By [ad_1]
The U.S. girls’s nationwide group survived a grueling take a look at in opposition to Colombia within the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup on Sunday, profitable 3-0 with targets from Lindsey Horan, Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw.
Whereas each groups tried to make their mark early, the USWNT was in a position to climate each Colombia’s assaults, which regularly relied solely on Linda Caicedo, and a bevy of yellow playing cards from bodily challenges. The consequence was additionally additional proof that Naomi Girma and Shaw are must-have USWNT starters.
Early penalty units the tone
Within the eleventh minute, Colombia heart again Jorelyn Carabali shoulder-checked Alex Morgan, leading to a penalty kick for the U.S. and a yellow card for Carabali. The foul was solely the start of the spiciness. If nothing else, it was a reminder that Morgan has had her physique on the road for this group for a protracted whereas.
Within the field, Morgan claimed the ball, and for a protracted two minutes, withstood many of the makes an attempt from Colombia to delay the penalty kick earlier than Trinity Rodman and Sam Coffey finally headed over as nicely.
The USWNT favored the standard handoff for this one. As Horan received the ball from Morgan, there was one last-ditch try from Colombia for a bit of PK distraction (which didn’t lead to a card). Horan cleanly transformed the penalty to provide the USWNT the 1-0 lead, a giant second from the group’s captain to set the tone on Sunday night time in Los Angeles. It additionally offered to be a little bit of a buffer from what would ensue over the following section of the match.
MIND GAMES DON’T MATTER FOR @LindseyHoran 😱🔥 pic.twitter.com/zq9LuFacDT
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 4, 2024
Thoughts video games
The U.S. responded after the penalty chaos with its personal particular model of thoughts video games with intense counter-pressing excessive on the sphere and forcing turnovers across the field, maybe making an attempt to benefit from the second tactically and emotionally.
Morgan earned a yellow card within the 18th minute for some posturing in Colombia’s field, and Rodman adopted go well with within the twentieth minute as she had some alternative phrases after being vigorously defended. Horan might be seen making an attempt to impose herself between the feuding gamers; with 4 cumulative yellow playing cards out already and a referee who was vulnerable to lacking or just refusing to note calls, it was incumbent on her to maintain everybody levelheaded. Horan herself received a yellow within the 67th minute for elevating her leg within the path of a participant who had simply pushed her down.
Truthfully, it was the type of pressure that midfielder Emily Sonnett may have flipped into Colombia getting the yellows. If the power to troll different groups have been the one consideration, Sonnett could be an unquestioned starter.
Alex Morgan: “You do not know the place I am from dawg.” pic.twitter.com/FOWbvuMxb3
— Juan Vargas (@agoodjuan) March 4, 2024
Jenna Nighswonger’s aim within the twenty second minute calmed issues down, but it surely remained a extremely contentious and bodily recreation. It was a powerful take a look at of the group’s capability to maintain executing in opposition to an opponent that would not solely provoke them however had the technical capability to immediately punish any slip in focus. The astute, firmly upright response from Shaw on the third aim specifically was a improbable instance of the type of ruthless mentality that may assist carry this group ahead.
U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher famous the psychological side when requested what she thought had stood out for the group: “I feel simply the depth that we began from minute one, all over the ninetieth minute,” she stated.
Nighswonger aim, press and reward
Because the Tokyo Olympics, many have been ready for the following wave of younger gamers to have possibilities to determine themselves within the USWNT image. That course of could not have occurred quickly sufficient to assist the group’s possibilities in final summer season’s World Cup, however Sunday’s lineup gave loads of these rising skills a take a look at in a match knockout match.
All through the primary half, Shaw was harmful together with her front-line defending and had a really well-taken shot narrowly fly over the crossbar within the opening 20 minutes. On the best wing, Rodman acknowledged the stakes of the sport and made her presence identified to Colombia. Nevertheless, it was a veteran’s flick-on move by Morgan that offered one other prime prospect, Nighswonger, together with her second senior worldwide aim.
The ball from Nay.
The contact from Alex.
The end from Jenna.BEAUTIFUL 😍
🎥 » @AttackingThird
— U.S. Ladies’s Nationwide Soccer Workforce (@USWNT) March 4, 2024
Final 12 months was a banner 12 months for Nighswonger, profitable NWSL rookie of the 12 months as a part of Gotham’s run to the NWSL title. She’s already offered a few highlights to her follow-up, together with her first worldwide aim by way of a penalty in opposition to the Dominican Republic within the group stage. Sunday gave her an opportunity to attain throughout the run of play, as she crashed the field completely to glide onto Morgan’s headed ball and place a shot off the far publish and into the online.
The USWNT’s youth and willpower helped preserve Colombia from regaining a foothold because it relied on its chippy defending. Reasonably than unsettling the U.S., the fixed makes an attempt at thoughts video games appeared to gentle the extra productive type of spark within the group’s youthful gamers. That proved notably very important in stifling Colombia’s build-up out of the again, forcing sloppy touches out of opponents and rushed passes that result in promising turnovers.
It was the type of drive that so usually appeared lacking on this group over the past two years of Vlatko Andonovski’s tenure.
Shaw shines once more
Heading into this summer season’s Olympics, one of many largest early choices future U.S. coach Emma Hayes should make is which gamers from a promising group of attackers will make the journey to Paris. Some appear locked in, whereas others will depend upon kind and well being: a seemingly revitalized Morgan and a returning Mallory Swanson. The Gotham duo of Lynn Williams and Midge Purce can have lots to say of their instances for inclusion, too.
Don’t neglect to rely San Diego Wave’s Shaw among the many contenders. In fact, she could also be nearer to becoming a member of the “certain factor” crowd than some estimate.
Jae sliding in for a 3rd 😎
🎥 » @AttackingThird
pic.twitter.com/RZbHuSH6Xr— U.S. Ladies’s Nationwide Soccer Workforce (@USWNT) March 4, 2024
The winner of U.S. Soccer’s younger feminine participant of the 12 months award in 2022, Shaw has been nothing wanting electrical with San Diego. Having solely simply turned 19 in November, she was ever-present in all phases because the beginning left winger on Sunday. Her urgent was instrumental to unsettling the Colombian protection, whereas her motion in sync with Morgan and Rodman was rewarded with a well-placed end on the finish of the primary half.
Of explicit assist for her Olympic case is her versatility, able to lining up on both wing in addition to in a central attacking midfield function. That latter characteristic may come in useful depending on Catarina Macario and Rose Lavelle’s well being because the summer season approaches, notably after a lackluster shift by Korbin Albert on Sunday. Every fan can have their very own hierarchy of choice, however the totality of Shaw’s recreation would make her a serious snub if she missed the Olympic squad.
Naeher’s momentum swing
In her a hundredth U.S. look, Naeher made two huge saves that helped protect the group’s clear sheet in opposition to Colombia, however extra importantly, helped quiet down the remainder of her group and offered an emotional momentum swing.
Alyssa Naeher arising HUGE on her a hundredth cap 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/1hLSc71zFk
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 4, 2024
Whereas the primary (above) was already a formidable reminder of Naeher’s talents, the second on Ilana Izquierda’s shot required a diving save to cowl the far nook of the aim.
NaeHER 😤🧱 pic.twitter.com/IMZLG8VecD
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 4, 2024
We’ve seen each Naeher and Casey Murphy up to now on this match for the USWNT, however on Sunday night time, Naeher reminded everybody of her shot-stopping capabilities. She had different aggressive moments, keen to play outdoors of the field to close down single runners from Colombia as nicely. Because the group strikes into the semifinals in opposition to Canada on Wednesday, it is likely to be exhausting to return to any deliberate rotation within the goalkeeper place to maintain Naeher’s momentum rolling via the remainder of the Gold Cup.
(Photograph: Brad Smith/Getty Photos for USSF))
