The US coaches in a tactical first, Have one upped the Brazilians, by employing a 6-0-4 formation for this crucial game against Jamaica. The brilliance of this maneuver has the Jamaican coaches stunned, and I expect a forfeiture to occur at any moment.
71' 0-2 USA down box right, cross to 6-top right post intercepted by a defender's chest. She spins toward own goal, tries to clear it out -- shanks it off her own face, goalward. Chambers lunges across and palms it wide. 72' 0-2 USA subs in (3 of 3) #11 McKenzie Meehan for #13 Savannah Jordan. 72' 0-2 USA right corner, scrambled clear. 73' 0-2 Horan backshields at 20m mid-right, spins past #15 Perkins, who locks up her arm in a chickenwing and hauls her off-balance. Foul, yellow card on Perkins. 75' 0-2 USA fk, fizzle. 75' 0-2 Jamaica subs in (3 of 3) #11 Khadija Shaw (DF) for #6 Oshay Nelson Lawes (FW).
82' 0-3 #15 Purce sprints down box left, turns corner on the RB at endline mid-left. Right outstep flick back to #11 Meehan lurking at 7m left post(?), one-touch volley low across mouth into back right corner. 84' 0-3 Horan gathers ball at arc top left, gets shoulder-charged hard enough to drop her to knees. She's looking for calls? (or looking for a pro ref)
87' 0-3 USA pings short passes, forward and back. Like an elaborate keep-away drill. Not even looking to probe to the box top. 88' 0-3 Finally USA pass diagonally to Horan at box top right. She goes 1-v-1 down to 6-top right, can't shake the 1, backpass. USA miss the 2nd entry pass, Jamaica clear. 89' 0-3 USA flub a backpass, Jamaica sprint to box top. USA win that race going back to own box top. 90' 0-3 USA up right touch into the corner, Jamaica block cross over. 90' 0-3 USA right corner, headed across mouth, wide right. +2'.
90+2' (of +2') 0-3 #14 Hill shoots from 10m mid-right, to low right post. Chambers mis-plays it off ground, her chest, jaw, and out to 5m 1/3 right. #11 Meehan lunges ahead of 1, pokes/soles ball in past Chambers still down. No goal -- offside. FT 0-3.
Gilmoy once again you have done a brilliant job of detailing the intricacies of the US attack, and the relentless pressure they brought to bear on this opponent. If Lindsay Horan can go from playing for PSG to this, she has more maturity and sense of humor than belies her years.
After two games, frankly I can say that this team (outside of Horan) just isn't that good, probably a down cycle.
I don't understand why Horan is playing on U20 team, she's already above these players. Seems like a waste of time for her.
I remember when Ramona Bachmann was playing for the Swiss U-20 team in 2010, when she was already by far their best player in the history of women's football in their country.
I was impressed with Roccaro and Sullivan. That was about it (aside from Horan I mean) Because she's the best U-20 striker we've got and she's not gonna be starting over Wambach, Morgan, and Leroux? At least it's not as bad as Santiago who still plays for Mexico's U-20 team even though she's been starting with the full team since 2010...
Because she's eligible for them, and they want the best available players. Either quit trolling or GTFO.
And Marta played for the Brazil U-19s in 2004. No coach with any shred of common sense is going to pass up the chance to play a Marta or a Bachmann or a Horan if they're still age-eligible.
No, not a down cycle to be this poor. A staff of French and Walsh, overseen by Heinrichs, leads to no tactical acumen and poor player selection. This roster isn't the best roster and will have a tough time in Canada.
This team is going to have a really tough time in Canada for sure. Now I can see why they (without Horan) were beaten badly by a Japanese team that couldn't advance out of Asia.
It's qualifiers. Geez, Thaisa and Wiggers lead an U20 group in qualifiers to 38-0 goals vs opponents. The pros will be waiting for Horan in Canada. They put a lot of brand names (common theme with the senior team) on the squad vs the best talent on the board.
In addition, Summer Green gets the start in place of Makenzy Doniak, who broke her right hand vs. CRC and is out for the tournament.— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) January 11, 2014 That's a bummer. I really liked how she played in the first game before she got injured.
summer greene alone did it multiple times at the start of the game before she settled down. doniak looks a better player. they already miss her. i know i do. and she looked like she was crying her eyes out after she broke her hand, because she knew that she was out of the tournament - after all that hard work...dreams shattered. anyway, choppy pitch and a quick athletic jamaica is my excuse for them giving up the ball so much. they got it back quickly most often tho.
I thought Purce did well. Not sure why she's not starting. Her flank runs are much better than others. Also, any thoughts on why Liedle hasn't played. Is she worst than Basinger?
Team could be very good defensively. Keeper and a couple of defenders very strong. I like a couple of the forwards and their composure. Midfield is rough, but some nice moments also. Could be a solid unit by this summer. Maybe the type of squad which will grind things out with some tight victories? Partly depends upon the make up of the individuals and their commitment to team, and the staff's ability to foster it.