ASN: Yanks Fall Behind However Rally to Beat Netherlands 3-1

Carli Lloyd and Allie Lengthy each scored, and the People took benefit of a Dutch personal aim to finish a come-from-behind victory over the Netherlands.

BY

John D. Halloran

Posted
September 19, 2016
8:35 AM

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IN THE SECOND of two September friendlies, the US girls’s nationwide group picked up a 3-1 win over the Netherlands on Sunday night time in Atlanta.

The People obtained off to an ignominious begin within the contest, conceding within the second minute of play. Nevertheless, the U.S. equalized 10 minutes earlier than the halftime break earlier than choosing up two extra targets within the second half—through an personal aim and an Allie Lengthy tally—to search out the victory.

Listed here are three ideas on the competition.

U.S. EXPOSED DOWN THE LEFT…AGAIN

The American loss to Sweden on this summer time’s Olympic quarterfinals got here in penalties after a 1-1 draw by means of 120 minutes of play. Whereas the People had loads of possibilities to choose up the game-winner in that match, the aim they conceded to offer the Swedes the early lead got here down the left aspect.

In opposition to the Netherlands on Sunday, the Dutch uncovered the U.S. down the left once more. Middle again Julie Johnston went as much as problem for a header, however misplaced the battle and the ball went behind the American backline. Meghan Klingenberg, the American left again, was caught upfield on the play and couldn’t recuperate whereas Becky Sauerbrunn, Johnston’s associate in central protection, didn’t give herself sufficient depth to remain goalside of an onrushing Shanice van de Sanden.

The Dutch winger picked up the free ball behind the American protection and completed previous Alyssa Naeher to offer the Netherlands the early lead.

ASN wrote in regards to the U.S.’ potential issues down the left aspect earlier than the Olympics started and the People clearly haven’t handled this challenge. Klingenberg’s tendency to go ahead, mixed with the U.S.’ aggressive midfield play, leaves Sauerbrunn on an island. Good groups have now confirmed twice within the People’ final three video games that they’ll discover that hole and punish the U.S.

CARLI LLOYD BACK ON TRACK

Since scoring the game-winning targets within the 2008 and 2012 Olympic finals and notching a hat trick within the 2015 World Cup last, expectations for Carli Lloyd have grow to be a bit unrealistic.

This summer time, Lloyd scored the game-winner for the U.S. of their Olympic matches towards New Zealand and France. Nonetheless, when the People exited the event early, many followers blamed Lloyd.

When she returned stateside, issues didn’t get a lot simpler because the midfielder confronted additional criticism for lacking an NWSL match and for an obvious confrontation with a reporter.

Since then, Lloyd has gotten again on monitor. After a few strong matches for the Houston Sprint the previous few weeks, she scored a hat trick on Thursday towards Thailand. On Sunday, she adopted that up with a powerful efficiency towards the Netherlands.

Lloyd equalizes. 1-1 in #USAvNED. pic.twitter.com/s6AdvViIWU

— Our Recreation Journal (@OurGameMagazine) September 19, 2016

Main the U.S. to the win, Lloyd’s first-half equalizer got here on a wonderfully positioned end into the higher 90. She additionally assisted on Allie Lengthy’s aim that sealed the competition late within the second half.

TOBIN HEATH

When Tobin Heath’s recreation is on—it’s on.

In opposition to the Netherlands, Heath was precisely what the U.S. wanted to recuperate from their poor begin. From the early going, Heath was desirous to contribute and produced probability after probability for the People.

She put Lloyd by means of on an excellent ball within the seventh minute of play, offered the help on Lloyd’s aim later within the half, and located Alex Morgan in behind simply earlier than the halftime whistle.

Heath additionally helped create a gilt-edged alternative within the second half that the Netherlands someway managed to maintain out of the aim. With some higher ending from her teammates, Heath might have completed with three or 4 assists.

The one draw back was what occurred subsequent. With half-hour to play, head coach Jill Ellis moved Heath to left again, a troubling experiment that popped up on just a few events previous to and through the Olympic video games. Maybe this transfer solely occurred as a result of the U.S. wanted to relaxation a variety of gamers forward of the ultimate week of NWSL motion, however Sunday’s efficiency proved even additional that the U.S. is greatest with Heath on the assault.