By Michael Saunders
…AND SO THE NEW WC CYCLE BEGINS FOR THE USWNT… Following its disappointing knockout round elimination at this past summer’s WC, the concern for many USWNT soccer stakeholders and fans was who was going to coach the team out of the doldrums to its previous glory? Many names were touted… both familiar and not. For many, the early announcement of the supposed finalists for the NT coaching position was met with near indifference. Not that those mentioned were unqualified; but the names just did not excite anyone as being dynamic or innovative enough to have the USWNT become truly competitive in time for WC 2027. Then surprise, surprise,,,, US Soccer was able to sign one of the elite WoSo coaches in the world, namely, Emma Hayes!! Most US fans realize that Ms. Hayes is not officially taking over the reins of the USWNT until her tenure with Chelsea expires in late Spring 2024. Yet it became immediately apparent from the NT roster announcement following her hiring, to the opening whistle of the match at DVD PINK DVD Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on December 2nd, that Hayes is already influencing & effecting change. Working closely with her former assistant and the NT’s interim head coach, Twila Kilgore, they dropped a number of veterans in the 26 player roster including GK Alyssa Naeher, defenders Crystal Dunn and Becky Sauerbrunn, midfielders Andi Sullivan and Ashley Sanchez, as well as forward Alex Morgan. And while Kilgore’s quote in the news release reminded the soccer world not to read too much into this action, there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that change is in the wind. To that end, the camp roster included returning players from injuries like Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Casey Krueger & Rose Lavelle… to the NWSL Rookie of the Year, Jenna Nighswonger of Gotham along with the her resurgent teammate Midge Purce (MVP NWSL Championship game)… as well as former Notre Dame All-American Korbin Albert playing for PSG… to the return to top form and NWSL GK of the Year, Jane Campbell, … NWSL’s Best XI First Team midfielder, Sam Coffey… while still including the recent young potential players seen at the October camp: Mia Fishel, Jaedyn Shaw, & Olivia Moultrie. While personnel transitions are important, it only succeeds with finding the right player-position mix for the strategic/tactical plan moving forward. To that end,
one must put into context the major reason for USSF’s Sporting Director Matt Crocker’s serious search for the new coach: The recognition that the USWNT had to become more technical, flexible, and adaptable to be competitive against the elite WNTs of the world! Simply put, the US reliance on athleticism combined with a high press & a fast transition game was no longer enough to be successful. Indeed, the USWNT was transparently predictable under Vlatko’s stewardship which relied on a standard 4-3-3 formation, and its variant 4-2-3-1. It came as no surprise that the team always seemed on the proverbial “backfoot” during the recent WC. Yet as we quickly learned, Emma Hayes was not going to delay the process by dint of her fulfilling her contract with Chelsea; she immediately commenced with the preparation for the matches versus China. Key Takeaways from Dec 2nd Match vs China PR: >>> It was not that Hayes began with a box formation of 4-2-2-2 that gave one a sense that a new era was in the works, but the team’s quick transition into a 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 dominated the Chinese NT from the outset throughout the match. (See Stats below) >>> Personally taken aback seeing Krueger at a mid-position and Lavelle as a winger; but, it proved itself based on the team’s attacking dominance…. not only in transition …. But by the fact that it was able to keep the ball in the final third for long periods of time which had been so lacking over the past few years. >>> Krueger was particularly confident going forward in attacking phases. As already noted, the USA’s shape transformed into a 3-2-5 to which Krueger took advantage by displaying a willingness to participate in the attack with deft passing and positioning thereby keeping the Chinese from quick counters.
>>> Watching Lavelle’s flowing creativity was a direct consequence of the formation. Seeing her once again navigating freely through half spaces, finding pockets providing chances to her teammates told the world that she is still in her prime. >>> While it was exciting to see the new tactical shape succeed, it is difficult to judge the overall performance of the USWNT in consideration that China PR seemed almost listless during the entire match.. For the most part the “Steel
Roses” remained in their own half of the field for the entire game. It was not a “low block”, which the US often struggled over the years. Consequently, it allowed the US to find spaces in pockets and wing-play which do not normally occur in situations where “parking the bus” frustrates the offensive thrust. Nevertheless, one came away with the feeling that the team embraced the ideas fostered by Hayes. After all winning does have that effect! >>> There were other positives; to name a few: 1) Girma displayed again why she is considered one of the best CBs in the world. Her vision and pinpoint pass to Rodman which then led to the perfect cross to Smith for the first goal was deservedly cited by Kilgore in the post-game press conference; calling it a truly professional team goal. 2) Watching the two debutantes, Moultrie & Nighswonger, proving they are ready for the NT 3) Shaw’s & Fishel’s understanding of each other’s game bode well for the team’s future 4) Rodman’s putting a stake in the ground emphasizing that she deserves to be a starter >>> Finally, one area that Kilgore correctly cited as a being disappointing was the inability of the team to put China away in the first half. Smith’s goal was a wonderful team goal, but there were other opportunities that should have been converted. Smith in fact had at least two, if not three opportunities with a high xG, to add to the scoreline. Bottom line: all the indicators are encouraging as Hayes inserted herself onto the team. Not only by her collaboration with the US Soccer’s Sporting Director Matt Crocker and interim manager Twilla Kilgore; but by taking the time to fly from England to meet with the US players this past week. Not only a simple gesture demonstrating empathy with her players; but one that clearly legitimized her choice.
Stats: USA/China Shots: 20/2 Shots on target: 11/2 Saves: 2/8 Corner Kicks: 7/1 Fouls: 9/4 Offside: 1/2 Possession: 64%/36% Key Takeaways from Match:
>>> First goal was a terrific team goal: Girma to Rodman to Smith >>> US needs to be more clinical in their finish. Smith missed three clear opportunities in the first half >>> Dahlkemper is back. Also a good ide to have CBs that play together for their Club team based on knowing insticncually what Girma & Dahlkemper both
Contributed by Michael Saunders, past USSF National Referee.