U.S. U-20 women fall to France in Nike Friendlies opener
- by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Dec 8, 2018
WE ARE TIED!
Sam Kroeger with a statement finish to get the U-20 #USWNT back in the game! It's 1-1 in Lakewood Ranch! pic.twitter.com/ZIhkz7Mnqt
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) December 8, 2018
Samantha Kroeger lofted a shot from the left wing over French goalkeeper Justin Lerond in the 53rd minute to equalize France’s 22nd minute strike by Melvine Malard. But Malard struck again in the 77th minute to hand France the 2-1 victory.
The French out-shot the USA, 15-10. U.S. goalkeeper Hensley Hancuff was called on to make five saves while Lerond was credited with two.
Keri Sarver, who has been serving as U.S. U-19 women's coach, is coaching the USA.
UP NEXT: The USA faces China on Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET/ussoccer.com and U.S. Soccer's YouTube.)
Dec. 7 in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
USA 1 France 2. Goals: Kroeger (Allen) 55; Malard (Ouchene) 22, Malard (Bacha) 77.
USA
-- Hancuff; Allen, Martinez, Bell, Mauer, Pinto, Dyke (Cook, 70), Grey (Bornkamp, 82), Spaanstra (Jarrett, 70), Turner, Kroeger (Eisenhart, 82).
France -- Lerond,
Lakrar, Kazadi, Saint Georges, Bacha, Cardia (Azzaro, 63), Ouchene (Le Mouel, 63), Baltimore, Kouache (Polito, 70), Dufour, Malard (Doucoure, 88).
Referee: Samantha Martinez
(USA).
U.S. U-20 women's national team
GOALKEEPERS (2)
Claudia Dickey (Univ. of North Carolina;
Charlotte, N.C.)
Hensley Hancuff (Villanova Univ.; Edmond, Okla.).
DEFENDERS (6)
Abby Allen (Lonestar SC; Austin, Texas)
Maycee Bell (NC Courage Academy;
Wichita, Kan.)
Tori Hansen (NC Courage Academy; Raleigh, N.C.)
Brianna Martinez (Univ. of Notre Dame; Albuquerque, N.M.)
Natalie Maurer (Richmond United; Glen Allen, Va.)
Elaine Rouse (NC Courage Academy; Cary, N.C.).
MIDFIELDERS (6)
Megan Bornkamp (Charlotte Soccer Academy; Mooresville, N.C.)
Isabella Cook (Eclipse SC; Elmhurst,
Ill.)
Coriana Dyke (Colorado Rush; Littleton, Colo.)
Emily Gray (Virginia Tech Univ.; Sewell, N.J.)
Brianna Pinto (Univ. of North Carolina; Durham, N.C.)
Sydney Simmons (Duke
Univ.; Van Alstyne, Texas).
FORWARDS (6)
Jaelyn Eisenhart (LAFC Slammers; Henderson, Nev.)
Lia Godfrey (United Soccer Alliance; Fleming Island, Fla.)
Rebecca
Jarrett (Univ. of Virginia; Washington Township, N.J.)
Samantha Kroeger (NYCFC; West Milford, N.J.)
Alexa Spaanstra (Univ. of Virginia; Brighton, Mich.)
Reilyn Turner (So Cal Blues;
Aliso Viejo, Calif.).
One longball, resulting in 1 goal, is a huge problem. France women's soccer was non-existent 10 years ago. Now we're conceding possession? This is U20. We should be trying to impose our will on these teams, not hoping for a ball over the top on the counter. Lame. But this looks like how our women's college teams play, so I guess it should come as no surprise. Will any of these women be able to take the spot of a player on the USWNT?