ASN: Wambach Tallies Twice as U.S. Girls Defeat Eire

Jill Ellis’ workforce acquired off to a different sluggish begin and have been wasteful in entrance of aim however an Irish “B” workforce ultimately succumbed to america ladies’s nationwide workforce’s superior expertise and athleticism.

BY

John D. Halloran

Posted
Might 11, 2015
1:55 PM

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IN THE FIRST OF THREE friendlies as a part of its World Cup “Send-Off Series,” america ladies’s nationwide workforce defeated the Republic of Eire 3-0 on Sunday afternoon in San Jose, California.

The U.S. capitalized on two strikes by Abby Wambach late within the first half earlier than Julie Johnston put the sport away with the U.S.’s third aim early within the second half. Listed here are three ideas from the match.

U.S. Assault Wasn’t Sharp

On Sunday, america took almost the complete first half earlier than lastly getting on the board in opposition to the Thirty first-ranked Irish, after which did so solely with a little bit of controversy.

Within the forty second minute, Irish midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn cleared a Megan Rapinoe nook kick straight into the face of teammate Meabh De Burca, stationed on the close to put up. The sickening thud made many observers assume the ball had the truth is hit the put up, however many gamers (together with the Irish goalkeeper and even some members of the U.S. squad) stopped taking part in once they realized what had occurred.

Nevertheless, Christen Press picked up the unfastened ball and slotted it throughout to Wambach, who put it into the unguarded aim.

To be sincere, I used to be taking a look at that defender pondering “omg is she ok?” and I didn’t even see Wambach shoot the ball. Not a commendable aim.

— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) Might 10, 2015

The U.S. then doubled its lead solely three minutes later when Carli Lloyd mixed with Rapinoe on the flank earlier than floating a go into the realm. Wambach, lurking on the again put up, headed the cross residence.

The ultimate tally for the U.S. additionally got here on a set piece, Julie Johnston touched residence a Lauren Vacation nook kick within the 54th minute.

Regardless of the 3-0 scoreline, it wasn’t a very spectacular offensive efficiency from the U.S., which was taking part in in opposition to an Irish aspect lacking 5 common starters. Whereas the U.S. dominated the midfield and was by no means in any actual hazard of dropping, the workforce was wasteful, solely scoring three targets off 19 nook kicks and 26 pictures.

Towards Eire, the People have been lacking Alex Morgan, who remains to be recovering from a knee contusion suffered within the opening match of the NWSL season. However Morgan hasn’t been within the best goal-scoring type of late herself. Now coping with her third lengthy damage layoff within the final year-and-a-half, Morgan has solely tallied twice in her final seven begins.

Amy Rodriguez seemed shiny in her holdup play within the first 45 minutes in opposition to Eire earlier than being subbed off on the half, but additionally couldn’t convert any of her probabilities. Sydney Leroux, who performed the second half on Sunday, has been in a goal-scoring funk since final summer season.

Even Press, who has been on fireplace for the U.S. and her membership workforce, the Chicago Purple Stars, couldn’t convert. Press noticed three wonderful probabilities go wanting—two have been expertly saved by Irish keeper Niamh Reid-Burke and one other was headed off the road by Irish defender (and Florida State product) Megan Campbell when Press rounded the goalie on an opportunity early within the second half.

Sure, the U.S. has simply began its World Cup coaching camp, however that is additionally a workforce which is coming off prolonged nationwide workforce camps in December, February, and March, and the entire workforce’s gamers (besides Wambach) are additionally coming off a month’s price of video games and coaching with their NWSL sides.

Most anticipated higher from them.

Bracing for a 10-0 outcome right here, however hoping that is not the case, for the sake of an honest match.

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) Might 10, 2015

Why Does it Matter?

The U.S. acquired a outcome, and a decisive one at that, so why does it matter how the workforce performed?

It issues as a result of most of these video games—a sluggish begin adopted by loads of wasted probabilities—have turn into all too frequent for the U.S. these days. It additionally issues as a result of within the group stage this summer season the U.S. will play the fifth-ranked Swedes, the No. 10 Australians, and a really gifted, albeit younger Nigerian squad.

The best way the knockout stage is about up this summer season, the U.S. can’t afford any hiccups within the group stage. A primary place end within the group stage possible means a cakewalk into the semifinals (possible in opposition to France or Germany). Nevertheless, a second place end by the U.S. within the group stage means it could possible face Japan within the Spherical of 16 earlier than assembly Brazil within the quarterfinals and host nation Canada within the semifinals—actually a way more tough street to the championship.

Johnston Rising to the Problem

Whereas the workforce options many acquainted faces, the emergence of Julie Johnston has been one of many extra compelling tales on the U.S. ladies’s nationwide workforce. Johnston was a hardly ever used substitute earlier than the Algarve Cup in March—and even missed the U.S.’s preliminary World Cup qualifying roster. Accidents to Whitney Engen and Christie Rampone, nevertheless, allowed Johnston to drive her method into the beginning lineup.

Johnston’s aim on Sunday  marked the third straight recreation the defender has scored, justifying a report that she had “locked down” the beginning job.

#USWNT coach Jill Ellis says Julie Johnston has “locked down” beginning job at CB. Over 99er Rampone. First Johnston says she heard of it.

— Paul Kennedy (@pkedit) Might 9, 2015

 Whereas that’s all nicely and good—and deserved contemplating Johnston’s nationwide workforce play—it’s a bit troubling that Johnston was solely given the chance to show her match worthiness due to accidents to different gamers. Ellis acknowledged as a lot when talking to the media final month.

“Just in the course of the past six, seven months, we’ve had different players come in the lineup because we’ve had some injuries,” Ellis said. “Injuries allowed me—well, kind of forced me—to give experience to players. But in the end I felt like it’s really given us a good feel for the players.”

Ellis has come underneath frequent criticism for her seeming unwillingness to broaden the participant pool in her tenure and Johnston’s current surge is bound to make many followers surprise what number of different potential stars is likely to be lacking out just because they weren’t given an opportunity to shine.