The United States women’s national team tied Australia 1-1 in the second game of the Tournament of Nations. Here are three takeaways from the match.
It appeared as if the USWNT were about to fall for the first time in 2018, but a late strike from Lindsey Horan in stoppage time earned them a point heading into the final match of the tournament. With one game remaining, both Australia and the USWNT have the opportunity to win the tournament.
Can the U.S. handle the speed of these top countries’ frontline
Well, the answer is a not as simple as it seems. Overall, the U.S. did a good job at handling Australia’s Sam Kerr. However, the speed of Lisa De Vanna and Chloe Logarzo caused a problem down the right side of the backline for the USWNT.
The Aussies lone goal came off a counterattack after the U.S. played a poor set piece in their attacking third. De Vanna streaked up the center of the park before sliding a ball in behind Abby Dahlkemper and into the back of the net. This goal really exposed the lack of speed that the Americans have in the midfield and backline.
Speed is something that really is hard to address because it’s one of those things that you are either born with or you’re not. There are always opportunities to try to become faster, but if the players you have are not particularly fast, that can easily become a way for opposing teams to attack you, especially if it’s on your backline.
For the USWNT, the biggest thing is that the back four need to do a better job at not getting drawn too far out of position to avoid having to go one-on-one with players.
The goalkeeping situation for the U.S. is a lot more locked up than it should be
Alyssa Naeher has pretty much locked up the starting goalkeeper position heading into France 2019. Ever since Hope Solo was suspended, head coach Jill Ellis has gone with Naeher. In recent games, however, many are questioning that decision. While Naeher has played fairly well with her club team, the Chicago Red Stars, in 2018, her play for the U.S. has left much to be desired.
Backing up Naeher in the Tournament of Nations are Ashlyn Harris and Adrianna Franch. Franch, who is coming off a year in which she won NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, has anchored a Portland Thorns backline that has given up just over one goal per game. The two have combined for just 16 caps in total, with all of those coming from Harris.
In two games so far this tournament, Naeher has given up two questionable goals including the lone goal against Australia on Sunday night. If Naeher’s performance does not improve, Ellis should consider giving one of the other two goalkeepers a chance.
Despite it all, the U.S. continues to have a never say die attitude
As stoppage time approached, it appeared as if the U.S. were going to fall to Australia for the second year in a row, but they kept pressing on. With the clock past 90 minutes, Rose Lavelle managed to work her way endline and force the ball out for a corner kick.
Megan Rapinoe stepped up to take the kick, despite having lackluster efforts in previous attempts throughout the match. Rapinoe’s ball this time though was perfectly weighted to the back post where an on running Lindsey Horan was. Horan headed the ball home and the U.S. managed to escape with a 1-1 draw.
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Aside from a roughly 15 to 20 minute period after Australia scored in the first half, the U.S. never wavered in the pressure put on Lydia Williams and the backline of Australia. This allowed them to not have to worry about getting beat by the pace of the front three for Australia.
If the U.S. had given up and just settled for the result, Horan would not have had the opportunity to bring the crowd to their feet. This attitude will be vital heading into World Cup Qualifiers in October.