Which USWNT newcomers stood out in Vlatko Andonovoski’s first matches

The USWNT has entered a new era under manager Vlatko Andonovoski and four players who didn’t go to the World Cup took the opportunity to shine in the new boss’ first matches.

As the most competitive league in women’s soccer, the NWSL regularly produces breakout stars, though it sometimes seems like the uber-deep U.S. women’s national team can be a little slow to integrate these players into the USWNT pool.

Whether it’s a veteran finding a second wind or a young prospect shining after college, new U.S. manager Vlatko Andonovski has shown a willingness to give opportunities to players who were not on Jill Ellis’s 2019 Women’s World Cup-winning team but did show their talent during the 2019 NWSL season.

The new manager’s first roster in charge of the USWNT included seven players who didn’t go to the 2019 World Cup.

Andonovski’s tactical changes in midfield and attention to detail will be important for the program going forward, but his desire to use different players may be the most profound change for the USWNT.

While veteran Carli Lloyd (three goals and a strong claim to be a starter once again) arguably made the biggest impression in the first two matches of the Andonovski era, four of the additions to the squad also stood out as possible breakout stars on the international level.

Casey Short

Chicago Red Stars fullback Casey Short should have been named the NWSL’s Defender of the Year, as she was a staple in the NWSL Player of the Week awards. There may not be a better defensive fullback in the world than Short right now, and she joined Lloyd as standouts in the team’s 3-2 win over Sweden.

Though Short didn’t play against Costa Rica, she did more than enough against Sweden to make the case for regular playing time. Short had the pass that led to an assist on the first goal even drew a penalty in that game, showing off her ability to impact the attack while also playing stout defense.

In all honesty, it’s baffling that Jill Ellis never valued Short appropriately. She made 30 international appearances for the USWNT before getting the start against Sweden, but in 2019, she’s playing the best soccer of her career and could be a key member of the rotation going forward.

Lynn Williams

Although Lynn Williams made an appearance off the bench against Sweden, she had her standout performance against Costa Rica, scoring twice in the span of 20 minutes in the second half of another substitute appearance.

Williams’ first goal showcased her brilliant dribbling and awareness in the box, as she cut inside after making a brilliant run off the ball to latch onto Tobin Heath’s through pass. Better yet, Williams made no mistake with a clinical, low drive to the near post.

Her second was another clinical finish that satisfyingly smacked the under side of the bar, a classic striker’s goal to make the game 5-0.

Williams has scored 26 goals and recorded 10 assists in the past two seasons for the North Carolina Courage as one of the NWSL’s most intelligent and clinical attacking players. Her spot in the national team’s rotation has been long overdue, and her second-half goals against Costa Rica are simply a sign of her quality.

Alana Cook

Since PSG has arguably the second-strongest overall roster in women’s football behind Lyon, Alana Cook doesn’t earn as much playing time as the 22-year-old rookie center back could elsewhere. However, Cook’s potential to be one of the world’s best defenders is undeniable, and she put in an excellent shift in the clean sheet against Costa Rica alongside USWNT veteran Becky Sauerbrunn.

Along with Abby Dahlkemper, Cook is the future at center back for the United States, and Andonovski needs to keep playing her in games after allowing her to make her international debut against Costa Rica.

The former Stanford Cardinal star is also eligible to play for England at the international level (despite being a U.S. youth international she was recently called into a camp with the Lionesses) so it was even more important for Andonovski to show Cook that she has a road to regular playing time with the USWNT.

There’s no doubt that Cook is a player to watch closely heading into 2020, and it’s good to see that the new manager is willing to give young standouts from outside of the NWSL a chance to start.

Margaret Purce

But overall, Margaret “Midge” Purce was the most promising player to receive minutes under Andonovski this past week after not playing at the World Cup. In fact, like Cook, she made her very first appearance at the international level and started in Andonovski’s back four.

While the USWNT was busy dominating in France over the summer, Purce was busy establishing herself as the breakout star in the NWSL. The Portland Thorns winger scored eight goals despite only playing around 61 minutes per appearance on a team loaded with attacking talent, such as international stars Tobin Heath and Hayley Raso. In her breakout season, Purce showed the finishing skills and attacking intent of a future world-class wide player.

Purce didn’t play as a winger or in an attacking position against Costa Rica, though. Andonovski started Purce at right back, but the Thorns star still found a way to make an impact in attack. The 6-0 own goal was created by Purce, who also set up a glorious chance inside the box earlier with an incredibly skilled run on the right flank.

The decision-making in attack and positional awareness Purce shows will make her a fan favorite, and the former Harvard star did not look out of place at right back on Sunday either.

She probably won’t be a regular starter for the USWNT at first, but if Purce keeps making progress after finishing sixth in the NWSL in goals and continues to show versatility, Andonovski will have to consider her strongly.

Purce was one of the best players on the pitch against Costa Rica, though her quality on and off the ball comes as no surprise to NWSL fans who were anxious to see the 24-year-old get a chance to start.