ASN: Yanks Beat Nigeria, End First in

With Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach partnering up high, the U.S. ladies’s nationwide group scored a first-half objective and held on to defeat Nigeria, 1-0, ending atop Group D within the course of.

BY

John D. Halloran

Posted
June 16, 2015
9:00 PM

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ONCE AGAIN FUELED by its protection, america ladies’s nationwide group pulled out one other victory in World Cup play, this time incomes a well-deserved 1-0 win over Nigeria on Tuesday evening in Vancouver.

On the again of a first-half objective by Abby Wambach, the U.S. has now completed atop Group D and can transfer on to the Spherical of 16 towards a to-be-determined opponent. Listed here are three ideas on the win.

ATTACK WAS BETTER, BUT…

With Alex Morgan incomes her first begin of the event, the U.S. offense appeared alive for the primary time in Canada. Morgan’s trademark tempo, in addition to her symbiotic relationship with strike accomplice Wambach, led to the U.S. creating extra probabilities on objective than in its first two matches mixed.

Wambach, for her half, was a bit extra productive than she had been towards Australia in her different begin, however nonetheless might have been extra impactful total. She did have two glorious headed flicks to teammates for probabilities on objective—certainly one of which resulted in a semi-controversial disallowed objective by Julie Johnston. The U.S. was additionally unfortunate to not earn a penalty on what gave the impression to be a transparent Nigerian handball within the thirty fourth minute.

Offside name / disallowed #USA objective. #USAvNGA pic.twitter.com/aQhyz2VMpN

— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) June 17, 2015

Handball within the field!! #USAvNGA #USA pic.twitter.com/x54nTl3yAh

— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) June 17, 2015

Tobin Heath was given the beginning on the wing towards Nigeria, her first of the event, however her efficiency was a combined bag. Whereas she did have some vivid moments and labored exhausting off the ball, she additionally continued her maddening tendency to get caught in possession when taking too many touches.

Megan Rapinoe created quite a few probabilities to attain, together with two photographs she hammered to the close to submit, however couldn’t get off the mark. Carli Lloyd, normally a mainstay of the U.S. offense, is now scoreless in her final 10 video games.

DEFENSE SUBERB AGAIN

With the American offense nonetheless caught in second gear, the backline as soon as once more saved the ship regular. Buttressed by glorious play from heart backs Becky Sauerbrunn and Julie Johnston, the U.S. saved the Nigerian’s speedy assault in test for 90 minutes.

The play of the sport—on both aspect of the ball—got here courtesy of Johnston within the twenty fourth minute. An absence of stress from the U.S. midfield allowed the Nigerians to seek out Asisat Oshoala in behind for a breakaway. Nonetheless, Johnston, making a 35-yard restoration run, got here in on the last-possible second to poke the ball away from hazard.

Julie Johnston with an enormous sort out https://t.co/bgD6YSz9Oz

— FanSided GIF (@FanSidedGIF) June 17, 2015

At this level, with shutouts in 11 of its final 15 video games and holding its opposition scoreless for the final 243 minutes of play on this event, the U.S. protection is the explanation the group completed in first on this troublesome group.

WHAT’S NEXT?

With the victory on Tuesday evening, and victory in Group D safe, the U.S. will now transfer on to the Spherical of 16. One main benefit of profitable the group is that the U.S. will now keep away from taking part in Brazil, Japan, or Canada—that are all on the opposite aspect of the knockout spherical bracket—till at the very least the finals. In fact, that does imply that the U.S. might see Germany within the semifinals. France, which finishes group play tomorrow, continues to be a wildcard.

One other bonus for the U.S. is that the opposite event favorites have all appeared susceptible so far, so the U.S.’ offensive woes won’t be the Achilles Heel everybody assumes them to be.

The Individuals subsequent play on Monday, June 22, in Edmonton.