Had to dust off the ol’ blogging station for this one.
There there chicken little, the sky is indeed not falling. I hate to break the news to any past USWNT players who like to talk shit after they rode the bench in 2019, but this team is totally fine. I hate this narrative that just because they are the US Women’s National Team, they need to be winning every game 4-0. Two things are true.
1. Netherlands is a strong team that tying against is no easy feat.
2. This isn’t the 2019 team, so quit expecting that from this team
I fully understand that it is championship or bust for this team. But we cannot expect the ghost of Sam Mewis and Christen Press’s healthy knees to waltz onto the field and win games for this team. Yes, it really fucking sucks that these players are trying to figure out how to play together in the middle of a world cup. But what else can you expect from a team decimated with injuries?
It’s time we start questioning the deal Jill Ellis made with the devil to win in 2019. This laundry list of injured players isn’t just some scrubs and bums that might be on the team. We’re talking elite players that we fully expected to be in the starting lineup. It’s a joy we all were robbed of and I cannot help but somehow blame Vlatko for it.
But what about the here and now?
Call it a hot take but this team has played just fine. It’s true, it ain’t eye-popping numbers like Spain has put up. But just for a second take a memory jog. Think about all those missed chances that on other occasions finish in the back of the net. It is not far-fetched to say the US Women’s National Team should have and is more than capable of having scored 6 or 7 goals on Vietnam.
Well, what about versus the Netherlands? WHAT THE FUCK ABOUT IT!? Maybe it was not a super-dominant performance, but I somewhat agree with Vlatko. Just for a second think back and tell me, apart from the goal when else was the US in danger. No one should have ever felt that the game was ever going to get away from the US. To be honest, I thought for sure we’d put two or three past that goalie.
The US very clearly had slightly more and slightly better chances and if you do not agree with that, then do yourself a favor and seek help.
This isn’t meant to be Vlatko propaganda. Fuck that guy. I’ve got my own laundry list of problems with how he’s managed the team. Lynn Williams having zero minutes through two games is only a stone’s throw away from capital punishment.
So what do we need to see more of?
It is important to note that I do not have the answers sway. If I did, I would be coaching somewhere and not be a schlub accountant who enjoys chatting shit. But, I also want to be on my Guardiola-shit so here goes nothing. Dunn as the 6, thank you next. Sophia at the 9, thank you next. Lynn in, Huerta in. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
I implore you! Do not be fooled! This team will be just fine. They’re going to pound Portugal in the dirt, probably beat Italy in round 1, and then is when the real World Cup starts. For now, consider these games as just preparation games for Rose Lavelle to get healthy. R-E-L-A-X
Side note, Rose better not see more than 30 mins vs Portugal. Lord knows those lower extremities have been through enough. Better save her for the knockout stages.