Women's World Cup of Soccer 2023
August 4, 2023 10:53 AM Subscribe
Maybe it started with this viral French telecom ad (you don't need the subtitles), but we're halfway through the World Cup going on in Australia and New Zealand. The group stage is over, and the round of 16 begins this weekend...
Note: Because different countries have different rights holders, I'm mostly linking to videos on FIFA's website. I can't link these videos to specific times, so I'll give timings as to when the plays I'm referencing begin.
Several top teams have already been eliminated; most recently Germany, who hammered first-timers Morocco 5-0 in their first game, but were knocked out when Morocco beat group winner Colombia while Germany could only draw with South Korea. The Moroccan game finished a few minutes before the German one, so the Moroccan players only found out they had qualified through their phone.
Also eliminated are mighty Brazil, who showcased their amazing team play at o jogo bonito (at 2:30) against Panama, but who were eliminated by Jamaica with a draw, the Reggae Girlz becoming the first Caribbean nation in the knockout stages. Reigning Olympic gold medallists Canada failed to make it out of the Group of Death, after a 4-0 drubbing by an Australian side still waiting for their captain, Sam Kerr, to play after developing a calf injury the day before the tournament began.
Team USA is still in the tournament, barely, after a late shot by Portugal hit the woodwork (at 1:30). They will face a very strong Swedish side, and will be missing the spark Rose Lavelle brings, as she's suspended.
There have been a number of firsts, including first World Cup qualification (Haiti, Morocco, Philippines, Portugal, Ireland, Vietnam, Zambia) and first World Cup win (Morocco, Philippines, Zambia, Portugal, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa). Although this is the second World Cup for CANXNT's Quinn, it's their first as an out trans and non-binary athlete, while Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear hijab at the World Cup.
Some legends of the game have already taken their last bow on the international stage, including Brazil's Marta, who has won the Best Women's Player award six different years, and Canada's Christine Sinclair, the all-time international goal scoring leader (men's or women's soccer). The USA's purple-haired lesbian goddess (archive link from 2019) Megan Rapinoe, playing in a reduced role, has also announced this will be her last major tournament.
But maybe this just means a changing of the guard, as a number of younger players have made their mark on the biggest stage:
And finally, if you want all of the gory details, here's the bracket in full:
Note: Because different countries have different rights holders, I'm mostly linking to videos on FIFA's website. I can't link these videos to specific times, so I'll give timings as to when the plays I'm referencing begin.
Several top teams have already been eliminated; most recently Germany, who hammered first-timers Morocco 5-0 in their first game, but were knocked out when Morocco beat group winner Colombia while Germany could only draw with South Korea. The Moroccan game finished a few minutes before the German one, so the Moroccan players only found out they had qualified through their phone.
Also eliminated are mighty Brazil, who showcased their amazing team play at o jogo bonito (at 2:30) against Panama, but who were eliminated by Jamaica with a draw, the Reggae Girlz becoming the first Caribbean nation in the knockout stages. Reigning Olympic gold medallists Canada failed to make it out of the Group of Death, after a 4-0 drubbing by an Australian side still waiting for their captain, Sam Kerr, to play after developing a calf injury the day before the tournament began.
Team USA is still in the tournament, barely, after a late shot by Portugal hit the woodwork (at 1:30). They will face a very strong Swedish side, and will be missing the spark Rose Lavelle brings, as she's suspended.
There have been a number of firsts, including first World Cup qualification (Haiti, Morocco, Philippines, Portugal, Ireland, Vietnam, Zambia) and first World Cup win (Morocco, Philippines, Zambia, Portugal, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa). Although this is the second World Cup for CANXNT's Quinn, it's their first as an out trans and non-binary athlete, while Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear hijab at the World Cup.
Some legends of the game have already taken their last bow on the international stage, including Brazil's Marta, who has won the Best Women's Player award six different years, and Canada's Christine Sinclair, the all-time international goal scoring leader (men's or women's soccer). The USA's purple-haired lesbian goddess (archive link from 2019) Megan Rapinoe, playing in a reduced role, has also announced this will be her last major tournament.
But maybe this just means a changing of the guard, as a number of younger players have made their mark on the biggest stage:
- Jun Endō and Hinata Miyazawa, both 23, have led Japan, the highest-scoring team so far -- Endō connected a beautiful long ball to Miyazawa for her first of two goals in Japan's shocking 4-0 demolition of the highly-regarded Spanish side. (play begins at 0:25)
- Chiamaka Nnadozie, 22, has had some sensational play as the goalkeeper for Nigeria, including a solid save on Christine Sinclair's penalty shot (play begins at 1:05).
- 21-year old Lauren James, England's "cheat code", has moved up from a second-half substitute in their first game against Haiti, to scoring the only goal in the England-Denmark match, and all the way up to a two-goal, three assist masterclass against China. (best goal is her nonchalant one-touch at 3:41).
- Esmee Brugts, who had two goals in the Dutch demolition of an overmatched Vietnam the same week she turned 20; both delightful curving volleys from range (1:35 but particularly the second at 4:15).
- Melchie Dumornay, the 19-year old, 5'3" star of underdogs Haiti; her World Cup is done without her scoring (although she had some great chances against England, at 0:50, and she scored both goals in Haiti's upset qualifying match win against Chile - at 0:59)
- Linda Caicedo, the emerging 18 year old Colombian star; in the past 12 months alone, she's led her nation to the quarter finals in the under-20 World Cup, a runner-up spot in the under-17 World Cup, and a runner-up spot in the Copa América Femenina where she won the tournament's Golden Boot as best player. In this World Cup, she's had two goals, including an absolute stunner in the Colombia-Germany match (goal at 1:11; perhaps the match of the tournament so far). And if you don't think she's overcome some tough competition from all that, she's also beaten ovarian cancer just after turning 15.
And finally, if you want all of the gory details, here's the bracket in full:
_🇨🇭SUI_ 2023 WOMENS WORLD CUP _AUS🇦🇺_
5th \_____ KNOCKOUT STAGE _____/ 7th
_🇪🇸ESP_/ \ / \_DEN🇩🇰_
11th \_____ ⚽ _____/ 12th
_🇳🇱NED_ / \ / \ _FRA🇫🇷_
6th \_____/ \ / \_____/ 8th
_🇿🇦RSA_/ \ / \_MAR🇲🇦_
15th Aug \_____ 🏆 _____/ 16th Aug
_🇯🇵JPN_ / \ _ENG🏴_
5th \_____ / 20th Aug \ _____/ 7th
_🇳🇴NOR_/ \ / \ / \_NGA🇳🇬_
11th \_____/ \_____/ 12th
_🇸🇪SWE_ / \ _COL🇨🇴_
6th \_____/ \_____/ 8th
_🇺🇸USA_/ All dates in AUS/NZ time \_JAM🇯🇲_
Fantastic post, Superilla. I've watched a few games but not enough and have been clicking through yr highlights. Great curation and now I'm amped (and prepared) for the round!
posted by martin q blank at 11:19 AM on August 4, 2023
posted by martin q blank at 11:19 AM on August 4, 2023
USA has just been playing like trash.
And Lavelle being suspended is a real bummer. She really added a spark. Has Rapino even gotten in a game yet?
posted by Windopaene at 11:24 AM on August 4, 2023
And Lavelle being suspended is a real bummer. She really added a spark. Has Rapino even gotten in a game yet?
posted by Windopaene at 11:24 AM on August 4, 2023
Agreed. Lavelle has been my favorite player for some time now. Rapinoe did play, though not particularly well, in the first game.
posted by martin q blank at 11:26 AM on August 4, 2023
posted by martin q blank at 11:26 AM on August 4, 2023
Bravo for the text based bracket
posted by mmascolino at 11:36 AM on August 4, 2023 [24 favorites]
posted by mmascolino at 11:36 AM on August 4, 2023 [24 favorites]
Yay Jamaica!!!!
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:45 AM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:45 AM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Being held in Australia and New Zealand means the times of the games are way off for North America, but I seen as many games as possible. That Colombia-Germany game was spectacularly exciting.
Lots of ups and downs and big surprises.
My heart is with Colombia on this, but it is too difficult to call. Sweden, Japan and England all look really strong.
posted by bananapancakes at 12:01 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Lots of ups and downs and big surprises.
My heart is with Colombia on this, but it is too difficult to call. Sweden, Japan and England all look really strong.
posted by bananapancakes at 12:01 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
England warming up nicely, looked very good by second half of the China game. Hating the scheduling but loving the post
posted by biffa at 12:07 PM on August 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by biffa at 12:07 PM on August 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
My favs going in were Panama, Germany and the US, heh. So now I'm really excited for the Reggae Girlz and the Super Falcons, but not officially rooting for them as I am a jinx.
Still hoping the US might change things up for the knockout round and at least give us a good game versus Sweden, but not overly optimistic on that front.
Thanks for the great post Superilla, flagged as fantastic!
posted by the primroses were over at 1:03 PM on August 4, 2023
Still hoping the US might change things up for the knockout round and at least give us a good game versus Sweden, but not overly optimistic on that front.
Thanks for the great post Superilla, flagged as fantastic!
posted by the primroses were over at 1:03 PM on August 4, 2023
I’m a Canadian living in Melbourne and watched the Australia/Canada game at a pub last week, it was brutal.
Melbourne is always a great sports city, but we’ve really leaned in to the World Cup. My friends’ kids are all super into it, and it feels pretty special to see both boys and girls cheering on the Matildas. Of course the kids themselves don’t see why there’s anything special about cheering for a sports team, which is even better.
posted by third word on a random page at 1:34 PM on August 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
Melbourne is always a great sports city, but we’ve really leaned in to the World Cup. My friends’ kids are all super into it, and it feels pretty special to see both boys and girls cheering on the Matildas. Of course the kids themselves don’t see why there’s anything special about cheering for a sports team, which is even better.
posted by third word on a random page at 1:34 PM on August 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
Yes, great post. Loved the paragraph with all the firsts.
Haven't seen anyone mention that Peacock (via Telemundo) has replays of each match up for a few days (right now the oldest on the site are the July 31 matches). The repetition of vocabulary I'm getting by listening to games again and again is improving mi pobre español.
posted by kingless at 1:41 PM on August 4, 2023 [3 favorites]
Haven't seen anyone mention that Peacock (via Telemundo) has replays of each match up for a few days (right now the oldest on the site are the July 31 matches). The repetition of vocabulary I'm getting by listening to games again and again is improving mi pobre español.
posted by kingless at 1:41 PM on August 4, 2023 [3 favorites]
I’ll be traveling on the 8th, so I will definitely miss Colombia-Jamaica, and almost certainly France-Morocco, and I’m already bitter about it, because those two games look likely to be intense.
posted by Kattullus at 1:43 PM on August 4, 2023
posted by Kattullus at 1:43 PM on August 4, 2023
Morocco has been doing pretty well in the World Cup of late.
posted by Windopaene at 1:44 PM on August 4, 2023
posted by Windopaene at 1:44 PM on August 4, 2023
Bravo for the text based bracket
Seriously! This post is clearer and more interesting than pretty much all the media coverage I've seen so far 🏆
posted by trig at 1:50 PM on August 4, 2023 [3 favorites]
Seriously! This post is clearer and more interesting than pretty much all the media coverage I've seen so far 🏆
posted by trig at 1:50 PM on August 4, 2023 [3 favorites]
Team Canada is at a real nadir after being one of the better teams in the world for the past decade or so, and just two years after winning the Olympic tournament. The national association has treated them terribly, and when both our men's and women's teams were at their most successful, they decided to invest in what's destined to be a very minor men's pro league (our three biggest cities already have MLS teams) instead of reinvesting in the national teams. Sinclair doesn't have a clear replacement and the rest of the squad has been demoralized by the lack of funding and support.
posted by thecjm at 2:00 PM on August 4, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by thecjm at 2:00 PM on August 4, 2023 [6 favorites]
Brokenhearted here, in that I'm glad the US advanced with a draw against Portugal, but supersad the goalpost had to step in and block the Portuguese goal. It could have gone either way!
posted by chavenet at 3:16 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by chavenet at 3:16 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
A-and since we're doing ads: It's a girl
posted by chavenet at 3:19 PM on August 4, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 3:19 PM on August 4, 2023 [5 favorites]
I don't know if this was linked elsewhere but many teams are "American" teams because of Title IX.
posted by fiercekitten at 4:44 PM on August 4, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by fiercekitten at 4:44 PM on August 4, 2023 [8 favorites]
[extremely wrestling announcer] well the lights have gone dark here so something’s up, and oh my god is that Sam Kerr’s music
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 7:11 PM on August 4, 2023
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 7:11 PM on August 4, 2023
Great post! Thrilled for Jamaica and Morocco, come on England and Framce!
Another first, Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina was the first Muslim woman in a hijab to play at a World Cup!
posted by ellieBOA at 7:55 PM on August 4, 2023 [3 favorites]
Another first, Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina was the first Muslim woman in a hijab to play at a World Cup!
posted by ellieBOA at 7:55 PM on August 4, 2023 [3 favorites]
Excellent post! Yea, I'm super happy for Morocco and Jamaica, and it's so nice to see the breadth of countries competing. I have been mostly following through clips and on the Swedish news, but I have already set my alarm for 5am on Sunday morning to watch the USA-Sweden game. It's a weird feeling to be rooting for both sides, but that should be a fun game to watch.
posted by gemmy at 8:33 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by gemmy at 8:33 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Mod note: [btw, this post has been added to the sidebar]
posted by taz (staff) at 2:30 AM on August 5, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by taz (staff) at 2:30 AM on August 5, 2023 [7 favorites]
fiercekitten: That Title IX article is great. I teach at an non-NCAA university (we are NAIA), and yet our women's teams are chock full of international students. I recently helped a very nice soccer player and exercise science major from Denmark register for her fall classes over Zoom and answered as many questions as I could about the US college experience. It had just not occurred to me that's because US university athletics offers training opportunities that just don't exist in most of the world for women in particular.
posted by hydropsyche at 4:21 AM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by hydropsyche at 4:21 AM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
Really appreciate this post, especially as it introduced me to Quinn. May they inspire many to follow in their footsteps.
posted by the antecedent of that pronoun at 6:03 AM on August 5, 2023
posted by the antecedent of that pronoun at 6:03 AM on August 5, 2023
Be grand if the Lionesses can add the World Cup to Euro 2022.
posted by MattWPBS at 6:58 AM on August 5, 2023
posted by MattWPBS at 6:58 AM on August 5, 2023
Another goal by Miyazawa driven by one of her amazing bursts of speed. Japan earned that win.
posted by Quasirandom at 7:37 AM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Quasirandom at 7:37 AM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
As corrupt and awful as FIFA is they did get one thing right in running this tournament: the use of indigenous place names in first position, along side colonial place names. In addition here in Aotearoa the Tino Rangatiratanga flag flies alongside the official flag.
It has been great to watch world-class football at proper times. And the country seems to have taken to the tournament too. There was a total of over 75,000 spectators at the two games here last night. That's a staggering number given the predominance of rugby here. We have tickets to the quarter final match here in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington on Friday night between Japan, and Sweden or USA. Woof!
posted by vac2003 at 1:56 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
It has been great to watch world-class football at proper times. And the country seems to have taken to the tournament too. There was a total of over 75,000 spectators at the two games here last night. That's a staggering number given the predominance of rugby here. We have tickets to the quarter final match here in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington on Friday night between Japan, and Sweden or USA. Woof!
posted by vac2003 at 1:56 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
As corrupt and awful as FIFA is they did get one thing right in running this tournament: the use of indigenous place names in first position, along side colonial place names. In addition here in Aotearoa the Tino Rangatiratanga flag flies alongside the official flag.
That wasn’t FIFA but the organizing committee they decided to do that. FIFA doesn’t care as long as it gets it money.
posted by jmauro at 6:13 PM on August 5, 2023 [4 favorites]
That wasn’t FIFA but the organizing committee they decided to do that. FIFA doesn’t care as long as it gets it money.
posted by jmauro at 6:13 PM on August 5, 2023 [4 favorites]
I am at the South Africa vs Netherlands match, where a good fraction of the crowd seem to be Americans disconsolate that they counted on USA topping their group and being in this match
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 6:48 PM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 6:48 PM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
That wasn’t FIFA but the organizing committee they decided to do that.
I stand corrected. That makes much sense though.
posted by vac2003 at 10:59 PM on August 5, 2023
I stand corrected. That makes much sense though.
posted by vac2003 at 10:59 PM on August 5, 2023
USA!
Your anthem is musically one of the better bits of music going and easily top 4 of the countries in this tournament (sorry, but the French and New Zealanders, and IMO South Africa, beat you). Yet your athletes seem to mumble it like they were being dragged along to Saturday choir practice. You see the French players absolutely belt their ‘ALORS ENFANTS DE LA PATRIE’ when it comes out, like lung test. Even the English grudgingly admit, their King could be saved by God if He wanted to be so kind, yes.
My country’s anthem (Advance Australia Fair) is musical dishwater. Nobody sings it, rightly. What’s your excuse USA?
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 2:37 AM on August 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
Your anthem is musically one of the better bits of music going and easily top 4 of the countries in this tournament (sorry, but the French and New Zealanders, and IMO South Africa, beat you). Yet your athletes seem to mumble it like they were being dragged along to Saturday choir practice. You see the French players absolutely belt their ‘ALORS ENFANTS DE LA PATRIE’ when it comes out, like lung test. Even the English grudgingly admit, their King could be saved by God if He wanted to be so kind, yes.
My country’s anthem (Advance Australia Fair) is musical dishwater. Nobody sings it, rightly. What’s your excuse USA?
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 2:37 AM on August 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
Randy Klein in American Songwriter on why the US national anthem is so damned hard to sing. The lyrics are weird cause they're a poem set to a repurposed drinking song (archive link, if you don't want to use up your Atlantic free article). The range required to sing it properly is nuts. It sounds better if you let the music take the lead, unless you're a Whitney Houston caliber singer.
Anyway, finally a shake up in the USWNT formation, and they're looking lively out there. Still going to be a hard second half, and the winner will have to face Japan next, but glad to see a better performance today. Please use your subs in the 2nd when people start to get tired though Andonovski!
posted by the primroses were over at 2:59 AM on August 6, 2023 [3 favorites]
Anyway, finally a shake up in the USWNT formation, and they're looking lively out there. Still going to be a hard second half, and the winner will have to face Japan next, but glad to see a better performance today. Please use your subs in the 2nd when people start to get tired though Andonovski!
posted by the primroses were over at 2:59 AM on August 6, 2023 [3 favorites]
Coffee not enough to make my halftime phone posting coherent - here's that American Songwriter link I promised.
posted by the primroses were over at 3:08 AM on August 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by the primroses were over at 3:08 AM on August 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
Pulling out hair, gnashing teeth, shaking fist at heaven: "Damnit, Musovic!" If this game goes to penalty kicks, ouch
posted by the primroses were over at 4:11 AM on August 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by the primroses were over at 4:11 AM on August 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
BAGGIO
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 4:39 AM on August 6, 2023
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 4:39 AM on August 6, 2023
Ack, poor Naeher did her best there, just some heartbreaking misses from the US. Good for Sweden!
posted by the primroses were over at 4:46 AM on August 6, 2023
posted by the primroses were over at 4:46 AM on August 6, 2023
Wow what a cruel ending. I’m happy for the Swedes, but sad that it just wasn’t enough for the US women. Musovic was fantastic, though. Penalty kicks remain a stupid way to end a team sport.
posted by gemmy at 4:51 AM on August 6, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by gemmy at 4:51 AM on August 6, 2023 [5 favorites]
Sneaking suspicion that the US team have never been that good, and exposed now that other countries are starting to pay attention, showing how the US haven't built well upon their structure to retain their advantage.
posted by bookbook at 7:43 AM on August 7, 2023
posted by bookbook at 7:43 AM on August 7, 2023
I think the women’s teams of 2015 and 2019 were that good. They had even greater structural advantages in the previous three tournaments, but Germany won in ‘03 and ‘07, and Japan in ‘11. I think it’s underappreciated how much more sophisticated the US became during the tenure of Pia Sundhage in 2008-12. They may have lost the 2011 final (an absolute classic, by the way) but their tactical approach was much more complex than it had been under her predecessors. Jill Ellis took Sundhage’s team and managed to get them over the line (though I’ll note Sundhage won two Olympic golds).
posted by Kattullus at 8:29 AM on August 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Kattullus at 8:29 AM on August 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Sneaking suspicion that the US team have never been that good
Oh come on. They have never placed below 3rd in a World Cup until this one. They've won it four times out of 8! It is impossible to be somehow secretly mediocre at that level of play while also never placing below third in seven consecutive World Cups.
posted by cubeb at 10:29 AM on August 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
Oh come on. They have never placed below 3rd in a World Cup until this one. They've won it four times out of 8! It is impossible to be somehow secretly mediocre at that level of play while also never placing below third in seven consecutive World Cups.
posted by cubeb at 10:29 AM on August 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
Teams don't just fall off cliffs, problems are years in the making - and it's telling that the US team has never won the U17 WC, and the last U20 victory was in 2012 - which says that they've failed in investing in the young players where other countries have over the last decade. That has consequences, right?
posted by bookbook at 12:34 PM on August 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by bookbook at 12:34 PM on August 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
My country’s anthem (Advance Australia Fair) is musical dishwater. Nobody sings it, rightly. What’s your excuse USA?
Fascist takeover of all things the least bit "patriotic." I always flew a flag when I was younger. Would not do so now as it's become practically a hate symbol. Thanks, Fox News!
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 2:35 PM on August 7, 2023
Fascist takeover of all things the least bit "patriotic." I always flew a flag when I was younger. Would not do so now as it's become practically a hate symbol. Thanks, Fox News!
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 2:35 PM on August 7, 2023
USA's U17 and U20 performance is indeed telling, and I've been worried about it for years. But I agree with Katullus, until recently the USWNT had indeed been that good.
I am not happy about this.
posted by Quasirandom at 2:53 PM on August 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
I am not happy about this.
posted by Quasirandom at 2:53 PM on August 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
Teams don't just fall off cliffs, problems are years in the making
See also: Canada. Our national governing body seems hell-bent on pissing away any enthusiasm and momentum from the women's team's Olympic gold medal win two years ago (and recent presence as one of the powers of the world game) and last year's World Cup campaign by the men's squad. Of course, these were the geniuses who figured playing the 2015 Women's World Cup on artificial-turf fields would be perfectly fine, so call me more than just a wee bit concerned that they'll somehow screw up preparations for the Toronto- and Vancouver-based games in the 2026 men's WC, and that we'll never again be allowed to host the women's tournament, or not for a long while at least.
posted by hangashore at 4:31 PM on August 7, 2023
See also: Canada. Our national governing body seems hell-bent on pissing away any enthusiasm and momentum from the women's team's Olympic gold medal win two years ago (and recent presence as one of the powers of the world game) and last year's World Cup campaign by the men's squad. Of course, these were the geniuses who figured playing the 2015 Women's World Cup on artificial-turf fields would be perfectly fine, so call me more than just a wee bit concerned that they'll somehow screw up preparations for the Toronto- and Vancouver-based games in the 2026 men's WC, and that we'll never again be allowed to host the women's tournament, or not for a long while at least.
posted by hangashore at 4:31 PM on August 7, 2023
W/r/t Team USA it’s worth observing how few of them play anywhere but the US domestic competition. Which was for years the only serious professional women’s league, but that’s altered now that the Euro major clubs have got on board. Nothing in North America can really compete with what e.g. Chelsea or Real Madrid can offer for football. Playing in Western Europe is where the highest quality match time is for everyone right now. Men’s and women’s both.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:09 PM on August 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:09 PM on August 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Teams don't just fall off cliffs, problems are years in the making - and it's telling that the US team has never won the U17 WC, and the last U20 victory was in 2012 - which says that they've failed in investing in the young players where other countries have over the last decade. That has consequences, right?
Sure it does, and I agree with what you're saying here. The only thing I was disputing was, as you put it, a "sneaking suspicion that the USA have never been that good." It is screamingly obvious that they have been, even though they stumbled in this cup and may well stumble again.
posted by cubeb at 6:33 PM on August 7, 2023
Sure it does, and I agree with what you're saying here. The only thing I was disputing was, as you put it, a "sneaking suspicion that the USA have never been that good." It is screamingly obvious that they have been, even though they stumbled in this cup and may well stumble again.
posted by cubeb at 6:33 PM on August 7, 2023
I've been catching up on the highlights after a week away (TSN's Youtube channel has them, if you're in Canada). I would've loved to see Nigeria take out England, and but for a couple of pieces of woodwork they almost did. Lots of Nigerian pride in the Youtube comments despite the loss.
France and Spain both put together some pretty goals. It would make for some exciting football to seem them face each other in the final.
posted by clawsoon at 6:37 AM on August 9, 2023 [1 favorite]
France and Spain both put together some pretty goals. It would make for some exciting football to seem them face each other in the final.
posted by clawsoon at 6:37 AM on August 9, 2023 [1 favorite]
Quarterfinals start tonight -- and the Spain-Netherlands match is early enough, the Randomlet can watch much of it before bedtime (assuming, of course, they finish homework first and I can find an English language broadcast/stream that doesn't put money in Fox's coffers). (They have been pissed at the timing of matches.)
If anything, though, Japan/Sweden looks like it'll be an even better match.
posted by Quasirandom at 8:16 AM on August 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
If anything, though, Japan/Sweden looks like it'll be an even better match.
posted by Quasirandom at 8:16 AM on August 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
Quasirandom, if they struggle to find a stream and you have a VPN, you can set it to a UK location and watch on ITV, other matches are on BBC iPlayer which requires an East London VPN. You might need to make an account with either website to watch. To determine which channels are showing which match you can google where to watch women’s World Cup UK.
posted by ellieBOA at 11:52 AM on August 10, 2023
posted by ellieBOA at 11:52 AM on August 10, 2023
New post for the quarter finals! ESP-NED is on at a semi-decent time here, so I might have to UKVPN myself over to ITV.
posted by Superilla at 3:15 PM on August 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Superilla at 3:15 PM on August 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
World Cup Gossip Adjacent: The WoSo Chart, a diagram of romantic relationships within Women's Football.
posted by zamboni at 8:21 AM on August 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by zamboni at 8:21 AM on August 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
World Cup Gossip Adjacent: The WoSo Chart, a diagram of romantic relationships within Women's Football.
Saw this on lesbian Instagram and it puts the L Word chart to shame!
posted by ellieBOA at 5:24 AM on August 16, 2023
Saw this on lesbian Instagram and it puts the L Word chart to shame!
posted by ellieBOA at 5:24 AM on August 16, 2023
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posted by googly at 11:16 AM on August 4, 2023 [4 favorites]