USWNT 5 standouts from 2-1 win over France

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PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 28: Megan Rapinoe of the USA celebrates following victory in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /

LW Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe is an absolute legend. So many players on the USWNT played flawlessly in defense in this game, but goals are always needed. Once again, Rapinoe provided the goals, and she’s now scored all four of the United States’s goals in the knockout stages. With five goals in the 2019 World Cup, Rapinoe is in the thick of the Golden Boot race.

Her first goal came in the third minute to give the USWNT that critical first goal, as her driven free kick found the back of the net. Sure, the goal was fluky since nobody got a foot to it, but that’s the genius of the United States using so many driven free kicks. They are difficult to defend, especially when the best crosser in the world, Rapinoe, is delivering them.

Rapinoe’s second goal finished off a lethal counterattack set up by fellow star attackers Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath. She used her coolness and finishing ability to convert an easy chance, giving the United States a crucial 2-0 lead.

A candidate for Player of the Tournament, Rapinoe will continue to bang home the goals and set them up for her teammates, and she’ll probably be a huge factor in the United States’ dreamy semifinals matchup against England.

CM Julie Ertz

Equally capable of starring at center back or center midfield, Julie Ertz has been an unsurprising standout in this year’s tournament. The cover she provides for her teammates in defense as a midfielder is invaluable, as exemplified by her critical intervention on Eugenie Le Sommer after both Kelly O’Hara and Abby Dahlkemper were beaten by one of the world’s best.

Ertz, of course, is a huge headache for defenders on set pieces. Even when she doesn’t get her head (or leg) to the ball on a corner kick, she can spring others open by scaring defenses. Her powerful longshots also make her a danger when roaming outside the box when the United States are in attack.

Next. 3 things we learned from USWNT's win over France. dark

An experienced player and elite defensive presence, Ertz once again played a critical role against France. She didn’t put a wrong foot forward against arguably the second-best team in the world, and combined with Sam Mewis to provide much-needed grit in the midfield against France’s Amandine Henry and Gaëtane Thiney.

Ertz’s toughness, hard work, and class in defense haven’t gone unnoticed by USWNT fans, who valuable her irreplaceable play as a leader at the heart of her squad. She is such a smart player and can cut out danger before it develops, with this awareness proving key for the United States in this victory.