07-20-2021, 12:23 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-20-2021, 06:21 PM by BostonCard.)
Circling back on this, we finally have a soccer journalist addressing the issue we've been discussing, and he's reporting FIFA confirmed to him alternates only get medals (and presumably, the title of Olympian) if they appear on a 18-player matchday roster:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/JeffKassouf/status/1417559817162563586[/tweet]
So, as always, beat Sweden and options start opening up for roster flexibility. Heck, the group could be won if we're on 6 points after the first two matches and we get some helpful results in the other matches. If Australia-New Zealand ends as a draw on the first day and the same happens for Sweden-Australia on the second day? We've already won the group even before the third match is played, so rostering decisions get easier at that point.
And with Julie Ertz still working her way back to health, Vlatko might decide to give her a little bit more time to come back, instead putting Macario on the roster for the opener against Sweden. Anyway, we'll see soon enough! First match is tomorrow morning in the very wee hours....
[tweet]https://twitter.com/JeffKassouf/status/1417559817162563586[/tweet]
So, as always, beat Sweden and options start opening up for roster flexibility. Heck, the group could be won if we're on 6 points after the first two matches and we get some helpful results in the other matches. If Australia-New Zealand ends as a draw on the first day and the same happens for Sweden-Australia on the second day? We've already won the group even before the third match is played, so rostering decisions get easier at that point.
And with Julie Ertz still working her way back to health, Vlatko might decide to give her a little bit more time to come back, instead putting Macario on the roster for the opener against Sweden. Anyway, we'll see soon enough! First match is tomorrow morning in the very wee hours....