Notes
Vote for the Best Soccer Player – at least some should vote for Sophia Smith.
US Men play Trinidad & Tobago 7 pm on Fox
The US will look to take first in the group as they face T&T on Fox Sunday at 7 pm. The US needs to outscore Jamaica who is playing St. Kitts & Nevins at the same time on FS2. Jesus Ferreira netted a hat trick and paired that with Mihailovic who had a goal and 3 assist in the 6-0 win over St Kitts. USA vs St. Kitts Highlights. Overall I thought Centerback Jalen Neal was fantastic again – of course Brian Reynolds absolutely dominated once he scored on his birthday and makes his inclusion once we get to the knock-out rounds more likely. Mila was dominant in the 10 position and of course Ferreira blew up like he does when we play lousy teams. I look for the US to win at least 5 or 6 to zero depending on what they need to finish first in the group Matt Turner Save vs Jamaica
Shane’s Starters
Vasquez
Cade Cowell/Mihailovic/Zendejas
Busio/Sands
Jones/Miles Robinson//Jalen Neal//De Andre Yedlin
Gaga Slovenka
MLS
The MLS All-Star Game Roster has been announced they will face Arsenal and American GK Matt Turner in DC on Wednesday night, July 19th. Apple has a special on 50% savings to watch the MLS All-Star game as well as the Full MLS Season pass –which shows all the games – including those that Lionel Messi will play in for Inter Miami when he starts sometime in mid July. Big game Sunday as Atlanta United host Philly 4 pm on Fox, then July 4th 10:30 pm El Traffico returns on Apple TV.
Indy 11 Ladies Play last home Game this Friday, Boys Fire Works Sat 7:30 pm @ the Mike
The Girls in Blue are back in action this Friday, June 30 for the final regular season match of 2023 when they host St. Charles FC @ Grand Park in Westfield for the third time this season. The teams have split the season series so far, with each team winning on the road. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET and will stream on Eleven Sports. The Indy 11 W are 7-1-1 atop the USL W League’s Valley Division. Tix for this final game are just $8 or call 317-685-1100. The Boys won last week 2-1 including this fantastic strike from Carmel’s own Cam Lindley who was on ESPN’s top plays of the day for this screamer. They will host their Firework’s Celebration after this Sat’s game on July 1st at 7:30 pm @ the Mike vs the San Diego Loyal. Tix avail via indyeleven.com/tickets.
Carmel High School Girls Summer Schedule
Carmel High School Boys Summer Schedule
GAMES ON TV
Fri, June 30
7:45 pm FS1 Martinique vs Panama Gold Cup
10 pm FS1 El Salvador s Costa Rica Gold Cup
Sat, July 1
3:30 pm Para+ OL Reign(Lavelle, Huerta, Cook) vs Racing Louisville(Demelo) NWSL
7 pm Para+ Washington Spirit(Rodman, Sanchez, Hatch, Sullivan) vs Orlando(Marta) NWSL
7:30 pm MLS games
7:45 pm FS1 Cuba vs Guadeloupe Gold Cup
8 pm Para+ Chicago(Naeher) vs San Diego Wave(Morgan, Korniach, Girma) NWSL
10 pm FS1 Guatemala vs Canada
10 pm CBSSN Portland Thorns (Smith) vs KC Current
Sun, July 2
4 pm Fox Atlanta United vs Philly Union MLS
5:30 pm Para+ NY Gothem(Williams, Ohara, Mewis) vs Angel City FC(Thompson, Ertz)
7 pm FS1 Jamaica vs Guatamala Gold Cup
7 pm Fox USMNT vs T&T Gold Cup
9 pm FS1 Mexico vs Qatar
9 pm FS2 Honduras vs Haiti
Tues, July 4
6:30 pm FS1 Canada vs Cuba Gold Cup
6:30 pm FS2 Guadeloupe vs Guatemala Gold Cup
8:30 pm FS1 Costa Rica vs Gold Cup
8:30 pm FS2 Panama vs El Salvador Gold Cup
10:30 pm Apple LA Galaxy vs LAFC El Traffico
Sat, July 8
5/7 pm FS1 Quarters Gold Cup
5/7 pm Fox USMNT vs Canada Gold Cup Quarters in Cincy
10 pm Para+ San Diego Wave(Korniach) vs Washington(Rodman, Sanchez, Sullivan)
Sun, July 9
4 pm Fox USWNT vs Wales Send-off
5/7 pm FS1 & 2 Gold Cup Quarter Finals
7 pm USA vs Canada or Guatemala?
5:30 pm Para+ NY Gothem(Williams, Ohara, Mewis) vs Portland Thorns (Smith)
8 pm Para+ Angel City FC(Thompson, Ertz) vs NC Courage(Murphy, Fox)
Final NWSL Games till after World Cup
Wed, July 12
TBD FS1 Semi- Finals Gold Cup
7 pm TV 23 ESPN+ Indy 11 vs Charleston Battery
Sun, July 16
7:30 pm FS1 Finals Gold Cup
Thur, July 20 Women’s World Cup Starts
3 am Fox New Zealand vs Norway
6 am Fox Australia vs Ireland
10:30 pm Fox Nigeria vs Canada
Fri, July 21
1 am FS1 Phillipines vs Switzerland
3:30 am FS1 Spain vs Costa Rica
9 pm Fox USWNT vs Vietnam
Sat, July 22
3 am FS1 Zambia vs Japan
5:30 am Fox England vs Haiti
8 am Fox Denmark vs China
7 pm WRTV, ESPN+ Indy 11 vs Tampa Bay Rowdies
Sun July 23
1 am FS1 Sweden vs South Africa
3:30 am FS1 Netherlands vs Portugal
6 am Fox France vs Jamaica
Mon July 24
2 am FS1 Italy vs Argentina
4:30 am FS1 Germany vs Morroco
7 am FS1 Brazil vs Panama
10 pm FS1 Colombia vs Korea
Wed, July 26
1 am FS1 Japan vs Costa Rica
3:30 am FS1 Spain vs Zambia
8 am FS1 Canada vs Ireland
9 pm Fox USWNT vs Netherlands
Tues, Aug 1
3 am Fox United States Women vs Portugal
3 am FS1 Vietnam vs Netherlands
7 am Fox England vs China
7 am FS1 Haiti vs Denmark
Soccer Saturday’s are every Sat 9-10 am on 93.5 and 107.5 FM with Greg Rakestraw
Tonight’s Know Before You Go:
Who – Indy Eleven vs St. Charles WOMEN
Where – Grand Park Event Center Field 2
When – 7:00pm
Tailgate – officially no tailgate. UJ Westfield is only 5ish minutes away and folks are encouraged to pre-game & post-game there
Alright, now for the real need to know stuff. Indy still sits atop the division table with 22 points and tied with Racing Louisville. St. Charles sits the complete opposite with 5 points. The plan is simple, WIN TODAY AND LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE! What that means is that with yesterday’s postponement of the Racing v Kings Hammer match, it is uncertain if the match will be rescheduled at this time. Air quality (I know we all are tired of hearing about it,) is a lot better today than it was yesterday down in Cincinnati. Word may break shortly after posting this that the match will be played today. Who knows. Regardless of what happens with that match, our match tonight is simple. Again, WIN AND IN!
How do we help the girls in blue get to Flint, Michigan? Simple, PACK THE PARK! St. Charles came into the park and shut it down last time. It sucked. Silence sucks. So, PACK THE PARK! And let’s send these ladies into the playoffs the right way! Thanks – John Rice BB
USA Men Gold Cup
Analysis: USMNT pounds St. Kitts 6-0, but not much is learned
Jesus Ferreira’s hat trick powers USMNT to 6-0 win at Gold Cup
Ferreira and Mihailovic are grasping their USMNT opportunity
Ferreira hat-trick as USA hit six, Jamaica crush Trinidad
Sources: U.S. goalkeeper Steffen can leave City Rob Dawson
USMNT to face Asian duo for Berhalter return hAssociated Press
U.S. wins as Ferreira joins elite list with hat trick Kyle Bonagura
Concacaf Gold Cup: Schedule, results, bracket
2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Scouting Trinidad and Tobago Brendan Joseph
Jesus Ferreira’s Hat Trick leads USMNT to 6-0 victory over St. Kitts and Nevis
Concacaf Gold Cup from Glendale: Mexico streaks past Haiti at State Farm Stadium
MLS
From Beckham to Messi: How much has MLS grown in a decade? 4mNoah Davis
Inter Miami says terms have been agreed with Lionel Messi
Messi and Busquets not moving to Miami for a holiday says Martino
Inter Miami hires Lionel Messi’s former Barcelona and Argentina manager Gerardo Martino
Inter Miami hire Tata Martino as coach, confirming reunion with Lionel Messi
MLS Commissioner Don Garber talks about bringing All-Star Game to Columbus
US Women World Cup
The Women’s World Cup official song is here, courtesy of BENEE and Mallrat
Fifa bans One Love armband from Women’s World Cup . . . then issues its own
U.S. women’s national soccer team gathers for first time ahead of 2023 World Cup
UWSNT’s Kristie Mewis on the prevalence of ACL injuries
USWNT’s Julie Ertz reflects on lessons she’s learned
Lindsey Horan on how USWNT is preparing for World Cup without several star players
Haiti’s soccer team hopes to keep inspiring fans in its historic debut at the Women’s World Cup
Armbands that highlight ‘a range of social causes’ permitted at this year’s Women’s World Cup
Goalkeeping
Kepa on GK https://twitter.com/chelseafc/status/1674765807228780544?s=46
Save by US Goalkeeper Campbell
Reffing
Become a Licensed High School Ref
Become a Licensed Ref with Indiana Soccer – must be over 13
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Ferreira notches hat trick as USMNT routs Saint Kitts and Nevis at Gold Cup: What stood out?
By Paul Tenorio and The Athletic Staff jun 29, 2023
The United States men’s national team defeated Saint Kitts and Nevis 6-0 on Wednesday in the group stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, matching the Americans’ biggest Gold Cup win ever. Here’s what you need to know:
- The USMNT scored its first three goals in a three-minute, 50-second stretch that began as Djordje Mihailovic buried a shot into the top corner in the 12th minute — his first of two goals on the evening.
- Bryan Reynolds followed with his first-ever goal for the U.S., then Jesús Ferreira made it 3-0 in the 16th minute. Ferreira scored again nine minutes later, and then made it a hat trick in the 50th minute.
- The U.S., which drew Jamaica last weekend, closes group play against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. Saint Kitts and Nevis plays Jamaica on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.
Highlight of the game
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What does this win mean?
The U.S. came into this game needing a lot of goals, and that’s exactly what they got against Saint Kitts and Nevis. Ferreira’s hat trick spurred a six-goal win that gave the U.S. a three-goal cushion over Jamaica in the Gold Cup standings going into its group finale on July 2 against Trinidad and Tobago.A win would mean Jamaica needs to beat Saint Kitts by at least five goals in order to pass the Americans in the standings, and the U.S. will go into that T&T game expecting another multigoal win. A first-place finish in the group should help the U.S. avoid a tougher knockout stage matchup, though it’s noteworthy that Canada just got one point in its group opener against Guadeloupe, which could change the picture. — Tenorio
Who stood out in the win?
Ferreira’s performance helps him hold on to the starting spot as the No. 9 on this team, ahead of Brandon Vazquez. Ferreira’s movement and pressing — and yes, finishing — was very good against a poor Saint Kitts and Nevis team, and it keeps him in the mix in the larger USMNT pool.Mihailovic also had a very strong performance, and the AZ Alkmaar midfielder has made an argument not just to be the starter for the rest of this Gold Cup, but also a shot to fight for a spot in the team that won the Nations League.It’s tough to take too much out of a game like this where the U.S. was so thoroughly better than the opponent, but the U.S. will hope it was at least a confidence-building result. — Tenorio
Key stat
Ferreira became the fastest player in USMNT history to reach double-digit goals (he scored his ninth, 10th and 11th Wednesday), doing so in 20 caps, the federation said.
Backstory
Vazquez scored the lone goal for the Americans against Jamaica in the 88th minute. The U.S. men outshot Jamaica 13-6 while winning the possession battle. USMNT had 68 percent possession while Jamaica’s was 32 percent.Jamaica also got a win Wednesday, beating Trinidad and Tobago 4-1, meaning goal differential will likely factor into the final group standings.The U.S. entered the CONCACAF Gold Cup on a high after winning the CONCACAF Nations League on June 18. USMNT defeated Canada 2-0 with Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun scoring the goals. It was USMNT’s second Nations League title in program history.
Ferreira and Mihailovic are grasping their USMNT opportunity
- Kyle Bonagura, ESPN Staff WriterJun 29, 2023, 02:45 AM ET
ST. LOUIS — In international soccer lingo, Wednesday night’s Gold Cup match between the United States and St. Kitts and Nevis was, technically, a competitive one. Anyone who watched the Americans’ 6-0 win can appreciate the irony of that designation.Not that anything that transpired was surprising. Ever since the teams were drawn together two months ago, the game never had serious potential to deliver something more than a glorified exhibition. Even with the United States’ first-choice players vacationing all over the world, it wasn’t realistic to allow for the possibility that St. Kitts and Nevis — a Caribbean nation of roughly 50,000 people — would serve as much of a hurdle.For the Sugar Boyz, No. 139 in the FIFA World Rankings, it was a significant accomplishment just to qualify for the tournament’s group stage. They reached the qualification phase through their performance in the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League C — made up of the 13 lowest-ranked teams in the confederation — and beat both Curacao and French Guiana on penalties early this month to advance. And while they’ve made great strides in recent years, including a respectable showing in 2022 World Cup qualification when they won their first-round group, both sides understood the reality of the gulf in talent.Under different circumstances, the United States might have been content to secure the three points and shut it down, but after drawing with Jamaica on Saturday there was a goal differential incentive in play. That factor combined with a U.S. roster made up of less established players looking to improve their standing with the national team made for an even longer night for St. Kitts and Nevis.The winner of Group A will play the second-place finisher from Group D — Canada, Cuba, Guatemala, Guadeloupe — in Cincinnati on July 9, while the second-place finisher will take on Group D’s winner. Perhaps more importantly, the second-place finisher will likely end up on the same side of the bracket with Mexico in the knockout rounds.”We knew from the results against Jamaica we need to pick up some goals because it’s an important tiebreaker if we get the job done in the next match,” midfielder Djordje Mihailovic said. “But that’s something that we spoke about before, when one comes to try to keep going as much as we can.”
EDITOR’S PICKS
- U.S. wins as Ferreira joins elite list with hat trick1dKyle Bonagura
- Concacaf Gold Cup: Schedule, results, bracket1dESPN
Prior to the United States’ game, Jamaica scored three first-half goals against Trinidad and Tobago before it settled for a 4-1 win, which leaves the U.S. ahead by three on goal differential heading into the final match of group play against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday in Charlotte. The Americans have outscored T&T 13-0 in the last two meetings since their infamous 2-1 loss in 2017 to be eliminated from World Cup qualifying.
Using Wednesday’s performance as a possible indicator of what’s to come for this U.S. team doesn’t make much sense. However, there were several promising performances to build upon with Mihailovic’s perhaps the most meaningful. After scoring in his debut in 2019 — which doubled as coach Gregg Berhalter’s first game as head coach — and featuring five times that year, Mihailovic had just one cap (El Salvador in December 2020) in the years since leading up to this tournament. Against St. Kitts and Nevis, he was the United States’ most influential player, scoring twice and assisting twice in a strong 90-minute performance.”I thought he showed his quality,” interim U.S. coach B.J. Callaghan said. “He’s a player that is really comfortable in between the lines and as he gets closer to the penalty box, he becomes a real threat, whether it’s from running behind the line, arriving in the penalty box. So, I thought the performance we saw from Djordje was the performances that we expect from him.”Both of his assists set up Jesus Ferreira, whose hat trick put him in historic USMNT company. Following his four-goal game against Grenada last year in the Nations League, Ferreira is just the team’s fifth-ever player with multiple career hat tricks, joining Landon Donovan (3), Jozy Altidore (2), Peter Millar (2) and Clint Dempsey (2). He also became the fastest to ever reach double-digit goals (20 games).”It means a lot,” Ferreira said. “Obviously, growing up you always want to join the big names and want to join the exclusive lists and join those lists that barely any people touch. And for me to do it here in the U.S. shirt scoring goals, it means a lot.”This is a national team that gave me the opportunity to represent a country on the biggest stage and a country that gave me that joy of playing at the highest level possible. So, I’m just excited and happy that I can give that back to the fans and excited for what’s to come.”As dominant as the scoreline suggests the victory was, there was an acknowledgement afterward from Callaghan and multiple players that it could have easily — and perhaps should have been — even more lopsided.”I think it was important that we got a goal early and a lot of goals early, but with our quality, I think we could have scored 10 goals,” said right-back Bryan Reynolds, whose first goal for the U.S., a rocket from outside the box, made it 2-0. “It’s good that we won, but we always want to see things that we can improve on.”One obvious area for improvement is on the wings. Both Cade Cowell and Alex Zendejas were able to get into some dangerous areas, but their play in the final third — finishing, passing, touch — was mostly subpar. Again, there is very little to learn long term, but having a poor performance in this type of game might be more instructive than playing well.”With Alex, I was just super proud of how hard he worked for over 90 minutes and, yeah, of course he’s going to be frustrated that he wasn’t able to finish his chances,” Callaghan said. “But again, we continue to pound this message of we’re just going to try to get better each and every time. So that’s an aspect that we’ll work with Alex and look to get better, but he put in a great performance defensively with all of the pressing and some of the little passing combinations you saw in the middle of field.”So, he still made an impact on our team, even though he’s probably disappointed.”
USMNT analysis
Analysis: USMNT pounds St. Kitts 6-0, but not much is learned
The USMNT did what was expected, but will it be enough to help them win the group? ASN’s Brian Sciaretta looks at the game and offers up a few thoughts on the standings, who played well, and who didn’t.
BY BRIAN SCIARETTAPOSTED JUNE 29, 2023 8:00 AM
THE UNITED STATES men’s national team defeated St. Kitts & Nevis 6-0 for the team’s first win at the 2023 Gold Cup. The win was expected against a semiprofessional level opponent, but the real story is the race against Jamaica for a superior goal differential, which will likely determine the Group A winner. The six-goal margin helps, but will it be enough? That remains to be seen. The United States and Jamaica are the two heavily favored teams in Group A and Jamaica is significantly improved after the recruitment of several high-profile dual nationals. The result is that their front four attackers are all Premier League starters, and the rest of the team is strong as well. Without Mexico, Canada, and the United States in World Cup qualifying, Jamaica is favored to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.Entering this game, the United States knew that Jamaica posted a 4-1 win on Trinidad & Tobago to move to +3. The USMNT posted a 6-0 to move to +6 on the goal differential. Jamaica is likely going to dominate St. Kitts & Nevis as well. As a result, the +3 edge the USMNT has right now isn’t that great. It’s likely going to take a combination of the USMNT finding a way to get a three or possibly four-goal win over Trinidad & Tobago while Jamaica doesn’t far surpass the scoring edge the U.S. team had against St. Kitts & Nevis.
It’s going to be very close and there is a chance that the U.S. team will look back on the win over St. Kitts & Nevis wishing it did more.Why does this all matter?While Mexico’s national team is in a tough place following the World Cup and the Nations League, it’s still a strong contender at this Gold Cup. With Mexico’s 4-0 romp over Honduras in its opener, it is likely to win Group B. If the U.S. wins Group A, it cannot face Mexico until the final. If it finishes second, the path gets very difficult. It would have to face the winner of Group D in the quarters. Then likely Mexico in the semifinals.The U.S. team definitely wants to win Group A and Wednesday night’s win might have hurt their chances.
THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
Playing an opponent that is barely professional is tricky. In this game, the U.S. team is expected to win and dominate. The problem is that players can only ever stand out if they don’t do well. If they do well, that doesn’t tell us anything beyond what was expected. For that matter, player ratings are not really fair.The U.S. team opened the game strong and never played down to its opponent. B.J. Callaghan’s team was always in control and once they settled in, they took St. Kitts & Nevis out.The best run of the game for the U.S. team was between the 12-25th minutes when the U.S. team scored four times. Djordje Mihailovic opened the scoring in the 12th minute on a nice sequence of passing that started with Reynolds playing a terrific pass to Gianluca Busio down the right side. Busio sent a low ball into the middle of the box, Jesus Ferreira took a touch and Mihailovic slammed it home. Two minutes later, a wild Alejandro Zendejas corner floated beyond everyone but found Reynolds outside of the box. The right back sent a driving shot from distance past St. Kitts & Nevis keeper Julani Archibald for probably the nicest goal of the night. Ferreira then struck in the 16th and 25th minutes when he was played beyond the defense for a close shot.But the United States team would only score two more goals from the 25th minute through the end of the game, and that is what might cost the team. Ferreira completed his hat trick in the 50th minute and Mihailovic capped a nice night in the 79th minute with his second goal.The U.S. team had their chances to score three or four more goals, but were hurt by poor finishing and also a great outing from Archibald who made several nice saves over the entire 90 minutes.
WHO PLAYED WELL/WHO DIDN’T?
Ferreira, Mihailovic, & Reynolds: These games are never going to help a player too much, but without doubt Jesus Ferreira, Djordje Mihailovic, and Bryan Reynolds did what was expected of them. These players were asked to lead the way in a dominant win, and they did. Ferreira made nice runs and that is what put him in good positions throughout the game. Mihailovic was aggressive and put St. Kitts & Nevis defenders on their heels. Reynolds made good, inch-perfect passes throughout his 76 minutes. His goal was struck very nicely.
Sonora, Zendejas, & Cowell: Three U.S. players unfortunately did not have the performance they wanted and were responsible for the team not scoring enough. Alex Zendejas was clearly frustrated and tried to force the issue too many times. He missed the target on four great chances. Alan Sonora played the second half and was a downgrade from Busio, both in his shooting and in his creation of chances. U.S. U-20 winger Cade Cowell played 68 minutes and was too often a dead-end in U.S. attacking possessions. He is still struggling for his consistency. For these three, it sets up a need for them to make the most of future opportunities at the Gold Cup or else call-ups could be harder to come by.
LOOKING AHEAD TO TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
The United States will now head to Charlotte to face Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday at 7pm EST. Trinidad & Tobago is also at a low point and should not even really be at this Gold Cup. They only made it after Nicaragua was suspended a week before the tournament due to the use of an ineligible player.But the U.S. team is going to have to attack again and push for a lopsided, multigoal win. Jesus Ferreira has started each of the first two games, that might suggest that Brandon Vazquez is due for a starter (Vazquez missed two good chances off the bench against St. Kitts). We don’t yet know the status of Jordan Morris who suffered an injury to his knee against Jamaica and was listed day to day (but was held out of practice in the two days between games as well as the St. Kits game).
The U.S. team hasn’t been getting enough from the wings and that begs the question whether a 4-4-2 formation would be better with this group. The team has two forwards in Brandon Vazquez and Jesus Ferreira who would be better suited together. The wings have been absent but a four-man midfield with James Sands, Aidan Morris, Gianluca Busio, and Djordje Mihailovic would also play to the team’s strengths.It remains to be seen how Callaghan will play but the team will need to try to be on the front foot on Sunday while keeping an eye on how Jamaica is performing against this St. Kitts & Nevis team.
AC Milan in talks to sign USMNT’s Yunus Musah; Serie A club retain Christian Pulisic interest
By James Horncastle 3h ago
AC Milan are in talks to sign USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah from Valencia.Musah holds an Italian passport so crucially would not take up another non-EU registration slot in Milan’s transfers for this season.The 20-year-old has been a regular at Valencia for the last three years after joining from Arsenal in 2019.Following a year in the B team, Musah has made 108 appearances for Valencia’s first team over the last three seasons, scoring five goals.Despite Valencia’s struggles in La Liga, Musah impressed and continued to be regularly selected in the US team. He started every game at the 2022 World Cup, as the US lost to the Netherlands at the round-of-16 stage.Milan also retain an interest in Musah’s USMNT team-mate Christian Pulisic.The Italian club have finalised a deal for Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with the England international set to be one of their two permitted non-EU signings.Milan have already completed the signing of veteran goalkeeper Marco Sportiello.Brahim Diaz, meanwhile, has returned to Real Madrid after spending the past three seasons on loan at Milan.Stefano Pioli’s side will play in the Champions League again next season following their fourth-placed Serie A finish in 2022-23
Jesús Ferreira asserts USMNT case with Gold Cup “complete performance”
Charles Boehm MLS.com Thursday, Jun 29, 2023, 09:37 AM
It is one of Concacaf’s enduring, and endearing, quirks that Davids and Goliaths face off fairly often here. And the asymmetry of Wednesday night’s matchup between the United States, the region’s current frontrunners, and little St. Kitts and Nevis was driven home by the words of the islanders’ head coach Austin Huggins after the USMNT’s 6-0 rout of his side in Gold Cup Group A action.
“21,216,” said Huggins, reeling off the official attendance of the match at CITYPARK in St. Louis during his postgame press conference. “I remember the count well. It was the most people we ever played – well, me, I think most of the guys, ever played [in front of]. That was almost the whole of St. Kitts and Nevis in the stadium, or maybe one of those islands in the stadium.”
This is the first-ever Gold Cup experience for the Sugar Boyz, who sit 136th in the most recent FIFA World Rankings. Such a vast disparity between the two teams inevitably limits the depth of analysis when it comes to the Yanks’ performance.
Yet the clean, clinical composure of Jesús Ferreira’s man-of-the-match outing – the FC Dallas star bagged a hat trick in just 56 minutes on the pitch – ensured that he will remain part of the USMNT’s suddenly crowded outlook at the striker position after another well-rounded display as the tip of the spear.
“Jesús leads our line defensively. He knows exactly how we want to press and so I thought that helped him, in my opinion, get into the game offensively,” said interim head coach B.J. Callaghan. “And then you can see the quality that he can come down and link-up play. And then obviously he’s able to score three goals tonight. So a complete performance, in my mind, for Jesús.”With a first-half brace, Jesús Ferreira now has 10 goals for the 🇺🇸.Ferreira is the fastest #USMNT player to reach double-digit goals, doing so in 20 caps. The previous best was Clint Mathis, who hit 10 in 23 caps.Ferreira is the 29th USMNT player to reach 10 goals.— Jeff Crandall (@jefecrandall) June 29, 2023
While it must be noted that many of his goals were scored against Caribbean minnows, the record book shows Ferreira on an unprecedented scoring trajectory for the national team, fueled by a variety of intelligent movement that creates chances for himself and others. His understanding with Djordje Mihailovic, the provider on two of his goals, was notable, and the former Chicago Fire FC and CF Montréal playmaker also bagged two fine finishes in his own right.“Djordje, I thought he showed his quality,” said Callaghan. “He’s a player that is really comfortable in between the lines. As he gets closer to the penalty box he becomes a real threat, whether it’s from running behind the back line, arriving in the penalty box.”Ferreira’s defensive commitment, too, has been exemplary and Callaghan suggested he’s rising to the challenge posed by the arrival of Folarin Balogun, the continued rise of FC Cincinnati‘s Brandon Vazquez and other contenders for USMNT minutes up top.“Jesús, it starts with his ability to lead our line against the ball, right? Even in the beginning, you saw him almost steal the ball in the first 30 seconds of the game. So he’s a relentless player,” said the coach, who’s running the program for this tournament as his former colleague Gregg Berhalter prepares to resume his post later this year.“He’s got a great feel for the game, can come down and link up, makes these little darting runs in behind the back line. And for me, you see this now this desire from him that he understands that as a No. 9 you have the pressure to score goals, and that’s a pressure that he’s leaning into. He wants it, he’s driven by it. And then the completeness of his game is that you see that high level of selflessness from him, and that’s what makes him a great teammate and somebody that we’re all supporting.”With the USMNT having somewhat fortuitously tied Jamaica 1-1 in their opening match, the widespread expectation is that those two Group A favorites would win out in their other matches vs. St. Kitts and Trinidad and Tobago, whom the Yanks will meet at Charlotte FC’s Bank of America Stadium on Sunday (7 pm ET | FOX, Univision).
2 – Jesús Ferreira is the second player in @USMNT history to score multiple hat-tricks in competitive matches, joining Clint Dempsey. Natural. pic.twitter.com/wa4OZGA5g9— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) June 29, 2023
That raises the importance of goal differential in deciding who will finish tops in the group and thus avoid dropping into the side of the knockout round bracket projected to include Mexico and Canada.
“We knew that we had to come out here and gain points, gain goals,” Ferreira, a 2023 MLS All-Star, said in a fieldside Concacaf postgame interview. “And I think the team went out there and took care of business.”
Charles Boehm – @cboehm
USMNT get Gold Cup breathing room by dominating St. Kitts and Nevis
Jonathan Sigal
Thursday, Jun 29, 2023, 12:12 AM
The US men’s national team rolled to a 6-0 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday evening at St. Louis CITY SC’s CITYPARK, moving atop Group A through two matchdays in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira contributed massively to improving the USMNT’s goal differential after last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Jamaica, tallying his second career international hat trick. The homegrown standout scored in the 14th, 16th and 50th minutes to get the best of goalkeeper Julani Archibald.
Former CF Montréal and Chicago Fire FC midfielder Djordje Mihailovic was another difference-maker for the USMNT, tallying in the 12th and 79th minutes to start the scoring and end it. Mihailovic, now playing for Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar, also contributed two assists.
The highlight undoubtedly was Bryan Reynolds’ golazo in the 14th minute, a smoothly-struck volley off Alex Zendejas’ corner kick as the FC Dallas academy products linked up for a potential goal of the tournament contender. Gianluca Busio, a Sporting Kansas City homegrown product who’s now playing in Italy for Venezia, chipped in two assists as well.
Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson didn’t have to make any saves for the Yanks, reflecting the gap in quality between a USMNT side that reached the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup and a Saint Kitts and Nevis side ranked 139th in the world by FIFA.
Goals
- 12′ – USA – Djordje Mihailovic | WATCH
- 14′ – USA – Bryan Reynolds | WATCH
- 16′ – USA – Jesús Ferreira | WATCH
- 25′ – USA – Jesús Ferreira | WATCH
- 50′ – USA – Jesús Ferreira | WATCH
- 79′ – USA – Djordje Mihailovic | WATCH
USMNT Player Ratings: Ferreira, Mihailovic & Reynolds dominate in Gold Cup win
Ben Wright Thursday, Jun 29, 2023, 12:32 AM It was a dominant showing from the US men’s national team on Wednesday night in St. Louis, cruising to a 6-0 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis.
While the 139th side in FIFA’s World Rankings certainly isn’t the most daunting opponent the Yanks will face in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, it was a competent and business-like performance, tying their best-ever Gold Cup win and giving them a solid lead atop of Group A.
Tied on points with Jamaica, they lead the group with a +6 goal difference heading into their final group match against Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday night (7 pm ET).
6.0
Goalkeeper · USA
The Toronto FC goalkeeper gets an average grade through no fault of his own. Johnson didn’t face a shot on goal, and hardly ever had to deal with the ball in threatening areas. He did wear the captain’s armband for the first time at the international level, though, a nice touch for a player who has been a reliable presence with the team for many years.
8.0
Defender · USA
Reynolds scored his first international goal in style, rocketing a volley in at the near post from range. His delivery improved as the night went on and nearly scored a second on a close-range volley, capping off his 22nd birthday with an impressive performance.
Bryan Reynolds is the first player with a #USMNT goal on his birthday since Earnie Stewart vs Honduras in 2001. 🎂🇺🇸— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) June 29, 2023
6.5
Defender · USA
Like Johnson, Miazga was hardly troubled. He was calm in possession, but had essentially no defensive work to do.
6.5
Defender · USA
The 19-year-old LA Galaxy defender was rarely, if ever, troubled defensively. Neal did show maturity on the ball and an impressive passing range, making a strong case for more playing time going forward.
7.0
Defender · USA
Jones wasn’t quite as involved as his counterpart on the right flank, but he was a consistent outlet in possession and picked out some enticing passes into the final third.
7.0
Midfielder · USA
The 22-year-old NYCFC stalwart set the tempo in midfield, without needing to do any real defensive work. A routine outing.
7.5
Midfielder · USA
The former Sporting KC homegrown was clean on the ball all night, completing a cool 91% of his passes, albeit against very little resistance. He was taken off at the half, but not before picking up two assists.
9.0
Midfielder · USA
Two goals, two assists. A classy performance for the AZ Alkmaar playmaker, who ran the show for the Yanks. Sure, it wasn’t against a top opponent, but Mihailovic continues to put in performances that warrant a place with the first-choice team.
4 – Djordje Mihailovic (2 goals, 2 assists) is the seventh @USMNT player since 1995 to contribute to at least four goals in a single match. Everywhere. pic.twitter.com/i3nFcL4QY8— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) June 29, 2023
6.5
Forward · USA
The Club América attacker set up Bryan Reynolds’ goal from a corner kick. Zendejas got in excellent positions all night, but was wasteful, taking too many touches and predictably cutting onto his favored left foot. Not a poor showing, but he certainly could have taken more from the game.
6.5
Forward · USA
Cowell got into some good spots and was a threat on the dribble, but couldn’t find the finishing touch. He took five shots on the night, but the San Jose winger never really troubled the goal.
9.0
Forward · USA
Ferreira finished smartly to stun The Sugar Boyz, capping off a four-minute rampage in which the US scored three times. Oh, yeah, and he also scored again. And again. He should’ve also had an assist, but a poor touch from Alan Soñora wasted a perfect ball from Ferreira. In all, not a bad night for the fastest player to reach 10 goals in program history.
8.0
B.J. Callaghan
Head coach
The US were always monumental favorites against a nation with a population of just under 48,000. The 6-0 win was in no way unexpected, but they took care of business professionally. That hasn’t always been the case with this team, and Callaghan has put his players in positions to succeed and let them take care of the rest. They’ll go into their final group game with plenty of momentum and favorable odds to top Group A.
Substitutes
6.0
Midfielder · USA
On at halftime, the Juárez midfielder got on the ball consistently but struggled to make an impact on a night when other attackers feasted.
6.0
Forward · USA
After his heroics against Jamaica on Saturday, the FC Cincinnati striker was surprisingly quiet, touching the ball just six times in his 34-minute shift, failing to put either shot on target.
7.0
Midfielder · USA
Morris brought a spark off the bench. The Columbus Crew homegrown demanded the ball and was efficient when he had it, completing 38 passes in 34 minutes and playing a big role in Mihailovic’s second goal.
6.5
Midfielder · USA
The Seattle Sounders midfielder made an instant impact, unselfishly laying the ball off to set up Mihailovic’s second goal and generally causing problems for the Saint Kitts and Nevis defense.
N/A
Defender · USA
Fresh off the birth of his second daughter, Gressel was lively in a 15-minute substitute appearance, getting high up the pitch and finding the ball in and around the box, and whipping in several enticing crosses.
Ben Wright –
USWNT World Cup depth chart: Starters, backups, and emergency options in Australia/New Zealand
By Jeff Rueter Jun 28, 2023
Last week, Vlatko Andonovski announced the 23 players he would be relying on in the United States’ quest to win a third consecutive Women’s World Cup. There were surprise omissions, long-expected injury absences and the odd shock inclusion. Barring an injury in the run-up — players can be replaced on the roster under such conditions until 24 hours before a team’s group stage opener — we know who will be involved this summer.One trait which Andonovski has long valued in his selections has been positional versatility. As a result, very few places among the 11 starters are set in stone, especially when sorting out who would be called upon from the bench or in place of an injured or suspended first-choice player.With an eye on how each player has been deployed for their clubs and the United States alike since the start of 2022, here’s my best guess at what Andonovski’s depth chart (not my own!) may look like heading into his team’s title defense.
Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy, Aubrey Kingsbury
This hierarchy appears to be settled heading into the send-off match. Naeher, the program’s No. 1 since the end of the 2016 Olympics, has been tested often as she backstops a poor Chicago Red Stars side. Despite this, she’s kept a clean sheet in 8 of her 12 most recent international caps. Murphy figures to be the primary challenger for starts, boasting a similar prowess at shot-stopping and claiming crosses in the box. The main stylistic trade-off would be in their distribution; Naeher is more accurate with her long passing and sends a greater share of her passes into the opposing half than Murphy. Kingsbury had a poor game this weekend against the Portland Thorns, allowing four goals with a -1.87 goals prevented rate which makes for the fourth-worst game any NWSL goalkeeper has had this season. (The unlucky winner of that competition: Naeher, with a -2.49 display in an April loss at OL Reign.)
Right back: Emily Fox, Sofia Huerta, Crystal Dunn, Kelley O’Hara
This is as good a time as any to repeat myself: This isn’t about what I, or my colleagues Meg Linehan and Steph Yang, would do if we were picking the lineup. This is an estimation based on Andonovski’s lineups over the 18 months of matches leading up to the World Cup, with some modifications made due to a player’s club utilization.All of this is to say that the United States will likely play with two inverted full-backs. Fox, a left back for North Carolina Courage, has regularly started on the right when Andonovski picks the lineup. Rather than prioritizing a player with an eye for the cross, he’s instead looking for his wide defenders to play progressive through balls to a winger who’s also more prone to cutting inside than hugging the touchline. Exceptions may need to be made depending on who starts in the final third, but for now, it appears likely that Fox will be deployed on the starboard side.If a more traditional, strong-footed option was prioritized, it would likely be Huerta. The OL Reign defender is among the league’s very best crossers and could be a vital escape valve if the U.S. has struggled to score against an opponent playing in a low block. Crystal Dunn could bring a bit of both to the role with her all-around brilliance and reading of space as a midfielder for Portland, but she will likely be playing elsewhere. O’Hara provides a strong shut-down option who can match up with wingers on the air and keep strong positioning late in games. However, she hasn’t displayed the same attacking threat since recovering from her recent hip injury.
Center backs: Naomi Girma, Alana Cook, Emily Sonnett, Julie Ertz, Kelley O’Hara
While the first-choice partnership picks itself, few position groups carry more questions among other options. Girma, the reigning NWSL rookie of the year, plays to Cook’s left, but is strong enough with her right foot to switch sides depending on her partner. Cook has been the more consistent progressive passer in the team’s international matches this year, completing 82% of those attempts for the U.S. this year compared to Girma’s 57% rate. Sonnett will be looked at in numerous roles, but may be asked to return to the defensive role which she patrolled during the Washington Spirit’s run to the 2021 NWSL title. Without captain Becky Sauerbrunn or uninjured alternatives including Tierna Davidson and Casey Krueger, it’s hard to confidently pick the other second-string center back. It’s possible that Ertz will be asked to resume her role from the 2015 World Cup title run at the heart of the defense, although that would seriously hamstring the midfield. O’Hara has made one appearance as a center back since the start of 2022 but could have some upside in the role given her recent form. No position appears more thin on paper and in practice than center back. If a player in another, deeper position is forced out of the roster due to a pre-tournament injury (a grim scenario, indeed), this would seem to be the spot in greatest need of additional reinforcement.
Left back: Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox, Emily Sonnett, Kelley O’Hara
It’s a visual which is as hilarious as it is informative.
Crystal Dunn is almost certain to start on the left for a second consecutive World Cup. This, despite playing as far from the position’s home as possible for the Portland Thorns. This isn’t just a case of a club coach radically disagreeing with an international peer, mind you: Dunn views herself as a top midfielder who has “to be world-class in a position that I don’t think is my best position.” And yet, for all the reasons which Andonovski prefers to play Fox invertedly on the right, the same has kept Dunn anchored to the left.Fox is the second-choice option on the left and regularly starts in the role for North Carolina. Sonnett has lined up at left back eight times since the start of 2022, the third-most appearances she’s logged at any position behind center back and (mild spoiler alert) defensive midfielder. O’Hara has played invertedly at the role six times since returning from her hip injury.
Defensive midfielder: Julie Ertz, Andi Sullivan, Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan, Savannah DeMelo
At last, a position group with three clear, experienced options. Ertz sent shockwaves through the program when she made her return with the United States in March before even signing with a club. Since then, she’s started regularly for Angel City; although there’s undeniable rust left to shake, the two-time World Cup winner has looked the part. This depth chart assumes all players to be at 100% fitness (otherwise, what’s the point?); if Ertz continues to round back into her best form before the end of the group stage, she’ll be difficult to drop in the knockout rounds.Not that Sullivan couldn’t do the job, mind you. The Washington Spirit midfielder has won 52% of her duels for the United States this year and provides a stabilizing influence as the pivot. There are a couple of areas of concern that have helped leave the door open for Ertz’s return. The first is in long distribution: Sullivan averages less than two long passes per 90 minutes for the U.S. this year (Ertz, for comparison’s sake, comes closer to trying eight) and completes them at a poor 25% clip. She also turns the ball over in the United States’ defensive half more often than any other midfielder who has logged minutes this year (42.9% of her 28 losses). Sonnett primarily starts for OL Reign as a defensive midfielder and could seamlessly integrate into the role if needed — although a thin center back corps may limit her freedom to do so. Horan could drop deeper in a pinch, while DeMelo’s do-everything mentality and ability in progressive passing could help her plug this spot as an emergency option.
Central midfielder (box-to-box): Lindsey Horan, Kristie Mewis, Savannah DeMelo, Crystal Dunn
She may not have the on-ball flair of Rose Lavelle and Catarina Macario or the more clarified role of Ertz, but Horan may be the most important player to the United States’ midfield success. With Lyon, she has alternated between serving as the midfield’s base and being a more progressive option. In both spots, she has been among the world’s best at winning aerial duels, carrying the ball, making progressive passes, and sending passes into the final third. After being rotational in 2019, this tournament may finally see Horan get her star turn.Mewis can do a bit of everything in midfield, providing a vital alternative to Horan given the gauntlet of the World Cup format. She’s as capable of connecting passes into the final third, and isn’t shy about taking a shot if the opportunity allows. DeMelo is similarly multifaceted with the added bonus of her expert ability taking opponents on with the ball at her feet. Few players on the roster can match that one-on-one trick, which could make her an underrated threat from midfield.
While U.S. fans have long clamored for Dunn to get a look as an attacking midfielder, it’s far more likely that she’d slot in here if she is to play as a midfielder at any point — and even then, it would take a few other seismic absences and rotations to get there.
Central midfielder (progressive): Rose Lavelle, Ashley Sanchez, Kristie Mewis, Savannah DeMelo
No member of the roster enters with more injury concern than Lavelle, who has logged just 179 minutes this NWSL season and last played on April 2. She may need to be eased back into the fold throughout the group stage, but with Macario and Mallory Swanson out, her trickiness on the ball and expert chance creation are sorely needed. It’s a fairly open competition for minutes behind her, but this is the spot that is the clear best fit for Sanchez. She’s at the heart of everything the Spirit do going forward, as capable of taking her own shot from deep as she is dishing to teammates. Her presence may require Horan to play a bit more withdrawn for coverage’s sake, but a World Cup spotlight could bring the best out of such a confident player. Mewis and DeMelo’s versatility is again at the heart of their presence here, with Mewis getting the edge due to past presence under Andonovski and a slightly more attacking role with her club.
Left winger: Sophia Smith, Megan Rapinoe, Lynn Williams, Alyssa Thompson, Ashley Sanchez
Until April, this may have been the only position whose depth chart would have been two names deep. Swanson was in blistering form and certain to start, while Rapinoe’s involvement was seldom in question as she wound the clock back for OL Reign. Swanson, unfortunately, will miss out with a torn patellar tendon injury suffered against the Republic of Ireland, necessitating some changes to the hierarchy.Swanson’s absence may actually increase Sophia Smith’s chances of winning the golden boot — and not just due to an increased responsibility to score. The Portland Thorns star plays as a striker for her club, and hasn’t always carried her MVP-caliber form into the national team when playing out right. On the left, she’ll be able to get on the ball and cut toward goal onto her right foot. It’s a trick that has done wonders for Swanson and is far closer to how Smith likes to set herself up for scoring success, as she touches the ball slightly more often on the left than the right.
Rapinoe offers something completely different: a left-footed crossing ace who can also lurk at the far post when the ball progresses up the right. Williams and Thompson would bring dynamism to the flank, while Sanchez’s creativity could still shine from a wide position further up the field.
Right winger: Lynn Williams, Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson, Sophia Smith
Smith’s anticipated move from the right to the left creates something of a rarity: competition for a starting spot along the United States’ long-hallowed forward line. A versatile collection of attackers creates many permutations for Andonovski, but the young NWSL season has seemingly reminded him of a once-favored answer: let Lynn Williams loose.
After missing the 2022 season with a leg injury, Williams has made the most of her move to Gotham FC. While playing every minute of her 13 starts (a rarity for attackers these days), Williams has reminded everyone that she can still rack up goals while causing fits for opposing defenders if the ball is turned over. She’s among the world’s best at getting involved defensively in all areas, and creates a shot directly from an opponent’s turnover every 257 minutes. Given Rodman’s pressing prowess, it’s Williams’ better finishing chops that will likely give her the edge to start — although Rodman’s creation and progressive playing style will make her a nightmare for opponents whether she starts or serves as a super-sub in the second half of games. Again, Thompson’s unpredictability on the ball and knock for breaking down a low defensive block make her an asset wherever she lines up.
Striker: Alex Morgan, Sophia Smith, Lynn Williams
At first glance, it’s a bit unnerving to see a team’s starting striker backed up by the likely starters on either side of her. It’s one reason why Ashley Hatch’s omission from the roster raised eyebrows, as the Washington Spirit striker worked into the pool as Morgan’s de facto backup on the depth chart. More than any player on this roster, Morgan is locked in as a starter at a very specific spot. Whether Williams or Smith are needed to log minutes up top will do more to inform decisions on the wing than Morgan’s own status. After playing all but 6 minutes during the United States’ four knockout matches in 2019, she may be asked to carry a similar load this summer. If she needs to miss a group stage game for load management or is otherwise unable to be selected, it could give Smith a chance to begin her claim as the next great American striker a bit sooner than anticipated. Williams’ profile of shooting and pressing fits as well here as it does at right wing.
At Women’s World Cup, USWNT’s Emily Fox can solve problems in attack and defense
By Steph Yang Jun 21, 2023
Emily Fox knew she was going to the World Cup. But on a call with The Athletic, during the strange period between being notified that she had made the U.S. women’s national team roster and the public announcement, she had to play it cool. “It’s been good,” the North Carolina Courage defender said when asked how she was feeling about waiting for that roster to drop. “I think being in-season and having to play so many games is actually really good because I’ve been having a lot of my focus on that and on my team and playing well and doing what we can to win in the NWSL.”
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“And then,” she added, smiling, “yeah, waiting.”
At that point it was a done deal, but waiting for a future that wasn’t guaranteed certainly came with its own host of stresses and anxieties. Fox said that she started working with a sports psychologist last year to help her stay more present and not spiral out over trying to control things she couldn’t.
“At the end of the day, I can’t control who, when, where, why, with the World Cup and the roster,” she said.
Fox has routines she uses to stay centered, whether she’s traveling or at home. Nothing too wild: going for a walk, grabbing a coffee (iced latte with oat milk) and taking a 20-minute power nap. On game days, she writes down three things that she wants to execute.
“(It’s) something that I can go to that’s consistent. That’s helped me a lot,” she said.
Another part of her balance is the fact that she has training every day and club games to win with North Carolina. The Courage is third in the standings with 20 points, behind only Portland Thorns (22) and Washington Spirit (23). Fox also has sponsor obligations in case she’s not busy enough. As an Under Armour athlete, she’s been doing media rounds to talk about some of the products they’ve designed specifically for female soccer players.
Fox said that there wasn’t a specific discussion between her, Vlatko Andonvski, and Courage head coach Sean Nahas about any goals she wanted to set this year at the Courage. She pointed out that, with the end of national team allocation, U.S. Soccer is more hands-off now in terms of the national team-club relationships. But she knows that Andonovski has been evaluating hers and everyone else’s club play.
“I think at the end of the day, especially you look where I’m playing, I’m on the left side and I’m playing kind of inverted. So really, I think with the club, coaches are probably thinking what can I do to help my team,” she said.
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Fox’s heat map this season with the Courage (below) shows that she tends to come inside in the attacking half.
“I think it’s been really fun for me to play a new role (with my club), in terms of I’m normally more tucked in,” she said. “I’m not wide as much and so I think that gives me more touches on the ball and more ability to playmake, so that’s really fun. And then I think with the Courage and how we play, I’ve been learning a lot from (Denise O’Sullivan).”
Fox took a little time to gush about O’Sullivan, calling her a great leader and captain.
“I think she really understands the game well. It takes a lot of pieces for it to work in terms of me coming in, when I’m rotating,” Fox said. “I think we’re in a good group, good chemistry. I think our team is on a really good page and understands each other and so we’re allowed to have a lot of fluidity in our movements.”
North Carolina’s fluidity has allowed Fox to add to her toolbox, from her higher and wider role on the national team, to coming inside more for the Courage.
“I do think being so close to the line (for the WNT), a lot of times that invites pressure and that’s why I have to break it and then with the dribbling inside, I think that just opens up a lot of pockets,” she said. “The way that we’re playing with the Courage and me being inside it’s actually less dribbling and I have to think quicker.”
Andonovski said of Fox before the USWNT played Japan in February, “Emily has an ability to solve problems under pressure very, very well, and I would say in a world-class manner. It’s almost a point where pressure doesn’t faze her at all.”
Fox’s positioning and ability to work with the midfield allows other USWNT players to be more aggressive in the attack, and nicely complements Crystal Dunn on the other side of the field when they’re playing together — the Fox-Dunn combo in starting lineups is something Andonovski has complimented for their ability to give him problem-solving on both sides of the field. Looking at Fox’s passing accuracy based on where she’s distributing the ball, she’s good support for midfield players and wingers on her side, allowing the team to play the ball in the final third.
Andonovski also likes that Fox has played this fullback role on both sides of the field, both for club and in college for the University of North Carolina. She’s able to transition fairly well between sides and positional flexibility is something of particular value to Andonovski, as well as generally adding bench depth. And in a tournament setting, where smart rotation can make or break a game, having a younger player able to make that switch could be key.
Dribbling will always be something she has in her pocket in order to break pressure and win her 1-v-1s, but she’s been trying to grow in other areas too, like her final ball. It helps that Fox already has good relationships with the USWNT midfielders and forwards, allowing them to move well off of each other. Below is Fox’s chance creation for the Courage this season, where we can see her work to feed in from wide areas as well as to combine with other players in the halfspace and more centrally.
“I would definitely say I think me and Lindsey (Horan) have a really good relationship. I was playing on the left a lot with her. I feel like I really understand what she wants from me in either the quick touch or combination play,” Fox said. “And then same with Alex (Morgan) in terms of the pocket and from the No. 9. And then with Trin (Rodman) too, it’s been really fun playing her on the right side, either combining or letting her do the thing and 1-v-1.”
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In a press conference during CONCACAF qualifying last year, Anodnovski said frankly that Fox was part of a group of young players like Sophia Smith and Mal Swanson who are “going to be here for at least three, maybe four World Cups.” He added: “So get used to them.”
Fox’s eyes widened when informed of Anodnovksi’s very public vote of confidence in her.
“That’s the first time I’m hearing it,” she said. “That’s awesome that Vlatko has said that but even with this World Cup, the time that we’ve had with our teams, I feel like so much can happen and I know that. So I try not to take anything for granted…. Yes, that’s my goal, be here as long as I can, but I know it’s obviously way easier said than done. And I gotta prove myself now.”
USWNT media day: Naming new captain, Megan Rapinoe injury update and investing in women
By Elias Burke Jun 27, 2023
On Tuesday, the United States women’s national team held its pre-World Cup media day at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The usual home of MLS side LA Galaxy was adorned with red, white and blue for the occasion — which later included the unveiling of a 20-foot statue of Alex Morgan in the likeness of the Statue of Liberty.At the event, head coach Vlatko Andonovski and all 23 players selected to represent the four-time World Cup winners in Australia and New Zealand spoke to members of the media. Here are some of the key takeaways from the day.
Who will be the next USWNT captain?
The answer isn’t available just yet — not officially. Andonovski was expected to announce the USWNT captain for the 2023 World Cup on Tuesday.“The decision has been made, and we were going to talk to the team last night, but not everybody was able to make it in on time because we had players coming from the East Coast who got here late,” said Andonovski. “I would want to talk to the players first before announcing publicly. Sorry.”It was clear that forwards Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and midfielder Lindsey Horan will be Andonovski’s senior lieutenants in the locker room. The three players were rolled out in press conference format before other teammates joined in a roundtable Morgan is familiar with the role of captain, given her experience and stature on the team. The 33-year-old has 206 caps for the national team since making her debut against Mexico in 2010, scoring 121 goals – fifth in the nation’s all-time rankings. She is a two-time World Cup winner, an Olympic gold medalist, and the captain of the San Diego Wave, where she won the NWSL Golden Boot last season. Rapinoe’s winning experience makes her a valuable member of the squad, but she is currently nursing an injury and, at 37 years old, may not play as prominent a role as she did in 2019.Defender Becky Sauerbrunn, who normally holds the title, is unavailable for selection and will not be on the team for the tournament after reaggravating a foot injury in June with her club the Portland Thorns.“Take a moment wearing that armband and leading the team out there,” Sauerbrunn said in a video clip of her podcast with the Men in Blazers. “Everything has to bounce your way throughout your career to make it to a World Cup. Then to also be the captain and to lead that squad out there, it’s such an honor but also such a responsibility.”Horan, headed to her second World Cup, spoke about Sauerbrunn’s influence as a teammate on the Thorns and the national team in molding her as a leader.“I’m so, so sad for Becky. She was a huge role model for me and someone that took me under her wing and helped me with the leadership role,” said Horan. “My leadership role has changed a huge amount on the field, and I’ve worked more and more off the field. Going into a major tournament like this, it’s about doing my thing: who I am as a leader.“Not changing any bit because we, unfortunately, lost Becky. I’ll be the same Lindsey that I’ve always been, but do whatever I possibly can to help the team lift the trophy at the end of the day.”
Megan Rapinoe expects to be fit for start of World Cup
Rapinoe, who is sitting on 199 caps for the national team, expects to be fit to start the World Cup.She limped off the field in early June for OL Reign inside seven minutes against the Kansas City Current, grabbing her lower leg. She had suffered injury issues earlier in 2023 and sat out the USWNT’s January training camp.“The injury is going really well. It was quite minor. It was not amazing timing, but such is the life of an athlete,” Rapinoe said. “It’s nothing that I’m worried about for the start of the tournament. It feels like we’re here right now because we’re coming into camp, but we have a little bit of time and we’ll have time down in New Zealand before we get going. I’m feeling good, and training is going well, so I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”The 2019 Ballon d’Or winner enters her fourth World Cup with her eyes set on a third title. While her role may be more rotational than she played in 2019, where she won the Golden Ball, she has had an excellent start to 2023 on the field, suggesting she still has a lot to give as one of women’s football’s most recognizable players.“First and foremost, when Pinoe is on the field, she’s a great player,” Andonovski said. “That’s the first reason why she’s on this team. Unfortunately, she got injured in the last game but the game before that she showed what she can bring to this team. She’s one of the most creative players I’ve ever seen and a true winner. She’s certainly a great player and that’s why we want her on the team. But also her experience and leadership is what she needs as well. She will have a role as a player, a leader and leading the leaders as well.”
The focus is on Vietnam
The USWNT kicks off its World Cup campaign against Vietnam on July 21 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. And, judging by the comments of Andonovski and the players, their focus lies squarely on their opening match — one they do not anticipate to be comparable to the 13-0 result against Thailand in 2019.“Looking at this tournament and games we’re going to be playing, you can’t compare our match against Thailand to any upcoming games,” said Morgan. “That tournament we started off with a bang.“We’re hopeful and optimistic that in this tournament we will be able to be successful. That’s what we’ve worked so hard towards these last four years. We have incredible respect for Vietnam.”Vietnam is going into its first World Cup among the best sides in Asia, sitting fifth in FIFA’s continental rankings. In 2022, they reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup, losing 3-1 to eventual winners China. Currently, all but one of their players play their club football in Vietnam, but their 2-1 friendly defeat to Germany on Saturday highlights their potential to be a stubborn opponent for the USWNT.“They’re an incredibly organized team, and we can’t overlook the first match of the tournament,” Morgan said.Andonovski’s side will round out the group stage against the Netherlands in Wellington, New Zealand, before returning to Auckland to face Portugal.“It’s one of the hardest groups, if not the hardest group in the World Cup,” Andonovski said. “We have three teams that are very good. They’re all different types of teams with, in some ways, different philosophies and different styles of play which made it a little bit harder for us in the preparation for the group play because we had to dissect three different styles and approaches. We think that we have enough time to prepare for them separately. The goal is to win the group before we move to the ultimate goal.”
And, if it was not clear. The ultimate goal is to add a fifth star to the national team’s crest.“Would I be happy with anything short of a third straight win? No,” Andonovski said, with a chuckle. “Absolutely not. There’s only one thing in mind going to this tournament – our goal is to win the World Cup.”
Investing in women
The USWNT has historically coupled its success on the field with the ability to affect change off it.“Having charter flights, having the best hotels, having all the recovery resources, having the money to provide that for players gives us the best opportunity to perform at our best and keep up with the level on the field that increases year over year,” said Rapinoe. “We’re fortunate to have that and we fought a lot for that over the years. To have an environment that allows for every team in the tournament to reach their full potential, that’s what it’s all about.”FIFA’s decision in 2022 to provide “the same conditions” and services for all female players and staff as their male counterparts was in part due to the USWNT efforts.While the new $110 million pot is just 25% of the $440 million paid out to the 32 national federations that participated at the Qatar World Cup, it is far beyond the $60 million pot that FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously promised in 2019.The USWNT’s 2019 World Cup success was won with the backdrop of an equal pay lawsuit, accusing the United States Soccer Federation of “institutionalized gender discrimination” toward the team. While players from the USWNT settled their class action lawsuit for a total of $24 million in February of 2022, the senior leaders on the team say there is still a long way to go for equality.
USWNT’s Crystal Dunn signs a collective bargaining agreement signifying equal pay between the U.S. men’s and women’s teams. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images.
“The vibe is still the same, the vibe has been the same since 100 years ago. Just wanting to constantly strive for whatever the next thing is,” said Rapinoe. “This is not a team that does any sort of resting on its laurels, it’s always about the next game, the next area of progress, the next thing we can fight for using our platform and continuing on the field to be the best team that we possibly can. Being one of the best teams in the world, you’re always on that razor’s edge. The on-field is the most important thing and that’s been the fuel for the team always: striving to win every single game whether in practice or on the field.
“Some of the players on the team now are never going to experience inequalities as a professional athlete under U.S. soccer,” Morgan added. “We actually just got our first settlement check in the mail a week ago. (Center back) Naomi (Girma) was joking that she didn’t get one and I was like, ‘Be grateful you don’t, you just get equal!’”The upcoming World Cup will be the first Morgan will play as a mother, after giving birth to her daughter Charlie in 2020. Four years later, she became the highest-scoring mother in USWNT history, passing Joy Fawcett with the opener in a 2-1 win over Brazil in February. Fawcett, a member of the 1999 World Cup-winning team, held the previous record with 13 goals.“I’m really grateful for the women before me that fought for mom athletes. Joy Fawcett was the OG in that, and she had way less resources and support and was able to somehow become world champion and do many great things to create the legacy she has today,” said Morgan. “I have fought hard for female athletes to get the support and resources needed to continue to stay at the top of our game after having children.”
Preview W League #INDvSTC
elevencomms
June 28, 2023 11:38 am
#INDvSTC
St. Charles FC at Indy Eleven
Friday, June 30, 2023 – 7:00 PM
Grand Park Sports Complex – Westfield, Ind.
Follow Live
Live Stream
In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed
Live stats: #INDvSTC MatchCenter at USLWLeague.com
2023 USL W League Records
Indy Eleven: 7W-1L-1D (+21GD), 22pts
St. Charles FC: 1W-6L-2D (-23GD), 5pts
Setting the Scene
The Girls in Blue are back at home for the last game of the regular season following a 3-0 win at Lexington SC. Indy hosts St. Charles FC, who sits at the fifth spot in the USL W League’s Valley division with five points, while Indy still holds the division’s top spot with 22 points.
Series vs. Saint Charles FC
Friday’s match marks the third meeting between Indy and Saint Charles with both teams splitting the series with a win apiece. Saint Charles defeated Indy 2-0 the last time the two met, while The Girls in Blue came out on top 8-0 the first match of the 2023 regular season.
Recent Meetings
June 24, 2023 | L, 2-0
May 10, 2023 | W, 8-0
Last Time Out
Three different players scored as Indy Eleven defeated Lexington SC, 3-0, Thursday night on the road. With the win, Indy improves to 7-1-1 to stay atop the USL W League’s Valley Division, while Lexington falls to 2-6-1. The Eleven also earned the season series over LEX 3-0, with wins at Lexington on May 21 (3-0) and at home June 9 (2-0).
Sam Dewey got the scoring started, just as she did in the last match-up in Lexington, with her fourth goal of the season as a Hal Hershfelt cross found Dewey alone on the back post for an easy tally in the 29th-minute. The assist was the first for Hershfelt in 2023.
The Eleven tacked on a pair of back-to-back unassisted goals to close the first half with Katie Soderstrom (43’) first taking it herself into the 18-yard box and playing a ball back across the goal line and into the back of the net for her fourth of the season. Maddy Williams (45+1’) then took advantage of a Lexington giveaway in the back to score her third of the season and in consecutive matches.
The result was decided in the first half as neither team found the back of the net in the second frame. The teams were deadlocked with nine shots apiece in the match, with Indy holding the 4-2 advantage in shots on target. Nona Reason earned her fourth clean sheet of the season making three saves.
Kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. ET
#INDvSD Preview
Indy Eleven vs San Diego Loyal SC
Saturday, July 1, 2023 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Ind.
Follow Live
Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click to subscribe)
In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed
Stats: #INDvSD MatchCenter at USLChampionship.com
2023 USL Championship Records
Indy Eleven: 5W-6L-4D (0), 19 pts; 7th in Eastern Conference
San Diego Loyal SC: 6W-5L-5D (+2), 23 pts; 6th in Western Conference
Community Health Network Sports Medicine Indy Eleven Injury Report
OUT: DF B. Rebellon (L adductor), MF J. Blake (Lower back)
QUESTIONABLE: MF S. Velasquez (L adductor)
SETTING THE SCENE
The Boys in Blue return to action Saturday when they host San Diego Loyal SC for the first and only time this season. San Diego leads the all-time series 1-0-0.
The Eleven are coming off a 2-0 win at Hartford Athletic and are 2-2-1 in their last five games. With a 5-6-4 record, Indy is seventh in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference.
San Diego is winless in its last five matches going 0-3-2 and is coming off a 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh. SD sits sixth in the Western Conference at 6-5-5.
SERIES VS. SAN DIEGO LOYAL
Saturday marks the second meeting between the two teams, with San Diego holding the 1-0-0 all-time advantage in USL Championship action. The is the first meeting of the 2023 season.
SD leads: 1-0-0
GF 0, GA 5
Recent Meetings
6.25.22 at SD L, 5-0
Last Match
2022 USL Championship Regular Season – Matchday 16
San Diego Loyal SC 5:0 Indy Eleven
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Torero Stadium– San Diego, Calif.
Scoring Summary:
SD – Thomas Amang (unassisted) 29′
SD – Kyle Vassell (unassisted) 42′
SD – Kyle Vassell (Alejandro Guido) 52′
SD – Mechack Jerome (own goal) 60′
SD – Robinson Moshobane (unassisted) 85′
LINDLEY NAMED TO USLC TEAM OF THE WEEK
A SportCenter Top-10 worthy goal earned Cam Lindley USL Championship Team of the Week honors. Additionally, Yannik Oettl earned a bench spot after helping the Eleven to a 2-0 win over Hartford Athletic.
Lindley scored the match winner in the 73rd minute off an assist from Younes Boudadi. His first goal of the 2023 season made an impression, coming in at No. 10 on SportsCenter’s Top 10. Lindley completed 52 of 57 passes in the game and won two of two tackles and five of eight duels. He currently ranks third in the USLC in passes (1,003).
In goal, Oettl earned his fifth clean sheet of the season for the Boys in Blue, registering three saves. Oettl ranks eight in the league with 41 saves and is tied for fifth with five clean sheets.
LAST TIME OUT
JUNE 24, 2023
HFD 0:2 IND
Indy Eleven won, 2-0, at Hartford Athletic as Cam Lindley’s and Douglas Martinez’s goals helped Indy earn three points on road.
Indy scored the game winning goal in the 73rd minute when Lindley took a pass from Boudadi and delivered a shot from well outside the box into the top left corner of the net giving Indy a 1-0 lead on his first goal of the season.
Douglas Martinez would add on to Indy’s lead in the fifth minute of stoppage time, when he took a pass from Roberto Molina and sent a shot that bounced off the goaltender’s gloves and into the back of net for his first goal of the season,extending Indy’s lead to 2-0.
Scoring Summary
IND – Cam Lindley (Younes Boudadi) 73’
IND – Douglas Martinez (Roberto Molina) 90 + 5’
Discipline Summary
IND – Younes Boudadi (caution) 4’
IND – Macaulay King (caution) 49’
IND – Harrison Robledo (caution) 65’
HFD – Prince Saydee (caution) 70’
IND – Cam Lindley (caution) 74’
HFD – Edgardo Rito (caution) 87’
IND – Gustavo Rissi (caution) 87’
HFD – Elvis Amoh (caution 90 + 5
INDY ELEVEN ANNOUNCES RETURN OF STEFANO PINHO
Indy Eleven announced the acquisition of forward Stefano Pinho for a second stint with the Boys in Blue. Pinho will be available for Indy pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.
Pinho appeared in 32 USL Championship matches in 2022 for the Eleven, making 22 starts and logging over 2,000 minutes of action. He registered a team-leading 13 goals, including four match winners, and three assists, while tallying 52 shots, including 21 on target. He returns to the Circle City after appearing in five matches for Brazilian club Paysandu SC (Campeonato Brasileiro Serie C) scoring one goal.
The 32-year-old opened his career in South America playing for youth club Fluminese FC and began his professional career on loan with Brazilian sides Guaratingueta (2012) and Madureira (2013) and Finnish club Mypa (2014).
Pinho burst onto the American soccer scene after finishing as the top scorer at the 2013 MLS Combine. In 2015, he opened his NASL career with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and went on to play for Minnesota United (2016) and The Miami FC (2017). He twice earned the league’s Golden Boot (leading scorer) and Golden Ball (MVP) awards, once with Fort Lauderdale and once with Miami FC. Pinho scored 16 USLC goals and had nine assists with Fort Lauderdale and added 17 goals and three assists with Miami FC.
In 2018, Pinho played 26 matches for MLS club Orlando City FC across MLS and U.S. Open Cup competition and scored three goals. The 2019 season saw him play for Xianjang Tianshan Leopard (2019) in China and he spent 2020-21 with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Washm. He returned to the States in 2021 to play for Austin Bold FC, where he registered a goal and an assist in 25 matches.
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