Category: Rival Watch

Notable news and analysis about the USWNT’s key rivals: Brazil, Germany Japan, and Sweden.

USWNT: Notes Ahead of the Germany Friendlies

[Edit (20-Oct-2012): Additional information and clarifications have been added. Those have been denoted through italics.]

On Saturday, October 20th, and Tuesday, October 23rd, the top two women’s national teams in the world — #1 United States and #2 Germany — will face each other in a pair of friendlies.  The USWNT is bringing its Olympic Gold Medal squad, while Germany, who were knocked out of the Women’s World Cup by Japan in the quarterfinals, and consequently did not qualify for the Olympics, is in a rebuilding process as it prepares for the Women’s Euros in 2013. Continue reading “USWNT: Notes Ahead of the Germany Friendlies”

Germany’s Travel Roster for the October Friendlies with the USWNT

Update (18-Oct-2012): On Wednesday, Celia Okoyino da Mbabi injured her thigh and will be out for two weeks, thus she will miss both of the friendlies with the USWNT. Also, Lena Lotzen and Verena Faißt are also nursing minor injuries, but should be available to play. (DFB.de, in German)

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On Monday, the DFB published the the travel roster for Germany’s upcoming friendlies with the United States Women’s National Team, on October 20th (Bridgeview, Illinois) and October 23rd (Connecticut). Head coach Silvia Neid has called up 23 players, including offensive threats Celia Okoyino da Mbabi, Alexandra Popp, and Anja Mittag. Five players from Germany’s Under-20 WNT, which recently lost the U-20 Women’s World Cup final to the United States, were also called up: playmaking midfielder Dzenifer Marozsán, target forward Lena Lotzen, centerback Luisa Wensing, outside back Leonie Maier, and goalkeeper Laura Benkarth. Continue reading “Germany’s Travel Roster for the October Friendlies with the USWNT”

Olympics: Preview Notes on the USA vs. Japan Gold Medal Match

On Thursday, at Wembley Stadium, the United States Women’s National Team will be seeking its fourth Gold Medal when it takes on reigning World Champions Japan in a rematch of the 2011 Women’s World Cup final. And, as in that 2011 match, the center referee will be Bibiana Steinhaus of Germany. Over 80,000 tickets have been sold for the match, although a sell-out is not expected due to the only remaining tickets being £125 or  $195 in U.S. dollars (WembleyStadium.com).

The Gold Medal match will be shown live on NBC Sports Network, with coverage beginning at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The kick-off is at 2:45 p.m. EDT.

CONTENTS

Olympics: Semifinals – An Epic USA Win Amidst Poor Refereeing. And, Japan Wins, Too.

[Just a short write-up. Highlight videos linked.]

The United States Women’s National Team battled back three times after Canada, via their captain Christine Sinclair, scored three go-ahead goals to send the two squad’s Olympic semifinal match into extra time where Alex Morgan ended her miniature goal-scoring drought and headed home the ‘winner in the waning seconds of added time. Continue reading “Olympics: Semifinals – An Epic USA Win Amidst Poor Refereeing. And, Japan Wins, Too.”

Olympics: Quarterfinal Matches Round-Up

A slightly belated listing of the quarterfinal results. NBCOlympics.com highlights are available for all four matches. Plus, shot plots for the United States vs. New Zealand match… Continue reading “Olympics: Quarterfinal Matches Round-Up”

Olympics: Round-Up of Group Matches on July 31st Plus Notes

Again, the vital statistics, with group tables. Plus the knock-out stage schedule…

(note: some sources are not yet available, post will be updated) Continue reading “Olympics: Round-Up of Group Matches on July 31st Plus Notes”

Olympics: Preview Notes – Brazil (Group E)

BRAZIL’S ONCE DAZZLING FORM HAS FIZZLED. A team that was a revelation in 2003, a difficult obstacle in 2004, a thorn in 2007, and a worthy opponent in 2008, became a sad villain in 2011. And, with disappointing results at the 2011 Women’s World Cup and the 2011 Pan-American Games, Brazil’s federation sacked head coach Kleiton Lima and brought back Jorge Barcellos, who led Brazil to a silver medal in 2008, and went on to coach the WPS’ St. Louis Athletica. Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – Brazil (Group E)”