I also felt that Maryland should’ve been included in the Rust Belt. (Source: all of Sparrow’s Point.)

Italy is definitely a sleeper favorite of mine. They could finish first in this group. Actually, they *should* since the Matildas are a mess, Brazil messier, and Jamaica has a lot of raw talent.

You have a point. People downgrade Rafa’s greatness because he dominates clay, but for servebots (which can apply to Fed and Nole—they’re just...way better at everything else), grass and hard feed into your wheelhouse. You have three shots every year to win a major. Rafa truly has one. That he’s won 6 non-clay majors…

Rafa actually has 6 off clay. As good as Becker, Edberg, and a few others.

Sigh, I know. You’re right. It’s shitty. I can’t even make the Messi comparison I want knowing how Argentina treated their women’s team.

It’s bad enough the dude lives in a clay mansion, but there’s a jail there, too?

I’m leaning more towards Jamaica in that instance. But both Brazil and Jamaica are dealing with shit support from their federations, so I want everyone to do well, you know? I grapple with this everywhere lol.

You’re welcome. Sorry for being skeptical.

You’re welcome! There’s been a few last minute injuries, sadly.

If you genuinely want to know, Fox and Fox Sports.

Alleway (and Fowler, maybe) will be replaced due to injury.

Formiga is playing in her seventh World Cup. Seventh.

I want them to do well so bad. Bunny Shaw was so amazing during the Gold Cup.

LDV and EVE are kinda old now. Catley has bum ankles. Raso is just now coming back after...breaking her back. Lydia Williams is fighting (and losing) for minutes in Tacoma. Add that they’re only a few months in under this coach and I just don’t know. Sam Kerr could be Superwoman for Sky Blue and now the Red Stars, but…

Hegerberg, Kerr, Miedema, Martens, Harder. Could add Maroszan and Le Sommer to that list, too. Endler is probably the best goalkeeper at the moment. At one point I would’ve said Lucy Bronze is the best defender, but I think she’s dipped since going to Lyon. So have to give that nod to Renard, I guess (what is defense?)…

No Vero. No problem. (Utah is grateful, though.) This team has a decent midfield and could be tough to play. I wouldn’t put all the scoring responsibility on Hermoso, and hopefully Spain doesn’t either. Patricia Guijarro won the golden boot at last year’s U20 WWC and could be the firepower the team needs to come…

Keep in mind that Kgatlana and Motlhalo played for the Dash because Van Wyk vouched for them. Boy, was that team a mess then. Not that it was their fault or anything, but the Dash are much better now. I wish they were there for that. The younger two are making way better money in China and Van Wyk has a good thing…

Ehh I was gonna go with “stomp dicks” but it didn’t make sense. I certainly don’t have one, so I made the only comparison that makes sense to me (it sounds horrifying). And I actually rather like France, but I want a repeat.

They should make it to the round of 16. If not as the second team in their group, then as one of the top 3rd place teams.

The women’s soccer culture in Europe (well, France) might support Hegerberg skipping international duty. The NWSL exists to keep US players out of that market (to put it simply). There are a few players on the USWNT I could see dropping club if they could and just be full-time internationals. I guess that’s why…