The U.S. Women’s National Team may not have scored 13 goals on Sunday, but they did claim a second win in France this summer.
Jill Ellis’ side used a trio of first-half goals to clinch a berth in the knockout stage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, after a 3-0 win over Chile. Carli Lloyd scored her ninth and tenth career World Cup goals, while also setting a record for scoring in her sixth-consecutive World Cup match. Julie Ertz also added her first in between Lloyd’s finishes.
Lloyd did not lead long to break the deadlock at the Parc des Princes. The Delran, N.J. native got on the end of a loose ball and half-volleyed an effort past Christiane Endler.
Chile thought they had an equalizer in the 22nd-minute as Carla Guerrero’s free-kick snuck past Alyssa Naeher. However, the goal was waved off for offsides as two Chilean players were just ahead of the USWNT backline.
Ertz extended the USWNT’s lead in the 26th-minute, heading in a cross from Tierna Davidson. The midfielder used the side of her head to beat Endler to the top-right corner.
The USWNT made the most of a corner-kick again in the 35th-minute as Lloyd raced into the box and headed Davidson’s cross in for her second goal of the afternoon.
Endler kept the deficit from getting any worse in Paris, making several big saves after halftime. Her kick save on Lindsay Horan’s point-blank effort in the 56th-minute was followed up two minutes later as she stoned Christen Press.
The USWNT kept the pressure on as Jessica McDonald rattled the right post in the 62nd-minute. Press’ header was repelled out by Endler for a corner in the 66th-minute, continuing a busy half for the Chilean goalkeeper.
Press’ frustrations continued in the 73rd-minute as her left-footed effort aimed for the near post was kicked wide by Endler.
Lloyd missed a penalty kick in the 81st-minute after video review ruled in favor of the USWNT. Her low drive missed wide of the left post, ending her chances of a hat trick on the afternoon.
Now atop Group F with six points and a +16 goal differential, the USWNT can win the group with a win or tie against Sweden on June 20th. Chile concludes group stage play against winless Thailand on the same day.
On the Chilean free kick, definitely off so the right call. Play was “stopped” at that point. That having been said, not only did Naeher misplay the ball but then grabbed the Chilean player’s ankle with her hand on the way by. Had that been on — would have been a straight red from me… especially with the VAR scrutiny she would have had.
I know it’s only been the 2 games, but if you look back the last few months, Carly Lloyd just looks totally dialed in.. She’s so aggressive & dangerous and she’s playing with a chip on her shoulder..
When it comes crunch time I don’t see how Ellis can leave her on the bench..
Carly certainly has peaked just at the right time, but I think that she is better suited to coming in as a sub at about the 60th minute. That way you have an explosive player with fresh legs against opposing players with tired legs. Carly showed out well in the first half, but began looking tired in the the second half. She couldn’t even strike the ball correctly taking that PK.
What we need is high impact players being able to come in at a time when others are beginning to tire. Both Lloyd, Pugh, & Mewis fill that role superbly. While I hope we will
never be in the position where we are down late in the match, if we are, we will need some game-changers ready to go. When you have an abundance of talent, you need to make some tough decisions on who starts, and based on how the above 3 performed against Thailand, I wouldn’t change anything right now. Remember, if it works, don’t try to fix it.
I think that US Coach Jill Ellis played it perfectly today by putting in all of the roster players who had not yet played, either to start or to substitute. This approach netted 3 important accomplishments:
1) She got to see everyone on the roster play now so as to evaluate who can help in future matches.
2) It kept the 1st-string line-up away from any injury chances.
3) It also kept the 1st team from accumulating any yellow cards which could keep them
out of a future match.
While the next match will not have that much riding on it, the first knockout match will and it will come down to a match between China and Spain tomorrow for 2nd place in Group B. Spain dominated Germany in their match, but lost 1-0, while China was dominated by Germany and also lost 1-0. Thus I am hoping that China can pull an upset and become the 1st knockout round opponent for the U. S. If not, the U. S. will have 4 EXTREMELY tough matches in a row beginning with Spain-France-England-Germany. It they survive, it will be the toughest 4 consecutive matches the USWNT have ever had in their history.
As a final note, as Larry mentioned in his post, the score would have been much higher had it not been for some outstanding Chile goalkeeping & many missed opportunities in the 2nd
half. But all that really mattered here was a win.
And in for some reason, the U. S. loses to Sweden on Thursday, the road will be a little easier, but not much.
I absolutely agree, Bill! 7 lineup changes!! Saurbrunn got the playing time, she needed to get in-form. Ertz back in the 6. Lloyd in the 9 role, let fresh vets start, (Press, Brian, & Krieger, who played her tail, off!!) Ellis def got productive minutes from the debutants (McDonald, Pugh, Davidson, & Long) Save your best lineup for the toughest opponent in the group stage(Sweden), 1st sub, within the 1st fifteen minutes, get 2 starters off early, (Ertz & Horan), though Horan got a yellow. On field positional switches, during the match was interesting to me! I think, it was a Great game plan! Looking forward 2 watching the ladies play Sweden. #RevengeMatch