Posts Categorized as ‘World Cup’

United States, World Cup

A-Rod and the USWNT Hope to Keep Women’s Soccer in the Public Eye

MAURA GLADYS - With the USWNT’s amazing World Cup performance in Germany, a mainstream interest for women’s soccer has been piqued in the United States. Now, members of the squad are doing everything they can to ensure that that interest expands to a passion.

One of the main methods to achieve that has been through fan engagement. Yesterday, members of the USWNT appeared at a rally at a mall outside Rochester before last night’s match up between the Western New York Flash and magicJack, a game that set a new WPS attendance record.

Today, Philadelphia Independence striker Amy Rodriguez fielded phone calls from fans who called the Independence’s offices, to speak about her World Cup experience, Women’s Pro Soccer and the Philadelphia Independence. (more…)

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United States, World Cup

U.S. Falls to Japan in a Heartbreaker

MAURA GLADYS - If you’re the USWNT, it’s hard to get back up after a loss like that. To have the lead not once, but twice. To be just three minutes away from hoisting the World Cup trophy. To go to penalty kicks with the great Hope Solo in goal. Then to see is all just slip away. It’s tough to swallow. But it was a good game today, despite the heart-breaking outcome. Fans were treated to four total goals, exciting, attractive play, and a glimpse at the future of American scoring. Below are some quick hits from today’s match. Wrap up coverage coming tonight and tomorrow. (more…)

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United States, World Cup

Women’s World Cup: Game Day Guide

MAURA GLADYS - So, it’s game day. Probably the last time for a while that at least a significant part of our country will get jazzed for some women’s soccer, so let’s enjoy it.

First, some clutch ways to get into the game.

Live Chat. Join us for live coverage starting at 2:30.

Listen to some sweet tribute songs. Ok, so maybe sweet isn’t the best word. Fun? Unique? Enthusiastic? Most popular song, by far is the Megan Rapinoe Song. It’s super catchy. And it’s already up on iTunes. We’ve also got some Hope Solo-inspired raps and an acoustic guitar tribute to the whole team. Enjoy.

If music’s not your thing, hit up Twitter and partake in coining some new USWNT-themed hashtags. #MarrymeHopeSolo is already out there, so get creative.

Once coverage at the stadium starts, get your paparazzi on and see if you can spot the U.S. delegation featuring Jill Biden and Chelsea Clinton. (more…)

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United States, World Cup

USA Downs France 3-1, Reaches First WC Final in 12 Years

MAURA GLADYS - Although it wasn’t as heart-stopping as its quarterfinal win over Brazil, the United States’ triumph over France was filled with plenty of excitement. After going ahead early, France tied it up in the second half and were threatening to go ahead in the second half when Abby Wambach’s header put the United States in the lead. Alex Morgan finished it off three minutes later in the 82nd minute. More coverage later, but here are a few quick hits from today’s game. (more…)

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World Cup

The Women’s World Cup Team Won’t Save The WPS

NOAH DAVIS – This has been fun, hasn’t it? Dramatic, exciting victories from the United States women’s national team.

Abby Wambach is scoring massive goals (and trending on Twitter, seemingly the new standard for making it in America). Hope Solo – gaff on France’s goal aside – continues to assert herself as the best female goalkeeper in the world. (Aside: Are there any other quality female netminders?)  I can spell Rapinoe without the help of Google.

It’s been great watching America catch soccer fever. But don’t get used to it. Women’s soccer is still in trouble in the US. (more…)

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United States, World Cup

USA-France: Three Things To Look For

MAURA GLADYS - The USWNT writes the next chapter of their World Cup saga tomorrow when they take on France in the semifinals. This wasn’t the match anyone was expecting, but it should shake out to be an exciting one, due to the markedly different styles of the two teams. Here are three things to watch for in tomorrow’s game, and don’t forget to join us for a live chat during the game.

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10 Kit Essay, United States, World Cup

The Indescribable Game

ANTHONY MANNINO –  Speechless: one word that describes Abby Wambach and Pia Sundhage’s reaction when they tried to illustrate their miraculous comeback. This is just one of those games that words cannot describe. I tried myself with amazing, phenomenal, out of this world, or miraculous, but words do not give this game justice. This is one of those matches that if you watched you will remember for the next 20 years.

The heart and poise that this team showed against Brazil is second to none. The team could have easily given up when Rachel Buehler was wrongfully give a red card, or after Hope Solo saved the first penalty, but Brazil was able to retake the spot kick and score. If that was not enough the US was on the wrong side of another call when the USWNT was called offside when the attacker was clearly on. A few moments later Marta would go on to score off a magnificent goal for Brazil. (more…)

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United States, World Cup

Do Soccer Teams Panic Too Early?

NOAH DAVIS – I promise I was thinking about this before Sunday’s dramatic American win.

It came to me while watching a Copa America game at a bar in Bogota: It sure seems to me like soccer teams panic too early.

The US is getting a lot of credit for staying in the game against Brazil, for not giving up until the final moment. And deservedly so.

But if you listened to Ian Darke and Julie Foudy immediately before Abby Wambach changed the course of history, you’d think the Americans had no shot to score. The pair of commentators started throwing in the Jabulani for the Stars and Stripes somewhere around minute 113, calling for the US to play kick and run, kick and pray, kick and cry. To me, that seems ridiculous. And it happens all the time. (more…)

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United States, World Cup

5 Women’s World Cup Group Matches To Watch

MAURA GLADYS  - If you’re only going to watch a few matches of the Women’s World Cup, try and make it one of these…

USA-North Korea-June 28th 11:45 a.m. ESPN and ESPN3 - The kick-off match for the United States’ championship campaign, its match up against North Korea will also be the its toughest test of the group stage. If the U.S. squad hopes to get off to a good start, and make its life easier down the road, it needs to get a positive result here.

Brazil-Norway-July 3rd Noon, ESPN and ESPN3: The two strongest teams in the same group in what could just as easily by a semi-final matchup. Expect markedly different styles, but quality play from both teams. (more…)

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World Cup

Women’s World Cup Preview: Team USA

MAURA GLADYS - Switching things up a bit today. Instead of looking at Group C, I’m going to be previewing the U.S. team in a little bit more depth. For a more comprehensive Group C preview, check out my piece at the Shin Guardian. But for now, here’s your one-stop shop for all things USWNT.

How they got here: The U.S. didn’t take its usual route. Instead of cruising through qualifying, the United States stumbled against Mexico in the CONCACAF Championship semifinals, losing 2-1 This set up a must-win third place match against Costa Rica (which the U.S. won 3-0) and a home and home playoff series with Italy. Against Italy the U.S. barely pulled out a home soil victory on Italian soil thanks to a 94th -minute goal from Alex Morgan, and solidified their aggregate goal victory  seven days later with a 1-0 win in Bridgeview, Illinois.  

The squad: The funny thing about the age and experience break-down of the squad is that it has the highest average age since the 2003 tournament (when the ’99 superstars like Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain were on their last legs), but also has 12 World Cup rookies. Familiar faces include captain Christie Rampone, scoring leader Abby Wambach, keeper Hope Solo, forward Amy Rodriguez and mids Shannon Boxx and Carli Lloyd. Some of the new blood includes Ali Krieger, Rachel Buehler, Amy LePeilbet, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan.  (more…)

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