Another World Cup Horror for England

6/29/2015

I was so intrigued with England’s reaching the semifinals of the Women's World Cup, wondering if the Lionesses could really make up for the red cards of idiot boys like Beckham and Rooney? The sin and the splendor of Maradona? The missed PKs and the fumbled shots?

Does women’s soccer have anything to do with men’s soccer? Not sure.

Now the Lionesses have contributed their own bit to England's soccer history, giving up an own goal in stoppage time in the semifinal against Japan Wednesday night.

I’m an American with an Irish passport, and me mum was born in Liverpool -- and I have loved the Azzurri since 1982 -- but this had nothing to do with nationalism or patriotism.

Caring just a little bit about England in footy seemed akin to a baseball fan rooting for the Red Sox for decades, or rooting for Cleveland in anything. Just get it over with. Now it goes on and on.

The start of Wimbledon reminded me of national complexes I have known – going to London in June and seeing head-hanging in cricket, rugby,tennis and particularly in soccer.

Ah, yes, England once won a World Cup. The best sports documentary I have ever seen was about the 1966 World Cup – England beats West Germany! At Wembley! Every four years, the “green and pleasant land” goes through agonies I remember from my tormented childhood as a Brooklyn Dodger fan.

I thought about English football disasters I had witnessed:

On June 30, 1998 David Beckham petulantly kicked Diego Simeone of Argentina and got himself kicked out of a round-of-16 match. England lost the shootout. (Of course, Simeone developed the staggers from the minimal contact, but what was he supposed to do, man up?)

On July 1, 2006, Wayne Rooney stomped on Ricardo Carvalho of Portugal for a red card and then stupidly shoved his Man U teammate Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in a quarter-final match. (Of course, Ronaldo took a dive, but who wouldn’t?) England lost the shootout.

Any England fan can supply dozens of other gaffes in major internationals. I was hoping the Lionesses would be unencumbered by past horrors of the male variety and could overcome the spirit and deft passing of Japan.

Instead, Laura Bassett stuck out her foot to try to stop another Japan fast break, and she deflected the ball to the underside of the crossbar.

I'm thinking of own goals -- poor Andres Escobar of Colombia against the USA in 1994, the immortal Nicola Caricola, formerly of Juventus, poking in an own goal in the very first match for the MetroStars, thereby setting up a Ruthian Curse for that franchise.

John McDermott, in the Comments below, recalls being there when Franco Baresi, my favorite defender of all time, made an own goal for AC Milan. Occupational hazard for defenders. But in stoppage time -- of a World Cup semifinal?

Your thoughts?

Brian Savin

6/29/2015 01:03:09 pm

Very, very funny, GV. But you're also right on. They are an intriguing and enjoyable team of sporting athletes. Although fully expecting to be partial to our Canadian neighbors, as the game wore on, and even though England was ahead early, I found myself rooting for these "Limeys" (sorry, my Irish is showing). They are pretty damn interesting and I will cheer for them...until the final. The semifinal with Japan, an excellent team, will be fascinating. I'll take the points and England.

Alan link

6/29/2015 03:59:08 pm

As luck would have it, there was a team from the BBC on the cruise that we took around Montreal harbor the day after we were at the German-France quarter final. They were there for the entire tournament, expense paid.

They were excited about England’s chances and one of the wives had played for England’s national women’s team. I’d like to see them in the final against the US so I would be happy with the winner if we lost.

Women’s soccer was off my radar until the 1999 WWC. Ever since, I’ve been a strong supporter of the women’s game. As already posted, speed and power does not necessarily result in interesting soccer.

In the “Suspensions Also Freed up the American Soccer Team” topic, my wife Sandi emerged as a newly developed soccer expert. She commented that the women players were muscular, graceful and enjoyable to watch. I do not believe that she would have enjoyed a men’s game with all it diversions and posturing.

It is unfortunate that the corporate world does not invest in women’s soccer, as well as other sports, as there is a tremendous fan base that will continue to grow. They should be helping to create their market rather than waiting for it to come to them.

We need more executives whose daughters play soccer. A developer in the Pittsfield, MA area where I live and coach is developing plans for a much needed indoor soccer facility because he had two daughters and is aware of the need. Three years ago, an executive from Sabic Plastics in Pittsfield build the Fieldhouse in Canaan, NY, which is just over the MA-NY border because his three daughters had to go to Albany for late night practices.

Corporate America was surprised when large stadiums were filled during the 1999 WWC, which was initially supposed to use small venues. They have short memories.

Hansen Alexander

7/1/2015 05:09:41 am

No, the USA has come too far this time and has too much punch near the goal.This is the game Alex Morgan finally scores.

George Vecsey

7/1/2015 05:17:28 am

She did very well with that collision last night. I think she ran into the German defender -- any attacking player would, inside the 18.
thanks, GV

Hansen Alexander

7/1/2015 06:17:36 am

I'm not going to pretend to be objective about a swimsuit model, so I'm going to disagree with all you experts and claim it was a collision and Alex "was carried by the German player" and was essentially "flipped over" which is why Morgan appeared to run over the other woman. Therefore I conclude the referee (is that the right term?) made the right call in giving the US team the penalty shot and leading to the impressively focused goal by Lloyd. To my inexpert eyes the USA gets more focused every game. These women are in attack mode and I don't think even Japan's disciplined defense can frustrate them if that's the matchup. Okay, maybe wishful thinking but Saturday is the 4th of July.

George Vecsey

7/1/2015 11:15:15 am

Hansen, true, Saturday is the Fourth of July.
1994 -- Brazil 1, USA 0, round of 16, Palo Alto, Tab Ramos cold-cocked by Leonardo.
Just saying.
GV

Brian Savin

7/1/2015 12:49:05 pm

Writing in first half England-Japan. Tied 1-1. It appears to me that the English team doesn't have the legs of Japan. It shows in attacking. Japan swarms and England lags in getting up field. Others?

Brian Savin

7/1/2015 02:09:43 pm

Oh my goodness. They weren't beaten. They were tragic.

Alan Rubin link

7/1/2015 02:48:26 pm

England has come a long way, but they still have work to do.

They had a successful WWC run in that they exceeded their goal of reaching the quarter final. This is true for anyone who exceeds their goals.

John McDermott

7/1/2015 03:28:52 pm

It would probably be of little consolation to poor Bassett now, but I once saw Franco Baresi-only one of the greatest central defenders to ever play the game-do the same thing in an AC Milan match.

Alan Rubin link

7/2/2015 06:08:50 am

I did not know when I posted about England having reached their WWC goal that their 2-1 loss resulted from a stoppage time own-goal.

I hope that Bassett and her teammates can put this behind them and gain a respectable third by defeating Germany.

It will not replace the thrill of being in the final, but it would go a long way to ease the pain.

George Vecsey

7/2/2015 08:00:57 am

Alan, I think it would have been tough under any circumstance. But consolation games are dodgy I can only say that German teams almost never give less than 100%. GV

Alan Rubin link

7/2/2015 08:12:06 am

George,

You are probably correct, but France and the US had more good opportunities than I would normally expected against Germany. Both teams had many crosses that would have more dangerous if the they were not too close to the six.

bruce

7/7/2015 06:19:37 am

George,

there's still a strong connection between oz and England. compete in some sports with same vigour. cricket, rugby and the aussies manage to scare people some time in soccer.

I read a piece years ago that England was trying to boost tourism from Australia, they did a survey about England's image in aussie eyes. #1, not sure the %, was.....losers at sports.

bruce

85play link

7/17/2015 05:59:13 am

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But in the last year, there has been only a smattering of people whenever I’m here, with row upon row of empty desks. Sometimes a larger group gets lured in for a meeting with a platter of bagels."

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***
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Another World Cup Horror for England

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