I know not many of you seem interested in the women’s game, but over here in Soccer City USA, excitement is growing over the possibility of a England vs. USA World Cup Final if both teams can get through tough semi-finals (although many locals want revenge over Japan for the loss in the 2011 final). In England’s win over Canada, two of the three goals were scored by lasses who play for the Portland Thorns. From today’s Independent:
“Taylor plays for Portland Thorns, the biggest female soccer team in North America. They have Germany’s Nadine Angerer in goal, and Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair, the biggest stars of respectively the American and Canadian games, in attack. That is Taylor’s pedigree, but until Sampson took over from Hope Powell she was ignored by England. This was her fifth goal in as many international starts."
Jodie Taylor has other Oregon roots having played for Oregon State University.
The Thorns have not been doing too well this season, having eight starters missing at the World Cup (3xCanada, 2xUSA, and 1 each for England, Germany, and Australia). They have been drawing most games, but attendance is still averaging about 13,500
Good Luck to the Lionesses on Wednesday!
Proud of our Pride of Lionesses!
posted on 29/6/15
I have to be honest Mickey, but from the games so far don't expect USA v England. The USA team is not a patch on the previous ones, they have gone backwards.
England on the other hand have come on leaps and bounds and deserve to be where they are, however, I don't think they will beat Japan. ( I hope they do).
In the end if the USA do get to the final and it goes to penalties, I hope the idiot Americans don't do as they did last time calling for penalties to be dropped because they lost. The team knows the rules, but I refer to stupid TV people and the general public who think rules should be made for them.
If they do get to the final I can see there being a friendly battle between my wife and myself.
By the way did you listen to the commentary on the England Canada game ? John Strong and his American sidekick would have you believe that after going 2 up in the early minutes that was it, they were so biased towards Canada.
Best wishes to you and Pauline.
posted on 29/6/15
By "that was it " I don't mean they thought we would win, they just expected England to buckle and commentated on everything the Canadians did. They were so biased.
I also thought the ref gave some very poor decisions in favour of Canada.
posted on 29/6/15
NY, I agree it will be tough for England and the USA. Japan are good, and could have (should have?) got at least 4 against the Matildas. They certainly created many chances. USA have been very disappointing, but it is some time since they have played as a team at their real potential. Too many relying on past reputations?
I tend to think refereeing in the MLS can be poor, but it now looks good as compared with the standard in these finals! It also seems many of the assistants do not understand the offside rule.
Talking of rules, do you remember when the old NASL tried to get the world to change the offside rule?
All the best to you and your family,
posted on 2/7/15
Very, very proud of what the girls achieved by getting to the Semi Final, except for the toughest luck we should have gone to extra time and a chance to win. I felt really sorry for Laura Bassett, she did her best to clear the ball but again bad luck follows us around.
Thanks once again girls.
posted on 3/7/15
NY, it was a very sad and tragic end to a great run - especially as England were way the better team in the second half. I know Laura will be devastated, but I'm proud of them all for what they have achieved.
I just hope women's football in England now gets the support it does here on the left side of the pond.
By the way, I thought the first contact for the Japanese penalty was outside the area, as was the USA penalty against Germany - am I now sounding like PD?
Throughout the tournament I thought the officiating was not good - many replays showed offside calls were not offside when the ball was kicked, such basic errors.
Anyway, all congratulations to our Lionesses for a great tournament.
PS: You Canuck girls, (plus one Matilda, Jodie Taylor, and the best GK in the world) please get back and get the Thorns back on a winning trail! (We will have to wait for Alex and Tobin).
For you MCPs out there, please give the women's game a chance. I know winning counts, and it took-off over here when the USA won in 1999. To me, it seems very sad the Belles get crowds of 200-300 and the Portland Thorns get crowds of 13,000+ I know they are the only women's team fully backed by a MLS team (Portland Timbers), but they play aggressive attacking football, without, most of the time, the cynicism of the men's game.
However, I can't wait for the Rovers season to start!
posted on 4/7/15
Well done you wonderful Lionesses! Is this the first English team to beat Germany in the World Cup since 1966?
Thank god it did not go to penalties as we always lose to Germany on penalties!
Now for the USA to win the other half of World War II tomorrow.
posted on 5/7/15
Great win indeed Micky. By all that's right though we should be in the final tomorrow, but well done to the girls on their highest ever World Cup finish.
posted on 5/7/15
I hpe this link works as it shows the class of the Lionesses and their coach - and the German coach.
http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268014/match=300269475/quotes.html
posted on 5/7/15
I was proud to be English last night, because the girls stuck to the plan, played for each other and gave it everything. I would have been just as proud if they had lost. (Perhaps).
After the France match I thought "here we go again" but in the second half of the next game (Colombia?), the determination began to show.
After watching the U21 males perform their usual "what are we doing here routine", it made a refreshing change.
I think the biggest problem England teams have is the fear of making mistakes. They lose confidence in each other and start to look like they aren't trying. Which brings me back round to the Rovers. There should be a logical explanation why the performances were so hit and miss, and the pathetic home form for something like 4 years.
posted on 6/7/15
Finally, the USA girls played like their true potential - maybe it was better we were not in the final! A 55 yard goal in a World Cup Final is just amazing.
At least one of Portland Thorns girls got on the score sheet (Tobin Heath).
Altogether, my wife and I enjoyed this World Cup. Except for the play acting to delay penalty kicks by Solo and Angerer, the sportsmanship (womanship?) was wonderful.