I thought it was not a bad game; not a great game, but not a bad game. There was a definite lack of sharpness from a number of players, but since most are in preseason, I think that's to be expected. The lack of sharpness really showed up in the finishing and in the numerous offside calls, which is often all about timing. (The game could have easily been 6 or 7-0 if Dunn would have stayed onside!) In this formation, the outside backs were providing width with both Pugh and Lavelle often cutting inside. So really we had less dedicated defenders than a 3-back. But we didn't need them against Russia for the most part, and the defense also looked more comfortable in the more familiar 4-back. Also Russia apparently has not received the message that a high press is what disrupts the USWNT. The midfield had so much more time and space to play with the ball than in any of the 3 SBC games, which was part of the reason why we looked so much better. I will say that the offense also had better off-the-ball movement than in the SBC; maybe that was partly due to the lack of pressure but I'd like to think its something that they were focused on as well. Lavelle had a great game. She still obviously has some development to do as far as decision making, but I think the NWSL will help with that. She had some sublime touches on the ball though, and I continue to be impressed by her. I was not impressed with Short at CB, but I think she played so much better at outside back. I think she played better as a LB in this game than Klingenberg did. She's just one of those players who I don't think Ellis needs to force into another position when she plays LB so well. Pugh was not on her game tonight, imo, and often seemed to try to be doing too much. She seemed to be playing under some pressure, and I wanted her to relax. I also noticed nerves on Oyster's part, which is to be expected in your first cap. She wasn't really tested, and I'd like to see her get another run-out against a better opponent, perhaps in the summer tournament. Our corners were vastly improved from the SBC, thanks to Lavelle and Rapinoe. Other than Pinoe's corners though, I don't think I saw enough from her to say one way or another about her present capabilities. Other than that, I'll just add that I was happy that we came out of the game without injuries, especially to Long who was repeatedly hacked during the game. Also I hope to see Ohai and Williams on the next game day roster.
Formally announced ... http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/201...-wnt-will-face-sweden-on-june-8-in-gothenburg "The U.S. Women’s National Team will play Sweden on June 8 at the Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg as part of a two-game tour of Scandinavia that will also see the USA face Norway on June 11 at Komplett Arena in Sandefjord ..."
I thought they looked very well organized-- but that was largely because they didn't have to sort out what worked from what didn't. It all worked. The idea that that opponent could play a high pressure style against us is pretty silly-- they aren't fast enough, strong enough or conditioned enough. In particular, not strong enough; they were producing soap-bubble passes from the get-go. Maybe they'll do better next game when the jet-lag has cleared... but this'n was just showtime. I like Short's future, but she has to pass better; she's got welcome speed and strength stopping stuff, but the starting the other way still needs work, even in this game. Lloyd had an awful game, but she had to play-- with Heath and Horan out there was no one else to be an enforcer, and when the Russians started frustration-fouling, they were abysmally unsophisticated at it. Long took a serious beating, but we might have had several injuries; and if they'd pulled that crap on Brazil they'd have had several people watching the rest of the game from an ambulance. Disappointed that Pugh seems to be getting infected with the USWNT's passion for kicking field goals; up to now she's been pretty good at not reaching for outside shots, but yesterday... Mewis is becoming a favorite-- she just gets better and better at making everybody else look good. She's so good at it now that she is making herself look good too. Klingenberg didn't look all that healed-- she was having real trouble flipping her hips to change direction, and her speed wasn't up to her norm either. And the Doctor Suess hair... I mean, whatever works for her, but that was really hard to ignore. She looked like she was going to Halloween as a minaret. Or a Teletubby. Krieger, on the other hand, looked ten years younger. The speed of this opponent was within her reach, where some of the SBC stretched her past her "under control" point.
The Portland - U23 result was a fluke. Portland controlled much of the match, had 1-0 lead and could have had more--squandered some chances late in the 1H and then Henri (super play) hit the post late in the game--and then the U.S. got two late, gift goals. One was a very questionable penalty call, and then just before the 90th minute the Portland keeper committed a howler, just kicking the ball directly to Smith of the U.S. directly in front of her goal, and Smith put it in the net. The U23 had one good flurry very early in the game but really created very little after that.
I thought that Pugh didn't benefit from being an inverted winger. A lot of stuff fell to her left foot. I hope the minaret returns to full ability. I'm a huge fan.
Every time I watch Pugh, I come away less and less impressed. She's fast and...? I don't see a ton of field awareness or much in the way of technical skill. Rose Lavelle was the truth last night though. Hope she keeps improving.
I'm the same way but perhaps not as dramatic. It feels more like her viability is only against certain opponents & in certain positions, and the more opponents & positions she plays, the clearer that has become. Ask her to drop back deeper (like vs Russia) or play against better opponents & she just doesn't look very effective. Lavelle, on the other hand, has looked very effective now from both a deep line midfield position which she played in the SBC and in a high & central midfield position ie vs Russia. She's absolutely the next Heath, & arguably more effective as it appears she's willing to get into it & play defense.
Lineup for today's match: Great to see Ohai & Campbell in the 18! #USAvRUS pic.twitter.com/Wl0Pfd6m2O— Keeper Notes (@keepernotes) April 9, 2017 Same starting XI as the last game with the exception of Harris in goal.
Keep playing them but maybe consider finding a coach who can improve their games. Pugh is playing the same way she did when she joined the team a year ago. Will Lavelle be experiencing the same growing pains a year from now?
20' Goal Lloyd right, hard and low. Keeper gets a paw on it, but it has too much power with the good placement
Lavelle seems to be the real deal. Right now she's showing better than Heath has in a while. And by the time the next WWC she'll be a regular
Russia gets a PK call after Short is called for a foul after a Russian decides to fall backward. 42' Goal Russia USA leads 3-1