US vs. France

Man oh man... I worried about a hangobver game, and we most definitely have one going. One goal early and then France has been dominating the rest of the way. The fact that it is only tied in the 58th minute is kind of a miracle. There has been little possession, and it seems all the attacking "efforts" have been long balls into space. Also they are requiring 2 defenders to stop each French player, which when they win the ball means the player to pass to to start possession is bunched right there so they have to go long. Just really ugly, lets hope the final half hour sees some improvement.

Megan comes in and totally changes the game... Coincidence?

From the NY Times live blog of the semi-final, 90th minute:

"90th + 1 Two Minutes of Added Time

Please use them to think about how good Megan Rapinoe has been in this tournament. She came on in the 65th minute, and 15 minutes later the U.S. had the lead."

Jere Longman of the New York Times appears to be one of many who have become fans of Megan. Check her story at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-us-in-first-final-in-12-years.html?hp

And here is an update, with the Megan accolades ramped up to another level
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-us-in-first-final-in-12-years.html?ref=sports

I think Meghan turned the game around, along with getting a tired Lloyd out and a fresh Morgan in. It did seem like a hangover game.

Interestingly enough, Foudy has changed her tune regarding Megan. It may have taken THE PASS to do it, but her tone has changed entirely.

Ditto to DaTruRochin and the NY Times. Megan pumps it up.

Is it any coincidence that the general tone of the game switched from send-it-long to pass to the open player and "work" it up the field with Megan's entrance into the game? The overwhelming tendency to make the long pass, hoping that a team mate can control it, has made this team difficult to watch at time. They seem to refuse to even look for the shorter control pass that we have been so fortunate to watch all these years at Merlo. Why do the US coaches allow this type of soccer when the beautiful game can be so much more successful? Also, I'm not sure what LaPeilbet brings to the game in lieu of Stephanie. Her lack of understanding of game situation was perfectly demonstrated with a few minutes remaining when the four backs had the ball with no defender within 10 yards, a couple of passes maintained possession using time until LaPeilbet got the ball and ignored her wide open teammates to send a long pass up to a French player. How typical of much of the US game. Let's hope for more of the control game on Sunday, otherwise the outcome could be very ugly.

Regardless of all that, way to go, Megan. Keep up that beautiful "attitude" as you pull your team along with you, showing everyone how the game can be played.

Here are more accolades for Megan from Grant Wahl, one of the most knowledgeable reporters of the game today:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/grant_wahl/07/13/us.france.wwc/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a2

Going through my tweets for the day. I follow a lot of soccer ones, so I'm swamped.

But one of the most interesting for me so far is this one from our own PortlandPilots

Portland Pilots (@PortlandPilots)
7/13/11 1:09 PM
Wow RT @PCarrESPN In 219 min. w/ Rapinoe, #USWNT has 6 goals, 20 shots in box. In 261 min. w/o her, US 5 and 9

that's a goal every 36.5 minutes
with her out, it's every 52.2 minutes.

ejjqb - You really hit the nail right on the head!! I am pretty sure Pia would like them to play with more of a control game instead of all the long balls, and sometimes they do, but too often it's a long ball, usually to the other team. I can see Japan possibly controlling the ball for a large majority of the game and us chasing for most of the game. We could still win doing that, but it will be frustrating to watch.

Nice article in USAToday on Megan and other player. Compliments Megan's play.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/worldcup/2011-07-13-usa-france-lauren-cheney_n.htm

Cheney is way better as a center mid than wide left. Always bothers me to have a wide player left who won't use her left foot. Japan is small: no need for size and power in center mid. Play Boxx or Lloyd with Cheney and start Rapinoe.

Agreed... The Japanese mids will run circles around a Boxx/Lloyd combination.

Welp, Lloyd and Boxx are still there, but Cheney came in for A-Rod (Who has been pretty underwhelming... And I suspect Lauren will almost play more recessed and help out defending the mids) BUT Rapinoe slides in to start wide on the left. I really like this lineup, but kind of worry about Boxx getting run ragged and/or unleashing some dumb foul at the wrong place because she can't keep up with the Japanese quickness.