OK, U.S. fans ... what's the realistic chance for the U.S. WNT in Beijing?

johncoxon 10
keely 9
bigmick 7
John 6
Snoody 6
foozbear 5
Goalie64 5
majwalrus 5
Paul Watts 5
ragyrascal 4

 The Field Hockey Forum is the resource for players, coaches and umpires of Field Hockey. Join FHF now to have full access to all that we have to offer! Don't be satisfied with lurking when you can interact with thousands of other FHF’rs, take part in Competitions, win Prizes, download Coaching Papers, discover our vast Photo library and get rid of this message - Register Now!

[TOTC]

Where do you think they'll finish?

If they are able to get at least a draw with Argentina in the first match, they could get into the medal round. To me, given their performance at the 2006 World Cup, getting into the 5th-6th game is a reasonable target. Your thoughts?

[g9]

I was just at a USFHA coaching accreditation course where they were saying that placing 5th/6th is what they hope for...though of course anything better than that would be most welcome!

[garli]

I feel like I need to see how they play in the first game to make any kind of prediction. 

Does the way their series against Argentina ended up influence anyone's feelings on this?

[Wassie]

For me it only means the Argies didnt play at their potential or didnt play all their stars.

[contramowly]

goodies:

1. USA is in the "Easy"  Pool
2. You have one of the best staffs in the world nowadays
3. Best Goalie


badies:

1. You have serious problems facing GOAL
2. Every new test proves te girls still are not aware of their real potential

My prediction is (the actual) Argentina is not better than US nowadays, but will the Yanks know that?  If they do, they can fight for the finals but also Japan could. Beat Argentina the first day and US will get the "revelation of the tournament" award granted. If so, many probabilities. But medals are really expensive. More tan ever.

[vellnueve]

I think the US can finish at the top if they play to their full potential. I also think they could do quite badly if they don't.

[g9]

Well, that about covers all the possibilities doesn't it?  We'll hope for the best!

[RushMan]

I hope they do well.

We had two of the squad playing with our summer team late last year.

Go the Wobblies !

[fh4me2000]

USA 2, ARG 2.
So close. But a tie is a great result for the US first game.

Too many silly turnovers. And there was a buffet of PC, luckily Amy is in the cage. She rocks!!!! Second to garli of course

[keely]

That's a great result. Given how closely the teams played in Mendoza in January (where I was umpiring), I'm not surprised to see this. I agree that it'll take another couple of years before they get consistent results at the top against the nations that have more experience being there. I'm thinking they'll finish 5th - all in all, good news for the Pan American region.

[garli]

They were lucky to get that late goal.  Lots of sloppy passing in the second 1/2 and lots of chances for argentina to score more goals. 

Still I'm stoked that they didn't start off with a loss.

[Wassie]

Garli, good teams make their own luck, bad teams blame things on it!

[garli]

Hahah, getting your sayings ready for preseason?

[Wassie]

Yeah, garli, got to get them working! Got to sound believable!!

[garli]

How long until the torture begins?