Pride 1 (3) Racing 1 (4) Post Match Thoughts
Courtesy USA Today Sports Image
Racing put themselves in position to get the scoreline that they needed, but ultimately fell short. This is an entertaining tournament, and until there is a CONCACAF Champions League type event I would like to see it played again (when necessary to fill in for international tournaments).
Many times these types of tournaments are most valuable for the lessons you learn during them so here are my takeaways:
Jordyn Bloomer should get some more looks during league matches. However, “should” and “will” are distant cousins. Lund has done nothing to lose her starting job, so I can’t picture any scenario other than injury in which we would see Jordyn start over her. It’s a good problem to have for Coach Yanez, but you do feel for Jordyn. If the league can settle on having a “cup” tournament every season, then she should be the “cup” goalie. Personally, I would like to see her in both Women’s Cup matches, but I bet the two keepers get a start a piece.
I try to stay off the cesspool known as Facebook, but I heard from my wife that there were some rather unfortunate pro-Orlando sentiments from Linda Mothalo fans. I get that people follow certain teams due to certain players. However, I find it laughable that she is being held off the pitch for any other reason than the players in front of her on the depth chart are earning their minutes. Personally, I think her signing was a “miss”. If you feel personally attacked by that statement, I suggest you grow up.
There is some defensive flexibility on this team. I’m not clamoring for a change to a back 3, but I think Jean has been good enough to chance resting a wing back like Racing did last night. I realize that Wright was partly responsible for conceding the Orlando goal, but I thought she was fine other than that.
Racing needs more squad depth. Once again (and I can never type those words without thinking of Bernie Sanders), Racing had 7 players on the bench when 8 were permitted. Injuries and excused absences led to the shortfall last night, but it has happened a few times this season. There are some players (who will remain nameless, but I will give you 2 guesses) that even when they are on the substitute list would only ever get used if the team was ahead or behind by multiple goals.
On last night’s match, I thought it was a bizarre starting lineup, but I understand it. Obviously, Bev wanted to give some squad players some minutes, but I thought the poor pitch conditions really made it tough to get anything going on both sides until about 30 minutes into the match. It’s not unusual to see players that don’t play much together struggle to connect on passes, but I thought the first half group did okay under the circumstances. Obviously, brining on better (and in Ary’s case, fitter) players in the second half gave Racing a fighting chance. Sticking with the boxing metaphor, the first half could be interpreted as a bit of rope-a-dope tactic and since they only conceded one goal, you have to admit that it kind of worked. I think the opposite approach could have backfired especially in the soggy conditions, so overall I surprise even myself by saying that I liked how the rotation ultimately played out. It felt like Racing had their chances to get the scoreline that they needed, and that’s all you can ask.
Feel free to take joy in the spot kick shootout result, but it was completely moot even if obligatory. I would always prefer winning any knockout competition over losing it, but the reason that they are less valued in club football is partly due to the fact that advancement and even winning the cup is not always settled in regular time or extra time. Imagine ending the NBA finals in a 5-minute OT followed by alternating free throws. Football by its nature dictates that spot kicks are necessary, but I will always prefer the league competitions, where it simply isn’t necessary.
