Women's World Cup kicks off as hosts France shoot for historic double

theguardian.com ^ | June 7, 2019 | Suzanne Wrack

[Berlin_Freeper]

Nearly one million tickets have been sold for the Women’s World Cup before the start of the tournament on Friday, organisers say.

In the biggest and – Fifa, football’s governing body, hopes – the best Women’s World Cup yet, France play South Korea at the Parc des Princes in the first of 52 games.

The host nation hopes to emulate the success of the men’s team in Russia last year and make history by becoming first country to hold both World Cups at the same time. Among the 24 teams taking part, France are narrow favourites to win the tournament, just ahead of the holders, the USA.

[MMaschin]

Come on, that's like people saying that Alabama football team could beat the worst NFL team. It's simply ridiculous.

If the men's U-20 team played the women's team, they would win by at least 5 goals.

[Berlin_Freeper]

If you soft focused the players you would not tell the difference from men or women for these goals.
https://youtu.be/Rtz19d9Nk2E

[Berlin_Freeper]

You may be right.

[dfwgator]

You have very good ball control, sharp passes, and planned attacks like the Men’s

Are we talking the US Mens team, here? Bwahahahahaha!

[MMaschin]

Actually not yes. Rapinoe will not be kneeling during the National Anthem.

Only because the US Soccer passed a rule banning it - which Rapinoe has been VERY vocal about opposing.

No person who has been VERY vocal about complaining about patriotism associated with the National team,

"Using this blanketed patriotism as a defense against what the protest actually is was pretty cowardly"

and has publicly stated that they will not support the National Anthem, should be on the National Team. I don't car about her playing professionally at another level, but NOT on the National team.

[SMGFan]

I hear Alex Morgan is pretty / good .

[Berlin_Freeper]

So. Rapinoe will not be kneeling.

Right.

Thanks for sharing your political correctness.

[bramps]

I think the Womens team could beat the Mens team right now.
********************************************************

Presumably that’s a joke as the US women have been previously crushed by 13 and 14 year old boys.

[MMaschin]

If you soft focused the players you would not tell the difference from men or women for these goals.

Set plays and shots on goal are not what defines level of play. It's the crisp passes, the ball control, the individual skill in one-on-one situations. That is where women's soccer is at a MUCH lower level. I'm not completely knocking it, it's what makes women's soccer more enjoyable to watch. Men's soccer reaches a level were it get's almost boring because there skill level is so great, that challenges are a waste of energy.

This is the first year I've actually watch much of the U-20 action, and I was amazed. It was more fun than watching Men's and better skill level than watching women's.

[dfwgator]

Did you see the Men’s team the other night against Jamaica?

[Berlin_Freeper]

It's the crisp passes, the ball control, the individual skill in one-on-one situations.

That's the women also. Have fun with much better things to do with your time. Now wave bye-bye.

[MMaschin]

So. Rapinoe will not be kneeling.

Right.

Thanks for sharing your political correctness.

She doesn't need to kneel, before, during, and after every game the liberal media will he highlighting her brave lack of patriotism. How she is struggling for what she believes, and is fighting the good fight.

Rapinoe's presence on the US National team is a slap in the face 10x stronger than anything Kaepernick did.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Rapinoe's presence on the US National team is a slap in the face 10x stronger than anything Kaepernick did.

There are a lot of other players on the team you know. You are in snowflake territory. Drama much?

[MMaschin]

That's the women also. Have fun with much better things to do with your time. Now wave bye-bye.

Women's soccer is only enjoyable because they are nowhere near as good as men's.

No... I'll definitely be watching, I'll be rooting for whoever is playing against Rapinoe. I'll also be watching in public, so that when I'm asked why I rooting against "our girls", I'll explain to people that some on the team definitely are not "our girls".

[kabar]

I would like to see more Krieger and Lloyd. They have the experience and craftiness to make a difference. Krieger can bolster the back line. She makes good decisions. Sauerbrunn is the anchor, but she needs help. Lloyd is just a goal scorer who is in the right place at the right time. Not flashy, just clinical.

[Berlin_Freeper]

This is sports you can root for whoever you like for whatever insane reason you like.
No one is going to spend time on your weak patriotism against the whole National Team because of a player or two.

[bramps]

Yes I did. They were awful. Which again shows what level the women play at.

Again, a U15 boys team(13 and 14 year olds) crushed the USWNT. So as bad as our USMNT is, the women would be lucky to touch the ball if the two teams played. None of this makes me happy. It’s just not our culture so this is where we will stay for the foreseeable future. The women will steadily drop in the world also as other countries invest more in the women’s game. You add in their liberal agenda and there’s just nothing that interests me.

The US U20 team is doing well in the U20 world cup however. Next game tomorrow after they just beat top ranked France.

[Berlin_Freeper]

In my opinion I like Lloyd as a substitute.
Think she is really filling that roll well.

[spankalib]

The recent issue of SI was delivered to the office where I work and the cover showed Rapinoe holding hands with a young girl who was gazing worshipfully up at Rap. Disgusting.

A lesbian, America-hating “activist” - yeah.

Of course, SI, and the rest of the sheepified sporting press lionizes depravity.

Not me. Not you. That’s good.

[dfwgator]

Berhalter showed that he isn’t the answer.

What the hell was he thinking? He needs to build his credibility, he doesn’t have the skins on the wall at this point to experiment.

I believe, a National Team roster for WCQ should be pretty much set at least two years before qualifying starts to give them a chance to mesh together, they have to play as many games as possible, Friendlies should never be thrown away just like that.

Winning a World Cup is more about team cohesion than talent. That’s why Messi will probably never win a WC with Argentina. They have the talent, but not the cohesion.

Also, I really wish we had gotten Martino, instead of Mexico.