The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) is participating in a send-off series in preparation for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup of Soccer, scheduled to kick off Saturday, June 6. The series consists of three friendlies, two of which the USWNT has already emerged victorious against the Republic of Ireland and Mexico, respectively. In their final friendly, USWNT is scheduled to play the Korea Republic at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey on Saturday, May 30.
Ireland Recap
In the first friendly of their three-game send-off, USWNT defeated the Republic of Ireland 3-0 Sunday, May 10, at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
In the 42nd minute, forward Abby Wambach was left unmarked on a corner kick from midfielder Megan Rapinoe and easily passed one into the low left corner of the back net. Wambach scored again in the 45th minute on a flicked header, courtesy of a cross from midfielder Carli Lloyd. USWNT led 2-0 at the end of the first half.
In the 54th minute, defender Julie Johnston made a front door on a corner kick from run to barely tap the ball over the hands of goalkeeper Niamh Reid-Burke. Despite multiple shots on goal by forward Christen Press and midfielder Megan Rapinoe, which should have give USWNT a larger leader, both were unable to find the back of the net.
Mexico Recap
A week later, USWNT defeated Mexico 5-1 in their second send-off friendly Sunday, May 17, at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
In the 28th minute, striker Sydney Leroux received a crafty through-ball from Rapinoe and cut left past goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago to nail one in from a sharp 15-degree angle just outside of the six-yard box.
In the 39th minute, forward Ariana Calderon’s header off a perfectly placed free-kick from defender Bianca Sierra tied the game 1-1. Despite peppering the goal in the final minutes of the first half, resulting in three blocked attempts by Santiago, USWNT was unable to regain the lead.
Of most interest was USWNT’s second-half performance against Mexico.
In the first minute of second half play, Mexico’s sloppy defense resulted in a goal from defender Lori Chalupny. Forward Abby Wambach’s high pressure on Santiago in the goal box allowed for a small drop pass to Chalupny who easily capitalized on her first touch. Wambach would go on to score off a penalty kick, driving the ball into the upper-left 90 and increasing U.S.A.’s lead by two.
In the 61st minute, Leroux would again cut past Santiago, this time to the right, to score her second goal of the night.
Tasked with a one-on-one in the penalty box, midfielder Tobin Heath threw down a reverse Matthew’s move to simultaneously shake her defender and drive toward the goal line. Heath served a lofty cross to Wambach, who scored the final goal of the match in the 72nd minute in typical Wambach fashion: on a header. The textbook-esque play mimicked Wambach’s header in their game against Ireland.
Analysis and Prediction
In both games, the USWNT created numerous offensive opportunities. They outshot both of their opponents: 26 to none against Ireland and 29 to six against Mexico. Both matches displayed the USWNT’s ability exploit and outsmart back lines, even without 2011 World Cup standout striker Alex Morgan.
Morgan, who plays for Portland Thorns FC, is recovering from a bruised knee bone and sat out for both matches. As a substitute in the last Women’s World Cup, Morgan came off the bench to help advance the USWNT to the championship game. Her 2011 Women’s World Cup debut put her on the radar as one of the most lethal offensive players on USWNT, joining the ranks of veterans Wambach as well as captain Carli Lloyd. With 61 goals, Lloyd is the USWNT’s leading midfield scorer.
USWNT’s ability to capitalize on offensive opportunities is easily accomplished through their relentless peppering of the goal. Prime example: Leroux.
Like Morgan, Leroux has come off the bench to complement USWNT’s already menacing offense. As a substitute, Leroux debuted 14 goals for the USWNT in her first year, setting the record for most goals scored as a reserve player.
USWNT’s seamless transition up the field stems from the resumes of slew of veteran defenders: Krieger, Becky Sauerbrunn and, most recognizably, Christie Rampone. Level-headed defenders with inborn possession skills, truly illustrate the idea of work smarter, not harder.
First-time World Cup team defenders Meghan Klingenberg and Julie Johnston have performed well in the send-off series, to say the least. As a result, Ireland was unable to get a shot on goal leaving goalkeeper Hope Solo unchallenged. Out of their 180-minutes of play, the only goal USWNT allowed was against Mexico.
Combine offensive players who apply pressure like defenders in the goal box with a back-row that can execute front-door runs to score, the USWNT is stacked, for lack of a better term.
USWNT have developed to be efficient players; moreover, they have become entertaining to watch. Incisive cuts, driven crosses, clean steals, cannon-like shots on goal, and Wambach’s infamous headers all contribute to the uproar that is USWNT.
Although USWNT prevailed 2-1 against Japan in the 2012 London Olympic games, it’s difficult to forget the stinging loss that USWNT suffered in the penalty kick shootout in the championship game of the 2011 World Cup. With such a dynamic team of offense and defense, there is no better label for the 2015 World Cup roster than to be dubbed a dream team.
USWNT is scheduled to play the Korea Republic at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey Saturday, May 30 as the final match in their send-off series. It is of great importance for USWNT to maintain the same level of confidence exuded in their first two friendly matches upon entering into World Cup pool play.
The first stage of World Cup play kicks off with a doubleheader Group A matchup at Commonwealth Stadium: host-country Canada versus China, followed by a New Zealand versus the Netherlands. USWNT will play Australia Monday, June 8, at Winnipeg Stadium in their 2015 World Cup debut match.
