“I can’t remember which match it was, but the keeper in one of these women’s world cup games made an amazing save. Her foot was 1 inch off the line. It was so close one of the white blades of grass could have actually kept her in.”

They’ve always been a kick and chase team. That was the prime directive of “Abby ball.” Defender or midfielder plays the ball over the top for Pinoe, Heather O’Reilly, Alex Morgan, or Syd Leroux to run down. They play a cross to Abby. Abby wins the header. Goal.

“...there were a couple balls in down the left side in the first half it looked like she could have caught but she let go out for goal kicks.”

I feel a little bad for Beckie after that. Apparently Sinc suggested she take that PK and my god what a bad decision that was from her. At least Jill had enough sense to take the ball off of Morgan’s feet.

It’s a moot point. Morgan is the starter. She’s always been the starter. I would like to see Press there, especially as BluttPugs (lol, I love their name) points out that Morgan is playing with some kind of knock, but it’s not gonna happen.

“I fully expect the wrong decision.”

Totally agree. But Morgan is the face of the team, and not exactly aging like Wambach was in 2015. I don’t think Ellis has the courage to bench her.

Heath has never had speed. I think she’s quicker with the ball at her feet, though. But she’s not the one I want running down balls over top.

Also, Spain has nice jerseys. Such a classic design.

My god, Losada’s eye. My god. It was an accident, but my god.

The last time they played Spain, Press won them the match (a friendly, but still).

It’s a shit excuse, but Horan can be a rash player. Honestly, I like what Mewis brings more, but keeping Ertz in the midfield means sitting one of those two as long as Lavelle is healthy.

I can’t stand Ellis. She lucked in to a WC win 4 years ago and she’s gonna over-think herself and her team to a plane ride home Friday.

Hermoso had Pinoe in a headlock, too. Ertz got pushed down. Honestly, there could’ve been more penalities.

I’d like to see Krieger on the right. KO on the left. Dunn up top with Press in the middle and Heath on the right. Or an “archaic” 4-4-2 with Press and Dunn up top, Pinoe and Heath on the wings, Lavelle and Mewis/Horan in the middle. Drop Dahlkemper for JJ at CB. Keep Broon, and again Krieger on the right and O’Hara…

On a yellow. Gotta keep her protected for a possible (at the time) meeting with France.

You get an extra sub. Regardless, making Lloyd your first sub shows Ellis didn’t give a shit. Knowing how she manages this team, she probably thought it was better to let that team grind it out for a result as a way of team-building or whatever. She more or less admitted that to Alex Curry after the match.

They swapped jerseys at the end, too.

Naeher has always had these moments where her decision-making goes to absolute shit, especially when under pressure. Not for nothing, Becky Sauerbrunn (who should still be captain imo) took full responsibility for the goal.

Was it soft, maybe? But it was absolutely consistent with how they’ve been calling that foul all tournament. Defenders can’t follow through with their studs up and have to keep their arms behind their back at all times. VAR had made doing that a necessity.