[Solecismic]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Spoilering this for those in the US who might want to wake up and watch the game in the morning, so don't click if that's you

Spoiler

The US should be out - that was an absolutely awful performance. Alex Morgan is useless at this stage of her career and the coach doesn't have a clue if he thinks she's the best option to play isolated up front.

Physically the US is still elite and dangerous off set pieces, but in terms of skill it's hard to say they are more than a mid-tier squad in this tournament, and tactically they don't seem to have a clue. Very, very lucky and if they are going to go beyond the next couple of rounds will have to make major changes moving forward.

Spoiler

In injury time, Portugal broke through and hit the post square-on. They would have finished second in the group if it had gone in. Naeher wasn't solid with her ball handling and made a couple of poor decisions. Morgan and Rapinoe still have great instincts, but they can't quite do it any more. Still, they did manage a good amount of pressure in the second half.

Alexi Lalas and Carli Lloyd were ripping the hell out of the team for dancing and looking pleased with the result. Lloyd called out Andonovski, made it sounds like she blames him for the shortcomings.

They should be dominating, but they give up too much possession and haven't been finishing on offense. Sweden is a challenge for the round of 16. They probably have to play better than today to beat the Swedes. And they'll have to do it without Lavelle, who played 90, but was reckless for someone entering the match on a yellow and managed a second one, earning a one-game suspension. Lavelle seems to be the best at getting them through to the front line, so that will hurt.