In the last game of group play, the United States dominated once again to finish 3-0. Here are three takeaways from the match.
The USWNT beat Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday night 7-0. With the win, the US finished in first in group A and are now one win away from a World Cup berth.
Alex Morgan and Rose Lavelle had a brace apiece and Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Horan and Tobin Heath each added a goal a piece to defeat Trinidad & Tobago.
Jill Ellis has found her A team
In two of the three games that the US played in group play, the starting XI has been the same. Alyssa Naeher has started in goal with Crystal Dunn, Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper and Kelley O’Hara on the backline. Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan and Julie Ertz have been the triangle in the midfield with Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath up top.
It’s clear that head coach Jill Ellis seems to favor this starting XI. While they haven’t necessarily been tested all that much, it appears that this is the direction that the US will continue to go to. Don’t be surprised if this is the same starting XI that suits up for the semifinal on Saturday.
Julie Ertz is the answer at defensive midfielder
While the defense has not been tested much this tournament, it is clear that Julie Ertz is the bottom of the triangle midfield. She is the lynchpin of the triangle midfield and will be the last line of defense before the backline moving forward. Moving Ertz from center back to defensive midfielder may just be one of the best moves Ellis has made in her time as USWNT head coach.
Now comes the real test
Here is where it starts to get interesting. Sure, the games in group play are important, but with a berth to the World Cup on the line, Saturday’s semifinal will be the most important game in two years for this US team. They will have to wait until Thursday to find out who they will face, but it is important that they come out and take it to whoever they face. With three automatic spots up for grabs, it is important to take care of business and win on Saturday.
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