FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2015 RECAP
TODAY’S RESULTS: Germany def. Sweden, 4-1, to advance to the quarterfinals and China def. Cameroon, 1-0, to advance to the quarterfinals
FOX Sports Recap – The Scoop on the FIFA Women’s World Cup:
Alexi Lalas, National Soccer Hall of Famer and standout defender on the U.S. Men’s National Team during the 1994 World Cup, likes the bold comments from Colombia striker Lady Andrade suggesting that the Americans “belittle” her team:
“I love the fact that Lady Andrade is embracing the irritant role. I love a good irritant, as many of you who watch me know, but this is all that they have right now. They are going to rile up and they’re going to poke the United States. I will say it again to Lady Andrade: ‘It’s going to be an easy game. You are going to get beaten by the United States. If that riles you up, fine.’ That’s not going to change the fact that the U.S. got a gift in terms of playing this team.”
Heather Mitts – Ex-U.S. Women’s National Team Player, Women’s World Cup Analyst, responds to Andrade stirring the pot before the USA’s Round of 16 game:
“We last played Lady Andrade in the 2012 Olympics and she punched Abby Wambach in the face and was suspended for two games. You did not learn your lesson, Lady Andrade. So you know what, the U.S. will show how they feel on the field.”
Lalas on Sweden’s exit in the Round of 16 today:
“I’ve talked about my love affairs that happen at World Cups with teams. This one ended abruptly and this one ended ugly. This is messy. I thought tactically they were inept. When it comes to Pia Sundhage and how they went about this [tournament], they didn’t press and they didn’t withdraw collectively on either side of the ball. They conceded the flanks from the get go. The long balls were absolutely atrocious. Completely outclassed, completely outplayed, a horrible World Cup for Sweden.”
Lalas on what Germany’s 4-0 win vs. Sweden means for the U.S.:
“If I was the United States, I would have been worried before the tournament started. If I was the United States after this game, I would be real worried in terms of the way this German team plays. This is basically their second game of the tournament. They had an easy go in the group stage, and now they’re playing. They’ve got depth; they’re definitely rested, and they’re feeling it right now.”
Mitts adds her thoughts on what the U.S. team should takeaway from today’s win by Germany:
“I’m sure the U.S. is all sitting there watching this thinking, ‘Yes, we knew coming in to this tournament that Germany was always going to be a tough team.’ But after watching their game vs. Sweden, the U.S. has to know that Germany is going to be really tough to beat.”
