07-21-2023, 08:48 PM
MFI,
Yes that's a large differential, so why am I being so daring?
I think the US coach wants to accomplish some specific things in this opening game:
1) Get the win, of course; IMO that is almost assuredly gonna happen. But Vietnam has 3 talented scorers, so a shutout might be hard for the USA to pull off.
2) See how new personnel work with Alex Morgan, who is without her accustomed co-attackers this time. Rapinoe (hampered by an injury) will see limited playing time, but could still make a big impact. This year the US has a number of young, relatively inexperienced, but very skilled attackers, and I think the coach wants to give them the confidence of an easy and big win.
3) Lastly, the coach wants to confirm how strong the defense is. Not as good as their offense, but likely capable of yielding few goals. And the return of Julie Ertz, a dominating and physical midfielder, to the defense is huge.
Given these three goals, I expect the US to try for a dominating win with multiple players scoring multiple goals and the defense yielding zero goaals.
I agree that Spain looked good and that Norway pretty shaky, as did Canada. The converse of this is that Nigeria was impressive too.
And it's great to see both co-hosts win. I see both advancing out of group play; with both having a good chance to finish #1 in their respective groups.
12 minutes to game time - gotta check that the snacks are ready and the beer is cold.
Yes that's a large differential, so why am I being so daring?
I think the US coach wants to accomplish some specific things in this opening game:
1) Get the win, of course; IMO that is almost assuredly gonna happen. But Vietnam has 3 talented scorers, so a shutout might be hard for the USA to pull off.
2) See how new personnel work with Alex Morgan, who is without her accustomed co-attackers this time. Rapinoe (hampered by an injury) will see limited playing time, but could still make a big impact. This year the US has a number of young, relatively inexperienced, but very skilled attackers, and I think the coach wants to give them the confidence of an easy and big win.
3) Lastly, the coach wants to confirm how strong the defense is. Not as good as their offense, but likely capable of yielding few goals. And the return of Julie Ertz, a dominating and physical midfielder, to the defense is huge.
Given these three goals, I expect the US to try for a dominating win with multiple players scoring multiple goals and the defense yielding zero goaals.
I agree that Spain looked good and that Norway pretty shaky, as did Canada. The converse of this is that Nigeria was impressive too.
And it's great to see both co-hosts win. I see both advancing out of group play; with both having a good chance to finish #1 in their respective groups.
12 minutes to game time - gotta check that the snacks are ready and the beer is cold.
Don't blame me - I didn't vote for him!
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