[Farm93]

I like the way to women play but they benefit from talent superiority at so many positions.  They were the #1 team and likely had 5 or 6 of the 15 best college players in the USA.    That allowed them to play a more organized game that also included possession and creative attack.  They really could win playing almost any style because they really were the better team with the better players.

I don't think the men's team is blessed with such an obvious talent differential.  They needed to pick a style that optimized their talent and make it work.  Their relentless, full effort, aggressive press style clearly bothered Pac-12 teams and I suspect it is hard for opponents to deal with.  That style takes so much training and conditioning to pull off, but they clearly believed in it.  It may not appeal to the most casual soccer fans, but it is a path that allows them to win.  Which I believe is the objective of the game. 

[Farm93]

I like the way to women play but they benefit from talent superiority at so many positions.  They were the #1 team and likely had 5 or 6 of the 15 best college players in the USA.    That allowed them to play a more organized game that also included possession and creative attack.  They really could win playing almost any style because they really were the better team with the better players.

I don't think the men's team is blessed with such an obvious talent differential.  They needed to pick a style that optimized their talent and make it work.  Their relentless, full effort, aggressive press style clearly bothered Pac-12 teams and I suspect it is hard for opponents to deal with.  That style takes so much training and conditioning to pull off, but they clearly believed in it.  It may not appeal to the most casual soccer fans, but it is a path that allows them to win.  Which I believe is the objective of the game.