Women's World Cup

[Ted]

Congratulations to Japan.  It was an exciting game to watch.  The U.S. had so many chances yet couldn't deliver.  It was like watching the tortoise beat the hare.

[The Jackal]

Despite having the better chances, the US did not look like a WC championship side today. Congrats to Japan.

[Bonster]

Insane penalty kick

http://www.youtube.com/v/LnKW-yVTSrM?version=3&hl=en_US

[Robert Pauly]

Choke of epic proportions - rivals the Cubs in 2003.

[Bonster]

More like the Heat, this year.  Cubs should not have even been there.

[Bonster]

(If you want a valid, relevant Cubs choke, try 1984, just after a the sox choke of '83.)

[The Jackal]

I'm not sure why its considered a "choke"?

Even though they had more opportunities, none were of the "sitter" variety and they simply didn't play that well...nor did I think the US was THAT good...at least compared to other US WC squads. People tend to forget that the US was fortunate to even get there.....winning in the semis against Brazil in stoppage time. They also lots in the group stage to Sweden. Not exactly awe inspiring stuff. 

[Robert Pauly]

You're winning by a goal with 2 minutes to play - the U8 Berwyn Blazers could have protected that lead.

Ditto for not being able to hit the broad side of a barn during penalty kicks.  Your kid and mine, Jackal, could have done better.

Not to mention that Japan has never beaten the US, and the US shut out Japan twice in May.

http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/hill-110718/us-choked-women-world-cup-final

Same goes for Brazil's choke job Sunday in Copa America.

[The Jackal]

The game, with added time, is 120 minutes...not 118. The tying goal they scored came off a set piece (corner kick), not the run of play....and it was a PERFECTLY executed corner at that, near post.

If you want to find fault with the US, look at what preceded the corner.....an inability to clear the ball in their own area, something which plagued them the entire match. This tells me its much more a matter of lack of quality in the back four than any "choke" job....not to mention that their overrated, overhyped keeper failed to come off her line and collect a ball that was all hers (and she failed to come off her line REPEATEDLY during the match in situations where it was warranted and necessary).

As for pk's, its a crap shoot...always has been always will be. Japan didn't exactly hit the best pk's, either. Their keeper, however, came up big and made her move(s) with conviction...not the little side to side shuffle Solo did.

Lastly, it really doesn't matter WHAT happened in the past.   

[The Jackal]

http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/hill-110718/us-choked-women-world-cup-final

Jemel Hill?

That's part of the problem with soccer in this country...sportswriters that don't have a clue about the game.

You can throw Bayless and Graziano into that mix as well. These clowns should stick to what they know best...like college football.

[Robert Pauly]

More like the Heat, this year.  Cubs should not have even been there.

Huh?  Central Division champions - up 3 games to 1, up 3-0 in the 8th with one out - games most dominant pitcher on the mound throwing a 3 hitter, followed by a wild pitch, a blown gimme double play and a Prior disintegration?  That's not a choke?

[Bonster]

More like the Heat, this year.  Cubs should not have even been there.

Huh?  Central Division champions - up 3 games to 1, up 3-0 in the 8th with one out - games most dominant pitcher on the mound throwing a 3 hitter, followed by a wild pitch, a blown gimme double play and a Prior disintegration?  That's not a choke?

"Central Division champions"
Wow, that's sayin' a lot.  You do realize they were an 88 win team coming off a 67 win season barely winning the division by a game, right? The other playoff teams: 101, 100, 91 wins, and the Marlins were the hottest team in baseball over the last six weeks.  (Remember Jack McKeon?)
Oh, and "most dominant" pitcher with a 1.1 WHIP?  Seriously?  You must've been one serious homer.

That Marlin team whipped our ass in every game, then whipped the Yankees' asses after being down to them.  Juan Pierre smoked us with 15 total bases.

Nice revisionist history there, Bob.

'84, choke.  '03, lucky to be there.

[Ted]

Choke of epic proportions - rivals the Cubs in 2003.

Nah, more like the choke in 1969.

[Robert Pauly]

More like the Heat, this year.  Cubs should not have even been there.

Huh?  Central Division champions - up 3 games to 1, up 3-0 in the 8th with one out - games most dominant pitcher on the mound throwing a 3 hitter, followed by a wild pitch, a blown gimme double play and a Prior disintegration?  That's not a choke?

"Central Division champions"
Wow, that's sayin' a lot.  You do realize they were an 88 win team coming off a 67 win season barely winning the division by a game, right? The other playoff teams: 101, 100, 91 wins, and the Marlins were the hottest team in baseball over the last six weeks.  (Remember Jack McKeon?)
Oh, and "most dominant" pitcher with a 1.1 WHIP?  Seriously?  You must've been one serious homer.

That Marlin team whipped our ass in every game, then whipped the Yankees' asses after being down to them.  Juan Pierre smoked us with 15 total bases.

Nice revisionist history there, Bob.

'84, choke.  '03, lucky to be there.

You know, you're right - WHIPs tell the story.  It explains the 2.6 ERA, the run he gave up against Atlanta, the three after leading the Marlins 11-0, and the three hit shut out he took into the 8th in game 6.  It explains Moises' meltdown, Dusty's befuddlement, the wild pitch, the #1 fielding shortstop's error on a routine double play, Sleepy's double and 14 subsequent Marlin hits.  If ever there was a mental meltdown - if ever a team experienced a collective mental collapse - including the brain trust - this was it - the poster child for what we call CHOKE.

And I don't blame them.  It was a perfect storm - 100 years, the hex, prior chokes, bad management, etc. - the perfect tinder to be set afire by the Bartman ball.

As for regular season records, check the recent stats on Wild Card WS appearances, and WS wins.  Once the regular season ends, it's anybody's game.

[Robert Pauly]

The game, with added time, is 120 minutes...not 118. The tying goal they scored came off a set piece (corner kick), not the run of play....and it was a PERFECTLY executed corner at that, near post.

If you want to find fault with the US, look at what preceded the corner.....an inability to clear the ball in their own area, something which plagued them the entire match. This tells me its much more a matter of lack of quality in the back four than any "choke" job....not to mention that their overrated, overhyped keeper failed to come off her line and collect a ball that was all hers (and she failed to come off her line REPEATEDLY during the match in situations where it was warranted and necessary).

As for pk's, its a crap shoot...always has been always will be. Japan didn't exactly hit the best pk's, either. Their keeper, however, came up big and made her move(s) with conviction...not the little side to side shuffle Solo did.

Lastly, it really doesn't matter WHAT happened in the past.   

You're the expert on soccer - penalty kicks - elite shooter vs elite goalie - what's the success rate?  80%?  The US missed three in a row, and from what I saw, they missed because they were feeble, scared efforts, not miraculous saves.

I agree with all of your points regarding their play, but you're supposed to hold a 1 goal lead with 98% of the game expired.  This ain't basketball, with points a plenty.  Especially to a team you've dominated in the past.  That's a CHOKE, but it's arguable.  Missing three penalty kicks in a row isn't.

Catch what Brazil did in PK's in Copa America?  They caught the bug.

[The Jackal]

Penalty kicks are a crapshoot...for the umpteenth time. Especially kicks from the mark (after added time) and not during the course of play. Two of the US kicks were not all that different than the Japanese kicks...except that the Japanese keeper actually came off her line and parried them away...instead of shuffling side to side without even an effort at the ball or letting the ball get underneath her armpit, as Solo did on I believe it was Japan's fourth attempt. What you forget is that Japan also missed one, and should have had at least another one or two saved. This isn't excusing the general sloppiness of the kicks taken...but it happens in kicks from the mark. The point is....you don't let the game get to that point. And you do that not by "protecting" a 2-1 lead, but by putting the nail in Japan's coffin when it was 1-0 during regular time.

Btw, I also caught what Brazil did against the US in the WC quarterfinals...giving up the tying goal in ADDED time. Yet nobody in Brazil is calling THAT a CHOKE job...because they know better. Beautiful cross/service by the US player and beautiful finish...just like Japan's goal in the 118th minute.  

p.s. I NEVER look at what a team or player does in pk's.....EVER. Roberto Baggio, arguably one of the top 3-4 players of his generation, missed a kick from the mark in the '94 WC for Italy which won it for Brazil. NOBODY, but NOBODY, called him a choke artist. It happens in soccer...and if you've ever taken a pk, you'll know what I mean. I had one of my two best pk takers miss one during the Mens Amatuer State Cup Final at Hawthorne Park two years ago.

[The Jackal]

BTW, for ANY of you that really enjoy the sport and like to see it played at a higher level, here's your chance locally.

United Serbs SC v. Belgrade FC, 9:00 pm, July 21 (tomorrow) @ Carbajal Field (Hawthorne Park), 31st and Central.

United Serbs is one of the top Amateur/Semi-Pro teams in the country, featuring several former pros from the old Chicago Storm and Chicago Riot professional indoor squads. Their owner also used to be principal owner of the Storm and owns the Sports Zone indoor soccer facility in Melrose Park...where several Berwyn youth teams play.

[Robert Pauly]

Apply the definitions of choke to both US Soccer and the Cubs - failure to win a game in which you're heavily favored, to lose one's composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation - they're both classic - 23 in a row, two shut outs within the last month - a bunch of blithering, blundering buffoons in the waning moments of the biggest game in a lifetime.  Call it what you want - snap your WHIPs - both chokes.

[mustang54]

  How can you choke when you haven't won in 103 years? Thats not choking that is the true definition of consistency.

[billyjean]

Why diminish what these young American women did by talking about choking?  They did a fantastic job and were beaten by the underdog.  So what !!  Instead of focusing on what a good team we have and how these women have now inspired young girls all over to play the game, no, we have ppl who are just intent on focusing on failure.  I know you sports dudes like to analyze till the cows come home, but, come on already.  The fact we even made it to the finals over countries that live and breathe soccer, a sport that defines who they are like we do baseball and football, is an accomplishment in itself.  We had a good team, they went the distance, and hopefully they will continue to make their country proud.