The U.S. Women's National team takes on France today in the opening match of the Women's Olympic Tournament, and arguably the best match of the group stage (Noon, NBC Sports).
The Americans enter the tournament having won the past two Olympic titles, but the lingering disappointment of last year's World Cup Final defeat is serving as motivation for a team considered the favorites to win gold again.
The French will look to get the USA off to a losing start, and they have the attacking weapons to do so, boasting one of the most dangerous attacks in women's soccer.
Here is my FOX Soccer preview on today's match, with a look at the changes Pia Sundhage has made to her team heading into this Olympic Tournament.
If you will be watching today's match, as well as the rest of today's Olympic soccer action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.
Now that one was not a penalty.
I thought it was just me!
Rapinoe waited until the 2nd defender committed before laying it off. Lloyd cut it back perfectly and the shot… a thing of beauty.
Goooooaaall!! Beautiful draw and dish by Rapinoe. Great cutback and absolute blast from the top of the box by Lloyd.
Are the announcers call ahead of play for anybody else?
Now that’s more like it!
I dig Lloyd’s game
USA passes should be much quicker – one touch then pass. Instead, they are making 2,3,4 touches with teammates wide open.
and for me, O’Reilly for Heath might look good; Heath has struggled a bit
and then a little possession O in front of the area…nice, just weak finish by Lauren, she can do better with that on her next chance
USA playing aggressively direct early in the 2nd half…which is great for them imo
France is dangerously smooth with the ball and Brandy Chastain is too talkative.
Yup, clear pk.
Not offside. Abby never touched the ball. Morgan was well onside with the long ball was played by Hope.
Yes, tackle from directly behind is supposed to be automatic card, let alone a foul.
I wasn’t able to tell. Some others above said it was off.
What missed offside? Alex’s goal was onside.
Boxx is such a detriment to this team. I live in Vancouver, so I went to the CONCACAF qualifiers. The USA is so much better when she’s off the field. Does she have pictures of the coach.
Yes, team nickname, because her legs go all over the place when she runs – like a baby horse.
She was NOT offside. She would have been if Wambach had touched the ball, but she didn’t. Excellent non-call by the AR.
She was actually onsides when hope solo kicked the ball then neither abby or the french girl touched the ball. Had one of them touched it then yes she would have been offsides. But yeah we will take a goal however we can get it!
No question that was a penalty. White and Chastain’s comments were ridiculous. Not sure how they thought that could be interpreted as a fair challenge.
Did I miss this whole “baby horse” thing? Did someone nickname her that?
Whaaaatt!!!!???? Baby horse lassoed from directly behind in a crazy obvious penalty but no call. Makes up for the missed offsides I guess. Alex absolutely blew by 2 defenders there. She is crazy fast.
USA conditioning seems to be taking over. Our girls seem to have better legs and are winning most of the balls at this point.
Watching the game on TV, is it just me or is Brandi Christain…ten times better then Julie Foudy on the commentary side?
would like to see USA work the ball from strong side to weak quickly thru possession…not yet, 40th minute.
relying on Hope a lot right now
That being said, Abby and Alex are two of the best finishers in their sport.
I’d say playing 3 D-mids is more at the root of USMNT’s scoring drought than anything else. Deuce, Herc, Jozy, and Lando have all proved they can all put the ball in the back of the net given decent service.
Morgan goal 1000000000000000000000% offsides but we will take it. Wow what an open match…low level defending and Gking from both sides. Btw, the commentators are completely clueless.
injury of some kind…the energy has changed in favor of the USA since interestingly. not trying to swipe at the injured Boxx, just saying what seems to have happened to me
She was hurt; I don’t know how.
Game tracker on ussoccer.com pretty much says she went down injured and couldn’t continue.
Giddyup!!!
Abby Wombach and Alex Morgan should get a try on the men’s squad. Great finishers!
Anyone know why Boxx subbed off?
Morgan ties it 2-2.. looked offsides but flag stays down
Baby Horse!!
Alex gallops behind the defense and does a nice job of spinning, finding the ball and gently volleying it over the keepers head and into the back of the net for 2-2!
this looks like one of my highschool games
They will win this game…Unlike the men’s team, we have no problem at forward for the women.
Refs are really letting them play – should be advantage USA in that sense.
USA having a lot of trouble getting and maintaining possession.
That was a, “you can put 5 players on me if you want and I will still outmuscle you, outjump you and put the ball in the back of the net,” type header.
the flanks are open on the opposite side of the field vs. France, which plays well for the Americans becasue they can get time on the ball to tee up the crosses for Abby
whew Wambach.. nice header to get one back 2-1
Wow! What a header in traffic by Abby.
opps.. 2 nil france.. nice start :-/
Wow…meltdown by the U.S. Smh. 2-0 France in the 14th minute.
Yeah, that took me by surprise.
I had no idea they start games before the opening ceremony.