Nice to see Carli Lloyd on the front page of the Inquirer and the New York Times. And why not? All she did yesterday was come off the bench in the 17th minute (due to an injury to Shannon Boxx) and put the U.S. up for good against France, breaking a 2-2 deadlock with a goal in the 56th minute. The last time Lloyd played in an Olympic match, she scored the game winner against Brazil in the 2008 gold medal match.
Yesterday, the Americans got off to a sluggish start and found themselves down, 2-0, just 14 minutes in. But Abby Wambach headed in a Megan Rapinoe corner kick and Alex Morgan and Alex Morgan took a long punt from Hope Solo in the 31st minute and equalized. Morgan also added an insurance goal in the 66th minute.
One note pointed out in the Times: Lloyd started all 19 game sin which she played in 2011 but only 13 of 16 this year and was on the bench when yesterday's Olympic opener began. Only the injury to Boxx brought her onto the field relatively early. Sam Borden in the Times quotes Lloyd as saying she is still getting used to not starting but that she is "at peace" with that role. Apparently no one has asked coach Pia Sundhage what brought about the change in Lloyd's status.
Next up for the women: Colombia, Saturday at noon, Eastern.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Olympics - A Look Back To the 2008 Final
The U.S. women open defense of their Olympic gold medal tomorrow at noon Eastern time, in Glasgow against France. As everyone in these parts remembers, Carli Lloyd scored the winning goal in the final against Brazil back in 2008. She reminisces about that dramatic shot 6 minutes into overtime on the U.S. Soccer website.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Technology Comes to Soccer
As reported in the New York Times and elsewhere last week, international soccer will be using modern technology to determine whether a ball has entirely crossed the goalline. Although I have been against instant reply in soccer because it would disrupt the flow of the game, this move sounds like a positive step. It certainly would have eliminated the controversy in the 1966 World Cup final between Germany and England, not to mention the 2008 U18 New Jersey State Cup quarterfinal.
There are two systems, Hawk-Eye and the less expensive GoalRef, which could be in place for the upcoming English Premier League season. Most certainly electronics will be used in the 2014 World Cup. Don't expect to see it at your local high school stadium any time soon, however. The systems will cost an estimated $200,000 per stadium.
There are two systems, Hawk-Eye and the less expensive GoalRef, which could be in place for the upcoming English Premier League season. Most certainly electronics will be used in the 2014 World Cup. Don't expect to see it at your local high school stadium any time soon, however. The systems will cost an estimated $200,000 per stadium.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Spain Reigns Supreme
Spain dominated the European Cup final in Kiev today, much as it dominated the entire tournament, overwhelming Italy, 4-0 - its second straight title. This was the same Italy that looked brilliant in beating Germany, 2-1, in the semi-finals. Jere Longman suggested in the New York Times that Spain may be the greatest team in history.
“They completely dominated,” Longman quoted Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli as saying. “They really have made history, and deservedly so. They’ve been playing terrific football for a number of years. In spite of the fact they don’t play with a traditional striker, they still cause a lot of problems.”
George Vecsey in the Times describes Spain's system of play as, "make some passes, somebody — almost anybody — make a run, and a beautiful pass will find you."
The statistics on the UEFA web page demonstrate only how meaningless statistics can be in soccer in that they would appear to show a much closer match with Spain outshooting Italy, 14-11 and leading in shots on goal, 9-6. Corners and offsides were even at 3 apiece in each category.
The Spanish team showed class just before the medal ceremony, lining up at the foot of the stairs leading to the podium and shaking hands with the disappointed Italians as they trudged by to collect their second place medals.
“They completely dominated,” Longman quoted Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli as saying. “They really have made history, and deservedly so. They’ve been playing terrific football for a number of years. In spite of the fact they don’t play with a traditional striker, they still cause a lot of problems.”
George Vecsey in the Times describes Spain's system of play as, "make some passes, somebody — almost anybody — make a run, and a beautiful pass will find you."
The statistics on the UEFA web page demonstrate only how meaningless statistics can be in soccer in that they would appear to show a much closer match with Spain outshooting Italy, 14-11 and leading in shots on goal, 9-6. Corners and offsides were even at 3 apiece in each category.
The Spanish team showed class just before the medal ceremony, lining up at the foot of the stairs leading to the podium and shaking hands with the disappointed Italians as they trudged by to collect their second place medals.
Monday, May 28, 2012
U.S. Women Sell Out PPL Park
Can't believe it's been almost two months since I've posted. So what's happening? Olympics without the U.S. men. An epic Champions League final between Bayern and Chelsea. 32nd Annual JAGS coming up.
Most recent news to resume the blog is that the U.S. women dominated china, 4-1, in a friendly last night at PPL Park outside Philadelphia. Kate Harman wrote about it in this morning's Inquirer. With the troubles women's pro soccer has had sustaining interest, it was heartening to see a sell-out crowd of more than 18,000 attend.
And related to last night's match, good story by Marc Narducci in the Inquirer the day before about Carli Lloyd. (Wouldn't expect anything but a good story from Marc.)
Finally, happy to report that Bolton midfielder, Patrice Muambe, who collapsed just before halftime of the FA Cup quarterfinal between his Bolton Wanderers and the Tottenham Hotspurs on March 17, is out of the hospital and rehabbing at home. Story here from the BBC about how he watched Bolton play the Hotspurs on May 2.
Most recent news to resume the blog is that the U.S. women dominated china, 4-1, in a friendly last night at PPL Park outside Philadelphia. Kate Harman wrote about it in this morning's Inquirer. With the troubles women's pro soccer has had sustaining interest, it was heartening to see a sell-out crowd of more than 18,000 attend.
And related to last night's match, good story by Marc Narducci in the Inquirer the day before about Carli Lloyd. (Wouldn't expect anything but a good story from Marc.)
Finally, happy to report that Bolton midfielder, Patrice Muambe, who collapsed just before halftime of the FA Cup quarterfinal between his Bolton Wanderers and the Tottenham Hotspurs on March 17, is out of the hospital and rehabbing at home. Story here from the BBC about how he watched Bolton play the Hotspurs on May 2.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Former Cosmos Star Giorgio Chinaglia Dies
Giorgio Chinaglia, a member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame and the top scorer in the history of the North American Soccer League (NASL), died in Florida today of complications from a heart attack. He was 65.
After playing in Wales and his native Italy (where he earned 14 caps), Chinaglia signed with the Cosmos, joining Pele and Beckenbauer on the NASL's showcase franchise. In seven years with the club he scored 193 goals in 213 regular season games plus another 50 in 43 play-off matches. During that time the Cosmos won four championships.
After playing in Wales and his native Italy (where he earned 14 caps), Chinaglia signed with the Cosmos, joining Pele and Beckenbauer on the NASL's showcase franchise. In seven years with the club he scored 193 goals in 213 regular season games plus another 50 in 43 play-off matches. During that time the Cosmos won four championships.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Optimism for Bolton Player Muambe
It was gratifying to see the international concern for Bolton midfielder, Patrice Muambe, who collapsed just before halftime of the FA Cup quarterfinal between his Bolton Wanderers and the Tottenham Hotspurs last Saturday. Muambe, 23, was immediately attended to by medics and rushed to the hospital. The referee wisely abandoned the match.
Today, the Associated Press reported shortly after 4 p.m. EDT that Muambe can breathe without a ventilator, recognize family members and respond appropriately to questions. Although his prognosis remains uncertain, this news has to be heartening to his family and the millions of fans showing their support worldwide.
Today, the Associated Press reported shortly after 4 p.m. EDT that Muambe can breathe without a ventilator, recognize family members and respond appropriately to questions. Although his prognosis remains uncertain, this news has to be heartening to his family and the millions of fans showing their support worldwide.
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