By Meg Linehan, Steph Yang, Jeff Rueter, Tamerra Griffin
The US gained the primary CONCACAF W Gold Cup trophy, defeating Brazil 1-0 on Sunday evening in San Diego. USWNT captain Lindsey Horan supplied the game-winning objective proper earlier than halftime.
After a helpful defeat to regional rivals Mexico within the group stage of the match, the USWNT capped off its Gold Cup efficiency with three gritty showings within the knockout phases: first towards Colombia within the quarterfinals, then a wild semifinal towards Canada within the rain that required penalty kicks to resolve and eventually Brazil within the last.
In the long run, the Gold Cup supplied robust preparation for the USWNT forward of this summer season’s Olympics, not simply because the rhythms of a match might be mimicked however due to the standard of the video games.
After the win over Canada, interim head coach Twila Kilgore praised her staff’s mentality, saying, “These moments are literally actually essential to constructing in direction of main occasions.” It’s unattainable to know but simply how the USWNT will look heading into this summer season’s Paris Olympics, however the Gold Cup proved to be a way more worthy take a look at — and a sign of the elevated high quality throughout CONCACAF — in comparison with 2022’s qualifiers forward of the 2023 World Cup.
USWNT’s profitable staff objective
As first-half stoppage time loomed, it was going to take one thing particular to interrupt what had grow to be a cagey matchup. Overlooking her quick choices, midfielder Sam Coffey performed an incredible lengthy ball towards the precise wing, getting previous the ultimate two Brazilian defensive strains and setting Trinity Rodman as much as run onto the ball in area.
Very like Wednesday, the Snapdragon Stadium pitch betrayed Rodman. Fairly than being eaten by a cynical puddle, her dribble bobbled on the bottom and compelled her to settle its progress earlier than the endline and reassess thereafter. She discovered Emily Fox with a close-range recirculation, and the Arsenal full again despatched in a cross to the far publish, the place Horan was all too keen so as to add one other emphatic headed objective to her rising assortment of dunks.
EMILY FOX SERVES IT UP. LINDSEY HORAN HEADS IT HOME 💥@USWNT have carry off within the @goldcup last ✈️ pic.twitter.com/cnrvnCZK2R
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 11, 2024
“It was such a terrific staff objective,” Coffey stated after the sport. “I believe we love objectives that come from mentality performs for us: profitable unfastened balls, profitable 50/50s, these first and second (balls). Couldn’t have drawn it up any higher myself.”
In one of many few remaining big-game assessments between now and the Olympics, the sequence ought to assist present Coffey’s worth to this aspect. A direct USWNT is a extra harmful USWNT, and having a midfield who can capably do the defensive work whereas spraying line-breaking distribution from deep is invaluable. Coffey’s function in springing the sequence couldn’t have come at a greater time in that respect, notably towards one other staff that certified for the match in Paris.
In the meantime, Horan continues so as to add to the listing of causes she’s so important for the USWNT this cycle. There was loads of ceremony as she inherited the ten shirt and have become the de facto penalty taker. Maybe as significant is her new function as a reliable aerial menace within the field for set items and run-of-play crosses alike — one thing that made Julie Ertz go supernova within the 2019 World Cup. The objective capped what’s been a powerful match for the US captain, with the ultimate forcing her to play a number of midfield roles at varied phases.
It was a bit odd to not see ahead Jaedyn Shaw or defender Jenna Nighswonger beginning towards Brazil after they each had such good tournaments, with Shaw in the end receiving the most effective participant of the match honor. Shaw ultimately entered the ultimate sport within the 71st minute for Coffey, however as a No. 10. That needs to be an additional argument for Shaw as a starter although, given her versatility on the sector. If she’s going to additionally get performed as a midfielder, she wants extra time with frequent starter Horan.
It appeared like the US was extra dedicated to absorbing heavy Brazilian strain within the first half, which might then allow them to usher in a high-energy second half. However that’s additionally by no means actually been the U.S. fashion, to bide its time that method. Nonetheless, this late within the match, and particularly after that energy-sapping sport towards Canada, it’s a sound technique, and we noticed it repay within the first half. Brazil was principally restricted to long-range pictures outdoors of the field and the U.S. took their probability and made probably the most of it on Horan’s objective.
On the similar time, it’s grow to be fairly clear that Nighswonger and Shaw are starters. Nighswonger specifically, given the pool of left backs presently accessible. Crystal Dunn has misplaced a little bit of velocity and her finest place remains to be working out of the midfield anyway, so it will be nice to see her shift centrally and for Nighswonger to essentially personal the function and be capable to proceed cultivating a relationship with each whoever cements the left middle again place — possible Tierna Davidson at this level — and with Shaw as a left winger. That’s going to be one of many key relationships going ahead for this staff and, loading however, it’s necessary to get these relationships developed as a lot as attainable as rapidly as attainable in the event that they’re centered on Olympic success.
Greater than a trophy
The trophy is clearly the spotlight of the match, however followers needs to be inspired by the best way by which this group navigated the Gold Cup knockouts. Final summer season, the USWNT couldn’t get better from an underwhelming group stage, springing to life too late into its eventual spherical of 16 elimination. After a surprising 2-0 defeat on this match’s group finale towards Mexico, a staff with lesser resolve may have equally suffered.
As an alternative, the USWNT owned its matchup towards Colombia from the opening whistle and by no means relinquished management. They got here by in depressing situations towards everlasting rival Canada. And on Sunday, they held their resolve towards a cagey Brazil aspect and beat them at their very own sport. To navigate the bracket with that vary of approaches is especially spectacular.
SNAPDRAGON STADIUM GOES WILD AFTER THE @USWNT WIN THE W GOLD CUP 🇺🇸🏆💫 pic.twitter.com/VB6HRPzeGt
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 11, 2024
Extra observations
- Morgan’s physicality on this match was clutch within the first half earlier than it acquired her into primarily foul hassle within the second. Horan’s go-ahead objective in all probability wouldn’t have occur with out Morgan additionally making that very same run and getting her physique in behind a defender for a display. After the win, Horan spoke about Morgan’s contribution on the objective, “I used to be screaming at Alex to go away it as a result of I knew I used to be in on objective and so … I give her a second help for that.”
- Whereas goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher re-upped her popularity as probably the most ice-cold keeper the US has, it was nonetheless a disgrace to not see extra goalkeeper rotation in a match that each Kilgore and the gamers have spoken of as being necessary for the best way it simulates Olympic situations, and towards extremely aggressive opponents.
- In the meantime, the again line needs to be set. Fox, Davidson, Naomi Girma, and Nighswonger made a convincing defensive unit, which is sweet to see. Let at the very least one line really feel considerably settled with out having to push the “let’s see” section by SheBelieves and even June friendlies.
(High picture: Carmen Mandato/Getty Photos)