looking ahead to the USA game vs. China With Holiday and Rapinoe Out, what are the USA chances ??
Rapinoe has been involved in 4 of the 5 goals USA has scored this tournament (
scoring 2 of those herself) and Holiday...to call her "
an important part of the midfield" would be an understatement as she has played every minute of action since the tournament began so there is definite cause for concern vs. a China team that has looked to be competent and tough thus far.
I side however with the minority (
of those who have an opinion) on this and say we will be fine instead of those who say the sky is falling.
The sky may very well
be falling though but it may not be falling because the USA team we've seen thus far has lacked chemistry and not shown the creativity expected and that their talent should make possible so Coach Ellis who prior to this has seemed to be of the philosophy "
if it ain't broke don't fix it" i.e. reluctant to mess with an undefeated team being forced to do that could lead to a newly invigorated squad.
Tobin Heath will likely be switched to the left flank to cover for Rapinoe, Christen Press will take Tobin's place on the right and versatile and very talented 22-year old Morgan Brian might wind up in center which would be cool and a very potentially positive thing cuz I expect she'll play less tight, far less burdened by pressure and more with the reckless abandon & enthusiasm and creativity of youth than the vets she and Christen are replacing.
The vast majority of Gamblers though will be like: "
Oh HELL NO. Rapinioe & Holiday out as result of (arguably) bogus yellow Cards? I'm lookin' seriously at China here." and I can't blame them for that because the team we field we can't know of the chemistry will be improved, if the creativity that has been lacking thus far will become present.
The result will be interesting...for better or worse. Its gonna be...I don't know if "
exciting" is the right word...if the match vs. China goes well "
exciting" would be applicable I suppose but of it doesn't prolly another word would be more fitting.
Predicted score: USA over China, 1-0
Thats
far from Certain but what is are these 3 things:
1). The loss of the 2 important mid-fielders Rapinoe and Holiday is scary vs. a hungry and thus far competent looking Chinese squad who will want to defeat the powerhouse USA squad more than they've wanted anything in their Soccer lives.
This will be the biggest game of these Chinese Girl's competitive Soccer Lives by far...to this point.
Its tough to imagine any team in any sport at any
time that wanted Victory more than these Chinese Girls will want Victory here.
Partly cuz of.....
2.) Revenge. Further motivating the China Women's team (
if thats possible lol...to motivate them more) will be revenge.
The United States women’s soccer team, if it is to lift the World Cup for the first time since 1999, will have to go through China, the country it defeated in the final at the Rose Bowl 16 years ago.....to win the World Cup.
3.) Alex will need to bring it. USAToday says it pretty well: "USA's saving grace could very well be the speed, strength, and finishing of Alex Morgan. After limited playing time in the first two matches of the tournament, Morgan has started and played significant time, scoring her first goal of the tournament against Colombia. The U.S.’s hopes of advancing past China, and anyone else, lie with Morgan."
It could all come down to Alex.
