I am sure most of the readers of Nerd Caster are going to skip this article and that’s ok. There are different types of “nerds” out there and I am one that loves video games, comics, technology, and women’s soccer. Each season I try to go to a few of the Sky Blue FC games and am a member of the Cloud 9 Supporters group. Being a Sky Blue FC fan, it is going to be great to see Carli Lloyd play in another World Cup as well as New Jersey locals Tobin Heath and Sydney Schneider*.
The women on the U.S. team are in great form and have overcome so much in the past few years it would be a great feat to win the World Cup twice in a row. Can the U.S. team do it? That is the question. We have a great squad and are ranked Number 1 in the world but that doesn’t mean anything on this world stage as a lot of teams look really good going into this tournament. The U.S., if they make out of their group stage (which contains Thailand, Chile, and Sweden) they have the potential to play France, England, Germany, Australia, and/or Italy in the next rounds. All of those teams have shown dominate performances and will be no easy task (again if those teams make it out of their associated groups).
The U.S. is also without Hope Solo this year, and according to MLS retired Alexi Lalas that is going to hurt the U.S.’s shot as it leaves a big hole to fill in goal. While he is not wrong in that Hope Solo leaves some big shoes (or gloves) to fill, I believe Adrianna Franch, Ashlyn Harris, and Alyssa Naeher are up for the challenge.
Most believe the goalie situation and the defenders are the weakest part of the team, but when your ranked No. 1 in the world, how weak is that? It’s still the best.
The U.S. Team has a hard road ahead of them, but I have a good feeling that the team will pull it out and again become the Worlds Greatest Women’s team and take home their 4th title, and being the first women’s team to do so. Go U.S.A!
