ASN: Participant Scores: Johnston, Klingenberg Lead the Yanks

Neither Sweden nor america managed a lot of an assault in Friday’s scoreless attract Winnipeg. U.S. defenders Julie Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg, and Becky Sauerbrunn had so much to do with that.

BY

Blake Thomsen

Posted
June 13, 2015
8:00 AM

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STARTERS
Hope Solo: The U.S. backline restricted Sweden to minimal efforts on aim, and thus a lot of Solo’s motion got here on crosses and set items. It wasn’t her greatest night time on this regard, and he or she was almost caught out within the second half earlier than Meghan Klingenberg’s match-saving aim line clearance. Ranking: 5.5

Ali Krieger: Krieger rebounded properly after a shaky opening sport. She was a lot stronger in possession and in protection, although she’s going to know she may have performed higher late within the first half when Christen Press slid a harmful by way of ball into her path on the correct facet of the field. That one unfastened contact apart, this was a robust night time. Ranking: 6.5

Julie Johnston: Johnston was completely immense on the night for the People, comfortably the perfect participant on the sphere for both crew. Her calmness and high quality on the ball belies her age (and makes her appear like a central midfielder at instances), and her protection was excellent all through the sport. Her brilliantly timed slide deal with late within the second half to chop out a Swedish assault was the right embodiment of her efficiency. Ranking: 8.5

Becky Sauerbrunn: Sauerbrunn wasn’t fairly at Johnston’s degree in opposition to Sweden, nevertheless it was one other strong exhibiting from the U.S.’s constant left middle again. Her presence alongside Johnston ought to give U.S. followers confidence on this crew’s capacity to get outcomes even when the assault continues to sputter. Ranking: 7

Meghan Klingenberg: Like her fellow fullback Krieger, Klingenberg additionally rebounded with a a lot better exhibiting in opposition to Sweden than Australia. She regarded extra comfy on the ball, and her gorgeous header off the underside of the crossbar and in the end away from the online saved the People from a harmful defeat. Ranking: 7.5

Carli Lloyd: Sadly we have now to cease speaking concerning the defenders at this level… Lloyd performed an honest match (particularly on the defensive facet of the ball), however she ought to have performed higher with a late header off a Megan Rapinoe nook kick. Additional, she didn’t play any notably incisive passes from her spot within the middle of the U.S. midfield. Ranking: 5.5

Lauren Vacation: Vacation was quite nameless within the assault, usually sustaining possession however providing little else. Her protection was strong sufficient. Ranking: 5.5

Morgan Brian: The U.S.’s youngest participant regarded jittery within the opening exchanges, however she managed to regain her composure as the sport went on. Nonetheless, her deployment on the wing was questionable, as her ability set performs a lot better in the midst of the sphere. She didn’t make a lot of an impression without any consideration midfielder, and, it have to be stated, it was shocking to see her there as an alternative of Tobin Heath, who shined in her substitute look in opposition to Australia. Ranking: 5

Megan Rapinoe: Apart from her customary high quality supply on set items, Rapinoe actually didn’t have it in opposition to Sweden. She largely put the U.S. assault on her again in opposition to Australia, however she couldn’t get a lot going on this one. Search for her to bounce again in opposition to Nigeria. Ranking: 5

Christen Press: Handed a begin in her favored striker place, Press had a couple of vivid moments in opposition to Sweden. However she didn’t make a key contribution to any U.S. aim scoring likelihood, regardless of her laborious work on and off the ball. Ranking: 5.5

Sydney Leroux: As standard, Leroux labored exceptionally laborious, however nothing actually got here off for her in opposition to Sweden. To be truthful, nothing actually got here off for any U.S. attacker, however Leroux had a very unsuccessful night. Is she extra suited to a substitute function, the place her boundless power could be unleashed in opposition to drained defenses? That is however considered one of many questions that Jill Ellis must reply within the coming days. Ranking: 5

SUBSTITUTES

Amy Rodriguez: A-Rod hardly ever noticed the ball after approaching for the ineffective Brian. Ranking: 5.5

Abby Wambach: Wambach was a shock omission from the beginning lineup, and he or she almost scored in her substitute look, heading a cross into the bottom just for it to take a turf-induced bounce over the crossbar. The sport largely bypassed her other than that close to miss. Ranking: Incomplete

Alex Morgan: Morgan hardly noticed the ball in one other ten minute spell. Ranking: Incomplete 

THE COACH

Jill Ellis: The temptation is to tear Ellis for her function within the anemic U.S. assault. That temptation is legitimate, and maybe ought to be acted upon. However on the similar time, if she warrants criticism for the attacking points, then she additionally deserves credit score for the excellent defensive exhibiting. Within the face of a slew of questions—the place was Heath? how wholesome is Morgan? why so many lengthy balls?—she’ll search to attain higher steadiness between protection and assault in opposition to Nigeria. Ranking: 5.5

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