Congratulations to the US Women’s soccer team that bested the Netherlands 2-0 today to win the 2019 FIFA World Cup. I hope you were watching this extremely exciting game, but if you didn’t see it, here is how it went down.
Early on it appeared that that the Dutch were more intent on preventing the Americans from scoring than scoring themselves, rarely pressuring their opponents when the US took possession of the ball on their side of the field. Perhaps the team representing the Netherlands was overly aware that the US had scored very early in every Word Cup game thus far. If that was their intent, it worked well for them in the first half as their defense was up to the task allowing very few shots on goal by the pressing Americans. When the US did break through, the Dutch goalie smothered or deflected the few shots that got by her teammates.
That changed in the second half as the Dutch team became more aggressive. With the field more open the US women pressed their attack. They poured shot after shot on Netherlands’ goal, most of which were smothered or deflected by Sari van Veenendaal, arguably the best goalie in Europe. Some of her saves were just incredible.
However, after Alex Morgan was fouled in the goal box in the 61st minute in the second half, Megan Rapinoe broke the scoreless tie for the U.S. on a beautiful penalty kick. USA a, Netherlands 0. A little over 8 minutes later Rose Lavelle fired a rocket of a left footed shot into the corner of the net past the diving Veenendaal in the 61st minute in the second half. With that insurance score, the American’s 26th goal of the tournament, the US team set a record most goals scored in a Worlds Cup series. At 24 Lavelle also became the second youngest player to score in the Worlds cup behind only teammate Alex Morgan. USA 2, Netherlands 0.
From there, except for a few breakaway scoring attempts, the US squad was content to run out the clock, never giving the Dutch a legitimate chance to score. This was the American team’s forth FIFA World Cup championship and their second consecutive title.
Look for the stars of this team to become well recognized national hero’s, but I will wager that Donald Trump will not invite them to the White House. Trump doesn’t like to be embarrassed when sports stars spurn his invitations and he can’t have a lot hope that most of the members of this team will ever set foot in his temporary home in Washington D.C. while he still lives on the property.
Megan Rapinoe had already ticked off Trump by saying “I not going to the f*****g White House!” When he responded with his usual insults, defender Ali Krieger went off on Trump saying she would “absolutely not” go to the White House if invited. “I refuse to respect a man that warrants no respect . . . I refuse to just sit back and watch an abuser, a bully, talk like that to my friend.” I’ll be surprised if Trump wastes a tweet of congratulations.
Cajun 7/7/2019