[ColoradoTree]

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. 

So, about that... I almost wonder if we might want to mix the roster up a bit because we sucked.

BC

It's the same players that had been lights out for two years now, but absolutely--something needs to change. Whether it's a roster reshuffle or this flat performance is enough to wake folks up, I don't know, but the position group that's been the absolute best in the world and the toughest to crack in terms of making this roster--our midfield--was all of a sudden our weakest point. Sweden had no trouble slicing through us. 

Now we need two wins just to guarantee advancement through the group stage, and we're in line for a harder quarterfinal. I figured we'd get #10 Japan if we won the group, but finishing second would give us the Group F winner, so that'll be either #3 Netherlands or #7 Brazil. 

In some ways, that doesn't matter for a team where anything less than Gold is a failure. You gotta beat the best teams at some point, so the order in which you beat them is somewhat irrelevant. 

New Zealand is gonna face an angry and motivated USWNT. Sorry in advance, Ferns.

[ColoradoTree]

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. 

So, about that... I almost wonder if we might want to mix the roster up a bit because we sucked.

BC

It's the same players that had been lights out for two years now, but absolutely--something needs to change. Whether it's a roster reshuffle or this flat performance is enough to wake folks up, I don't know, but the position group that's been the absolute best in the world and the toughest to crack in terms of making this roster--our midfield--was all of a sudden our weakest point. Sweden had no trouble slicing through us. 

Now we need two wins just to guarantee advancement through the group stage, and we're in line for a harder quarterfinal. I figured we'd get #10 Japan if we won the group, but finishing second would give us the Group F winner, so that'll be either #3 Netherlands or #7 Brazil. 

In some ways, that doesn't matter for a team where anything less than Gold is a failure. You gotta beat the best teams at some point, so the order in which you beat them is somewhat irrelevant. 

New Zealand is gonna face an angry and motivated USWNT. Sorry in advance, Ferns.