[sphinx]

Ugly game, right score. U.S. should have had one or two more. I think the ref should shoulder the blame for this one. Spain was overmatched and knew it. They got physical to compensate. Alex Morgan always draws defensive attention -- which is why she is so valuable as a playmaker, for stretching the defense, and as a decoy -- but in this game, she was fouled repeatedly, far past the point at which the ref should have been handing out yellows. I lost count of how many times she was knocked down. Tobin Heath was getting mugged too. That's one way to throttle an offense if the refs allow it. Spain ended up paying the price, with two U.S. goals on penalties, but the ref should have reined it in a lot earlier.

The second penalty kick was awarded on a pretty soft foul. I wouldn't have called it. But since the ref didn't blow her whistle when a U.S. player was thrown to the ground inside the box, with a strong and flagrant two handed shoulder throw, that evens out.

The best thing for the U.S. is that they dodged a bullet. Alyssa Naeher got her klutz play for this tournament out of the way. To win the tournament with as much parity as there is, the eventual champion will have to survive a subpar game and bad luck somewhere along the way. France dodged a bullet yesterday. The U.S. dodged one today. That sets up what we've all anticipated since the draw.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Looked to me like Spain came in with a plan to throw caution to the wind.

Without the fouls they would have won 1-0.

I thought the score should have been 1-4 USA.
Spain should have been penalized for 4 fouls instead of two.

[KC_Lion]

Thank you for the analysts' FRiends.

Been trying to keep up with the game via watch/twitter during breaks at work.

[kabar]

Spain exposed the US weaknesses on the back line and in goal. Yes, they fouled excessively to blunt the US timing on the offense, but they used long passes to capitalize on their superior one on one skills.

Morgan and Rapinoe were ordinary. Morgan is playing hurt. She should be substituted sooner during the French game if she has another subpar performance. I would replace Dunn with Krieger. Krieger is more experienced, bigger, and Dunn is playing out of position. She is a midfielder. Mewis played surprisingly well.

Based on today’s performance, the US will have a hard time beating France, which has better technical skills and a better attack than Spain.