The U.S. ladies’s nationwide group bought what it wished out of its friendlies in opposition to Sweden and France.
The group was examined in its first match, recording a 1-1 draw against Scandinavian opponents, earlier than recording a 2-0 win over France 4 days later.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski will likely be largely happy too, as he noticed his group reply nicely to a subpar show in opposition to Sweden, had an opportunity to check out new tactical seems and probably narrowed down his roster even additional forward of the Olympics this summer time.
With simply three video games in June left earlier than Andonovski picks his 18 gamers for Tokyo, listed here are the winners and losers from April’s two friendlies:
Winner: Alex Morgan
For the first time in almost two years, it seems that the actual Alex Morgan is again.
The 31-year-old has understandably been introduced alongside slowly since giving start to her first little one final May, and has suffered setbacks in the type of a knee harm and a constructive Covid-19 prognosis.
But after a 25-minute cameo in opposition to Sweden, Morgan began in opposition to France and put her stamp on the game early, winning a penalty and then scoring a quality goal within the first 20 minutes.
Andonovski seen one thing a bit completely different about Morgan this camp, too.
“In the last couple of practices it was almost like she bumped it up a notch, or was just a little more focused, a little more concentrated and as a staff we were talking about how she got her killer instinct back,” Andonovski stated after the France match.
It has been an extended street again, and Morgan has been introduced alongside slowly, beginning simply two of her 5 USWNT appearances this 12 months. But if the group had a must-win sport tomorrow, there’s little question she can be beginning.
Based on what we noticed this month, she is prepared.
Loser: Catarina Macario
Macario is firmly on the roster bubble for the Olympics, and a powerful exhibiting this month might have been an enormous enhance to her case.
Unfortunately, the 21-year-old needed to be eliminated from the roster on account of a Covid-19 outbreak at her membership facet, Lyon.
Though her omission was out of her management, Macario, greater than most bubble gamers, must get extra reps with the USWNT.
Her expertise is unquestionable, however Macario solely made her USWNT debut in January and has simply three caps to her identify.
“We would have loved to have her here and see her a bit more, especially with the limited opportunities that we have before the Olympics,” Andonovski stated.
“Hopefully we’ll see her do well [at Lyon] and get selected for the next camp.”
The USWNT camp in June will be Macario’s last opportunity outside of her club setting to make her case to be on the Olympic roster. Unfortunately for the youngster, she just missed out on her penultimate opportunity.
Winner: Rose Lavelle
Andonovski made no secret of his belief that Rose Lavelle deserves to be playing more than she currently is at Manchester City.
“Do I want to see Rose a little bit more on the field with City? Yes. Do I believe that she deserves to be more on the field? Absolutely, she’s one of the best players in the world,” Andonovski stated previous to the two video games.
Regardless of what is happening with her club team though, Lavelle is still a foundational piece for the USWNT.
These friendlies showed that even though her City stint is not going quite as planned, Lavelle is gaining some valuable versatility in England that she can bring to the USWNT.
The 25-year-old has been played as a winger at City, in contrast to her preferred role as a playmaking No.10.
And this week against France, Lavelle was deployed out wide in the second half, allowing Sam Mewis, Lindsey Horan and Julie Ertz to occupy the midfield.
“She was a wide forward with a very free role to overload the midfield and create four-v-three in the middle part of the field. I think she did well,” Andonovski said of Lavelle.
Lavelle will still get plenty of minutes as a No.10, but on an Olympic roster that allows for just 18 players, any additional versatility she can bring will only enhance her value.
Loser: Lynn Williams
Williams has brought plenty of value to the USWNT in her pressing and chance creation, but the hope has been that she would start to translate her speed and attacking instincts into more goals and assists.
Against Sweden, though, Williams struggled to make much of an impact before being pulled after 57 minutes. Against France, she did not even make the matchday squad.
Though Andonovski is clearly a fan of Williams, the USWNT has a myriad of options in attack, and any slip-up can be damaging this close to the Olympics.
Unfortunately for the NC Courage star, April’s friendlies will not have boosted her chances of going to Tokyo.
Winner: Sophia Smith
Whereas Williams may have seen her Olympic chances damaged slightly, Smith continues to inch her way toward an unlikely spot in Tokyo.
To return to a theme, Smith’s versatility could serve her well when Andonovski chooses his 18, as she can play as a center forward or in a wide attacking role, like she did against France.
The youngster is still likely on the outside looking in for a roster spot, but looked lively in a cameo against France and won praise from one of the team’s biggest stars.
“Soph has come and has done really well,” Morgan stated of the 20-year-old. “She’s been super open to learning from some of the older players. She’s brought a really positive energy.
“She likes to take players on one-v-one and you like to see the confidence from a young player. I was really happy for her to get minutes tonight and I think she has a really bright future with the national team.”
Loser: Midge Purce
Purce had played in four of the USWNT’s five matches in 2021 before this month as she continues to battle for an Olympic roster spot.
The Gotham FC star was named to the roster for the friendlies in opposition to Sweden and France however she did not make the matchday squad for both sport.
It is unclear if harm was an element, however it was a shock to see the 25-year-old not even named as an alternative in both match.
Purce, who can play in assault or at exterior again, was proper in the combine for an Olympic spot previous to April, however her standing shifting ahead is unclear.
At the very least, she’s going to probably must impress in the NWSL over the subsequent six weeks.
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