From Hope Solo to Abby Wambach, right here is ASN’s first-ever U.S. girls’s nationwide group participant rankings. You need extra like this? Learn, reply, put up a remark, ahead, and in any other case make some noise.
BY
Blake Thomsen
Posted
June 08, 2015
10:25 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
STARTERS
Hope Solo: With off-the-field points dominating the dialog after an incendiary Exterior the Strains report that got here out this previous weekend, Solo confirmed that her focus has by no means been sharper with an excellent show in opposition to a robust Australian facet. She saved brilliantly off the crossbar within the fifth minute, and made an excellent higher save off a volley simply eight minutes later. She was innocent on the Australia aim, and she or he commanded the field all recreation lengthy because the Australians continued to assault all through the second half. All advised, it was a stern reminder of why she is one of the best keeper on this planet. Ranking: 7.5
Ali Krieger: Krieger’s score relies upon considerably in your evaluation of how a lot defensive assist she acquired from proper midfielder Christen Press. On the floor, it wasn’t fairly, particularly early. The Matildas picked out the U.S. proper flank as their chief attacking location within the first half, and Krieger was given the runaround on a number of events. She seemed a lot stronger within the second half as soon as the sport settled a bit extra within the U.S.’s favor. Ranking: 5
Julie Johnston: Johnston’s inventory has seen a meteoric rise within the build-up to the World Cup, however the 23-year-old had a debut to neglect, squandering a number of presentable scoring possibilities and searching shaky on protection. Most regarding was her defensive misstep early within the second half that allow Australian striker Samantha Kerr free on aim. Fortunately for the U.S., Becky Sauerbrunn arrived with a vital intervention. Johnston confirmed some moments of high quality, however we may even see Christie Rampone in her place subsequent recreation. Ranking: 5
Becky Sauerbrunn: Sauerbrunn was immense for the Individuals of their opening match, most notably on the aforementioned bailout of Johnston within the second half. If issues proceed as they did, she’ll want to remain sharp to cowl for the leaky U.S. midfield all event lengthy. Ranking: 7.5
Meghan Klingenberg: Klingenberg was a bit MIA on Australia’s aim, as she vacated the left again slot and left Lisa De Vanna in acres of house for the Australian equalizer. She didn’t get into the assault as a lot as she often does, which provides as much as a disappointing evening for the U.S. left again. Ranking: 5
Lauren Vacation and Carli Lloyd: The U.S.’s middle midfield pairing seemed at risk of being overrun within the opening phases of the sport, however they recovered properly within the second half. Many have criticized coach Jill Ellis for refusing to play a real defensive midfielder, and that criticism seemed legitimate right here. Every had a number of spectacular moments, notably Lloyd’s sort out that began the sequence for the U.S.’s third aim. Ranking: 5.5
Christen Press: Press is way more of a ahead than a midfielder, however she made essentially the most of her begin, scoring the winner for the U.S. with an excellent side-footed end. Her defensive effort was not in query, however she nonetheless wants some seasoning by way of positioning. This author wouldn’t thoughts seeing Press change Abby Wambach up high, however that appears unlikely. Ranking: 6.5
Megan Rapinoe: Just about every part Rapinoe touched turned to gold (in addition to objectives) in a masterful opening match efficiency. She scored twice, impressing together with her flip into house that preceded her deflected opener, earlier than delivering the spectacular game-sealer within the second half after a prolonged run. Additional, her feathery first contact and delightful chipped by ball to Sydney Leroux set the U.S. up for the go-ahead aim within the second half. She had a number of questionable moments in possession, however these are to be forgotten on an evening the place she did a lot effectively. One observe: she’ll must be additional cautious to not choose up a second yellow card, after she bought a mushy first one tonight. Ranking: 8.5
Abby Wambach: To be blunt, Wambach did little or no effectively on an evening to neglect for the U.S. legend. She missed a number of presentable scoring possibilities, and supplied little or no within the buildup. The U.S. insisted on sending lengthy balls her manner, and she or he hardly ever gained headers. It was very stunning to see her final the entire 90 minutes; a super-sub function appears extra acceptable on the premise of this efficiency. Ranking: 4.5
Sydney Leroux: Leroux struggled to become involved for a lot of the sport (maybe because of the long-ball heavy U.S. assault), however she nonetheless managed to make a huge effect when it counted, delivering the game-winning help to Press after a surging run down the left flank. Her cutback was wonderful, and set Press up effectively to complete to the far put up. A strong begin, and there needs to be extra to return from the dynamic Leroux. Ranking: 6
SUBSTITUTES
Tobin Heath: Heath oozed high quality after approaching, and her insistence on sustaining possession with brief passes helped the U.S. see out the sport in a way more spectacular method than they began. Heath has been a contributor to this group for a very long time, and her expertise confirmed in a really good cameo. Ranking: 7
Alex Morgan: Morgan bought about 12 minutes to get some World Cup minutes underneath her belt. She seemed a bit rusty, besides, supplied extra holdup play in her temporary look than Wambach did all recreation. It’s arduous to make too massive of an evaluation on her health, however the knee seemed fairly good—it might be an enormous lfit for the U.S. if she really is at (and even close to) 100%. Ranking: Incomplete
Morgan Brian: The U.S.’s youngest participant bought her ft moist with a late cameo. Any World Cup expertise might be a very good factor, particularly with Vacation selecting up her first yellow card of the event (a second would carry a one-game suspension). Ranking: Incomplete
THE COACH
Jill Ellis: She bought the win, and ultimately, it was snug. However massive questions stay. The U.S. was very fortunate to be tied at halftime, and far of that comes all the way down to the huge open 4-4-2 that Ellis selected for the Individuals. And even because the U.S. took the lead, the lengthy ball heavy method endured till the closing phases. She’s drawn loads of criticism over the previous 12 months, and this efficiency gained’t make her exempt from additional questions. Ranking: 6
These are our rankings—share yours within the Feedback part under.
