ASN: Will the U.S. Get Offense on Observe In opposition to Nigeria?

Jill Ellis has a pair of huge selections going through her because the U.S. ladies’s nationwide crew prepares for its decisive group stage conflict with Nigeria on Tuesday evening. ASN’s John D. Halloran breaks down the possibilties.

BY

John D. Halloran

Posted
June 15, 2015
11:25 AM

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TWO GAMES INTO the 2015 Girls’s World Cup, the US ladies’s nationwide crew sits atop group D with 4 factors heading into Tuesday’s match towards Nigeria (8pm ET, Fox).

THE OPPONENT

Whereas Nigeria will head into the sport towards the U.S. in last-place in Group D, they nonetheless have an opportunity—albeit slim—of advancing to the knockout stage.

The Tremendous Falcons have been a thriller heading into the event and could also be simply as massive a thriller after two matches. In its opener, Nigeria fought its method to a really respectable 3-3 draw towards the fifth-ranked Swedes, repeatedly breaking down a protection that the U.S. discovered impenetrable on Friday evening.

Nonetheless, towards Australia in its second group stage match, Nigeria stumbled, shedding 2-0 to the Aussies and placing its World Cup hopes on life help.

The Nigerian assault is led by Asisat Oshoala, who gained each the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe eventually summer time’s U-20 World Cup. As Oshoala demonstrated in her aim towards Sweden, she possesses a formidable mixture of tempo and energy.

The weak spot, nevertheless, for the Nigerians is its protection. In opposition to the Swedes, the set piece defending was shambolic and in each matches the Nigerian goalkeeping has been poor—to say the least.

Lastly, the Nigerians will head into the sport with out defender Ugo Njoku—who didn’t begin both sport so far—as she has acquired a three-match ban for this vicious elbow towards Australia.

Glad FIFA has taken swift motion towards Ugo Njoku for an intentional + uncalled-for elbow jab. Three-game ban: pic.twitter.com/4YWPkDBgoN

— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) June 15, 2015
THE AMERICANS

For the U.S., there are a selection of questions heading into the match. Before everything on the listing: Can the U.S. offense get on observe?

After getting off to a superb begin towards Australia by scoring three targets, the U.S. assault sputtered towards Sweden. Not solely did the Individuals not rating, they generated few noteworthy probabilities on aim.

Fortuitously, defending isn’t Nigeria’s robust swimsuit and Tuesday’s sport represents the right alternative to get clicking.

Ellis basically has two selections to make: Who will begin up high and who will begin at proper midfielder?

WHO SHOULD START FOR THE U.S.? TELL US HERE.

In opposition to Sweden, Ellis went with Sydney Leroux and Christen Press up high. Many had referred to as for the transfer, insisting that Press was finest used as a ahead and that a lot of the U.S.’ offensive malaise had been brought on by the continued inclusion of Abby Wambach on the tip of the spear.

Nonetheless, neither the transfer of Press as much as nor the exclusion of Wambach from the beginning XI awakened the U.S. offense. In reality it could have precipitated extra issues than the adjustments have been value.

In Press’ place on the wing, Ellis slotted in Morgan Brian who, even after she calmed down from a nervy first 5 minutes of motion, was not nice. Press and Leroux, for his or her half, struggled to carry the ball up successfully and created little when it comes to alternatives for themselves or their teammates.

One answer towards Nigeria could be to start out Tobin Heath on the wing. Heath was the earliest-used and best-rated substitute within the U.S.’s opener towards Australia, however as an alternative of slotting into the beginning XI towards Sweden, Heath in some way fell all the best way down the depth chart to unused substitute.

Absent a whole midfield makeover—which might be the one actual answer—Heath could also be the best choice Ellis has to unlock a U.S. assault which has been shutout in 5 of its final 13 matches and has seen its forwards go scoreless of their final three video games.

A remaining alternative for Ellis could be to maneuver Press again to the wing and, as soon as once more, tinker with the mixture up high—presumably by giving Amy Rodriguez the beginning, or risking a begin for the still-recovering Alex Morgan.

On the defensive aspect of issues, the Individuals look excellent. In opposition to Sweden, the Yanks picked up their tenth shutout of their final 14 video games and the middle again duo of Becky Sauerbrunn and Julie Johnston appeared significantly spectacular. Hope Solo, for all her off-the-field points, has additionally appeared strong for the U.S. in aim.

In opposition to Nigeria’s speedy assault, the U.S. protection will should be simply nearly as good on Tuesday, particularly if the U.S. assault struggles to place up targets. A win towards the Tremendous Falcons ensures that the U.S. would win Group D. A complete listing of development situations might be discovered right here.