I think Morace did what she could. The reality is that quite a few of the Canadian players play for non-pro teams, which is always going to limit what a NT can do. And anyone who thought they were going to squeak past France had clearly not seen France play recently (or seen half of the French NT take home the Women's CL in May). The only thing I would really criticize about their performance was their match against Nigeria--Nigeria was clearly putting in their all in an effort to take at least one win home, while Canada had just thrown in the towel. (It was kind of like watching Sweden v. France in the third place match, actually.) Understandable that they were rattled after such a decisive throttling but if they'd regrouped and fought in the last match I think they could have left Germany with their heads up, you know?
But if she really threw them under the bus (I haven't read any of her comments so idk), then shame on her. Even if you think it's true, you don't do that. Speaking of which--when is Hope Powell leaving?? And I wonder what's going to happen to Silvia Neid.
Neid took a whole three days to reflect and then decided to come back to the German WNT. I'm sure her high six figure salary in Euros had no impact on this decision.
hahaha I mean I could have guessed she wanted to stay, I just didn't know if she would be allowed. Although I suppose that's what contracts are for...wonder how the DFB feels about that contract now...
Eh. Gamble, right? If Germany had done really well / won a third, reupping the contract afterward would have been even more expensive. Of course, given the events now, they're probably regretting that contract...
Silvia is staying - bizarre passive aggression toward some of her players (in my opinion) notwithstanding. She has the absolute confidence of the DFB according to their website!
Losing to the team that won the thing probably didn't hurt either!
I'm painfully biased in favour of my favourite player, but I believe that comments (by Neid and her training staff) like "we're not starting Lira because we're waiting for the 'old Lira' to come back" (in reference to her supposed lack of form - though she looked perfectly on-form against France to me) are very helpful.
I am of the "lying-through-your-teeth-about-your-players" school. If your players are doing well, you talk about them. If they are suffering in training, you say nothing!
I am still bitter - and still biased, of course. But it set off my antennae!
Yeah, even if she thought that, she didn't need to say it to the press. It's disappointing to see so many women's coaches respond to criticism by placing it on the players--isn't that like football manager 101??
Although the biggest mystery to me is still why Neid apparently hadn't let Prinz know before the tournament not to expect a ton of playing time. It's terrible, I know--but I wonder if Prinz doesn't feel a tiny bit validated by Germany's loss.
Prinz is... Isn't she the one when asked about the second world cup win, says, "Pride is a difficult word. I am happy"?
Possibly, I guess, but if so, I gather the way she'd phrase is would be very interesting. Anyway, from what I saw, the injury of Kulig really impacted them (just as the loss of Cheney did for the US game). Substitutions were a bit odd in that game though on behalf of Neid.
I see your point, but I would argue that a lot of the Japanese players played for non-professional teams as well. What I think it came down to is preparation - not the lack of preparation (I think we were second behind Sweden in terms of preparation) but the quality. Who did we play before the WWC? Teams ranked below us or teams that were not of the same calibre (ie teams not featuring players from the Women's CL). Furthermore, all the games were closed doors. I understand that women's friendlies are not the biggest draws, but the FA could've arranged/marketed for more home games where there is a substantial crowd to increase the pressure. I think every party (the CSA, the players, and Morace) share the blame but right now everyone is just passing the blame around.
In terms of Morace throwing her players under the bus, I haven't read too much into that. I think one of the comments she did say that might've implied that is that she didn't have any quality players available?
Yes, Japan had a lot of non-pro players, but that's part of why it was such a surprise that they won, especially given the strengths of the German and American leagues. Everyone else in the QF except Brazil and Australia, who were together in a weak group, had a relatively stable domestic pro or semi-pro league. (Not to mention that a lot of players who were in the foreign leagues last year left their teams to play domestically this year specifically to train for the WWC. I know Abily and Bompastor said they left the WPS for that exact reason. Sawa, for example, was in WPS last year too). There's definitely a correlation there.
That said, your point is also definitely valid and an equal if not bigger factor. I know Canada was training in Rome for a long time, but you have to ask what-all they were actually doing there? And that couldn't have been cheap, either. Maybe that money would have been better spent organizing friendlies with more competitive teams. Come to think of it the USA played Japan, England, and Mexico before the tournament--all WWC teams. And pressure is totally key, too. Especially in women's football when club matches, even at the highest level, draw piddly little crowds, suddenly playing in front of 15,000 people is like night and day.
But if she really threw them under the bus (I haven't read any of her comments so idk), then shame on her. Even if you think it's true, you don't do that. Speaking of which--when is Hope Powell leaving?? And I wonder what's going to happen to Silvia Neid.
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Losing to the team that won the thing probably didn't hurt either!
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I am of the "lying-through-your-teeth-about-your-players" school. If your players are doing well, you talk about them. If they are suffering in training, you say nothing!
I am still bitter - and still biased, of course. But it set off my antennae!
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Although the biggest mystery to me is still why Neid apparently hadn't let Prinz know before the tournament not to expect a ton of playing time. It's terrible, I know--but I wonder if Prinz doesn't feel a tiny bit validated by Germany's loss.
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Possibly, I guess, but if so, I gather the way she'd phrase is would be very interesting. Anyway, from what I saw, the injury of Kulig really impacted them (just as the loss of Cheney did for the US game). Substitutions were a bit odd in that game though on behalf of Neid.
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In terms of Morace throwing her players under the bus, I haven't read too much into that. I think one of the comments she did say that might've implied that is that she didn't have any quality players available?
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That said, your point is also definitely valid and an equal if not bigger factor. I know Canada was training in Rome for a long time, but you have to ask what-all they were actually doing there? And that couldn't have been cheap, either. Maybe that money would have been better spent organizing friendlies with more competitive teams. Come to think of it the USA played Japan, England, and Mexico before the tournament--all WWC teams. And pressure is totally key, too. Especially in women's football when club matches, even at the highest level, draw piddly little crowds, suddenly playing in front of 15,000 people is like night and day.
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