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USWNT dominates Switzerland again in friendly

Photo by Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports
Photo by Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports

For the second time in less than a week, the U.S. Women’s National Team cruised past Switzerland, and for the second time in less than a week, a new face scored seconds into her debut.

Kealia Ohai scored just 48 seconds into her debut, helping the USWNT rout Switzerland, 5-1, in the second of two friendly matches. Oahi’s rapid-fire finish set the record for fastest debut goal, breaking Lynn Williams’ mark set just last week by one second.

The Swiss opened the scoring in shocking fashion, as Sandrine Mauron fired the visitors ahead just seven minutes in. It then took 18 minutes for the U.S. to find their equalizer through Carli Lloyd, who fired the score to 1-1 on an assist from Kelly O’Hara.

Lloyd began the second half with a second goal just six minutes in before the rout truly began. Christen Press pushed the lead to 3-1 just two minutes later before Crystal Dunn added a 63rd minute finish of her own. Ohai then wrapped up the scoring with an 82nd minute finish of a Press assist.

The USWNT wraps up their 2016 schedule against Romania for a pair of friendlies set for Nov. 10 and Nov. 13.

Comments

  1. This game was a pleasure to watch. The interior passing in the final 1/3 was better than any I can remember. Was it because the Swiss were weak or because the younger players are more skilled? Maybe somewhere in the middle on that. All I know is we were able to break thru their defense and did not resort to long ball, which doesnt work, to beat them. I really hope Ellis is trying to move to s short passing game and forgets most of the ones that were in Brazil that can’t play that way. Number one and tow on my list are Rapinoe and Alex Morgan

    Reply
    • From my perspective, the reason that the “long ball” wasn’t working was that the USWNT is going with a small forward line-up, and it is tough for small forwards to out jump much taller defenders
      for a high ball coming through. But if you keep the ball on the ground, a medium distance through ball can connect with small forwards and convert into goals, either directly or from crosses from the wings. A lot of how you play on offense depends on what the other team gives you. If they bunker up, then the short-passing game is all that you can do. However, if they play wide-open like Switzerland did, the longer balls can work. With respect to Alex Morgan, remember that goal she scored a few seconds into the match which was the fastest ever scored, against Costa Rica, I believe. That was a “long-ball”. Also remember with Morgan, the long-ball against Germany in the WC, where she was fouled and drew a PK, which was the goal which moved the US past their toughest opponent in the WC. Another consideration with the “long-ball” is the turf. If it is artificial, it is more difficult to stop the ball, and long-passes frequently go the the GK or past the end-line.
      On natural grass, you have a much better chance of the ball slowing down, allowing for the streaking forward to take it in stride, and get off a shot. Unfortunately, because of lower maintenance, and all-weather attributes, more and more fields/pitches are using artificial turf for
      matches.

      Reply
  2. I happened to see the Japanese U-17 women play against the US and some of their last two games against Spain in the semis and N. Korea in the final. Japan plays extremely well and their passing and ball movement was better than what we see from the adult national women’s side for the US. Spain also looked very good in their loss to Japan. The US is going to have a lot of competition in the future.

    Reply
    • The reason other countries look so much better than the U. S. at the U-17 and U-20 levels is because they play together all the time and are professionals. The U. S. team players are still
      in school and are all amateurs, and are simply thrown together just before the WC. USA Soccer tried to change that this time around with the USWNT U-20 for the December World Cup. They
      made all the team members who are in college (most) Red Shirt for the Fall season with their College Team. So this year’s version of the USWNT U-20 will not have any excuses if beat by
      Japan and the other top competing countries. BTW, the College Teams hurt the most by the
      Red Shirt requirement were UCLA (3) and Notre Dame (2) in terms of All-Americans lost to the
      U-20 WC. The U-20 team members reported to Camp in September.

      Reply

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