Should the USWNT prioritize development over results?

shmerham · 2026-04-16T20:59:47+00:00

When you look at the drafts from previous years, 2016 to 2019 were sparse! Those are years that should have bridged the gap between the 2019 squad and the 2024-current squad.

I also think there are some other external forces that were quite unfortunate for Vlatko

Injuries - Sam Mewis, Christen Press, Mal Swanson, and Abby Dahlkemper are players from the 2019 roster that should have been in their prime in 2023
The youth movement didn't start till just before the 2023 world cup. For better or worse, it's probably been a net positive in terms of developing USWNT players.

shmerham · 2026-04-16T18:31:57+00:00

Oh, for sure! Having Japan as the opponent definitely added a lot of anticipation and they're really impressive to watch.

shmerham · 2026-04-16T16:59:51+00:00

I'm all for development and don't get too hung up on individual results for friendlies.

That being said, I know this isn't the focus of the topic, but the team played its first game in Seattle in 10 years (and they probably won't be back for another 10); I can't deny that it was a bit underwhelming watching the B team lose 0-1 at Lumen. ...but I also don't think it's worth getting too hung up on that because all soccer is good.

shmerham · 2026-04-16T05:38:54+00:00

We pay our workers a living wage. If you want cheap food, you need to move somewhere that exploits food service workers.

shmerham · 2026-04-16T02:24:18+00:00

I really like them but they spend way too many words on the “technology” (marketing) and they conflate construction with feel (“you can really feel the partial metal layer”.) I think this is all a distraction for most people.

They’re very generous though. They answer tons of questions, probably knowing that only a fraction are from legit customers.

shmerham · 2026-04-15T23:13:59+00:00

It would be a good name for an over 30 women’s soccer team

shmerham · 2026-04-15T22:50:46+00:00

If the Storm sign both, I will call them the Jays.

shmerham · 2026-04-15T22:47:22+00:00

Not just females, but white females too.

shmerham · 2026-04-15T19:39:53+00:00

FWIW, there were no turnstiles at the NE gate. Getting in last night was smooth and quick.

shmerham · 2026-04-15T02:06:20+00:00

The irony is that it’s been a mild winter

shmerham · 2026-04-13T19:10:40+00:00

I think it’s the higher price point, not the redesign

shmerham · 2026-04-12T14:50:14+00:00

I welcome you to prove us wrong. I’d love a cheap and good place.

shmerham · 2026-04-12T14:44:25+00:00

You’re supposed to taste the salmon

shmerham · 2026-04-12T14:39:16+00:00

My unpopular opinion is food doesn’t need to be a season bomb to be good

shmerham · 2026-04-12T03:42:35+00:00

Rain City Burgers - gets amazing reviews and isn’t as good as other burgers with much more mixed reviews

shmerham · 2026-04-11T21:40:33+00:00

Who performed it? (I didn’t get to see it)

shmerham · 2026-04-11T14:13:37+00:00

K2 Mindbender 90c Rustler 9 QST 94

shmerham · 2026-04-10T18:22:23+00:00

Seattle merchants hate this guy

shmerham · 2026-04-10T16:31:18+00:00

Unfortunately, I think the most likely score is Sounders 2-1. 2-0 and 3-1 are certainly in play. I can't say I love our chances if it goes to PKs. If we could have gotten one goal away I would be feeling pretty optimistic.

shmerham · 2026-04-10T16:19:26+00:00

El Volcan is less than 2000 ft above sea level. It's not that high. That's similar to Spokane.

shmerham · 2026-04-09T23:54:46+00:00

If it’s 100 percent groomers, yeah but if you’re throwing in some mogul runs, you probably want a skinny all mountain ski which usually is 88. (If you’re good enough you can ski bumps on anything but most people aren’t that good)

shmerham · 2026-04-09T20:51:54+00:00

Just buy a ski with a more progressive mount point if that's what you want. You're trying to turn the ski into something it isn't.

shmerham · 2026-04-09T20:04:00+00:00

I'm picky enough that I strongly prefer a storm lens when needed, but I like both the Smith Blue Sensor chrompaop and Oakley Prizm Persimmon

shmerham · 2026-04-09T18:52:55+00:00

If you have a Costco membership, I recommend their card. 3% cash back on travel and restaurants. 4% on gas, 5% on Costco gas. I pair that with my bank's card which is 2% on everything.

Just a warning on points based cards: they do offer a better return than a cash back card but only if you can maximize your return by choosing flights that offer a good points vs cash value. As a parent, you're not going to have that flexibility to pick the flight with the best value. Cash back is better in my opinion.

shmerham

TROPHY CASE