You are nauseating. We had this same thread a few months ago. Nigeria has been competitive at recent World Cups. They actually advanced to the knockout stage in 2019, which was the deepest and best World Cup ever. As African sides go, they are the most well trained and skilled. They have 2 NWSL players and at least a dozen who play in top Euro women’s leagues (mostly Spain, which is a good league). So no, they are not a rec team. But go ahead and use it as another chance to get a shot in at the USWNT.
Pretty ragged effort by the US despite dominating possession. Finally a great finish by Christen Press right before half. Nigeria as expected by most other than SMF had been competent and had a few dangerous chances.
The women better step it up if they want paid as much as Champions League men's players. Beating a bunch of semi-pros making gas money isnt cutting it.
They can either play or not, and Nigeria can play competitively better than your predicted 8-0.
It’s so political. A couple of those 30 somethings need to move on. Lots of non primadonna players on the team and in the system.
I thought that after the last World Cup. They’d have had all this time to integrate new players for a few years before the next World Cup. Should have sent them off as winners and moved on.
A lot of good players not given the chance because of these veterans that are in need of moving on.
Who in the organization will tell these players to move on? Too damn scared of some of them.
They could probably play until they're 50 and still beat all those rec teams so who cares.
In fairness, Jill Ellis had the stones to basically kick the best goalkeeper in the world off the US team after the ‘16 Olympics. Rapinoe, Press and Lloyd certainly qualify as prima donnas, but I don’t get the sense that they are culture problems the way Hope Solo was.
Ok. Maybe 40. They are playing nobodies.
Lloyd absolutely belongs, albeit as a 70th minute sub. She just has a knack for coming up with big goals. I struggle with Rapinoe because I am not a fan of hers personally, but she looks pretty good right now after having a lot of injury issues. She is also excellent on set pieces which counts for something.
Remember in the Olympics, rosters are only 18 players not the normal 23. Rapinoe just isn't that good anymore and you need someone that can play more than 20 minutes like Lloyd can at the Olympics due to the short roster. Agree about Lavelle and Mewis, Lavelle deserved the Golden Ball at the last WC, not Rapinoe.
Maybe the new Victoria’s Secret gig will motivate Rapinoe to retire now and let some new blood play on the US team.
Unfortunately that ain’t happening. I can’t see that ego steeping away and US soccer doesn’t have the balls to cut her loose.
This isn’t 1998. Countries all over the world have caught up. We still spend a lot on our program. But money doesn’t always guarantee victories. Just ask Barcelona. or the Yankees. Or Kentucky basketball.
I probably should have used sarcasm font. But I think us soccer is scared to deal with rapinoe
I know what you meant. No worries. But not only Rapinoe...but the angry mob bullies too. Abilities no longer matter...only checking the right boxes does.
