7/30/23
Gary Gibson
Producer
We are doing our best to cover the world cup from a Gotham FC perspective. This week we had Renee Washington on the show to give us her perspective. Renee is the voice of Gotham FC for MSG Networks. You can catch the show wherever podcasts are found. also on YouTube.
Let's get caught up on Gotham players after the conclusion of the group stage. Note that players on team that are eliminated can rejoin their club teams immediately. How quickly they do is up to the player and team.
USWNT:
The USWNT finished what only be called the worst performance in the group stage in their history. Failing to win 2 games for the first time. The post was the savior as Portugal nearly knocked off the #1 team in the world late in this one.
As far as Gotham FC players are concerned. Lynn Williams got the start in this one after not receiving a single minute in the first two games. Lynn looked good for the 84 minutes he was on the pitch and added a defensive bite and veteran savviness. 84 minutes. 45 touches and 6 shots. Most shots on the team. Most players on the field for the US had abysmal passing numbers and Lynn was no exception at only 47 percent passing accuracy. This highlights a larger problem with the team set up and tactics.
Kelley O'Hara entered the match in the 90th minute. But as always she gets involved in the attack. 4 touches and 3 passes into the final third in those limited minutes.
Kristie Mewis, unfortunately did not see the field in 3 games. Her presence was sorely missed. Kristie is a connector who would instantly make the midfield more cohesive and attack minded. Kristie could also pick out a final pass. One thing definitely and obviously missing from this team is service. Every player in this lineup is a straight forward and direct player. But who is going to play them in? Even Lavelle is more of an attacker than a final ball player. Rapinoe, immediately started hitting line breaking passes, putting in service, and the team looked so much more dynamic. Without Sanchez or Mewis on the field it is not going to get any better.
The USWNT return to action Sunday August 6th at 5am Eastern to play familiar foe Sweden. A tough matchup even if the team is playing well.
Brazil:
Bruninha: 0 minutes in a 0-0 Draw to Jamaica. With France beating Panama only a win would put Brazil through but the reggae girls held strong and with that draw advance to their first knockout round appearance. Marta's last world cup ends without a goal and without a knockout round. Brazil was a lot of people's dark horse team (Myself included). Bruninha, without a doubt is a superstar in the making and she will certainly have many more world cups to play in.
Ireland:
Sadly, Sinead Farrelly and Ireland did not make the knockout round. Their performances were solid but being stuck in a group of death did them in.
Nigeria:
Perhaps one of the stories of the tournament. Nigeria is through to the knockout round in the group of death with Australia, Ireland, and Canada. Canada failing to make the knockouts. Onumonu came off the bench and had 10 touches in 23 minutes with a shot on goal.
They face England in their first knockout match of the tournament on Monday August 7th, 3:30 a.m.