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You are here: Home / Open Threads / USA v France Open Thread

Reader Interactions

114Comments

  1. 1.

    Steve

    Did you seriously refer to the US as a Cinderella in women’s soccer? Even if Duke wins on a miraculous shot at the buzzer, they’re still Duke and not anyone’s idea of a Cinderella.

  2. 2.

    Chris

    Allons enfants de la patrie,
    Le jour de gloire est arrivé
    Contre nous de la tyrannie
    L’étendard sanglant est levé
    Entendez vous dans les campagnes,
    Mugir ces féroces soldats?
    Qui viennent jusque dans nos bras
    Egorger nos fils, nos compagnes!

    Aux armes, citoyens!
    Formez vos bataillons!
    Marchons! Marchons!
    Qu’un sang impur
    Abreuve nos sillons!

  9. 9.

    MattR

    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

    (Though I have to admit that I still cringe when I hear the last name Cheney)

  17. 17.

    Bill Murray

    Boy, the base is seriously disappointed in this guy.

    you’re right Martin. Although the base to which you refer are the big money boys

    eta: Of course I should stick to footie. Sauerbrunn makes her WC debut in the semis, latest ever debut in the WWC

  18. 18.

    Amir_Khalid

    Isn’t USA a major force in women’s international football, and thus not really a Cinderella team?

  21. 21.

    Hawes

    A lot more open game in terms of officiating. There’d have been four yellows already if Sunday’s ref was on the field.

  24. 24.

    Bill Murray

    US are getting stretched pretty badly and are having trouble keeping possession. Solo had a great save, as did ther cross bar

  29. 29.

    Hawes

    I’m seeing the fatigue in a bit of flat-footedness on the American side. They’re fit enough to run, but a bit tired to start.

  31. 31.

    BO_Bill

    TV ratings for women’s soccer championships are around 2. TV ratings for football championships are around 45 (I know, I know, hate numbers). The current viewership for women’s soccer consists primarily of the player’s parents, sexual deviants, and metrosexuals. This does not form the basis for strong advertising prospects. And professional female sports get no Title IX cash.

    Put me in charge and I will make female-soccer thrive.

  32. 32.

    burnspbesq

    We could really use a destroyer in central midfield. I said last night that it was crucial for Boxx and Lloyd to step up, and it’s not happening so far. This is far from over.

  33. 33.

    burnspbesq

    A-Rod has been the biggest disappointment of the tournament for the US. Get her off, Pia. Time for Morgan.

  34. 34.

    handsmile

    Les Alouettes are bossing the game and are leading in every offensive category, except of course in the only one that matters. (I smell wenger.)

    If they continue to try to beat Solo with launches from 20+ yards, this is 2-0 US victory easy.

    And I know it’s OT, but crikey it’s half-time, Atrios has conclusive proof that the Minnesota state shutdown will be over in a matter of days.

  35. 35.

    daveNYC

    so I guess the American is to let the French tire themselves out kicking at our goal.

    And I just saw a FIFA add saying “Say no to racism.” I know why they’re doing it, but that’s a pretty fucked up thin to see on the TV.

  36. 36.

    john b

    TV ratings for women’s soccer championships are around 2.

    the quarterfinal match on Sunday got a 2.6. On CABLE. In the middle of a summer afternoon. It will likely rank at the top of the ratings for cable programs for the week and be in the mix with network shows.

  38. 38.

    HumboldtBlue

    Where is the US midfield? Have they decided their only job is to weakly punt the ball to a French winger? dreadful.

  39. 39.

    Amir_Khalid

    It’s frustrating for the French to be dominating the play and yet down 1-0 at halftime. If this persists, I expect to see them make tactical substitutions around mid-second half.

    @HumboldtBlue:
    Agreed. 1-0 is too small a lead to be sitting on.

  41. 41.

    HumboldtBlue

    Four consecutive possessions and all led to immediate turnovers and dangerous French attacks.

  42. 42.

    Bostondreams

    The current viewership for women’s soccer consists primarily of the player’s parents, sexual deviants, and metrosexuals.

    Funny. Sports Illustrated has them on the front page, nice and big, as we speak. Pretty damn popular. It is being discussed on Fox Sports Radio, ESPN radio, and the other sports radio networks. Pretty damn popular.

    Go away and pretend you have an opinion that matters.

  45. 45.

    HumboldtBlue

    Dreadful, another turnover, cross-pass across the field and excellent delivery and Solo gets caught out

  47. 47.

    Jay in Oregon

    Here’s your regular dose of batshit WTFery…

    http://electnomorespys.blogspot.com/

    Some gems:

    Obama announced his run for office on Oprah Winfrey’s show. Oprah’s long time friend Gayle King may be a look alike for Whitney Houston which could be part of this code making Whit_ney White and Hous_ton House.

    and

    Sarah’s last name is short for palindrome. McCain’s favorite band he claims is ABBA, a palindrome. So who’s name is a palindrome? SOROS.

  48. 48.

    HumboldtBlue

    The second half has been dominated completely by the French, the US looks lost, tired and second-rate.

  50. 50.

    Amir_Khalid

    … And France equalize. Not so surprising. The rest of the second half will be interesting.

  51. 51.

    Hawes

    All France, all the time.

    I thought the US played better than Brazil and deserved to win.

    France deserves this.

  52. 52.

    Hawes

    Sweden played a similar possession game and won. If your game plan is to be more athletic and you’re tired, it’s going to be tough.

  53. 53.

    HumboldtBlue

    The French are a far better side, Le Sommer, Aliby and Necib are having their way.

  57. 57.

    handsmile

    Humboldt Blue (#48):

    You might well be tired too, 72 hours after a punishing 120+-minute quarterfinal match. (France has had one extra day of rest.)

    Yet it’s too soon to despair, mes amis. The French attack remains bafflingly one-dimensional. And that goal was an attempted cross methinks.

  59. 59.

    Hawes

    The midfield game reminds me of my kid’s soccer game.

    “Look! I can header the ball!”

    Yes, but to what effect?

  60. 60.

    BO_Bill

    Popularity cannot be judged by what is placed on the cover of Neo-Journalism organizations like FOX Sports and ESPN. You need to understand that Neo-Journalism works hand-in-hand with Neo-Banking to dumb-down and feminize society, in an attempt to secure greater economic and physical security for those who would rule us. The sport of girls kicking around a ball while fully clothed is completely consistent with Neo-planning.

    The simple act of removing the shirts from these athletes will completely transform this competition from a denigration of traditional gender roles to a celebration of traditional gender roles. Beer sales will go through the roof and ticket prices will spike as men celebrate the natural beauty of the female form. The girls will have a great time also. Exhibit ‘A’ is this not safe for work video. With my plan, everybody wins with the exception of bankers and people with private jets.

  61. 61.

    HumboldtBlue

    At least Rapinoe is hot, great attempt … and yes, that was a cross that turned into a goal

  64. 64.

    Bill Murray

    Thomis, who ran over the English with her great pace is coming in. Probably on the right against LePeilbet

  71. 71.

    daveNYC

    Is this streaming anywhere on the intertubes? I’m getting grumpy that I wasn’t able to milk my lunch hour longer than I did.

  77. 77.

    Tuttle

    BO_BILL, the girls used to wear a lot less. Ratings were much lower.

    If your ideas were at all valid beach volleyball and netball (the “leg-man’s sport”) would be the two most popular spectator sports on earth.

    And another! Go Morgan!

  80. 80.

    Morbo

    Wow, France just cannot defend anything. No wonder they tried to play possession in the offensive end for so long.

  83. 83.

    HumboldtBlue

    Give credit to Rampone and the defense, that first 25 minutes of the second half could have been disastrous

  85. 85.

    Tuttle

    The only bad thing about the USA winning is that we won’t get to hear the world’s coolest national anthem again this tournament.

  88. 88.

    HumboldtBlue

    we won’t get to hear the world’s coolest national anthem again

    I’ve felt that way ever since the Soviet Union collapsed.

  92. 92.

    Bill Murray

    Ian Darke with the Prince reference. I imagine he stayed up all night thinking of that one.

    It’s good that LePeilbet got her game in order after her Sweden debacle

  95. 95.

    Julie Raffety

    Abby!!! Remember that the US played a player down for over an hour in the last match, they did seem tired at first, but got going finally. But they prevailed. On to the finals.

  97. 97.

    Tuttle

    The Hymn Russia? I’ve always found it derivative and a bit overly lush.

    The Internationale could compete with La Marseillaise though.

  98. 98.

    Bill Murray

    Wait the world’s coolest country theme song isn’t To Anacreon in Heaven? Michelle Bachmann will tan your hide

  101. 101.

    Thoroughly Pizzled

    “Arise children of the fatherland
    The day of glory has arrived
    Against us tyranny’s
    Bloody standard is raised
    Listen to the sound in the fields
    The howling of these fearsome soldiers
    They are coming into our midst
    To cut the throats of your sons and consorts

    To arms citizens Form your battalions
    March, march
    Let impure blood
    Water our furrows”

    Mwa ha ha.

  102. 102.

    Ivan Ivanovich Renko

    The Soviet national anthem was the best tune… but the French anthem has balls.

  104. 104.

    Lymie

    Why is the coverage of the Women’s World Cup games on ESPN sponsored by Rogaine and the Bosley Hair Restoration System?

  106. 106.

    cmorenc

    @Lymie:

    Why is the coverage of the Women’s World Cup games on ESPN sponsored by Rogaine and the Bosley Hair Restoration System?

    Maybe because there’s a market out there for women who want to restore hair…um, there, but ads directly targeted toward that market might be a bit too indiscreet. Or maybe it’s for boyfriends with receding hairlines who are watching the game with their girlfriends. Or maybe both.

  108. 108.

    handsmile

    Well, Chicken Little ought to be the dinner choice for some of you tonight!

    The first two US substitutions and the consequent tactical shift were transformational and decisive.

    While I repeat myself, France’s offensive attack was inexplicably unimaginative (particularly in light of the US’ porous midfield for much of the match). Thomis was brought on at least ten minutes too late.

    The French goalkeeper Sapowicz must be very grateful that she’s not South American. The mortal stroke of the third goal was entirely the result of her ineptitude.

    The bombast surrounding American national sports teams I find more than a little off-putting. But with their successive victories against Brazil and France (both matches in which they were statistically inferior save in the only category that truly matters), the US Women’s Soccer team fully deserves and refreshes the tired tropes of resolve, perseverance, and fortitude.

  109. 109.

    aretino

    That was a very obvious and reckless foul by Wambach to win the corner that set up the crucial second goal. Should have been a yellow card and a French free kick. Have to say that the referee jobbed the French on this one.

    But we still hear endless whining about how the Americans are hard done by. Typical. That’s how the ugly American image is sustained.

  110. 110.

    Hawes

    Bombast surrounding American soccer teams? Yes, so off putting.

    If only Americans could approach their national teams with the same sort of rational perspective and sang froid that other nations do. Like the English, French or, say, Colombians.

    Truly, we should learn from our soccer betters and relax and enjoy the game.

  112. 112.

    D.N. Nation

    Yes, this idea that Americans should tone down the rah-rah nationalism for an international sporting event, unlike say EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, is ridiculous. I’m sure the French weren’t whining at all after ’06.

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