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Message: [QUOTE="upstater, post: 4702129, member: 153"] I watched a highly skilled team of women play a bunch of athletes who played direct, long balls like the old English style, but they weren't very skilled. They easily mucked up the game with speed, athleticism and aggression. This is the problem with the women's game. Not all these players are in highly competitive women's leagues. Why? Because the money is not there. They are not honing their skills the way the men do. That's why when you get to the World Cup you might be shocked to see Jamaica or Haiti going toe-to-toe with France and England. They can still muck up a game, whereas the men's sides will counteract it easily. So, I do see players who can drive in the women's game, highly skilled players who can do it effortlessly, but there are few women's teams out there who are complete enough to have sound tactics through the 11. Mallory Swanson, Rodman, Sophia Smith and Macario can all drive. But you see some deficiencies in their teammates, and the play breaks down. I still think the US Women are on an upward trajectory. Some of the old guard like Rapinoe, O'Hara, Ertz and Morgan will be phased out for better players. Tobin Heath already has. You can already see the improvement with players like Girma in the back. She is already the most talented CB I've ever seen for the USA. She is unseasoned and may make mistakes, but long term she is the best CB they've ever had. [/QUOTE]