World Cup demands better performance
They probably didn’t need it, but the United States women’s soccer players got another reminder that their never-say-die attitude and athleticism aren’t enough to win World Cups anymore.
Fortunately for them, Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Sweden came in group play of the 2011 World Cup. And because they had won their first two group-play games, the Americans were only playing for quarterfinal seeding, not their tournament lives.
But the first United States group-play loss in six World Cups is an indicator that this team has weaknesses: in the back line, where Crystal Lake native Amy LePeilbet had a game she’d love to forget; and up front, where the Americans settled for way too many shots from distance in a furious attempt to equalize.
Because they couldn’t get a result Wednesday, the United States gets Group C’s second seed and a date with Cup co-favorite Brazil this weekend instead of Australia.
Brazil is beatable, but the Americans will have to play better than they did Wednesday.
Tie game:What#146;s with all the ties?Blame a lack of scoring.With a 2-4-12 record, the Fire is just two games from tying the all-time MLS record for draws in a season, and just a game past the midway point of the season the club looks like a good bet to blast the record.That#146;s two ties in every three games after Saturday#146;s 1-1 match at Chivas USA.#147;I want to say that I#146;m really disappointed in myself,#148; Fire forward Dominic Oduro told MLSsoccer.com after the match. #147;I created a lot of chances and I probably could#146;ve done more in terms of putting balls in the back of the net.#148;The Fire has plenty of company, however.Across the league there have already been 20 games that ended 0-0 #8212; the Fire has had four scoreless games #8212; breaking the record set in 2009.The Red Bulls aren#146;t far behind the Fire with 10 ties, and even the league#146;s top team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, has nine.Scoring is up from last year#146;s 2.46 goals a game (that#146;s both teams combined), but barely at 2.49.The Fire is one of the teams bringing the average down, scoring just 19 goals in 18 games.Maybe it#146;s bad luck, maybe it#146;s something cyclical or maybe there#146;s a lack of quality finishing. But something has to give sometime, doesn#146;t it? The Fire can#146;t keep tying games, can it?#147;We#146;re really frustrated right now,#148; Oduro said. #147;I think we are doing so well defensively and offensively and right now we just want to win games. ... We#146;re not losing, but a win would be really nice.#148;The Fire reserves notched a 5-0 victory in Tuesday#146;s game against the FC Dallas reserves. Maybe someone can get that to translate to the first team.oschwarz@dailyherald.com