Category: Upcoming Opponents

Relevant items about the USWNT’s upcoming opponents, whether in a friendly or in a major tournament.

Olympics: Preview Notes – Colombia (Group G)

UNPREPARED FOR THE ONSLAUGHT? — After the last Women’s World Cup, Colombia participated in the 2011 Pan-American Games in Mexico, which were held in November. After that, Colombia’s next camp was not held until May, and their first international friendlies were played in July.

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

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: 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”

Olympics: Colombia Announces Its Team Roster

On Tuesday, USWNT group opponent Colombia announced its 18-player Olympic roster for its Women’s National Team (ColFutbol.org). Only 14 of the 18 players on the roster participated in the Women’s World Cup last year.  The four new players all currently play collegiate soccer in the USA: Natalia Ariza, Stefany Castaño Cardozo, Ana María Montoya, and Melissa Ortiz.  No alternates were named. Continue reading “Olympics: Colombia Announces Its Team Roster”

USWNT Olympic Opponent Watch: North Korea Loses Twice Against the Netherlands

North Korea, an Olympic group stage opponent of the United States Women’s National Team, lost both a closed-door match and an official friendly against the #14 ranked Netherlands earlier this month. In the closed-door match, the Netherlands came back froom a goal down to win 4:1, while in the friendly, the Netherlands won 2:0, with the first goal coming in the 42nd minute. Both matches were played in the Netherlands. Details of North Korea’s line-up and substitutions are not readily available.

Sources (All in Dutch):
www.onsoranje.nl – Write-up on closed-door match (June 1st)
www.onsoranje.nl – Write-up, with box score, on the friendly (June 5th)
www.vrouwenvoetbalnederland.nl – Another write-up on the friendly, has the minute for NED’s first goal

More on the Netherlands: They are currently at the top of their group for Women’s Euro 2013 qualifying, with 5 wins and only 1 draw. The only draw was a 0:0 affair with England, whom they will play next on June 17th, in England. With a win, the Netherlands will lock up a ticket to Sweden.