The trophy is raised
Let’s not forget how difficult it was to get here. At times, they made it look easy. It’s not. England were outstanding. France were very good. Spain were difficult to beat. Germany and Australia, both fine teams, didn’t make it anywhere near the final.
Thank you for following all the games here. Enjoy your celebrations.
Updated
Silver Ball to Lucy Bronze, apparently.
adidas Golden Ball:
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 7, 2019
🥇 Megan RAPINOE - #USA
🥈 Lucy BRONZE - #ENG
🥉 Rose LAVELLE - #USA#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/ayJjnfGR1d
Best XI should include Julie Ertz as well as Lavelle.
Fox hasn’t mentioned it, but we’ve just seen the Golden Glove awarded to the Netherlands’ Sari van Veenendaal. After this game, few could argue.
And the Bronze Ball goes to Rose Lavelle. The Silver Ball goes to some player Fox doesn’t mention. The Golden Ball goes to Rapinoe.
And on the global pay issue ...
Caitlin Murray believes she hears chants of “equal pay.” Within US Soccer, that’s difficult to define. The women are on salary. The men aren’t. The women confine their player pool to the mid-30s -- the men use 50-60 players.
This year and last, the US women will outearn the men. By a lot. And few would argue that, given the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
But World Cup prize money is skewed very heavily toward the men. Maybe that’s one of the reasons for this?
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is introduced and everyone in the stands boos. Incredible. #FIFAWWC
— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) July 7, 2019
“I don’t know how to feel right now,” says Megan Rapinoe. “It’s ridiculous.”
She then pays tribute to Rose Lavelle.
What makes this team so great?
“We’re crazy!”
The person who really rose above the critics?
It’s Jill Ellis.
I remember how many #USWNT fans still wanted Jill Ellis fired after she won the World Cup in 2015. Wonder what they will say now.
— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) July 7, 2019
USA’s record
Another trophy for #USA, 2019 #FIFAWWC Champions!
— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) July 7, 2019
🏆 1991
🥇 1996
🏆 1999
🥈 2000
🥇 2004
🥇 2008
🥇 2012
🏆 2015
🏆 2019
Sit back, relax and enjoy their Olympic highlights!#DareToShine @FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/7XrkYdxmaX
It’s not always easy. This one wasn’t, even though they were clearly the best team in the tournament. They had to rally in the quarterfinals in 1999 and 2012. But they’ve only finished out of the medals once -- the last major tournament, Rio 2016.
Safe to say they’ve exorcised those demons.
Hamstring? What hamstring?
Nice one here:
With all due respect to the Golden Boot, give Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle the co-Golden Hamstring.
— Diana Moskovitz (@DianaMoskovitz) July 7, 2019
More reaction ...
Mary Waltz: “Tip of the cap to the Netherlands. They played a courageous game, their defensive stance succeeded in the first half, but the US side was simply too strong.”
Charles Antaki: “Well, my slow train got me to Bristol in the end, where the wifi is fine. So half my experience of the Final has been patchy, slow and largely ineffective; the other half fast, reliable and successful. Hmm.”
Glad you made it.
OB Jato: “When USA celebrates a much-deserved successful World Cup defence at the end of the final, I’m sure no one will have a problem with their celebrations this tine around. Live on legends, and keep being the best in the world!”
Abhijato Sensarma: “As this memorable tournament comes to a close, let’s do an In Memoriam. For me, this World Cup will be remembered for - best quality of play, beautiful jerseys, VAR controversies, excessive celebrations, and exceptional dedication from all sides involved in playing this beautiful sport. Cheers!”
Lucy and Bob Duncan: “There is real beauty in this match. Women focused and at the top of their game and respecting one another…. it is wonderful to watch individual athletes skilled beyond whatever “normal” means. I cheer for each team, holding my breath that all players will leave the game knowing they’ve done their best and leave the field uninjured!”
Updated
Game report
Wow, we’re quick.
THE USA WIN THEIR FOURTH WORLD CUP
Brash but brilliant.
They can attack in waves, from the Rapinoe-Morgan-Heath front line to Lavelle in midfield and back to overlapping backs.
If they could give the Golden Ball to a unit, it should be given to the US midfield and defense, which has been stifling. The “expected goals” stat may have favored France and England in those games, but that’s misleading -- the USA had it in control most of the time.
And today, despite strong Dutch resistance, the USA were a level above. Only strong goalkeeping kept it scoreless at the half.
The US are a team worth celebrating. Enjoy.
Updated
90 min +2: We’ll wrap up on the controversial penalty before giving the champions their due ...
Refs tell me the call could NOT be playing the ball in a dangerous manner, which the rest of us call “dangerous play” and results in an INDIRECT free kick, because she made contact.
I’m getting plenty of email disagreeing with the call, even though the ref forum and 90% of tweets I see say it was a good call. Here’s the winner, from Pete Edmunds: “I heard an ex UK pro men’s footballer on radio saying the acid test for a dive is - would the player have gone down if holding a baby. I think it’s fair to say Morgan would have not fallen over with baby in arms. It was a lame dive. Game changer.”
I don’t think Morgan was necessarily taking a dive, but I love that definition.
I’ve also seen people saying Morgan initiated the contact, but I’m not sure that matters.
We have five minutes of stoppage time for the Dutch to find a miracle.
Updated
89 min: This is correct ...
Tobin’s going for the world record for time on the ball in the box without getting a shot off.
— SoccerCoachProblems (@soccrcoachprobs) July 7, 2019
But all these attacks are taking up time the Netherlands’ desperately need in the other half of the field.
Updated
87 min: Here we go again -- the USA have a wealth of solid backup defenders as well as Lindsey Horan, and it’s ... Carli Lloyd!
I’ve read the women’s collective bargaining agreement. There’s nothing in there that says she has to be in every game.
She’s been fine when she has played, but this still seems more ceremonial than situational.
85 min: But the USA are not in time-wasting mode. Tobin Heath again beats multiple defenders but can’t get a shot away. Christen Press does, but it’s straight at the keeper.
Then Heath again, this time going from the midfield and not quite getting the shot away, this time in the middle of the area.
Updated
82 min: Not much going on now except Morgan shooting when everyone in the stadium knew it was offside but the assistant referee had to wait to put the flag up. I’m waiting for someone to kill time on such a situation.
Updated
80 min: Spitse free kick chance is deflected at the wall, which would have left the keeper stranded. Ref didn’t think it deflected, so it’s a goal kick.
79 min: Press enters for Rapinoe, who now leads the Golden Boot race on goals-per-minute. Seems unfair after getting three goals from the spot, but she did take all three penalties very well, unlike ... well ...
Updated
77 min: And finally, Naeher has to make a save as Beerensteyn shoots from the edge of the area, but Krieger had effectively cut down the angle so it goes straight to the keeper.
Now Naeher takes about 400 seconds with the ball.
Updated
The goal was a beauty ...
ROSE. LAVELLE. 🌹🇺🇸
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 7, 2019
A beautiful solo effort doubles the @USWNT's lead in the #FIFAWWC final! pic.twitter.com/ToznvQiuxb
76 min: CHANCE for Dunn, who makes a diagonal run with the ball and breaks ankles (basketball term for a fake that leaves a defender in the dust) to be at point-blank range. Saved.
Updated
74 min: USA have outshot the Netherlands 12-2. Better to be lucky than good, but it’s best to be lucky AND good, which the USA are.
@duresport Genuinely finding the use of VAR in this tournament outrageous. As you said, the ball was going out of play and the contact was less than minimal. It might make the right call at times, but at the cost of ruining good games? This was a good game before that call.
— Daniel Scholz (@dscholzy) July 7, 2019
Roughly 90% of my responses are going the other way. Some even calling for red, which is baffling.
73 min: The Dutch will go for it. Dekker is out. Van de Sanden is in. Classic attacker-for-defender swap.
72 min: It’s all US right now. Morgan gets away but touches a little too far, and van Veenendaal bravely collects.
71 min: And Martens comes out. In comes Roord.
Good chance for the USA that Heath squanders after finding space on the right and beating a defender. Spitse recovers to slide and block it.
GOAL!!!: USA 2-0 Netherlands (Lavelle 69)
Dunn starts it with a fantastic tackle, Lavelle ends up with it, she jinks to her left and fires a left-footed blast into the corner.
THAT was a brilliant game-winner (amazing comebacks notwithstanding).
Updated
68 min: Now the USA are countering, and we see why Lavelle was in.
Van de Sanden, who plays her club soccer for Lyon, is warming up.
Replay shows Miedema again beating four defenders but not shooting in time.
66 min: The Dutch are attacking. The US are defending. This will continue.
62 min: Morgan had absolutely no chance to turn that ball around and score when the penalty was given. Van der Gragt was trying for the ball.
Even if you accept that the call was valid (which Twitter tells me it was, but I’m hearing only from Americans), that is fortunate.
That said -- you keep attacking and good things happen.
Updated
GOAL: USA 1-0 Netherlands (Rapinoe 61)
Struck well as always.
Updated
60 min: It’s a penalty, and the US women are the luckiest team on the face of the planet.
Yellow to van der Gragt.
58 min: Morgan is down once again. The US fans and Aly Wagner want a penalty for a high boot, and VAR is checking.
That would be harsh. Ridiculous, even. But the ref will take a look.
Updated
58 min: Sauerbrunn returns with a bandage as well as her usual headband. Forget Rapinoe’s hair -- THAT is a fashion statement.
And now she has to deal with a counterattack. Spitse ends up on the ground, and we’re wondering why.
57 min: The Dutch try to go direct-ish to van de Donk, but it’s too far.
Mewis presses Groenen to win a US throw-in. The US pressure may end up playing a decisive role here. They’ve rattled the Dutch multiple times now.
55 min: It’s another head-to-head collision, this time with Sauerbrunn and van de Donk.
It would be a shame if Sauerbrunn had to leave this game. After two incidents, and now some blood, she may have to.
Updated
54 min: Good fun from Morgan slipping between the center backs, and Dekker shields the ball from her before pinging it off her leg for a goal kick ... oh, wait, it’s a late flag from the assistant referee.
That could work at some point.
Oh no. Becky Sauerbrunn is down. Again. And she’s bleeding just above her eye.
Updated
52 min: Dunn, a fine NWSL attacker playing left back here, unleashes a shot wide.
Michael Clark adds to the tactical advice: “Though weaker, Holland is playing at the top of its form and could well steal this game. For the first half hour the American strategy seemed poor, and badly executed. Their passing was atrocious, and it seemed unlikely they could pry open Holland’s fresh defense with long balls. US needs to build up through midfield with the aim of besieging Holland in their box.”
We should point out -- Alyssa Naeher has yet to make a save.
Updated
50 min: And again, the Netherlands weather the early storm and force USA to do what one of their legends suggests ...
US needs to be more patient. Hold ball. Shift NED more. Find seams and open them up. But my goodness, what a 1st half from Van Veenendaal, Dutch GK. #USAvNED
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) July 7, 2019
Updated
48 min: As in the first couple of minutes of the first half, it’s all in the Dutch half now.
The Netherlands haven't allowed a goal in more than five hours of play #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/EfGJzUbTQm
— Post Sports (@PostSports) July 7, 2019
But they’ll need to score. No way they can hang on for 120 minutes, especially after a long semifinal. Already hearing from Fox that the US staff believe the Dutch are tiring.
46 min: It’s Rapinoe to Ertz at the near post, but Ertz is running too far outside that post and heads it wide.
Krieger is indeed in for O’Hara.
Updated
46 min: Alex Morgan races out left and beats Dekker, forcing the ball to be played out for a corner, and I have a funny feeling again ...
Very quick Twitter highlights ...
@duresport Referee is being very kind to the USA: early yellow against the Dutch for no contact, then nothing for leaving studs in 5 nims later. Clash of heads in injury time should have been a straight red for USA defender.
— Steve Clark (@F1twerp) July 7, 2019
@duresport Probability Theory is for the Netherlands: they can't lose all the WC finals they play (1974, 1978, 2010 were lost by the men team).
— Tommaso Anzidei (@tanzidei) July 7, 2019
Yeah, but that’s what Mick Shrimpton thought.
We’re back underway.
The Netherlands produced a neat video, if it’s a little deferential to today’s opponent ...
'You showed us that dreams do come true.
— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 7, 2019
Thanks for that' #OnzeJacht pic.twitter.com/GnpzjIZkj1
Speaking of subs ...
Ali Krieger is warming up at halftime here with high-performance coach Dawn Scott -- more than the typical 'stay warm' halftime job. Seems she'll be coming on for O'Hara, who had that concerning head-to-head injury just before halftime.
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) July 7, 2019
Krieger is a veteran who spent a couple of years out of the picture before getting the call this year to jump back in and claim a World Cup roster spot. She may offer less going forward than O’Hara but may be more solid on defense.
The Horan discussion
@duresport can you offer any insight on why Horan almost always on the bench? Does Ellis not value her? Tactical needs on the fitch(field and pitch)?
— Jordi Comas (@jordisunshine) July 7, 2019
It’s a tough question because someone would have to come out of the midfield. Lavelle has been a terrific playmaker. Mewis is a strong two-way player. Ertz is a reasonable pick for Golden Ball honors. One option would be to move Ertz to center back, where she used to play, but then she’s not in the attack as often unless she leaves the back line exposed to counterattacks.
My guess is that Horan comes in for Lavelle at some point. Jill Ellis would surely prefer to have the lead by then, and we’d eventually see Ertz make it a five-player back line again.
Can’t get to all the email, but let’s pick a few ...
Clare Lawrence: “Morgan on the other hand went down like an absolute sack of spuds which was disappointing. Oscars aren’t on the line tonight.”
Didn’t someone write a piece about the USWNT embracing villain status, including gamesmanship such as this? Ah, yes ...
Alexander Sharkey informs me that a better term for “wrestling move” is “rugby tackle.” Tribute to the US men’s dominant sevens team?
HALFTIME: USA 0-0 Netherlands
Scoreless but compelling. The Netherlands have created some danger, but the story of the game is at the other end ...
WHAT A SAVE! 😱
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 7, 2019
Van Veenendaal denies Ertz again from point blank range, then moments later Alex Morgan hits the post! #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/7GPTIccJ2B
Van Veenendaal is putting on a show! 🇳🇱
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 7, 2019
The Netherlands goalkeeper makes another fine save on Morgan, and this #FIFAWWC final is goalless going into halftime. pic.twitter.com/5DDVyVjZQH
Give me 2-3 minutes, and I’ll be back to tackle the inbox.
45 min +3: The newfangled drop ball is placed at the feet of Heath, who waits, perhaps in the hope that the injured players are waved on.
Maybe she should’ve waited longer, because Miedema beats four defenders to get a cross in. We end up with a Dutch corner kick and a thrilling goalmouth scramble.
Updated
45 min +1: We’ll have two minutes of stoppage time, but it’ll be longer now that O’Hara has gotten the worst of a head-to-head collision.
Fox has declined to identify the Dutch player who’s down. Oh, now they say it’s Martens.
Updated
45 min: Morgan knocks into Groenen and is called for the foul. That one actually seems a little harsh, but it’s right at midfield and shouldn’t affect the outcome.
44 min: The Netherlands maintain possession and end up sending a speculative ball into the area, which Naeher easily nabs.
The Dutch try to counter again with left-back Bloodworth racing up the right against Dunn, but she rushes things and sends a cross well out of play.
Updated
42 min: The Dutch free kick honors go to Spitse, whose kick is going nowhere near but grazes O’Hara’s head to set up a corner.
Updated
41 min: YELLOW CARD to US defender Abby Dahlkemper, who tripped Beerensteyn to stop a counter-attack just outside the area.
US fans and commentators are still mad about a non-call just outside the area at the other end, when Rose Lavelle was fouled/tackled cleanly.
Free kick now ...
Updated
40 min: A huge save from a 20-yard blast from Morgan to the Netherlands’ near post. The Dutch keeper has been terrific in the last five minutes.
The Netherlands counter. A player goes down, but there’s nothing in it.
And the USA go the other way to Rapinoe, who crosses ...
Updated
40 min: It’s only a matter of time for a US goal if the Netherlands keep allowing crosses, this one from Kelley O’Hara overlapping on the right as she so often does.
38 min: Two big saves and we see the danger Rapinoe poses with crosses. Two low ones to Morgan and Mewis, and van Veenendaal has to stop the danger each time.
USA have outpassed the Netherlands 152-85, say those who count such things and put graphics on the screen.
Updated
37 min: Long diagonal cross to Morgan, who is knocked down in the area. It’s a nudge, says Fox Sports pundit Aly Wagner. It’s close to shoulder to shoulder, I say. VAR agrees with at least one of us, and it’s a corner.
Updated
36 min: US attackers really pressing the Dutch defense now.
@duresport rapinoe not looking a 100% fit. She seems a half step behind. Thoughts?
— tisane (@tinasan05806292) July 7, 2019
When I think Rapinoe, I think skill rather than speed. But she did outrun a defender earlier.
She’s not getting as many touches today as she has, though. And as I’ve said many times ... well, you know what I’m going to say about getting the ball to Heath.
Dahlkemper is nearly dispossessed in her own area. Nervy stuff here.
33 min: Another US corner. Here was the danger from the last one -- some disagreement over whether Lavelle or Ertz had the shot, but another angle would surely clear it up.
ERTZ! Second corner for the @USWNT falls to @JulieErtz, who takes it on the half volley but it's right at Van Veenendaal.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 7, 2019
Best chance of the final so far! #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/lmEAAgUMih
This corner is cleared more cleanly and quickly upfield, and Naeher ends up playing the ball 40 yards from her line to help the US defence maintain possession.
(Yes, defence. Happy now?)
32 min: Said it before – Tobin Heath on the right is more consistently dangerous than Megan Rapinoe on the left. Heath beats Bloodworth cleanly and crosses, but it doesn’t connect.
Kári Tulinius writes: “With the possible exception of last year’s men’s World Cup final, the 2011 final between the US and Japan is the best final this century. It featured a great US team playing excellent football and an underrated Japan reaching a new level. It made for a gripping spectacle with four lovely goals. I hope today’s game comes close.”
That was indeed a brilliant game.
Tulinius follows up: “Last year’s final between France and Croatia felt like favorite vs underdog game. So did 2011’s final between the US and Japan. Those are the two best finals this century, which augurs well for today.”
Updated
29 min: This could be terrible for the US. Becky Sauerbrunn collides with a Dutch player and is down. Sauerbrunn has been the USA’s rock on defense for so long.
Correction: The through ball from the Netherlands was for Beerensteyn. It happened quickly.
After 90 seconds or so, Sauerbrunn is ready to return.
Updated
28 min: Big save through traffic on a Lavelle shot from 15 yards out. The rebound goes way high.
Updated
27 min: Another corner kick for the USA, and I just have a funny feeling about this one ...
26 min: CHANCE ... a Dutch through-ball splits the US center-backs, and Naeher has to race outside her area to blast the ball away with Miedema bearing down on her.
Delicately poised game at the moment.
Updated
25 min: A cross from Dunn to Mewis gives Van Veenendaal a difficult catch as she’s backtracking.
Neil Truby asks what it means to say, as I did earlier, that Mewis responds with a takedown. Basically, a wrestling move. But I should clarify that a few seconds had elapsed after Rapinoe cried foul.
Still, between that and the Ertz foot stomp, you wonder if the USA are playing by an ice hockey code of retaliation today.
Updated
22 min: Now the USA look more deliberate, passing around at the back.
Hubert O’Hearn with an interesting point: “What I’m going to suggest is by no means insulting, but this feels more like an FA Cup than a World Cup. You know, some hulking monster of a Man City, or Chelsea in their pomp, facing the gutsy team from mid-table or the Championship that went on a magical run. It’s actually rather charming – can’t remember the last time a World Cup Final felt so Favourite v. Underdog.”
Perhaps, but the Netherlands have weathered the first 22 minutes far better than the more heralded teams from France and England.
20 min: The USA aren’t necessarily playing direct as such, but when Tobin Heath has space on the right, why not play it into her path? The ball sails long, though.
David Meleshko has an answer for our friend in Argentina: “The answer to that, as to so many of life’s questions, is to find a pub.”
When we hit a lull (we haven’t yet), please check out our photos of players behind the scenes.
Updated
18 min: Rapinoe is dispossessed and immediately wants a foul. The replay shows an absolutely legal shoulder-to-shoulder challenge.
Mewis responds with a takedown.
17 min: Nearly spoke too soon. A long ball goes to Rapinoe, who outruns her defender. That’s not a good sign for the Dutch. The ball is deflected for a corner. The ball pings around in traffic. Lavelle gets it and tries to cross, but the Dutch keeper snares it.
Updated
16 min: Dahlkemper plays a long ball, but van Veenendaal collects.
And the Dutch have officially made it past the 15-minute mark. No “score and park the bus” this early in the game for the US.
Updated
14 min: The USA still look like they’re one pass away from unlocking the defense. O’Hara gives the ball back with an illegal throw-in, a rare lapse at this level, but the Dutch immediately give it back with a poor touch.
Another opinion on the yellow card to Spitse:
Good think Lavelle got her cleats out of the turf before that sweeping tackle came through. Yellow card well deserved. Hopefully it's not a sign that they're targeting our injured players. #FIFAWWC #USANED
— Andy Mead (@theAndyMead) July 7, 2019
12 min: Alyssa Naeher gets a touch, racing out to grab a through ball near the top of her box. Or area.
Updated
11 min: Tobin Heath takes the free kick from the right flank. It goes into a crowd but not really near anyone.
Foul on Julie Ertz, who goes in with studs up, puts her foot down to avoid a yellow of her own, then steps on Bloodworth’s foot anyway. Ouch.
10 min: The US defenders pad their passing stats near midfield, helped by the Netherlands’ unwillingness to press. So maybe they are a counterattacking team today.
Lavelle draws a foul, and it’s a YELLOW CARD to Spitse. Not sure about that. Late, but ...
8 min: The Netherlands are halfway to surviving the first 15 minutes, which most US opponents do not.
An American in a hostel in Argentina wants to know how to watch the game. My guess would be not to be in a hostel in Argentina, but if anyone knows ...
Updated
6 min: The Netherlands may not be a counterattacking team by design, but given the propensity of the USA to play something akin to a 2-3-5 formation from a century ago, they’re finding plenty of space when they gain possession. Something to watch.
4 min: The Dutch cross midfield. Alex Morgan, as usual, is on the ground -- this time after a clean collision.
@duresport The thing about US treatment of teams as singular vs plural is that conjugation is based on the symbol rather than the referent, which gives weird, inconsistent effects. "Miami is the winner! I say again: the Dolphins are the winners!" Same referent in each case.
— Kaitain Jones (@kaitainjones) July 7, 2019
Logically, I agree, but I had to pass American college entrance exams somehow.
2 min: USA have not had a serious chance yet. But the ball is staying on one side of the field.
Updated
Kickoff: Also, meet our refs.
FIFA Women‘s World Cup - Match officials appointed for the FINAL #USANED, 7 July, Lyon
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) July 5, 2019
Ref: Stéphanie FRAPPART 🇫🇷
ARef 1: Manuela NICOLOSI 🇫🇷
ARef 2: Michelle O’NEILL 🇮🇪
4th. Off: Claudia UMPIERREZ 🇺🇾
VAR: Carlos DEL CERRO 🇪🇸 @FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/vngLkKE5t9
Updated
Final pregame reading ...
Jill Ellis is closer to her childhood home than the players she’s coaching ...
Mary Waltz writes: “I think the duel title match situation is more of a unintentional foul up rather then intentional sexism. Actually, the Men’s team has suffered in terms of press attention. And since they are struggling to overcome their world cup exclusion they could have used the exclusive positive press of a Gold Cup final.”
True. The US men have been punching bags for a good 20 months or so since the qualifying disaster.
Charles Antaki: “I’m not in Indonesia, but their Wifi may be better than the one in the train I’m on, making its not-especially-fast way to Bristol via Cheltenham Spa and the like. Has anyone done a comparison of Indonesian and British train Wifi, especially with regards to following World Cup Finals?”
I’ll ask. Answer at halftime?
Here we go ...
Updated
Festivities now ...
... along with a quick run to the fridge and restroom (sorry, both US words) before kickoff.
Here we go! pic.twitter.com/t7YZQ3gqXH
— Anne M. Peterson (@AnnieMPeterson) July 7, 2019
Golden Ball race
Fox is hyping Megan Rapinoe’s chances of winning the Golden Boot/Golden Ball double. The first would require her to outscore Alex Morgan by at least one goal today.
The second would surely require a monster game today.
That's not how you spell Julie Ertz!
— Skyway Willy (@SkywayWilly) July 7, 2019
She could always have a massive final, though.
The common language
A fun note here the Dutch keeper/captain in English ...
Best fans in the world. This is your captain speaking 🎙 Are you ready for the final? We are! 🚀 Enjoy tomorrow! 🧡 #onzejacht #fifawwc #daretoshine pic.twitter.com/vzlkPaDlEe
— Sari van Veenendaal (@SarivVeenendaal) July 6, 2019
If you’ve seen any US tweets in Dutch, please let me know. Then please translate them.
Fifteen minutes to go: Hello all
Happy to be joined today by a global audience, which I’m told includes a sizable number of people from Indonesia. Thank you for spending your evening with us.
And speaking of the global reach today ...
@duresport I will be with you this afternoon as you update us all on the World Cup Final for the Guardian. But please please spell it d.e.f.e.n.c.e.
— Tony Mason (@TonyMasonMisako) July 7, 2019
Do you realize how difficult it is for me to give plural verbs? “The USA are ...” and so forth? I’m just waiting for my fellow referees to yell at me when I slip up and say “penalty box” or something other than “kicks from the mark” should the game (er, match) go that far.
Incidentally, “soccer” is an English word. So there.
Dutch coach’s US ties
Anson Dorrance coached the US women to the Fifa World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup. That tournament, like the first Super Bowl, was retroactively named. It’s now the 1991 World Cup.
Dorrance has coached for decades at the University of North Carolina, which continues to provide players for the USA – Tobin Heath, Crystal Dunn, Ashlyn Harris, Allie Long and Jessica McDonald. His Tar Heel teams have also included players on other World Cup teams, including England’s Lucy Bronze.
And he once coached a Dutch player named Sarina Wiegman.
Today, Wiegman will coach the Netherlands against Heath, Dunn and company.
Updated
Historical accomplishment or complete mess?
Has any other country seen its women’s and men’s teams defend two international titles on the same day?
That’s the unintended consequence of a controversial oversight in which the Women’s World Cup leads off a tripleheader of international finals that also includes the men’s Copa America and the men’s Gold Cup.
Yes, the US men are the defending champion of the Gold Cup, the Concacaf championship that manages the rare feat of being simultaneously lucrative and barely relevant. The crowds are often substantial -- 63,032 showed up to see the USA beat Jamaica in the 2017 final, and 70,788 fans turned up in Houston to see a quarterfinal doubleheader this year in which Mexico got past Costa Rica on penalties.
Mexico also needed extra time to get past Haiti in the semifinal, but they’re the oddsmakers’ favorites against a US team that looked less than impressive in beating Curacao. Yes, Curacao.
The Gold Cup was once a springboard to the Confederations Cup, where the US men achieved their most stunning victory since ... maybe 1950? On goals by Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, the USA ended Spain’s 35-game unbeaten streak in 2009.
Great day to be a US Soccer fan!@USWNT playing for World Cup Title at 10am. @USMNT playing for Gold Cup Final at 8pm. pic.twitter.com/XSlDi4qlwB
— Limestone HS Soccer (@soccerLimestone) July 7, 2019
But the prevailing narrative in the US media is that this juxtaposition of games shows FIFA’s callous disregard for the women’s game. The women should have one day to themselves, the argument goes. We shouldn’t be talking men’s soccer today.
And as strange as it seems to those of us immersed in this World Cup, Google trends show the Gold Cup holding its own in terms of interest.
TV ratings tell a different story, even with the women’s games taking place during the workday due to the time difference between the USA and France.
Perhaps the biggest problem is that the schedule has ramped up the Great Gender War of 2019. Social media is full of viral tweets on both sides of the argument, it’s unlikely either side is going to be satisfied.
So some US fans will make the best of the situation and watch both. Some won’t.
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Fox informs us that they’ll have a preview of the new film Mulan at halftime.
The US broadcasters have had the occasional gaffe -- in yesterday’s game, the broadcast completely missed the fact that a referee’s whistle had rendered a save irrelevant -- but the tactical analysts, relying in part on English stars Eni Aluko and Kelly Smith, has been superb.
Lineups
Once again, Jill Ellis omits one of the most highly regarded players in the world (Lindsey Horan).
The teams are in! #USANED 🇺🇸🇳🇱#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/iCjt3NLAuj
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 7, 2019
Repeating these lineups in plain text:
USA: Naeher / Dunn, Sauerbrunn, Dahlkemper, O’Hara / Lavelle, Ertz, Mewis / Rapinoe, Morgan, Heath
Netherlands: van Veenendaal / Bloodworth, van der Gragt, Dekker, van Lunteren / Spitse, van de Donk, Groenen / Martens, Miedema, Beerensteyn
The lone change for the Netherlands is Dekker for van Dongen at the back.
Why the Netherlands can pull this off ...
No pressure, no problems. Despite their shock win in Euro 2017, the culmination of a slow and steady rise after years in the women’s soccer wilderness, the Netherlands are underdogs here.
They’re also exceptionally talented. They have six players in The Guardian’s list of the top 100 women’s footballers. Barcelona forward Lieke Martens ranked ninth, one place ahead of fellow left-winger Megan Rapinoe. Then there’s fellow attacker Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal), midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk (Arsenal), forward Shanice van de Sanden (Lyon), midfielder Jackie Groenen (Frankfurt) and midfielder Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga).
And they’re deep. Van de Sanden came off the bench in the semifinal against Sweden, replacing phenom Lineth Beerensteyn.
The defense may not have the same star power, but they’ve held Italy and Sweden scoreless. Sweden showed in yesterday’s third-place game that they’re not easily contained.
(See previous post for a rebuttal.)
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Why the Netherlands have no chance ...
The US women faced plenty of questions coming into this tournament. The defense looked a little shaky. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher hadn’t been on this stage before. Second-guessing Jill Ellis’ tactics had replaced baseball as the national pastime.
Today? Questions answered. Ellis has gotten everything right. When Megan Rapinoe sat out, the US offense actually improved, though they may need Rapinoe’s set-piece work today. The defense isn’t invincible, but Crystal Dunn has grown steadier as the tournament has gone on, and Becky Sauerbrunn certainly won’t be overawed by the occasion. In the semifinal, Naeher saved a rocket from Keira Walsh and saved (and, more importantly, smothered the rebound) a penalty.
The Netherlands don’t have any specific weaknesses, but as far as they’ve come over the years, this is a bridge too far.
(See next post for a rebuttal.)
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Preamble: Historic win or historic upset?
The US women have gone on a remarkable run to get here. Through the knockout rounds against Spain, France and England (all 2-1 decisions), the games have been increasingly breathtaking.
Oddsmakers would say today will not continue the trend. The Netherlands advanced past a fading Japanese team, an overachieving Italian team and a strangely toothless Swedish team. They may also be exhausted from the last of those games.
Also, the US women have the benefit of being ... the US women. The Americans have already won this Cup three times, and they can take a two-Cup lead on Germany with a win today. We’ve already seen a few games in France in which the opponents are rattled in the first 15 minutes, while the free-wheeling Americans revel in their ability to shrug off the pressure of expectations.
But while the Netherlands have neither the history nor the iron-sharpening run to make it here, they have plenty of talent and the confidence of recent successes, especially the Euro 2017 championship.
The next couple of posts will explain why this will or will not be a rout ...
Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Hope Solo on what it’s like to play in a World Cup final:
The World Cup final is not just another game. You sometimes hear players say polite things like “I’m just going to take one game at a time” but I don’t think that’s true. In my experience, before a final, you know that you’re only one game away from reaching the absolute pinnacle of your sport. Everything that you have left inside you and everything you haven’t even yet used is about to be put on display in that final match. You don’t want to let this opportunity slip away. You get more excited; you have more nerves; you feel more pressure; you’re finally in the place that you have wanted to be since forever.
I won three Olympic gold medals but, for me, the World Cup is the peak of football. We lost the final on penalties in 2011, and in 2015 there was a good chance that it wasn’t going to happen for us again. That would have been harsh on players like Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone who were close to retiring and I knew, too, that I would not be satisfied with my career if I didn’t hold the World Cup in my hands.
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