OT: Women's Soccer Thread

[dash]

Has Hope Solo taken a drug test yet?

I find your lack of faith in the USADA quite disturbing

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I find your lack of faith in the USADA quite disturbing

If they had Olympic testing in the major sports leagues no team would exsist.

 

[pixburgher66]

I disagree on the whole, though I do find women's soccer very enjoyable to watch. For my money it's the best of the women's sports out there.

They tend to be higher scoring games because of the factors you mentioned, but I actually prefer the tension and strategy that comes with a 0-0 or 1-0 game.

The game that some of the men's teams plays is just so mesmerizing and beautiful to watch when it comes together properly like the current Spanish squad or a few of the recent Brazilian teams.

This. I do like watching women's soccer a lot and getting away from the diving for the most part is definitely a huge bonus, but the reason why the game is so open I think is partially because of the lack of defensive talent in the women's game. JMO though.

You guys are both right, and that's basically what I was saying. I do concede that the cerebral and athletic abilities are much greater in the men's game (like it is with every sport), but it doesn't take away from the fact that the women's game is just so much more enjoyable to a casual fan. I like the chess match occasionally too, and when you get those great teams it's awesome. But how often is it just push up to midfield, pass a few times, drop back and try again? Often. That's most certainly because of great D. Which is great, it's part of the game, but if a men's team went down 2-0 this early, even with the gap in talent perceived in this match up, I'd say the chances of that team roaring back to win 4-2 were about 10% or less. On the women's side? 30% Just let us girls have this one, Lord knows it's not close in anything else (except tennis probably...).

 

[Vadered]

Missed the first showing; it's replaying right now. 2-2 at halftime, which is really high scoring for soccer.... wait a minute.

Has anyone ever noticed how much Hope Solo looks like Bryzgalov would in drag?

 

[Vadered]

Missed the first showing; it's replaying right now. 2-2 at halftime, which is really high scoring for soccer.... wait a minute.

Has anyone ever noticed how much Hope Solo looks like Bryzgalov would in drag?

Fortunately the French goalie is, appropriately, a lot like Fleury in drag.

Good win for the ladies. I would like to see them figure out how to close out a game (hint, don't put 6 in the box when you take corners up by 2 with 5 minutes to play), and I'd like to see them not melt down at the start of the match, but we got through the hard game in the group. Now we just have to take care of business and we'll make it into the elimination games in good shape.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

You guys are both right, and that's basically what I was saying. I do concede that the cerebral and athletic abilities are much greater in the men's game (like it is with every sport), but it doesn't take away from the fact that the women's game is just so much more enjoyable to a casual fan. I like the chess match occasionally too, and when you get those great teams it's awesome. But how often is it just push up to midfield, pass a few times, drop back and try again? Often. That's most certainly because of great D. Which is great, it's part of the game, but if a men's team went down 2-0 this early, even with the gap in talent perceived in this match up, I'd say the chances of that team roaring back to win 4-2 were about 10% or less. On the women's side? 30% Just let us girls have this one, Lord knows it's not close in anything else (except tennis probably...).

I can definitely agree with the first bolded remark, as the lack of diving and higher scoring should be more appealing to casual fans. Personally, I don't consider myself a casual fan though, which is why I prefer the strategy game.

Regarding the comebacks (or lack thereof in men's) That's actually one of the things that I dislike somewhat about the women's game, to be honest. I am a big fan of the idea that the "better" team needs to be on the ball (no pun intended) from the opening kickoff, lest they get burned by a slow start against the worse team.

I do actually like women's tennis better than men's tennis though, so I'll give you that one :smile:

 

[awaz]

I can definitely agree with the first bolded remark, as the lack of diving and higher scoring should be more appealing to casual fans. Personally, I don't consider myself a casual fan though, which is why I prefer the strategy game.

Regarding the comebacks (or lack thereof in men's) That's actually one of the things that I dislike somewhat about the women's game, to be honest. I am a big fan of the idea that the "better" team needs to be on the ball (no pun intended) from the opening kickoff, lest they get burned by a slow start against the worse team.

I do actually like women's tennis better than men's tennis though, so I'll give you that one :smile:

soccer is about even to me.. like everyone has said, the decrease in diving really makes it more exciting..

tennis i have to disagree though.. not only do they hit the ball significantly softer, but the groaning kills me..

in both instances though, i like the partakers in the women's game

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

soccer is about even to me.. like everyone has said, the decrease in diving really makes it more exciting..

tennis i have to disagree though.. not only do they hit the ball significantly softer, but the groaning kills me..

in both instances though, i like the partakers in the women's game

One of the main reasons for me actually. I like the back-and-forth that you get with the women's game where the emphasis is more on placement and less on power like the men's game (or a Williams sister).

 

[awaz]

One of the main reasons for me actually. I like the back-and-forth that you get with the women's game where the emphasis is more on placement and less on power like the men's game (or a Williams sister).

i dont see the difference?

but ya i can understand that, i just like the power.. nothing like hitting a monster ace up the T to win a set/match

 

[dash]

One of the main reasons for me actually. I like the back-and-forth that you get with the women's game where the emphasis is more on placement and less on power like the men's game (or a Williams sister).

Wait a sec, that's a girl?!? (I thought I was watching a mixed singles match)

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

i dont see the difference?

but ya i can understand that, i just like the power.. nothing like hitting a monster ace up the T to win a set/match

Wait a sec, that's a girl?!? (I thought I was watching a mixed singles match)

Was I too subtle in the way I phrased it?

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

i dont see the difference?

but ya i can understand that, i just like the power.. nothing like hitting a monster ace up the T to win a set/match

Fair enough. I prefer to see a long rally to win a set/match, but to each their own, right.

 

[awaz]

Was I too subtle in the way I phrased it?

lol

 

[jstewismybastardson]

I disagree on the whole, though I do find women's soccer very enjoyable to watch. For my money it's the best of the women's sports out there.

They tend to be higher scoring games because of the factors you mentioned, but I actually prefer the tension and strategy that comes with a 0-0 or 1-0 game.

The game that some of the men's teams plays is just so mesmerizing and beautiful to watch when it comes together properly like the current Spanish squad or a few of the recent Brazilian teams.

This. I do like watching women's soccer a lot and getting away from the diving for the most part is definitely a huge bonus, but the reason why the game is so open I think is partially because of the lack of defensive talent in the women's game. JMO though.

Good posts

Just like there are some that expound the virtues of passion and desire when it comes to, say, junior hockey ... I cant do it

Ritari was diplomatic when he said lack of defensive talent but ill be more blunt and the one word that defines womens soccer in my mind ... Mistakes

Soccer isnt just about running forward and while i grimace at teams that park the bus for a game i can really admire their defensive strategy if it works against a superior team

U see a team like japan win the last womens world cup and alot of people shortchanged them by suggesting they won because they had the tsunami tragedy in their hearts. Well actually their possession game and all around fundamental soundness is akin to spanish mens soccer

The backtracking definitely is lacking and women dont tend to use the whole field. At the euros almost evrrygame saw at least 2 players with 15 kms in run stats. Top mids in womens games run 11 to 12 kms?

Ill watch womens soccer but theres no way id watch it ovrr a mens game

 

[dash]

Just like there are some that expound the virtues of passion and desire when it comes to, say, junior hockey ... I cant do it

Peter Loubardias is sum kinda angry at you jstew...Maybe a fair comparison is junior hockey is to the NHL like the CFL is to the NFL?!? You know it's not the best the sport has to offer, but it's pretty darn entertaining (and full of guys that are either trying to make it to the next level or realize this is their last shot at glory).

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Peter Loubardias is sum kinda angry at you jstew...Maybe a fair comparison is junior hockey is to the NHL like the CFL is to the NFL?!? You know it's not the best the sport has to offer, but it's pretty darn entertaining (and full of guys that are either trying to make it to the next level or realize this is their last shot at glory).

There are more wacey wabbits in junior hockey than steven stamkos's ... Alot more

 

[dash]

There are more wacey wabbits in junior hockey than steven stamkos's ... Alot more

Yeah, that was kinda my point - What percentage of guys that play in junior hockey go on to meaningful NHL careers (i.e. last in the league for at least five seasons)? It's probably in the 15 to 20 percent range. In a similar fashion, guys in the CFL are either too small, not fast enough, or just a case of bad timing that they didn't make it to the NFL. It's still an entertaining game.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

But the cfl has different rules and is a different game

And i think youre reaching on the intentions of the typical cfl players desire to be in the nfl

The majority know their lot in life whether its because of their size or the fact they were undrafted

 

[dash]

But the cfl has different rules and is a different game

And i think youre reaching on the intentions of the typical cfl players desire to be in the nfl

The majority know their lot in life whether its because of their size or the fact they were undrafted

Yeah, you are right about the CFL being a different game, although it's funny that NFL offenses seems to be adopting more of a pass-happy attack in their game plans.

I'm biased as well because I grew up in a town where junior hockey was king (we didn't have a NHL team competing for dollars/attention).

/sorry about the thread jack, pix, back to women's soccer.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Heres a thread jack

Japan beats spain at their opening olympic game in mens soccer