Pre-Match Notes:

The U.S. Women’s National Team is back for their first match and tournament of 2024. The U.S. is in Group A with the Dominican Republic, Argentina, and Mexico. The U.S. will be meeting the Dominican Republic for their first group stage match. The Dominican Republic walked away with a 1-0 win against Guyana last Saturday, securing a spot in Group A.

When it came to the Dominican Republic’s match against Guyana, the Dominicans had the most possession and control in that match. However, the times when Guyana was successful in getting their attack off against the Dominican Republic were down the wings, particularly the left wing. These areas could be something the U.S. attack can expose and take advantage of. If there are openings like that on the wings, players like Crystal Dunn, Casey Krueger, and Emily Fox will be very effective when it comes to creating crosses and services, or connecting with attacking players. The U.S. will be putting the Dominican Republic’s backline to the test. Any mistakes made by the Dominican backline will most likely be punished by the U.S.

This match is likely to go in the U.S.’s favor. The U.S. will be able to maintain control and possession just fine. They still have to watch out for the Dominican Republic’s counterattacks and transitions, but overall, they should still be able to hold off the Dominican attack.

Naomi Girma, in the backline, is great when it comes to tracking loose balls and long passes, and keeping up with runners. With other experienced defenders in the backline, like Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Casey Krueger, Emily Fox and Tierna Davidson, the backline should have no issue when it comes to recovering possession and maintaining a level of control and stability. Additionally, it was announced last week that Becky Sauerbrunn will be available for these games since Alana Cook had to pull out due to injury.

I believe a lot of people are expecting this to be a blowout, with many goals from the U.S. Honestly, it could be, but there needs to be good connection in the attack and in the box for that to happen. There needs to be good attacking chemistry between the players. The team definitely has the attacking talent and potential with players like Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Mia Fishel*, and Jaedyn Shaw, in addition to veteran players like Lynn Williams, Lindsey Horan, and Rose Lavelle. However, the challenge is going to be getting these players to connect and play as a team.

In December of last year, when the U.S. faced China in two friendlies, it looked like the U.S. team had drunk a lot of energy drinks before the match. The players had the pace and wanted to come out with a quick and overwhelming attack, however, there was no connection in the box, no connection where the team really needed it. Because of that, the team couldn’t score all the goals they were hoping for. The attack ended up looking chaotic, disorganized, and sloppy.

It is possible for the U.S. to score multiple goals in this match, but the players need to work on developing their attacking chemistry in order for it to be a serious attacking threat. It may take a while to develop, or they could adjust to one another fairly quickly. It depends on the players, and how Twila Kilgore, and later Emma Hayes, decide to build those attacking connections.

*Mia Fishel was pulled from the national team camp on February 19th due to an ACL injury. She has been replaced with Alex Morgan

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Alyssa Naeher in the goal. For defenders, Abby Dahlkemper, Jenna Nighswonger, and Becky Sauerbrunn. For midfielders Olivia Moultrie, Emily Sonnett, Korbin Albert, and Sam Coffey. For forwards/strikers, Lynn Williams, Midge Purce, and Sophia Smith.

Substitutes: Naomi Girma, Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, Lindsey Horan, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle, Casey Murphy, Crystal Dunn, Casey Krueger, Jane Campbell, Trinity Rodman, and Emily Fox.

This is an interesting lineup. It appears as though Twila Kilgore could be going with a different formation, one that involves a 3-back, instead of a 4-back, like we often see in the U.S. backline. This 3-back of Dahlkemper, Nighswonger, and Sauerbrunn should do alright in this match. I don’t see the Dominican Republic applying much pressure to the U.S. backline. If push comes to shove, Sonnett and Coffey will be able to drop back and provide that support to the backline. Overall, the defense and backline should still be able to shut down, and hold off the Dominican attack.

A small downside I see with this formation is instead of having a rightback and leftback coming up the wings to connect and create chances, there are only three center backs, who are going to sit back slightly deeper in order to track runners and make recoveries. Players like Dunn, Krueger, and Fox are very effective when it comes to driving the U.S. attack up the wings. With this formation, the U.S. could be missing out on their contributions and involvement in the attack.

On the upside, Kilgore appears to be focusing heavily on the U.S. midfield and attack. Sonnett and Coffey will be able to provide good support and stability in the midfield, while also being able to help drive the attack forward. Albert and Moultrie will also be interesting to see in the midfield. Both of these young players bring a lot of individual quality and talent to this U.S. Team, but as stated earlier, making sure these players can connect with one another and play together is key for the U.S. Team’s success in this match, and in their upcoming games.

Overall, I am expecting the U.S. to dominate when it comes to control and possession. I can definitely see this U.S. Team getting their attack forward, and creating the most chances and opportunities. If there is cohesive play and good support in the midfield and attack, if the team can connect where it counts, and put away their chances, this has the potential to be a high-scoring game for the U.S.

First Half Notes

USWNT 2-0.

Goal scorers for the U.S.: Moultrie (1), Williams (1).

Williams originally scored in the first minute after a corner kick, but Smith was impeding the vision of the goalkeeper, and was in an offside position. The goal didn’t count. Moultrie would score off a service from Purce. Williams would eventually get her goal, also off an assist from Purce.

The U.S. is in a 3-4-3. Many people, leading up to the match, were pointing out how this was an interesting choice for the U.S., made by Twila Kilgore. While it can be considered experimental, and some players are playing in different roles and positions, it’s going well so far for the U.S.

As expected, there is great control and possession in the midfield and attack, along with good movement and touches between the attacking players. Sonnett’s movement and control in the midfield has been great. She’s been finding players and looking for those attacking options. Purce down that right wing has been deadly. She’s getting past defenders without issue, finding her way into the box and getting off her crosses and services. She was able to grab two assists in this first half, and hasn’t faced much resistance from the Dominican defense. The attack so far is coming from the right wing or the central midfield. If the U.S. can also attack and create more build-up plays down the left wing, it would allow for even more chances to be created.

There’s good connection and support in the attack, and nice build-up plays and touches, however, an issue appears to be, that there are too many touches in and around the box. A question that could be raised at halftime is, how could the U.S. get their attack off more effectively with fewer touches, and less hesitation?

Second Half/Closing Notes

USWNT Wins 5-0.

Goal scorers for the U.S.: Moultrie (2), Willams (1), Nighswonger (PK), Morgan (PK)

Moultrie was able to grab a second goal after an assist/attempt from Purce. Nighswonger would convert a penalty kick after Shaw was fouled in the box. The U.S. was then awarded a second penalty kick after Rodman was fouled in the box during extra time. Morgan would step up and convert, and the U.S. would finish the match 5-0.

The second half was much like the first. The U.S. had no issue maintaining control and possession. They were able to get their attack off and create plenty of chances for one another. The challenge for the U.S. in this second half, in this whole match, was trying to figure how to break through the Dominican Republic’s defense. Eventually, the U.S. was able to wear down the defense enough in the second half, to the point where the Dominican Republic made crucial mistakes that would lead to the U.S. being awarded two penalty kicks.

The U.S. was very dominant in this match, however, the team needs to continue working on their attack and midfield, while also building consistency in those attacking connections. In terms of cohesion and chemistry, it’s definitely getting there. There was great support, drive, and build-up plays in the midfield and attack. Touches and movement on the ball were also solid in this match, however there are areas where communication can be improved. With time and more development, the team’s chemistry and communication will get to where it needs to be. So far, this is a promising and good start to the U.S.’s tournament run, that leaves a lot of hope and potential for this team’s future.