The USWNT faces the Korea Republic in 2 friendlies at the beginning of June. The roster is set to be announced today. June 1: vs Korea Republic at Commerce City, Colorado; 3 pm MT and 5 pm ET (TNT, Universo, Max, Peacock) June 4: vs Korea Republic at St Paul, Minn; 7 pm CT and 8 pm ET (TruTV, Universo, Max, Peacock)
dunno if my predictions going to hold up, but based current, excellent NWSL form, Croix Bethune & Taylor Flint should be called in.
Defenders — what center backs do we have who's not struggling with injuries? I don't think either Davidson or Dahlkemper should be in the picture for the Olympics because of their recent struggles with injuries. Probably not 'Broon either unless she's the "veteran presence" on the team. Over the years, I haven't been a big Sonnett fan but she's played well the last two years and she does bring much needed versatility to a small Olympics roster. I've championed Crystal Dunn and, in certain circumstances, Lynn Williams, but based on current form and age I don't see them at the Olympics I agree. I've also been impressed by 18-year old Claire Hutton; I'd like to see her start getting into camps even if, perhaps, this Olympics isn't the place to make her debut on the big stage. Somebody's doing something right at Orlando and it can't just be Barbra Banda, but I don't know who — Emily (Madril-) Sams? Kerry Abello? Summer Yates?
Roster announced #USWNT Roster Drop - Roster includes 19 players who helped the USA win the 2024 SheBelieves Cup in April - First ever call up for defender Sam Staab and midfielder Hal Hershfelt- Training players - midfielder Olivia Moultrie, midfielder Croix Bethune and defender Kate Wiesner pic.twitter.com/4dCatnC2LT— Taylor Vincent (@tayvincent6) May 21, 2024
to me, by far the biggest news is Crystal is listed as a forward. It may be too late, but I'm glad she's getting a chance there with the NT. Finally. Otherwise, the depth at CB being so thin enough that Sonnett is being pulled back. Yohannes being included (yay!) The craziest thing about this is she's replacing Olivia (who is being called into the practice roster). Like both players, but it seems like Lily demands a full call up. Love what they did with Croix. She is a rising star. But, she's a rookie with three previous ACL tears. Give her this summer to focus on NWSL, then start blending her in. Morgan being called in is disappointing. She hasn't been in form for a while. She's injured. Why not take a look at another forward, while she's down. The roster: GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage) DEFENDERS (7): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Sam Staab (Chicago Red Stars) MIDFIELDERS (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (Ajax, NED) FORWARDS (7): Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)
Happy for Staab and Hershfelt, a little sad for Flint, as I'd rather see her than Albert. Good that Bethune is getting to at least practice with the team, it's a sign that she could be picked, depending how things go over the next 6-7 weeks. I do wonder if Gordon would have made it if she hadn't gotten injured this weekend.
Flint has been called in before. I have a feeling passing her by is a sign of how they have assessed her.
I know that fans and even Dunn herself have wanted to see her play further up the field over her WNT career. And it may be a bit pedantic to point this out, but she has had a chance there; this isn't her first call-up as an attacker. Pretty much all of her caps in 2016 and even some in 2017 were in an attacking role (either forward or AM) until the team needed her more in defense. She didn't do poorly in the attack, but she wouldn't have continued to beat out the rest of the competition as a forward for this long if she hadn't moved to the backline. I think my surprise is not so much that Dunn is getting called up as an attacker; it's the timing with the defense being thin and her being called in over Williams who starts and pretty much plays 90 minutes at Gotham while Dunn doesn't. But, Dunn is more technically sound than Williams, and definitely more versatile, too. Her versatility alone makes her super valuable looking at the Olympics roster. Morgan getting called in for more veteran presence in camp doesn't surprise me at all. But, if she's still dealing with injuries a month or so from now, I don't think she'll make the Olympics roster for veteran presence alone. You don't have enough spots on an Olympics roster for that.
my two cents worth; Dunn(who’s so far only started 4 out 10 of Gotham’s games) only picked cuz she played once for Emma Hayes Flint didn’t get picked cuz too many other options at the lone DM spot(even previous Sullivan didn’t make the cut). I feel though do to Flint’s strong ‘aerial’ game, she could of been converted to an CB Albert might have a good future but not right now. Her PSG’s coach didn’t give her any playing time in that club’s 2nd Champions League match. if nothing else, Saab brings to the game the extra ‘long throw’ ability(who said that soccer is just played with feet? lol), but seen her get ‘owned’ while defending 1v1 by the likes of Smith & others striker spots looking sad; Morgan hasn’t officially scored an current season NWSL goal yet/Macario hadn’t scored an WSL goal since March 3rd and looking very slow out there, especially against bigwigs like Barca. Instea, best thing is to finally turn Smith into central striker(which she does so glorious well for the Thorns) On the ‘pro’ side; though not much appreciated by fans(especially on this message board) I’ve been reading articles & memes lately calling Horan about the 2nd best midfielder in the world(Spain’s two time Balon D’Or, Bonmati at #1) as well as very deep at the wing & AM spots, but definitely feel still that Spain & France have stronger or maybe more balanced lineups(again, we’re sort of weak at striker & CB’s do to current injuries)
Yea, Horan is an enigma to me. Great holding mid, crafty at doing so and especially at drawing fouls, decent passer, can't dribble past anyone 1 on 1, not a particularly good long distance striker, and is on the slow side. Always had her regulated to bench status when Sam Mewis was playing. >shrugs< In the last year and a half I have noticed her stamina has developed, but that doesn't exactly translate to speed. She is versatile and can play some defending mid in a 2 back set up. So I'm one of those, meh fans you spoke about. She certainly has a veteran presence especially if Morgan is out.
No doubt she had stiff competition for attacking roles. I'm not saying she'd have won a roster spot as an attacker. But, she clearly feels like she would have. She has said that the reason she isn't a forward on the WNT is racism (I'm just quoting Crystal, don't yell at me). So, she clearly is passionate about her best, and favored role. In 2016, she scored 14 goals in 25 NT matches. That's a lot better than "didn't do poorly." I'm just saying Crystal has expressed bitterness about being pushed back to FB. It's nice to see her get a chance to compete in the role she always thought she deserved. Like I said, it may (probably is) be too late for her to play as an attacking winger. We'll see. Ya, the Williams exclusion is kinda surprising to me. I assumed she was injured. Lynn is a pressing machine. I think her exclusion and Dunn's move up probably signals a big change in style of play for the WNT. Morgan was not needed for a veteran presence. There are plenty of veterans. She's not playing well enough this season to make an 18 player roster, or 23, really. Leave her at home, let her heal. Bring in someone else to get a look at.
Bottom line here for me is this lineup will do well for a SK friendly. For an Olympics, I don’t know… The way the Emma hiring flowed, she might as well use the tournament as proving ground for the new generation—-much as I value a win it all attitude on major tourneys.
Well, one thing is for sure, I do not want any players in the Olympics where are only there b/c of past accomplishments, but aren't currently playing at a high level. Not that you implied it, but bringing the best team is not necessarily inconsistent with bringing a New Gen oriented team.
We just do not see what is happening at practice. "Better player" may struggle with learning what Hayes is coaching. While in theory I somewhat agree. Take the best. The other consideration is taking multi ability players like Crystal... Someone who can play all areas skillfully on the field but perhaps not THE best at any one at the moment. 18 is a small number for a major Tournament, really 16 considering 2 goalies.
Yes, bringing Crystal as a Swiss Army Knife wouldn't be a bad choice. Backup FB, backup MF, backup AW.
I trust that Emma will see thru Morgan quickly. The wheels are gone and she doesnt score. Its time to give her an abby, I really want to see Lilly
For Lyon, Horan is not an enigma. She is very useful, being everywhere in the field. Look at this stat in the 2023 2024 Women Champion's League ; she is the player who has the best "distance covered" 45,4 km in only 651 minutes. A lot of famous midfields (or wingers, or R/L back) ran much less, in more time on the field !! https://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/statistics/players/?sortBy=distance_covered She is slow ? yes, but not so bad as u think. her top speed is 29,1 km/h It is better than Reiten, Walsh, Guijarro, Groenen, Cuthbert, Leupolz etc... https://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/statistics/players/?sortBy=top_speed Don't take Horan in your NT ? Well, maybe good for the other countries ....
Horan is a soccer player. She makes plays, we can't afford not to have her on the field. She reminds me a bit of Wes on the men's side. It's easy to nit pick bits of their games but when they put the shirt on and step the field, they are a net positive and usually show up in the big moments.
This x100. Essentially you have 5 reserve field players. 1 reserve atceach major position group. Depending on the setup. 1 CB. 1 FB/WB. 1 CM/DM. 1 AM/WF/WM. 1 CF. Versatility is key. As is fitness. No dead weight is allowed.
Yeah maybe that was clunky verbiage. I was trying to compliment her. She can be frustrating at times but just make plays. Bottom line for me is that she is a 90 minute player for us in an important game.
I'll be watching the playing time for certain nicked up, injured starting caliber players. Germa. Macario, Davidson, Abby...