Metaphor alert: Fox just showed a replay of what happened when the U.S. scored the goal on a jumbotron in Times Square. Nobody took notice. Sigh.
I’d crumble under that stress.
Imagine having to tell Carli Lloyd she’s not starting?
I will say that I’m super-glad I’m not the one handling the lineups. You have world-champion players who have proven themselves in high-stakes competition, but might not be 100 percent, and then you have young guns who might be amazing, but also might not be. And you have three substitutions total. Ugh.
There might be some (legitimate) criticism of Ellis for how she’s handled these lineups.
More Ellis trolling.
Random question: Why have we only seen Mallory Pugh for 118 minutes (including 0 in the knockout stages) during the World Cup? With the narrative being the U.S.’s struggles in creating offense, Morgan’s problems, etc., where is the dynamic up-and-comer we all heard about going into the tournament?
Harbinger for something bad in the second half?
And they’re two of the three best Americans at progressive passes.
That’s fascinating. Lavelle and Mewis are both below their World Cup average in pass completion percentage right now.
That said, the Americans completed just 65 percent of their passes. Even though they didn’t play their best game against Spain, they still completed 76 percent of their passes…
According to Opta, the U.S. made ZERO passes inside the penalty area. That feels … impossible?
Speaking of subs, the French don’t have that deep of a bench, which is going to be a big factor in this second half.
*cough* Lindsey Horan *cough*
The French are bossing the midfield for sure. Something needs to change there.
🤣
Are the French team’s forwards called the National Front?
Good way to end the half for the U.S. Despite struggling to keep possession in the midfield, the Americans ended up with a 5-0 advantage in shots on goal.
Morgan and Lavelle are not possessing as needed. The back line has been admirable, but this game reminds me of the last one — a lot of settling in the final third for the U.S. and lacking that incisive touch.
Mewis with a shot on goal. Easy save for Bouhaddi to end the half.
Really nice look right before halftime for the U.S.
I think Horan for sure. Maybe Lloyd comes on in the 65th minute, ish, if they need a goal.
Wonder what subs we’ll see from Jill Ellis in the second half. Lloyd again? Horan?
Chad, I don’t think they’ve looked flat! Why do you say that?
It is way too hot — and the U.S. are way too flat — for Ellis not to make a sub at halftime.
tbh I forgot Heath was playing
Diani with a header but it’s off target.
They’ve shut Tobin Heath down as well. Dunn the only one really making noise.
Sam Mewis has been quiet.
Haha — there you go. Recency bias!
That passage brought it up to 14.
That’s very surprising. Has felt like more than that for the U.S.
According to Opta, the U.S. has completed just eight passes in the attacking third. France has completed 39!!!
Dunn with a try on goal. Easy save for France. 43 minutes in.
So we have all of these numbers on France controlling play. But still, the U.S. has three shots on goal so far. France, zero.
We’re already 40 minutes in. This game has gone by fast.
Naeher with the save off the free kick from France.
Hard foul on Majri there from O’Hara.
O’Hara has to be careful, with her previous yellow card.
The French have also completed more than 40 more passes than the U.S.
Jinx!
The U.S. is lucky they scored first. Getting beat up in the possession battle: They’ve had just 41 percent of the ball.
France is leading the possession game 59 percent to 41.
Sure did to me.
That looked a handball there on the French side, no?
The French are finding space on the wings, but the U.S. defenders are doing their jobs. Nothing really getting through to Naeher.
OK, enough on the hydration tests.
[That “big bucks” comment is infuriating.]
Perhaps surprisingly, France is up in the expected goals battle, 0.19 to 0.14.