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Kelley O’Hara returns to the USWNT lineup in draw vs. Japan

By Jordan Small

FRISCO, TX - OCTOBER 17: USA defender Kelley O'Hara (5) runs in action during the final match of the CONCACAF Women's Championship between USA and Canada on October 17, 2018 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FRISCO, TX - OCTOBER 17: USA defender Kelley O'Hara (5) runs in action during the final match of the CONCACAF Women's Championship between USA and Canada on October 17, 2018 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The USWNT kicked off the 2019 SheBelieves Cup with a 2-2 draw with Japan on Wednesday night.

For Kelley O’Hara, 2018 was a year of adjustments. She missed a large portion of the NWSL season with the Utah Royals due to a hamstring injury. Then in the latter part of 2018, she underwent ankle surgery that kept her out of games with the national team.

On Wednesday night, she returned to the U.S. lineup for the first time in 2019, getting the start at right-back. She only played 45 minutes before being subbed off at the half. It will be interesting to see if she plays more than 45 minutes in any of the games this tournament.

O’Hara’s return is definitely a big win for the U.S. The backline has struggled as of late, a problem which was once again highlighted in the second half against Japan on Wednesday. With O’Hara available, the U.S. have a true outside back on the right side.

While Crystal Dunn pretty much has the left side locked down, the right has been a revolving door. Emily Fox and Emily Sonnett have been the most recent experiments in the position, but Fox is young and inexperienced while Sonnett is a center-back who lacks the pace to play on the outside.

With head coach Jill Ellis playing a system that requires the outside backs to be so involved in the attack, there’s a need for speed in those spots. Once O’Hara is fully healthy, this should be her spot to lose. She fits the system well because of her ability to get forward and still have the pace to get back. Her crosses on Wednesday night proved that she is starting to feel it once again and that is dangerous for opposing teams.

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Heading into France in June, O’Hara should be the starting right-back. Between now and then, they should be very careful with how they use her. It will be key that they find the balance between trying to get her up to match fitness while also avoiding another injury, which plagued so much of 2018 for her.

Next up for the U.S. will be England on Saturday afternoon. The USWNT take on the Three Lionesses in Nashville, Tennessee and the game will be broadcasted on Fox.

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