Pre-Match Notes

After a strong 5-0 win against the Dominican Republic, the U.S. Women’s National Team is sitting at the top of Group A, followed by Argentina in second, and Mexico in third. The U.S. will now face Argentina, who is coming off a 0-0 draw with Mexico. While a win against Argentina is likely, it won’t come without a fight. The Argentinians will be a strong opponent, and a good challenge for the USWNT.

On Tuesday, February 20th, Argentina played Mexico to a 0-0 draw. Despite Mexico earning a penalty kick in the first half, that may’ve been able to change the outcome of the match, Mexico failed to convert it. The match continued with both sides creating plenty of opportunities (the majority coming from Mexico), but neither side were able to put away their chances. When it came to this match, Mexico proved to be the better team. They had the most control and possession, and created more chances, however, Argentina did well when it came to holding off Mexico’s attack.

When it came to the U.S.’s match against the Dominican Republic, Twila Kilgore had the U.S. playing in a 3-4-3, a starting formation that was very different from what fans, journalists, and commentators expected. Despite the different formation, the U.S. was still able to maintain control and possession without issue. They were able to get their attack forward and create plenty of crosses and services of their own, many of those services coming in from the right wing, courtesy of Midge Purce. Additionally, there was good connection, touches, and movement in both the midfield and attack. While the U.S. Team is still needing to work on building their attacking partnerships and developing their chemistry, the U.S. overall was doing almost everything right in that match.

When it comes to this match against Argentina, much like the match against the Dominican Republic, the U.S. is needing to figure out how to breakthrough Argentina’s backline and defense while also watching out for Argentina’s counterattacks and transitions.

Going back to the Argentina’s match against Mexico, while Mexico was dominant in terms of possession and control in the midfield, there were still moments where Argentina was able to transition and get their attack forward. In the U.S.’s match against the Dominican Republic, the Dominicans didn’t pose much of an attacking threat to the U.S., however, a question that can be raised is, how will this U.S. team respond to another attacking team that can get their attack forward and can challenge the U.S. backline and defense? We could see the U.S.’s midfield and backline put to the test in this match.

Likewise, when it comes to the U.S.’s attack, this is where cohesive play and connection in the box will come into play the most. Against Argentina’s backline, the U.S. needs to utilize their pace, pressure, and intensity in the attack in order to find their way through. My main criticism of the U.S.’s match against the Dominican Republic was that the U.S., at times, would have too many touches on the ball when they were outside the box. The same question can be raised here: how can this U.S. team get their attack off more quickly, more effectively, with fewer touches on the ball? This is something the U.S. is needing to figure out if they want to be successful in this match.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Casey Murphy in the goal. For defenders Naomi Girma, Casey Krueger, Tierna Davidson, and Crystal Dunn. For midfielders, Lindsey Horan, Korbin Albert, and Rose Lavelle. For forwards Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, and Trinity Rodman.

Substitutes: Alyssa Naeher, Abby Dahlkemper, Jenna Nighswonger, Becky Sauerbrunn, Lynn Williams, Midge Purce, Sophia Smith, Olivia Moultrie, Emily Sonnett, Sam Coffey, Jane Campbell, and Emily Fox.

It appears as though the U.S. is back to using a 4-back (4 defenders) instead of a 3-back (3 defenders). Playing with a 3-back against Argentina would’ve been a bit risky, considering Argentina is still an attacking team that is dangerous when they can get their attack forward. What’s great about this backline of Girma, Krueger, Davidson, and Dunn, is Krueger and Dunn will be very effective moving up the wings and connecting with the U.S. attack. These two will be able to create plenty of crosses and services for the attack, and will assist the U.S. with their attacking press.

When it comes to the U.S.’s midfield and attack, it appears as though Albert is going to be playing as a defensive midfielder for this match. It’s going to be interesting to see how well this midfield can maintain control and possession. I can still see the U.S. having the most control and possession in this match, however they must also be ready to respond when Argentina goes on the attack. Additionally, they, along with the backline, needs to recover possession, and win those battles in the midfield.

As for the attacking line of Morgan, Shaw, and Rodman, in addition to Horan and Lavelle, it’s going to be fun to see how this attack comes together, and whether they’ll be able to connect with one another in the attack and around the box. Cohesive play in the attack and in the box is still essential for this U.S. Team, and it’s great to see Kilgore working on developing these attacking partnerships. As mentioned earlier, the U.S. needs to utilize their pace, pressure, and intensity if they want to be successful in this match. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see that drive and energy from this U.S. Team.

First Half Notes

USWNT 3-0.

Goal Scorers for the U.S.: Shaw (2), Morgan (1).

Shaw’s first goal would come from a quickly taken free kick that caught Argentina off guard. Horan, who was fouled, slipped the ball up to Shaw. Shaw would score in the box. Then Shaw, arriving late, would score her second goal off a cross from Lavelle, that may’ve been meant for Morgan. Morgan, though, would score the U.S.’s third goal off a cross from Krueger.

This was a thrilling first half at the start. Argentina was applying pressure to the U.S. midfield, forcing turnovers and battling for possession. It definitely seemed as though the U.S. was having trouble maintaining control of the midfield. There was a dangerous moment where Argentina scored off a free kick, but the goal was ruled offsides. As the half went on, and after the U.S. put away their third goal, the U.S. team was able to get back in control and maintain their stability in the midfield. At this point the, U.S. had fully settled into the game and were in no rush. They were picking their chances, and were being patient, not wanting to lose possession to an Argentina team, that was still waiting for the right moment to strike.

When it comes to individual players, Albert’s control, movement, and touches have been good so far, especially when it comes to picking out players. At the same time, she has been handling Argentina’s midfield pressure well. Shaw is also proving to be a solid player, grabbing two goals in this half, and making her presence known in the attack.

As for the rest of the team, there’s been good connection and movement in the midfield and attack, however going into the second half, I would like to see the U.S. up their pace and start getting their attack forward again. I would like to see more intensity from the U.S., and see them creating more chances.

Second Half/Closing Notes

USWNT Wins 4-0.

Goal Scorers for the U.S.: Shaw (2), Morgan (1), Horan (PK)

A potential handball in the Argentina box would lead to a VAR check. VAR confirmed Argentina defender, Miriam Mayorga, had her arms up when attempting to block Nighswonger’s attempt. Mayorga, who was already on a yellow card, would be sent off, and the U.S. would be awarded a penalty kick. Horan would step up and convert the penalty, making it 4-0 for the U.S.

This second half went as expected for the U.S. The U.S. was in complete control, much like in the match against the Dominican Republic. There was little to no response from Argentina, who at the start of the first half, was more aggressive with their pressure in the midfield, and wanted to get their attack forward. Consistently, throughout this match, the U.S. was able to create chance-after-chance on the Argentina right wing, something the Argentinians failed to correct as the match went on.

Much like the first half, there was good movement and control in the midfield. Good connection and touches between the midfield and attack. Attacking chemistry looked all right as well and appears to be improving. The pace was also good from the U.S., and it was nice to see the team up their intensity. There is good support in the box, but an area that may need some improvement is that final touch and finishing. Overall, this was another dominant performance from the U.S, in what was a fun and exciting match.