Ireland Star Denise O'Sullivan Has "Bruise, Not Break"

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THE HAUNTING: Sophia Smith is haunting the opposition in Nike’s incredible new World Cup ad.

I. Bruise, no break. A collective Irish exhale.

In last Friday’s newsletter we highlighted an abandoned friendly between Ireland and Colombia in preparation for the World Cup. The behind closed doors event was dissolved after about 20 minutes, as the Irish National Team felt the match was overly aggressive and feared injury.

Ireland’s veteran midfielder Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage) was taken to the hospital after this tough challenge, seen as the last straw before the match dissolved.

With a sigh of relief, Ireland manager Vera Pauw has since indicated O’Sullivan’s injury to the shin left a bruise but no break, and the team had “hope” for O’Sullivan’ return.

Ireland are due to play Australia before 80,000+ fans this Thursday in Sydney for the opening of the World Cup.

Friday, we Do it Live! After USWNT vs. Vietnam. This Friday after the USWNT kick off their attempt to go back-to-back-to-back, Rog will break down the game live on AMP with our Women’s World Cup Co-Host Sam Mewis. Come listen to us Pod live and ask your questions to Rog and Sam directly. Download the AMP app or listen on your laptop HERE. You can also tell your Alexa, “Hey Alexa, play Men in Blazers” while we’re live and you can listen in.

II. ‘Climbing the mountain’

US World Cup winner Christen Press (who scored this goal against England in the 2019 semifinal) announced via Instagram that she needs a fourth surgery in her recovery from an ACL injury incurred 13 months ago.

After seeing Press post video practicing her shot just last month, the news came as a shock for those clamoring to see an American great back on the pitch again.

In a raw and emotional post highlighting the difficult journey many athletes walk, Press conveyed the devastation she continues to feel while sidelined from the game she loves, unable to join her friends and peers at the World Cup. Press said her ultimate goal for now remains climbing to the top of the mountain, even just one more time.

III. Last tune-up round-up

As of today, the preparatory friendlies are complete. Next match up is New Zealand vs. Norway (Thursday, 3 AM ET), the start of the tournament.

🇳🇿 New Zealand 0 - 1 Italy 🇮🇹

The Football Ferns prepped for that opening match in Auckland by testing themselves against Italy, who return for their fourth World Cup looking to build on a 2019 quarter-final run. New Zealand could not build on their recent friendly victory over Vietnam, losing 1-0 behind closed doors. Valentina Giacinti’s (Roma) goal made the difference.

🇯🇵 Japan 5 - 0 Panama 🇵🇦

Panama is one among eight World Cup newcomers this year, and fell to 2011 World Cup Champions Japan in a five goal loss. Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa will be a name to watch this summer, scoring two of Japan’s five goals and claiming an assist in the shutout.

🇦🇷 Argentina 4 - 0 Peru 🇵🇪

Argentina prepared for their fourth World Cup with a 4-0 defeat of fellow CONMEBOL side Peru, who’ve yet to debut on FIFA’s world stage. The four goals came from four different players, including the technically gifted veteran Estefanía Banini (Atletico Madrid), oft-nicknamed “the female Messi.”

🇨🇷 Costa Rica 0 - 2 South Africa 🇿🇦

2022’s AFCON champions, South Africa, readied for Group G defeating a Rocky Rodriguez (Portland Thorns) fueled Costa Rica side by two goals. The first goal of the match came from Racing Louisville’s Thembi Kgatlana, with AFCON top performer Hildah Magaia (Sejong Sportstoto) adding a second later on.

🇲🇦 Morocco 0 - 1 Jamaica 🇯🇲

With both Morocco and Jamaica dark horse candidates to challenge competition in their group, The Reggae Girlz claimed victory preparing for Group F with a 1-0 win resting on a penalty tucked away by Khadija Shaw (Manchester City). Overshadowing the victory, perhaps, is a knock sustained by Jody Brown (Florida State ) that could sideline the forward for a few days.

🇨🇴 Colombia 2 - China 🇨🇳

Colombia moved on from their suspended match against Ireland to duel China to a 2-2 draw.

Men in Blazers WWC Preview Pod Series with Mighty Sam Mewis. This morning, we released the first two episodes of our four-part Pod Preview series in which we breakdown all of the storylines you need to know ahead of this World Cup, group-by-group, team-by-team. The first two episodes are available on our Pod Feed right now. LISTEN HERE

IV. GROUP F Preview 🇫🇷 🇧🇷 🇯🇲 🇵🇦

i. France 🇫🇷

France is easily among the most talented sides in this tournament; it’s a pool they’ve honed domestically in one of the world’s preeminent football leagues that’s also in possession of the world’s most successful club, Lyon. They fell to the US as hosts in the 2019 quarterfinals, and departed last summer’s Euros in the semi-final against Germany. Respectable exits on both accounts, but Les Bleues are capable and craving more. They’ll try their hand this year after a dramatic shuffling of managers, bidding Corinne Diacre farewell after key players (including veteran leader Wendie Renard) threatened to boycott the World Cup if she remained. Now with Herve Renard in charge, they enter the tournament absent world class talent due to injury, yet are somehow still bursting at the seams with elite players to display. All time topscorer Eugenie Le Sommer (Lyon) seems poised to unleash more wonders on and off the ball, as she did against Ireland this month. And should she recover in time from a knock incurred against Australia, Selma Bacha (Lyon) could join ranks with Grace Geyoro (PSG) to be their breakout stars.

ii. Brazil 🇧🇷

Brazil has won eight of nine Copa Americas but are yet to clinch their first World Cup star, despite their status as long-time contenders. The 37 year old Marta is a legend of the game, and her presumed final dance on the global stage is a major source of motivation for her teammates this summer. The NWSL goal-scoring menace Kerolin (North Carolina Courage) will be among their most important players in Australia, and told the media that Brazil wants to win for Marta the way Argentina did for Messi in Qatar. Kerolin’s dynamic attacking force will be joined by a conglomeration of other Brazilians plying their trade to incredible success in NWSL, adding a distinct, technically gifted and creative spark to the league. Led by the renowned former manager of the US, Pia Sundhage, this generation-straddling Brazil side could make a deep run in this tournament, starting by challenging France to place first in this group.

iii. Jamaica 🇯🇲

Jamaica joins the list of nations arriving to the World Cup while hurdling financial troubles internally. This spring, the Reggae Girlz turned to Crowdfunding to help finance their preparations. Now meeting their second World Cup, the Reggae Girlz will be looking to collect their first win at that level, in a group they’d be underdogs to escape from. Khadija (“Bunny”) Shaw (Manchester City) is an exceptional talent and clear leader of the team. Shaw’s goal-scoring prowess claims the all-time record for both the men’s and women’s Jamaica teams, and placed her second in England’s WSL this season with 20 goals. Shaw’s talent will surely test the competition in Group F, but questions may sprout surrounding the depth she has around her, and whether it’s enough to escape from this group.

iv. Panama 🇵🇦

Panama defeated Paraguay in the intercontinental playoff to qualify for their first ever World Cup this year. Their presence will be an experience building one for the future, as the Concacaf newcomer looks to accelerate all that they’ve built over the years. Over a series of tune-up tests against tough competition, Panama has intentionally tested themselves against the world’s elite talent, including in a pair of losses to Spain (7-0) and Japan (5-0). Elsewhere, Panama held their own against CONMEBOL contenders Colombia, both drawing them 1-1 and falling 2-0 this June, and defeated Gibraltar with seven goals of their own. Led by trailblazers like Marta Cox, who plays for Pachuca with Spain’s Jenni Hermoso, they’ll aim to progress to the knockouts but may find victory in challenging the competition, and collecting a few points.

V. Parting Shots

“I'll keep maybe a little bit of Instagram just to stay connected to some friends and family back home. But for the most part, I've chosen to get off of social media for the month.”

US veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher told media Monday in New Zealand that she’ll be tuning out of social media during the World Cup. Kristie Mewis, speaking beside Naeher, added she also planned to keep Instagram to help decompress by looking at travel pictures, but Twitter was out.