The Past is the Past

Scoreline – July 13, 2011
France: 1
Bompastor 59’
USA: 3
Cheney 9’; Wambach 79’, Morgan 82’

While the universe refused to allow a repeat of the previous game’s dramatics – the semifinal was not without its moments of fear.

First off, the US had no composure in moving the ball from midfield into the attacking third. We launched a missile into the French end and hoped that Rodriguez, Cheney or Wambach would snare it on a dead run and do something brilliant. Cheney managed to do this, but I’m hoping the team isn’t going to rely on this tactic. Somewhere between the Arsenal approach (everyone must touch the ball twice before we enter the box) and this hail Mary crap is a place where talented players like ours can produce goals with regularity without flaming out in the first half.

The French team was excellent at supporting each other – they kept possession (with help from our consistent giveaways in their end) and were on the attack more often than not. The US shouldn’t be letting a team as good as France (or any team for that matter) bang on the gates for an entire half with a measly 1 goal lead. We’re not freakin’ Italy.

Solo looked too casual on more than one occasion. Her blithe service giveaway that France picked off right outside the box could have lost the game for us. Likewise her careless near-goal giveaway to an opportunistic Frenchwoman who thought to head the ball off Solo’s upturned palm and go for goal. Solo was saved by a foul call, but she should have known there was an attacker behind her and protected the ball accordingly. Even world-class keepers like Solo are one mistake away from being the next Robert Green

Bompastor’s goal was not on Solo, though – Frankly, I’d love to see the goal again. Thiney’s presence meant Solo had to stay put. If Thiney pulled up because she knew the cross was going in – that would be a seriously brilliant bit of football.

Things I did like:

Lauren Cheney talking about why she aimed the go-ahead corner to Wambach.

Lauren Cheney: I knew Abby was going to beat her [defender].

Q: How?

Lauren Cheney: Because she's Abby Wambach.

Damn right.

Also, Megan Rapinoe and her AttackAttackAttack mindset continue to create good things. Did you SEE her through ball to Morgan? That was a thing of beauty. The technical equal of her Waumbach ball in the quarters (sans the other drama) – but perfectly placed and paced to ensure maximum damage to the defense.
Wonderful.

And Morgan’s goal, a nice bit of inspiration to chip over the keeper. Pity she didn’t stick to that formula on her following breakaway chance or she’d have had another goal on the board.

Now it’s on to Swede-

Scoreline – July 13, 2011
Japan: 3
Kawasumi 19’, 64’; Sawa 60’
Sweden: 1
Oqvist 10’

-JAPAN???

Yes, why the hell not? Japan have been playing some entertaining soccer the whole tournament and while their group wasn’t exactly loaded with powerhouses – they held Germany scoreless and then knocked them out of the tournament. That’d be the reigning world champions, playing at home. Germany blew some chances, sure, but you’re not going to find a lot of commentators talking about how Japan didn’t deserve a win.

So, on paper – the Cup has set up a matchup between a world power and a new arrival. On paper, we should mop the floor with them. But this is soccer. And while I’m sure the US team isn’t kicking back and assuming a win- it would be good for everyone to remember the heroics of the past two games for the US.

Fix those moments of awesome in your minds.

-and understand that if the US women do not win the World Cup, those moments will be utterly forgotten.

Because this is the World Cup – and no matter how much you deserve good things, it just doesn’t care.

Go USA