out. Maybe a well-placed sniper.

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It takes years and years (and years) to perfect the marking, positioning, and general defensive awareness that's required at this level... and sacrificing all of those things for additional pace is a poor move.

I'd much, much rather have a standard back four that's played together (and played defense most of their lives) and adjust my formation to shade additional bodies to the left.

I really don't think this is a good idea.

In that case, which player would you like to see replace her?

Hand Of God said:

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In that case, which player would you like to see replace her?

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Exactly. I think everyone hoped Davidson could move from center and be that player but it didn't work (granted she's dealt with injuries). So there's literally no one else more capable than Dunn in the system right now.

I trust Krieger's experience but the pace of Diani is the concern and I agree that Dunn is the best selection for that reason.

In all honesty I don't know enough about the player pool to answer that question

But if a striker-turned-defender is our best option, we didn't use our 23 roster spots effectively

FWIW I really hope I'm wrong

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But if a striker-turned-defender is our best option, we didn't use our 23 roster spots effectively

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Damarcus Beasley says hello

gig them said:

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snowdog90 said:

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AustinScubaAg said:

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snowdog90 said:

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Dunn is the left back for one reason. Her name is Diani.

She is the best winger in women's soccer and annihilated USA in a recent friendly. USA had to find someone to play left back with enough pace to keep up with Diani. Dunn is that person. I think it has been a great move by Ellis, along with O'hara at right back. We'll see if it pays off now that Dunn vs. Diani has arrived.

As for Ellis' other moves, I'm not a fan.

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Sorry you don't player out of position a whole tournament without a quality replacement in expectation of a single match up. Especially when she does not look sound defensively.

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There should definitely be a sub. But Dunn is the option that USA has decided is best vs. Diani. Dunn has always been a striker. She needs all the playing time she can get at left back. Diani is a killer, and USA is hedging all bets hoping that Dunn's pace can marginalize Diani's dominance.

I don't know if it will work, but USA had to do something. If Dunn is not the answer, then USA will have to figure something else out. Maybe a well-placed sniper.

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It takes years and years (and years) to perfect the marking, positioning, and general defensive awareness that's required at this level... and sacrificing all of those things for additional pace is a poor move.

I'd much, much rather have a standard back four that's played together (and played defense most of their lives) and adjust my formation to shade additional bodies to the left.

I really don't think this is a good idea.

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And it takes infinity years to coach a slow defender how to be as fast as Dunn. I am a lover of pace at the outside backs. So far I haven't seen Dunn being a weakness at all. We'll see what happens. I like Krieger, but she probably isn't fast enough for France.

Dunn's speed is negated when she is caught way out of position repeatedly throughout the game

Btw, Leonardo played left back for Brazil's 94 World Cup winners. He was not a left back. He caused havoc for opponents bombing up and down the left flank until he got red carded for fracturing Tab Ramos' skull with an elbow and had to sit 3 games.

Thunder18 said:

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Dunn's speed is negated when she is caught way out of position repeatedly throughout the game

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Your premise is not true. She has not been out of position repeatedly. She is playing her position. Her cross lead to the game deciding pk. Against France, her role will be more defensive, maybe totally defensive.

In these games so far, she and O'hara have been offensive options, and it's lead to goal-scoring chances.

"The focus on Rapinoe today has been borderline ridiculous."

Whats ridiculous is the number of times the offense attempted to go through her. She gave the ball up multiple times at the beginning of the game, missed a point blank shot on top of it. It seemed that Ellis game plan was to take the offense through Rappino She was beat out to several balls, lost several she should have held. if she had any "consistent" speed left in the tank, she would have beat out a defender on one of then for another shot.

Not sure how much you can fault the rest of the players bad game when Ellis set up this strategy. If Loyd is on the bench because she lost a step, then same applies to Rappinoe. Maybe should apply to Morgan as well, but she was hacked most of the game and Spain got away with it.

Move Rappino back to an attacking or defending mid to distribute the ball.

Rappino calls attention to herself, so she asks for it. Her fault, blue hair and all.

Having said above, glad she took the 2nd PK...didn't like Morgan trying to take it. And, very smart of her to keep it simple, she hammered it home, same spot. No way the keeper could stop that, she new it and didnt try to get cute. Very mature decision.

theNetSmith said:

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I may (will) get roasted for this, but I thought Rapinoe played very well today. PK conversions aside, she is a tireless grinder who is extremely physical and can retain possession. Not to mention that fact that her service on free kicks from the left side is spot on 9/10 times.

I also very much liked the play from Rose Lavelle in the 2nd half, especially that screamer that she hit just over the crossbar.

O'Hara played well, and Ertz put forth a good effort. Mewis was my favorite player this game.

This was a poor showing by Heath, who just didn't seem to have her stuff today and *****ed about every damn time she got touched.

Flame away.

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Rapinoe was actually really poor in play outside of putting 2 PKs away. her service was awful. she couldn't run down balls.

FWIW...

That stat says it all. Rapinoe scored USA's only 2 goals and still wasn't the top-rated USA player. And God bless her, she is an awesome pk-taker, but she is not the best option at left wing. I said this after game 1.

tysker said:

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TXAggie2011 said:

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tysker said:

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deadbq03 said:

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I only watched the 2nd half, but I tend to agree with you on all counts. Rapinoe seemed to have the best work rate on the pitch for either team.

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Rapinoe didnt have her typical game where she bombs up the wing and hits crosses mostly because there was no one in the box. She was able to gut out a performance but, imo, the fact she looked decent was only relative to how poor the other players looked.

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Some of the folks in thread need to post a bunch about how other particular players played like crap...

The focus on Rapinoe today has been borderline ridiculous.

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Eh its par for the course as captain and for players that have been on the team for so long. Rapinoe/Morgan are getting the Bradley/Altidore treatment.


edit to add: I dont think its fair or appropriate to criticize certain players but that wont stop some people from pointing fingers...

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Rapinoe was a turnover machine in the first half. She was criticized for that IMHO. I was just as critical of Dunn and her poor defending.

i again confess my soccer ignorance but does that graphics basically mean we had zero (maybe 1) shots on goal? And Spain had one shot (and made it).

oh wait, I read that wrong. the ones at the perimeter are considered shots.

snowdog90 said:

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Thunder18 said:

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Dunn's speed is negated when she is caught way out of position repeatedly throughout the game

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Your premise is not true. She has not been out of position repeatedly. She is playing her position. Her cross lead to the game deciding pk. Against France, her role will be more defensive, maybe totally defensive.

In these games so far, she and O'hara have been offensive options, and it's lead to goal-scoring chances.

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When you are playing left back and teams repeatedly send balls into your area on the counterattack because you aren't there is exactly what being out of position means.

Whether or not that's on her or Jill Ellis' strategy is debatable, but I would think one of the holding midfielders would be sliding down to cover for her when she is upfield and that hasn't necessarily been happening

tysker said:

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But if a striker-turned-defender is our best option, we didn't use our 23 roster spots effectively

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Damarcus Beasley says hello

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Damarcus Beasley played left mid and the defender. That is an easier transition but still not easy then striker to defender.

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Rapinoe was actually really poor in play outside of putting 2 PKs away. her service was awful. she couldn't run down balls.

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If you are referring to the balls that nobody could run down because they were too long (and there were several), then yes... you are right... she couldn't run those down.

So I haven't watched the game yet, but from following this thread, my interpretations are:

The ladies left a lot to be desired
They looked a little tired
And perhaps a bit uninspired
Rapinoe should be retired
Ellis should be fired

AustinScubaAg said:

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tysker said:

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Quote:

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But if a striker-turned-defender is our best option, we didn't use our 23 roster spots effectively

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Damarcus Beasley says hello

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Damarcus Beasley played left mid and the defender. That is an easier transition but still not easy then striker to defender.

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I always thought Dunn was an attacking midfielder in the DMB, Donovan, Dempsey and now Pulisic mold. I guess she's a outright striker right now for her club team? Waste of talent if that's the case.

flintdragon said:

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i again confess my soccer ignorance but does that graphics basically mean we had zero (maybe 1) shots on goal? And Spain had one shot (and made it).

oh wait, I read that wrong. the ones at the perimeter are considered shots.

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We had 3 shots on goal, technically. Rapinoe's 2 penalty kicks and Rapinoe's shot in the first half.

I feel like the ref allowed Spain to ugly the game up, should have given more yellows out for persistent infringement. People don't want to watch a team thug it up, they want to watch free flowing soccer

wangus12 said:

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Hand Of God said:

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Morgan trending downward is most worrisome.
5 goals vs Thailand
Sat out vs Chile
Subbed out at half vs Sweden
Horrible performance vs Spain

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Makes me almost think that sitting against Chile threw her off her rhythm. Great idea Ellis

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I said this during the game and after the game. Did not like sitting your top line for an entire game. Said it here and was admonished here for it

I think the physicality got to Morgan. You could tell in her post-match comments how frustrated she was with the fouling.

The ref probably should have reeled that in some, for sure. Maybe the Americans should have pushed back a little more.

If you think someone else played as bad (or worse!?!?), that's about as close to whatever "agenda" I had. So, confusing angry post.

Ellis is really to blame, she ran the offense through Rappinoe. That strategy was clear. No wonder no one else got any shots, everything went through her. I have no agenda. I remember Rapinoe making some incredible plays years ago, one play i remember her pulling the ball out of the air, maybe scored or something. Man or woman, it was a incredibility hard and skilled athletic a play, man or women. Sure, I can't stand her politics, which takes away from her history and the team. She was a bad ass back in the day, no doubt about it. But that has nothing to do with her poor play today.

Anyone saying she played well today has an agenda or is hanging on to the past.

edit - i see your point above, you are saying they all are to blame, not just her.

To be fair the team looked tired but they should not have looked that tired. They did have three less days of rest (how that happened in a round of 16 Game that did not involve a 3rd place finisher makes no sense) but that should not be an excuse given the quality of the teams they played in the group stage.

People complained about Rapinoe because she was bad on the ball most of the game. Morgan did not get the same level of complaint because she was largely invisible when not getting fouled.

gig them said:

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In all honesty I don't know enough about the player pool to answer that question

But if a striker-turned-defender is our best option, we didn't use our 23 roster spots effectively

FWIW I really hope I'm wrong

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Casey Short should've been on the team. She's a true left back and has some pretty good pace. How Short is not on the team is beyond me.

If that game ends 2-0 everyone is in a much better mood. One bad mistake by the goalkeeper sent y'all into a butt hurt tailspin. No, it wasn't pretty and there were plenty of odd coaching decisions, but they won. That's all that really matters. Hopefully they play better on Friday. I hope we see several changes to the starting lineup. We have great depth and that is where it will pay off.

snowdog90 said:

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You made it sound like people are falsely accusing Rapinoe of playing poorly when in fact they just don't like her.

I have no agenda other than I want USA to win. I think Press is better right now than Rapinoe, and I wish Press would start. Ain't gonna happen. I think Lloyd and Horan should start or get major minutes. Who knows if that will happen.

I don't care about Rapinoe's politics or hair color.

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I said the focus on Rapinoe was borderline ridiculous and people came into things mad at Rapinoe being on the field, and I'll stick by those two comments. You can slice and dice and "make that sound" however you want it to, I don't care to argue about it.

Strong argument for Casey Short to be on the roster, although I think the recurring injury bug didn't help her prove her case.