AlanDouglas Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Thanks Vic. Unfortunately, this is the line that jumped out at me: quote: Italia showed tremendously agile and inventive dribbling techniques in tight spaces, with toe pullbacks, back-foot dragbacks, spin-and-drags, outside-foot flicks, and other moves I don't have names for -- all done instinctively, at full speed, in very tight spaces, to win and keep possession. Generally speaking our players can't do this. On the one hand they don't really have to because playing the game at the highest level isn't about tricks and flicks, it's about doing the fundamentals reliably, consistantly, quickly, precisely, and under pressure. But this does illustrate a degree of skill and ease on the ball that we lack. The problem is, you don't get that level of skill from having a better national team coach or playing a different style. You don't get it from having better funding, or a better U-17 program. You don't even get it from better youth coaching. It's cultural. It's the consequence of growing up in a soccer culture where people eat, breath, and sleep soccer. It's the consequence of a young child who sees their soccer hero do something magical with a ball, and immediately starts practising that move on their own, hour after hour, day after day, for weeks and months, until they can do it in their sleep. And we don't have that. Not enough. And we probably never will. Our woman's program has benefited from our relatively progressive attitudes towards gender equity in sport, our high standard of living, good facilities, great natural athletes, and tough competitive attitude. But we don't have the soccer culture. And that is why Brazil has overtaken us. It is why Mexico will overtake us, and Italy, and Holland, and Argentina, and many many others. Our advantages are gradually becoming less of an advantage, and our weaknesses are becoming more of a problem. There is a reason our men's team is ranked around 60th in the world on a good day, and it isn't because of a bad coach. It's cultural. And unfortunately that makes it a problem that we can do our best to mitigate, but perhaps never solve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachRich Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Thank you Alan :-) For those that are interested, I've created a thread "Across the Pond the threat come'th?" where there are some links to what The FA is doing for Women's Soccer. It's quite easy to see that the cultural Alan talks about will translate into $ & attention to build Women's Pro Leagues. The question is whether NA players start moving over the Pond like our men. http://www.canadian-soccer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Very well and concisely put Alan. The nub of the problem in 303 words! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny63 Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Canada leading 2-0 against New Zealand after 75 mins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachRich Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Canada wins 2-0 Sinclair in the 3' Lang in 51' (penalty) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny63 Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Canada win group A and will probably meet USA in the final. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachRich Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Rhian posted a vid of the game conditions of the NZ game. Wow was it ever raining!!!! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9JAG0hV3P5s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachRich Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Matilda's win 1-0 over CBF w/ goal coming 90'+ Quality game by both sides w/ the Matilda's having more of the game & better finishing. Difference was the Matilda's were hungrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terpfan68 Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Who is CBF? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpg75 Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 quote:Originally posted by terpfan68 Who is CBF? Brasil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachRich Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 USA win 2-0 over Italy Final Canada & USA 1400 June 21. Thats about 2200 Friday nite / June 20 PDT I been watching at http://www.pandora.tv/my.dreamofwar/live Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted June 20, 2008 Author Share Posted June 20, 2008 Predictions? Sinclair's obviously completely on top of her game for the first time in years. Hat trick? The USA just had three tough matches, and will be a lot more physically and more important mentally weathered than us. I believe we also have an extra 24 hours rest. This tournament just keeps getting better. Seriously, when was the last time we got a tough draw in anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 Pundits all pretty quiet. "ONCE AGAIN, IT’S USA-CANADA: The USA and Canada met in the championship game of the 2006 Peace Queen Cup, a hard-fought and relatively even match that was decided by a Kristine Lilly goal in the 68th minute. The USA out-shot Canada by just a 10-8 margin. The two teams are virtually the same that met two years ago. Eleven of the 16 U.S. players who played that day are on the 2008. Missing from the U.S. side that won the 2006 tournament is Lilly, who is pregnant and due to give birth in about a month. Canada has 11 of the 14 players that played that day on its 2008 PQC roster. In 2006, both the USA and Canada were preparing for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In 2008, both countries are deep into preparations for the Olympics." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 USA starting Wagner & Buehler. Wagner's having a bit of a rennaissance. Should be interesting to see how they make out. Wonder if we're starting anyone unexpected. It can be a cruel game of fate, and the score too often doesn't reflect the game that happened. More than the score, I'm interested in the overall performance, balance of play, shots, corners, etc. Losing but holding our own in those would be a great sign and give the ladies confidence going into Beijing. Being lopsided in those figures would not be the end of the world, but it would be disappointing for them. Also curious to see who comes to play and who brings their A game. Hidden in all the Sinclair talk is Tancredi, who's quietly had a wonderful year and scored the timely goals that saved our bacon. She seems to rise to the occasion. You gotta love players like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 Field is an amazing 120x72. Buehler is starting to rest Markgraf (can't get used to not calling her Sobrero) who's played all 270 minutes. Allen and Zurrer starting. And away we go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 USA 4-4-2 Canada 4-3-3 8 minutes in, Canada outshooting USA 3-1, outcornering 1-0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 30 minutes. US now marginally ahead in stats. Timko for Allen. "USA is giving away far too many balls inside it's own half, but give credit to Canada for some pressing defense." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachRich Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 What's w/ Sincy & the bandaged head??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachRich Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Got the news she collided w/ Wambach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 First half to a close. Stats close to even. We survive two good US chances in the last minute to escape 0-0 in another pouring rain battle of wills. Hope they can keep it up for another 45. Final whistle for me. Gotta be up early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny63 Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 0-0 played 86 mins http://futbol24.com/f24_livenow/LiveNow.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny63 Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 USA score in injury time ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 Too good to sleep. Wasn't meant to be. Most important thing is stats even. Surprised only 1 sub. Playing in the rain is pretty grueling. Our style suits the mud. Pray for weeks of rain in Beijing. Pia should be very worried. They were very uncomposed and amateur on the attack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachRich Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Tough loss for BR!!! Lots of positive for the Oly's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachRich Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Watch all the videos that were done of the Canada WNT, more than any other team. We should be really proud of our players for being great ambassadors of Canada! Note content of videos and songs may be of adult nature... FINAL GAME http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32112394 CAN & US after medals dancing http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32111216 GAME VIDS US http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32112333 http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32111109 Korea http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32078817 http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32078803 BEHIND SCENES On the Bus http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32100469 So you want to play w/ the Big Red http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32100430 D in Blanket Toss http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32100361 Team dinner http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32089390 Players training & team officials http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32100349 http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32100095 http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32100095 Interviews (let me know I got the right names) Tank & Amy - You guys married (part 1) http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32090149 In the gym w/ Avril's GF & part 2 of Tank & Amy dancing up a storm!!! http://www.pandora.tv/my.peacecup/32087634 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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