A little primer for those who will be following the Olympics this year and who might watch some of the soccer games. I'll probably be following the women's soccer tournament more since USA men's team didn't qualify. I will try to post updates on the team if I come across any while reading articles online.
Bleacher Report has an article analyzing all three groups. Good quick summaries for each team.
United States will try to win its third gold medal in a row and, if things go as expected, take vengeance over Japan.
The Stars and Stripes secured their Olympic spot at the CONCACAF qualifier with impressive stats: They won their five matches, had 31 goals for and none against; their biggest win was in front of Dominican Republic, 14-0.
At the World Cup they displayed an amazing offense and an enviable structure. All of their lines are well-organized, and there’s not one player who doesn't know what to do. To surpass Hope Solo’s goal, the rivals must have a fine ball touch.
Beware of Abby Wambach, a 31-year-old who has scored 134 goals in 178 international matches and has been named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year five times and Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year once.
Team USA will have a tough opening match against France. First game is set for July 25th 12:00pm eastern.
What are some of y'alls thought on the womens tournament and also mens?
I think Team USA should win the Gold Medal provided people stay healthy and there is no meltdown game. Just too much talent on the team for other countries to handle. As far as the men's tournament, I'm picking Spain to win it.
Edit: Dear mods, please don't merge this with other Olympics threads when the games start since this thread focuses solely on the soccer matches. Would be greatly appreciated for those who enjoy soccer so we can discuss it without having to filter through other comments on all the other Olympic events. Thanks.
These two channels will have the games - SoccerHD and NBCS (NBC Sports Network)
I have AT&T Uverse and the channel numbers for the two are 1638 and 1640.
I know that NBC Sports Network is channel 37 on Charter, but not sure about the soccer channel.
The soccer channel on Directv is 619 and NBCS is 604.
Here are the three groups and the 2012 WNT Olympic roster:
__________________
"Never give up on something you love, see it through till the end."
I'm stoked. I've been craving some international soccer, and while it sucks that the Men's club didn't make it, I really enjoyed the women's team during the World Cup. So I'm all in. I haven't watched any Women's soccer since the World Cup, but I'm definitely tuning in for this.
I'm stoked. I've been craving some international soccer, and while it sucks that the Men's club didn't make it, I really enjoyed the women's team during the World Cup. So I'm all in. I haven't watched any Women's soccer since the World Cup, but I'm definitely tuning in for this.
Yea it's unfortunate that the men's team didn't qualify, but the men's tournament should be fun to watch still. Spain is real entertaining to watch. I'm excited to watch the women's tournament. I followed them during the World Cup as well, I want some revenge against Japan haha. USA has been looking sharp lately. I caught a game on NBC a few days ago and they looked pretty good. It was the final game before headed out to London. Here are some highlights you might like.
__________________
"Never give up on something you love, see it through till the end."
That was a goal. Great save but it looked like it crossed the line when she was handling it.
It was close.....too close to say definitively that it was a goal.
Edit: After looking again, the only time it appears the wholly of the ball crossed the goal line was after Hope had possession and the attacker took another jab at the ball. If anything, it's a foul against Canada.
It was close.....too close to say definitively that it was a goal.
Edit: After looking again, the only time it appears the wholly of the ball crossed the goal line was after Hope had possession and the attacker took another jab at the ball. If anything, it's a foul against Canada.
I was watching the game live on TV and the announcers said pretty much the same thing you just did. They also stated that if there was instant replay that there wouldn't have been enough evidence to overturn the call on the field, which was no goal.
__________________
"Never give up on something you love, see it through till the end."
Bored..... who's your favorite player's to watch during a game?
I'd have to go with Alex Morgan, Hope Solo, and Abby Wambach.
Morgan is like a deep threat for them, she can spread the field and keep defenders honest with her speed. Solo is just a flat out beast at goalie. Wambach is such a force, she can dictate what opposing defenses do and at times take over games.
__________________
"Never give up on something you love, see it through till the end."
Megan Rapinoe Comes Out, Megan Rapinoe has officially kicked the mystery aside. The standout soccer player who played for the Chicago Red Stars from 2009-2010 and is now preparing for the Summer Olympics with the U.S. Women’s National Team confirmed in an interview with Out Magazine that she is gay.
__________________
"Never give up on something you love, see it through till the end."
I know soccer is treated second class here but it still amazes me we couldn't even qualify. As a non-follower, could someone explain? Is it just a talent gap, or?
I know soccer is treated second class here but it still amazes me we couldn't even qualify. As a non-follower, could someone explain? Is it just a talent gap, or?
Ok I admit that I don't follow soccer as much as I follow the Saints obviously, but here is my take on things. A couple of reasons why the men's team might not have qualified: They have a new coach and players might have still been adapting to the new system and style of play during qualifications. Another reason is that the talent pool in the U.S. isn't as good as other countries because soccer isn't as popular and kids are more likely to play football, basketball, or baseball at a young age. Where as in other countries like Spain, more kids start playing soccer at a young age and do lots of training. However, despite the talent gap. I think the U.S. should have been able to qualify, it's not like they had to beat the top 10 teams in the world to qualify. I do believe there are less spots to qualify for in the Olympics, compared to the World Cup. So that would also make it harder to get in. Just my take on things. Again I'm not a soccer expert, so take this with a grain of salt.
Edit: Some of the "star" players on the men's team are also getting up there in age, so that might be slowing this team down a bit too.
__________________
"Never give up on something you love, see it through till the end."
The U.S. team that was in the Olympic qualifying tournament is not the team that tries to qualify for the World Cup. Most, if not all of the teams in the Olympics are the under 23 year old team. They are allowed a certain number of players that are above 23, (3, I believe) but the rest are young, developing players.
For men's soccer, the Olympics are considered a lesser competition than the World Cup, or the continental tournaments such as the Euro tournament that just finished.
The U.S. team that was in the Olympic qualifying tournament is not the team that tries to qualify for the World Cup. Most, if not all of the teams in the Olympics are the under 23 year old team. They are allowed a certain number of players that are above 23, (3, I believe) but the rest are young, developing players.
For men's soccer, the Olympics are considered a lesser competition than the World Cup, or the continental tournaments such as the Euro tournament that just finished.
Very true, I forgot about the rule on allowing only a few select players over 23. I know Spain said they might not even send their "A team" and have only developing players.
Edit: I guess women's is different since the US is bringing their World Cup team to compete, minus Ali Krieger because of injury. I assume women's soccer takes the Olympics more seriously.
__________________
"Never give up on something you love, see it through till the end."
Linear Mode
