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.


28': First shot of the match as USA gets one off the CK with a point blank shot by Ertz that was saved.  USA's Sauerbrunn injured so players taking a water break.

41': Morgan gets a little push and goes down in the box but just a CK.  This produces a USA a barrage of shots and a couple saves in 38'.  Then a hard shot by Morgan saved for a CK.  In 41' USA player goes down on top of the box but no call and then NED with a counter and draws a yellow at the top of the USA box.

45'+1:  Head to head collision and both players down.  2 minutes of stoppage.  Only noticed the puns FOX puts up for their halftime agenda yesterday.  "Kirb your enthusiasm" yesterday and "Can't Dutch This" today.  Pretty funny.

Half:  NED finally gets a cross in the box at 45'+2 and results in a CK.  Half ends 48:48.  0-0 which is a moral victory for NED and as the heat beats down on the players, one sloppy defensive error may be all it takes.  But if NED wins, UncleChimps would win the tiebreaker for 3rd place now.  USA outshot NED 5-1 (4 saves for NED) and had 53% possession.  Got chills watching the preview for "Mulan" and although no music was played, looks awesome - also surprised Mulan is not played by a white chick.  Someone missed a memo.

46':  Kieger replaces O'Hara who hopefully is okay after the head injury.  Quick start by USA which is good.

54':  Sauerbrunn goes for a header and hits the NED player and is bleeding.  Second time she's gone down for an extended period and players take another water break.

58':  Check for penalty.  High kick by Van der Gragt to Morgan didn't make contact with the ball.  No call but VAR summoned.  59:40:  A Penalty!!  60:56:  GOAL!!!! Rapinoe nails the PK and now is tied with Morgan for Golden Boot (both 6 goals, 3 assists).  USA 1:0.  Total goals for tiebreaker is 4.  First goal NED has allowed in 317 minutes.

69':  GOAL!  Lavelle with a great effort and a strike at the top of the box.  Martens (recovering from toe injury) comes out.  The new generation finally scores again after the last 7 goals were scored by vets Rapinoe (5), Press, and Morgan (first since 3' in last group match by Horan).  USA 2:0.  USA's 26th goal is a WWC record.  Total goals is 5 but won't matter unless NED scores 2.

75':  Well, NED has scored 6 goals in the 75' or later so maybe?  More great saves by NED.  Just one shot for NED this half.

87':  Vets for vets.  Earlier Press replaced Rapinoe.  Now Lloyd replaced Heath.  USA 2:0.

End: Attendance: 57,900!!! 5 min of stoppage.  Ends:  95:01.  USA are back-to-back CHAMPIONS!!!  4th WWC title.  A 4th star to the jersey.  Despite distractions of a lawsuit, Rapinoe's politics, Hope's criticism of Jill Ellis, bad taste celebrations, etc... this was a laser-focused team and achieves their goal... winning the Cup.  They relied more than I thought on the vets and they'll hand the mantle down to the newbies who performed well but we didn't get to see a lot of Horan, Pugh, and Davidson, all who didn't play today.  Total goals for tiebreaker is 5 but doesn't matter for the money spots (just pride).  Final money spots go to:

Name	Nickname	Pts	Prize
Greg P (2)	From the Pubs!	137	Wins 1st	$220
Kevin L (1)	UncleChimps	132	Wins 2nd	$110
Scott T (1)	Futbol Fabone Dix	131	Wins 3rd	$ 70
Warner L (1)	Pazzo Americano	129	Wins 4th	$ 40

Post:  Golden Ball and Golden Boot goes to Rapinoe.  Rapinoe wins tiebreaker with Morgan due to less minutes played, giving Silver Boot to Morgan and ENG's Ellen White with Bronze.  ENG's Lucy Bronze with Silver Ball and Lavelle gets Bronze Ball.

Congrats to the winners!...