Pre Match Notes

It is time for another international break. The U.S. Women’s National Team are now set to face China.

This is going to be a fun one. Phallon Tullis-Joyce is back after a great debut against Brazil, and Seattle Reign‘s Claudia Dickey also received her first call up to the senior team. It is hard to say whether she will get playtime in these games. The decision lies with Emma Hayes. However, national team experience is always a good thing.

In addition to Dickey, L’eau LaBonta, and Kerry Abello also received their first national team call ups as well. Abello has been doing well for Pride. She is good at getting up the left wing and making those cuts into the box. She is very quick and we will likely see her breakthough China’s backline.

Then there is LaBonta, who is an all around exciting and fun player to watch. She will likely bring a lot of energy to the U.S.’s midfield and attack. Pairing her alongside Sam Coffey and Lily Yohannes, or even Olivia Moultrie or Lindsey Heaps could play out well for the U.S.. It will also be exciting to see how LaBonta connects with Catarina Macario, Emma Sears, Ally Sentnor, or Alyssa Thompson.

While the U.S. may face some resistance from China’s backline and defense, they should be able to breakthrough. On top of finishing, their connection in the box will be important. Usually, the U.S. does well when it comes to build up in the attacking third; so no issues there.

While possession and control will likely be in the U.S.’s favor, the team still has to watch out for China’s counterattack and transitions. With players like Naomi Girma and UWCL Champion, Emily Fox, in the backline, the U.S. will be all right in that regard. Girma, as seen in previous games, is able to keep up with the quickest midfielders and attacking players.

First Half Notes

USWNT up 2-0.

Ten minutes in: Despite the pressure from China in the midfield, we are seeing good possession and control from the U.S. There was a close call early on where some early pressure from China almost resulted in Tullis-Joyce losing the ball; however, she was quick to reclaim it, and shake it off. 

For the most part, possession has been in the U.S.’s favor. There was good build up in the attacking third. The U.S. were able to penetrate China’s defense and create chances, but nothing substantial just yet. 

At the 20 minute mark, we are still seeing the U.S. getting behind China’s backline. They have been successful in that area. We are also seeing the U.S. creating some dangerous chances.

The build up is still good, with Yohannes looking promising, and being responsible for getting the U.S. attack forward on multiple occasions. However, we are not seeing that connection in the box. Heaps had a chance to score in the 20th minute, after a service from Yohannes, but she would see her chance saved. 

Up to the 46 minute mark, the U.S. was showing complete control and possession after grabbing two goals. Macario would grab the U.S.’s first goal in the 28th minute. Some confusion in the China box, resulted in China being unable to clear. Macario would appear out of nowhere to finish it off with a simple tap in.

Then, in the 34th minute, Yohannes’s long ball would find Cooper. Cooper would cross to Macario, who would pass it back to Coffey. Coffey would grab the U.S.’s second goal, making it 2-0 at halftime. 

Not only were the U.S. keeping control and possession, they were able to get behind China’s backline very easily with long passes and runners. The U.S. is starting to utilize their pace more, which is allowing them to get into China’s defensive third. We are seeing more chances being created, as well as more attempts on goal.

Second Half and Closing Notes

USWNT Wins 3-0.

Up to the 55 minute mark, the U.S. are once again showing good control and possession. Right from the start they were on the attack. There was an attempt from China to get forward, but that was quickly shut down.

Tullis-Joyce’s clearance would find Heaps. Heaps would play it up to Cooper, on the right wing. Cooper would cross and connect with Heaps. Heaps would grab the U.S.’s third goal in the 54th minute. 

The 69th minute would see Biyendolo, Sams, and LaBonta enter the game, in place of Sonnett, Yohannes and Macario. It will be interesting to see how this changes the midfield and attack, as Yohannes and Macario have been beneficial to the attack so far.

Up to this point the U.S. is still in control, but China is beginning to up their pressure. They are getting forward, and were putting pressure on the U.S.’s backline. Despite that, not much has been done to really challenge Tullis-Joyce in goal. 

Up to the 80th minute, things have been quiet for the most part. China had some threatening moments, but the U.S. was quick to recover and regain possession.

Moultrie, who would come on for Heaps in the 77th minute, had a chance to score in the 78th minute, after a cross from Sears.

Earlier in the 70th minute, Biyendolo would link up with Sears in the box, but Sears would see her attempt go wide. 

Up to the 93rd minute, things were still quiet. With the U.S. already ahead, the goal now was to manage the game and keep control. The U.S. were able to do so in that regard.

There were two final presses from Sears to get forward. She would create two crosses, but nothing would come from them. Dunn would get shoved in the box, but the referee would not call it as a foul. The match would end soon after.

Overall, this was a good and strong performance from the U.S. The first half seemed better for the U.S. performance wise, with the second half focusing on game management and control. Regardless, the U.S. played well. There were good control, movement, connection and build up in the attack.