With consecutive shutouts in opposition to Colombia, the U.S. ladies as soon as once more displayed their dominance, however there may be nonetheless room for enchancment as Jill Ellis’ crew prepares for the 2016 Olympics.
BY
John D. Halloran
Posted
April 10, 2016
5:30 PM
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ON THE BACK of a Julie Johnston brace, the USA ladies’s nationwide crew overcame a sloppy begin to beat Colombia 3-0 in Chester, Pa., on Sunday afternoon.
Early within the match, the Yanks missed various possibilities however Christen Press lastly broke the impasse with a pleasant chipped effort within the twenty sixth minute. Johnston added to the entire with a pair of headed targets off set items on all sides of the halftime break.
Press places the #USWNT up, 1-0. Horan with the ball in. That contact… pic.twitter.com/KhFxuMwLFF
— Our Sport Journal (@OurGameMagazine) April 10, 2016
Listed below are three ideas on the match.
LLOYD STRUGGLED
From the get-go, the People struggled to search out their rhythm with Press and Lloyd lacking three good alternatives to attain inside the primary 10 minutes of play. Whereas Press ultimately redeemed herself, Lloyd battled all through the competition and Ellis withdrew her celebrity within the 72nd minute of play.
Ali Krieger replaces Carli Lloyd, who leaves to a standing ovation. Not the very best day for the US captain & Delran native. #USWNT #USAvCOL
— Joe Tansey (@JTansey90) April 10, 2016
Along with various dangerous touches leading to misplaced possessions, Lloyd struggled in entrance of objective, placing a collection of open possibilities vast, over the crossbar, or proper on the goalkeeper. Dubbed as a homecoming recreation of types for the New Jersey native—who grew up half-hour from Chester—Lloyd’s dejected look as she left the sphere stated all of it.
EXPERIMENTATION GAME
With Lloyd struggling to get the U.S. offense rolling, various different gamers had a possibility to select up the slack—and didn’t. After a stellar effort on Wednesday night time because the lone holding midfielder in a new-look 4-1-3-2, Jill Ellis benched Allie Lengthy in favor of Sam Mewis.
Mewis, nevertheless, did little to assist the U.S. get out of its funk and failed to offer her middle backs with good passing lanes out of the again. A pure attacking midfielder, Mewis didn’t regulate to the brand new position—she did play as a holding midfielder in a double-pivot in earlier matches—and did not drop deep sufficient to successfully recycle possession for the Yanks.
Ellis has stated the position continues to be primarily up for grabs at this level, and although the coach solely not too long ago recalled Lengthy again into the crew, Mewis’ efficiency on Sunday—following Lengthy’s wonderful play and two-goal effort on Wednesday—will solely give Ellis extra to consider within the weeks forward.
DUNN NEEDS TO BE BETTER
It’s onerous to think about any participant dealing with disappointment higher than Crystal Dunn did following lacking the World Cup roster final summer season. She returned to her membership, received the NWSL’s Most Precious Participant award and Golden Boot, and earned her approach again into the nationwide crew image.
Nonetheless, on Sunday, Dunn missed an opportunity to stake her declare because the U.S.’s main backup at middle ahead. Whereas she demonstrates an unbelievable work charge, energy, and tempo, her first contact constantly will get her into hassle and causes the U.S. to lose possession in transition.
It might be a moot level with a wholesome Alex Morgan—who as soon as once more appeared her previous self within the SheBelieves Cup—however Morgan has been injured repeatedly over the previous few years and the U.S. wants a go-to backup. Dunn has confirmed she will get it carried out in opposition to lesser groups, and is a monster off the bench—as she demonstrated with a world-class strike in opposition to England final month. Nonetheless, she wants to point out extra as a starter within the hold-up position a middle ahead should carry out.
