The Future USWNT

Discussion in 'USA Women: News and Analysis' started by FawcettFan14, Jan 25, 2021.

  1. taosjohn

    taosjohn Member+

    Dec 23, 2004
    taos,nm
    From about her second or third start after Ertz' injury, Sullivan has been good, consistently so. She's not the bruiser that Ertz often is, but she plays the passing lanes like a cornerback, and dispossesses like a pickpocket. To ask "what has she done to earn it" is simply to confess one wasn't paying attention...

    If it were up to me, I'd be thinking in terms of Sullivan as the starter and Ertz getting half her minutes in relief and the other half on the back line.

    And I don't think the passing is any real problem; one doesn't need to connect on every pass. One just needs to make them quickly, and make them aggressive, passes that if they do get through will be really dangerous. Passes that defenders have to stretch for, that give them that sense of insecurity each time, breaking their rhythm and diminishing their confidence. Make them spend their time thinking about their transition defense instead of ours. I think both players are pretty good at that...

    Have to say, the way all the other keepers are playing right now, I'm afraid Franch's window has closed. We'll see, but she'd be fifth on my list right now.

    And I do not want to see Fox at HM. That woman is the very archetype of a LB, born to play that position, so much so that her play often seems to me like an adult among children. Try Dunn there, or O'Hara, but don't go to fix the most unbroke thing on the team...
     
  2. WoSoFan

    WoSoFan Member

    Dec 23, 2017
    Yeah I think he goes with Sullivan for now. The fact is since they played some together at Stanford, her familiarity with Macario and Smith’s tendencies, should be a plus.
     
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  3. Soccer with Lions

    Soccer with Lions New Member

    Liverpool FC
    United States
    May 8, 2022
    Eh I also think we need to move on from Becky (a complete legend but we have to pull the bandaid off sometime).

    My roster and notes:

    GK: Naeher, Murphy, PTJ (a wildcard choice)

    **Think Naeher is pretty set as starter with Murphy as the second. For the 3rd slot, he may move towards giving a young gk experience

    Defenders: Cook, Tierna (if she can get healthy) and Sonnett if not, ADK, Fox, O’Hara, Huerta, Dunn

    **The hardest to predict, especially for the starting lineup. The CB starters if healthy I think will be Tierna and Cook. But if Tierna isn't back, I think we lean Cook and ADK which feels shaky to me given ADK form of late. Sonnett is forever the back up but I think she has an edge over Girma because she can play OB and CB in a pinch.

    **for OBs, I think Fox is a given. I think O'hara will definitely be there as a leader since Vlatko clearly trusts her as the veteran presence in the locker room. Dunn, if she's back and in form, could be the actual starter on the right. Or she could be that utility player anywhere on the field (somewhat similar to O'hara in 2015/2016 WC and Olympics). I think Huerta will be there since we have no OB depth, but I'm personally still not sold on her at fullback. She is fantastic at attacking and crossing, but isn't really a defensive player so unclear about her effectiveness against top teams where she might not have flexibility to push up.


    Midfield: Sullivan, Lavelle, Horan, Sanchez, S Mewis, Kristie Mewis, Ertz (if healthy)

    **The first 4 names I think are pretty certain based on form/playing time from Vlatko etc. I think Sam has been unlucky with injuries so unclear when she will finally be back in shape. K Mewis could be a good 8 backup, but I don't think she's a certainty. I would love for Ertz to come back since she's so irreplaceable, but I do doubt if she will be there by choice or because of post-pregnancy form. Potential alternate is Howell if Ertz isn't available.

    Forward: Macario, Pugh, Smith, Press, Morgan, Rodman

    **Macario, Pugh, and Smith I think are certainties. They play so well together. I wouldn't bet against Press or Morgan since they have incredible form right now. And Rodman is a young talent that they can expose to the environment and to build the next generation....
     
  4. ytrs

    ytrs Member+

    Jan 24, 2018
    I like this, and share your opinions, but I would take Hatch over Rodman.
     
  5. Soccer with Lions

    Soccer with Lions New Member

    Liverpool FC
    United States
    May 8, 2022
    That's fair - I like Hatch a lot. I just don't know if Vlatko would take Cat, Morgan, and Hatch for the 9 position.
     
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  6. Disapproving Hippo

    Manchester United
    United States
    Jan 17, 2021
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I like Hatch too. She is such a classic number 9 and I will be disappointed if she doesn't make the WWC23 but it is what it is. Macario and Morgan will be favored over her specially if they continue playing great till then. As for Rodman, she is young and have enormous high ceiling ahead of her so I'm fine whether she makes it on the next year's roster or not. Now my favorite Midge Purce though seems to be fading like crazy and I don't like it.
     
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  7. WoSoFan

    WoSoFan Member

    Dec 23, 2017
    Versatility is the problem for Hatch? All she plays only a classic 9 for the Spirit, while players like Morgan
     
  8. hotjam2

    hotjam2 Member+

    Nov 23, 2012
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    The OP could have something that we could pick 7 fwds(3 starters/4 subs) in favor/or minus one defender(4 starters/3subs), this is why I would pick the very versatile Purce(who can either play FB or winger) as most of the subbing within a game usually would be upfront.
    Pre NWSL season; I wouldn’t of picked Morgan, but her new club in San Diego is now so custom made to get her on the scoreboard; some of the world’s fastest wingers as well as the most ‘direct style’ coach I’ve ever seen, so she can up her ante in scoring goals, as an way for the expansion club to use her household name & sell more tickets. So it be hard for Vlatko to not to ignore Alex even though she doesn’t fit the style anymore oh what’s he’s trying to create(with a lot of roving attackers taking turns into the #9 within the game)
     
  9. NCChiFan

    NCChiFan Member

    NC Courage
    United States
    Feb 19, 2021
    Is Sullivan an upgrade over Horan at the 6? Maybe a bit, but Ertz trumps her on D and holding (kind of the name of the position). I hear what your saying and if Ertz doesn't come back for what ever reason (retirement for Momhood?) looks like Sullivan it is. I still wouldn't have minded trying others there. Even Tierna... >shrugs< Sullivan just hasn't impressed me... Color me spoiled.
     
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  10. cpthomas

    cpthomas BigSoccer Supporter

    Portland Thorns
    United States
    Jan 10, 2008
    Portland, Oregon
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Something that occurs to me is how little discussion there is about player attitudes. Some players have good team attitudes and some are lacking. This is true not just in relation to players likely to be mainly on the bench but also to players who will be on the field. I suspect it is a factor that goes into player selection, especially for players in the "last in" category.
     
  11. WoSoFan

    WoSoFan Member

    Dec 23, 2017
    I would not count out Horan playing the # 6. She actually has been called upon at times with Lyon, to do just that. From a passing standpoint she is much better at connecting up with her passes then Sullivan. Something you really want to see with your holding mid, especially with the type of offense he is trying to incorporate with Macario at a false 9.
     
  12. ytrs

    ytrs Member+

    Jan 24, 2018
    Plus there are other options for the 10 and 8 role he can use. We are limited at the 6.
     
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  13. WoSoFan

    WoSoFan Member

    Dec 23, 2017
    It looks like Vlatko likes his 3 players up top to be able to interchange positions during the flow of the game, left side, middle, right side. This is something that Pugh, Macario and Smith do very very well. I know Press fits into that mod and I believe Rodman does it or will be able to do that as well. Those who have been following Morgan with the Wave, is that something she is capable of doing as well. Should this be the criteria in Vlatko’s selection process, does he have the luxury to carry a player like Hatch or Purse? I think he does with Hatch, who could prove to be valuable late in games, but not so sure about Purce.
     
  14. ytrs

    ytrs Member+

    Jan 24, 2018
    Morgan has played both the 9 and on the left for the Wave.
     
  15. taosjohn

    taosjohn Member+

    Dec 23, 2004
    taos,nm
    And in Ellis time the front line was often expected to switch around on the fly...
     
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  16. Soccer with Lions

    Soccer with Lions New Member

    Liverpool FC
    United States
    May 8, 2022
    I think this one is the hardest to predict how it factors in but agreed that it is super important. It seemed like that was probably part of the decision for O’Hara/Sauerbrunn to be the vets that Vlatko leans on as he tests a new group since he clearly sees them as important locker room presences regardless of if they get a lot of playing time or not. I don’t know who has a reputation of having a good or bad attitude, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the last 2-3 spots are almost completely decided on that.
     
  17. lil_one

    lil_one Member+

    Nov 26, 2013
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I do think the intangibles are probably the most important factors for the last spot or two on a WWC roster (but probably not for a smaller Olympics roster), but I also think those are what we as fans know the least about, not getting to see the players at practice or in the locker room. The only way we know about those is if another teammate or coach makes a comment on it. Or we just speculate.
     
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  18. FawcettFan14

    FawcettFan14 Member+

    Mar 19, 2004
    Colorado
    #93 FawcettFan14, May 21, 2022
    Last edited: May 21, 2022
    Wow, people get so salty about roster disagreements. :ROFLMAO: It's just fun speculation. This thread is partly our predictions for what Vlatko will do, and partly our own preferences.

    As to your points...

    I'm not mad if Huerta makes the roster as an outside back. Her crossing is among the best in the pool. Mace is a better defender however, more difficult to beat on the wing. Plus she can fill in at center back or holding mid, two areas with less depth. Huerta's brings versatility too, but her other positions are attacking mid or winger, and we are pretty stacked there. But again, if Huerta makes the roster, good for her. A great perseverance story much like Kristie Mewis in 2021.

    Davidson should be back by December/January camp, giving her half a year to get in peak playing shape. It's true some players are never the same afterward (see Kealia Watt). I'm giving Tierna benefit of the doubt. But it's possible she may need a full recovery year in 2023 and be back for the 2024 Olympics. Time will tell.

    I was a big advocate for Kristie Mewis on the 2021 Olympic squad. Her NWSL renaissance was impressive, and she deserved it. I do think her level of play has dipped slightly since then. Still in the mix though. That left foot of hers is valuable. Another factor is her position. She is an attacking midfielder. I don't see her beating out Horan, Sam Mewis, Macario, Lavelle, or even Sanchez who is not as established but brings a unique skillset. We have more AM depth than DM, which makes Kristie's task tougher.

    I guess I think like a rational human-- say I'm vaccine skeptical (which I'm not). After 2 years of global vaccination campaigns and seeing they are safe, and balancing just getting the jab vs. missing out on a World Cup, with all the joy, prestige and money that comes with it, I would realize I'd be an idiot for missing out. I think Rodman and Pugh will see this tradeoff and change their opposition. However, if they continue in their bizarre viewpoint, can easily replace them with any of our quality alternates like Williams, Purce, Balcer, etc.
     
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  19. FawcettFan14

    FawcettFan14 Member+

    Mar 19, 2004
    Colorado
    #94 FawcettFan14, May 21, 2022
    Last edited: May 21, 2022
    In my opinion, Sauerbrunn is the best pure CB of the past 10 years worldwide. One of the best ever to play. It's wild she didn't become a consistent starter until age 28 (we can thank Pia for that).

    This NWSL season will be pivotal. If Becky truly can maintain her past form, and stays free of more injuries, yes she probably goes. Having a 38-year old center back, likely as a starter, does make me nervous. And if building for the future as well as the present is a priority, it doesn't help in that respect. But if Dahlkemper continues to struggle, and Tierna doesn't recover from ACL in time, she definitely goes. Vlatko won't play Sonnett at CB, and the combination of Cook and Girma is too inexperienced. If Menges had been getting caps the past 5 years, CB depth would be less of an issue. But we are talking to a brick wall on that particular point. :rolleyes:
     
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  20. taosjohn

    taosjohn Member+

    Dec 23, 2004
    taos,nm
    The 38 years don't worry me much, the Cook-Girma inexperience thing doesn't worry me at all-- they're both really good IMO. And keep in mind that there's every chance that Ertz can go back to one spot if needed.

    And with expanded fields there will be games against not-so-dangerous teams to use struggling players and rest 38 year olds, potentially getting mojo back for both...
     
  21. jackdoggy

    jackdoggy Member+

    May 16, 2014
    Big D
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Everyone on this Board knows that behind the scenes, McSkillz picks the actual USWNT rosters.
     
  22. ytrs

    ytrs Member+

    Jan 24, 2018
    I am not salty. I just asked questions. Again, Mace has never been brought into a single camp under Vlatko. How can someone see her making the roster. K Mewis is more of an 8, and Vlatko has been playing her deeper. She is much more versatile than Sanchez and Lavelle. Rose is a given as AM.
     
  23. Bob Lamm

    Bob Lamm Member

    Mar 7, 2016
    New York City
    #98 Bob Lamm, May 22, 2022
    Last edited: May 22, 2022
    Is it worse to be "salty" or "peppery"? :)
     
  24. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Being salt-and-pepper is definitely the worse of two worlds. :coffee:
     
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  25. taosjohn

    taosjohn Member+

    Dec 23, 2004
    taos,nm
    Better to be pickled...
     
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