USA-CANADA EXPRESS:
April 9 in Columbus, Ohio
USA 2 Canada 2. (USA wins, 5-4, on penalties). Goals: Smith 50, 68; Leon 40, 86 (pen.).
Att.: 19,049.
Just 33 days after their last meeting in a Gold Cup semifinal in San Diego, the USA once again narrowly overcame Canada via an identical scoreline and penalty shootout outcome in the SheBelieves Cup final at Lower.Com Field.
This time, Emily Fox was the hero, sealing the shootout as the Americans’ seventh spot kick taker on the night. The unfazed Arsenal defender, who confidently stabbed home the winning penalty as Kailen Sheridan guessed the wrong way, was heavily aided by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. The 35-year-old saved three Canadian attempts and converted a penalty of her own.
The U.S. women’s national team was slow out the blocks, and found itself trailing at halftime after Adriana Leon put the Canadians in front before the break. At halftime, interim USA head coach Twila Kilgore threw on Mallory Swanson and quickly the game began to turn. Five minutes after the interval, Sophia Smith belted the ball into the back of the net from outside the box on her left foot.
Eighteen minutes later, Smith had her second of the match after a stunning defense-to-attack passing move cut Canada wide open. But just as the match looked decided, America’s neighbors to the north had the last laugh when the referee blew for a penalty kick after contact from Crystal Dunn brought Leon down from behind in the box. The Canadian forward stepped up, scored the resulting penalty herself, and destined the match for a shootout.
In what was the final match of Kilgore’s temporary charge, the USA dominated the ball and led possession 60% to 40%. However, the chances created were a much closer affair with the USA edging Canada 12 to nine, and five to four on target. The Stars and Stripes continued to show steely nerves in the face of adversity and pressure.
USA Player Ratings
(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)
GOALKEEPER
Quite the rollercoaster for Alyssa Naeher. For the second game in a row, the USA found itself down 1-0. And, while the two-time World Cup winner was largely blameless for Japan’s opening goal, against Canada more fingers could be pointed at her. There was some confusion as to why Naeher decided to charge off her line so abruptly for Leon’s first goal. Perhaps it speaks to a lack of confidence in Tierna Davidson ahead of her, and a desperation to sweep up the ball over the top.
Despite the sloppy start for Naeher, she ultimately would go on to be the hero for the USA. Her three penalty saves and venomous unsaveable kick in the shootout only further boosted her repertoire for rising to the challenge when her country needed her most.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) 104/0 (35)
DEFENDERS
All in all, it wasn’t a terrible night for the defense. Shaky and outfought at times, the overall structure wasn’t bad. There were large portions of the game where Canada looked well-marshaled and unthreatening.
However, for the second straight game, a simple lofted ball by the opposition attacking the space between left-sided center back Tierna Davidson and the left back, which tonight was Crystal Dunn, proved costly. Neither player looked settled. Both woefully exposed by a high-line and quick attack.
Perhaps the lesson is that the absence of Naomi Girma is by far the USA’s biggest issue. In her place came Abby Dahlkemper. The experienced defender struggled to influence the game on the ball and too often gave away possession. She also struggled to contain the physicality of Jordyn Huitema. But she did keep her head and convert a crucial penalty in the shootout.
Even though Dunn gave away the penalty for the second Canada goal, it’s hard to criticize her too much even if this was a mediocre night for the Gotham FC player overall. Especially with her positioning on the first goal.
At right back, Emily Fox joined attacks well but often found herself out of position when Canada forced a turnover and attacked in transition. Of course, coolly slotting away a winning penalty under pressure will always give you plenty of plaudits.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
4
Crystal Dunn (Gotham FC) 145/24 (31)
5
Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave) 84/0 (30)
4
Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC) 56/0 (25)
5
Emily Fox (Arsenal, ENG) 47/1 (25)
MIDFIELDERS
A game of two halves. And, how much of the USA’s poor first half was the players’ fault or Kilgore’s fault?
Like against Japan, in the first half USA interim coach opted to stick with 4-2-3-1 formation but vitally she switched Jaedyn Shaw to a wide position and moved Lindsey Horan to the central ‘No. 10’ position (as the most advanced midfielder).
In the second half, Kilgore saw the error of her ways and brought on Swanson to play out wide in the frontline and moved Shaw back to the ‘No. 10’ role. In turn, this shifted Horan to play in a double-pivot alongside Emily Sonnett.
With Horan in a deeper role, the patterns of play, cohesion and connected passes by the USA were much improved in the second half. The USA’s utterly gorgeous passing move across almost the entire length of the field for Smith’s second goal was the fruit of making the change to have Shaw behind the strikers.
Sam Coffey drew the short straw and was sacrificed at halftime, but she wasn’t the worst offender in the first half where Horan and Sonnett had arguably even less influence on the match.
Sonnett remains an elite blocker, and did well to stifle Canada at times, but does not have the same passing range as Coffey. Devastatingly, Sonnett ballooned her penalty over the bar in the shootout, while captain Horan nonchalantly converted. A mixed night for the midfield.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
5
Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns) 15/1 (25)
5
Lindsey Horan (Lyon, FRA) 146/35 (29)
4
Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC) 90/2 (30)
FORWARDS
Even as the USA struggled through a first half where little went their way, Jaedyn Shaw continued to shine. A rainbow flick over the Canada defense almost created the opening goal if not for goalkeeper, and San Diego teammate, Kailen Sherdan being quick to come off her line and smother the ball.
When Shaw was moved centrally, the USA’s chance creation surged. Her movement, touch and creativity were unmatched by all but Smith on the night. She helped draw attention and bring others into play, while also creating shots of her own. Unpredictable and intelligent. She had the pre-assist for Smith’s second goal.
A quiet night for Alex Morgan, who huffed and puffed her way through a contest where she struggled to get the better of physical Canadian defenders Vanessa Gilles and Kadeisha Buchanan. Eventually replaced on 64 minutes, she only attempted one shot but the work rate was there.
The player of the match had to be Sophia Smith, whose emphatic two goals showed off just how good she is as a precision shooter from inside and outside the box. She also scored a goal with either foot, showing off her technical ability to open up different angles and confidently take chances from wherever she needs to.
Even before Smith stole the show, she was one of the bright sparks in a stuttering USA side. Her ball-carrying ability, when she cuts in from wide areas, was one of the few avenues of space the Americans had. The Portland Thorns forward also tucked away her penalty in the shootout.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
8
Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) 46/18 (23)
5
Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave) 223/123 (34)
7
Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave) 12/7 (19)
SUBSTITUTES
The halftime change that saw Mallory Swanson come on for Coffey was essential to the USA’s revival, she notably notched the assist for Smith’s first goal with a tidy lay up. Since returning from injury, the Chicago Red Stars forward hasn’t missed a beat. Her passing in particular, both the technical movement on the ball and the timing to pick out teammates has been first rate. Swanson was physically roughed up a bit in this game but didn’t leave the match, which shows just how far she’s come too.
The best spell of the match for the USA came when Trinity Rodman replaced Morgan just after the hour. With the 21-year-old coming in off the left, Swanson off the right and Smith down the middle, the USA looked dynamic and unpredictable.
Rodman gracefully passed across the box to set up Smith for the second goal after taking Shaw’s smart through ball perfectly in stride. Her only negative on the night was a rather poorly scuffed penalty that bobbled into Sheridan’s hands in the shootout.
Korbin Albert replaced Shaw as the game was winding down and the move didn’t help the USA assert their dominance. The 20-year-old midfielder is good at shuttling the ball and carrying in tight spaces but at that point, with the USA leading 2-1, she struggled to control the tempo or attack quickly in transition.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
7
Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars) 90/32 (25)
6
Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit) 36/7 (21)
5
Korbin Albert (Paris St. Germain, FRA) 9/0 (20)
nr
Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit) 47/0 (33)
TRIVIA: Since 2022, Sophia Smith has scored three goals from outside the box for the U.S. women’s national team. That is more than any other player on the team in that time.
NOTABLE: Including the 2024 W Gold Cup shootout, Alyssa Naeher has now saved a total of six penalties from six different Canadian takers.
UP NEXT: Emma Hayes will take her first games at the helm when the USA hosts South Korea for friendlies in Colorado on June 1 and Minnesota on June 4 before heading to the Summer Olympics.
April 9 in Columbus, Ohio
USA 2 Canada 2 (USA wins, 5-4, on penalties). Goals: Smith 50, 68; Leon 40, 86 (pen.).
USA — Naeher; Fox, Dahlkemper, Davidson, Dunn (Krueger, 87); Coffey (Swanson, 46), Horan, Sonnett; Smith, Morgan (Rodman, 64), Shaw (Albert, 75).
Canada — Sheridan; Rose, Buchanan, Gilles; Lawrence, Fleming, Awujo (Grosso, 73), Beckie (Viens, 73); Rose (Carle, 53), Leon, Huitema (Lacasse, 45+4).
Yellow cards: USA — none. Canada — Fleming 23. Red cards: none.
Referee: Crystal Sobers (T&T). ARs: Melissa Nicholas (T&T), Evelynn Carissa Douglas Jacob (T&T). 4th Official: Alex Billeter (USA).
Att.: 19,049.
Stats:
USA/Canada
Shots: 12/9
Shots on target: 5/4
Saves: 3/2
Corner Kicks: 6/3
Fouls: 4/13
Offside: 2/3
Possession: 60%/40%
Same Problems – Lucky Once Again,
The USA got lucky once more as we continue to go back to do things that are not successful. As Santi says…Square peg in the round hole…no matter what is happening. Canada took a piece of Japan’s game plan but improved it by clogging the midfield, sitting in a mid block mostly, and forcing the US to play wide. We could not crack that nut and continued to have the double pivot right next to each other wondering why we can’t play through the middle. Swanson, Shaw and Smith combo saw things open up in the second half a bit more, but the shots take was still not that different in the end. Don’t understand not starting that trio to gain an upper hand.
Our defense continues to get exposed with simple over the top play as we continue to push the outside backs way forward before they should move to those areas. Again, time to look at a three back to alleviate the sprinting marathon the outside backs are expected to do each game. Better to have a CB behind and play wingbacks. How can Kilgore not see the massive exposure when the lone two centerbacks have to cover the outside far too often, and then you do it without Girma on the pitch???
What can you say about Naeher….makes a complete blunder….then becomes the hero during the shootout once again. Compliment her for steely nerves when you need it the most.
Lastly I am frustrated by the lack of playing time for so many of the young players brought into camp. And no Macario at all?? I think Shaw showed again why she can play the #9 as her holding play is not any worse than any of our forwards. However, she is much craftier in her turns and connecting. We shall see what Hayes does when she arrives. Cannot do too much experimenting anymore at this point….so we will have a more veteran laden team for the Olympics now.
Balla, seemed like we were Playing a 3 Back most of the Game, with “INVERTED” Dunn pushed up like a Left Wing(not BACK) and Fox Staying Home Mostly(Not sure were Ted got the “View Point” that she “joined attacks well”)… Everything Fox does is TOO SAFE… Knocks the Ball Forward to Covered Players, When she has Space to Carry it Up, Plays Square Balls in the Back, when she should be Looking to Combine with a Interior Midfielder and Get the Return Pass In the Next Block Up the Field… If she does Pass “Interiorly” She just SITs There like… “I’m Done, Got rid of that Hot Potato, and I DON’T Want it Back”… Just watch the Body Language… When she does get Forward, it’s Never a Overlap to the End Line, So we can “Turn the Defense”… It’s a Dumped IN, Lifeless, Thoughtless Cross from 30 yards outside the 18… Joe Scally comes to Mind.!!!
Try Dunn out on the Right to be our “DEST”.!!!
Santi, my impression is that Fox is not making bad decisions, but that her limited technical ability inhibits her vision and slows her tactical speed which limits her options and makes her predictable at the international level. Yes she did well with the penalty but vision is not an issue on a dead ball play.
I don’t like singling WNT players out for criticism, because to be on that team they need to be among the best players in the world and dedicated. US players are products of our system. One lesson I learned as a youth coach: there is no such thing as too much emphasis on ball skills in training.
I think much of Fox’s tentative play goes back to the overall tactical plan. I concur Dunn is more willing to adventure to the end line, but she played forward and still plays attacking mid for her club team. She is only a right back for the US. I think part of the issue on that right side is when Rodman is in she is taking off to the endline for the long ball instead of playing in combination outside the penalty area. This combination play happens on the left side with Swanson. I think A. Thompson can combine that way. Rodman is not good in tight spaces with combination play.
Sorry Left Back..not Right back for the US.
Could Look like this;
******Morgan
***********Shaw
*****Lavelle
****************Horan
**********Coffey
Nighty******************Dunn
***David**********Fox
*********Girma
********! Naeher !
10s FOR EVERYONE.!!!
Bringing Home The Trophies 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆and Medals🥇🥇🥇🥇
Still want to Know…
Was there ANY PRIZE Money for Winning the Tournament.???
Effects How I Think about the Tactics and Players that were Utilized.!?!?!?
If we HAD to Win… I’m OK with the Result…
If NO Money Involved .. it WAS A WASTE of 45 Minutes and the Chance to play; Gaetino, Yohan, Marcario, Moultrie, Nighty
Hey Santi, just did a search for about 30 minutes and cannot find a single thing on prize money for this tournament. I hazard to speculate there is no real money earned by the players. If someone finds it please let us know.
I am ok with the result, it was a wasted opportunity to play younger players in a high stakes game. We talk more about tactics again afterwards as the US made it hard on themselves again with the execution of the 4-2-3-1. Playing the double pivot does not mean to stand within 10 meters of each other in the center of the pitch next to the opposing teams front line defenders……AGAIN!!
Even Rog, From “Men In Blazers” said he Researched it also, and FOUND NOTHING about Prize Money.!?!?!? … If we are to “Inspire” the Best Athletes to Choose Soccer over BB or other Sports… We need to “MAKE SOME MONEY”🤑🤑🤑 Show Off the Salaries and Prize Money that these Girls are Making… Got to Market the Sport… Money Talks and B.S. Walks… Plus, I’m sure the Guys want 50% of that CBA EQUITY Money 💰💰💰
Look at Tennis and Golf… They pull out those BIG Marketing Checks and Give it to the Player on the Spot…
If FIFA/CONcacaCrApF/USSF was Smart they would have one of those BIG Checks to Give Out at The End, with the Sponsors Name on it.!!! (Yeah, I Took a Marketing Class in one of my 167 College Hours {or was it 173.???} Jajaja 🤣 [17 years of “Paper Chase” to get that Degree on the Wall that NEVER Related to 30 years of Coaching]
Santi, women’s soccer is drawing many of our best female athletes. Not so the men. Competing for the U.S. male athletes are sports that have more fans in the seats, are generally more respected, and pay better. Women that continue to play soccer competitively can aim for a bunch of college scholarships aided by the Title IX bounty; TV coverage and general interest seems to be on par or better compared with other women’s sports (except for their bball March Madness) and there is great investor interest in women’s pro soccer. Even the audio of WNT games is filled with the sound of screaming girls. I don’t know how NIL fits into this in terms of helping or changing the college scholarship scene, but I’m sure it has some impact.
Ted; Your 🎼🎵🎶”Blinded by The Light”🎶🎵🎼
Smith Almost Got herself CUT from the Olympic Team tonight ..
I think Smith got “Reamed Out” at Half… and Decided to be a TeamMate.!!!
I think; SHE THINKS, She should be THE Center Forward… and then she Pouts about it, Ball Hogs and has Gotten away with it, up until Now…
She had ONE Combo Play in the 1st Half… @43:00.!!!
Her First Goal came, because she Finally Decided to Play a PASS into Morgan at the Near Post…
50:00.. Smith actually tried to Combine with Morgan, and the Speed of the Play, caused a Series of Rebounds that Came Back to her and she does what she does Best… Score from the Middle.
If Shaw would have Scored that First Half Flick-On from Morgan… Smith would have Been YANKED as Horan would have Stayed at the #10 and Swanson would have come On for Her, and Not Coffey.
Was Nice to See “The Future” Combine on a GREAT GOAL…
Are they going to “Let” Marcario Challenge Smith for CF .. and we still have Fishel Out.!!!… (Lynn Williams.???)
Nice Problem… (Don’t forget Thompson, Still our Best PURE Winger Candidate)
Hey Santi,
I definitely think A. Thompson should be in the mix because she is great on the wing. She is very good in traffic and has good touch…also being so young is working against her I think and everyone loves the darling Rodman. I think potential wise Thompson will be able to do more when she is Rodman’s age (which is only a few years).
Fishel will be the undisputed #9 when she comes back.
A front line with Swanson, Fishel, Shaw and Macario will be absolutely awesome!!
Sentnor(Ally) is my Candidate for Future #9… She’s a Reincarnation of Gerd Müller… Plays for Utah…
aTom, Gives you that Out-And-Out Winger that we Lack right Now… Quirky, Jerky, Toy-with-Your-Mind Kinda Stuff… But, she’s gotta “Toughen” Up, she Reminds me of Zendejas for the Men… Neither has yet to “Break Through” for the Nats; but they play Great Club Ball.
We need a Stable of about 12 Forwards, because 3 are going to be Out with ACL Tears at any Given Moment.!!! Men’s Team needs to be 3 Deep; Women’s Team needs to be 4 Deep… Sad, but True
Speaking of 18 year old Shaw; Did anyone get “Flashback” of 17 year old Pele on that Rainbow Flick Over the Defenders Head in the Area !?!?!?
If Sheridan doesn’t Come Out and Make a GREAT SAVE, That would have been on of the Greatest USA Goals EVER.!!!
SHAWS A BALLA.!!!
Speaking of Sheridan, Can we get here to “TRANSITION” to the USA MEN’S TEAM GOALIE.!!!
She’s so Calm and Good with her Feet…
I’m Sure FIFA would come up with Some New WOKE Regs for Players that Transition, Like Changing Countries, when you Change Gender.!?!?!?(sarc)
Agreed Santi. It was a sweet move and in the box no less. Just saw a tweet featuring Shaw as an 11 year old futsal player selected by the U.S. Futsal group to do something internationally. Shaw played futsal from an early age.
Guys , in that situation that ‘s what you’re suppose to do…If this was a U10 game ,I would say WOW!!! but no longer at her stage of development of play….
We are not looking for the best 10 field players. We are looking for the best 20 field players for tournaments. The recent rise of “national team” league play is really just an opportunity for nations that don’t qualify for tournaments to participate internationally.
So when it comes to talent identification and selection we are looking for 20 players, not 10 and 6 forwards not 3. The rest is just game management.
Unfortunately for the Olympics it’s 16 Field Players,
and the “Bus is Leaving” after 2 Practice games in June …
1st and 3rd versus S.Korea…
We do have an “AWAY” game Scheduled at Red Bull NJ, versus Mexico, on July 13, but I imagine that is after the Team is Selected already.
I just don’t see enough In this Youngsters, to Throw out the Vets…
Morgan, Horan, Sonnet, Dunn, Lavelle,
I am still going with this Line-up versus France: 7/24/24
Try to Play Underneath and NOT get into a Running Game with them…
My ideal Line-Up at the Moment: 4-2-1-2-1
************Morgan
*****Shaw**********Macario
**********Horan
*****Sonnet*****Coffey
Nighty*********************Dunn
********David ***Girma
*******! Naeher !
Subs are:
1. Swanson
2. Smith
3. Rodman
4. Lavelle
5. Albert
6. Fox
7. GK #2
I would prefer a more attack minded side–drop Sonnet and add Swanson (or pick a forward) and have either Horan or Coffee play box to box and Macario play behind the forward line. I suspect that she won’t be fit so I would start Shaw there and start Swanson and Smith on the wings.
Names are not the point. The point is using a 6 8 10 in the midfield instead of two 6s and a 10. Also ensuring that either Shaw or Macario play the 10 role. One of them needs to play in the gap. Otherwise the team is not as effective as it should be.
I would expect that Dunn would be excellent at the 6 with play coming to her instead of running away from her. It would extend her international career.
Bob, I made the same statement about Dunn at the #6. I think she would do well there having played in every third of the pitch. Plus she still has recovery speed.
The teams were pretty even, but one major difference that I noticed has to do with our backfields…I had difficulty identifying their backline, who the players were at times as compared to our backline which is so ‘cookie-cutter’, in everything we do back there. Ofcourse, I realize that I’m not familiar with the Canadian players like I’m with the US players….But still there should be some familiarity, like with Brazil you knew who was running the show back there, she was dominant and dealt all the cards going up, she was INVOLVED ….But with Canada and the US we had no such personality that could move up with the ball, take care of possible 1v1 situations and direct out there.
The only difference between us and Canada is when they attack starting from the backline going towards midfield. There, I couldn’t figure out at that moment who were the defenders or midfielders…With us we’re so ‘Cookie-Cutter’ in our approach to things and sooooo predictable… you could simply read what is going on.
Take Fox, like Bob states, she lacks in the Technical dept. If you draw the lines of where the ball ends up via her, it would consist of basically horizontal and backward passes and if she dribbles the ball she would end up turning a 180 to pass back, rarely did she make a forward pass.
The other aspect is her off the ball positioning vis a vis the right centerback. She stands almost square and never in a position that upon receiving the ball it has beaten or bypass an opponent, thereby reducing the number of opponents you have to face…
THIS IS A HALLMARK OF GOOD ,EFFICIENT BUILD UP…..A pass in the backfield should have the intention of beating an opponent, FIRST. But what do you see instead, tons and tons of square or backward passes in the backfield that beats NO ONE ; even to the point you see at times ball passed back to the goalie from as far upfield as the midfield line…
This is why it drives me NUTS whenever I see the goalie looking to kick the ball out while having the two centerbacks standing like BOOKENDS next to either side of her and then ends up passing square a few meter to one of those idiots standing to either side, which absolutely does NOTHING…You know what is so stupid is that everyone of these coaches use this similar set up, like the sheep they are, for if you ask them the purpose of it they couldn’t tell you. Next time ask one of these licensed BOZOS what the purpose of the buildup implies…
Now WHAT does all that say??? All these square and backward passes means players off the ball don’t know how to position themselves in order to create, indirectly an effective, functional pass that beats an opponent…In Holland we say ,not ‘afspelen’ but ‘uitspelen’. ‘Afspelen’ applies to just passing the ball off which only shifts the problem to the next teammate and ‘uitspelen’ means passing the ball so that it bypasses an opponent(s) thereby he’s ‘out’ of the game. This is how you build up an attack. This is why passes need to be more of the VERTICAL type not horizontal and the passes need to go ‘FAST’. Realize when you pass more of vertical pass rather horizontal you immediately create more player on defense behind the ball….BINGO….
‘FAST’ does not imply, fast running or blasting the ball downfield as fast as possible, unless the occassion at that moment warrants it… ‘FAST’ implies positioning off the ball in a manner that facilitates fast movement of the pass. ‘FAST’ implies that you pass the ball to a midfielder facing up upfield skipping the backline or first station. ‘FAST’ implies that if a midfielder does receive the ball with his back facing downfield, that he shouldn’t turn with the ball but one-touch it to an upcoming 3rd man off the ball facing downfield..
The purpose of building up an attack through passing that BEATS or BYPASS, an opponent you then have created an extra man at midfield, that’s PURPOSE of why you build up….YOU WANT TO CREATE MIDFIELD SUPERIOTY (numbers) by creating the extra man….The OTHER way is for one of the defenders to move up with the ball ,a la Beckenbauer, and create the extra free man, himself, or force the opponent midfielder to leave his man to cover him coming up..
This all gets lost in the shuffle, so to speak. There are so few teams that can actually buildup , who are taught properly how to build up efficiently or even KNOW what the purpose orw thinking of what the build up implies….I’m not picking on Fox for it is the whole team including the coach ,even of so many other teams as well…This is only goes to show lack of ‘real’ soccer knowledge these licensed coaches lack otherwise they would be teaching the correct way of building up
NEXT POST
John Wooden phrased it: “Be quick but don’t hurry.” Fast as in speed of play rather than running. Doing something effective in 2 touches is twice as fast as taking 4 touches. Being 2-footed is so much quicker than playing the ball with just 1 foot.
Some people dismiss positional play as slow movements and short passes. It is not. It is a way to dominate the game by playing quicker and smarter. You force the opponent to run all over the field adjusting to your play instead of trying to run faster and farther than your opponent.
I don’t know why US soccer people don’t get it. In other US sports even casual fans understand this strategy, e.g., tennis, basketball, and volleyball.
What is the result when Fox has the ball?… It made Horan the #10 run way too much laterally towards Fox in case she needs help. But why is Horan , a technical player having to run so much which effect her attacking energy level? BECAUSE we are playing with a DOUBLE PIVOT, two ‘6s, forcing Horan to cover way too much space. This is not how you employ Horan’s strength…Horan is not over the hill ,she’s is just employed properly…Horan because of her abilities should draw opponents, instead she draws herself to the opponent, WHICH IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT!!!
This is another reason why I don’t like the Double Pivots because you have to look beyond it to understand the implications. Horan commits all the way to the flank and has her back to the center of the field which impedes her overal field view and any chance of fast ball movement…This is why our right ,when including Fox was lame, it produced nothing…This is why Rodman should feel lucky be lucky not to have played on the right side in the first half for she would have been useless. I’ll leave it this for I don’t to get further into the weeds..
We play ‘Cookie Cutter’ ,we know exactly who the two centerbacks , who the backs are and who comes back comes back from midfield to collect the ball…You can’t have more PREDICTABILITY than what we show out there… But with Canada it was a little more difficult as to see who was part of the attack or moving from the back and distinguish or separate this from our midfielders…
We have the personnel to break away from “Cookie Cutter” soccer…I want our backline quickly take the ball and go on attack. First of all we need a player mix of midfielders and defender who can play in the back as well as at midfield. We need good technical ,ball handling players who confident with the ball, and see ball movement as going forwards not backwards or square….
What happens a lot is that you kill any advantage going quickly forwards with the ball when we have numbers in the backfield. Instead what we do is to look forwards to some nitwit at midfield standing with his/her back facing downfield to pass to…
By taking the ball quickly upward into the open granted at mid ,the defender no matter which one will draw opponents and create open space, thus giving other teammates more time/space off the ball…. This in fact will confuse the opponent as to what will happen next for you don’t know, but NOT in the setup we play….IT’S TOO PREDICTABLE…
This is what I was hoping for that the next coach begins to chip away at this Cookie Cutter template that we have…Sofar I’ll the reactions I read about ‘oh wow’ Swanson, ‘oh wow’ Smith, ‘oh wow’ this talent or that talent…Talent is not going to do it for you, for soccer is a team game whereby you apply the players strength in the most efficient and functional manner and where you could shift it to benefit it against a particular team or opponent…For example, this far there is one thing our players ,attackers , are weak at (among many aspects) is when they have backs facing goal, for example…. It is not about Talent but the usage of it……
Thought that Shaw was the best player over these two matches. Her contributions were on both sides of the ball and she is very composed. Agree with John about not using the younger players. It’s the perfect environment for them to get experience. I believe that Hayes is calling the shots on who plays and for how long. As Santi said, Sophia Smith had a terrible first half. Think that young players who have certain qualities are capable of turning things around in a match. Moving forward to the Olympics, the US better be wary of balls played over the top. It is an exposure their competition will surely pick up on.
I think the only thing we Learned in these 2 Games, is that Shaw can Play as #10.
Otherwise,,, We Won and Played to Win… So, I like that…
But, we didn’t see much of Macario, Swanson, Albert or learn anything about the New Players Gaetino, Yohan (We only Used 4 Subs, when we could have used 7)
These past two games made certain things clear to me, and a few questions.
1. Shaw needs to start and be in the middle of the pitch (either 9 or 10)
2. Horan needs to play at the 6 or 8. She is not effective as a 10
3. Davidson is the only defender who attacks the opposition on the dribble out of the back, but her lack of pace means she has to be paired with speed or we are in trouble
4. Nightswonger is our starting left back. There will be some growing pains as she becomes a better defender but in this system she’s the best option. I think she can grow into a star
5. Swanson is invaluable to our front line. When she is on the field our attack is significantly better (I’m hoping we can say this about Macario too)
6. In this defensive system, is Krueger our best right back option? Fox has stumbled of late and I think Dunn’s ability to play at the international level is over (against good teams). Either way, we have a depth/speed/skill problem in defense.
7. I really thought it was time to move on from Naeher after the WC, boy was I wrong.
8. I think Hayes will surprise us with a couple of interesting Olympic selections and these first games under her watch might show her hand. Does Gaetino make it? Or if Lavelle is injured does Yohannes make it?
Just my thoughts for now.
Old Coach,
Concur with many of your observations. It is why I said a few times to put Swanson, Shaw/Macario (9/10 Interchange), Smith up top. I would even be good with using A Thompson who plays more like a winger and links play well. If Horan plays it can only be as an 8. No pace to play double pivot against high quality teams. I think we need to really move to Albert and Moultrie at the #8.
I agree that Naeher has locked in the spot until someone unseats her. She has the goods when it is needed most. We have to fix the issues with our backline.
We have enough quality CBs to move to a 3 back. Girma as center, Krueger on the left and take you pick of Davidson, Dahlkamper on the right. I would like to see Gaetino. This would allow Lavelle as a wingback. I think her overlapping play with Swanson would be great. The right side is more difficult if Rodman is out as she does not play well in tight spaces. Not sure on the lock in at right wing back. Would need to try some folks out. However, I think this would improve our attacking posture while helping snuff out over the top play. The US will loose due to their weaker defense versus a weaker offense.
Regarding point 6, Dunn is playing out of position at LB. She is a versatile CM. That is what got her the starting LB job. I would consider using her as a deeper CM behind Shaw and Macario. Her fading speed is not an issue there and she is a CM so there is no learning period needed. Particularly on a young Olympic squad, she has a lot to offer: experience, utility, and leadership.
I think the Issue is going to be if these “Thoroughbreds” (TurboBreds you would say) Can become SOCCER Players…
Last Night was the First Time, I can Recall seeing “ALL of them” Combine on a Great TEAM Play Involving.
Horan, Splitting Lines with a Perfect Pass… Shaw Playing on the half Turn, and feeding Rodman, who had Interchanged Position to the Left Side of the attack and the with the OUTSIDE of her Right Foot.!!! Delicately Weighting a “Future Pass” onto the Run of Smith…
Usually it’s Head Down and CHARGE.!!! (Usually into a Defender or a Dead Corner or Out of Bounds) …Because; “I want to be the Queen Bee.!!!”
So, It can Be Done… They just have to ALL Learn to “Play Nicely TOGETHER in the Sand Box”
I am optimistic. The USWNT culture historically is attacking soccer featuring a triple threat in front making impossible for defenses to focus or cue on just one forward. We have the potential talent.
We were successful last decade because of crazy depth. So we have to continue to grow the player pool.
We need a coach with the vision and ability to lead the program to a higher level of soccer. We have a good chance of that with Emma Hayes.
I am optimistic.
I agree 100% and the last two games showed flashes of this, especially with the younger players. The only youngster I worry about is Smith… which one do we get? The first half of dribbling into players with her head down, or the second half of making intelligent runs and strong finishing?
I am Certainly more Optimistic than I was after Debacle of Last WC.
Defense is Really IFFY.
How does Naeher get a 6 for conceding the first goal by coming out unnecessarily? That was a self-inflicted wound. Poor judgement, Murphy should get the next start. If your keeper doesn’t trust Davidson, why should the coach?
As I read the comments, I noticed many want to play with a #10…This is only possible if we play weak teams…Against strong teams you can forget it…3majors reasons why shouldn’t , One, the teams tend to split in halves; Two , the spacing betweend the backs, wings, and double pivots with the interplay between them is not optimum ; Three, we could be overrun at midfield on transistion if one of the double pivots is caught up too far, which happens and Four , with a double pivots our defense is weaker , not stronger as it would look on paper….
Look at the problems (spacing) with Horan as #10 and it definitely has nothing to do with her abilities or inabilities. We have no nice triangles on the flanks that allows for fast ball movement and quick change of field play , fewer attacking forward options all because of this spacing and positioning…
The best to play is to have the #6 play a separate line in front of the defense and behind the two outside midfielders….The outside mids, allow for triangular play on either flank, which Horan as #10 couldn’t do as one player. In other we have a nice inverted triangle making it defensively stronger effective and stronger than having a double pivots in front of the defense…The outside midfielder can go on attack depending on which of the #9 is feasible. Furthermore a #6 does in no way block upcoming defenders like a double would do. Also with this triangle of #6,8,10 the outside midfielder stay no further than 15meters apart .
At the centerback position, Lavelle type, we need a good, fast and quick thinking ball handling player to move up and able to create give and gos with #6 or #8,#10 creating a diamond or even 4mids…that right can even create .
Our strongest lane should begin with the center lane in the back ,whereby able to create triangles, thus outnumbering our attackers…
Without assigned specific roles in my experience any group of 3 (good) midfielders will sort themselves out to best effect, usually one playing ahead of the ball, one on the ball, and one behind the ball to provide the depth and connections needed in the midfield. There will be some switching of roles during the run of play but experienced players are comfortable doing that.
I always preferred the freedom of general roles rather than game plans calling for restricted “role-player” positions. Role-player systems are too predictable for my taste.