3 takeaways from the USWNT's triumph over Canada

Swanson leads the way: 3 takeaways from the USWNT’s triumph over Canada

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Mallory Swanson #9 of the United States celebrates with Alex Morgan #13 after scoring a goal against Canada during the first half in the 2023 SheBelieves Cup match at Exploria Stadium on February 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 16: Head Coach of United States Vlatko Andonovski gestures during the match between Canada and United States at Exploria Stadium on February 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /

3. USWNT continues to learn from the lesson of the first New Zealand match

During the January camp down in New Zealand, the USWNT had a chance to see what life would be like for them this upcoming summer. The trip included two friendly meetings in one of the host countries of this year’s World Cup. In the opening match against the Football Ferns on Jan. 17, the United States began with an uncharacteristic opening 45 minutes highlighted by a lack of connectivity on all three levels of the pitch. Nothing was going right.

Coming out in the second half, Andonovski’s squad looked revitalized. From that moment on, starting fast has been the name of the game for the USWNT as it gears up for its opening match of the World Cup on July 21. The U.S. looked to be on a mission in the second game against New Zealand. Two goals in the first half ended the narrative of sluggish starts before it began to catch any steam.

https://twitter.com/USWNT/status/1626387604282245120?s=20

Right off the bat against an extraordinarily talented Canadian team put out by head coach Beverly Priestman, the USWNT demonstrated why it is the current ruler of CONCACAF. Alex Morgan’s flick header just seconds into the match led to a Swanson shot on target within the first 11 seconds of the game.

From then on, it was only a matter of time before the United States found the scoreboard. It was the first time since July in the CONCACAF W-Championship that the USWNT managed to ripple the back of the net twice within the first 34 minutes of a match. The emphasis is now evident. Punching the opposition right in the mouth from the opening whistle is critical to finding success against world-class teams like Canada.

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