I have been very impressed with Pugh's speed and crossing ability. Her movement off the ball seems good. My question: Is she ready for prime time or is she getting so much playing time to help her develop? She sure has wheels.
I think she's ready. As commentators have stated, being that young is sometimes a benefit. you don't feel the same pressure.
I believe the answer to your first question will be answered in 2 weeks time. IMO, the answer to your second question: she's playing because she's beating out other players at the position and that match experience will undoubtedly help her development.
Does Mallory have a dominant side? She puts in great left footed crosses but someone said she is right footed.
Repped for starting this post. I do not keep up with WOSO but closely follow the USWNT. I like to keep up with them but don't have the time. I agree with @sregis2 , both. I may be overrating her performance in this last tourney, but she is electric when she touches the ball and she has "it" whatever "it" is. She is a player like Alex that you just know she is going to be a star. I think she is still very young but she is better on the ball than most of the team. I know somebody will come along and show she probably gets a lot of turnovers, but they really do not bother me much. Most of her turnovers are at or around the eighteen, and she was trying to do some other worldly sheet that is going to lead to a simple finish or she is trying to thread a through ball onto a strikers foot for a first time shot. So far it is producing goals and making us very dangerous so I am not bothered by her turnovers. The turnover that kills me is the DM passing it twenty yards up field to the top of the middle third to another midfielder who is ether double teamed, or is wide open and we pass it to the other team. She covers her share of ground, but the physicality of the game may be wearing her down before the 90 is up. She just needs time on the pitch with the big girls and she will be fine I think.
Hi, your name is Mallory right? Welcome to the National Team. Your locker is right over there. We understand that you are only 17, but we would like you to start in an Olympic Qualifier for the World Cup Champions. Holy S, I'm still freaking out just a little bit over all this, but happy as a clam that we have this kind of talent in the pipeline. Perfect storm for some of these youngsters to gain playing time against non-Top 15ish competition. What do the ex-player Match commentators always state during the broadcasts.... experience and confidence. I'm glad they got a little of both before the gauntlet starting next week. (230 hours 32 minutes to Kick BTW.)
So let me throw this out there. God rides in on a Harley, whacks Pinoe with a magic wand and says "Ye are healed". Does Pugh go to the bench? I know it's been a small sample but for me it's Pugh and whoever u pick between Pinoe and Heath until a defense proves me wrong.
Unlike players like Lloyd, Sauernrunn, etc, Pinoe have never been a consistent 90 minute player so if she is miraculously healed it will be the best outcome for this team. You can have both she and Pugh sharing minutes without the added pressure of thinking they alone have the carry the burden on the left wing. I'm a big fan of Pugh but no way is she ready for that yet in the Olympics. Having Pinoe in the squad and starting can only help Pugh
I could see a rotation and it still is early to have a complete book on Pugh but it is so impressive to watch her find ways to keep the ball moving forward instead of pushing the ball laterally around the perimeter while the other attackers can only stand around.
Is Left Wing Pugh's only position, or does she player other spots? If it was me Pugh is going to be a starter at least until somebody stops her. We are the number one team in the world and we should not be bunkering against anybody, and many will bunker against us. We are going to need a player like her on the field. If she gets over run then her starting spot might be called into question, but she might present enough of a speed threat that the opposing FB on her side bombing forward might be a good tactic for us. I do think Pugh is a little ways off from having the physicality required to play a full ninety. Of course I have not seen her in a situation where she has been on the field for 70 mins and the contest in doubt. She might not look so gassed if we weren't firmly in control. So there is the Pinoe and her splitting the spot, but if ti was me, Pinoe needs to be the sub unless she hits a purple patch.
Watching Pugh play it's hard not to imagine her in the #10 position. However Lloyd is stuck in that spot so I don't think we will see Pugh there anytime soon. The good news though even if Lloyd is with this team for the next 4-5 years, that will still make Pugh just 21-22, which is younger than someone like Brian right now.
I like her better wide because she isnt very tall but Id like to Ellis move her around the three AM positions. It would make it harder for other teams the scheme a way to defend them. An example would be the way Sundhage played to deny the ball to Rapinoe on the left at WC.
Yeah, Brandi Chastain is left-footed according to her PK against China in the 1999 WWC Final. Not. We may never know.