Pre-Match Notes: After a disappointing performance and early exit in the 2023 World Cup, the U.S. Women’s National Team is back with two friendlies against the South Africa Women’s National Team.

Before, during, and after the World Cup, many questions were raised about the US team’s performance. One of the most common criticisms had to do with the team’s lack of chemistry and connection in the attack. This was especially evident in the US’s second friendly leading up to the World Cup against Ireland, where the US’s lone, winning goal came from center-back, Alana Cook. During the World Cup, the lack of chemistry and connection in the attack became more apparent in the US’s group stage matches against the Netherlands and Portugal, and in the round of sixteen match against Sweden, where the US would ultimately see their elimination in the penalty shootout.

When it comes to the U.S. Women’s National Team right now, the biggest challenge for the new interim head coach, Twila Kilgore, involves working on the team’s chemistry and communication. Getting the team to connect where it counts and figuring out how to build and develop potential attacking partnerships between players like Mia Fishel, Ashley Hatch, Alyssa Thompson, Jaedyn Shaw, Alex Morgan, and Trinity Rodman. Granted, all of this isn’t going to happen overnight. It’s going to take time and patience, but hopefully, this will mark a new start for the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Line Up Notes:

Interesting lineup. It’s good to see Alana Cook in the backline, especially since she wasn’t able to get any minutes during the World Cup. When it comes to the backline and defense, they should do well in this match. There will still be moments where South Africa is threatening and dangerous, like in transition, or with through balls and making runs, so Girma, Cook, Fox, and Dunn still need to be aware of those.

When it comes to South Africa, they are a good team that the US shouldn’t underestimate. During the World Cup, South Africa was in a group with Sweden, Argentina, and Italy. South Africa lost to Sweden in a tight game, drew with Argentina, and won against Italy. South Africa would move on to the knockout stages and eventually be knocked out by the Netherlands. When it came to the match against the Netherlands, it was mainly the Netherlands controlling and attacking.

With that in mind, I can see the US being able to maintain possession and control of the midfield just fine, especially when the midfield consists of Ertz, Horan, and Sonnett. It is interesting that Kilgore is starting Sonnett in the midfield over Sullivan or Coffey, but so far in the NWSL season, Sonnett has been doing well playing there. Most likely, we could see Sullivan or Coffey come on in the second half depending on how things go in the first half.

As for the forwards, there’s great goal-scoring potential with all three: Morgan, Williams, and Rodman. But as mentioned earlier, that connection in the attack and in the box is essential for this US team to be successful.

First Half Notes:

USWNT 3-0

All right, so this is good so far. It was a bit of a slow start from the US, but after the first goal by Williams, the momentum definitely picked up because it was soon followed by Rodman scoring a goal for herself, and then Williams getting her second goal of the match.

There’s good movement and control in the midfield. Sonnett is still impressing me with her management of the midfield. Ertz, Horan, and Sullivan were also doing well too. The connection between the midfield and attack is still good. I’m seeing good touches, crosses, and services. The attack just needs to get on the end of those. The connection in the attack was a bit shaky at the start, but once the players got more adjusted, it started to get a little better. I would say that the connection in the box needs more work, but it’s getting somewhere.

When it comes to the defense and backline, they need to do better in responding to South Africa’s counterattacks and transitions. Yes, the US had the most possession and control in this half, but in the first thirty minutes of the first half, South Africa had some good chances and were dangerous in and around the US box. The backline needs to be more careful with this South Africa team because they’re proving to be dangerous with the ball at their feet and in transition. Overall, this game so far is going well for the US. Going into the second half, I would like to see more services from the US, along with more connection in the box.

Second Half and Closing Notes:

I’m a little conflicted with this second half. It wasn’t a bad second half, but at the same time, it also wasn’t good. The chemistry and connection between the team seemed better in the first half. After the substitutes came on, you could see the lack of cohesion from the team, especially in the attack. With the substitutes coming in, it might have interrupted the flow and rhythm of the game, and some of the players may not have been able to find their rhythm. It’s not a big issue, it’s just an indicator that the team as a whole is needing to adjust and get used to playing with each other. There are players who are used to playing with one another, but this comes down to the rest of the team finding that familiarity as well.

Sullivan and Sonnett were doing well when it came to keeping control of the midfield, but I feel like this team needs to figure out what to do when Horan comes off. I think I would have liked to see more of Sanchez creating more touches and services and getting more involved in the attack. You notice Horan in the midfield pressing and getting involved with the attack, but I want to see more of that from Sanchez.

When it comes to the second half, it’s more evident that the US Team needs to work on their connection in the attack and in the box. There were services from the US, but players need to get on the end of those. At the same time, I think the team could have benefited more from long balls and passes behind the backline, and attacking more on the wings. The US was trying to work the ball up the midfield, but South Africa was doing a good job of staying tight and compact, making themselves impenetrable. If the US could make more plays out wide, then they should have an easier time breaking through South Africa’s defense. Besides that, it was a good game and performance from the US. Obviously, there are things this team still needs to work on, but overall, this was a good step in the right direction.

The USWNT’s second friendly again South Africa is going to be Sunday September 24th at 5:30PM EST.