Fansided

Women’s World Cup: USA defeats Nigeria, wins Group D

By Mike Dyce

facebooktwitterreddit

The United States women’s national team defeated Nigeria in the final game of the group stage at the 2015 Women’s World Cup.

The United States came into Tuesday with a place in the knockout round all locked up. They still wanted to win their group so they’d face a third place team in the “Round of 16,” and needed a win against Nigeria to lock first place up.

Coming into the game, the United States made some changes to the line up starting Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath for the first time in this World Cup. Surprisingly it is Morgan’s first start in a World Cup, ever.

Abby Wambach was benched to start the second game of the group stage when they played Sweden. She also got the start, putting the USA’s best goal scoring threats on the field to start for the first time this tournament.

The United States offense looked like it wasn’t quite living up to its potential in the first two games. Those struggles reappeared late in the game, but the United States won Group D and is through to the knockout round thanks to a lone goal in the 45th minute from Abby Wambach.

Things we learned:

1.) The United States struggled on set pieces.

There were free headers that were available, but the USWNT couldn’t finish. It wasn’t so much the opportunities, they were there, it was the execution that struggled.

Going into the knockout round where the level of competition will rise, they can’t rely on overcoming their deficiencies by out muscling their opponents. These opportunities need to be converted to help the USA compete.

Sure, the United States scored off a set piece to end the first half, but it was not pretty up and to that point.

2.) But Abby Wambach still has it

Aside from the lone goal in this game, which gave the United States the win, Wambach nearly set up a goal earlier than that. It was called off sides, and was a rather controversial call.

3.) Julie Johnston might be the best player on the USWNT

Johnston was constantly a present in the box making big stops and tackles to hold the Nigerian attack at bay. The USWNT looked to be in serious trouble when a beautiful through ball into the box found a Nigerian attacker. Johnston chased her down, and some how from behind was able to stuff the attempt.

Plays like this were routine for Johnston throughout the game. In the second half, Nigeria’s Desire Oparanozie was in a dangerous position and had fresh legs. Johnston, who started the game, was still able to come in and get the tackle and shut down the attack.

This Johnston led defense has kept the United States in this game despite their offensive woes. By keeping opponents at bay they’ve allowed the United States to skate through despite a single-goal lead like this game.

4.) Alex Morgan’s impact was evident

Alex Morgan got her first start of the Women’s World Cup and made an immediate impact. At the very start of the game Morgan was in and threatening on goal.

She also was able to get behind the defense of a speedy Nigeria team easily, and at less than 100 percent.

Right before being subbed off she possibly had one of her better chances, getting the cross into the box, a little too close to Nigerian keeper Precious Dede who was able to come out, play the ball and stop the chance.

When Morgan left the game, the USWNT’s offensive struggles reappeared. What is even more disturbing is that the USWNT were playing against a Nigerian team that was down to 10 players after the 69th minute, three minutes after Morgan came off.

What’s next

The United States women’s national team won their group, and will advance to theRound of 16. They’ll play on Monday, June 22nd. They’ll face a third place team from either Groups B, E or F. Since Group B and E have finished play in the group stage, we know that means that Thailand or Spain. Thailand had three points and holds the edge over Spain, but Spain has yet to play their third and final game and could pass Thailand.

France is currently the third place team in Group F with three points. That’d be a tough draw in the Round of 16. France plays Mexico, the last place team in Group F and could easily get three points and move into second place or even win the group. A loss would be needed to keep them in third place.

Colombia is in first place with four points and they play England, who have three points like France. France would move ahead of who ever loses that game with a win, or ahead of both it ends in a draw and France wins.

More from World Cup

Home/World Cup