Re: algrave cup

by **A_Fan** on Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:53 am

US wins 4-0. There were a couple of what the person doing the Match Tracker described as "wacky" goals. Here is their description of the last goal of the game:

"Rodriguez gets behind the defense on the left side and hits the softest shot you could ever imagine with the outside of her left foot, it's bouncing right to the Norwegian goalkeeper and she somehow mishandles it and it rolls over her into the net"

I hope there is some video somewhere of that play.

Angie played the first half, Stephanie subbed in at the 76th minute. There was no score at half time. The US is in the finals vs Denmark.

by PurpleGeezer on Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:45 pm

I just read the ussoccer.com

I really like the dialogue going on between Pia and her players. here's some quotes

On what she told the team at halftime:
“Believe what we are doing. Believe in our roles going into (Olympic) qualification, and that means keep possession and relax a little bit. Even though Norway put on pressure in the midfield, I wanted (the U.S.) to continue to play through midfield. When you believe in something, you are also winning something.”

On starting Rachel Buehler (three caps), Angie Woznuk (five caps) and Nicole Barnhart (six caps) in a critical game:
“We need to get some answers. Look at Angie Woznuk, she hadn’t played that much, and I’m happy with her first half, the same with Buehler over 90 minutes. This is a tournament and there will be more games, but we need answers as to what kind of international level they have. The players coming off the bench, they did a great job, and that’s a strength. We will play the bench, and that’s a message I want to send.”

And Kate Markgraf On staying calm and continuing to play despite the tightness of the game:

“I really think it’s a sign of our maturity and how we are slowly adapting to the changes Pia wants us to make. In the first half, we were pressured the hardest we’ve been pressured so far this year, and we were having a hard time solving it, yet I am really proud we stayed with the game plan and we didn’t resort to long ball. We didn’t resort to just trying to solve the pressure by kicking, we actually tried to find the feet and I think that’s evident by how many goals we scored.”

Looks like they are buying into the possession game.

Apparently thats how Denmark plays. it''l be fun to see who can impose on the other

by **A_Fan** on Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:13 am

US wins the Cup with a 2-1 win over Denmark in the final. Stephanie started and had a shot and a yellow card. She came out in the 74th minute. Angie came in at the 77th minute, she had 2 shots. Good series for both Pilots!

by PurpleGeezer on Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:23 am

the USA women win the Algarve by beating Denmark on goals by Kai and Wambach.

Steph got a yellow!

She played until the 74th minute.
Angie came in in the 77th.

by PurpleGeezer on Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:51 am

There's a little more on the Algarve Cup Final at Soccacritics.

Seems the game got a little uh.. chippy, as they say in hockey.

The Second Half of the game started as usual with one surprise as Abby Wambach scoring a second goal with the help of Natasha Kai in the forty ninth minute of the game. After that, Denmark started attempting equalizers with substitutions while the United States attempted to maintain the momentum and the lead with substitutions. Stephanie Cox received a booking in the sixtieth minute for anti professional conduct but that did not stop the United States from showing Europe especially Denmark what they are made of football [soccer] wise. Regardless, Denmark refused to give up easily and applied pressure on the United States Women’s Soccer Team while the United States appeared to enjoy the pressure and the game.

Steph is about the most composed player I've seen on the pitch. It must have been interesting.

You can see more pictures of the match at: Tom's Place

by fozziewozzie on Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:22 pm

stephanie has always struck me as being in pain the whole time she's on the pitch by the look on her face. but i agree with you geezer, she is probably the most composed player i have ever seen. i am absolutely possitive that whatever lead to the yellow was entirely unintentional. it just show steph's character that she offers her hand to the opponent after drawing the card.

by ohhh_yeah on Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:39 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuG80KaN2BY

crossbar challenge...