The U.S. women's national team is a game away from reaching the final of the Women's World Cup for the first time since winning it all in 1999.
After their breathtaking, come-from-behind victory over Brazil in the quarterfinals, the U.S. women face France in a semifinal match in Moenchengladbach, Germany (12 p.m., ESPN/ESPN3.com/Galavision). The French team has been a revelation in this tournament, defeating Canada and Nigeria in group play before falling to host Germany to finish second in Group A. France defeated England in penalty kicks to reach the semifinal.
U.S. coach Pia Sundhage has made one change to her starting XI, replacing suspended centerback Rachel Buehler with Becky Sauerbrunn, who becomes the first player ever to make her World Cup debut this late in the tournament.
If you will be watching the match, please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the action.
Go USA!!
ESPN3.com link broken for you guys as well?? Anybody have another link to the game?
Sad to say but if they dont win this and the final, then it will diminish their amazing comeback v. Brazil. They should have beaten Sweden in their group.
I am. FAIL!
Can someone who follows WNT tell me why Megan Rapinoe isn’t starting? I’ve watched two WNT games and she seems to be one of the best players.
LINKS ANYONE?
She seems to have been really effective off the bench. I’d be really surprised if we don’t see her at some point today.
Go USA.
Very inconsistent. Of course her cross was the key to Wambach’s big goal and was perfect, and she also had a nice goal against Colombia. However for quite a while, she seemed to be in a competition with Rodriguez to see who could sky the ball over the net or otherwise fail to get shots on frame (or crosses on target).
Easy question to answer in regards to Rapinoe, she’s much more effective off the bench with her creativity and leg speed.
Against this French team we’ll need both her from her off the bench more so than against Brasil. This is a very fast French team that moves the ball well and whose speedy forwards can actually finish.
We, i.e. USA, have a more experienced backline but not a fast one.
I hope this game turns out to be everything in terms of entertaining and fun to watch football. I don’t expect the crap we saw from Brasil in regards to diving. I do expect a US win.
When she came on in Brazil match she was very shaky at first. Caused a lot of give-aways until she settled down in extra time. She’ll be the first sub barring an injury sub. But I agree she is a class player in many many ways. Needs to definitely see the pitch in this one
Lauren Chaney won the starting job from Rapinoe right before the tournament started. It was a little controversial to change the lineup but Chaney has played well and Rapinoe has been great off the bench, so they’re staying with it.
both teams are coming off marathon matches, but USA was a (wo)man down… it will be interesting to see what kind of legs these french and American ladies have (no comments please–doing my damnedest to resist myself)
Kind of sad to see the place half empty. Looks like Red Bull Arena in the midfield seats.
solo
sauerbrunn rampone lepeilbet
kreiger boxx llyod cheyney
rodriguez wambach
sapowicz
lepailleur meilleroux geroges bompastor
soubeyrand necib bussaglia
abily thiney
delle
Wambach shot – missed wide 6 min
And there’s Cheney!
Can anyone provide another link besides espn3? It won’t load up for me.
who’s liking whom in Japan v Sweden? I’m rooting for Japan.
ESPN3 wont work for me either. Maybe there’s way too many people on it or something. This SUCKS. Illegal Feeds it is.
GOAL USA
Save Solo – Necib.
Wow, TEXTBOOK near-post run on that goal. Nice, Cheney.
GOAL USA! Cheyney!
A T D H E . F M
What a ball from Lloyd!
i mean USA Cheyney!
Is there any athlete in the world who looks more intense in game than Heather O’Reilly?
Heather O’Reilly
CHENEY!!!!!!!
Sweden beat the US, therefore going for Japan (although I guess there’s something to be said about revenge in the final). Also, Japan’s had a stunner of a tournament.
link to espn.go.com works in internet explorer
Hope Solo
linkabstract dot com
She is an intense woman to say the least… love her to death…
Awesome, thanks man.
Amy Rodriguez just cannot get it together, her touch and decision making has not been good.
Hope is one of those women you pray you sister or daughter don’t have to play against. Crap I’m fearful of her too.
Ha — no joke!
But her pace is a threat… I think she is gonna break loose on one of these…. France is playing a high line…
French player clipped her own heels there, ref bought it though.
Put in Kai…oh yeah..not on the team
Rodriguez appeared to be limping when she got up from the slide…
Wow that Wambach is good…
…as is Solo!
That was way too close…
France looking dangerous…..the US will need another goal to secure this that’s for sure.
Geez, the French side sure can attack. Our midfield needs to do a better job holding the ball, Carli hasn’t looked great so far.
Need to take advantage of France’s weak goalkeeper. I like that France is shooting from 40 yards — they can do that all day.
Agreed — too many giveaways…
Reports of Rampone’s demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated.
Wonderful ball BOxx and actually that should have been a corner… the GK got her mitts on it right as Wambach made contact.
Definitely, we look very dangerous when we connect our passes and get into the final 3rd.
Who reported her demise? That’s news to me and I’ve been following USWNT since the humble beginnings.
Totally agree. She’s like a female version of Robbie Findley. All pace and not much else.
It seems like LePeilbet has spent half this game taking throw ins
It was reported right here by a couple of different posters, I believe, during qualifying. One went to some lengths to even post the US record with and without her (when she was out there for a while) in a rather detailed argument on the point.
Not that I ever bought it, mind you.
Boxx or Rampone (on that overlapping run and ensuing close chance)?
France is good. US has done a great job absorbing pressure. It’s going to be difficult to make any headway in the possession battle.
how Pia manages her 3 subs is key; tired legs might push decisions as the game wears on, but the US women look fine on that front up to this point; see what’s happening at the 60 minute mark
would love to see Rodriguez get a clean feed through behind the French high line and finish one
Good game. France is much better than Brazil, and may wear out a tired USA mid-field. The game is much more fluid, with players getting up after tackles to play, not complain. Pia needs help in central mid-field, Loyd and Boxx are getting over-run. USA may get another goal as France is out of sorts at the back.
France seems faster and more skilled, but the U.S. always seems to find a way to win.
Loyd needs to be better on the ball. Turned the ball over too much, may have alot to do with tired legs.
I think we need to pull back one of our forwards to help out in the midfield. France is OWNING the midfield right now.
Sapowicz is a weak keeper; Abby and company will put another one past her at some point. But France looks like it’ll score at some point too. I’d take a 2-1 US win.
They need some fresh legs in the center of the field. But the US is handling the French team well. They French seem a lot tougher than the Brazilians. Good match up. US needs a goal from A-Rod.
Finally got it to work. No rhyme or reason.
She’s done some very good things on the ball too though. Some very clever turns and touches. I don’t think there’s really much the US can do to get possession away from France more often.
Krieger!
I wouldnt call France more skilled, maybe more skilled at posssesion when you have 5 in the midfeild. Other types of skill too. France has a very fast player they will bring on in the second half. She cant hit the side of a barn but there’s always that lucky one.
France subs out their top scorer to start the 2nd half?!?
Also, if US would stop booting it forward you would see more possesion from the US.
Just lost it again…
need to switch the play to the other side; France commits it’s weakside way in when on the attack
+1000
Pia is most certainly a “hoof it down the pitch” northern European coach. This team could be much more attractive and has the players to pull it off.
Boxx and Lloyd are just too slow.
Krieger having a massive nightmare so far in second half.
Time of possession thus far: 50% – 50%
Damn…I just felt that coming.
They’re in…
Oh my God, if Carli would have just laired it wide instead taking it on from 30 yes out. And now they equalize.
France earned that goal…beautiful switch of the ball, acres of space, and a great ball in
it was bound to happen.
Laid* dumb android.
See if Morgan can up the energy level a bit…
DAMNIT! CONNECT PASSES USA!!
The US looks exhausted, especially Lloyd and Boxx. Boxx can’t get there and Lloyd is a turnover machine.
Fire Bob Bradley for teaching the ladies that the only way to pass is with the long ball.
These are Pia’s tactics. Her formation and player selection have doomed this team to a certain extent. The player pool is full of technically gifted players; however, her mold is much more in the BB mold…defensive posture / very physical / sit on leads. It doesn’t necessarily call for possession oriented players. We’ve been an ugly team for quite some time.
Kimo, that is the USA mold. Not any one coach or another. Wasn’t it Tiffany Milbrt who quit the team because the USA program didn’t believe in technical ability and passing the ball around?
She’s upping something, that’s for sure.
Maybe I’m mistaken, but did France get the kick-off after scoring a goal? Shouldn’t the US have had possession after the restart?
regain composure, belief…it can show in better possession
too direct. where is the flank play to relieve pressure?
Krieger limping after strong tackle
we kicked it right to them to restart
They need to hold the ball, but France is really bringing it to them. Let’s go Pinoe! I don’t think Morgan has even gotten the ball.
This mentality began before Pia. When Abby became a fixture the desire to play more direct became very apparent. April Heinricks was blamed for coaching that way back then.
France looking flat out better than the US. Women’s soccer has really changed over the years, yes?
Lloyd subbed — it is about time.
This is going to have to be another gritty one for us to win… France look excellent
Yeah, but it only takes one counter attack.
Morgan just not ready for this level. Her lack of technical skill failed her there.
Ok, hammer this FK
Oh Alex, should have done so much better.
the flanks!!! come on, and look what happened after we switched the play from one side to the other just with the backline passes! tons of space
GO USA!!!
Route 1 doesn’t make for pretty soccer, but it works. We would have looked brilliant against Brazil if Marta hadn’t jumped with both feet into the air, intentionally upending herself and drawing a red card and bogus PK. The game would likely have been 1-0 at final (or 2-0 after Brazil toca toc’d their whole team upfield and were exposed at the back for a quick Route 1 counter). I like teams like Barcelona too, but there are a lot of ways to skin a cat.
alex morgan has been terrible in this tourney.
the us is playing like utter crap. they aren’t going to win if they continue to play like this … out again in the semis unless they pick it up.
Holy crap what a shot from Rapinoe!
Wow, great strike by Rapinoe… SOOOO CLOSE
We look better in these last 5 or 10 minutes.
just like that…yes
Her speed is crucial but it may encourage us to play over the top more. Which we don’t need now.
The US looks tired. This is going to be a real character test to grit out a win.
Morgan’s touch fails her again there…….
I agree. But, there’s no reason to continue this formula.
Cheney showing well in the CMF
Thiney has been learning from Lenhart. They’re both jackasses. That should be a yellow. Why do players think that’s allowed?
France goalie is soooo weak. Too bad we can’t test her more.
Darn the really old one is coming out.
stay w/ the flank attack, and Abby has one less central defender to beat now
Thomis is a big worry. Has the touch of Arod though.
wambach!!!
Brilliant!
I think Thomis worse than A-rod touch wise.
Sweet!!!
BEAST!!
hello Abby
))))))
Abby is my hero.
ABBBYY!!!!
Man, Abby is such a RIDICULOUS weapon. She’s just unmarkable in the air
US women play like the US men. Not technical and get outplayed but use their physical advantage and effort to pull out results.
Game changed with Pia’s changes in the midfield.
If you are Sundhage, what sub do you make now? Put in Lori Lindsey and play 3 center mids? Or move back Morgan into midfield?
yep
how about Lindsey now for whoever is most tired? we have one more sub, right? did I lose track?
wow….WELCOME TO THE PARTY ALEX!!
OMG – Alex Morgan!!!! I take back all those things about the bad touches.
MORGAN with AWESOMENESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSZ
Alex Morgan!!!!
Nicely done, Morgan! So much for her supposed lack of technical ability
Megan Rapinoe has been amazing in her sub appearance today. Great finish by Alex Morgan
Yeah, Morgan’s touch really stunk up the place on that France-killer!
YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Morgan! About time my girl scores.
Except the US men really no longer have any physical advantage over other teams – not faster, not fitter, not bigger…
As Grant Wahl (or possibly Steve Davis) put it, the only US “style” seems to be to try to out-athlete everybody.
Psshh Alex is my girl!! Haha
Heath is usually good with posession.
Well she does have a bad touch when posting up. You all have to admit that. She is a typical US player — athletic, fast, not great technically. If the defender is ever as fast as she is, she is in big trouble.
Whats the score? I can’t live stream from my office
And as you all just saw, like Marta and Kelly Smith, she can’t use her right foot very well.
Marta who?
3-1 USA, 88th minute.
3-1 usa
Thomis=Arod
3-1…effectiveness is the ultimate measure of effectiveness. Pia’s formula works. For every year Barca wins Euro, there are two seasons where a more direct team wins it.
“Soccer Mamas!”
-David Letterman, circa 1999-
So glad they didn’t get snake-bit by the situation and the emotions, as seems to have played a role in the men’s exit v Ghana. Should be a tough final but fun to watch, no matter whether it’s Sweden or Japan.
Pia gets a lot of credit from me for the Rapino substitution and tactical change she allowed with her ability to expose France’s vulnerable flank thru the midfield
excellent stuff on the fly. just love it!!!
GO USA!!!!
PIa Sundhage knows her stuff. I give the France coach props for going for the win. And Sauerbrunn should replace Buehler forever!
I wouldn’t say not fitter, we’re definitely fitter than almost any other team out there on the Mens side. That’s known to everyone worldwide, every opposing manager says it everytime we play them.
Great game. Congrats to France for playing great football. They are a little weak in the back which cost them the game. USA looked a bit tired physically and mentally, but had enough to prevail. They also had the character to not go into diving and play-acting with the lead (see Brazil).
+1
France attacked the center mids defensively by commiting numbers to the ball from the weak side. Cheaney was able to help break that when she slid inside after the Rapino sub, and open up the other side of the field
Well now on to thinking about the final, I would love to play Sweden again. I think our backline has vastly improved since our loss to them in the group stage. I think Japan would be a more difficult final in my eyes due to their possession style of play.
I was really impressed with France. I like that they came out to play and really took it to the US. Great attacking soccer. Their only weakness I would say is in the back. That is what ultimately cost them. The US looked tired in that second half, which is understandable after that Brazil game and France had that extra day of rest. Pia’s subs were spot on. Rapinoe was great when she came in. And of course Alex Morgan, sealing the win.
It is strange that this felt like a comeback win despite never trailing. France looked a cut above, but it was a tale of defenses and ours was better.
Morgan could have had a hat trick too, but the one that went in was a beaut. We should be heavy favorites to take the cup now.
Yup, Cheney in the middle, Rapinoe for Lloyd, Morgan for Rodriguez – these changes made all the difference. Lloyd didn’t look good as a playmaker – really slow to react. Cheney is slow too, but seems more comfortable in traffic. Rapinoe is slow but creative. I wonder if these changes will carry over to the final.
No, it’s purely rhetoric at this point. The MNT has shown an inability to go a full 90 numerous times over the past year. They often seem to have nothing in the tank in the last 10 minutes. Many of the top dozen or so CONCACAF sides are much fitter than us.
Would of loved if Morgan chipped the keeper on her last chance also.
Yeah, it felt like we were losing for much of the game, didn’t it?
Wouldn’t say we’re heavy favorites though. Sweden already beat us, and looked like clearly the better team. And Japan has been playing really well all tournament long. It’s going to be a very difficult final regardless of the opponent.
Seeing these changes in action makes me wonder if we will approach the next match as 2 matches. One 60 minute match and then another 30 minute match. If we win the first one, great, and then we play a defensive style to finish it. If we don’t, or find ourselves in a draw, we go the other way and go more attacking.
Either way I don’t expect our strongest 11 to start the match.
Lloyd wasn’t great today, but I’m stunned that everyone apparently missed the fact that she had a half dozen very skilled, clever touches that opened things up for the attack – including the back heel that led to the first goal.
True, but there is little doubt this team is not the same team that played against Sweden. They have much more going for them.
…also, the attitude of a team in the final group stage match and their attitude in a cup final couldn’t be more different.
They’re playing better, especially the backline, but Sweden didn’t win that game because the US played poorly. Sweden looked much more skilled.
I saw that. That was a very deft move.
Lloyd seems like a tale of two player – yes she had a bunch of neat touches to get around her defender, and she has a big shot. But she was too slow to the 50/50 balls in the mid – and we lost the mid battle. I think we need a quicker and more creative passer in there.
Having them both on the field wouldn’t hurt.
Yeah, true. She definitely has her weak points. But do we have a better central midfielder?
Lloyd’s biggest weakness is lack of tactical awareness. If Boxx makes a run, she needs to stay home, yet she wanders all over the field. Also, her shot selection is not very good — why take shots from all other the field with no angle? She doesn’t get many of them on frame either.
She did have some nice touches and passes today, but at what price? She loses the ball in the middle third too much and that is extremely dangerous.
Amber Brooks.
Something unusual I saw in this match was the USA trying to possess and control the ball in the midfield. I like it! But they seemed to use it to excess, and had some dangerous give-aways in the their third. Also, while the mids knocked it around, they couldn’t move forward and rarely seemed to connect with the strikers.
Maybe in 2015…