Pre-Match Notes: After winning 2-1 against Japan in their SheBelieves Cup Semifinal, the U.S. Women’s National Team is set to face Canada in the SheBelieves Cup Final. Canada, in their semifinal against Brazil, would grab a late goal, tying things up at 1-1. The match would end in a penalty shootout, and Canada would go on to win 4-2 on penalties.

When it comes to the U.S., what we need to see from this team is better connection in the attack, especially in the attacking third. The build-up plays are often good from the U.S.; however, as seen in the match against Japan, the U.S. attack falls apart once they near the box. The challenge for the U.S., in this match, and in their upcoming games, will involve figuring out how they can get their attack off quicker, before the opposing team can get back to defend, or clear their lines. Additionally, there also needs to be strong pressure from the U.S. attack, as well as quick services, crosses, and touches.

In regard to the U.S. backline, there needs to be better awareness from the defenders. In the U.S.’s match against Japan, Japan was able to get an early lead after catching Jenna Nighswonger off guard, and slipping behind the U.S. backline. The backline especially needs to be more aware when it comes to defending their left wing, since that was an issue for them against Japan.

In addition to defending, defensive play in the midfield is going to be essential against Canada. Canada, like in the Women’s Gold Cup, is going to challenge the U.S. for possession and control of the midfield. While Lindsey Horan and Sam Coffey did well maintaining control in their last match, the U.S. needs to maintain a level of midfield dominance to prevent Canada from getting their attack forward. This stability in the midfield would also allow for the U.S. to get their attack off more effectively, and create chances for their attacking players.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Alyssa Naeher in the goal. For defenders Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, and Emily Fox. For midfielders Lindsey Horan, Sam Coffey, and Emily Sonnett. For forwards Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, and Sophia Smith.

Substitutes: Jenna Nighswonger, Naomi Girma, Olivia Moultrie, Eva Gaetino, Catarina Macario, Mallory Swanson, Korbin Albert, Lily Yohannes, Casey Murphy, Casey Krueger, Jane Campbell, and Trinity Rodman.

It’s a surprising line up. I was expecting to see Swanson starting in the attack with Morgan, Shaw, Rodman, or Smith because she usually has great pace in the attack and would be able to get past Canada’s backline and defense. One of the U.S.’s challenges in this match is going to involve breaking through Canada’s backline and defense. It is likely we could see Swanson come on in the second half, but for now, Smith isn’t a bad attacking option either.

Smith has a track record of getting past defenders and finding her way through the tightest gaps in a team’s defense. However, she, like the rest of the U.S. attack, needs to work on connecting in the attacking third, especially around the box. Additionally, I’m looking forward to seeing more of this attacking partnership between Smith and Shaw.

When it comes to the U.S. midfield, unlike the match against Japan, where it was just Horan and Coffey starting in the midfield, Emily Sonnett has been thrown into the mix. As mentioned earlier, possession and control of the midfield is going to be essential in this match. Adding Sonnett this time around would hopefully help the U.S. in maintaining better control and stability. Likewise, it would also allow for Horan to press and get more involved in the attack.

In regard to the backline and defense, Girma is available off the bench, after having to come off early in the match against Japan, due to a thigh injury. Dunn is also starting in place of Nighswonger. While Dunn and Fox will most likely be pressing with the attack, it is still essential that these two can get back to defend the wings, and support Davidson and Dahlkemper. Canada has plenty of strong attacking options, and it’s going to be interesting to see if the U.S. backline will be able to hold off Canada’s attack yet again. This U.S. team can definitely defend, but there needs to be consistency.

First Half Notes

Canada 0-1.

This first half can be described as bad. There was no connection whatsoever in the attack, and the buildup plays from the U.S. haven’t been good. Kilgore and Hayes have been wanting the U.S. to work on open play, as well as attacking more centrally; however, it’s not working for the U.S. They’re too slow in getting their attack forward, and moving in transition, especially on the counter. In addition to the attack, it looks disorganized. Smith, Morgan, and Shaw haven’t been able to connect; They’re all over the place, and not in a good way.

The U.S. needs to be quicker in transition, and quicker getting their attack forward to create those chances for the attacking players. Connection in the attacking third needs to be better. If the U.S. doesn’t get their attack sorted out, it’s going to hurt this team the most.

If the U.S. wants to come back in the second half, they need to play with more urgency, and there needs to be better control in the midfield. Both the midfield and attack need to be quicker with their crosses, services, and touches. Additionally, there has to be better connection and movement in the attack, as well as in the attacking third.

Penalty Shootout

After 90 minutes, the match would end 2-2 and go into a penalty shootout. There was no extra time.

Jessie Flemming for Canada scores first. Canada 2-3

Trinity Rodman steps up. Sees her penalty saved. Canada 2-3.

Adriana Leon scores. Canada 2-4.

Sophia Smith steps up. Smith converts. USWNT 3-4.

Jade Rose would see her shot saved by Naeher. Canada 3-4.

Alyssa Naeher steps up. Naeher converts. USWNT 4-4.

Chloé Lacasse would see her shot saved by Naeher. Canada 4-4.

Lindsey Horan steps up and converts. USWNT 5-4.

Julia Grosso converts. Canada 5-5.

Emily Sonnett steps up and skies it. USWNT 5-5.

Ashley Lawrence converts. Canada 5-6.

Abby Dahlkemper steps up and converts. USWNT 6-6.

Evelyne Viens would see her shot saved by Naeher. Canada 6-6.

Emily Fox steps up and converts. USWNT 7-6.

Final Score: USWNT Wins 7-6.

Closing Notes

USWNT Wins 7-6 on penalties, and wins the SheBelieves Cup.

When it comes to the second half, it was a lot better than the first. There was better control and possession in the midfield, all right connection in the attack, and good support in the attack and in the box. There were better build-up plays and more urgency in the U.S. attack when Swanson and Rodman came on. We saw some good connection between Rodman, Shaw and Smith, which would lead to Smith grabbing two goals in the second half; however, the challenge for the U.S. is going to involve building consistency and chemistry in the attack.

The attack is still an area that the U.S. is needing to work on. If the U.S. wants to be successful in their upcoming games, building the team’s chemistry and developing those attacking partnerships will help the team in regard to developing organization and consistency. Right now, consistency in all areas, the backline, midfield, and attack is something the USWNT is needing to strive for.