FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Canada - Part 2 USA

With the hosts losing to England in the Quarter Finals my full attention switched to the favorites, America!
Hope Solo has been in the news for the wrong reasons of late but that shouldn't take away just what a great goalkeeper she is. She deservedly won the 'Golden Glove Award' for being the best goalie at the tournament, and was outstanding throughout.

In front of her was a very strong defensive unit, led by Julie Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn. The two formed a near-impenetrable barrier in the center of  defence. They were supported by Ali Krieger, who was probably the best Right Back at the tournament and Meghan Klingenberg, who liked to get forward and join the attacks.

With the Americans lining up in a 4-3-3 formation it meant there was a lot of variations to how the midfield looked from game-to-game. Christen Press along with Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Morgan Brian shared responsibilities out on the flanks.

Rapinoe, was instrumental during the earlier games and scored some important goals along the way. Tobin Heath looked great in the final and played like she was simply enjoying herself out there. Morgan Brian was also a joy to watch.

The midfield engine room was usually patrolled by Lauren Holiday and Carli Lloyd. Anyone who watched the final four years ago would have felt Carli's heartache during the penalty shoot-up. Despite her more than making up for that a year later at the London Olympic Games, you just felt, she was on a one-woman mission to landing the States the prize they have been waiting for since 1999. Her hat-trick in the final couldn't have come for a more-deserving person. She was simply un-stoppable, her positioning and ability to read the game, always saw her in the right place at the right time. Quite simply, Carli, your country should be proud of you.

The team's poster girl was very much Alex Morgan. I was able to watch some interviews with her on American TV whilst in the States in March of this year, and I can see what all the hype is about. A very clever forward, who has years ahead of her in the national team. It was just a shame a serious injury delayed her entrance into the tournament.

Morgan is seen as the long term successor to Abby Wambach, who was used sparingly throughout. Wambach is a footballing legend, and having read an article about her in Sports Illustrated ahead of the World Cup, is quite an amazing person too, given her charity work.
Growing up with four older brothers in Rochester, NY, she used to have Hockey Pucks fired at her by her siblings to toughen her up. It must have worked as she was soon out-performing the boys on her soccer team.
With me only just recently starting to follow the Women's game, I feel cheated, that I have missed out on so much of her career. The word 'Legend' is often used far too often, but Wambach is one of the very few that deserves that accolade.

With Alex Morgan re-gaining her fitness when the World Cup started Sydney Leroux, was Wambach's strike partner in the opening games. Leroux, is Canadian by birth but opted to play for the United States, and was booed throughout the tournament by the local Canadian supporters. Thankfully she was able to block out the haters with some impressive shifts for the team. Amy Rodriguez also saw some action up front and looked good when used.

Abby Wambach wasn't the only experienced player for the United States. Christie Rampone, at 39, was the oldest player in the squad, and was able to use her vast knowledge to help close out games. Likewise the 37 year old Shannon Boxx.
Every out-field player was used at some point during the World Cup. Defenders Lori Chalupny and Whitney Engen, and midfielders Kelley O'Hara and Heather O'Reilly also looked good when they came on.

So what have I learnt over the last month or so about Women's football. Firstly, it's of a high quality. The technical ability of the players were great. Secondly I will be following games much more often now.
The BBC in the UK has to take a lot of credit for their coverage as every game was available to watch on one of their various platforms (The Main Channels, Digital Channels or Online).

What annoys me about Women's football is the sexist, male chauvinist comments that are made whenever it is mentioned. Sepp Blatter is as much to blame for that as anyone, and hopefully once he is thrown out of the organisation a much more progressive person can come in to promote the Women's game.
I also got fed up of people trying to compare the Women's game to the men's game. Why do the two have to be compared? Why can't people accept 'The Women's Game' is like 'any other Football'. Why can't Ronaldo and Miroslav Klose (Leading goal scorers at men's world cup finals) be mentioned in the same sentence as Abby Wambach and Marta.

I think the media has to promote the game better, certainly in the UK. Where publications like 'Match' and 'Shoot' are on the news stands over here, there should be a football magazine that includes Women's football. Its great to see EA Sports 'FIFA 16' will include Women's teams and players in their latest edition.
Also the gap in the salaries is something that should be addressed, but that is a whole other argument.

I will leave the post with this. There used to be a big inequality between the Men's and Women's games in tennis both in coverage and prize money. For me Men's tennis is quite boring, as a powerful server will ace his shot passed his opponent until they change over, whilst the Women's game has much more rallies and is more interesting to watch.
Football could follow a similar path. The Men's game has became turgid and boring with teams now too scared to lose and will sit back defending rather than going for the win. The Women's game is like a breath of fresh air with teams playing well... Football, and actually trying to win games. If tennis can be used  as the yard stick, maybe football can become wore equal too. Watch this space......