1st Brazil
Overview:
Well, for starters it’s Brazil. And, it’s closer to the Brazil of your imagination than the Brazil that lost 7-1 last summer.
The women’s team plays with flare and technical skill. They are fun to watch.
They also don’t win outside of South America very often – not against the bigger teams, anyway. The women’s game in South America struggles to get support and it’s a testament to Brazil’s natural skill that they are as successful as they are.
Player to watch:
(Beyond the one you’ll be told to watch)
Andressa Alves
A newer member, she’ll draw defenders away from that other player to create space and opportunity with her technical magic.
Possible Achilles heel:
Like their men’s teams, Brazilian women like to attack and create. Defending and grinding – very much needed in the women’s game – is left to the less talented grunts. If Brazil is to break through they’ll need to find some balance.
Schedule:
June 9 v Korea (7pm ET – Montreal), June 13 v Spain (4pm ET – Montreal), June 17 v Costa Rica (7pm ET – Moncton)
How it will end:
After a fun three games in the group – and becoming the darlings of the tournament – it will abruptly end in the Round of 16 against (likely) either the USA or Sweden.
2nd Spain
Overview:
It’s interesting that arguably the two traditional male powers that have least supported the female game are drawn into the same group. And, in both cases raw talent and instinct has allowed them to get to a high level.
The difference is that Brazil is year’s ahead. Spain has only recently taken even a little bit to the women’s side of the game. The results were quick. Only a few years after starting to try they are turning heads and at a World Cup.
Watch out for this team in 2019. In 2015…might be a bit of a learning curve.
Player to watch:
Vero Boquete
She might be the best player in the world right now—When the player of the year votes were released she had the majority of votes among the captains of the top 10 women’s teams in the world. CSN will take their opinion over the votes of hundreds of federations that have yet to fund their women’s program in any significant way.
Possible Achilles heel:
They’re really green. Next to no significant international tournament experience for most. It might be a bit much to expect Spain to become a true contender this summer.
Schedule:
June 9 v Costa Rica (4pm ET – Montreal), June 13 v Brazil (4pm ET – Montreal), June 17 v Korea (7pm ET – Ottawa)
How it will end:
They should have enough to advance from the group as second best. It’s a tough slug from there with France the likely Round of 16 opponent.
3rd Korea Republic
Overview:
They play an organized, physical style that keeps them in games – even against best teams – but doesn’t inspire you to believe they can step up.
Player to watch:
Park Eun Sun
She was their top scorer in qualifying.
Possible Achilles heel:
Is a player like Park Eun Sun at a level to challenge best in world? If not, how will they score?
Schedule:
June 9 v Brazil (7pm ET – Montreal), June 13 v Costa Rica (7pm ET – Montreal), June 17 v Spain (7pm ET – Ottawa)
How it will end:
They should keep games close enough to nab a best third place spot in Ro16, but any further is a major upset.
4th Costa Rica
Overview:
An improving side that greatly benefited from an expanded field for Canada 2015. Still a ways back though.
Player to watch:
Shirley Cruz
Playing for PSG, she has been tested. If goals are to come it’s through Cruz.
Possible Achilles heel:
Depth.
Costa Rica has a few top players like Cruz, but by and large this is a inexperienced team happy to be here making up the numbers.
Schedule:
June 9 v Spain (4pm ET – Montreal), June 13 v Korea (7pm ET – Montreal), June 17 v Brazil (7pm ET – Moncton)
How does it end:
Likely three and out. Most likely team in tournament not to score (which is different from being the worst team in the tournament).