Pre-Match Notes: When it comes to this second friendly, I can imagine that this is going to be a harder match than the first. South Africa is aware of how the US is going to play. Something South Africa could do is lock down their defense and just focus on counterattacking and transitions. If that’s the case, the US backline and defense is needing to watch out for that. At the same time, South Africa could put pressure on the US midfield, force turnovers, and get some passes or through balls behind the US backline. Again, the defenders need to watch out for those as well. Usually, US midfielders, Andi Sullivan and Lindsey Horan, do well when it comes to handling pressure in the midfield, but I’m interested to see how Sam Coffey and even Savannah DeMelo would do in this match under pressure.
When it comes to the US’s attack, obviously, the attacking players need to connect with each other and connect where it counts. This is going to be a tough one because I’m expecting South Africa to lock down their penalty area. It’s going to be harder for the US attack to break through. I would like to see more services and crosses, and quicker touches and movement on the ball. I would like to see the US maintain pressure on South Africa’s backline and midfield. If the US can win those battles in midfield, they’ll be able to build and create more chances for their attack to go forward.
Line Up Notes:
Starters: We have Casey Murphy in the goal. For defenders Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, and Casey Kreuger. For midfielders Emily Sonnett, Andi Sullivan, and Lindsey Horan. For forwards Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Trinity Rodman.
Substitutes: Alyssa Naeher, Ashley Sanchez, Lynn Williams, Alyssa Thompson, Alana Cook, Midge Purce, Aubrey Kingsbruy, Savannah DeMelo, Emily Fox, Jaedyn Shaw, Sam Coffey, Mia Fishel.
Not Dressing: Ashley Hatch, M.A. Vignola.
I like this backline with Girma, Davidson, Krueger, and Dunn. There’s a strong defending partnership with Krueger and Davidson. I know Dunn and Krueger will do well on the wings but also provide good support in the backline. Like I mentioned earlier, the backline still needs to be on the lookout for South Africa’s counterattacks and transitions. At the same time, I’m also interested in the center-back pairing of Girma and Davidson. I don’t think those two have ever played together on the national team, so that will be interesting to see.
We have Sonnet back in the midfield again. I guess that’s going to be a regular thing, but both Sonnett and Sullivan will be able to provide good stability in the midfield, along with Horan. I would like to see Coffey or DeMelo come on in the second half and see how they change up the midfield.
As for the forwards, I’m looking forward to seeing what Rapinoe cooks up for us in her final match with the national team. At the same time, I want to see more drive and pressure from the attack, along with better connection in the attack and in the box. When it comes to the team as a whole, I want to see the US continue to work on and develop their chemistry.
First Half Notes:
USWNT 1-0.
Honestly, it was a good first half and performance from the US. Kreuger was able to find Morgan. Morgan got her cross off, and Rodman scored the first goal of the match. There’s great control, movement, and possession in the midfield. Krueger created some good plays that led to good chances for the US attack. Rodman looks good. Morgan looks better. Overall, the team just looks good. I like the quick touches and movement in the attack and midfield. The connection and chemistry look alright too. It’s definitely something this team has been working on.
The downside of this half is the lack of connection in the box, and finishing. There’s good cohesion between the attacking players, but in the box, it’s a different story. The team is connecting well everywhere else on the pitch, but they need to connect in the box to score goals. As for the defense, it looked shaky at the beginning but improved as the half went on. In the second half, we’ll likely see some substitutions. Hopefully, we’ll get to see Coffey, DeMelo, Shaw, or Fishel.
Second Half and Closing Notes:
USWNT wins 2-0
It was an alright second half. Emily Sonnett scored the US’s second goal of the match, solidifying the US’s win. Things slowed down quite a bit in the final twenty minutes, but it was still a really good half. Control in the midfield was still good, but there were a few slip-ups here and there. I think we still need to figure out how the midfield will run without Horan and Sullivan. It seems like we’re still reliant on them to control things in the midfield, and Kilgore needs to figure out how to work in midfielders like DeMelo, Coffey, and Sanchez, and get them adjusted to how she expects them to play.
When it came to the attack in the second half, the services and crosses were definitely there. I think I would’ve liked to see more. However, the attacking players need to finish and put away those chances. I pointed out in the first half, the team is connecting everywhere on the pitch, except in the box. Granted, this team is still getting adjusted to one another. There are players who already play well together and are familiar with one another, but Kilgore is needing to get the rest of the team up to speed. Chemistry and connection in this game look good. You can tell it’s getting better because you can see it with US’s movement and touches on the ball. We’re starting to see this team relearning how to play together again, and hopefully, it’s something they continue to develop.
It is evident that the US has made significant progress during this national team camp. So far, this is the best the US has performed all year. Undoubtedly, these friendlies against South Africa have demonstrated the impact of a skilled coach on the team’s success and growth. It’s going to be interesting to see how this US team grows under Twila Kilgore’s guidance.
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