Fun and Games

So much stuff, we'll resort to our old habit of mostly short observations.

Good Enough

Sophia Smith got a brace against Vietnam
Photo:Carmen Mandato/USSF / Getty Images

The USWNT effort against Vietnam would fall into the business-like category.  They certainly didn't overwhelm Vietnam in the 3-0 win but also were never threatened.  Sophia Smith's goal at 14 minutes took the pressure off and her second in first half stoppage time pretty much put the issue to bed. Hard to say we know much more about the team at this point.  The Netherlands will be a better test on Wednesday.  Certtainly there are any number of teams that look dangerous at this point, including Spain, Japan and Germany.

A Lot of Clean Sheets

There have been fifteen in sixteen matches, including two 0-0s.  In fact, in only one match - Sweden vs South Africa - did both teams score.  The 2-1 comeback win for Sweden was a pretty good watch.

Looks Farther Than 12 Yards

There have been eight PKs so far and the conversion rate is just 50%.  Normally we assume something in the 80% range.  Actually two more were stopped but retaken due to keeper encroachment.  The good folks at Optus offer some explanations here.  In short, they suggest it's the pressure of converting the kicks on a big stage as well as a deeper pool of goalkeeping talent in the game today.  

 

Be Gentle, This Is My First Time

The 2023 World Cup is the first with 32 rather than 24 teams participating.  Coincidentally, there are exactly eight countries for whom this is their first World Cup final.  The list includes, Haiti, Ireland, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam and Zambia.  So how'd they do in their debuts?

Hmm, the full list is presented in the table below but I think for this group, we're gonna have to grade on a curve.  Collectively, they were 0-0-8, losing by a combined score of 0-23.  They were outshot 33 to 164 and shots on target were 10 to 61.  None scored and Vietnam and Zambia didn't take a shot.  

On the other hand, Ireland played Australia very tough and lost 1-0 on a PK.  Same for Haiti against England (and England got a second chance on the PK - the first one was stopped except the keeper encroached and the kick was retaken).  The Netherlands didn't run roughshod over Portugal either.  Vietnam did a great job woman-marking the US and the 3-0 final is perhaps a bit unflattering for them.  And hey, none of them allowed 46 shots on target, as Costa Rica did against Spain (hysterically, one of the shots stopped was a PK).

Danish Finish

On paper, Denmark - China looked to be one of the toughest group stage match-ups, pitting the 13th ranked Danes against No. 14 China.  It certainly played out that way too - an even, tight match throughout.  But Denmark ended up taking all three points on a 89th minute header from Amalie Vangsgaard, seen here as this week's YouTubeableMoment.  This is a tough loss for China, probably putting them in the position of needing to beat England.  

Game Most Like A Men's Game

And I mean that in the worst way.  Italy-Argentina featured 36 fouls and six yellows, despite a rather lenient referee.  Much rolling on the ground, clutching shins, referee swarming, etc.  At least Italy's winning goal, a clutch header in the 87th minute from Cristiana Girelli seen here, was pretty good.

What Did We Learn?

BFS Director of Project Development Bob K sent along a pithy, deadly accurate summary of the Union's 3-1 win over Tijuana in their first Leagues Cup match.  From the MLS's Sam Jones:

What happened?: Xolos picked up a red card in the 19th minute and from there, it was classic Union. A penalty from Gazdag, a brace from Carranza, some saves from Blake, y'all should know how this works at this point.

So, did we learn anything?: We did not and that's as nice a compliment I think I can give the Union here.

Actually, he's being kind.  Up a man and 2-0, the U surrendered a goal a minute into the second half and shortly thereafter were whistled for a PK.  Were it not for Blake's heroics, the match would have been level at 2-2 and who knows what happens from there.  Not much later, Tijuana picked up a second red and Carranza got us the insurance goal.

I was not impressed with the Fox crew for this one.  Both red cards were for DOGSO.  Both were called on the field and survived VAR.  They both questioned whether the contact was even a foul, let alone DOGSO.  I would not want to play in a match with either of them reffing.

Drunken, Chaotic Fun

And he wasn't even talking about the pre-game tailgate.  No, that was The Athletic's George Caulkin discussing the Newcastle - Aston Villa friendly at the Linc.  Here's the direct quote:

That was all a bit drunken, but 3-3, good fun, a debut for Harvey Barnes and a load of chaos.

6911-related crew was well-represented at the Linc

Pretty good summary actually.  Aston Villa's 21 year-old Jaden Philogene-Bidace made hash of the left side of Newcastle's defense while Villa jumped out to a 2-0 lead.  He didn't get POM honors, which went to Buendia (two goals), but for our money, he was the most entertaining player out there.  The Magpies rallied with two goals, the second in first half stoppage time, possibly (definitely?) aided by a generous no call on Anderson (?).  The teams traded second half goals and the final was 3-3, which looked about right to us.  Honestly, the refereeing crew must have been told to be extremely liberal about letting offside go as maybe three of the goals would not have survived VAR in the regular season.  All in good fun, as Dennis pointed out, there was no change in the live table.

Just Keep Watching

Lots of great choices for the second set of games.  Though by the time you read this the match will have already been played, we recommend Switzerland - Norway.  The Grasshoppers (that's the nickname for the Norwegian women's team - don't look at me, I didn't choose it) really need a result here after the upset loss to New Zealand.

Wednesday has Canada vs Ireland; the Irish were tough but got no points against Australia while Canada need points in the Group of Death.  Also, US - Netherlands at 9 pm; winner probably gets first in the group.

I can cite reasons to catch all three matches on Thursday.  Newbies Portugal and Vietnam square off so one or both WC debutantes is going to get some points.  Note that doesn't mean there will be a goal or even necessarily a shot on target.  Then you have other two Group of Death contestants Australia - Nigeria.  Round it off with Argentina - South Africa; neither got points in their first and a second loss would likely end their hopes of advancing.

Friday I'd go with England - Denmark as the winner there probably takes first in the group.  Saturday has the powerhouses Sweden (vs Italy) and Brazil vs France.  The latter match is No. 8 vs No. 5.  The second set of matches finishes Sunday.

Not sure why they did this but Group A will also play their third match on Sunday as well.  This confounds my posting schedule since the scenarios for last group won't be known since they won't have played their second match yet.  I think I'll go with a Sunday morning post because, depending on the second games of course, there could be some interesting scenarios for Group A.

The Union have their second Leagues Cup match on Wednesday at 7:30 versus Queretaro.  That's behind the Rotten Apple paywall so maybe we'll listen on WPEN.

A Side Note

This marks the 500th post of Booked For Simulation.  I had no idea how this would work out when we started in December 2013.  I knew some people were interested but mostly I was doing this as an outlet for me to write.  I certainly wasn't going to quit my day job, although as it turns out, I did.  Anyway, this ad from AllState perfectly describes the site's volume.  Just for fun, we include links to the first post, the most viewed post and a personal favorite selected by the editor.

First official post: December 27th 2013

Most viewed post (119): December 16, 2016 (during the trip to England - technically there are posts with more hits but Dennis noticed they were from Malaysia or something like that and we got spammed)

A personal favorite: June 26, 2020 (from the restart after COVID)

Planning to be back Sunday morning with group stage scenarios.