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The USWNT is off to a tough begin within the SheBelieves Cup. As its did in its opener, the USWNT was unable to carry a lead and management the sport. In the long run, the USWNT performed England to a 2-2 draw for its second straight draw to open the match.
BY
John Halloran
Posted
March 03, 2019
4:00 PM
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IN A DISJOINTED, haphazard efficiency, the US ladies’s nationwide crew fought to a 2-2 draw towards England on Saturday afternoon in its second match of the SheBelieves Cup.
Solely three days after surrendering two separate leads towards Japan within the match’s opening contest, the Individuals as soon as once more couldn’t maintain an early benefit and, on Saturday towards the English in Nashville, even fell behind earlier than finally incomes the draw.
With Lindsey Horan lacking via harm, U.S. head coach Jill Ellis as soon as once more opted to begin Mallory Pugh within the middle of midfield, and as soon as once more handed over Sam Mewis.
Within the absence of beginning goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher—out with a shoulder harm—the coach additionally gave a primary, and long-awaited, cap to Adrianna Franch within the web.
Early within the match, each groups struggled to ascertain a rhythm, however the Individuals managed to get on the board first via an excellent effort from Megan Rapinoe.
On the play, Kelley O’Hara made a surging run ahead and lofted a excessive service into the field. English defender Rachel Daly obtained to the ball first, however her headed clearance popped proper to Rapinoe on the prime of the field. The American winger then fired dwelling the half volley into the higher 90—as English goalkeeper Karen Bardsley may solely stand and watch the ball fly by—to present the U.S. the lead within the thirty third minute.
— FOX Sports activities (@FOXSports) March 3, 2019
Solely seconds later, nonetheless, a defensive miscommunication led to Franch choosing up a again move and gifting England an oblique free kick inside the realm. On the set piece, the English labored a small area for captain Steph Houghton, who then buried her probability with a superb curling strike into the facet netting to stage the sport.
Shortly after England tied the match, the U.S. inexplicably switched right into a five-back and stayed within the formation into the second half. Then, solely seven minutes after the halftime break, the Individuals conceded once more.
On the play, Rose Lavelle misplaced possession and England shortly took benefit. Tierna Davidson and Crystal Dunn misplaced monitor of Nikita Parris on the U.S.’ left facet and a superbly weighted ball excessive discovered the attacker in behind the American backline.
Franch failed to come back out and lower down the angle after which appeared to get caught in between two minds on the shot. Caught attempting to resolve whether or not she ought to attempt to get her hand down, or try a kick save on the low, pushed effort, she finally did neither. The shot tucked properly into the facet netting and gave England a 2-1 benefit.
Following the objective, the U.S. switched again to its 4-3-3 and introduced Christen Press in to assist bolster the assault. As the 2 groups continued to commerce punches, the Individuals finally discovered the equalizer.
On a scramble off a nook kick, a number of photographs couldn’t discover their approach, however Tobin Heath proved to be in the best place on the proper time and at last put away the unfastened ball to tie the match 2-2.
For the remainder of the match, the U.S. continued to press, however couldn’t discover a winner and is now 1-1-2 in 2019.
The Individuals’ 4 matches this yr have been performed towards high quality sides, with the Individuals beating Spain, shedding to France, and tying each Japan and now England. Nonetheless, the crew’s protection is clearly struggling and has now given up seven targets in 4 video games whereas regressing at a speedy price.
Finally, the 4-3-3 that the US switched into in 2017 is an offense-first formation. And the Individuals have all of the attacking expertise they want with rack up spectacular objective totals, even towards top-level competitors. Nonetheless, the crew received the 2015 World Cup largely on the power of its protection—notably within the early rounds—and can want their backline to step up this summer time in France in some unspecified time in the future when the offense is sputtering.
At this level, there are not any indicators that the protection is able to incomes a shutout towards a prime crew.
Ellis, for her half, additionally must cease tinkering with a machine that was working effectively for almost two years. A collection of tactical and personnel experiments late final yr and early in 2019 haven’t gone effectively and her mid-game formation switches appear to be complicated her gamers greater than producing something constructive on the sphere.
For the previous two years, the Individuals have performed effectively and overwhelmed the world’s prime groups. With three months to go till the World Cup, it’s time to cease the experiments, go together with what works, and construct the cohesion the crew will want this summer time.
The U.S.’ subsequent match is on Tuesday towards Brazil (8 p.m. ET, FS1).
John D. Halloran is an American Soccer Now columnist. Observe him on Twitter.
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Publish date : 2025-01-27 00:29:06
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