FIFA Women's World Cup 2011

Some excellent action so far in group play.

But what's with England? Down a goal to NZ, they may not make it out of group play, and I thought they were one of the teams to beat this year.

Yeah, they've come to play today. They're really pushing the action now. Very fun.

USA-Japan final on Sunday.

Japan has really been playing some inspired football. Their win over Sweden was very impressive, considering the way that Sweden handled the USA in group play.

That said, I don't think Japan has ever beaten the USA. And I don't much like their chances to do it on Sunday. Though I suppose they'll still dominate possesion and have some chances, so it should be a fun game to watch.

True, the US failed to capitalize on some opportunities. But they made those opportunities for themselves. It's not like Japan handed them anything. So I'm not terribly upset in that regard.

However, the play in front of Solo on the first goal by Japan was inexcusable. Should have never happened. Sawa's goal--the second--was a thing of beauty, however, as was Morgan's strike that put the US up 1-0. And Morgan's feed to Wambach was also pretty damn good.

But the US penalty shots were just bad. Contrast these to the ones in the Brazil match. Japan deserved the win. Congrats to them.

And it's weird how big Cheney's injury turned out to be. They really missed her on the corner kicks.

For the future, though, we know the US will have Cheney and Morgan up front. That's gonna work out swell...

mirandashell said:

America's play?

Click to expand...

Absolutely. I don't know whose fault it was--Solo's or the defender's--but that was the keeper's ball to clean up.

And the US almost blew it again in the box with sloppy play a little later.

*shrug*

No, not usually. Their shots against Brazil were pretty much perfect. But PKs are PKs. The goalie guesses right or you don't make a good strike, that's it. But I gotta think the US players were telegraphing where they were going, cuz the goalie was all over those shots.

And Solo's effort in the shootout was fine, imo. So...

Still, I don't think there's much to fret about. The US played a good game, Japan just played a better one. A fair result.