Which is my biggest fear about a utility player like Dunn at outside back instead of a dedicated outside back like Short or Hinkle. Dunn is fine in CONCACAF play or in endless friendlies, but is she really ready for when we play France, Germany, Japan, and so on at the World Cup? That's my fear. Dunn is really good. She's world class, but she's not a natural defender. Her speed will bail her out of some scrapes, but she's on the outside of two not terribly speedy center-backs. Which leads to another issue with the outside backs we tend to play, they're rather short. If she's having to cut in behind Sauerbrunn and cover on a break, she's going to be at a severe disadvantage getting up to crosses to the taller strikers she's going to find herself covering - But then Short and Hinkle aren't the tallest players, either.
I agree with what both of you are saying about Dunn, but I think LB/RB is her best position on this team because I don't think she's as good as the starters up front or in the midfield. On club teams that aren't as deep as the USWNT, she's definitely good enough to start up front. She's a poacher in front of goal (which is good), but she's not as good technically as many (all?) of our other forwards. With the depth of the NT, I think she's better out on the wings, as a LM/RM in the 4-4-2 we used to play, or as a LB/RB in the 4-3-3 we currently play with 3 CM's. She's too good of a player not to have on the field, but she's just not the best option at any of the other positions (on the NT) to start at them.
With Marta and especially Formiga in the team (maybe even Cristiane could join, if not critically injured), I guess it will be a good match between USA and Brazil for the oldest roster. And if we're talking about "experienced", no-one can beat Formiga, who will be at her all-time-record (men and women alike) 6th World Cup!
Gotta put an asterisk next to that record, because Carli Lloyd is going to break it in 12 years when she plays her 7th in 2031 at age 49.
Dunn is not solely a poacher in the box. 2016/17 saw her shooting from all around the box, many nice goals from 20 yards or so. We've missed that part of her game lately.
I doesn't matter now, but Casey is 5'8, not small by any means. I am fine with Dunn, but also understand your reservations. I feel like Short should of been on the roster over Krieger or Sonnett. Krieger seems to be there solely because she has a huge fan base, did Jill see any of Kriegers recent games with the Pride?
Dunn is an explosive athlete. We saw her leaping over much taller players to put headers on frame at UNC. Dunn may not stand out at LB against these low level teams with no threatening attacking players, but I'm sure Jill knows she'll need Dunn caliber athleticism to deal with some of the attacking players they will face in quarters and beyond. There is so much talk questioning Dunn, but I'd be more concerned about the spine. If Ertz gets hurt or sits on yellows, the starting spine is either soft, slow, or both...from front to back.
Don't take it seriously. There's talk ad finitum questioning virtually every player on the roster. A lot of the time it says more about the talkers than about the players.
I probably averaged 10-12 UNC games/year while she was there. I have no idea what you're talking about. And NCAA college players aren't the ones she'll be facing in France. Then again, she's not the same player, either. My online archive currently has several photos of her jumping against other players, none of which are of her leaping over much taller players to put headers on frame. I'm sure it happened, UNC wasn't known for the high cross into the six type of offense, and Crystal wasn't a target forward, she was a slasher. I'm a huge Crystal Dunn fan, I just prefer to see here put in a position to succeed and flourish. I'm also a USWNT team fan, and I prefer the team to player players where it makes the team most likely to succeed. Crystal Dunn at outside back at the World Cup does neither. It might be enough, and the U.S. could win it all doing this. But there are (or were until the 23 were chosen) options. Getting beat by Jenna Richmond (5'9") http://andymead.photoshelter.com/im...i.Ud_9YINImSXD0.HUvWTtlN5OnWH_AvgodPI-&GI_ID= Outjumped by Danielle Colaprico (5'3") http://andymead.photoshelter.com/im...i.Ud_9YINImSXD0.HUvWTtlN5OnWH_AvgodPI-&GI_ID= Getting outjumped, but hard to tell who won the ball by Sarah Killion (5'8") http://andymead.photoshelter.com/im...i.Ud_9YINImSXD0.HUvWTtlN5OnWH_AvgodPI-&GI_ID= Getting outjumped by a good foot and a half by Shade Pratt (5'7") http://andymead.photoshelter.com/im...i.Ud_9YINImSXD0.HUvWTtlN5OnWH_AvgodPI-&GI_ID= Here's one with her outjumping Kristin Player (5'9"), but it's hard to tell who actually won the ball http://andymead.photoshelter.com/im...i.Ud_9YINImSXD0.HUvWTtlN5OnWH_AvgodPI-&GI_ID=
I see the opposite with Dunn. The game has become more sophisticated that we can no longer rely on athleticism. I am definitely worried about the spine. Our CBs have shown some flaws and I have little faith in our GKs.
Morgan had the worst statistics of any player. Not surprised. She should not be on the field against teams that sit back and have even decent defensive organization while doing so. She is just not good at progressing the ball in traffic or under pressure. If she can receive the ball in space with no one in front of her or maybe one defender on her shoulder she can shake off, great. If she can't, put someone else on the field who can do more, that has more ability to dribble and take on players, as well as turn and shoot from a distance. I would start Lloyd or Press at CF in the middle against these types of teams that leave very little space in the middle of the field.
Totally agree Morgan should be on the bench in these situations. Lloyd looks good and is coming into form at the perfect time.
Not just a bunkering opponent -- but an overly physical one coupled with a ref who was letting a lot of it go. Thought Rapinoe did a great job highlighting the contact for the ref by letting herself go down. A lot more free kicks in dangerous spots in the second half. While I respect the US first half mentality of "I'm going to ride the challenge and beat you on the dribble anyway," it might have been more helpful to win a few calls early in the match and try to change SA's physical approach to the game. On the US side, loved the Mewis-Lavelle-Ertz combination in midfield. Dominated the center of the field with no real SA chances to speak of.