ST. LOUIS — Don’t read too much into this from the U.S. ladies.
The Americans beat fellow World Cup group Ireland, 1-0, on Tuesday night, getting the just objective they required from Alana Cook in the oddest of styles. But they likewise typically looked disjointed, stoppingworking to surface opportunities, turning the ball over and havingahardtime at times to consistof Ireland.
With the World Cup start in 100 days, it would be appealing to see all of that as frustrating.
It’s not.
“The things that were missingouton is not something that concerns me,” coach Vlatko Andonovski stated after the videogame. “It wasn’t about the group principle. It was more about the private gamers and, certainly, getting minutes to particular gamers.”
This is a group still coming to terms with the abrupt loss of leading scorer Mallory Swanson, who burst her patellar tendon versus Ireland on Saturday, and the effect her lack will have on the design the USWNT plays. They’re likewise working numerous gamers back from prolonged injuries and attempting to figure out who fits, and where.
And with just 6 or 7 areas left on the 23-player lineup, and 10 to 12 gamers in the mix for them, Andonovski desired to get another appearance at gamers on the bubble. This was the last videogame, and the last camp, priorto the lineup is called.
“I feel comfortable where we’re at as a group,” Andonovski stated.
That’s not to state there aren’t things to take away from this videogame.
Alyssa Thompson, the 18-year-old phenom who was brought in after Swanson was hurt, looked like the genuine offer. Making simply her 3rd look with the USWNT, and initially begin, she played all 90 minutes and revealed flashes of why she was the veryfirst high schooler ever drafted by the NWSL.
She and Sophia Smith paired well in the veryfirst half to put pressure on Ireland’s defensive backs, producing opportunities for Alex Morgan. Thompson likewise made 2 harmful runs in the 2nd half. One time a set of protectors had to sandwich her to get her off the ball. The 2nd time, Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan had to smother the ball to stop Thompson.
“She came in with self-confidence and did whatever she understands how to do,” stated Smith, whose lineup area is efficiently locked up. “I think our connection can be truly good. And I’m ecstatic to continue playing with her and structure that connection.”
Julie Ertz, who is back with the USWNT for the veryfirst time because 2021 after having her veryfirst kid last summerseason, is still working on her timing. But she revealed flashes of the controling midfield existence that made her so crucial to the 2015 and 2019 World Cup titles, and it was difficult not to notification the group reacting to her instructions.
“When I’m talking, I’m mo