Might even go so far as to say--from a casual observer's standpoint, of course--that if we were USED to playing a solid, technically-sound possession style of soccer, we might not have made a couple of the fairly bizarre mistakes that led to giving up goals...and if we had a MIDFIELD that developed a style of possession and control of the ball, we wouldn't have to play possession in our defensive third instead of the central third where it's much safer and more productive.
We lost to Sweden and barely survived Brazil and France playing a straight-ahead, all-athletic, put-it-on-Abby's-head-and-pray style. Japan, meanwhile, made beating Sweden look fairly easy. I'd say our result against Japan represented a step up in level of play. If we could develop that style as an every-game scenario and become FLUENT in it--to the point where the momentary breakdowns that cost goals don't happen--I daresay the result everyone is looking for will be somewhat different.
Maybe. I dunno...just an average Joe's thoughts.
