USA Women vs Canada today! Semis

USA women's team plays Canada today 1:30 on NBC sports channel this is the semifinals of the Olympic tourney.

Directv has it on two channels 603 and 751. Both are in HD so not sure why but at least you have a choice if one doesn't come in good.

Japan did their part for a rematch with the US, now let's see if our girls can do the same.

Go USA!

USA was down three diffrent times in that match. They just don't give up. Wow!

That was simply amazing! Sinclair is unbelievable! One of the best women's olympic games ever! PK's would have been interesting with so many walking wounded, glad it didn't come to that.

Congratulations U.S.A!!!!!!

Absolutely exceptional by both teams! I would be the first to admit that I have not been impressed in years past with the US women's style of play, but they are playing a different game in these Olympics: Good 1v1, physical, and smart. Their sidefoot volley trapping is utterly deft more often than not. And shooting/crossing while reading the play is better than anything I've seen in MLS. Great work by the US women!

Do yourself a favor: Get some popcorn and enjoy this game with your daughters. If you've got TWC cable, channel 994 is 24-hour Olympic soccer coverage.

Just watched this match on DVR. While I'm thrilled for the USWNT to be playing for the gold, anyone else thinks Canadian fans have a valid complaint when they say they were robbed?

grassyknoll wrote:Just watched this match on DVR. While I'm thrilled for the USWNT to be playing for the gold, anyone else thinks Canadian fans have a valid complaint when they say they were robbed?

I watched it several times on DVR. McLeod (Canadian Keeper) holds the ball for 10 seconds, after having been warned during half time. Indirect call by ref while rare was a legitimate call. As far as the hand ball, looks like the ball was on it's way to the net when the second arm touches it (two players actually got pelted on the arms on that kick). Normally, handling is not called in such tight space as players are trying to protect themselves. In this case, judgement call be the referee, but if the ball was impeded by the arms/hands on the way to a goal, I think the call is right on.

Everything evens out, go back to the Canadian second goal (possibly third) I think the Canadian Left Half/striker was off sides when she ran down the ball and crossed to Sinclair. If you watch closely, it seems that the Sideline AR was always trailing the play instead of lined up with the last defensive back.

We can debate all of this but in the end the Referee is the Law.

Tiki-taka wrote:

grassyknoll wrote:Just watched this match on DVR. While I'm thrilled for the USWNT to be playing for the gold, anyone else thinks Canadian fans have a valid complaint when they say they were robbed?

I watched it several times on DVR. McLeod (Canadian Keeper) holds the ball for 10 seconds, after having been warned during half time. Indirect call by ref while rare was a legitimate call. As far as the hand ball, looks like the ball was on it's way to the net when the second arm touches it (two players actually got pelted on the arms on that kick). Normally, handling is not called in such tight space as players are trying to protect themselves. In this case, judgement call be the referee, but if the ball was impeded by the arms/hands on the way to a goal, I think the call is right on.

Everything evens out, go back to the Canadian second goal (possibly third) I think the Canadian Left Half/striker was off sides when she ran down the ball and crossed to Sinclair. If you watch closely, it seems that the Sideline AR was always trailing the play instead of lined up with the last defensive back.

We can debate all of this but in the end the Referee is the Law.

True, and the call I was referring to was the holding (I know wrong football). I didn't realize she had been warned once before. So the Canadians can suck it!!!
On another note, Sinclair is absolutely awesome.

grassyknoll wrote:Just watched this match on DVR. While I'm thrilled for the USWNT to be playing for the gold, anyone else thinks Canadian fans have a valid complaint when they say they were robbed?

Robbed by a ref that followed the Laws of the Game? No, they were not robbed

Indirect free kick
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:

•controls the ball with his hands for more than six seconds before releasing it from his possession

LOTG

newtothis wrote:

grassyknoll wrote:Just watched this match on DVR. While I'm thrilled for the USWNT to be playing for the gold, anyone else thinks Canadian fans have a valid complaint when they say they were robbed?

Robbed by a ref that followed the Laws of the Game? No, they were not robbed

Indirect free kick
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:

•controls the ball with his hands for more than six seconds before releasing it from his possession

LOTG

I agree. After watching the play several times, the keeper was clearly in violation. As for the handling call that followed the indirect free kick, I have a slightly different theory as to why the referee may have so strictly enforced it. Sometimes, if a player or team commits back-to-back fouls, anything they do draws the ire of the official. In this case, we have a keeper continually taking her sweet time, a defender who rushes at least 4 yards forward before the freekick is played, and a handball that possibly blocks a shot on goal. I believe if the wall had not so badly encroached, the ref may have given Canada a bit more latitude.

The one thing that I do know is that if the USA does not mark better Japan will win the gold.

JustaSport wrote:

newtothis wrote:

grassyknoll wrote:Just watched this match on DVR. While I'm thrilled for the USWNT to be playing for the gold, anyone else thinks Canadian fans have a valid complaint when they say they were robbed?

Robbed by a ref that followed the Laws of the Game? No, they were not robbed

Indirect free kick
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:

•controls the ball with his hands for more than six seconds before releasing it from his possession

LOTG

I agree. After watching the play several times, the keeper was clearly in violation. As for the handling call that followed the indirect free kick, I have a slightly different theory as to why the referee may have so strictly enforced it. Sometimes, if a player or team commits back-to-back fouls, anything they do draws the ire of the official. In this case, we have a keeper continually taking her sweet time, a defender who rushes at least 4 yards forward before the freekick is played, and a handball that possibly blocks a shot on goal. I believe if the wall had not so badly encroached, the ref may have given Canada a bit more latitude.

Also, on the handling call, wasn't the defender's left hand raised and extended out at a 90 degree angle from her side? That wouldn't be considered a "defensive" position, correct?

While I don't think the ball hit her left hand, depending on the angle of view and bang-bang nature of the call, it may have looked like the ball went off the left hand of the defender, which may have influenced the handling call?

When the play happened live, I thought for sure it was handling. After the benefit of slo-mo replay, probably not. Not sure the ref got the call correct, but I can see why the call was made in real time.

Canada should be more upset about Rapinoe's first goal... Ball curved in directly from a corner kick at the near post??!! first defender misses the ball, goes through the legs of the second defender, and keeper can't see a thing through her defenders... that was a rough goal to give up.
Funny quote from the always quotable Rapinoe when asked when was the last time she scored directly off a corner kick..
"Probably when I was 12 and the corner kicks were like five yards from the goal. I wish I could say I meant to do that. Bit of a mistake on my part."

I was bummed to read Sinclair's accusation of the referee "pre-deciding" the outcome...but I understand she was exhausted and frustrated... hopefully will retract her statement with a little sleep and time behind it. She was absolutely amazing in that match as well as Scott, Schmidt, and Tancredi... they came to play. Unfortunately for them the US came to play as well... Rapinoe, Morgan, O'Hara and Wambach have been pretty impressive all along and I gotta admit Heath has stepped up.

Absolutely one of the best woman's matches I have ever watched.

On a side note, I was emailing a Canadian friend of mine to talk about the match. Turns out he was in Calgary watching the game in a bar. Its a holiday there and the place was packed to the rafters, mood was electric... said it had the feeling of a gold medal hockey match. They were understandably crushed at the end.

On another side note.... both Wambach and Sinclair on track to break Mia's scoring record of 158 goals. WOW!

Slakemoth wrote:
"Probably when I was 12 and the corner kicks were like five yards from the goal."

Obviously not a product of NTX soccer where we play 11 v 11 on full sized fields at age 12.

b.t.w. Becoming more and more impressed with Rapinoe's game each time I watch her. Nice to see an impact US player with some genuine ball skill and a bit of flair to her game.

bwgophers wrote:

Slakemoth wrote:
"Probably when I was 12 and the corner kicks were like five yards from the goal."

Obviously not a product of NTX soccer where we play 11 v 11 on full sized fields at age 12.

b.t.w. Becoming more and more impressed with Rapinoe's game each time I watch her. Nice to see an impact US player with some genuine ball skill and a bit of flair to her game.

Same with Morgan. This is not the US team we're used to. They are capable of more than just outrunning the opponents, long-balls to the forwards, and knocking other players to the ground.

JustaSport wrote:

bwgophers wrote:

Slakemoth wrote:
"Probably when I was 12 and the corner kicks were like five yards from the goal."

Obviously not a product of NTX soccer where we play 11 v 11 on full sized fields at age 12.

b.t.w. Becoming more and more impressed with Rapinoe's game each time I watch her. Nice to see an impact US player with some genuine ball skill and a bit of flair to her game.

Same with Morgan. This is not the US team we're used to. They are capable of more than just outrunning the opponents, long-balls to the forwards, and knocking other players to the ground.

Rapinoe has been awesome. Her ball skill is amazing. Look forward to seeing more of Lereaux as well. Looks like she has something special as well.

Frogfan1 wrote:The one thing that I do know is that if the USA does not mark better Japan will win the gold.

I hear what your saying, but Japan has no Sinclair. It will be interesting to see if USA comes out in a more defensive posture vs Japan.

For anyone who missed this game or didn't get a chance to record it, DTV is replaying it on cha. 751 tomorrow at 11:30am cst.

bevowhoopin wrote:

Frogfan1 wrote:The one thing that I do know is that if the USA does not mark better Japan will win the gold.

I hear what your saying, but Japan has no Sinclair. It will be interesting to see if USA comes out in a more defensive posture vs Japan.

For anyone who missed this game or didn't get a chance to record it, DTV is replaying it on cha. 751 tomorrow at 11:30am cst.

Japan is no joke. They don't have Sinclair but they do have Homare Sawa. She won the 2012 FIFA Women's Player of the Year. Link to that article... http://www.fifa.com/ballondor/news/newsid=1565454/index.html

Slakemoth wrote:Canada should be more upset about Rapinoe's first goal... Ball curved in directly from a corner kick at the near post??!! first defender misses the ball, goes through the legs of the second defender, and keeper can't see a thing through her defenders... that was a rough goal to give up.
Funny quote from the always quotable Rapinoe when asked when was the last time she scored directly off a corner kick..
"Probably when I was 12 and the corner kicks were like five yards from the goal. I wish I could say I meant to do that. Bit of a mistake on my part."

I was bummed to read Sinclair's accusation of the referee "pre-deciding" the outcome...but I understand she was exhausted and frustrated... hopefully will retract her statement with a little sleep and time behind it. She was absolutely amazing in that match as well as Scott, Schmidt, and Tancredi... they came to play. Unfortunately for them the US came to play as well... Rapinoe, Morgan, O'Hara and Wambach have been pretty impressive all along and I gotta admit Heath has stepped up.

Absolutely one of the best woman's matches I have ever watched.

On a side note, I was emailing a Canadian friend of mine to talk about the match. Turns out he was in Calgary watching the game in a bar. Its a holiday there and the place was packed to the rafters, mood was electric... said it had the feeling of a gold medal hockey match. They were understandably crushed at the end.

On another side note.... both Wambach and Sinclair on track to break Mia's scoring record of 158 goals. WOW!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/07/the-fiver-women-football-olympics?mobile-redirect=false
The Guardian calls it best tournament game since 1982 world cup

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8d36jeueO1qkp54eo1_500.gif

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newtothis wrote:

grassyknoll wrote:Just watched this match on DVR. While I'm thrilled for the USWNT to be playing for the gold, anyone else thinks Canadian fans have a valid complaint when they say they were robbed?

Robbed by a ref that followed the Laws of the Game? No, they were not robbed

Indirect free kick
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:

•controls the ball with his hands for more than six seconds before releasing it from his possession

LOTG

Knowing the LOTG and knowing how to apply them are two entirely different things. I'm a US NT fan - got my supporter's club scarf and the whole 9.

But NO WAY a seasoned ref makes that call in a U14 game...let alone semi finals of the OLYMPICS. As great a spectacle as the game was it was equally an atrociously bad game by the center. The stories out today suggest the center may have been gamed by Wambach - which is all the more indication she was on too big a stage.

The better team won, and the poor officiating probably helped Canada more than the U.S (Tancredi should've been ejected at least twice), but IMO Canada has a legit gripe on that free kick.

But if you read the rules on how long the keeper has the ball its 6 seconds has been ever since I can remember. Do they call it often nope but its the rules. Perhaps they should call more. I have refereed for about 5 years at least in the games I have encountered keepers generally were never keeping the ball long or at least hardly ever. Perhaps I should rewatch and actually count how long McCloud held onto the ball.

Smart move by Wambach in my opinion.

Had that rule applied to my DD once, she has never forgot it. Lol

4-4-2-Diamond wrote:

newtothis wrote:

grassyknoll wrote:Just watched this match on DVR. While I'm thrilled for the USWNT to be playing for the gold, anyone else thinks Canadian fans have a valid complaint when they say they were robbed?

Robbed by a ref that followed the Laws of the Game? No, they were not robbed

Indirect free kick
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:

•controls the ball with his hands for more than six seconds before releasing it from his possession

LOTG

Knowing the LOTG and knowing how to apply them are two entirely different things. I'm a US NT fan - got my supporter's club scarf and the whole 9.

But NO WAY a seasoned ref makes that call in a U14 game...let alone semi finals of the OLYMPICS. As great a spectacle as the game was it was equally an atrociously bad game by the center. The stories out today suggest the center may have been gamed by Wambach - which is all the more indication she was on too big a stage.

The better team won, and the poor officiating probably helped Canada more than the U.S (Tancredi should've been ejected at least twice), but IMO Canada has a legit gripe on that free kick.

Funny how people that have never reffed a game, never taken even the basic referee class can matter of factly state what a "seasoned" ref would do.
You are quite wrong, a seasoned ref makes this call in a game like this because it is the Law of the Game and the CA keeper had been abusing it the entire second half. She was trying to get away with it "game" the center and paid the price.

Tancredi should have been ejected for the stomp to the head, but I put the balme for that missed call on the AR since it was inside the 18 along the line of sight with the last defender.