Almost World Cup Time

With the dismal (U.S. not qualifying and Germany not advancing) 2018 World Cup far in the past, it's time to look to the Women's World Cup, where the Americans will begin defense of their title June 11 against Thailand in Reims, France.  We hope to see them in the final come July 7.

The bookies seem to like the red, white and blue, setting the odds for an American repeat at 2-1.  CBS Sports has a story on the odds for all the teams.

Follow all the results at the official FIFA site.

After the opener, the U.S. will face Chile on June 16 in Paris and wrap up group play against Sweden in LeHavre June 20.  Assuming U.S. advances out of Group F, they would play in the Round of 16 on June 24.

And finally, Jonathan Tannenwald had a piece in today's Inquirer about Team USA goalie, Alyssa Naeher, a Penn State graduate, Class of '09.  Fellow Nittany Lion Ali Krieger, Class of '06, is also on the roster and will be appearing in her third World Cup.

First Cup Final As A Grandparent

Proud of granddaughter Allison Werner and her U13 Penn Fusion SA United team, who came back from a 2-0 halftime deficit yesterday to defeat Rose Tree Blast, 3-2 in the semi-finals of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA) Challenge Cup May 11 in Media.  It was an exciting game, well-played by both sides.

Allison is a goalie and this was the first time she'd given up a goal in five cup matches.  Who cares?  They won.

I have been to five State Cup finals in New Jersey.  Four as a coach - won them all.  One as a parent - won it.  Here's hoping the streak continues as a grandparent.

The final is tentatively scheduled for June 1.

Penn Fusion SA United U13 Girls - Challenge Cup finalists

Coach P and granddaughter Allison