1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:03,720 Speaker 1: Good luck with the most beautiful game. Ju us prout 2 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: red enough. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:07,640 Speaker 2: They're up for running a game. 4 00:00:11,240 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: So smoothe so sweet. 5 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:19,079 Speaker 2: Mid sixteen just glorious text. Thecution, guys, all I'm looking 6 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 2: for is sixty percent effort, four thousand percent of the time. 7 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 3: How shot with that shop of fine big buddy, And 8 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 3: that's why you. 9 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 2: See your beautiful tias. 10 00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: No kidish movements, the. 11 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:32,240 Speaker 2: Most dangerous a mountain of the planet. 12 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:33,240 Speaker 1: Nobody kitchen them. 13 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:43,560 Speaker 2: Shut up. I'm trying below, it's left to one of 14 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 2: the wide eyed drill bibuge, How old Earth pick that happens. 15 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: I'm your host b J Cunningham, and this is your 16 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:56,680 Speaker 1: World Cup Team USA betting preview and second, I'll be 17 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 1: joined by my co host and friend, Anthony Dumundo, along 18 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: with a very very special guest. But first, Wonder Goal 19 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:05,120 Speaker 1: is presented by Bet three sixty five, the world's favorite 20 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 1: sportsbook brand. Sign up with promo code action to get 21 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 1: BET three sixty fives exclusive sign up offer. Bet one 22 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 1: dollar on any game, get two hundred dollars in bonus bets. 23 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,880 Speaker 1: Must be twenty one years older. Offer is available in Colorado, 24 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 1: New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and Iowa. If you have a 25 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 1: gambling problem, please call our text one eight hundred gambler. 26 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 1: All right, everything's going to be devoted here to the 27 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:29,680 Speaker 1: two time defending World Cup champions, and to do that, 28 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 1: we thought we needed to bring on an expert. So 29 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:34,400 Speaker 1: on today's episode, we're joined by Anna Whitty. She's an 30 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 1: analyst for the National Women's Soccer League and an expert 31 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: on all things United States women's national team. Anna, thank 32 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:41,679 Speaker 1: you very much for joining us. 33 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for having me on Super Pump 34 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 2: to talk about this World Cup. 35 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:48,440 Speaker 1: The overarching question that I believe me and Anthony have 36 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: is it seems from a talent perspective, the rest of 37 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 1: the world is not only catching up with the United States, 38 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:57,840 Speaker 1: but that they've caught up. Teams like Germany, England and 39 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 1: Spain seem to have just as much or more talent 40 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 1: than the United States. Do you think that's a fair 41 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 1: characterization or do you think the United States is still 42 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 1: clear in a way the best team in the world. 43 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:11,919 Speaker 2: A lot of these federations have caught up. It's not 44 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 2: just the US women's national team at the top anymore. 45 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 2: Germany is potentially making a run at Spain as well. 46 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 2: England has had a lot of success and I think 47 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 2: you look back at what happened in the summer of 48 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 2: twenty twenty two with the Euros England coming out on top, 49 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 2: in the success that their league has had in England, 50 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 2: and then you look at the league here in the 51 00:02:30,639 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 2: States that has sixty players playing in the World Cup, 52 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,359 Speaker 2: spanning multiple different countries. It's the growth of soccer, not 53 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 2: just at the federation level and countries putting their money 54 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 2: into their women's programs, but it's also the clubs and 55 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 2: the development of players at the club level, making them 56 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:49,959 Speaker 2: better when they actually get to their country. So this 57 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 2: World Cup will certainly, honestly will be the best World 58 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 2: Cup that we'll see, and especially as it's expanding to 59 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 2: thirty two countries this summer, you. 60 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 3: Know, one of the other kind of big storylines. And 61 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 3: then coming into this World Cup, it's been the year 62 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 3: of the ACL. We've seen record numbers of injuries to 63 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 3: key players, whether it's Viv Medima amongst the Dutch and 64 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:10,240 Speaker 3: other very talented players that won't be there for England 65 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 3: as well. How have injuries taken their toll on this 66 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 3: US women's national team. Becky Sowerbrun Mallory Swanson. How does 67 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 3: that impact kind of the overall talent level for the 68 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 3: United States and what are the key injuries mean in 69 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:24,560 Speaker 3: terms of maybe depth issues. 70 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 2: Mallory Swanson is a massive loss for this US women's 71 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 2: national team, and she has had a very successful club 72 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 2: season at the beginning of the year. Last year she 73 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:36,160 Speaker 2: came off a massive high. She was just such a 74 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 2: big part of the attack and something that the US 75 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 2: felt like they could lean on going into this World Cup. 76 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 2: Without her, they are going to have Alyssa Thompson in 77 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 2: there her first World Cup. She's only has four caps 78 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 2: with the US women's national team eighteen years old, so 79 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 2: this will be a huge test for her. But you 80 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 2: mentioned Becky souer Broun. She's a phenomenal center back, but 81 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 2: she brings more than just her talent on the field. 82 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:01,440 Speaker 2: She has such a massive vocal community piece to her 83 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 2: game that on the back line without an experienced player 84 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 2: like that, things can get a little tricky in the 85 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 2: group stage games. I don't think the US will have 86 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:12,120 Speaker 2: any issues with the defensive aspect of the game. That'll 87 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 2: be in the latter half of the tournament. But when 88 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 2: you look at losing a Becky Sarabron, you lose a 89 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 2: player like Mallory Swanson. Katerina Maccario is not really a 90 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 2: player that I say is a loss because they've known 91 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 2: for a while that she's been dealing with this ACL 92 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 2: injury and they've been playing without her for a while now. 93 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:30,799 Speaker 2: But you even look at Meghan Rapino, She's only played 94 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:34,160 Speaker 2: in nine club games this year. She went out in 95 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 2: June on June tenth and hasn't played in a club 96 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:40,400 Speaker 2: game since, so we don't know where she's at. And 97 00:04:40,640 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 2: head coach for the national team, Blackman and Oski, has 98 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 2: said that she's healthy, she's available if need be. He 99 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:49,720 Speaker 2: said the same thing for Rose Leavell, who was a 100 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:52,600 Speaker 2: massive piece in the World Cup in twenty nineteen, who's 101 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:55,480 Speaker 2: only played two club games this season, hasn't seen the 102 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 2: field since April, and she's a place that if she's 103 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:01,160 Speaker 2: ready to go on Friday, is she fitness ready? Is 104 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 2: she available to play at the level that everyone's going 105 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:06,800 Speaker 2: to expect Lavel to play at. So there's so many 106 00:05:06,880 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 2: key pieces that are missing, But then there's these key 107 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:12,480 Speaker 2: pieces that Blacko has decided to bring down under that 108 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 2: are still dealing with some injuries. You can add Juilliards 109 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:18,559 Speaker 2: to that mix, who's a key midfielder throughout her career, 110 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:21,320 Speaker 2: but she's also dealing with some injuries, and she's a 111 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 2: player who can slide into the back line in that 112 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 2: center back role, who is very versatile. There are some injuries. 113 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:31,480 Speaker 2: I would say that there's no massive question marks potentially 114 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:33,719 Speaker 2: with the national team, but when you look at Juilliards, 115 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:37,680 Speaker 2: Rose Level and Megan Rapino, their status of where they're 116 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 2: going to land and when they're going to be potentially 117 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:41,159 Speaker 2: available is still up in the air. 118 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:46,080 Speaker 1: You mentioned the manager Adovski. You know the United States 119 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:48,200 Speaker 1: coming into this World Cup. Obviously they've won every single 120 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 1: match in twenty twenty three, but they had a poor 121 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:53,359 Speaker 1: showing at the twenty twenty one Olympics and then last 122 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 1: fall they had three losses to some of the top 123 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:58,640 Speaker 1: teams in the world and Germany, Spain, and England. How 124 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:00,800 Speaker 1: would you assess his first cap, layers on the job, 125 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: and are there maybe some tactical concerns with him and 126 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: the US national team in terms of them stacking up 127 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 1: against some of these top teams. 128 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:12,280 Speaker 2: Laknowsky's been a part of this team since twenty nineteen, 129 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:14,800 Speaker 2: so he's had four years to figure out who he 130 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 2: wants to play with, the style he wants to play with, 131 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 2: the type of players he wants to play with. I 132 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 2: would say they're in a good place in the aspect 133 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:25,279 Speaker 2: of going into this tournament. They have good key pieces 134 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 2: in certain positions. But throughout these past four years, I 135 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 2: would have liked to see him bring in some younger 136 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:34,440 Speaker 2: players to mix them in with the Megan Rippinos the 137 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 2: Rose level, see how those partnerships might look next to 138 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:40,039 Speaker 2: each other. Two of the big pieces that he left 139 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 2: back in the States, Ashley Hatch and Sam Coffee, who 140 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 2: have had phenomenal NWSL seasons, and he's been a big 141 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:50,239 Speaker 2: proponent of the NWSL, saying that that season, the beginning 142 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 2: of the season was going to be a big reason 143 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:55,360 Speaker 2: as to why he brings certain players. When you leave 144 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 2: an Ashley Hatch at home, who's had eight goals to 145 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:01,040 Speaker 2: assist in in WSL play so far, she can scoreggles, 146 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 2: she can be a part of that attack, and I 147 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 2: think that might be potentially mits. And then Sam Coffee, 148 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 2: who's been excellent in her first two seasons in the NWSL, 149 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 2: a massive facilitator in the sixth role. That's a big 150 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 2: piece that I believe of Lacko doesn't have in his arsenal, 151 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 2: Like if Andy Sullivan goes down or Julie Ertz is unavailable, 152 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,400 Speaker 2: there is nobody to slide into that sixth role and 153 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 2: to help with the defensive, facilitating, to help in the attack, 154 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 2: to build out of the attack. And that's something that's 155 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:31,840 Speaker 2: not going to her in the group stages if something 156 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 2: goes south in that role, but certainly once you hit 157 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 2: the quarter semis in definitely the finals. So I think 158 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:39,760 Speaker 2: he's done a solid job, but there's a lot of 159 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 2: pieces that he could have done leading up to year 160 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three that he decided not to do. He's 161 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 2: stuck with his veterans. 162 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 3: I think that's kind of one of the other bigger 163 00:07:49,240 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 3: themes with this team is that they're almost caught between 164 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 3: generations a little bit. And you know, bringing Julie Ertz 165 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 3: back in, do you think that's a signal from Vlatco that, Okay, 166 00:07:58,360 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 3: we want to make sure that we have the veterans 167 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 3: experience or do you think that's almost, I don't want 168 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:05,240 Speaker 3: to say a mistake, but almost a decision that signifies 169 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:08,120 Speaker 3: that there's still not really going to turn this whole 170 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 3: thing over to that next generation of up and coming stars. 171 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 2: The latter they are certainly not changing the guard to 172 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 2: the younger generation yet, and Julliarts had been coming back 173 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 2: from her pregnancy. She's only played in a handful of 174 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 2: NWSL games this season and she has not been up 175 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 2: to the standard of the Juilliards that we saw in 176 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 2: the World Cups she's played previously, the Olympics that she's 177 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 2: played previously, that's okay, but bringing her after just a 178 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:38,599 Speaker 2: handful of NWSL games and before that not playing for 179 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 2: the last two years is a massive risk. And he 180 00:08:41,800 --> 00:08:45,040 Speaker 2: already has so much leadership on this team. Kelly O'Hara, 181 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 2: we've mentioned, Megan Rappino, Alex Morgan is a part of 182 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:50,959 Speaker 2: this team. A lesson Aian goal. There's no lack of 183 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 2: leadership or necessarily a lack of talent at the veteran role. 184 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:58,559 Speaker 2: Juilliards brings in that leadership and that talent, but a 185 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 2: Sam Coffee could slide into that six role. She's now 186 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:04,320 Speaker 2: the captain for the Portland side now that a lot 187 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 2: of the international players are gone. She's trusted with so 188 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 2: much at just twenty four years old that if Blacko 189 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 2: had decided to bring her to Australia New Zealand, they 190 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 2: would have been completely fine. I would have brought Sam 191 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 2: Coffee over Juliaertz. I don't think it's necessarily a bad decision, 192 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 2: but I think Coffee just provides a lot more that 193 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:24,839 Speaker 2: Ertz doesn't because she's been out of the game for 194 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 2: a bit. 195 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:29,439 Speaker 1: Speaking to the United States actual draw going through this 196 00:09:29,720 --> 00:09:32,679 Speaker 1: World Cup, it seems pretty favorable. If they can win 197 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: their group, you know they are going to play the 198 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:36,640 Speaker 1: second place create to a team in Group G, which 199 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:39,719 Speaker 1: is a very weak group as well. How much does 200 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:42,120 Speaker 1: this draw in terms of how favorable it says for 201 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:44,320 Speaker 1: the United States even in the quarterfinals, having to play 202 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 1: potentially Norway or Japan and having to avoid some of 203 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 1: these top teams, does that benefit the United States getting 204 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: the lead up through this group stage through a couple 205 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,680 Speaker 1: of matches and be fresher and more ready to face 206 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:59,199 Speaker 1: potentially maybe a Spain or a Sweeten the Semis. 207 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:03,079 Speaker 2: Definitely, the US could use this group stage to kind 208 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 2: of build to where they want to go, and not 209 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 2: only from a talent aspect, because a lot of these 210 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:10,440 Speaker 2: players have been together for a good amount of time. 211 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 2: They played in a sendoff game last Sunday, so they've 212 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 2: gotten experience together, but playing against a team like Vietnam 213 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:18,600 Speaker 2: who's entering their first World Cup is going to give 214 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 2: them confidence. You play against a team like Portugal who's 215 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:24,720 Speaker 2: also entering their first World Cup. Netherlands is the game 216 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 2: that they play next Wednesday, and that's who they played 217 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 2: against in the final back in twenty nineteen. It's going 218 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 2: to be a better test for them as they move 219 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 2: out of the group stage potentially, and I think this 220 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 2: US one's national team. The biggest thing against Vietnam and 221 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,240 Speaker 2: Portugal that we've seen building up to this World Cup 222 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 2: is they've really struggled in being dynamic in the attack. 223 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:51,520 Speaker 2: Ireland held them to a lot of close games, and 224 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 2: we watched them play against Wales they didn't score until 225 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:57,839 Speaker 2: the second half of the actual second half. And it's 226 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 2: not only these teams are going to come at them 227 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:02,880 Speaker 2: and make it very difficult for them to defend. It's 228 00:11:02,960 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 2: going to be how are they going to score goals? 229 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 2: How are they going to make themselves dangerous inside the 230 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:10,719 Speaker 2: eighteen when it's going to be five against ten at 231 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:14,559 Speaker 2: multiple instances. These teams like Vietnam and portray goal aren't 232 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:16,679 Speaker 2: going to give them a lot to deal with when 233 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 2: it comes to down the flanks. You know, players like 234 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,079 Speaker 2: Nami Germa Alana Cook aren't going to be dealing with 235 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 2: a lot defensively, but Alex Morgan, so Fia Smith, Trindy Rodman, 236 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 2: some of these massive goal scorers are going to have 237 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 2: to step up big in the group stage to put 238 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 2: away five or six goals potentially, And how is it 239 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 2: going to look when they've struggled heading into the World 240 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:39,040 Speaker 2: Cup to do that against opponents You've. 241 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 3: Kind of hinted at and suggested some of the names 242 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:43,920 Speaker 3: some of the young and up and comers that are 243 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:46,079 Speaker 3: kind of breaking their way into this team. If I 244 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 3: haven't watched the US women's national team since twenty nineteen 245 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 3: World Coppers, since the twenty twenty one Olympics when we lost, 246 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 3: who are some of the names that have emerged in 247 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:56,240 Speaker 3: the last couple of years as a part of that 248 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 3: new guard that's trying to break down the door. 249 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,160 Speaker 2: Sophia Smith is a massive piece for this national team. 250 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 2: She's still very young. In her NWSL play. So far 251 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 2: this year, she's had ten goals, five assists. She's super dynamic, 252 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 2: and she's improved in her game and not only being 253 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 2: that true nine goal scorer, but she can facilitate play 254 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:18,600 Speaker 2: with players around her. Trindy Rodman is another massive name 255 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 2: who has come up the NWSL ranks. Now being with 256 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,079 Speaker 2: the national team for the past few years, She's had 257 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:26,920 Speaker 2: four goals to assist in NWSL play. She had a 258 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 2: brace in the sindoff game against Wales the other week. 259 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:32,839 Speaker 2: The other thing that Trindy Rodman has an arsenal is 260 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:35,880 Speaker 2: Ashley Sanchez, who's another new player to this national team. 261 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:39,320 Speaker 2: Those two are not only teammates with the Washington Spirit 262 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 2: in the NWSL, but they're best friends and their partnership 263 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 2: works really well. With Sanchez playing in the attacking midfielder role, 264 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 2: she'll get forward played out to Trinity Rodman, or she'll 265 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 2: get inside the box to receive a ball from Rodman inside. 266 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:54,680 Speaker 2: Those are three massive names. And then on the back 267 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:56,839 Speaker 2: line a name that you'll hear for years to come 268 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,840 Speaker 2: is Naomi Germa. She has played with the San Diego 269 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 2: played her college days at Stanford. She is so strong 270 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:06,000 Speaker 2: on the ball, reads the game really well, and she's 271 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 2: able to defend people really well in one v one situations. 272 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:12,160 Speaker 2: She's going to be a massive piece for this national 273 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 2: team this summer, especially without Becky Souerbrun. And then you 274 00:13:15,679 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 2: have Savannah Damello, a player that Antonosky has given an 275 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:23,560 Speaker 2: opportunity after having a very successful NWSL run in her 276 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:27,080 Speaker 2: first thirteen games this season. She's only twenty four years old, 277 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 2: but she had her first cap in the Sindoff game 278 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 2: the other weekend, and she's so dynamic going forward. She's 279 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:36,200 Speaker 2: fun to watch, but she's really good at facilitating play 280 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:38,960 Speaker 2: on her own, so she doesn't need partnerships around her. 281 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 2: And I'm really excited to see how she looks with 282 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:45,559 Speaker 2: the Alex Morgans, with the Trinity Rodmans. Now that she's 283 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 2: moving out of club playing with the national team, that's 284 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 2: giving her those options for good pieces to play around her. 285 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:54,080 Speaker 2: So there are some really talented young players that if 286 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:57,559 Speaker 2: Antonovsky had given them the reins completely and left some 287 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 2: of these more experienced players at home, they would certainly 288 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:03,400 Speaker 2: be able to step into this World Cup opportunity and 289 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:04,439 Speaker 2: go full speed. 290 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 1: Kind of going along those lines, I mean, everybody obviously 291 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:09,760 Speaker 1: knows the name, right, Meghan Rapino, She's going to know. 292 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 1: She mentioned she's going to retire at the end of 293 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: the NWSTL season, is she actually going to start or 294 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:17,520 Speaker 1: are they going to start Trinny Rodman on the left 295 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:18,120 Speaker 1: over her. 296 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 2: Megan Rapino will not start, and she's not played a 297 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:24,720 Speaker 2: game since June tenth, so I think even if he 298 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:28,160 Speaker 2: wanted to start her, it would be a risk. Trinny 299 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:31,120 Speaker 2: Rodman will definitely start, and Megan Rapino is a player 300 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 2: not just it with the US women's national team, but 301 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 2: at her club level. She'll start, but she's also better 302 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:40,400 Speaker 2: off the bench sometimes because she gives that electric ability 303 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:43,160 Speaker 2: to go down the flank when everybody's tired. She can 304 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 2: exhaust a team footballs inside the box, and Rapino is 305 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 2: known for being so strong and being able to hold 306 00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 2: players off that in the sixtieth minute, when an opponent 307 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:55,720 Speaker 2: like Vietnam or even the Netherlands gets exhausted, you could 308 00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:58,560 Speaker 2: put Rappino on the field expect her to do her 309 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 2: defensive responsibilities, but also get into the attack. So if 310 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 2: I'm betting, I'm certainly not betting on Meghan Rappino starting 311 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:08,680 Speaker 2: in any of these games, especially in the group stage, 312 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 2: with her injury, her age, and just kind of where 313 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:12,520 Speaker 2: this national team is at right now. 314 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 3: So let's play a little fill in the blank here. 315 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 3: The United States women's national team will win the World 316 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:22,080 Speaker 3: Cup if what's. 317 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 1: The big key. 318 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 2: The US women's national team will win the World Cup 319 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 2: if they can figure out how to be dynamic in 320 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:31,800 Speaker 2: the attack. There are so many talented places, and we've 321 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 2: named so many of them so far, with Alex Morgan, 322 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 2: Sophia Smith, you have Trindy Rodman who can get in 323 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:40,400 Speaker 2: the attack in score goals, even Crystal Dunn, who's going 324 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:42,800 Speaker 2: to be playing as a full back down the flank 325 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 2: for this national team. But there's been so many instances 326 00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 2: where they're struggling to figure out the right spots, struggling 327 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 2: to figure out the partnerships. Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan 328 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 2: play that similar nine role at the club level, and 329 00:15:56,200 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 2: now Indanovsky has asked Smith to play wider. She tends 330 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:03,000 Speaker 2: to drag in more centrally. But these movements are going 331 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 2: to have to be a lot better, stronger, and they're 332 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:07,120 Speaker 2: going to have to be more dangerous in and around 333 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 2: the eighteen if they want to come out on top. 334 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:10,800 Speaker 2: I had a quick fart. 335 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 3: Do you think do you think that the issues they've 336 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 3: had kind of in the final third and then around 337 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 3: the penalty area creating chances being dynamic. Do you think 338 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 3: that's more of an issue of talent or tactics, because 339 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 3: to me, it feels like tactics because obviously we know 340 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 3: how good the talent is. 341 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 2: No, I completely agree it's an issue of tactics, and 342 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 2: that relates back to what Andonofsky has done with this team, 343 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 2: within the formations, with what he's decided to play. Right now, 344 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 2: the US women's national team is looking to play a 345 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 2: four to three three with two attacking players, one holding six. 346 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:44,920 Speaker 2: But I think it's just getting those numbers forward, finding 347 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 2: the right pockets, and just feeling out the game. I 348 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:49,920 Speaker 2: think the Vietnam game is going to be really telling 349 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 2: who he's going to play in certain spots and who 350 00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:55,600 Speaker 2: is better in what positions when balls come inside. So 351 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 2: definitely tactic, not talent at all, because I think where 352 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 2: the US is the best is certainly in the attacking 353 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 2: third with the players they have as forwards. 354 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:07,159 Speaker 1: All right, one last fill in the blank. You've alwausly 355 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:08,960 Speaker 1: mentioned some of the problems with the United States, but 356 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:11,640 Speaker 1: if the United States does not win the World Cup, 357 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:13,879 Speaker 1: it will be because of this. 358 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:17,040 Speaker 2: If the US doesn't win the World Cup is because 359 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:20,000 Speaker 2: they're outside backs get injured, and Crystal Dunn and Emily 360 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:23,360 Speaker 2: Fox are massive pieces to this back line, and that's 361 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:26,760 Speaker 2: where Blacko Andanoski did not bring his depth this summer, 362 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:29,879 Speaker 2: and Crystal Dun can get forwarded. She typically plays in 363 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,639 Speaker 2: a more of attacking midfield role in her club play. Anyway, 364 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:35,680 Speaker 2: Emily Fox is the same way. She'll cut in centrally 365 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:37,880 Speaker 2: and help in the attack. If either one of those 366 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:41,399 Speaker 2: players gets injured, it's going to be Sophia Awerta or 367 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 2: Kelly O'Hara coming into the game, not Sophia A. Werta 368 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 2: cannot defend the way that Fox and Crystal Dunn can defend. 369 00:17:49,880 --> 00:17:52,440 Speaker 2: Kelly O'Hara has plenty of experience, and I would feel 370 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:55,320 Speaker 2: good about her subbing in. But if this team is 371 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:58,800 Speaker 2: going to potentially lose this World Cup, it would be 372 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:02,480 Speaker 2: because they don't have the defensive structure that could handle 373 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:05,160 Speaker 2: a Spain of Germany, potentially even the Netherlands. 374 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 1: All right, Anna, thank you very very much for joining 375 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:13,399 Speaker 1: us for this section. I feel much much more in 376 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:15,520 Speaker 1: verse about the United States. When's the national team now 377 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:17,840 Speaker 1: and we'll be seeing you much more throughout this World Cup, 378 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:18,159 Speaker 1: So thank you. 379 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:19,879 Speaker 3: We can't let her get off with that a prediction. 380 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:22,680 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, it's true. That's true. 381 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:23,040 Speaker 2: We can't. 382 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:26,200 Speaker 1: So here's the question, ignoring the odds, does the United 383 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 1: States win the World Cup? 384 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:31,640 Speaker 2: Simply no, the US is not win the World Cup. 385 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:35,160 Speaker 2: There are so many Yeah, I think so too. I've 386 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:37,119 Speaker 2: heard what you guys kind of think as well, and 387 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:40,440 Speaker 2: I just don't think that they have the talent. And 388 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:41,879 Speaker 2: I think is a lot of credit to what these 389 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:45,240 Speaker 2: federations have done to pour money into the competition this summer, 390 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:47,440 Speaker 2: and I think that's what makes it so exciting this 391 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:49,880 Speaker 2: summer is there's a lot of people who aren't betting 392 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,040 Speaker 2: on the US and they likely might be right. 393 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:54,840 Speaker 3: And then the other question is how have you adjusted 394 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 3: and prepared your sleep schedule to do the nocturnal month 395 00:18:58,920 --> 00:18:59,359 Speaker 3: that we're. 396 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:02,240 Speaker 2: About to have. Yeah, well, thankfully, the first two games 397 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 2: are at nine pm Eastern time, but the three am 398 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 2: Eastern time is going to be very difficult. I think 399 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 2: I might sleep until two forty five, then get up 400 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:14,359 Speaker 2: and then go back to sleep for a few hours. 401 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:16,720 Speaker 2: I'm not really sure. I'm not much of a morning person. 402 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:18,840 Speaker 2: Definitely a night out I have to figure that piece out, 403 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:20,639 Speaker 2: but at least we get to figure it out for 404 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:22,879 Speaker 2: the first week, right, That's right. 405 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:24,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, see, you just got to go through an Australian 406 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:26,960 Speaker 1: Open tennis tournament to get ready for it. That's what 407 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 1: you had to do. But thank you very much for 408 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:32,399 Speaker 1: joining us, Anna, Thank you for all your insights. Make 409 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 1: sure you follow her on Twitter at Anna Witty. This 410 00:19:35,359 --> 00:19:38,160 Speaker 1: edition of Wonder Goal is presented by BET three six five, 411 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:40,880 Speaker 1: the world's favorite sportsbook brand. Sign up a promo code 412 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:43,840 Speaker 1: action to get BET three six fives exclusive sign up 413 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 1: offer bet one dollar on any game and get two 414 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:49,720 Speaker 1: hundred dollars in bonus. Bets must be twenty one years 415 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:53,920 Speaker 1: or older. Offers available in Colorado, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, 416 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:56,760 Speaker 1: and Iowa. If you have a gambling problem, please call 417 00:19:56,800 --> 00:20:00,720 Speaker 1: her text one eight hundred Gambler. We'll wrap it up 418 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 1: there for this edition of Wonder Goal of the soccer 419 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:05,960 Speaker 1: betting podcast from the Action Network, presented by Bet three 420 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 1: sixty five. We will return for even more betting episodes 421 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:12,920 Speaker 1: as the World Cup continues in the weeks ahead, so 422 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:16,200 Speaker 1: look forward to that and we'll see you here next 423 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:18,240 Speaker 1: time on Wonder Goal. Presented by Bet. 424 00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:28,800 Speaker 2: Three six five. 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