Final Rankings

FIFA has finally published their quarterly rankings (7/12) for the women (the men's are done bi-monthly) and no surprise, the USA built on their lead to the largest margin between 1st and 2nd.  The Netherlands, which had not even qualified for a WWC before 2015, are now #3, moving up 5 spots while Germany held to #2 (fellow WWC participant Cameroon also jumped 5 spots (to #41)).  The best team to not make the WWC, North Korea (Korea DPR) actually moved up two spots to #9.  Their southern neighbor South Korea (Korea Rep) had the biggest fall of the WWC teams, dropping 6 spots to #20. 

The USA team was honored in the first NYC ticker-tape parade since... they last were honored for winning the 2015 WWC.  I guess NY sports teams have been that bad.  It'll be interesting how to keep this momentum, especially heading towards the 2022 Olympics which will see a lot of these same players (no restriction on U-23 players like the men's).  There is the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in which ESPN's first match was a 4-3 thriller in front of 18,809 fans in Portland which featured goals by superstars Marta (BRA) and Christine Sinclair (CAN) and the Victory Tour where the first stop will be where most fell in love with the team in '99, the Rose Bowl August 3rd vs the Republic of Ireland.  There will four additional matches in this Victory Tour.  Of course, playing in the Victory Tour means most of the NWSL teams will be without their USWNT players.  Sigh.  And there is no NWSL team within 650 miles of Los Angeles, though co-owner Mia Hamm wants one sponsored by LAFC.  We'll see.  I did stats for the LA Sol in 2009 and that was fun with Marta and Shannon Boxx, but it still irks me that the Women's Profession Soccer (WPS) was still a second-class citizen as French star Camille Abily, one of my favs, decided to play in the UEFA Women's EURO instead of the WPS Championship, which LA lost 1-0 to Sky FC.  Ugh.

VAR Revisited

I have to hand it to FIFA, they have been very forthcoming on the VAR details throughout the tournament (well, after the Round of 16 at least).  Their final refereeing report notes there were 33 official VAR reviews, of which 29 overturned a decision on the field (in fairness, the refs are calling the game conservatively and allowing VAR to intervene if necessary).  The average VAR review was 1:33 but most felt longer, and with three doubles (PK review and then GK off line review) which lasted more than 5 minutes in duration (possible foul to goal).  They do note there were 53 "serious checks" which aren't VAR reviews and thus adds to the confusion, especially since the average delay was a long 37 seconds.  I've captured 11 of these "serious checks" which everyone thought was a VAR review since it took so long and with the ref in the infamous pose of the two fingers to the earpiece.  The only one I missed was the 9' Italy PK against Jamaica.

One detail they didn't elaborate on was the technical team reviewed 535 incidents and determined 8 were wrong even with VAR (98.50%).  But they don't list the 8 "wrong" decisions (29 of 37 "wrong" decisions were overturned using VAR so none of the VAR reviews were "incorrect").  I wonder if the no-call handball on USA was one of those and penalized France for it in the Round of 16.

Other interesting tidbits were half the 26 PKs awarded were due to VAR and they split up the VAR reviews into "on field" and "VAR only" categories.  Also, there were only four seminars on VAR training and reinforces that the refs were not fully prepared on how to handle matches with VAR at their disposal.  All in all, VAR is a positive but more communication with the audience is needed so that people aren't frustrated why there is a delay in action.  Except for that USA-France match (which also featured a USA goal that seemed like the offsides call was wrong), the vast majority of the VAR calls were consistent, even if we disagree with using the letter of the law to ruin the spirit of the law.

VAR (-Reversal(Taken Away), +Reversal(Added), =Confirmed, xNo Call): 44 (Official: 33) [1-FRA xOff+{g-} 27', 4-ESP xPK= 66', 4-ESP xPK+ 79', 5-ITA Off={xg} 9', 5-ITA xPK= 67', 5-ITA Off={xg} 81', 6-BRA PK= 37', 7-ENG xPK+ 12', 13-FRA xPK+ 68', 14-NGA xHB={g} 29', 17-AUS xPK={F+} 20', 17-AUS Off-{g+} 66', 1-ITA xPK+ 9', 18-JAM xGK+{retake PK} 11', 19-ENG xPK+ 27', 23-USA xPK+ 78', 24-SWE xPK+ 90'+3, 25-FRA xPK+ 73', 25-NGA xGK+{retake PK} 76', 32-ARG xPK+ 86', 32-SCO xGK+{retake PK} 90'+2, 33-CAN PK- 1', 35-USA xOff={g} 50', 36-CHI xPK+ 83' | 37-AUS PK- 42', 37-AUS xPK= 88', 37-AUS RC= 104', 38-GER xOff={g} 20', 38-GER xPK+ 24', 39-ENG Off-{g+} 45'+4, 39-CMR xOff+{g-} 49', 39-ENG xPK= 76', 39-CMR RC-{Y} 90'+8, 40-FRA xF+{g-} 23', 40-BRA Off-{g+} 63', 40-BRA Off={xg} 87', 41-USA PK= 71', 42-CAN xPK+ 66', 42-SWE xOff+{PK-} 81', 48-GER Off={xPK=} 82', 49-ENG xOff-{g-} 67', 49-ENG xPK+ 79', 51-ENG xHB+{g-} 33', 52-USA xPK+ 58']

New Concacaf 2022 Qualifying

Interesting.  Concacaf announced the new 2022 World Cup qualifying format.  So instead of qualifying to be in the Hex (top 6 teams), the top 6 teams will automatically be selected based on the FIFA ranking in June 2020.  So there's less stress there for USA and Mexico.  Also, there will be two groups qualifying simultaneously, with the Hex in one and the other 29 (divided into 8 subgroups) in another.  The first group (Hex) will see the top 3 teams qualify for the World Cup.  In the other group, each of the 8 subgroup winners will play in a knockout stage with the winner playing the 4th place team in the Hex.  Then the winner of this will play in the Inter-Confederation playoff, which would either be the 5th place AFC, the 5th place CONMEBOL, or the 1st place OFC team.

So if you are the 7th ranked Concacaf team, you have to win your subgroup (4-6 matches), then win three knockout matches, then win a two-leg playoff against the 4th place Concacaf team, and then win a two-leg playoff against another confederation.  Whew.  So who's currently #7 (June 14 - before Gold Cup so Curacao (#9) and Haiti (#11) could move up)?  Panama, who actually qualified for the 2018 World Cup (while the USA didn't).  Canada is #8.  Both would need to somehow leapfrog Honduras or El Salvador, who are #5 and #6.  So in 11 months, we'll see if these four teams mix up.

Issue 12.2.7 "4-Time Champions!" (After Final)

Archive

Sunday, July 7, 2019

2019 Women's World Cup Champion

USA - United States | (The Stars & Stripes) U.S. Soccer Federation | (USSF) | [Concacaf]

#1 | F1 | F Winner | 7-0-0 4th Championship ('91, '99, '15) F1: Beat Thailand 13-0, F3: Beat Chile 3-0, F5: Beat Sweden 2-0, R16: Beat Spain 2-1, QF: Beat France 2-1, SF: Beat England 2-1, F: Beat Netherlands 2-0

USA WINS 4TH TITLE SHUTTING OUT NEWBIE NETHERLANDS
From the Pubs! wins the pool as Futbol Fabone Dix takes 3rd for second time

SANTA CLARA, CA (smt) [MATCHDAY 25] -- 1E-Netherlands had a successful first half, not allowing 1F-USA to score (much less in the first 12 minutes as in their previous six matches) and had a couple of promising counters.  But the USA came out roaring in the second half but couldn't capitalize (thanks to NED GK Sari van Veenendaal who had 8 saves) until a reckless high kick to Alex Morgan was reviewed by VAR and a PK was awarded.  Megan Rapinoe put away the PK for her 6th goal and then 8 minutes later Rose Lavelle scored her 3rd goal of the tourney as USA cruised to a 2-0 win in front of a sellout crowd of 57,900 in Lyon.  Rapinoe's goal actually gave her the Golden Boot as she played less minutes than Morgan (6 goals and 3 assists each).  USA wins back-to-back titles (matching GER's '03/'07) and their 4th title (two more than GER) as well as their 4th straight major tournament win ('14 Concacaf Women's Championship/'15 WWC/'18 CWC). 

Coach Jill Ellis is the first to win two WWC titles and she actually did a good job, making adjustments when necessary and managing a star-studded roster.  Her defensive play after scoring against FRA was a good move IMHO, dealing with the heat and humidity and pro-FRA crowd, not a cowardly one.  In every match, the USA was the strongest and fittest in that last 5-10 minutes of a match sealing three one-goal wins.  I still don't think we know how good GK Alyssa Naeher is yet but that's for another day.  USA relied on the vets so much that before Lavelle's goal, the previous 7 were by "old-timers" Rapinoe (5), Morgan, and Press.  Ignoring the 13-0 opening win, 10 of the last 12 were by veterans (Lavelle and Lindsey Horan the lone exceptions) plus one own goal that was created by another 3-time vet, Tobin Heath.  As the mantle is handed down to the new class who will have more pressure on getting the three-peat, I will savor the dominance the USA women had in this tournament.

Live! USA vs NED (7/7)

1F-United States (6-0-0) "The Stars and Stripes" vs
1E-Netherlands (6-0-0) "Orajeleeuwinnen"

Start: USA is going for their 4th WWC title and are heavy favorites (as high as 5 to 1) and hold the CONCACAF Women's Championship '18 as well.  NED is in the Final in just their 2nd year in the WWC and hold the UEFA EURO Women's Championship '17.  Both go for the Double.  USA has scored in the first 12 minutes in all 6 matches while NED has scored 6 goals (including 4 game-winners) in the 75' or later.  Alex Morgan leads the Golden Boot with 6 goals (3 assists) with Megan Rapinoe behind at 5 goals (3 assists).  USA has 24 goals (record is 25 by '91 USA and '03 GER).  USA has won a record 11 straight WWC matches while NED has won 9 straight overall (6 this WWC) and 12 straight tourney matches ('17 EURO, '19 WWC).  While UEFA dominance and getting 7 of 8 QF teams in, NED is the first UEFA team in the final since '07 (GER).  USA 6-1-0 vs NED ('91).

Current total goals tiebreaker is 3 (SWE 2, ENG 1).  If NED pulls off the biggest upset in WWC history, then UncleChimps needs the total goals in this match to be 3 goals or less while Tom J wants 4 or more (for battle for 3rd/4th).  The goals count only in regulation or Extra Time, not the Penalty Shootout.  From the Pubs! wins the pool if USA wins and THE GAMBLER 1 wins the pool if NED wins.  UncleChimps, Futbol Fabone Dix and Pazzo Americano win 2nd/3rd/4th if USA wins and From the Pubs! gets 2nd if NED wins.

1':  Funny that the start the match with PA doing a countdown for the fans.  USA Rapinoe starts so it's the deadly combo of Heath-Morgan-Rapinoe.

10':  Early yellow for NED who's been a little sloppy.

13': NED survives the first 13 minutes, first time USA has not scored this early.  NED also playing with one less day's rest and played 30 extra minutes in the SF.  No shots for either side yet.

17':  Neat CK play by USA but results in no shot.  Temps in the high 80s.  USA has had several drives into the box but the crosses haven't connected.  The NED forward line has not had the explosive spark expected though they have scored six goals.  NED has just scored twice in the first half.

Issue 11.2.6 "The Double" (Final Preview)

Archive

Saturday, July 6, 2019

2019 Women's World Cup Final - Stade de Lyon - Lyon
	vs
USA - United States (The Stars & Stripes)U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) [Concacaf]		NED - Netherlands (Orajeleeuwinnen) Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond (KVNB) [UEFA]
#1 | F1 | F Winner | 6-0-0 5th Final ('91, '99, '11, '15) F1: Beat Thailand 13-0 F3: Beat Chile 3-0 F5: Beat Sweden 2-0 R16: Beat Spain 2-1 QF: Beat France 2-1 SF: Beat England 2-1		#8 | E4 | E Winner | 6-0-0 1st Final E2: Beat New Zealand 1-0 E4: Beat Cameroon 3-1 E6: Beat Canada 2-1 R16: Beat Japan 2-1 QF: Beat Italy 2-0 SF: Beat Sweden 1-0 (aet)

THE USA VYING FOR FOURTH TITLE, NEWBIE ORANGE LIONESSES IN THE WAY
Final is 8 am Sunday PDT; Sweden takes 3rd Place

PALO ALTO, CA (smt) -- Both finalists are a perfect 6-0-0 but there is one clear favorite, and that is the 1F-United States.  On paper, both teams have won their groups, both have only allowed 3 goals, and both have at least 8 different scorers (USA with 9).  But the USA is anywhere from a 2:1 to 5:1 favorite in the final led by a pair of 5+ goal scorers, Alex Morgan (6) and Megan Rapinoe (both have even missed a match) and on a roll where they have just lost once in their past 44 matches.  NED are the defending EURO champions and have won 12 straight major tourney matches but were outplayed by JPN in the R16 and disappeared in big patches vSWE in the SF and are only making their first Final in just their second try.

Live! ENG vs SWE (7/6)

1D-ENGLAND "The Lionesses" 5-1-0 vs
2F-SWEDEN "Blågult" 4-2-0 

Start: ENG has scored in the first 20 minutes 5 of 6 matches. ENG is going for 2nd Third Place finish ('15) and SWE is going for their 3rd ('91, '11).  SWE is 14-3-8 vs ENG (1st matchup in WWC).  For the pool tiebreaker, if NED wins the final, then UncleChimps needs the total goals in this match and the Final match to be 6 goals or less while Tom J wants 7 or more (for battle for 3rd/4th).  The goals count only in regulation or Extra Time, not the Penalty Shootout.  Ellen White (ENG) has scored in 5 straight matches.

11':  All SWE thus far and a poor ENG clearance is pounced upon by Aslanni, who came off the field in the last match in a scary potential neck injury.  So she starts and scores!  SWE 1:0.  ENG has allowed a goal in the first 12 minutes two games in a row.

22':  A great curling strike in the box by Jakobsson and now SWE leads 2:0.  But two SWE players are injured so ENG playing up for now.   Tom J is happy as goals are pouring in.

45':  An unusually high 5' of stoppage due to VAR and SWE injuries.  Now an ENG player is down.  SWE 2:1.

33':  Back to back ENG goals but no, the second won't count as VAR shows an unintentional handball calls yet another White goal back (she'd have 8 if not for VAR) and is back stuck on 6 goals.  But Kriby's goal in 31' was a great effort.  ENG 1:2.  Total time 51:00.

75':  Game has slowed down, SWE out of subs.  Retiring Karen Carney enters the match for ENG.  SWE 2:1.

88':  If White is kept off the board, then USA's Alex Morgan would retain the Golden Boot (more assists).  White's 6 goals is impressive considering she didn't take any of ENG's 4 PKs.

89':  Goal mouth block by SWE's Fischer head!  SWE 2:1.  4 min stoppage.

Finish:  94:23.  SWE wins their 3rd Bronze medal (tying USA)!  Total goals for tiebreaker is 3.  So if NED wins tomorrow, Tom J is going to need at least 4 goals scored between USA and NED.  FOX calling ENG a failure which is funny.  SWE didn't have many opportunities but made the most of them with 8 of their 9 shots on goal.

Issue 10.2.5 "Master and Padawan" (After Semis)

Archive

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

USA SURVIVES ENGLAND, NETHERLANDS SCORE IN EXTRA TIME
Either From the Pubs! or THE GAMBLER 1 will win the pool

EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt) [DAY 23] -- 1F-USA didn't have Megan Rapinoe due to a hamstring injury but her replacement and vet Christien Press scored in the 10' and battered vet Alex Morgan broke a 1-1 tie with a birthday goal in the 31' and that held up sending the Americans past 1D-England, 2-1, into their 5th WWC final.  ENG had more possession and played well but ENG had a brutal stretch from the 68' to 86' where Ellen White's game-tying goal was overturned by VAR (hairline offsides), an open tap in that was whiffed by White but then overturned by VAR into a PK as a foul (hairline contact to her leg), ENG continuing a tradition by missing a penalty kick (their 3rd straight miss), and then going down to 10 women after a second yellow to Millie Bright.  I guess ENG is just a semifinal team after all losing their 3rd straight semifinal ('15 WWC, '17 EURO). 

In a foul-marred match, at one time 2F-Sweden led in fouls 17 to 2 before it ended 24 to 14, the highlights were some world-class finger tip saves by both GKs.  For just the third time, a matched ended scoreless after regulation but in Extra Time, Jackie Groenen took a rocket of a strike from way outside that just got past the GK into the left corner in the 99' and match's only goal leading 1E-Netherlands to their first final.  Maybe SWE is a semifinal team as well losing their 3rd WWC semifinal (only won in '03).

Extra Time! (7/3)

For the first time, a WWC semifinal went into Extra Time.  Each GK had some amazing finger tip saves and 2F-Sweden were at one time pounding 1E-Netherlands on fouls 17 to 2 in the first 62 minutes.  But in ET, a seemingly typical play saw Jackie Groenen with some daylight and she hit a rocket of strike from way outside the box into the left corner in the 99' and NED held on to win 1-0, their first trip to the Finals in just their 2nd WWC appearance.  They will face 1F-USA, who is making their 5th final on Sunday.

SWE's Kosovare Asllani committed 8 fouls (no cautions) and was fouled 7 times (2 drawing cautions) as SWE ended up outfouling NED 24 to 14.  She was also carted off on a stretcher after being hit in the face with the ball in the 120'+1 delaying the match for more than 5 minutes.  SWE lost for the 3rd time in the SF.

Tea Time (7/2)

1F-USA's Alex Morgan celebrated her birthday by scoring in what turned out to be the game-winner with a sipping British tea salute in helping USA to their third straight 2-1 victory, this time over the jolly good women of 1D-England.  ENG had a brutal stretch from the 68' to 86' where Ellen White's game-tying goal was overturned by VAR (hairline offsides), an open tap in that was whiffed by White but then overturned by VAR into a PK as a foul (hairline contact to her leg), ENG continuing a tradition by missing a penalty kick (their 3rd straight miss), and then going down to 10 women after a second yellow to Millie Bright.  I guess ENG is just a semifinal team after all losing their 3rd straight semifinal ('15 WWC, '17 EURO).  Meanwhile, USA makes its 3rd straight final and 5th overall by winning their 11th straight WWC match (16th without a defeat).

Issue 9.2.4 "End of the Saga" (Semifinal Preview)

Archive

Monday, July 1, 2019

First Semifinal - Stade de Lyon - Lyon			Second Semifinal - Stade de Lyon - Lyon
ENG - England (The Lionesses) The Football Association (The FA) [UEFA]	USA - United States (The Stars & Stripes U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) [Concacaf]		NED - Netherlands (Orajeleeuwinnen) Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond (KVNB) [UEFA]	SWE - Sweden (Blågult) Svenska Fotbollförbundet (SvFF) [UEFA]
#3 | D1 | Winner | 5-0-0 2nd Semifinal ('15) D1: Beat Scotland 2-1 D3: Beat Argentina 1-0 D5: Beat Japan 2-0 R16: Beat Cameroon 3-0 QF: Beat Norway 3-0	#1 | F1 | Winner | 5-0-0 8th Semifinal ('91, '95, '99, '03, '07, '11, '15) F1: Beat Thailand 13-0 F3: Beat Chile 3-0 F5: Beat Sweden 2-0 R16: Beat Spain 2-1 QF: Beat France 2-1		#8 | E4 | Winner | 5-0-01st Semifinal E2: Beat New Zealand 1-0 E4: Beat Cameroon 3-1 E6: Beat Canada 2-1 R16: Beat Japan 2-1 QF: Beat Italy 2-0	#9 | F4 | Runner-Up | 4-1-04th Semifinal ('91, '03, '11) F2: Beat Chile 2-0 F4: Beat Thailand 5-1 F6: Lost to USA 2-0 R16: Beat Canada 1-0 QF: Beat Germany 2-1

THE RISE OF WOMEN'S SOCCER
Semifinals begin Tuesday; A women of Star Wars-themed look at the tourney

EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt) -- As I lament the end of the Skywalker saga in Star Wars but satisfied to have witnessed this great space fantasy, I start to wonder if this is also the end of the era of USA dominance in women's soccer.  Not that they don't win the tourney, but that the number of teams that can beat the USA will vastly expand more than Germany, Sweden, England, and France.  No Japan?  JPN technically tied the USA in the WWC11 Final and only won in the penalty shootout and has only beaten the USA once, in 2012.  The last time the USA lost in a meaningful match not named those four teams?  November 5, 2010 vMEX in a WWC11 qualifying match.  That's more than 8 1/2 years ago.  In any friendly?  July 27, 2017 vAUS and AUS is ranked #6 in the world.  Before that?  Dec 16, 2015 vCHN (#16).  Ridiculous success.  But with a lot more countries finally trying to develop women's soccer properly, the National Women's Soccer League still struggling, and the USA transitioning from the veterans to the newcomers (the last 9 USA goals were scored by vets Rapinoe (4), Lloyd (2), and Heath (but officially an own goal) with only Ertz and Horan appearing on the scoresheet) this could be the last year where we expect the USA to make the semifinals (though that FRA match was admittedly a major roadblock) without a sweat.

Issue 8.2.3 "The Heat is On" (After QF)

Archive

Saturday, June 29, 2019

HEATWAVE ACROSS EUROPE AS USA MAKES 8TH SEMIFINAL
Tom J and UncleChimps are first and among 8 still alive in pool

HOME, CA (smt) [DAY 21] -- Temperatures reached 90 F across France for the quarterfinals but only the Saturday matches saw the utilization of water breaks in the 30' and 75' as those matches were played earlier in the day.  The "real final" saw host 1A-France and 1F-USA battle in sold-out Paris with temps in the high 80s despite being played at night.  No water breaks were needed and USA once again scored in the first 13 minutes netting a direct free kick that went though lots of players without being touched into the back of the net in the 5'.  USA's Megan Rapinoe added another, the first woman to score 2 or more goals in back-to-back matches as USA held off FRA, 2-1 for their 10th straight WWC win.  After the first goal, USA relented and let FRA have possession but they couldn't do anything with it and of their 20 shots, just five were on goal.  Meanwhile, 1D-England scored for the fourth time in the first 15 minutes and beat 2A-Norway 3-0 to meet the USA in the semifinal. 

Shocker in Rennes (6/29)

It was a little shocking to see 1C-Italy and 1E-Netherlands so blatantly arguing in the faces of the referee.  It was pretty disrespectful and I wonder if it was a male ref, if they would do that.  There were 29 fouls (16 by NED) and four cards (all ITA).  NED got a couple of headers in the second half to be beat ITA 2-0 to advance to their first semifinal.  This match also featured the first cooling breaks in the 30' and 75' as the heatwave continues across France.

1B-Germany, with more days rest than 2F-Sweden, struggled all day and already made two subs as the second half started.  GER scored early on a great volley but soon and for the first time in 22 WWC matches  (coincidentally also against SWE in '03 Final), GER allowed a goal in the first half.  The 1-1 tie was broken early in the second half off a great save but the rebound was easily put in giving the Swedes the lead.  After not allowing a goal in 394 minutes, GER now has allowed two in one match.  SWE held on to win 2-1, snapping a streak of 29 straight matches where the team that scored first had won (not including NOR-AUS that went to PSO).  The # 2 team is now out and SWE makes their first semifinal since 2011 and wins their first major tournament match against GER since 1995.

Semifinals are Set, Can you Win?

The four teams are set for the semifinals.  A powerhouse matchup between 1D-England and 1F-USA in one matchup and the are-they-really-that-good matchup between 2F-Sweden and 1E-Netherlands.  It'll be interesting if USA and SWE meet in the final because since SWE rested 7 players in their group stage match, I can see USA routing SWE (a la '15 final) or losing in PKs (a la '11 final).  ENG is #3 and NED is the defending EURO Women's champion though.

So there are 8 possible outcomes left.  Below is the 8 scenarios and who would win what.  Remember, there are four money prizes ($220 / $110 / $70 / $40) up for grabs.  There is one tiebreaker scenario involving Tom J and UncleChimps with one battle for fourth (meaning one would be left empty-handed) if NED>ENG in final.

Back to Back Brace (6/28)

The gameplan for the U.S.:  Score earlier.  For the 5th time, the 1F-USA scored in the first 12 minutes.  They will play D1-England, who has scored in the first 15 minutes 4 times.  Megan Rapinoe scored two goals for the second straight match in helping USA beat host 1A-France, 2-1, in front of 45,595 fans with a nice contingent of Americans.  Rapinoe's first goal in the 5' was a free kick hit hard towards goal that went through everyone, including between FRA defender Amandine Henry's legs into the net.  The second was a great sequence in the 65' started by the banged up Alex Morgan to Tobin Heath who crossed the ball behind most players except for the charging in Rapinoe who had a clinical finish.  FRA did manage to pull one back off a free kick to the tall Wendie Renard in the 81' but the U.S. did a great job controlling the ball after that, especially in the 5 minutes of stoppage time.  FRA continues to fall short, losing in the quarterfinals for the 5th straight major tournament ('13 EURO, '15 WWC, '16 Olympics, '17 EURO).  While the men's '98 team won the WC and the '16 team reached the final as hosts, the FRA women hoped to duplicate that result at home.

Gameplan: Score Early (6/27)

So 1D-England has a plan.  Score early.  For the fourth time this tourney, ENG scored in the first 15 minutes, this time 2:07 into the match (fastest thus far this tourney) as ENG cruised to a 3-0 win over 2A-Norway.  ENG's three previous early goals were coincidentally all in the 14'.  The one downside is that ENG has failed to score on two straight PKs (both saves from shots by Nikita Parris).  Ellen White scored her 5th goal (tying USA's Alex Morgan and AUS's Sam Kerr) and once again we got the eye goggles (when she scored her first goal vSCO it was an opportunistic pounce and finish off a defensive error and I thought her gesture was just to say "I can't believe SCO just gave the ball to me").  ENG will now play the winner of 1A-France and 1F-United States in the semifinals where in 2015 they lost to JPN on an own goal.  Is ENG peaking at the right time?

VAR Syndrome

"Var Syndrome.  It suddenly destabilizes people's minds and reduces them to a violent mob.  People grew to fear these tragic events, which could happen anywhere and anytime.  However, amongst the fear, some rose up valiantly to fight back." -- Macross Delta, Episode 1, Prologue.

Who would have thought that one of the coolest Japanese anime (with great transforming mecha action and awesome songs by Walküre (listen!)) would have a reference so appropriate for what the Women's World Cup (WWC) is experiencing.  In the show, Vár Syndrome is a fold bacteria that affects the host at a cellular level usually causing the host to be uncontrollable and becoming super powerful, overriding common sense.  In the WWC, VAR Syndrome is a video assistant review process that affects matches at a minute level usually causing the matches to be uncontrollable and becoming super powerful, overriding common sense.  In both of these interpretations, VAR has taken a life of its own once allowed to germinate.  And in both of these interpretations, people start to fight back and take away the power of the VAR, starting with all the critics of VAR or the English Premier League neutering VAR by modifying when it will get used.

In 44 matches thus far, depending on how you count a "VAR review", I list 38 stoppages of play have happened because either VAR has contacted the referee or the referee has asked VAR to review a play.  I've heard on FOX 33 VAR reviews after ESPvUSA (I had 36) and 17 from FIFA press release after group stage (I had 23).  The FIFA app lists 30 specifically called out via VAR icon (18 after group stage).  Today's presser talked about 29 (25 being reversed).  Most of these last 1-3 minutes with some taking more than 8 minutes from infraction to the finish (e.g., PK scored).  This has resulted in 5-8 minutes of stoppage time in some matches.  By my count, at least 21 of the 44 matches had no real VAR review (maybe a VAR "check" but not a long stoppage of play) but boy, the ones that did...

Issue 6.2.1 "Black and Blue" (After Round of 16)

Archive

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

TOP TEAMS BRUISED AND BATTERED, BUT ALL FAVORITES ADVANCE
Kds911 is first while 13 can still win Pool

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA (smt) -- All 6 group winners plus 2F-Sweden and 2A-Norway won giving the Quarterfinals a near unanimous European feel.  1B-Germany and 1D-England each won 3-0 in physical matches while 1A-France (after extra time), 1F-United States, and 1E-Netherlands held on to 2-1 wins.  NOR routed 2C-Australia in the penalty shootout 4-1 after a 1-1 tie after extra time and 1C-Italy survived a suddenly offensive-minded 3B-China PR team 2-0 and SWE got lucky as 2E-Canada missed a game-tying PK to prevail 1-0.  Cup favorites were woman-handled as GER was fouled 15 times, ENG 11, FRA 23, and the Americans 17 times.  GER was the only one to fight back fouling 3A-Nigeria 16 times.  GER will have two extra days rest on opponent SWE though.

3E-Cameroon displayed an all new look of unsportswomanlike conduct delaying kickoffs in protest, pushing referees, spitting and elbowing players, and having a coach that tolerated the behavior.  2B-Spain were lucky not to get more yellow cards including a blatant chokehold on Megan Rapinoe.  But the fact these top teams survived proves their resiliency that hopefully will take them far.  GER and NOR seem to be on the upswing while ENG, FRA, and the USA (their last 2 matches) are still trying to find their footing.  ITA, who finished last in their group in the 2017 UEFA Women's EUROs, has been the biggest surprise and gets to play a NED team, although the 2017 UEFA Women's EURO champs, struggled in the second half against 2D-Japan and needed a 90' PK to prevail. 

Europe Takes Out Asia (6/25)

This is turning about to be the pseudo-2019 edition of the quadrennial UEFA Women's EURO.  Seven of the 8 Quarter-finalists (QF) hail from UEFA with the 1F-USA the lone invader.  Maybe we should do a HWCI pool on that, as the 2021 year is barren (2020 Men's EURO, 2022 Men's WC, 2023 Women's WC).  And in looking at the UEFA Women's EURO 2017 which featured 16 teams, only one match was a complete blowout (Scotland lost 6-0 but they made this year's WWC) so UEFA could lobby for 12 teams in the 2023 WWC and still be competitive (unlike AFC's 5th team (THA), Concacaf's 3rd team (JAM), and Oceania (NZL)).

With all the negativity surrounding this year's WWC (salary disputes, insensitive celebrations, lack of interest by FIFA and national federations, VAR, low attendance, unsportswomanlike conduct, political takes), it's great to see that after a match, great traditions of exchanging jerseys (like a few of the ESP and USA women did -- thank goodness for sports bras) and consoling an opponent after a tough loss are still in great supply.

Save! (6/24)

For the second time this tourney, there was heartache on a missed PK (CHIvTHA for spot in R16).  With 2F-Sweden scoring first in the second half, thanks to... wait for it... VAR, 2E-Canada had a chance to tie with a penalty kick.  Instead of 2nd all-time scorer Christine Sinclair, it was Janine Beckie and her shot in the lower left was saved in the 69'.  VAR kept CAN in the game as a potential PK opportunity was negated by a SWE offside in the 81'.  Both teams only managed two shots on goal each and SWE held on to win 1-0 to advance to their 4th QF.  CAN, ranked #5, had high hopes of doing better than last time when as hosts, they made the QF.  SWE, which rested players to finish 2nd in Group F, had just enough to prevail. 

Unsportswomanlike Conduct (6/23)

For the third time 1D-England scored within the first 15 minutes in a very uncomfortable 3-0 win over 3E-Cameroon.  A rare GK mistake as the CMR GK picked up the ball off a backpass resulting in an indirect free kick on the goalkeeper box line with ALL 11 CMR players on the goal line!  Such an odd sight and unfortunately the GK slightly deflected the shot past her line of defense behind her for the first goal.  Interestingly, had ENG decided to do a direct kick at goal and it deflected off a CMR player going in, it would be a goal since it touched two players.  However, had ENG tried the direct kick and went straight in, it would have been an illegal kick.

Kerr-fuffle (6/22)

1B-Germany scored early and recorded their 4th straight shutout, beating 3A-Nigeria, 3-0.  GER has now reached the Quarters in all 8 WWCs.  VAR reviewed the first two goals where the first it was ruled GER wasn't offsides in that the offside player was not interfering with the GK (though it was a busy box) and the second was another defender whiffing and kicking a player hard on the follow-through and VAR ruling a foul had occurred and PK was awarded. 

Issue 5.1.4 "3rd Place Scramble" (End of Group Stage)

Archive

Thursday, June 20, 2019

USA WINS GROUP, 7 TEAMS BATTLED FOR LAST 2 R16 SPOTS
Fotografo il Miglore and Kds911 are Tied for 1st; 40 Still Alive and 36 Can Win Pool

ATLANTA, GA (smt) -- F1-United States comfortably beat F4-Sweden 2-0 to win Group F.  E1-Netherlands, B1-Germany, and D1-England also won handily to win their Groups.  A1-France needed a couple of VAR reviews to beat A4-Nigeria.  All five teams picked up the max 9 points.  C3-Brazil beat C2-Italy to tie them along with C1-Australia with 6 points got beat by goal differential to only get 3rd while ITA took 1st and AUS 2nd.  B2-China PR and B3-Spain advanced by tying teach other (ESP taking 2nd) while A3-Norway helped themselves finish 2nd with a win.  Despite losing, E1-Canada and SWE took 2nd in their groups. 

But the biggest battle was for 3rd.  After CHN and BRA claimed spots, there were just two spots left.  Seven teams were trying to get in.  NGA lost their chance to clinch (turned out they would have) then and there with FRA getting the late PK retake and having to wait.  D2-Scotland was in having built up a 3-0 lead with 16 minutes to go but D3-Argentina stormed back to tie, keeping ARG's slim hopes alive and killing SCO's.  But with a tie doing neither E2-Cameroon or E3-New Zealand any good, CMR broke out in the 90'+5 to seal a spot in the R16 and knocking ARG out of contention and essentially eliminating F4-Thailand (they would need a 15-goal win).  F3-Chile needed a 3-goal win over THA and led 2-0 before getting PK opportunity in the 83' but the PK blast went off the crossbar crushing CHI's hopes and putting NGA into the R16.   

Qualification

Here's a quick summary of how the 16 teams qualified and how teams #17 to #24 ranked.

  Qualification (x-Advance, a-Group Winner, b-Group Runner Up, c-3rd place, z-Elim):  

x-FRA (16-CHN W), x-GER (16-CHN W)... 

x-ITA (18-W), x-ENG (19-W)... 

x-NED (22-W), x-CAN (21-W)...  

x-SWE (24-W), x-USA (23-W), x-JPN (23-SWE W & 24-USA W)... 

a-GER (25-W), b-ESP (26-D), c-CHN (26-D), z-RSA (25-L)... 

a-FRA (23-W), b-NOR (24-W), z-KOR (24-L)... 

a-ITA (GD), b-AUS (29-W & GD), c-BRA (30-W), z-JAM (29-L)... 

a-ENG (31-W), b-JPN (32-ARG D), z-SCO (32-D)... 

a-NED (33-W), b-CAN (33-L), c-CMR (34-W), z-NZL (34-L), z-ARG (34-CMR W)... 

a-USA (35-W), b-SWE (35-L), c-NGA (36-CHI GD), z-CHI (GD), z-THA (36-L) ...

   Standings (17-24) W-L-D PTS (GD GF) [Fair Play]: 

17 CHI 1-2-0  3 ( -3  2) [ -5]
18 ARG 0-1-2  2 ( -1  3) [ -3]
19 SCO 0-2-1  1 ( -2  5) [ -6]
20 NZL 0-3-0  0 ( -4  1) [ -1]
21 KOR 0-3-0  0 ( -7  1) [ -7]
22 RSA 0-3-0  0 ( -7  1) [ -9]
23 JAM 0-3-0  0 (-11  1) [ -4]
24 THA 0-3-0  0 (-19  1) [ -5]

Off the Crossbar! (6/20)

Such 3rd place drama.  With both top 2 teams in Groups E and F already qualified, the bottom two teams faced each other to try to qualify with a win.  A4-Nigeria (3 pts, -2 GD) and D3-Argentina (2 pts) were waiting to see if they could sneak in.  First of all, E4-Netherlands beat E1-Canada 2-1 to win Group E and F1-USA comfortably beat F4-Sweden 2-0 to win Group F.  Boring. 

Needing a win, both E2-Cameroon and E3-New Zealand were pushing players forward to try to break a 1-1 tie and in the end, 5 minutes into stoppage time, Ajara Nchout single-handedly worked herself through and her strike went into the right corner for the final play of the match and sent CMR into the Round of 16 and eliminated ARG.  Then E3-Chile needed a 3-goal win to advance (E4-Thailand now needed a 15-goal win margin after CMR won) and were leading 2-0 when VAR awarded them a PK in the 83'.  But Francisca Lara's PK hit the crossbar hard and match ended 2-0 sending NGA into the Round of 16.  Two African teams claimed the last two R16 spots.  In retrospect, SCO blowing a 3-goal lead against ARG cost them a R16 spot and would've sent CMR home.  So the 3rd place teams are 3E-Cameroon (BEF), 3C-Brazil (CDE), 3A-Nigeria (ACD), and 3B-China PR (ABF).

Comeback of the Ages (6/19)

D2-Scotland were well on their way for a great chance to reach the Round of 16 with a 69' goal giving them a 3-0 lead over D1-Argentina.  Then a breakaway in the 74' gave ARG their first goal of the tourney.  The a long strike apparently hit the crossbar and hit the goalie's hand and barely bounced into the net for an own goal for ARG's second goal in the 79'.  Then we had the 7 minute, 27 second "play".  At 85:49 a SCO player tackled an ARG in the box but no penalty was called.  VAR was then called in and the ref determined it was a foul and ARG now has a chance to tie.  The PK was taken and saved and a rebound attempt was also saved.  SCO survives!  But now, another VAR review and for the 3rd time, the GK was off her line and the PK was retaken.  And like the other two, it was buried at 93:16 and ARG had tied it up at 3.  SCO's dream had come to an end and ARG's was kept alive, despite sitting at two points.  ARG was the first team to come back from 3-0 to tie.  If both bottom two teams in Group E and F tie, ARG is in (as would NGR). 

Topsy Turvy (6/18)

C1-Australia's Sam Kerr pounced on a C4-Jamaica GK mistake in the 83' and her 4th goal of the match proved to be the difference in securing 2nd place in Group C and facing 2A-Norway with a 4-1 win.  While C2-Italy and C3-Brazil were tied, AUS was comfortably in 2nd but a BRA PK by Marta (now the all-time WC, men's or women's, goal scorer with 17 passing GER's Miraslav Klose) in the 74' had put BRA into 2nd.  So despite BRA beating ITA 1-0 and both having 6 points (along with AUS), ITA takes 1st on goal differential and AUS takes 2nd on goals scored, leaving BRA to face either 1A-France or 1B-Germany.  Yikes.  Of course, had BRA scored again and won 2-0, they would have taken 1st (GD and GF with ITA would have been equal (both beat AUS on GD), so head-to-head comes into play).

Twenty-Two Shots (6/17)

Each match saw one team take at least 22 shots but only two of the four won today.  B1-Germany got tired of 1-0 wins and came out swinging shooting 23 times and scoring four times in a 4-0 win over B4-South Africa to clinch Group B with 9 points.  In an interesting match where the winner would be the loser, only a loss would keep B3-Spain, holding 2nd place, from likely facing the F1-United States in the Round of 16 and yet they came out shooting 24 times with 9 shots on goal but was held to a scoreless draw by B2-China PR, who had just one shot and none on goal.  By finishing 3rd, CHN will likely play C2-Italy, C3-Brazil, C4-Australia, D1-England, or D4-Japan, all preferable over facing a hot USA team.

Issue 4.1.3 "Nine Teams In" (After 2nd Matches)

Archive

Sunday, June 16, 2019

USA CRUISES AND JOIN 8 OTHER TEAMS IN ROUND OF 16
Fotografo il Migliore and Pazzo Americano Tied for 1st

ALHAMBRA, CA (smt) -- The top teams are starting to warm up as 5 of the 6 top Group seeds have already advanced to the Round of 16.  Only C1-Australia, which had to rally from a 2-0 deficit to beat C3-Brazil, has yet to clinch.  C2-Italy (routing C4-Jamaica 5-0), D4-Japan, E4-Netherlands, and F4-Sweden also advanced with victories.  B1-Germany and D1-England squeaked by with 1-0 wins (Germany's second) while A1-France broke a 1-1 tie to win.  CONCACAF teams E1-Canada and F1-USA (who changed 7 starters) pitched shutouts and also did not allow a shot on goal by the opponent, the first two such events of the tourney.  A4-Nigeria surprised A2-Korea Republic 2-0 and B2-China PR's win stopped a six-match winless streak for the Asia Football Confederation (AFC).  F2-Thailand were bombarded with 74 shots over two matches but finally managed to score in stoppage time against SWE setting off an emotional celebration from the team, staff, and fans.

There were no ties in this second round of 12 matches and only one tie overall.  There have also just been one red card (2 cautions) and no direct red cards.  D2-Scotland's loss to JPN was UEFA's first loss against a non-UEFA team.  Six of the 9 UEFA teams have already advanced with A3-Norway and B3-Spain in good shape with three points but SCO will need some help at zero points and a -2 goal differential.  With four 3rd place teams advancing, even THA with zero points and a -17 GD still has a minuscule chance.

Three Teams Advance (6/16)

F2-Thailand changed goalkeepers and Waraporn Boonsing, the veteran and first-choice GK that didn't start against F1-USA, made 10 saves but unfortunately, F4-Sweden had 15 shots on goal in another tough match.  However, THA in stoppage time scored their first goal and the fans (albeit a tourney-low of 9,354) cheered the achievement.  It was great to see after allowing the first 17 goals in their two matches and seeing the team and the staff celebrate was emotional to see.  SWE's 5-1 win sent them to the Round of 16 for the 6th time. 

With SWE winning by just four, the USA knew they clinched the goal differential if they ended up tied with SWE in the final match, so the USA made 7 changes to their starting lineup.  And it didn't stop the USA as they dominated F3-Chile and scored three goals in the first half again.  CHI only had one shot and no shots goal.  However, they ran into a buzzsaw named Christiane Endler who seemed to make more than the six saves she was credited with and kept USA off the scoreboard for the last 55 minutes.  USA's 3-0 win sent them to the Round of 16 for the 7th time and also sent D4-Japan in the Knockout Stage who are guaranteed at least a top 4 third-place finish. 

Sea of Orange (6/15)

E2-Netherlands scored twice in the second half to secure a spot in the Round of 16 with a 3-1 win over E4-Cameroon in front of a large orange-clad partisan crowd.  Valenciennes is less than 200 miles from Amersterdam with multiple ways to travel (being it's Europe).  E1-Canada also scored twice in the second half to advanced to the Knockout Stage with a 2-0 win over E3-New Zealand.  NZL became the first team to not record a shot on goal and the CAN GK has only faced 1 shot on goal in the two matches (making the save).  That should change as CAN and NED battle it out for first.

Four UEFA Teams In (6/14)

C2-Italy routed C4-Jamaica 5-0 to advance to the Round of 16.  A double VAR sequence saw it first used to reverse a non-call and gave a penalty kick to ITA in the 9'.  On the PK, JAM's young GK saved it in the 11' but was off her line and VAR gave the infraction and on the retake, ITA converted for the first goal in the 12'.  This seemed egregious upon live view but I forget the GK can move as long as he/she has a foot on the line.  Clearly, she didn't but ignoring she was way off center, it was only by 10 inches or less.  Watching another PK from today, the GK was behind the line and timed it run up to the line so she had a foot on it when the PK was taken (not successful BTW).  JAM has allowed back-to-back hat tricks against them and now have a -8 Goal Differential.

AFC is Back (6/13)

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has had a nightmare of a WWC going 0-5-1 and that tie was the biggest upset with D4-Japan tying D3-Argentina.  But today, things have turned around.  After losing a 1-0 lead in a loss to C2-Italy, C1-Australia rallied from a two-goal deficit to stun C3-Brazil, 3-2, giving the AFC its first win.  It was just the second time a team has come back from 2-0 to win in the WWC.  Marta scored in her record 5th straight WWC with her record-extending 16th WWC goal on a penalty (a soft foul) and Cristiane scored her 3rd of the tourney to put BRA up 2-0.  AUS scored three straight times off long crosses into the box.  The first was headed and then put in before halftime, the second was let through freezing the GK for the game-tying goal, and the third was headed in by BRA into their own net.  The last was called offsides but upon VAR review, it was determined BRA's player had a controlled header on the cross was not impeded by AUS's offsides player (Monica) and therefore there was no offsides.  So we've had an own goal in 3 of the last 4 matches.  BRA made two subs at the half including taking out Marta and then used their 3rd sub to take out Cristiane in the 75' while down 3-2.  Very odd.

Own It (6/12)

A3-Norway must be kings of the own goal as they benefited for the second straight match as an opponent scores for NOR, this time hometown A1-France which tied the score at 1 in the 54'.  It was a bizarre play as the cross would've gone harmlessly past the goal but FRA's Renard, who scored 2 goals in the opener, just seemed to tap the ball into her own net with no NOR defender around her.  However, a reckless tackle (really a mis-hit by NOR which made the follow through worse) in the box was looked at by VAR and deemed to be a foul, and FRA converted the penalty and held on to a 2-1 win to take the lead in Group A.

In the other Group A match, another own goal changed the tide of the match as A2-Korea Rep's control of the match was unhinged on a counter and accidentally kicked into their own net to give A4-Nigeria a 1-0 lead in the 29'.  The bizarre part was NGA's player near by put her hand up and appeared to graze the ball as it went past the goalkeeper into the net but VAR said no handball, thus the goal stood.  KOR had chances but it was another counter that did them in and NGA picked up three points in a 2-0 win.

Issue 3.1.2 "Baker's Dozen" (After 1st Matches)

Archive

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

     USA QUIETS DOUBTERS, NOW THE NEW VILLAIN?
Three tied with 11 points as 11 of 12 matches produce a winner

HOME, CA (smt) -- If there was a doubt how ready the F1-USA team would be, they squashed it in record fashion, demolishing F2-Thailand, 13-0, thanks to Alex Morgan's record-tying five goals and three assists.  USA scored 10 goals in the second half on a pair of four-goal stretches in six and eight minutes that ruffled casual fans of the game but don't understand goal differential is the first tiebreaker and F4-Sweden, who beat F3-Chile 2-0, has yet to play THA.  Soccer fans, however, are upset that the USA continued to excitedly celebrate as the match wore on, with the most egregious being Megan Rapinoe's slide and kick celebration after the USA's NINTH goal.   Megan, you had me until that slide.  The U.S. may have turned neutral observers into detractors but if they keep the winning going, holding up the trophy will be its just rewards. 

Favorites struggled with the aforementioned SWE not scoring until the 83' (#39 CHI), E4-Netherlands needing stoppage time to find their goal (#19 E3-NZL), B1-Germany and E1-Canada each scoring just once in their win (#16 B2-CHN and #46 E2-CMR), C1-Australia getting upset in stoppage time (#15 C2-Italy), B3-Spain coming from behind to late to win (#49 B4-RSA) and D4-Japan being held to a scoreless draw (#37 D3-ARG). 

Should They Score or Should They Stay?

The United States walloped Thailand 13-0 and after finally scoring more than a goal (3) in the first half of a group stage match since 2003, to others it seemed it was bad sportsmanship to pile on (I appreciate Rob Stone speaking up passionately after the match on FOX -- I hope he still has a job!), especially after scoring four goals in six minutes to lead 7-0.  Records are made to be broken and the USA broke a boatload of them and it was fun to watch.  While the USA was using the match as target practice (we still don't know how good GK Alyssa Naeher will be), it seemed like THA was also using it as a learning situation as THA never changed to play more defensively, never fought harder for 50/50 balls, and never went more aggressive in defending (e.g., tugging on shirts, knocking a few USA players down).  It was as if THA was going to use the tape on this match to plan for the other two matches as the USA provided a free clinic in how to adjust for the next matches.  They committed just five fouls and only picked up one yellow.  That is begging the USA to have free reign to attack them without the possibility of injury and in a stage where goal differential is the first tiebreaker, your job is to score goals. 

To their credit, THA never gave up but that meant the USA didn't give up.  Why would the USA play the last 35 minutes just passing the ball around the pitch -- that doesn't do the fans who paid money any good, doesn't give any respect to THA, and like I said, GD is key so how many do you think SWE would score?  4?  6?  8?  You don't know.  And to be fair, if THA had a taller and more veteran goalkeeper, probably half a dozen goals would not have gone in, even with that porous defense.  And Alex Morgan's first-class touches (which would put most LA Galaxy players not named Zlatan to shame) created at least a few of her five goals and three assists so she earned those goals.

BUT, there were three instances of cringe-worthiness.  Jill Ellis