Women's World Cup Part 2

A better showing for the US against Sweden, but they looked shaky in the first thirty minutes. We gave up four or five corners in the first FIVE MINUTES! That is completely unacceptable, and a flat start against the best teams in this tournament will be deadly. The PK we got was lucky. Sweden's keeper made a costly error that lead to a PK, and truthfully, Wambach did not strike it well. But Wambach's second goal of the game was beautiful. She showed superb touch to trap the ball with a defender right on her, then absolutely drilled the ball into the back of the net. That shot is a guaranteed goal every time, no doubt in my mind. I'm still excited about that goal.

But the despite a brilliant showing from Wambach, the best performance in the tournament that I have seen so far has been Marta from Brazil. Speed kills in any sport, and soccer is no different. Marta's speed, combined with great passing, shooting, and individual skill, make her a defensive nightmare. It was incredible to watch her, along with the rest of the Brazilians, destroy the Chinese defense.

Tony DiCicco said this during the Brazil match, and I think it's exactly right: The Brazilians have a confidence, almost an arrogance, with the ball at their feet. They want the ball, they want to run at defenders, they want to take that shot. And this is the attitude that is lacking from the US team. The Americans just seem to boot the ball up to the forwards, unwilling to pass it or dribble it through the attacking midfield.

We have the talent to run at defenders, but that confidence to do so comes from experience. Brazil has the most World Cup experience in the tournament, the US is eighth or ninth (with most of that coming from Kristine Lily) To win a world cup, especially with a young team, the team needs to improve as the tournament progresses.

I'm looking to see the USA dominate Nigeria on Tuesday. Not just win, dominate. The Nigerians will not roll over for the US, but we should definitely win this game. I would be disappointed with a 1-0 or 2-1 victory. I want to see 65-35 possession, no defensive breakdowns, and solid finishing. I want a statement game.