Pre Match Notes

This is the U.S. Women’s National Team’s final match before the team takes off to Paris to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Last Saturday, the USWNT would come away with a 1-0 win against Mexico. The U.S. did well overall. The U.S. was dominant when it came to control and possession. There was good connection and movement between the midfield and attack, decent build-up plays, and plenty of services being created. The U.S. was able to break through Mexico’s defense multiple times, with Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith wreaking havoc in Mexico’s defensive third. There is great chemistry between these three, but unfortunately they, and the rest of the U.S. attack, is falling short when it comes to finishing. The U.S. is not putting away their chances consistently enough, and this could be a problem for the team in the Olympics.

The U.S.’s backline and defense also performed well against Mexico. Despite a few tense moments, there was great organization in the backline. Naomi Girma, Emily Fox, Tierna Davidson, and Jenna Nighswonger were solid defenders overall, able to shut down Mexico’s attack and make important clearances and recoveries. There was also good support from Sam Coffey, who was more aggressive and able to make her presence felt in the midfield.

When it comes to this match against Costa Rica the U.S. is likely to come away with the win. They’re also likely to have the most control and possession. With that in mind, the team should use this game as an opportunity to improve their connection in the attack, build their attacking partnerships, and work on their finishing.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Alyssa Naeher in the goal. For defenders Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, and Tierna Davidson. In the midfield and attack: Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn, Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith.

Substitutes: Korbin Albert, Casey Krueger, Lynn Williams, Emily Sonnett, Jaedyn Shaw, Casey Murphy, Hal Hershfelt, Croix Bethune, Emily Sams, Jane Campbell.

The U.S. could be playing in a 3-5-2, with just Davidson, Girma, and Fox in the backline. Dunn can play in the backline, but it is more likely she’s going to be involved in the midfield and attack. Hayes is likely predicting her side is going to have the most possession and control in this match, and a 3-5-2 wouldn’t be a bad setup for this U.S. attack. A three-back (three defenders) may face some challenge from Costa Rica, however, the U.S. should be able to maintain control, and recover possession without much issue. Coffey will also be able to drop back and provide support when needed. This setup will also allow the U.S. attack to work on their connection and chemistry, develop their build-up plays, and hopefully improve their finishing.

First Half Notes

USWNT 0-0.

The U.S. would play in a 4-3-3, and Rose Lavelle would be replaced at the start of the match with Korbin Albert, due to some leg tightness.

As predicted, the U.S. had the most possession and control in this half. The team is getting forward and creating chances, with a handful of them being good goal scoring opportunities. The problem is, there’s no connection or finishing in the box. The attack looks out of focus, and falls apart once they get into the penalty area. The U.S. has all this possession, but they’re struggling to do something with it. The U.S.’s pace in this game, when compared to their match against Mexico, is slow and lifeless, as if the team is out of energy. Maybe they are to some extent, as there isn’t much rotation in this attack, with Rodman, Swanson, and Smith starting in both games. On the plus side, these three have been doing well driving the attack forward.

For the second half, there needs to be some rotation to the line up. There needs to be a change of pace both figuratively and literally. Bringing on Shaw, Williams, or Bethune may help breathe more life into the attack. Unless something changes in the second half, we can expect to see the U.S. maintaining possession and control, and creating many chances, but not much else.

Second Half and Closing Notes

USWNT Draws 0-0.

Perhaps there was more urgency and pace from the U.S. attack in this second half, but truthfully there wasn’t much of a difference from the first half. The U.S. still had the most possession and control in this game. The attack was still able to get forward and create chances. The connection in the box was a little better, however the biggest problem in this game was the U.S.’s poor finishing.

It’s not that the U.S. couldn’t break through Costa Rica’s defense. Rodman, Swanson, Smith, Shaw, and Dunn were able to do so countless times in this game, but even when the team was able to draw the Costa Rican goalkeeper off her line, and find openings in the defense, they would miss the clearest chances on goal. It was honestly unbelievable how awful the U.S.’s finishing was in this game, even with some good crosses and services coming in. This match boils down to the team having and creating chances, but not taking them.

The U.S. can have all the possession in the world, and create so many good chances, but if this team can’t score, it honestly doesn’t matter.