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Post by Admin on Mar 3, 2017 20:59:24 GMT
After the U.S. women's soccer team beat Germany, 1-0, at Talen Energy Stadium on Wednesday night, I got an exclusive interview with star midfielder Tobin Heath. Your thoughts on the win? I thought it was fantastic. It was our first game back since November, so obviously, playing a quality opponent like Germany and getting the result we did - and I think the way that we played, we were always on our front foot during the game. I thought that was great. Obviously, there were a lot of things that we need to clean up and make a little bit better, but to start the tournament like this, I think it's the best place we could be.  How is the transition to playing a 3-5-2 formation going? It's going well. I mean, this is the first time we've actually played it against a good opponent, so I think for us, we just need to keep playing it and keep challenging ourselves in the formation, and be in uncomfortable situations. Because it's one of those formations where in most situations, you've got to give up some territory. Knowing [how to] be positionally accurate in order to solve those. And just playing with the new players, and stuff like that. It's important to get those connections going in order to make the formation buzz in the way we want it to. And for you in particular, as one of the outside players - I know you've played some outside back in a four-back formation at times in the past - but what's this like? It's different. I would say it's a lot of work, but I think it can be rewarding at times. I think it's one of those positions where you have to always kind of expect to either transition out of it and be a great option [in attack], or put in that last-ditch run back. So in that way, I think you have to be focused and tuned in.  For us, it's me, Crystal [Dunn] and Mal [Pugh] who played out there today. I think it's a little bit different for us, because we basically have the whole sideline to deal with. In that way, it puts us in situations that are a little unique for us in this formation. I think we're learning, and I think we're growing. So it's good.  |
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Post by Admin on Mar 4, 2017 21:48:49 GMT
 In Saturday’s second match of the 2017 SheBelieves Cup, the USWNT will take on England. England will look to bounce back after their heartbreaking stoppage time loss to France on Wednesday, while the USWNT looks to continue their roll after their 1-0 victory against Germany. Despite the loss, England are technically third on the table due to goal differential separating them and Germany. They will need to come out strong against the USWNT in order to be a threat. For the first half of their match against France, England was the more threatening team with plenty of chances and a very dangerous look to their play. It will be important head coach Mark Sampson and company do the same again against the number one team in the world. Having a high attacking line is key for England, seeing how much havoc they caused in the first half of their last game. Having Jordan Nobbs in the attack will be huge for England. Not only did she score a goal against France, but she also was able to get multiple shots off in dangerous areas. Houston Dash’s Rachel Daly placed at right back in Sampson’s three-back system is key, too. With Daly’s attacking mindedness, England will be able to look incredibly threatening coming from outside the back.  Although the USWNT did come away with the win against the 2016 Olympic gold medalists, it wasn’t easy by any means. The experimenting happening throughout the field has many positives, but there are many areas for improvement for the tournament hosts. Gaining control of the midfield will be key for the USWNT. In their match against Germany, it seemed hard for them to gain control of the game when it came to connection and building through the midfield. This Saturday, using a player such as Morgan Brian to help build and maybe calm the game down would be huge in terms of being in control. Head coach Jill Ellis seems to be thoroughly enjoying the three-back system they have going on. The difference this weekend will be that between England and the United States, England is better adapted to this system. It’s worked very well for them for the most part. For the USWNT, they seem to still be figuring it out. Allie Long, who originally plays in the midfield, has been adjusting to the position for about a year. With Long as the lone center back, Becky Sauerbrunn is put as one of the outside backs, causing an imbalance to the backline. So far, it hasn’t cost the USWNT anything major, but playing against a team who knows how to expose those holes is incredibly dangerous if they can’t figure it out fast enough. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 6, 2017 21:10:42 GMT
Ellen White #11 of England celebrates her goal with teammates Steph Houghton #5,Izzy Christiansen #10 and Lucy Bronze #4 in the second half against the United States during the SheBelieves Cup at Red Bull Arena on March 4, 2017 in Harrison, New Jersey.England defeated the USA 1-0.  A last-minute goal from Ellen White gave England Women a 1-0 win over world champions the United States in the SheBelieves Cup at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.  White struck from close range after Lucy Bronze's superb shot from 25 yards came back off the crossbar.  |
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Post by Admin on Mar 10, 2017 20:58:49 GMT
The U.S. women's national team entered Tuesday's SheBelieves Cup finale with a chance to win the competition for a second straight year. Instead, it's finished dead last. Goals from France's Camille Abily and Eugenie Le Sommer within the first 10 minutes set the stage for a 3–0 victory under the rain at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., giving France the championship of the high-profile friendly tournament.  With Germany beating England 1–0 in their finale, the combination of points and goal differential sent the U.S. to fourth place, when a win would've launched the Americans to the top of the table. Such are the fine margins of a competition featuring four of the top five teams in the world.  |
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Post by Admin on Mar 12, 2017 21:19:12 GMT
Despite the unofficial nature of the tournament, the consecutive losses on home soil for the first time in over 17 years (February, 2000) will be a cause for concern for the U.S., especially coming off a worst-ever showing at the Olympics. As the USA goes through its transition in the 2019 World Cup cycle, and with few truly meaningful games to play until qualifying commences, it's clear there's plenty of work necessary for the team to get back to its 2015 World Cup-winning level.  |
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