Women's World Cup Semifinal: USA vs. Germany

[mstatefan91]

Starting lineup just announced. No Wambach.

[TheRef]

I'm okay with that. She was better as a change of pace player to be brought in as a sub during these games. Looks like we're sticking with the 4-4-2 for this game, which I'm not sure I agree with against a very stout offensive setup by Germany. Gotta hope our back line holds up tonight.

[mstatefan91]

4-3-3 lineup actually. May not play out that way but that's how it is written on paper

[TheRef]

4-3-3 lineup actually. May not play out that way but that's how it is written on paper

If we have to keep running back against Germany because of turnovers, then I think I see us quickly going back to a 4-4-2 in my opinion.

[War Machine Dawg]

I'm okay with that. She was better as a change of pace player to be brought in as a sub during these games. Looks like we're sticking with the 4-4-2 for this game, which I'm not sure I agree with against a very stout offensive setup by Germany. Gotta hope our back line holds up tonight.

We've gone 400+ minutes without conceding a goal. Very few shots on goal during that stretch, too. I'm way more worried about our offense. The D is sick.

[War Machine Dawg]

We're looking good early. Creating chances and putting pressure on the Krauts. D is holding up about as well as you could hope for against the best offensive team in the tournament so far.

And as I type, a SPECTACULAR save by Angerer keeps Morgan from punching in the go ahead goal. Damn.

[DudyDawg]

These analysts don't know what they are talking about. They're awful

[TheRef]

Pace has been really quick lately. Back line is holding up fairly well.

[mstatefan91]

Ouch

[TheRef]

USA is attacking, Germany isn't. Gotta keep this up

[War Machine Dawg]

USA is attacking, Germany isn't. Gotta keep this up

Yeah, we've been the most aggressive team and it hasn't been close. Love what we're doing, just wish we had something to show for it on the scoreboard.

[mstatefan91]

Morgan just can't seem to finish.

Bring in Wambach at the 60' if the score is still 0-0

[smootness]

Phenomenal first half but you have to take advantage eventually. Hope the energy level keeps up in the second half. I'd wait until at least 70-75 minutes to bring on Wambach. She can finish, but she will keep us from being as quick moving forward as well.

[mstatefan91]

If she scores in the 65' then it won't matter if she's slowed us down.. lol

Either way, I feel like Wambach plays a key role in whether this game is won or not. But I hope we net one in the first 5 minutes and just completely demotivate Germany

[War Machine Dawg]

Huge penalty against Johnston and Germany fails to capitalize. Dammit, we need a goal NOW.

[TheRef]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CIycBSaWcAAHoe_.jpg:large

[War Machine Dawg]

Speechless, Ref?

[smootness]

If she scores in the 65' then it won't matter if she's slowed us down.. lol

Either way, I feel like Wambach plays a key role in whether this game is won or not. But I hope we net one in the first 5 minutes and just completely demotivate Germany

Well obviously. My point is that the longer she's in the game, the less she gives us an advantage. She can help us on set pieces late, but she'll hurt the overall attack.

[TheRef]

Speechless, Ref?

Just my thoughts on that PK

[Maroonthirteen]

We are getting so many corner kicks. I'd bring in Wambach because she is so good getting a head on the ball.

[War Machine Dawg]

Penalty against Germany!!!! This game is CRAYYY ZAYYY.

[TheRef]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[War Machine Dawg]

GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!! CARLY MF'N LLOYD!!!!!!!!!!

[smootness]

BOOM!

[TheRef]

Abby Wambach about to come in

Tobin Heath already was subbed out for Kelley O'Hara

[TheRef]

Abby Wambach for Megan Rapinoe

[War Machine Dawg]

Bringing Wambach in is good. Taking out Rapinoe for Wambach is bad. And I really like Kelly O'Hara. She looks like a really good player. Can we please get Leroux or Press for the final sub?

[War Machine Dawg]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLL!!!!!!! KELLY O'HARA!!!!!!!!!!

[TheRef]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!! 2-0 USA 85'

[smootness]

BOOM!

[War Machine Dawg]

Hell of a cross by Carly Lloyd, too. She's tonight's MVP, if it isn't one of our defenders.

[BulldogBear]

Sweet!

[TheRef]

Hell of a cross by Carly Lloyd, too. She's tonight's MVP, if it isn't one of our defenders.

At this point, Carli Lloyd gets the game ball.

[Maroonthirteen]

Beautiful assist. We missed on that pass.early, glad we got the 2nd chance. I didn't want that PK to be our lone goal.

Helluva game by the ladies though. They dominated tonight.

[War Machine Dawg]

Beautiful assist. We missed on that pass.early, glad we got the 2nd time. I didn't want that PK to be our line goal.

Helluva game by the ladies though. They dominated tonight.

They really have. Switching to the 4-3-3 was a great call by Ellis, too. Although I'm seeing why we've played so much 4-4-2. It gives us flexibility with our personnel and forces teams to have to be ready for two completely different looks. We can clog it up and play D or spread it out and attack.

I kinda hope we get Japan in the finals, considering they beat us to win the last WWC. But I'm also a bit of an Anglophile, so seeing a US-England final would be cool. Plus an all English speaking final would be funny for the World's Game.

[TheRef]

Sydney Leroux for Alex Morgan

[War Machine Dawg]

Leroux in, Morgan out with less than 1 minute left. LOL

[TheRef]

WE'RE GOING TO VANCOUVER LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

FT: USA 2 - 0 Germany

[War Machine Dawg]

#Finals #KrautsHammered

[TheRef]

Final game is Sunday at 6 PM CT on FOX

England v Japan is tomorrow night at the same time on Fox Sports 1

[TheRef]

ESPN Stats & Info
@ESPNStatsInfo
U.S. hasn't allowed a goal in 513 minutes at this WWC

Can set single-tournament record with 28 scoreless minutes in final (set by GER 2007)

[Drugdog]

Wow. I have two girls who played Chicago Fire Soccer. We had a blast watching. These USA girls are tough. So proud of them and for them. Brings back great memories with my daughters!

[mstatefan91]

Well, I was very wrong about Wambach playing any key role in the victory today. Very pleased with the result, obviously. I just want Abby to contribute something meaningful in her last World Cup because she deserves it. But I think she will be ok with being a minor piece as long as we win the damn thing.