This is my second World Cup post and the last before leaving for Auckland later this week. I will be posting football news and views, impressions of New Zealand, photos, and whatever else takes my fancy in the build-up to the opening games on July 20. Stay tuned.
Sinead Farrelly -Overcoming Injury Time
Sinead Farrelly’s road to representing Ireland in the World Cup was more rocky than most. She had not played professionally for seven years, a lifetime for a professional footballer, more than the career of many players. Farrelly’s long break was prompted initially by the abusive actions of one man, a coach named Paul Riley. She represented the United States at every level up to Under-23 until his harassment forced her out of the game in despair. In 2021, she went public with her allegations about Riley which in turn sparked an investigation into abusive behavior by coaches in the US women’s league. Riley was banned for life from any involvement in U.S. soccer in January of this year.
Then, to compound her suffering, she was injured in a car accident and required years of treatment for concussion and whiplash. She only returned to play professionally this year, signing for Gotham FC in the NWSL and making a solid debut for Ireland in a friendly game against the U.S. Farrelly qualifies to play for Ireland through her Cavan-born father. Irish coach, Vera Pauw, encouraged Farrelly to resume playing and picked her for the Irish squad.“We were waiting on a player like Sinead,” said Pauw after her debut when she showed what a composed and skilled midfielder she is. There is more detail in this Irish Times story on Farrelly’s brave choices for herself and for women’s football.
Pauw herself has become collateral damage in the fallout from the NWSL investigation into abuse and misconduct by coaches. She was the manager of the Houston Dash for one season in 2018. Some players and staff at the club have accused her (anonymously) of belittling players and being overly controlling. Her situation is complicated and fraught, and I have included a link for those who have not followed the story. She has the support of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the team, but it must be an unwelcome distraction for Ireland’s preparation for the competition.
The Irish women got a reality check last week when they played France in a friendly before the World Cup. The team looked solid for 45 minutes, giving the French a scare but lapses in concentration presented two goals to France in added time before halftime. One goal was a gift, the other was well taken by the deadly Eugenie Le Sommer. A third goal from a corner on the hour was even more of a gift. Ireland hung on doggedly but heads were down long before the game ended. Captain Katie McCabe was injured and replaced at 30 minutes. Her combative presence was missed and France took full advantage of her absence. There were bright spots. Sinead Farrelly brought crafty skills and guile in the midfield. Denise O’Sullivan was energetic and influential throughout. Kyra Carusa led the line impressively, earning the MVP award, no mean feat when you are being marked by Wendie Renard.
Marta, Brazil’s football Queen
Brazil’s enduring and exceptional star, Marta Vieira da Silva, makes her sixth World Cup appearance, her last outing at the highest level. (She shares this honor with Canada’s evergreen Christine Sinclair.) Marta has been a shining and assiduous presence for over twenty years in international football. She is not likely to start for Brazil as she recovers from a knee injury (on her magical left leg), but her inspiration is vital to her country’s hopes. “Marta is the queen, the icon, and just to be around her is contagious,” Pia Sundhage told reporters as she announced the Brazilian squad. Marta has won six FIFA World Player of the Year awards, more than any other player.
I asked my 11-year-old granddaughter, Olivia, to watch this short film on Marta’s career:
https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2023/6/28/marta-makes-brazils-squad-for-sixth-womens-world-cup
Here is her review:
Coming from a difficult past, Marta managed to put it behind her and start her dream of becoming a football player. I’m glad she made it into the squad of Brazil’s women for the World Cup. She is an amazing player with so much passion and courage.
Getting the balance right
One of the challenges faced by World Cup teams is how to strike a good balance between experience and freshness. Players who starred previously in the competition (four years earlier) may have lost form or enthusiasm or be missing entirely due to injury. New, often younger players may be overawed, overeager, outclassed, or not sure of their role in the team. Chemistry and camaraderie are essential qualities to which everyone must contribute. This can be especially vexing for teams that are expected to do well, like the United States, England, France, Germany, and Spain, all of whom will be hoping that new players settle quickly into the team culture.
The U.S. farewell game against Wales this weekend was a case in point. Seven of the starting team are heading for their first World Cup, and it showed. The wise heads kept the team bonded: Crystal Dunn, Lindsay Horan, Alex Morgan, and later Lynn Williams. The wise ones on the bench, Rose Lavelle, Megan Rapinoe, and Julie Ertz, were sorely missed. The newcomers played well but the blend was off for large parts of the game. Passing was erratic and slow, and chances in the final third were scarce. Until star-in-waiting Trinity Rodman, who replaced Morgan at halftime, took hold of the game with two well-finished goals late in the second half.
Rapinoe announced her retirement from club and country this year. She has already transitioned to a hybrid role with the U.S. as a part-time player and full-time motivator and leader off the field. She has forthright views on the larger significance of this, the ninth Women’s World Cup and the first to include 32 teams.
“It is actually terrible business if you are not tuning in. You are missing out on a large cultural moment. I think we know that bottom line, equality is actually good for business, that is something special that the women’s game has and this is the premier women’s sporting event in the world, bar none, and this is a paradigm shift globally, not just in the U.S.”
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