As if a guy who quit on a team in the middle of a season would be allowed back. Donovan lacked professionalism. When trying to build a new culture you have to change the chemistry. Anyway, Donovan wouldnt have made a difference. Belgium is an up and coming powerhouse and a favorite to win Euro 2016.
Uh… he was allowed back in the 2013 Gold Cup after he came back. You must have missed that. And Donovan would have most definitely made a difference (at the very least he could have buried the miss that Wondo skied) as the creative AMC the team was missing - Belgium being an “up and coming powerhouse” doesn’t mean parking the bus is a valid strategy. Germany in the 2002 WC quarterfinals was a powerhouse and the US took the game to them and outplayed them for vast stretches.
Ugh, internet ate my response.
If you think it should be footie central, request a change of topic. There were a few football threads recently, including a thread solely for discussing the final match of the UEFA Champions Cup.
I just find the hijacking annoying and disrespectful, even if ig is not meant that way. “Yes, the women are plaging good soccer, but look at what the men did here!”
In a brave move the Norwegian team have come clean about how hopeless they are.
I’m going to laugh so hard if they beat England.
I’m not sure I see any side with an obvious chance to beat Die Frauenmannschaft.
No idea how Sweden is #5 ranked in the world… 3 draws in the group stages, and terrible finishing vs. Germany. That said, Germany looked pretty darn good. That 4th goal was one of the best you’ll ever see.
The match between Brazil and Australia has been wonderfully open. Formiga had a wondrous strike, just as wondrously palmed over the crossbar by Williams. This looks like it could go either way! Not seeing Brazil develop much in the way a clear advantage, yet.
And as the tension ratchets up, Australia break through. 1-0. Best match of the group of 16 so far!
Anyone besides me watching today? France are rolling over Korea.
I must say I haven’t been able to watch too much of the tournament so far. As in, the level of play is so bad I cringe until I can’t stand it anymore and switch channels. Those two goals by France however! Like watching Barcelona!
At the half, Korea managed to settle things down, but France always looked the more dangerous side. They’ve been superior everywhere.
I don’t know why so many people feel it is so very important to note that the women’s game is not the quality of the men’s. It’s a regrettable kind of snobbery, in my opinion.
Brazil vs. Australia was a great game… the rain made everything a bit loose and sloppy, but there was just tons of aggression both ways. Well-deserved victory for the Matildas.
The other round-of-16 matches have been a bit of a letdown so far… the favorites have all won fair comfortably, save China beating Cameroon only 1-0.
I am curious about cards. I remember hearing someone say years ago that once in elimination, two yellows get you a red even if it is not the same game. But the team would only have to play short-footed for the rest of one game, right?
It’s not a red. Two yellows in different games mean an automatic suspension for the next game, but the team plays with a full 11.
Also, yellows from the round-robin get wiped out at some stage of the knockout.
After the quarterfinals.
In other news, Canada just took a 1-0 lead over the Swiss.
And Canada are through, great job!
Norway v England about to start. The Guardian have a live blog herefor those of us who can’t watch.
Norway looking the more dangerous in the early going… English keeper had to come up huge at least once.
It’s been a fairly even first half, I thought, with Noway so far unable to capitalize on some occasional shaky play from England, mainly due to a solid performance for England’s keeper, Bardsley. We’ll see if some adjustments make the difference in the second half. I could see this one going to penalties, but so far a narrow win for either is hardly out of the question.
Hell of a strike from Lucy Bronze to put England up 2-1. This is becoming a very exciting match!