Category: Opposition Research

Posts on the USWNT’s upcoming opponents, its key rivals (Brazil, Germany, Japan, and Sweden), its neighbors (Canada and Mexico). For posts about youth WNT opponents, please see the Under-xx category.

Olympics: Preview Notes – North Korea (Group G)

UNLIKE IN THE PROVERB, LIGHTNING DOES STRIKE TWICE — So, should North Korea have another poor outing in an international tournament, this year’s head coach won’t have to think up a new excuse. Although given Korea DPR’s tough draw into a group that includes formidable superpower United States and emerging power France, Sin Ui Gun, who replaced the previous coach, KIM Kwang Min has probably been working on a list of new rationalizations to use in post-game press conferences. Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – North Korea (Group G)”

Olympics: Preview Notes – Sweden (Group F)

DON’T COUNT THEM OUT — Down a player due to a dubious red card in the consolation match at last year’s Women’s World Cup, Sweden found a way to scoring a go-ahead goal and hold onto the lead to claim third place. This year, Sweden finds itself without several key players due to injuries. But, among the healthy is their star forward, Lotta Schelin. And, that is cause of concern for any defense. Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – Sweden (Group F)”

Olympics: Preview Notes – France (Group G)

FRANCE IS HOPING FOR A LIGHT HORSE FINAL, since Les Bleus can no longer be considered dark horses.  But, these filles are not the only light horses in the tournament, or in their group, as France finds themselves in the same starting gate as the United States.

Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – France (Group G)”

Olympics: Quick Notes On France’s Tune-Up Matches

In July, France played three tune-up friendlies, all at home: a 6:0 win against Romania on July 4th, a 3:0 victory over Russia on July 11th, and a 2:0 win versus Japan on July 19th. This post is primarily a quick review of those three matches, along with a summary table of minutes played, and thoughts on France’s likely starting line-up in their opening match against the United States. Continue reading “Olympics: Quick Notes On France’s Tune-Up Matches”

U-20 WWC: Mid-July Friendly Results, Plus Notes on Germany’s Friendly

During the second week of July, a handful of Women’s Under-20 friendlies were contested, including matches that separately involved Mexico and Canada, plus Germany, who will be the United States’ final group opponent in August’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

Mexico traveled to Argentina and beat the hosts in two friendlies, by 1:0 and 3:1 margins. Canada is in Europe and played Italy on Saturday, winning 3:0.

On Sunday, Germany hosted Norway and defeated the guests 5:0, which was slightly better than the 7:1 drubbing Germany gave the Norwegians in last year’s UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship final, but much worse than the two sides’ 1:1 draw in a friendly at La Manga earlier this year. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Mid-July Friendly Results, Plus Notes on Germany’s Friendly”

Olympics: Notes on North Korea’s Roster (USWNT Group Opponent)

On Friday, FIFA published all of the rosters for the Olympic soccer tournaments. Among the new-to-us rosters was that of the USWNT’s final group opponent, North Korea (FIFA.com), who were also in the USA’s group in last year’s Women’s World Cup.  Only 6 players of the players on the official 18-player roster return from last year’s squad. Ten of North Korea’s official players are U-20 age-eligible. Also, two of their alternates are U-20 players and a third alternate is a U-17 player. Continue reading “Olympics: Notes on North Korea’s Roster (USWNT Group Opponent)”

Olympics: In Mid-June, Colombia’s Yoreli Rincon Fractured Her Little Toe

In mid-June, Colombia’s star midfielder, Yoreli Rincon, fractured her left foot’s little toe while training with her club team, Brazil’s XV de Piracicaba. Initial reports are that the injury is relatively minor and Rincon should be fully healed in time for the start of the Olympic women’s soccer tournament, which kicks off on July 25th. Continue reading “Olympics: In Mid-June, Colombia’s Yoreli Rincon Fractured Her Little Toe”

USWNT: The USA Wins Its Olympic Send-Off Match Versus Canada

On Saturday, the United States Women’s National Team defeated their northern neighbor, Canada, 2:1 in an Olympic send-off match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah. The USA’s goals were scored by Carmelina Moscato via an own goal and Amy Rodriguez, who had an 85th minute game-winner after Melissa Tancredi equalized in the 57th minute. Continue reading “USWNT: The USA Wins Its Olympic Send-Off Match Versus Canada”

Olympics: Nadeshiko Japan Announces Its Roster

Early Monday, head coach Norio Sasaki announced Nadeshiko Japan’s roster for the  women’s soccer tournament at this year’s Summer Olympics in Great Britain (JFA, Japanese version). All eighteen players on the primary roster were part of Japan’s 2011 World Champion squad, including Karina Maruyama, who injured her knee during Olympic qualifying last September. Also making the squad are defender Azusa Iwashimizu and U-20 forward Mana Iwabuchi, who both missed the Volvo Winners Cup in Sweden due to minor injuries (left ankle and foot, respectively). Not among the primary players or alternates is defender Rumi Utsugi, who was injured during Japan’s most recent friendly with the United States. Continue reading “Olympics: Nadeshiko Japan Announces Its Roster”