WWC Report Card: USA, with Stephanie Yang

Stephanie Yang notes that the United States did not perform as expected but won the whole thing, so all expectations can go straight in the bin. England exceeded her expectations: she thought they might go out in the quarters at best and believes they probably should have been in the final. Rather than the easy answer of Canada, whose supporters she felt were cautiously optimistic despite the build-up, she nominates Brazil as failing to live up to their billing given their extended pre-tournament residency. Her favourite memories are the final and every appearance by Homare Sawa in what she knew was a legend’s last tournament. Top marks go to emerging nations like Costa Rica, Colombia and Nigeria, and to Vancouver as host city; no marks to Spain’s long-serving coach.