Laken Litman
School Soccer & Soccer Analyst
Amanda Gutierres scored within the ninety fifth minute to raise Brazil to a 2-1 victory over the U.S. girls’s nationwide staff late Tuesday evening at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
It wasn’t how the People needed to finish this April window, splitting the doubleheader 1-1. However whereas coach Emma Hayes needs to win each recreation, she’s been saying for months that she’d fairly hoist the 2027 World Cup trophy than beat groups in friendlies proper now.
The USWNT obtained off to a sizzling begin when Catarina Macario scored within the first minute. She and Alyssa Thompson had been brilliant spots within the assault and harmful on quite a lot of events within the first half. In reality, their connection was so deadly that Brazil needed to make an early defensive substitution to account for Thompson’s pace.
However greater than something, there have been rising pains. Hayes went with seven modifications within the beginning lineup, together with goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn who made her third begin. Avery Patterson, who had her debut in Saturday’s 2-0 win, and 19-year-old Gisele Thompson performed exterior again, whereas Tara McKeown and Emily Sonnett had been the alternatives at middle again.
With an inexperienced again line that had by no means performed collectively earlier than, naturally, there have been breakdowns. On Kerolin’s dazzling equalizing aim within the twenty fourth minute, for instance, there was miscommunication between Claire Hutton and McKeown, who collided exterior the field, leaving the Brazilian star large open. In accordance with the printed, at halftime Hayes addressed needing to be higher within the buildup and wanting McGlynn to be stronger in her decision-making. The second half featured quite a lot of modifications which impacted the rhythm of the sport, and gamers on each side had been sluggish.
That was till the ultimate minutes of stoppage time, when Brazil obtained the final phrase.
Whereas the USWNT received the primary match of this back-to-back on Saturday, Tuesday’s win has to really feel like a little bit of revenge for Brazil after shedding to the People within the gold medal match ultimately summer time’s Olympics.
Even so, this was the type of recreation Hayes wanted to see. As she develops the participant pool with sights set on 2027 and 2028, she’s acknowledged how necessary it’s for youthful gamers to get these alternatives in opposition to high quality opponents like Brazil.
Listed here are takeaways from the match:
Play of the sport:
Equally to Saturday, when Trinity Rodman scored within the first 5 minutes, the U.S. got here out flying and scored within the first 35 seconds. Alyssa Thompson wiggled unfastened close to midfield, sprinted down the left flank and hoped to take a shot herself earlier than getting tackled within the field. Brazilian goalkeeper Natascha Honegger bobbled the ball, although, which allowed Macario to swoop in and end.
This was Macario’s second aim of the 12 months (and tenth total for the nationwide staff). She had most not too long ago scored in opposition to Colombia through the SheBelieves Cup in February, which was her first aim for the USWNT since 2022.
Turning level:
The match regarded prefer it was heading for a draw till the USWNT obtained caught in transition. Crystal Dunn and Gisele Thompson had been too excessive up, permitting Luany to get in behind and slip an ideal go throughout the penalty field to Gutierres for the simple, profitable aim in stoppage time.
The U.S. tried for a last-second equalizer to no avail.
Key stat:
In accordance with U.S. Soccer, the beginning lineup averaged 17.9 caps, which was the bottom common of caps per participant within the final 24 years.
Essentially the most-capped participant within the beginning XI was Sonnett with 106. The remainder of the lineup mixed had simply 81 caps. Moreover, seven starters (McGlynn, McKeown, Patterson, Hutton, Gisele Thompson, Michelle Cooper and Lily Yohannes) had six or fewer worldwide appearances for the USWNT.
What’s subsequent for the USWNT?
The squad’s subsequent coaching camp is on the finish of Might, which is able to embody two matches in opposition to China. The primary is Might 31 at Allianz Discipline in St. Paul, Minn. after which on June 3 at Energizer Park in St. Louis.
Whereas Hayes has promised to maintain experimenting with lineups and combos and giving youthful gamers extra alternatives, preserve an eye fixed out for the return of some veterans. If wholesome, maybe Naomi Girma, Rose Lavelle, Mallory Swanson and/or Lynn Biyendolo could possibly be again within the fold.
It should even be fascinating to see which goalkeepers get referred to as in subsequent month. Hayes has mentioned those that have not been concerned in latest camps, like veteran Casey Murphy, are nonetheless within the combine. However time will inform.
Laken Litman covers school soccer, school basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA Right this moment and The Indianapolis Star. She is the creator of “Robust Like a Lady,” revealed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Observe her at @LakenLitman.
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