Thoughts on Canada vs U.S. Jan. 31st 2014 game

[sincforpm]

I thought Buchanan, Wikinson and Josee(especially in the 1st half) had a good game. McLeod, Leon did not do particularly well. Had a feeling that the U.S. would score if Yekka came in the second half. We really missed Tanc's chemistry with Sinclair.

Just a thought, maybe Herdman can convert Yekka into a forward as she has the pace and likes to go on the attack. All in all we did well defensively but still lack the lethal finish. For a player who hasn't played since 2010, Josee really impressed me.

[The Ref]

Someone ought to give Wambach a whistle as she is telling the referee what to call with total impunity and the referee without much personality and authority let herself be influenced by this woman antics. Insofar as Canada play, I thought for a moment we were back to the old days of kick and run. Our ball control is brutal, our vision is color blind and our passes are still off the ground and blind as well. I like Sesselmann and Buchanan on the back. Why is Herdmann still believing that Baxter is our salvation is beyond my wildest imagination. Tancredi is 20 times better than Belanger. Schmidt earned her pay today.

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

My thoughts:

Sinclair had a poor game. Especially the first half. She lost the ball in midfield too many times. Almost seemed lazy.

Yekka's poor positioning led to Leroux's goal. I think honestly Yekka looked one step behind for much of the game. She didn't make that critical run on the right hand side late in the game and had a few instances of a dangerously poor first touch.

Schmidt's tried a few long ball shots when she should clearly have passed to another open player instead.

I forget who the two players were, but the team needs to feel more confident about their abilities and not knock out the ball for a corner kick when there is no pressure on them.

Buchanan looked solid except for that reckless tackle in the first half.

McLeod, Leon did not do particularly well.

I had the opposite impression: I felt that Leon did quite well but was not really supported that well by her teamates. I did not see any great fault with McLeod except that early "save" (Did she carry the ball into the goal?)

Matheson was really great; her instinct was sharp. Maybe our best player on the pitch tonight.

[sincforpm]

My thoughts:

Sinclair had a poor game. Especially the first half. She lost the ball in midfield too many times. Almost seemed lazy.

I had the opposite impression: I felt that Leon did quite well but was not really supported that well by her teamates. I did not see any great fault with McLeod except that early "save" (Did she carry the ball into the goal?)

McLeod looked shaky on a few of the Rapinoe crosses, other than that, she was okay.

It pains me to say this but I do acknowledge Sinc has been less than stellar for the past few games. Maybe she was burned out by playing so many games last year(and going to all these award ceremonies!). This is a disturbing trend and hopefully she will get out of this rut soon.

[Trillium]

Glad the penny is dropping .... she loses too many balls ... is slow when she does try to move defensively ... and often just is out of it. We need better up front, she may be a great dead ball shooter but in the run of play she is hurting us as the go to striker. Time Herdman began retooling for 2015 or we are year older and year slower.

[thescottc]

Someone ought to give Wambach a whistle as she is telling the referee what to call with total impunity and the referee without much personality and authority let herself be influenced by this woman antics.

Exactly. She was obviously intimidating the referee. I think FIFA needs to put a stop to this, as it's really making a mockery of the women's game.

[sincforpm]

"Originally Posted by The Ref" Someone ought to give Wambach a whistle as she is telling the referee what to call with total impunity and the referee without much personality and authority let herself be influenced by this woman antics. Insofar as Canada play, I thought for a moment we were back to the old days of kick and run. Our ball control is brutal, our vision is color blind and our passes are still off the ground and blind as well. I like Sesselmann and Buchanan on the back. Why is Herdmann still believing that Baxter is our salvation is beyond my wildest imagination.

Wambach had fast becoming the flopping dolphin on the U.S. team. Her constant yapping and flopping even bothered some of the Americans. There was one hilarious moment that she refused to come out when Sermanni was subbing her out with Press. This can play into the opposing team's advantage as her ego and tactics will be the achilles heels for the U.S.

Herman's tactic of defend, defend and defend was not only boring to watch but had also worn out the veteran players by the 67th minute or so. Not sure if this strategy will win us any soccer games if we do not have a potent attack. We were pretty pathetic in our attacking half. We were constantly giving balls away and our movements were so predictable that they were easy to defend. In Herman's post game interview, He seemed to be set on the roster of Kara Lang, Baxter, Jonelle, Josee and eventually Tancredi with Sinclair in the attack.

On one hand Herdman was advocating getting young talents on the team, yet he constantly calls up players like Baxter. He would not give Nkem a chance on the pitch. If he was willing to give a player like Selenia a chance, why wouldn't he give it to Nkem now? We desperately need fresh young talents in the attacking third now, not another 12 months when it is way too late! Herman's constant obesession with players like Zurrer and Baxter irritates me to no end.

(My apologies to The Ref as I was having some issues with the quote, it just did not turn out right!).

[red card]

McLeod's decision making was shaky which worries me the most in goalkeepers; buchanan's play makes me nervous but given her age and her recovery skills, she is solid for the future; overall defense was fine other than for the miskicks when the goal was scored; yekka brings offensive flair that no one else brings

as usual midfield was weak; Schmidt has led feet at least playing for national tam; Matheson gets in good positions but regularly blows chances; belanger showing flashes of her old self was a saving grace; scott did her job and started the Matheson opportunity; overall passing is weak; first touches were weak;

Sinclair didn't play up to her standards; leon was in wrong position to take juicy passes a couple of times and work rate seemed to fall off after a good start

so troubling signs are the non-existent offense in the past few matches and the search for a mid field general continues while defense is solid; inability to beat good teams continues

[canadianfoot]

We can say what we want about Herdman or the Players but the truth is as we know right in front of us all. The LACK of A LEAGUE for both Men/Women in this country. The small amount that get to play in the NSWL or the W-League pales in comparison to our needs. And in one interview Herdman said when asked about 1thing he would like to have, his answer was:

a NWSL Team on Canadian Soil no Strings Attached(Full roster of Canadians)

Until then our core players will keep getting slower and older while only a few young ones will shine. The sad truth unfortunately.

[ThruBall]

McLeod's decision making was shaky which worries me the most in goalkeepers; buchanan's play makes me nervous but given her age and her recovery skills, she is solid for the future; overall defense was fine other than for the miskicks when the goal was scored; yekka brings offensive flair that no one else brings

as usual midfield was weak; Schmidt has led feet at least playing for national tam; Matheson gets in good positions but regularly blows chances; belanger showing flashes of her old self was a saving grace; scott did her job and started the Matheson opportunity; overall passing is weak; first touches were weak;

Sinclair didn't play up to her standards; leon was in wrong position to take juicy passes a couple of times and work rate seemed to fall off after a good start

so troubling signs are the non-existent offense in the past few matches and the search for a mid field general continues while defense is solid; inability to beat good teams continues

The difference between winning and loosing can come down to 5 seconds. Cdn is getting much better in team defence. Sesselman performed very well in CB, held Wamback to nothing on net. KB is still showing her youth but is very athletic and competitive. KB needs all the games she can get in before the WC in order to build her game experience and reduce her penalty risk factor. Left and Right backs need more technical skills. Athleticism and speed won't be enough. Cdn attacking game is constantly given away from these two positions.

Linkage between our D and the Middle hasn't progressed. The US is very strong in this part of the game. Morgan Brian movement, 1st touch, speed of play, overall technical capabilities killed most of CDN offensive efforts and started a lot of the US counters. Until Herdman finds a solution for CDN, the long ball will persist and our mid field play will appear missing.

It wasn't to long ago US woman's soccer was forecasting a shortage in midfield players at the national level. Finding great ones is difficult. They make everyone around them look like super stars.

Canada has lots of options up front. Great to see Belanger, Leon and Folingo in the game.

Out of 2 chances, if only 1 hit the back of the net this game would have been brilliant.

Team defence is much improved.

[Guest Ed]

Nothing like fair and balanced coverage. Thanks for the Fox Soccer feed.

[sincforpm]

McLeod's decision making was shaky which worries me the most in goalkeepers; buchanan's play makes me nervous but given her age and her recovery skills, she is solid for the future; overall defense was fine other than for the miskicks when the goal was scored; yekka brings offensive flair that no one else brings

as usual midfield was weak; Schmidt has led feet at least playing for national tam; Matheson gets in good positions but regularly blows chances; belanger showing flashes of her old self was a saving grace; scott did her job and started the Matheson opportunity; overall passing is weak; first touches were weak;

Sinclair didn't play up to her standards; leon was in wrong position to take juicy passes a couple of times and work rate seemed to fall off after a good start

so troubling signs are the non-existent offense in the past few matches and the search for a mid field general continues while defense is solid; inability to beat good teams continues

Couldn't have said it better myself. With this being said, our defense did perform well and had been steadily progressing every game. Josee's performance was encouraging and hopefully it will bring some positive vibe to the team's attack.