Women's Soccer Weekly
United States Women's National Team
What to watch for in the USA v. England
Match
1. To Pugh or not to Pugh? That is the question.
There is no denying that Mallory Pugh has proven that she belongs on the USWNT roster. The question now is whether she is a full time starter. Pugh was unphased by a physical Canada side. Canada is no world power, though.
UPDATE: The consensous of the press box prior to kick-off was that Pugh would not start versus England. Boy were we wrong! Not only did Pugh play, but she excelled.
2. Will the Englad team play bunker style?
In most games, bunkering would be analyzed for tactical implications. For England, as new entrants to the world power club of France, Germany, and America, their formation will be a great indication of their own self-view.
Do they believe they are good enough to play their style of football against the US? Or, will they be playing for a draw?
UPDATE: The English side believed, and as they should. The England team pressed as if their lives depended on it, and really frustrated the US in the first half.
3. Who will be the super subs?
Each team will be allowed six substitutions for this tournament. Ellis has been candid about using this tournament to vet several players. In our view, we would be surprised to see Jaelene Hinkle at all this tournament.
UPDATE: All defenders but Hinkle and Barnes saw time on Thursday.
4. How do the youngsters handle the pressure?
We learned at the World Cup that Morgan Brian can handle the pressure. Will her midfield partner Lindsey Horan continue to excel? That is nearly a rhetorical question, but tonight will solidify her status on the USWNT.
UPDATE: Horan did not have her best night, but no one did.
Four takeaways from the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament
1. Jill Ellis is still shopping for an outside back.
The media (present company included) were not impressed with Hinkle's performance during the 2016 CONCACAF Tournament. It appears Jill Ellis wasn't either. While Hinkle has been invited to the #SheBelieves Cup, the inclusion of Lauren Barnes is a real indicator that Ellis is not convinced that Hinkle is ready.
2. Morgan Brian and Lindsey Horan are a great pair.
The days of a direct, physical style of play are gone. In its place is a more sophisticated, intelligent brand of soccer. Morgan Brian won the Golden Ball, and Lindsey Horan scored the game winner against Canada in the final.
3. Alyssa Naeher is the #2 keeper, moving past Ashlyn Harris
In the meaningless game against Puerto Rico, it was Naeher that got the nod over Harris.
4. Mallory Pugh is here to stay.
Less than one month after her historic substitution into the friendly against Ireland, Mallory Pugh has cemented herself as a starter on the best team in the world. With two assists and a remarkable calm on the ball, all USWNT fans should be giddy with excitement over this 17 year old.
Ellis announces 22 players for the #SheBelieves Cup
Goalkeepers: Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign)
Defenders: Lauren Barnes (Seattle Reign), Whitney Engen (Boston Breakers), Jaelene Hinkle (Western NY Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns)
Midfielders: Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Samantha Mewis (Western NY Flash), Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City),
Forwards: Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (UCLA)
22 Player Roster:
Despite the other teams 3 teams bringing at least 23 players, Ellis has elected to only bring 22 players. This makes it particularly curious that Ellis did not bring Steph McCaffrey back into camp.
First Time Callup:
Lauren Barnes of the Seattle Reign gets her first call up to the full national team. Barnes played under Ellis for four years at UCLA.
Veterans Return:
Both Heather O'Reilly and Whitney Engen return after being left off of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying roster. Christie Rampone remains sidelined.
Old Teammates:
Several USWNT players will face former teammates. Engen, Harris, Heath, and Klingenberg were all college buddies with Lucy Bronze at UNC. (England). Lindsey Horan will face several French PSG teammates, as well asl Anja Mittag- a player she calls an inspiration. While Alex Scott (England), played three years with the Boston Breakers.
What to watch for in the USA v. Mexico Match
5 things we saw in last night's USA v. Costa Rica Match
As the USWNT get set to take on our neighbors to the south, here are some important things to watch for:
Will Jaelene Hinkle make an appearance?
The media (present company included) were not impressed with Hinkle's performance on Wednesday night. Hinkle's pass completion percentage was well below average compared to the other defenders. If Kelley O'Hara comes in at left back, may be a bad sign for the youngster's hopes of making the Olympic squad.
UPDATE: Hinkle appeared again, but did not perform well. A bad give away almost resulted in a goal by Mexico. May have played herself out of an Olympic Qualifying role.
Will Morgan Brian continue to take the set pieces?
Brian made her debut as the primary set piece taker on Wednesday. Is coach Ellis trying her out for good? Or is this practice for when Heath is not on the pitch?
UPDATE: Looks like Brian will be taking the corner kicks moving forward.
Does Jill Ellis keep the same starting eleven?
From the kickoff (literally) the starting XI were dominant. A repeat of this line up will be a sure sign that this is the bunch.
UPDATE: Ellis does keep same starting XI. Which three players are called into action in the second half will be more telling.
How many goals will the US team score?
From a tournament perspective, this matters a lot. Currently, Costa Rica are on the outside looking in for a ticket to Friday's knockout round.
UPDATE: With Costa Rica's 9-0 blow out over Puerto Rico, anything equal to or greater than a three goal victory will make Costa Rica's road to the semi-finals much easier.
And... as follow up from Wednesday's installment...
Can Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan continue their collective hot streak?
Though not always the best pair, Lloyd and Morgan have made huge strides over the last few months. Is this pairing here to stay? The rest of the soccer world is hoping not!
UPDATE: The bunker made it nearly impossible for Lloyd and Morgan (or anyone for that matter) to connect.
Will attendance numbers continue to impress?
We cannot underestimate how impressive the attendance number was on Wednesday night. It was chilly Frisco, it was a school night, and the team will be playing in the same stadium two more times.
UPDATE: Another solid attendance total of 15,032. Anticipate a significant drop off for Monday's match with Puerto Rico
5. Lindsey Horan
Despite the game being played in chilly Frisco, the spotlight will be bright and hot on the 21-year old rising star. Horan has earned universal praise from the coaches, the media, and her teammates. If Horan can impress tonight, it will seal her spot as a starter in Rio.
UPDATE: While not on the scoresheet, the Brian-Horan duo was excellent. How about that forty yard bomb to Lloyd, too?
4. Chemistry between Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd
The offensive success of this team will largely be based on the chemistry between Morgan and Lloyd. The tandum appear to be gelling (Morgan assisted on two of Lloyds goals, scored her rebound goal off a Lloyd shot in the 5-0 win against Ireland). NOTE: If Costa Rica bunkers, a poor showing between the two stars may not be an honest reflection of their partnership.
UPDATE: Carli Lloyd assisted on both goals by Morgan, including that amazing :12 second beauty.
"We don't call them subs, we call them game changers" - Jill Ellis
3. The Game Changers
It will be fascinating to see who Jill uses and why. Look for Heath, Dunn, and Morgan to be subbed out for Press, O'Hara, and McCaffrey.
UPDATE: We really got this one wrong. Press' goal should make up for it though! Highly likely we will see Press and McCaffrey against Mexico.
2. The Crowds
A lot of the USSF v. US Women's Players talk has centered around the women's ability to draw a crowd. Anything over 8,000 would be a win.
UPDATE: Total attendance was 8,143. Very respectable for a cold Wednesday night in Frisco, Texas.
1. The Score
If the score is less than 3-0, it will be a major win for Costa Rica. As we have noted at several times, do not count Costa Rica out over Canada. By recent statements, Shirley Cruz and the young squad are going all in.
UPDATE: The scoreline definitely hurts Costa Rica's chances for a semifinal berth. They will need to beat Mexico. A tie won't be enough barring a total collapse by the Mexicans against the US on Saturday.
