The Soccer Thread (Version 13) — Winter World Cup Edition

Based on their showing the three group matches, they were going to get run off the pitch.

No, they didn't score. Yes, they lost. Yes, Sweden was better in the shootout. But the U.S. looked a lot better during the 120 minutes of action.

 

Our defense was great and our keeper came up big when it counted. We had about 8 half chances in the second half and extra time and weren’t clinical enough. I thought we should have brought the kid on against tired legs during extra time.

 

oof

 

On top of not bringing the Cup home, Vlatko will get blasted for not making better use of substitutions.

 

Carli Lloyd probably more excited than when the goal from halfway went in.

 

The defense played well, but once again the offense failed to show up. The winning goal in PKs was a fluke, but it doesn’t get to that point if somebody spends less time trying to set up the shot and more time taking shots.

“Betting-line favorite” only means something to people who need to be chained to a pickup truck bumper and forcibly dragged out of the casino.

 

She didn't touch the ball during the PKs. Three flat-out misses by the U.S.

 

Correct. But during the 120 minutes, she turned away a lot strong chances by the Americans. She almost single-handed got the Swedes there.

 

Who made you Pope of this dump?

 

If it's such a "dump" to you, why are you here?

 

In a way the Rapinie miss was more forgivable because she got under it too much. The other two were shooting at open nets after the keeper went the wrong way. You can’t be that fine on a PK like that.