USWNT can be beaten today

I watched the USWNT against Spain the other day.  The US women learned something - Spain isn't Thailand.  If the US could throw a punch, Spain could hit back. The US took the lead on a penalty kick, then a brain fart by the US goalie promptly gave up that lead.  The US kept the ball for 61 percent of the first half, but that possession dominance didn't turn into any goals.

Spain did what no other opponent did during this World Cup - they made the US nervous.  The Spaniards committed 17 fouls during the course of the game. By comparison, Thailand committed only 5, and the 13-0 result speaks for itself.  Like Brazil against France, they played tough, but not dirty. They attacked on defense, especially in the Americans' half of the field. In the second half, Spain reversed the US possession dominance.  By the end of the game, the US still had more possession time (54-46). Compared to that first half (61-39), that tells me Spain had it a lot more in the second half.

Spain shut down Alex Morgan, who hasn't scored since that annihilation of Thailand.  The US took 12 shots the entire game, only three of which were on target. Other than Megan Rapinoe's two penalty kicks, Spain's goalie had a quiet day at the office.  The second penalty was dubious. Yes, Rose Lavell was tripped - she definitely did NOT take a dive. She was not in a position to score - not even close. But since the foul on her happened in the penalty area, FIFA's rules are such that the US was awarded a penalty.  That was the difference in the game.

US coach Jill Ellis didn't make any tactical changes during the entire game.  In this game, Spain brought the game to the US. And the US just let it happen. The Spaniards seemed to swarm the US half of the field in the second half.  The US defense bent, but to their credit did not break. The Americans demonstrated they could take a punch. If they are to beat France today, the US needs to dictate the play.  If they let France play the way Spain did, the US team won't have to worry about a White House visit.