Marta is (currently) hands down the best female soccer player in the world. Her foot skills are not only magic, they are lethal. But the girl's got a cocky side, seems hot headed, and her goal celebrations are irritating. With the weight of a country on her shoulders anticipating their first ever Women's World Cup championship....pressure is on. Can she live up to all expectations, or will the USA triumph over Marta and the crafty Brazilians?
I watched the Brazil vs Norway game (3-0)...Marta is at the top of her game and will score 1v1 and 1v2. The US defense needs to stay compact and not get unraveled with Marta's razzle dazzle. It's one thing to respect the best player in the world, but the second a player feels threatened by her...game over, goal Marta.
Marta does out-hustle and is one of the only forwards I have seen this World Cup that actually comes back and plays defense. Her passes will shred a back line, but I'm not convinced her teammates will have the same finesse she does to get by Hope Solo.
Wambach's got her groove back. She broke her scoreless drought against Sweden. Despite the 2-1 loss, her goal should give her the momentum she needs to score against Brazil.
Brazil has been playing with 3 defenders. They are scrappy but make mistakes and senseless tackles. Unfortunately, this means Brazil is showing 3 FAST forwards up top. The USA defense needs to play tight, if they are caught on their heels, Hope Solo is going to get quite a workout.
Hope Solo is still pissed. The last time Brazil beat the USA was when Solo was benched in the 2007 World Cup. Brazil went on to win 4-0 and Solo went on a tirade and eventually was kicked off the team. But what do ya know, she's back, she's brunette, and she's got something to prove.
Brazil's best player takes set pieces. As swift and scrappy as Marta is in the box, her skills are useless for Brazil when she's taking corner kicks, which at best are average. The USA appears to also have the edge in the air.
Marta plays like a dude. Yes her footy is fancy, but she mouths off a ton. She thinks she's untouchable and throws a shitfit whenever someone fouls her. The US back four need to be physical with her and that will surly throw her off her game.
USA 1 Sweden 2. It's one thing to come out of the first round as the second seed in the Group of Death, but to lose to a bunch of braided blonde chicks from Sweden....The USA must have a chip on their shoulders.
No comments:
Post a Comment