Overpaid or Overpromoted?

 When you are the best, you want to play against the best competitors, and you want to play for people who want to play the best players, who understand the importance of putting the team before the alleged stars (often those riding past wins, well after their prime...).  

Rapinoe was a sub on this squad, but for her "brand" (that she built up based on personal characterist--

ics, not her soccer "work" skills alone...) more than for her current skill set, perhaps.  Some say her "loud, ambitious, first-to-the-buffett-table enthusiasm maybe overshadowed better, quieter, but more competitive players who better understood the game, their sport and sooo much more than the little role their "brand" plays in the profession.

We suffer a lot of this today in America with shifting of the generations in our workplaces, and our well-paid (overpaid) brands often double-dipping as they grab for all the cash they can in as many markets as will support them.  Not their work, so much, but them.

When do you have enough though, and stop taking, and start "giving back" to the profession?  Not by pulling in lesser qualified candidates to nurture and mentor and replace you, but to compete with you and show you how their game is played  -- that maybe it really is what you know, what you can do, what you put out their daily inspiring others... and not all the connections you've cultivated along the way?

#DareToDream #Don'tCryWithTheLosersBeHappyForTheVictorsWhoEarnedItAndCameOutOnTopToday

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MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

35’ – USA CHANCE! Lindsey Horan rises well to meet a right-wing corner but sees her bullet header clip the top of the crossbar and fly over the top.

53’ – USA CHANCE! Horan sees a sublime first-time effort from a low, right-wing cross brilliantly tipped past the post by Musovic.

89’ – USA CHANCE! Musovic produces more heroics as she springs to her right to keep out Morgan's header.

97’ – USA CHANCE! Morgan holds off her marker and battles into the left side of the area. The forward unleashes a low strike from a narrow angle and forces a decent save out of Musovic at her near post.

101’ – USA CHANCE! Williams is set free on the right side of the area but once again Musovic denies the USA with a strong hand to block the forward's low, angled strike.

108’ – USA CHANCE! A sensational first touch from a fizzed, low ball from the right sees Smith beat her marker but her driven shot is pushed past the near post by Musovic.

SHOOT-OUT - PENALTY MISSED! – USA 3-2 SWEDEN. Nathalie Bjorn is the first to blink as she blazes over the bar!

SHOOT-OUT - PENALTY MISSED! – USA 3-2 SWEDEN. Rapinoe steps up - but she fires over too!

SHOOT-OUT - PENALTY SAVED! – USA 3-2 SWEDEN. Blomqvist has her kick saved!

SHOOT-OUT - PENALTY MISSED! – USA 3-2 SWEDEN. Sophia Smith fires wide. That would have put USA in the last eight.

SHOOT- OUT - PENALTY SCORED! – USA 3-3 SWEDEN. Bennison smashes down the middle. All square and we are heading to sudden death.

SHOOT-OUT - PENALTY MISSED! – USA 4-4 SWEDEN. Kelley O'Hara hits the post!

SHOOT-OUT - PENALTY SCORED! - USA 4-5 SWEDEN. Lina Hurtig’s spot kick is saved, but seems to wriggle over the line. There’s a delay as it’s checked – but it is IN! Sweden win!!! The World champions are out!