Sports

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts) Thu Jun 25, 2015, 06:24 AM Jun 2015

US women's soccer team = drama queens and divas. "Ugly American" stereotype on display...

CANADIANS CRITICIZE U.S. TEAM: Focus on play, not drama

U.S. forward Abby Wambach, right, and goalkeeper Hope Solo have been in the headlines for drama shows at the World Cup in Canada.

OTTAWA — While the momentum behind the United States' World Cup campaign has still not picked up any genuine speed, the ever-present drama surrounding the team has shown no sign of slowing.

So much so that the steady stream of controversy is starting to wear thin, even among members of the eternally-welcoming public of host nation Canada.

United States forward Abby Wambach (20) kicks a penalty kick during the second half against Colombia in the round of sixteen in the FIFA 2015 women's World Cup soccer tournament at Commonwealth Stadium.

From the Hope Solo domestic violence scandal that kicked off the tournament, to Abby Wambach's comments on turf, refereeing and much more, to Alex Morgan's complaints about the overly physical play of the U.S. opponents, there has never been a shortage of topics to talk about.

"Boy, the American team sure talks a lot," said Gilles Blondeau, a member of an Ottawa fans group, who plans to attend the U.S. vs. China game and has mixed feelings. Blondeau would love to see the U.S. lose, but wants Canada to be the team to inflict the defeat. "You don't hear Canada talking like that, even though our coach has a lot to say. People up here don't appreciate that kind of thing too much. You're winning. Stop complaining."

"There is no conspiracy theory against you or the U.S. team," he said in a televised segment directed at Wambach. "As a matter of fact, stop trying to make the U.S. into this poor little U.S. team that everybody is against — the downtrodden United States women's soccer team.

"No, you are a superpower, you are one of the best teams, if not the best team in the world. Act as such."

U.S. midfielder Carli Lloyd (10) and Colombia midfielder Yoreli Rincon (10) go for a header during the round of 16 in the FIFA 2015 women's World Cup at Commonwealth Stadium on June 23, 2015.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2015/06/23/abby-wambach-referee-yellow-card/29184477/
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Tsk, tsk, ladies. This is no way to project a positive image of the US or the US sports community.

8 replies

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US women's soccer team = drama queens and divas. "Ugly American" stereotype on display... (Original Post) Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 OP

If you want drama queens and divas.... T_i_B Jun 2015 #1

True dat! But, women's soccer is reputed to be cleaner and saner Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #2

Dare I suggest that it still is cleaner and saner then men's football T_i_B Jun 2015 #3

For one thing, many millions less are involved. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #4

Here's something to prove my point T_i_B Jun 2015 #6

Sydney Leroux erpowers Jun 2015 #5

On the other hand, people in the US largely don't hughee99 Jun 2015 #7

More's the pity. They'd like it if they gave it a chance. The US won against China just yesterday. Surya Gayatri Jun 2015 #8

T_i_B

(14,749 posts)

1. If you want drama queens and divas....

Reply to Surya Gayatri (Original post)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 06:58 AM

Jun 2015

...the England men's team beat the USA hands down.

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)

2. True dat! But, women's soccer is reputed to be cleaner and saner

Reply to T_i_B (Reply #1)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 07:29 AM

Jun 2015

than the male version.

T_i_B

(14,749 posts)

3. Dare I suggest that it still is cleaner and saner then men's football

Reply to Surya Gayatri (Reply #2)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 07:33 AM

Jun 2015

Still can't beat male footballers for bitching about refs.

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)

4. For one thing, many millions less are involved.

Reply to T_i_B (Reply #3)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 07:38 AM

Jun 2015

Big money means big corruption.

T_i_B

(14,749 posts)

6. Here's something to prove my point

Reply to Surya Gayatri (Reply #4)

Fri Jun 26, 2015, 03:04 AM

Jun 2015

http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/25224993/clint-dempsey-gets-minimum-two-year-cup-ban-for-ref-notebook-attack

In addition to a three-game MLS suspension he's serving, US soccer captain Clint Dempsey has been banned from US Open Cup play for two years or six games -- whichever is greater -- for his referee notebook attack, US Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel announced Thursday. Dempsey was also fined a second time for his actions.

The incident occurred on June 16 against the Portland Timbers. Dempsey approached the referee Daniel Radford to protest a call in the final minutes of the match, slapped the notebook out of the official's hand and shredded the notepad. He was initially given a yellow card until the official realized Dempsey wanted no part of playing the rest of the match. Radford gave him a red card as Dempsey walked away from the field with his back turned to the official.

erpowers

(9,350 posts)

5. Sydney Leroux

Reply to Surya Gayatri (Original post)

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 10:03 PM

Jun 2015

This may have something to do with Sydney Leroux. Leroux was born in Canada, but left to play soccer in the United States. Even though her father is an American he did not play a major role in her life. She had to track him down and ask that he sign papers for her to get her American citizenship. She almost missed the deadline in that her father signed the papers right before she turned 18.

A number of soccer fans in Canada did like her. Some have called her a traitor. Giles Blondeau and other might want the United States to lose, especially to Canada in order to get back at Sydney Leroux and rub the win in her face. Some believe she left Canada because she thought the Canadian team was not as good as the American team and she wanted the best chance to win.

hughee99

(16,113 posts)

7. On the other hand, people in the US largely don't

Reply to Surya Gayatri (Original post)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 02:42 PM

Jun 2015

Give a shit about soccer in general and even less about women's soccer. Were it not for some of these "controversies" Americans may not even be aware that a World Cup was happening.

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)

8. More's the pity. They'd like it if they gave it a chance. The US won against China just yesterday.

Reply to hughee99 (Reply #7)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 02:44 PM

Jun 2015

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