After a brief holiday, AWK’s resident contrarian Kristi F. is back and ready to hand out red cards to the most flagrant offenders in yesterday’s USWNT/Germany friendly.

Sorry for my long absence, but I’ve been in mourning for Atlanta’s two extremely heartfelt losses. Yet, let’s not dwell on the past because they will get their wins.

Letting bygones be bygones, this weekend was an international break for WPS with Asian and UEFA World Cup qualifiers going strong. Next year’s hosts Germany decided to try a “third time’s the charm” approach with the USA, losing twice already to the Yankee Girls in seven months. Now, I am not one to judge Germany’s thought process in this decision. Bringing the top two teams in the world together for a third head-to-head match is always great and certainly exciting. However, if the Germans wanted a win, Cleveland, Ohio wasn’t the place to find it.

I want to clarify that a long Bundesliga season shouldn’t even be an excuse for the hot mess that showed up to LeBron James’ kingdom (well, at least it is for now). Sure, they played swarming defense in the midfield for the first 20 minutes, but after conceding a penalty kick to Abby Wambach, and yes, it WAS a penalty, then a bobbled corner kick for Heather O’Reilly’s first goal since around the Beijing Olympics, German pride fell off the map.

Birgit Prinz’s yellow card was a laughable event. Who would’ve thought such a respectable player like her would have a complete meltdown over an offside call? Has she been watching too many Kelly Smith videos on You Tube from the Ladies’ EPL? Whatever the cause, even if it was unintended, the USA’s offside trap was working like a well-oiled machine. Inka Grings was caught in it more than anyone, and it showed on her face. Being a top scorer for your national team means nothing if you can’t even get a shot on goal.

On the other side of the fence, however, faces were lit with smiles. Pia Sundhage is, was and always will be a perfect fit as coach for the US National team, just as WPS has given the opportunity for her to hand out caps to players that may not have gotten the chance before (Amy LePeilbet, Lori Lindsey, Yael Averbuch just to name a few).

Before the match, I had predicted a 4-1 USA win, with two goals from Abby Wambach, one from Shannon Boxx or Kristine Lilly and the other a wild card player. I was truly surprised to not be off by much, and it shouldn’t be comforting to German fans, either. For their Golden Girls - still boasting the World Cup winners’ patch for 2007 – to fall into disarray as they did, I would be worried. Apparently, according to ESPN commentators JP Dellacamera (whom I adore) and former USA standout Julie Foudy, the Germans are obsessed with meeting the Yanks in the World Cup Final next summer in Frankfurt. I started laughing at that statement for many reasons. First, Germany’s the host for 2011. BIG DEAL! Just because you host a World Cup doesn’t guarantee you a spot in the Finals ( just ask China’s women and South Africa’s men when they are laid to waste by Mexico, France and Uruguay this next month).

Second, there will be an open spot for an unsung European team. I’m thinking France, since Spain was the unlucky team out being drawn in a group with England (AGAIN). If I’m right, and the French get in, they have a score to settle with Germany. An embarrassing loss at Euro 2009 will be the fire they need, and with Camille Abily and Sonia Bompastor leading the way, Germany could go down in flames.

Third, Asia is on the move. Japan showed great valor in the bronze medal match against Germany at the Beijing Olympics. Had it not been for stellar play and goals from Fatmire Bajramaj, Japan would have been draped with the colored jade, not Germany. Add in Australia’s hunger for success and North Korea’s constant inclusion in big tournaments, and the biggest show in womens’ soccer is looking tough already. In other words, an Asian team will eventually lift the trophy.

Fourth, and most certainly not forgotten, is a certain team that isn’t satisfied with second place. Brazil is by far the one team, other than the USA and possibly England, that Germany should be fearing. Marta was crowned FIFA Player of the Year for a record fourth time in December, and she plays like it. But would she give those individual crowns back to Sepp Blatter for a World Championship? I believe she would, and in faster time than Usain Bolt can run a 100-yard dash.

After today’s match, I pose these questions to the All White Kit readers: If that’s the best Germany can do, where does this leave them? Birgit Prinz is their captain, all-time scorer and Germany’s Next Top Model. Oh, wait…scratch that last one. If she can draw a yellow card for the infantile fit she threw, should she be Captain? Should Nadine Angerer’s sad excuse for goalkeeping be a worry for Silvia Neid? Should new blood flow into their starting line up?

The USA was superior in every way. From Hope Solo’s brilliant saves, Abby Wambach’s double goal game, Amy LePeilbet and Rachel Buehler’s tough defending, Shannon Boxx’s strong showing as captain and Pia’s coaching, the USA looked confident, comfortable and like the champions they are destined to be next summer. The mix of players in the American player pool is almost too good to be true for Pia Sundhage, and the Olympic Gold winning coach will have the toughest road over the next year of anyone involved with US Soccer. Her easy-going attitude of “just have fun” was just what the doctor ordered after the 2007 Semifinal fiasco. Choosing the team that will defend the CONCACAF Gold Cup crown and wear our nation’s colors for the tournaments in 2011 and 2012 wouldn’t be an easy task for any coach. Yet, knowing Sundhage gives everyone a chance to prove their skill to earn a spot in those rosters, American soccer fans can rest easy. As for Germany, it looks like home field advantage might not be such a great idea after all.

Now, let’s hand out some red cards!!

Birgit Prinz, Striker, Germany:

What goes through a former PoY’s mind when their team is losing? National shame? Bratwurst recipes? Whatever it is, Prinz showed her frustration with clear dissent from an offside call. Screaming and probably cussing in German gets you no where fast…

Nadine Angerer, Goalkeeper, Germany:

Allowing four goals is embarrassing enough, but when one for sure was due to not holding onto the ball, you deserve to be on this list!! Please believe me when I say, you will never be as good as your American counterpart…

Inka Grings, Striker, Germany:

From scoring oodles of goals in Euro 2009, to being a total downer against Hope Solo, you showed the world how to get shutdown like a freeway during rush hour traffic…

Megan Rapinoe, Midfield, USA:

I just can’t understand why she keeps getting called in to the camps. Pia makes great decisions, but for that one. When has Rapinoe made any unselfish contributions to the National squad since she scored against Canada last year??? Never, maybe?? Doesn’t she have a losing team to get back to in Chicago??? Enjoy your flight to the Windy City…

View Original Post at allwhitekit.wordpress.com

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• The Red Card

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 10:59am PDT