USWNT v Chile
Do not worry about the different starting lineup tonight it was explained in a press conference that it would not be the same. This is both a young and inexperienced at the international level team that will start the game it was mentioned in pregame interviews that the average number of caps is 5, the lowest in well over 20 years. As past Gotham FC player Ryan is on the field, her past team preps for a game in less than 12 hours in an international tourney in England facing Corinthians.
A steal and Sears feds Joseph in just her 2nd cap at less than 40 seconds, already knocking on the door, cleared out, US recovers. Sears again forward just out of the area, back, now Bethune loses it and the US wins a throw at about 25 yards. Bethune goes down in the area with a touch on the ball sent into the area. A lead ball of the mark for Ryan shielded out for a US throw by Chile. The first touch for the US GK on a back pass not under pressure. Joseph shows some speed but the ball is out of touch, Chile throw. Chile fights and wins it across the field, now back to their GK. Chile has a 38 year old GK and most players are not even 20, a pair only 16 years of age. Ryan to Sears at the side of the 6, deep throw US. A US giveaway, double teamed and the US hold it as they lay it back. Not surprisingly, the US has had by far, the better of the ball. Over the top for Sears she gets it at the top of the box, it pops loose passed back to her, staying on the side between the area and touchline now toward to midfield and into the US backfield, giving away nearly half the field. Again not as forward but to the same touchline. Jackson feeds Joseph in the area, it is passed back, Sears in the area rocks the frame of the near post and rebounds well out of the area as her team keeps it. Her last start, facing the Ferns, saw her with a treble. Joseph and Ryan combine back to Ryan and a quick shot by the US and a goal kick. The US pressure leads to a Chile throw. Scooped forward no US players nearby and the GK has it. Seeking Valencia, Chile loses it. Chile with mild pressure as the US find Bethune, hit in the area but gets her first goal, once she recovers at 19’, a great second effort. As mentioned many times, it came across the 6, all but a set piece, the 14th player to get her first such goal under Emma. Sears again off the post less than a minute later, so well taken from Bethune. Jackson with a headed corner just off the mark, out from a corner that is cleared out a good 40 yards. In tight spaces it is almost as if neither team wants it as it is lost then out of play, US now on a break, Joseph pulls it back then lays it back to Ryan for Bethune. Joseph fires it home 2-0 at 26’. Her first international goal, again outside Sams to Ryan who picks her out, she shields and turns on the defender then her strike is true. Joseph overpowers her mark seeks out Sears and it is lost. Lead ball for Figueroa in the area is a bit too long, Ryan wins a throw less than ten yards upfield. It goes back to midfield. Sears now has the GK make a save at 31’. A Chilean double team leads to a foul call. Jackson finds Sears, into the area, into the 6, blocked out for a corner at 33’. Bethune with the restart, bounced at the edge of the 6, US holds, Sears feeds Sams and she beats the GK at point blank range all three goals have been firsts. A rebound out behind the area and to Sears who goes across, into the 6, again, the way to play. Joseph wins a foot race and the defender catches up, Joseph goes down as the shot is taken. The GK holds the ball too long and a corner is given to the US. Far edge of the 6 and out for a goal kick. So glad Foudy corrected her broadcast partner who just describes the rules of soccer, making him aware they are laws. A deft little pass springs the US forward, Sears all alone sends it across the 6 at waist height and the US holds a lead ball for Joseph, she was off. US using the body to shield the ball, Chile pulls the jersey a few feet and get called for it. Bethune in the area to Ryan, pushed out by the GK. Across to Sears and Joseph now into the 6, no one home. Bethune for Sears, her first touch betrays her and it is lost in the area. A lot of crowd noise for nothing on field, possibly the wave? Yes, as it is mentioned by both talking heads. Sears, open all night on the wing, she lays it back, played forward and knocked away. Ryan gets a pass, her 2nd touch shot is blocked out for a goal kick. A few times already, a few too many touches have not worked out so well for the USA.
A total domination by the US, more in possession than anything. Such support as the bench welcomes the starters, even the camera to the locker room shows that and starters going in first.
Sears with one 30 seconds in off a long ball a first long touch creates space then she lets it go, roofed near post. Not 3’ in again on goal. Ryan releases late and Joseph is off, Joseph needs to wait on the ball being played, she was well off. Again into the area of the US, unable to make anything of it due to a sea of red right there. US corner, near post hit down, fired back in and high. Over the top, over the endline by the defense. Rodman and Sentnor up for the US. Corner from the other side now, High arcing all but an Olympico as it bounds off the cross bar to the other touchline near the bottom of the circle, now back to the GK. Hutton and others also set to come in right about the hour mark as is typical. US foul by Jackson at midfield. Chile throw just over the half. Moultrie seems set to get in on the action. Ryan on the wing looks to Joseph inside and now Jordan finds Sears on the wing defended out and the subs are on. Ryan out Joesph joins her on the touchline. Bethune out as is Meza & Wiesner. Sams toe pokes away from Valencia and a throw. Sams for Moultrie as it is lost. Finally in the area for Chile and it is cleared away. Rodam stifled by the GK, USA throw at the top of the area. Rodam 1v1 loses it and a throw, Valencia is on the ground. USA has 67% of the ball at this point. Rodman at 69’ and looks to dance with coach, Emma joins in. Over the top and she just does all the work, nets a goal, then sprints to coach. A great ball from Jackson. Moultrie to take a corner, well clear of the goal off the full volley and the GK is up to the task, what a restart, highlight film if finished by Rodman. Holding on the far side now across Rodman then to Sams, Trinity somehow beats 3, with a nutmeg then gets it to the 6, but cleared out, Hutton now to Jackson at the top of the area 35 yards back. Outside to a wide open Rodman a dummy to Hutton, she turned the wrong way and could not do much with it. Sentnor offside. Down the line and in for Moultrie and Rodman but defended out, USA corner. Moultrie to take it, she goes just in the 6 and headed out by Fuentes, now 70% of the ball and 20 shots, stifling by the US. With less than 7’ to go there is a stream of people leaving the stands. Rodman to Sentnor and the GK jumps forward to get it, Bugg began the play with such a well placed ball over the top. Limping off is a Chilean sub, Moralez to come on. Sams for Rodman again open as Sears was in the first half. Trying to shield the ball out, the US goes around the defender to recover the ball by keeping it in play. Hutton with a header just wide, she did well in heading it down. Last minute the US has not taken the foot off the gas as they still attack. Caution at 90’ as the US player beats 5 then pulled down by the jersey. Hutton fed for a header but no good with less than 3’ Rodam has let her hair down after claiming it was pulled. At the edge of the area yes Jimenez was doing just that, in clear view of the AR no less. Still bumping with Jimenez.