The U.S. women’s national team’s FIFA World Cup title defense began with an opening three points in Group E play at Eden Park.
Sophia Smith registered a brace and added one assist in her World Cup debut while co-captain Lindsey Horan added a second-half goal in a 3-0 victory over Vietnam in Auckland, New Zealand. It was a confident performance from the Americans, who did not concede a single shot to the Vietnamese through 90+minutes.
Smith delivered the breakthrough goal for the USWNT in the 13th minute after a smooth finish in the box. Alex Morgan’s one-time pass allowed Smith to race behind the Vietnam backline before drilling a low shot down the middle of the net.
The USWNT had a great opportunity to double its lead before halftime after VAR ruled in favor of a penalty kick opportunity. Trinity Rodman was tripped in the Vietnam box, allowing Morgan to step up and test her luck from the penalty spot.
However Trần Thị Kim Thanh dove to her right and denied Morgan for only the third time out of 18 career penalty kick attempts.
Smith would double her tally and the USWNT’s lead though before halftime after her low shot snuck past Kim Thanh and into the back of the net. Morgan originally was whistled for offsides, but VAR overturned the decision and Smith delivered for a 2-0 lead.
The USWNT kept its foot on the gas in the second half and Smith added to her impressive World Cup debut with an assist for a 3-0 lead. Smith snuck behind the Vietnam backline before playing a pass back to Lindsey Horan.
Horan made no mistake by stroking into an empty net for her first goal of the tournament.
A total of seven USWNT players earned their first-ever World Cup minutes in the match, earning valuable experience in the shutout win. Megan Rapinoe, Alyssa Thompson, and Rose Lavelle were among the second half substitutions made by Vlatko Andonovski.
The USWNT will next face the Netherlands on July 26 in a rematch of the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final.
thought the youngsters played well, first World Cup taste
re. Ertz, either spot is good imo, as long as she’s fit, but if Sullivan plays the 6 it means Horan has to drop into the hole for the buildout and Sullivan slides outside. Vlatko has done this plenty before, tho Ertz the 6 makes that maneuvering unnecessary
Ertz is certainly one of the best 6s of her time tho, maybe the best, as long as she’s fit to play that spot. sitting Cook only to then start her vs. the Dutch would be a big ask of her imo, even if it was to help Ertz as some have suggested. but Cook might matchup better too as I expect the Dutch to attack more than Vietnam did, and at least to have some aerial threat to their efforts
but Ertz’ presence is a rising tide that floats all boats, wherever she’s deployed
do you think if Sauerbrun wasn’t injured he would have started Ertz with her? Who knows but I doubt it; Girma’s the best CB on the team.
we’ll see what Vlatko does
Ertz was the starting CB in ‘15 WC before she was married. And before she was moved into midfield. You play her at her 2nd best position v the weakest opponent in the group stage. Ertz has less running to do at CB than at the 6, giving her the full 90. Save her the Dutch. Sullivan gets a run out. DeMelo gets a start. Rose comes off the bench w/ Rapinoe. The front 3 was as expected. Andonovski had a sound plan. Finishing could’ve been sharper, we can all agree to that. Cook & Girma start vs the Dutch. Sanchez starts also. Smith, Morgan, Rodman
Sanchez, Ertz, Horan,
Dunn, Girma, Cook, O’Hara
Naeher is what Andonovski may start v the Netherlands.
That Alex Morgan back heel to Sophia Smith, for the first goal was some nice skill loved it!
little harder to play that swarming defense VN was if you move if farther, faster, and less predictably.
What a difference in distribution with Ertz starting at the back line. Yes, it was a weak opponent, but that is how to break down the defense.
Kudos to DeMelo for WWC start in only her 2nd US game.
Some very poor finishing. And I felt they needed more patience with more intricate passing at times. But a win is a win.
Finishing needs to be better
Lavelle makes this team so much better. She’s a different level player (not talking about her two goal opportunities).
I want Ertz in for Sullivan.
Well the good news is that we got 3 points and Lavelle appeared to be healthy as did Ertz. I thought our finishing was dreadful and we weren’t that impressive in generating chances either.
If Ertz moves up into midfield we have a center back pairing with limited experience at this level and essentially none working together. I think it is a sign of the trust Coach A has in her mentality and ability to put Ertz back in the back line
Yes, but maybe build that experience against Vietnam would have been prudent. Cook and Girma have played plenty together and against . And the pressure they’d be under would be less than they’ve faced with Sullivan if Ertz was at the six. There was no reason not to start Cook unless there was a knock. Where do they go from here? Using your rationale there’s no starting Cook vs better competition than Vietnam due to the inexperience. Ertz is locked in at CB and Sullivan is your six. It’s dumb – Ertz is one of the best sixes in the world. She can dominate a game from that position. Sullivan is such a drop off. It’s like Adams to Acosta – not close. I really didn’t like this decision.
Or – playing Ertz and Girma together against Vietnam gives them a “practice” game
i thought lavelle was more technical. horan looks to me like she should be a 9.
She started as 9 in her career. Then was moved back into midfield due to her technical ability to pass and the fact she didn’t have much pace. She is like a Harry Kane.
6, 8, 9, 10