Womens World Cup

Jensers - no harm, no foul; I was just admitting MY mistake

 

I know I probably talk about Steve Goff at the Washington Post too much, but he is at the tournament, and here's his take on the keepr change from his Post blog:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerin ... akeup.html

--------------------------

USA Shakeup!

In a stunning move on the eve of his team's Women's World Cup semifinal against Brazil, U.S. Coach Greg Ryan has dropped starting goalkeeper Hope Solo and inserted veteran Briana Scurry.

Solo has been the team's No. 1 keeper for two years and started the first four matches of this tournament, allowing two goals in the opener against North Korea but registering three shutouts since. However, Ryan said he made the change for tactical reasons.

"The way the Brazilians play, in terms of creating off the dribble in the penalty box and making a goalkeeper make reaction-type saves, I think Bri is the best goalkeeper in the world in those situations," Ryan explained.

He said he has not made a decision about who would start in Sunday's final, should the Americans advance.

Asked if he thought the decision would affect Solo's confidence, Ryan said: "That's not our concern. We came here to try to win a world championship. ... We're not looking at long term; long term Hope is going to be fantastic, she's had a great tournament, she might be back in, who knows?"

Scurry -- who started in the 1996 and 2004 Olympics, as well as the 1995, 1999 and 2003 World Cups -- has not played a full 90 minutes since facing Brazil in a friendly in June. She has had some of the best performances of her career against Brazil, including the 1999 World Cup semifinals and 2004 Olympic gold medal game. Solo has never faced Brazil.

"Bri is a great goalkeeper and a great matchup because of her quickness and agility, and against a team that creates chances in the box off the dribble, off quick combinations and Bri's reaction time has been fantastic recently [in training] -- by far the fastest I've ever heard of," Ryan said.

Said Solo: "Of course, I want to play but it's coach's decision. ... I was very taken back, but that's the nature of sports. ... As much as I was stunned, I guess it's the thing that happens."

"It is a tactical decision on his part. ... I didn't see it coming when he sat me down last night. [But] the moment I got tapped on the shoulder saying we need to meet with you I had a pit in my stomach and I knew what the deal was."

Said Scurry: "A few months ago Greg and I discussed it and if we run into Brazil I might be playing, so last night I found that was in fact the case. ... I am a great shot stopper and I can read the ball really well, and Brazil is a team that is going to get their chances no matter what you do. They are very tricky on the ball and I have pretty good reflexes so I guess Greg felt that that was the matchup he wanted."

I will have much more on this issue in Thursday's print edition and on washingtonpost.com

 

I was really shocked when I heard about the change this morning. I hope Briana has an outstanding game but if this blows up in Ryan's face he will really look the fool.

 

Right - this may seem quite contentious, but for a country of 300 million people you really need to find a better sporting chant or anthem than USA USA USA.

It's dull, predictible and unsubstainable. After a few rounds even the most avid USA supporter has tierd of it. Come on, get yourself a decent national chant - or have different ones for differerent sports!

 

Well, 50% of them know it and it's easy to remember

 

Ofter 30 minutes, we have two players with Yellow cards and are down 2-0, with one being an own-goal.

 

I cant see them coming back.
US isnt used to climbing back in.

 

well, THAT seals it!
Boxx sent out on second yellow for falling down when pushed from behind.

That ref {or lino} is in deep doo-doo later

 

It's like watching a train wreck... a very bad one!

 

To be honest Brazil was the better team even bofore Boxx's exit. I hope they win it all.

 

What an embarassment.

 

Gotta admit, Greg Ryan has elevated the profile of the Women's game in TV Sports talking head forums.
Hell, I wouldnt be surprised if Jim Rome devotes his whole show to it.

I only hope someone follows up on what happens to that near-side lino. She should be relegated to youth coverage.

 

They've really looked poor the whole tourament but I'didn't think they'd lose 4-0!

Interesting to see if the fed takes any action here.

 

I can't see Ryan keeping his job after this. I thought the US looked the weakest side they've fielded in a World Cup. They were just very tactically immature with no control of the midfield and an offense that depended too much upon the height and strength of Wambach. They won as many games as they did because of their individual athleticism and talent, but tactically, as a team, I have seen better collegiate teams. Ryan needs to be replaced with someone with a better understanding of the game; someone who understands tactics, formations, how to build up attacks, and how to defend as a unit. Team USA has the talent, they just need someone qualified to organize it.

 

Good call Fog on the inadvertant pub the team is getting due to the bonehead coaching decision. Scurry has had a great career, but the coach took the focus off Brazil and onto the gk position. That said Andy hit the nail on the head about how this team played (the 2 best teams are playing in the final). Coach Ryan, we never even knew ya.

 

Oh, Solo is livid and either she is off the US team or the Coach is.

My bet is that Ryan is thinking about how he's going to handle this on his resume.
I doubt Solo is on the field in the consolation game... and I doubt US wins it, either. If I were Ryan I wouldnt select her but if he does, if I were Solo, I wouldnt accept. But now Solo has to write a paper on why it was a bonehead move.. her statements will not endear her to her future pro coach.

 

Wow I just saw Solo's outburst to the press. She goes after Ryan; she goes after Scurry. Crazy stuff.

I can see why she is very very mad, but to go after Scurry was unprofessional. I mean what was Scurry supposed to do, turn down the start?

Btw are US teams having splintering problems when thing don't go right at the big events? We had WC mess after the Ghana game in the press and now this.

 

I dont agree she actually went after Scurry... she just pointed out that judging Scurry's fit to the team based on previous results was a bad coaching decision.

I'm sure Brianna took it personally but that's not the point.