OT: USWNT Soccer

I would never root against the US...period...but not going to lie...I smirked a little when I read about the game yesterday morning.  Kneeling is one thing in a match in the US.  Kneeling on the International stage is quite another.  To see how proud the opposing players were to represent their countries...many of whom have much worse domestic issues...versus the disdain the US team showed was tough to watch.  Now that Rapinoe has announced her retirement, I wonder how much of that goes away?  She was certainly the vocal leader of the teams social agenda.  Everybody is afraid to call her out on some of this stuff.  Now that she has announced her retirement, she says she would welcome biological men into Women's soccer.  Really?  The World Champion USWNT lost a match against a boys 15 and under team in 2017.  Even with hormone treatment, a biological man will be faster, stronger, and shoot harder than a woman.  Let that soak in little girls who dream of participating on the world stage.  The push for equal pay was also a little disingenuous.  There's no doubt that due to their overwhelming success, the US Women's team was able to draw the crowds but the revenue and merchandising between International Men's and Women's soccer is an order of magnitude different.   They were giving tickets away at the Women's World Cup.  For many countries, the World Cup is their Superbowl played every 4 years.   Much like the Superbowl, those tickets go for a premium.

The reality is the rest of the World, who previously thought of Soccer (Football) as a men's game...has now caught up to the US.  The passion for the game globally is unparalleled.  I remember going on a trip through the Himalayas between Kathmandu, Nepal and Lhasa, Tibet including Everest Base Camp.  We purchased a soccer ball at one of the local outdoor markets as we crossed the International bridge into China (Tibet) while we were waiting for our guide (the CCP official that would tell us all about liberating Tibet from their totalitarian leadership..).  The Land Rover broke down numerous times along the way...the dirt roads were marginal at best.  The driver was a pretty good mechanic and would always get the thing back and running.  When the Land Rover would break down, we would always pull the soccer ball out and kick it around.  By the time the driver had the Rover fixed, we usually had a full game going with the locals...even in remote areas where we hadn't seen a person in hours.  Every time we started to kick that ball around...people would appear out of nowhere.  We didn't speak the language but it didn't matter.

Now that the USWNT has come back down to the field...I wonder how much revenue they'll be able to take in versus the Men's team.  Will they reevaluate the pay based on revenues?  It's just plain economics.  We'll see how the team fares in the Olympics in 2 years.  That will tell you a lot about whether this was a trend or a fluke.

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"1VikesFan" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"1VikesFan" said:

@"StickyBun" said: A draw, lol.....brutal. I hate the tie games. They had some opportunities in ET to win it. Penalty kicks are so bogus, just straight up luck almost.

Hate em too but the US missed two wide open shots in the PK's.

Yep, seemed to choke. What a loss. Let's see if the sports media makes excuses or gives real criticism like they should. Rapinoe looks washed. Earliest exit in USA Women's history. Little doubt the rest of the world has caught up to the USWNT.

I personally believe the biggest problem is their coach. Vlatko did a horrible job, not only putting this team together but also preparing them for the WC. Their lineup was confusing to say the least, it was like he just pulled names out of a hat said okay you play today. Agree Sticky, Rapinoe had no business being on this team, much less actually playing.

Oh well, they now have 4 years to prepare for the next one. I guess 2 years if you count the Olympics. 

Some of the coaching decisions made no sense. Yeah there is time for adjustments and planning to move forward.

@"badgervike" said:

Now that the USWNT has come back down to the field...I wonder how much revenue they'll be able to take in versus the Men's team.  Will they reevaluate the pay based on revenues?  It's just plain economics.  We'll see how the team fares in the Olympics in 2 years.  That will tell you a lot about whether this was a trend or a fluke.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"1VikesFan" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"1VikesFan" said:

@"StickyBun" said: A draw, lol.....brutal. I hate the tie games. They had some opportunities in ET to win it. Penalty kicks are so bogus, just straight up luck almost.

Hate em too but the US missed two wide open shots in the PK's.

Yep, seemed to choke. What a loss. Let's see if the sports media makes excuses or gives real criticism like they should. Rapinoe looks washed. Earliest exit in USA Women's history. Little doubt the rest of the world has caught up to the USWNT.

I personally believe the biggest problem is their coach. Vlatko did a horrible job, not only putting this team together but also preparing them for the WC. Their lineup was confusing to say the least, it was like he just pulled names out of a hat said okay you play today. Agree Sticky, Rapinoe had no business being on this team, much less actually playing.

Oh well, they now have 4 years to prepare for the next one. I guess 2 years if you count the Olympics. 

Some of the coaching decisions made no sense. Yeah there is time for adjustments and planning to move forward.

I dont think you mark this up to coaching decisions.  If anything it was on the focus of the team.  They obviously weren't putting the game first.

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"1VikesFan" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"1VikesFan" said:

@"StickyBun" said: A draw, lol.....brutal. I hate the tie games. They had some opportunities in ET to win it. Penalty kicks are so bogus, just straight up luck almost.

Hate em too but the US missed two wide open shots in the PK's.

Yep, seemed to choke. What a loss. Let's see if the sports media makes excuses or gives real criticism like they should. Rapinoe looks washed. Earliest exit in USA Women's history. Little doubt the rest of the world has caught up to the USWNT.

I personally believe the biggest problem is their coach. Vlatko did a horrible job, not only putting this team together but also preparing them for the WC. Their lineup was confusing to say the least, it was like he just pulled names out of a hat said okay you play today. Agree Sticky, Rapinoe had no business being on this team, much less actually playing.

Oh well, they now have 4 years to prepare for the next one. I guess 2 years if you count the Olympics. 

Some of the coaching decisions made no sense. Yeah there is time for adjustments and planning to move forward.

I dont think you mark this up to coaching decisions.  If anything it was on the focus of the team.  They obviously weren't putting the game first.

It's a multitude of things and no one gets a pass. I previously mentioned some people not knowing when there time is up and the newbies. It's a combination of things. Sometimes it is chemistry and figuring out what works. Other countries are investing resources and now the US has to adjust. It's adversity, we'll see how they respond.

@"StickyBun" said:

@"badgervike" said:

Now that the USWNT has come back down to the field...I wonder how much revenue they'll be able to take in versus the Men's team.  Will they reevaluate the pay based on revenues?  It's just plain economics.  We'll see how the team fares in the Olympics in 2 years.  That will tell you a lot about whether this was a trend or a fluke.

The more interesting part from my perspective is there's zero doubt a big part of the USWNT's fan interest was their success. Fans came onboard because of how dominate they were and its always fun to be a part of front-runners. What if they aren't the world's best anymore for real? They still might be, but if they've taken a step back and the world has taken a big step forward, its going to gut their fan support. JMO. 

Here's all you need to know about the teams laser focus on winning.  

After the L at the World Cup today, Megan Rapinoe was asked what her favorite memory of playing for US soccer was.

Her response was "equal pay" pic.twitter.com/zgeCM99WWW

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 6, 2023

@"badgervike" said: Here's all you need to know about the teams laser focus on winning.  

After the L at the World Cup today, Megan Rapinoe was asked what her favorite memory of playing for US soccer was.

Her response was "equal pay" pic.twitter.com/zgeCM99WWW

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 6, 2023

Bottom line though, Rapinoe had no business being on the USWNT because her skill level is a shell of what it once was. 

@"1VikesFan" said:

@"badgervike" said: Here's all you need to know about the teams laser focus on winning.  

After the L at the World Cup today, Megan Rapinoe was asked what her favorite memory of playing for US soccer was.

Her response was "equal pay" pic.twitter.com/zgeCM99WWW

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 6, 2023

Bottom line though, Rapinoe had no business being on the USWNT because her skill level is a shell of what it once was. 

I don't care either...unless it goes so far as to define their very being.  Rapinoe has had some great accomplishments including Golden Boot winner for most goals in a World Cup in 2019 at age 34.  So many great moments and her favorite memory is equal pay?  You're right though...she had no business playing anymore...

I'll always cheer for Team USA in these things.  I can appreciate Rapinoe's accomplishments while also finding her to be a likely distraction and to have, to me, a complete lack of charisma.

The team looked "off", like they were lacking intensity at times this time around...and they lost.  Well, they need to strive to be better if they want to regain their swagger...this is common in sports.

As for the whole kneeling thing, eh...I don't like it, I don't like wearing the country's colors and protesting it at the same time.  That said, it's their right, a veteran buddy of mine set me straight on this years back when I was growling about it.  He doesn't like it either, but he fought for their right to do it, and that means a huge amount to him.

@"Zanary" said: I'll always cheer for Team USA in these things.  I can appreciate Rapinoe's accomplishments while also finding her to be a likely distraction and to have, to me, a complete lack of charisma.

The team looked "off", like they were lacking intensity at times this time around...and they lost.  Well, they need to strive to be better if they want to regain their swagger...this is common in sports.

As for the whole kneeling thing, eh...I don't like it, I don't like wearing the country's colors and protesting it at the same time.  That said, it's their right, a veteran buddy of mine set me straight on this years back when I was growling about it.  He doesn't like it either, but he fought for their right to do it, and that means a huge amount to him.

honestly,  if they didnt suck out loud,  very few would be talking about their "protests"  even the biggest DBags get cheered for when they are winning,  as they say,  it cures a lot.

I think with Rapinoe gone, you tell the team that kneeling is unacceptable on the World stage and those that do will be sent home.  If you're ashamed of your Country...maybe you're not the best respresentative.  These guys were sent home.  

@"badgervike" said: I think with Rapinoe gone, you tell the team that kneeling is unacceptable on the World stage and those that do will be sent home.  These guys were sent home.  

@"badgervike" said: I think with Rapinoe gone, you tell the team that kneeling is unacceptable on the World stage and those that do will be sent home.  If you're ashamed of your Country...maybe you're not the best respresentative.  These guys were sent home.  

Soccer would be great if they could run with or throw the ball, tackle whoever has it, and getting the ball past the end lines would count for points instead of kicking it in stupid nets. 

I give Lloyd a lot of credit, this insider has tried to put the team's feet to the fire and be accountable with criticism:

https://www.si.com/soccer/2023/08/15/carli-lloyd-doubles-down-uswnt-criticism-womens-world-cup

@"StickyBun" said: I give Lloyd a lot of credit, this insider has tried to put the team's feet to the fire and be accountable with criticism:

https://www.si.com/soccer/2023/08/15/carli-lloyd-doubles-down-uswnt-criticism-womens-world-cup

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"StickyBun" said: I give Lloyd a lot of credit, this insider has tried to put the team's feet to the fire and be accountable with criticism:

https://www.si.com/soccer/2023/08/15/carli-lloyd-doubles-down-uswnt-criticism-womens-world-cup

To me that was he blaming her younger teammates.  Nothing about the distractions that this team has been making for itself the last decade plus,   and the potential consequences that may have had on funding and participation for those Jr programs,  or the way those current younger players saw their roles on this team.

@"Waterboy" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"StickyBun" said: I give Lloyd a lot of credit, this insider has tried to put the team's feet to the fire and be accountable with criticism:

https://www.si.com/soccer/2023/08/15/carli-lloyd-doubles-down-uswnt-criticism-womens-world-cup

To me that was he blaming her younger teammates.  Nothing about the distractions that this team has been making for itself the last decade plus,   and the potential consequences that may have had on funding and participation for those Jr programs,  or the way those current younger players saw their roles on this team.

She actually spoke up after the Bronze Medal performance in the Olympics publicly.  I suspect she spoke up internally before that.  Yes, it would have been better if she had done so earlier, but I appreciate that she is speaking up.

Carli Lloyd rips former teammates after she refused to take knee: They ‘became more about building a brand’ (yahoo.com)

I have never been much of a soccer fan...men's or women's...I never understood the fanaticism...until...TRUE STORY:

I was able to pick up US Soccer Federation as a client about 25 years ago.  Did my work for them (successfully) and I was nicely compensated for the solid job I did.  I was invited to go to a US vs. Iran men's game in Pasadena, CA at the Rose Bowl with my wife (there was another USSF marketing event simultaneously, so I was going to be there).  Little did I understand at the time that the LA Basin is also called "Little Tehran", with more than 600,000 Iranian-born residents in the region...more than anywhere in the world outside of Tehran.  All a product of the overthrow of the Shah back decades earlier.  My contact at USSF said that there was more media interest in this game (1,600 media credentials issued) than the first World Cup tournament in the US back in the 80's.  It was all because of the relatively recent history of the US vs. Iran that was much larger than sport.
So we went to this game.  My wife is blonde.  She was probably one of three blonde women in the Rose Bowl that day.  And there were a LOT of women there.
Above and below and on either side of us were obviously fans of Iranian descent.  They were loud, screaming, excited and they were having a great time.  My wife and I were a bit like bumps on a log, watching the action, but not having any idea even the rules of soccer.  About midway through the second period, a woman who was seated directly in front of us (who had been screaming bloody murder in excitement), turned around and said to my wife in a very polite tone "are you having a nice time?"  It was surreal.
As part of that same contract, I was able to attend a double-header at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands (late 90s?).  I think it was the prevailing World Cup Champion Brazil vs. an All-star team of other World Cup teams, and then the MLS All-star game.  It was painful to sit through, because I didn't even understand the rules, but holy cats...those Brazilians were proud and fanatical!!  I'd never seen so many Brazilian flags in person in my life.
Fast forward to last winter...I had heard about Ted Lasso.  My wife and I started watching it and got hooked.  It was a perfect segue...a small-time American football coach in the British Premier League.  I actually learned more about soccer, the game, the strategy, and F**king Roy Kent!  At this time, I can actually, honestly say that I would be open to watching a soccer game, kinda understand it, kinda enjoy it and "have a nice time", as the Iranian woman in Pasadena had asked.  
So thank you Jason Sudekis and Ted Lasso for having opened my eyes to a game the rest of the world is passionate about.