The U.S. women’s national team flexed its depth on Friday night, making ten changes to its starting lineup without skipping a beat in pursuit of CONCACAF W Gold Cup glory.
After a comfortable 5-0 win over the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, the Americans arguably upgraded their performance with a 4-0 win over Argentina in their second group stage match of the inaugural tournament. Jaedyn Shaw scored twice in the opening 17 minutes of the match before Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan also added tallies of their own.
Argentina provided the Americans with a much tougher challenge than the Dominican Republic which may not have been reflected in the result but was in the run of play. The South Americans came inches away from opening the scoring within ten minutes when Romina Nunez attempted to chip USWNT goalkeeper Casey Murphy from 35 yards out, smacking her attempt off of the intersection of the crossbar and post.
It was Shaw who opened the scoring in the 10th minute, however, as she slipped her shot in at the near post for a goal on her full competitive debut. Again, Argentina threatened to equalize, immediately putting the ball in the back of the net before being ruled offside. Seven minutes later, Shaw netted her second goal after some slick interplay down the left flank from Crystal Dunn, Horan, and Rose Lavelle. The 19-year-old now has six goals in just four international caps.
“I mean, it wasn’t solo goals,” Shaw joked when asked about her first multi-goal game. “I’m just really happy that I can contribute and make an impact on this team and ultimately help us get the three points.”
Aside from coming across as an experienced veteran in the mixed zone, it was more than just the goals that excited interim head coach Twila Kilgore about Shaw on the field as well.
“Super, super happy for Jaedyn. I think we saw her be really impactful in a lot of different ways,” Kilgore began her analysis of Shaw’s performance. “Excellent, excellent in the pocket, providing for us when we needed it, providing final passes. And then obviously, you know, participating in things like quick restarts and scoring goals and then being in a position in the box to finish it first time…I also just want to praise her defensive effort.
“This is really critical part of the game and something that we rely on all of our players for and I thought she had a very, very complete performance,” Kilgore added. “So those goals may be the icing on the cake, but lots and lots of different things that I’m very, very pleased about.”
Another breakout game for Shaw may also be seen as a tournament renaissance for legendary striker Alex Morgan who was called into camp as an injury replacement for Mia Fishel. After scoring a penalty kick goal as a substitute on Tuesday, Morgan guided home an impressive looping header for a 3-0 USWNT lead in the 19th minute to cap off a three-goal splurge in the space of ten minutes. Morgan hadn’t scored for the USWNT in 363 days. Now she’s scored two goals in four days.
“I don’t really read into how often I am or not scoring as much as others might be,” Morgan explained regarding her drought, “but I feel like my job as a nine is to score goals, it’s to create opportunities. As much as I value assists, I am rated as a nine on goals and I understand that.”
Nonetheless, it seems Kilgore has reignited the goalscoring fire for Morgan. Tactically, it’s certainly a focus for the interim manager.
“Alex and I spent a lot of time post-World Cup talking about what worked for her, what didn’t work for her, and some of these balls that you’re seeing played across the backline or behind the backline, early balls – those are some of her bread and butter,” Kilgore pointed out. “She’s been drooling for those finishes…Those types of finishes are very Alex Morgan-esque.”
In describing herself as a coachable player, Morgan outlined her progress with the help of Kilgore, “I’ve talked to Twila a lot about getting myself in good positions to get opportunities, kind of looking at how many crosses now that we currently have been getting the last two games – just like getting myself in a good position for a tap in or, you know, getting myself open for a cross like I did tonight. So [we’ve] done a lot of video on that and just me and Twila have a good open line of communication.”
Suring up a bit defensively after the first 20 minutes, Argentina was able to see the 3-0 deficit into halftime where Morgan’s renaissance was cut short as she was subbed off for Sophia Smith.
As was the case against the Dominican Republic, the second half only saw goals from penalties, though just one this time. Already on a yellow card, Argentinian defender Miriam Mayorga was sent off with a second yellow for her handball in the box. Horan, as captain and penalty taker, scored the spot kick with ease, not realizing what it could’ve meant for Shaw.
Postgame I had to ask the Woman of the Match whether she had considered asking Horan to take the penalty to complete the hat trick. “A little bit,” Shaw acknowledged. “But I think it’s gonna be a goal either way with Lindsey so, I mean, I’m just happy that I can contribute to the team [in] whatever way I can.”
Of course, I asked Horan about her thought process too. “Man, you killed me with that one!” she exclaimed as she realized the missed opportunity. “ I actually forgot she was on a hat trick so I could have done that. That’s unfortunate.”
It could’ve been a hat trick for Shaw and the USWNT could’ve capitalized more on the opportunities created, but nonetheless, with its win on Friday night the Americans officially qualified for the knockout stages of this inaugural 2024 W Gold Cup. The first objective has been checked off the list.
Onto the next, where Monday’s rivalry match against Mexico will determine the winners of Group A.
Scary to think how much more fire power is coming back for the is team in the comings in Macarrio and Swanson.
I get more and more concerned for Macario everyday. She’s about 20 months out from the injury and she still hasn’t returned to matches. That’s about double the typical rehab time. Will she ever get back to her prior form?