07-26-2023, 08:21 PM
Tonight't 1-1 really did seem like two separate 1-0 halves, to me. I tuned in when we were already behind and watched the last 20 minutes of the first half, and it seemed dreadful to me. The Dutch seemed to pass and tackle far better and more skillfully than we did, and during the time I watched the time of possession must have overwhelmingly favored the Dutch.
The second half was entirely different. We seemed much more aggressive about taking the ball away, we dominated on scoring opportunities and corners. That methodical ball-possession game of the Dutch seemed to vanish. Sad that the offsides call (legit) kept it a tie or we would have turned what looked like it was going to be a defeat into a victory. And Smith had an excellent shot-on-goal that was headed out by a defender. Clearly the momentum had shifted.
I wonder what those of you who really understand this game can share to help me understand the radically different look, feel, and results from the first half to the second.
The second half was entirely different. We seemed much more aggressive about taking the ball away, we dominated on scoring opportunities and corners. That methodical ball-possession game of the Dutch seemed to vanish. Sad that the offsides call (legit) kept it a tie or we would have turned what looked like it was going to be a defeat into a victory. And Smith had an excellent shot-on-goal that was headed out by a defender. Clearly the momentum had shifted.
I wonder what those of you who really understand this game can share to help me understand the radically different look, feel, and results from the first half to the second.