USWNT v Japan
A historic matchup between a pair of teams from the early days of WOSO at the International Level. Here we have who have been the best team for much of this history taking on a team that is back in Japan. Last time out, Japan won. This game is rather interesting as the big person in youth development in Japan, our friend Tom Byer has his thumb print all over this team, as well as the Men’s. The tight ball control, confidence in small places, all hallmarks of his teachings. He grew his coaching schools to 150 locations, he presented to the USSF, I spoke to the President, Cindy Cone, they were not sure to go with him, I did implore her to do so, let’s see how today goes. Emma a great coach in her own right, has not had as much impact on the nation as far as soccer goes, so this is not about coaches in any way shape or form.
The US will start one from Gotham in Lavelle and one from upstate NY in Coffey. Phallon of LI, has dressed but does not get the start, she I am sure will get a game. An hour ago the Federation was still posting about seats for sale.
Over the top by Japan on goal in under 30 seconds, but offside. Last month Japan won the Asia Title before 75,000. The tight ball control is already working for Japan. A deep giveaway off a back heel by Japan, is lost, then recovered in the neutral zone, followed by a lead ball that went over the byline. Wilson with a steal then looks inside, to a white shirt, back to their defense and Japan holds. Another errant pass, the US take and plays to their GK a few times. Thompson unable to get to the ball first, US gets it again and Rose in the area, barely able to get to it and the GK takes it. Over just the first 6’, it has been fast paced, with much of the play coming in tight spaces and a number of turnovers. From the bottom of the circle to the US GK. Outside to Giselle Thompson as the talking heads keep going on about coaching for the Japan team. Wilson taken down, DFK from right of the goal about 25 yards out. Coffey over the ball, she goes to the far corner of the 6, played back by Trinity and a first time volley by Rose finds the back of the net at 9’. Thompson, stopped by her mark. Fox knocks out a high ball in, sent back in and wide corner. Heaps on the ball at the top of the 6, as it clears the area, lost to Japan. A 25 yard shot is at the US GK Dickey, but it did have some pace to it. Into the area, not challenged go Japan, passed off and a weak shot at Dickey. Lesly pass to an open space and it is lost. Heps wins it to Wilson, the ball forward denied, the US holds. US pressing the ball as Wilson gets it then a foul Japan DFK near the touchline about 30 yards out as Wilson is called out as Smith. On goal and dropping, Dickey pushes it over the bar for a corner at 19’, it may have been high, but had to be played. Shor to the near post, cleared 2x, Japan reels it in both times. Heaps to Wilson now Alyssa on the far post, she blasts the ball high and wide from a bad angle, but placement over power here. Fox collides, no call in the area and a threat is snuffed out near the penalty mark. Girma holds off the attacker, goal kick. Rose taken down, Wilson passes behind Alyssa and it is lost in their attacking third the US had numbers getting very much forward. Wilson into the area and Rose runs it down, lays it back to Giselle, now Coffey to Wesly, Girma and back to the outside. Another pass behind the player is recovered and now to the other side of the field for the US, lost at the bottom of the circle after 10+ passes. Again the US deals with an attacker in their area. Rose seeks out Trinity from a distance, it is lost, back outside and out for a goal kick. Getting forward the US are unable to handle a pass as again other items are discussed by the broadcasters, put a pin in that, follow the action. Across the mouth of the goal, Dickey pushed it on for Coffey. Wilson on the edge of the area, into it and a go on the near post, easily handled. Now the play by Dickey replied with no description after a US shot on goal. US DFK at 31’ from 30 yards or so and a bit left of the net, the line is set at the top of the area by the defense. Over the top, knocked down to Wilson, a first time shot as difficult as it may have been, was a better option than 2 touches and a lost ball. The GK, well out of her area and taking on a player of the US as she sends it high. Heaps to Wilson, she seeks to go outside, it is taken. Minutes later they reshow the Wilson low ball on goal, a different angle shows a player cutting through the 6, perhaps it was a ball in. Alyssa steals a pass and from the top of the arc, it sails high. In their own half, the US defend it out, now taken back to the Japan GK. A ball forward nodded down by the US, Japan recover and they lose it going across the field. That US throw may have been walked 15 yards upfield. Just outside then into the area go Japan, now laid back and lost. Alyssa to Wilson and the US win a throw. Well under 10’ to go in this first half, there are still many errant passes on both sides. A 1 v 1 as the US defense did not cover the player, she slows, takes an extra touch or two and the defense caught up, again, get the shot off. Gisselle on the wing inside then nodded to Rose, she opts for Trinity, who then passes, Trinity is wide as Coffey’s effort defended out for a corner to the GK. Rose with a steal, seeking Wilson, deflected away and a foul on Heaps is called. Fox fouled in minute 45 near midfield.
At the half, a good game thus far, each side getting forward, Japan with a few dangerous breaks and the US unable to get a few on frame.
Japan holds outside the area, look into it and the pass by Rose across the 6, now Heaps gets on it 2-0 at 48’. A blocked shot then passed to Heaps first time left footed as Rose gets the assist. So well taken, not powered in, put in the right place. Fox to Rose and back again now to the other side of the area as the US hold, into the area with Coffey and defended out for a deep US throw. Mild pressure as the US defense hold, a ball forward taken and taken to the backfield of Japan. Too long of a ball forward and the US has a goal kick. Wilson bodied off the ball, US win a throw near the top of the area. To Dickey, she gives straight up the middle to a covered Coffey who was fortunate to lay it off outside, back to the GK. Trinity getting forward gets Giselle in the area a player draped on her US throw very deep. Far back to the center circle go the US and a throw coming for them at the bottom of the circle. Rose to Alyssa in the area, back to Rose and taken by Lesly. Alyssa and Rose play a 1 2. Opposite field with Fox and a US corner won by Fox. Rose over the ball goes to the side of the top of the 6, out to Alyssa seeking Heaps at the 6, DFK Japan. Over the top, run down by the US, to the GK who with pressure kicks it forward but out. Gira blocks a shot for the third corner of Japan from the top of the area at 59’. The restart, taken to the top of the 6, Trinity heads it clear, Japan wins it at the touchline to inside, US gets it and win a throw. A quartet of subs enter for Japan at the hour mark. Chikba on, Tanaka on, Hayashi enters as does Hamano. Fox heads one down, US want an offside call but at 62’ a sub, pulls one back. Early struggles and Japan in on goal again into the area, knocked down, no call and the US go outside with it. Cooper & Sentnor ready to enter for the USA. In the last 9 games, that was the first goal the US gave up, amazing, 866 minutes. The US with numbers get forward Rose to Wilson and parried out at the post for a corner. Coffey on the ball, she goes far post at the top of the 6 cleared out Japan, now the US now Japan have it only to lose it in the circle and regain, but in the end, the US have it back to their GK. Rose drops to Heaps and it is lost across the field as Japan holds , now they pull it back. Once more to their backfield goes Japan, a long ball forward and out for a US throw deep in their defensive end. A replay of the Japan goal shows no doubt onside. Wilson out as her spouse and daughter look on Gisele Thompson also out. Japan look to go in and Japan win a deep corner, an overlap is out off the US for another corner. To the top of the 6 Veki seeks a brace but just wide. About 17k in attendance, a very small crowd for the USWNT, even worse considering the quality opponent. Cooper from Rose, into the 18 and taken away, US recover it. The US press, the GK has it finds her target on the wing, taken away below the area and Coffey a pass to the GK of Japan. Rose gets a ball with a few inside, now goes back to Fox, now Heaps. They are holding on the touchline, a bit forward the back, now to their backfield. Up the wing, Japan plays it save and Sentnor with the throw as they just played it out from 20 yards. It was stated that upon being asked about common things of Japan in a few losses, Emna Hayes informed they were denied the ball, I have yet to hear or see a stat on possession. Less than half a step off from a ball in the area for the US and the commentators are discussing other things, again. Surely who has played every minute in the NWSL is not as important at this point. Back to Dickey, under pressure from the goal getter and she puts it out of play at about 25 yards. A few passes getting out then the US give it away, top of the area now outside and in, Rose sends it wide and a bit forward. Fox gives up a corner at 76’, defending 1 on 1 not a bad result on the endline. The corner goes to the post at the top of the 6, a spin and turn and the goal scorer is denied as her shot is right at the GK. Saki on for Japan with 10’ to go. Will the US sub again as it gets later to kill off some time? Alone on the wing, Japan into the area, Sentnor clears to the midfield line. Hutton coming in for Heaps shortly. Many US players get touches as they get forward, it now goes to the circle and again. Wesly too high and the GK has it above the penalty mark. Japan again in, Girma heads it up, Japan hold, a player down in the area, play on. Japan drops a bit, now forward a foot race won by the US. Stolen and into the area, a misstep and the US clears for a throw even with the bottom of the circle. Sears is in for Alyssa as a Japan player is down. Holding her nose is Hana, subbed out due to concussion, their test is far different than the US version. With 3’ to go the US have a DFK to their backfield and now to the GK well off her line. Rose goes outside, back in for the US now wide again to the next wing. Heaps finds Sentnor as they discuss subs. Kept in play, laid back but Japan grabs it, Hutton gets a bit physical no call. Japan pressing in the waning moments, Chiba alone on the inside of the area now to the midfield line. Backfield again by Japan. Get forward, see what happens. Japan subs with 4’ of added time on the clock. US, too many passes in a small area and they lose it, now a ball in at Dickey, easily covered. Headed from the penalty mark and a bit high, Dickey takes it before she releases, game over.