Notes
A bunch of folks got in on the Roster Reveal for the US Women’s World Cup team. The Prez, Taylor Swift, Shaq, Tina Fey, Blake Lively, theestallion, Mia Hamm, and so many more helped in the reveal. ESPN Vote for the Best Soccer Player – at least some should vote for Sophia Smith.
US Men play St Kitts & Nevis Tonight at 10 pm on FS 1
So the US got an important tie down the stretch vs a very good Jamaica team – setting up tonights game two of the Gold Cup opening round vs St. Kitts & Nevis tonight at 10 pm on FS1. Cincy forward Brandon Vasquez scored the game tying goal in the 88th minute after GK Matt Turner saved the day with a PK save in the first half. Moving ahead – game two tonight is a game where the US needs to put up some goals like 6, 7 or 8 to nothing. I look for a complete change in starters tonight as the US will probably look to rest some starters. I see a 6-0 win for us tonight with Vasquez putting up 2 or 3 goals and Zendejas as least 1 if not 2. That will set up a chance to outscore Jamaica as we look to win the group on Sunday on Fox 7 pm vs T&T.
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.
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
Tues, June 27
7 pm FS1 Canada vs Gaudeloupe Gold Cup
8:30 pm FS1 Guatamala vs Cuba Gold Cup
Wed, June 28
7:30 pm FS1 Jamaica vs T&T
9:30 pm FS1 USMNT vs St Kitts Gold Cup
Thur, June 29
7:45 pm FS1 Qatar vs Honduras Gold Cup
10 pm FS1 Haiti vs Mexico Gold Cup
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 TBD 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 Martinique 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
10 pm Para+ San Diego Wave(Korniach) vs Washington(Hatch, Sullivan)
Sun, July 9
4 pm Fox USWNT vs Wales Send-off
5/7 pm FS1 & 2 Gold Cup Quarter Finals
5/7 pm Fox USMNT vs Canada? Gold Cup Quarters in Cincy
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 Wonen’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
World Cup Schedule Soccer Saturday’s are every Sat 9-10 am on 93.5 and 107.5 FM with Greg Rakestraw
USMNT squeaks by
It wasn’t pretty, but the U.S. men’s national team eked out a draw against Jamaica to open the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage. Brandon Vazquez scored an 88th-minute equalizer to avoid what would what have been just the second time ever that the U.S. lost in the Gold Cup group stage.
The squad should be in fine shape to advance, as its next two matches are against Saint Kitts and Nevis (Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET) and Trinidad and Tobago (next Sunday, 7 p.m. ET).
Context: This wasn’t the star-heavy team that took home the Nations League trophy a week ago, however — goalkeeper Matt Turner, who saved a penalty to keep the game within one goal, was the only holdover in the starting lineup. (And somewhat oddly, red-carded Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest began their suspensions last night despite not even being on the roster.)
Also of note in American soccer news this weekend: FIFA announced that the U.S. will host the newly expanded 2025 Club World Cup. The governing body said the decision would provide “synergy” and help grow the game in North America ahead of the 2026 men’s World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
USMNT draws Jamaica in first CONCACAF Gold Cup match: What this means for the U.S.
By Paul Tenorio and The Athletic StaffJun 25, 2023
The U.S. men’s national team completed a 1-1 draw against Jamaica in the first group-stage match at the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Damion Lowe scored the lone goal for Jamaica in the 13th minute.
- Brandon Vazquez scored the equalizer in the 88th minute. It was his second career goal for the U.S.
- The U.S. men outshot Jamaica 13-6 while winning the possession battle. USMNT had 68 percent possession while Jamaica’s was 32 percent.
- The USMNT’s next match is against Saint Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What this means for the U.S.
Vazquez’s goal salvaged a 1-1 draw and what would have been just the second time ever that the U.S. lost in the Gold Cup group stage. (The first and only time was in 2011 to Panama.) The draw leaves the U.S. in a fine position to advance out of the group stage, as the top two teams from each group advance to the knockouts, and the U.S. will be favored in their next two games against Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago.fter Saturday’s draw, goal differential will likely factor into seeding, so the U.S. will need to bag as many goals as possible on Wednesday night against a Saint Kitts and Nevis team against whom they are heavy favorites. — Tenorio
What is the takeaway from this draw?
It wasn’t pretty, but it’d be tough to argue that Vazquez’s goal wasn’t a justified equalizer for the USMNT. The U.S. was playing a decidedly different squad from the team that won the Nations League trophy just last week in Las Vegas. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, who saved a penalty to keep the game within one goal, was the only holdover in the starting lineup, and the lack of firepower in the attacking end was evident, as was a massive difference in how the U.S. was able to push the game through its midfield. While Jamaica had multiple Premier League players in its lineup, the U.S. featured a squad made up of North American domestic players based in either MLS or Liga MX.
The U.S. had a couple of dangerous moments, but never really looked fluid or dangerous as they did with their best players on the field against Mexico and Canada in Las Vegas. Players like Aidan Morris and Alan Soñora struggled, the U.S. gave up a goal on a defensive set piece and Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake made several important saves to stymie the Americans. It looked like Jamaica was going to pick up the win, but the U.S. controlled so much of the ball and had Jamaica on the back foot for much of the second half. Eventually, Vazquez found the goal when Jamaica failed to clear Jesús Ferreira’s cross and salvaged the result.
There aren’t going to be a ton of positives to pull out of this one. The U.S. should be more decisive in games like this, even with the clear talent in the Jamaica lineup, and it will need to play better to advance in the knockout stages. — Tenorio
Backstory
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.USMNT is defending champion of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. In 2021, the squad defeated Mexico 1-0 in the final, capturing the country’s seventh Gold Cup title.
United States 2023 Women’s World Cup squad: Every player on the roster analyzed
Jun 21, 2023
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U.S. women’s national team coach Vlatko Andonovski announced his 23-player roster for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Undoubtedly, he wouldn’t have minded if FIFA had upped the squad size to 26 players, as they did for the 2022 men’s World Cup.
With a deep and talented pool to select from, the usual strain of selection was made more difficult by injuries to crucial players. Midfield magician Catarina Macario couldn’t come back from last summer’s ACL tear, while in-form forward Mallory Swanson suffered a torn patellar tendon in an April tune-up friendly against Ireland.
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But no omission will be felt more off the field than that of Becky Sauerbrunn. Last week, The Athletic broke the news that the captain will miss this tournament due to a foot injury suffered in an April NWSL match. While the absences of Macario and Swanson were anticipated for months due to the severity of their injuries, there was hope that Sauerbrunn could anchor the defense once more. Instead, the door is opened for a pair of young center backs to begin carving their own legacies out from behind their legendary leader’s shadow.
There will be bona fide stars watching the World Cup from home like most of us. But make no mistake, this is still a deep and talented roster. The question now is how will it come together, largely on the fly.
Here are the 23 players included, and what they offer, as the United States aims to win a third consecutive Women’s World Cup and a record-extending fifth since the current tournament’s inception in 1991.
Goalkeepers
Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) — 35 years old, 90 caps
Naeher has been the program’s trusted woman in goal since the aftermath of the 2016 Olympics, which saw the U.S. fall to Sweden in the quarterfinals in what was Hope Solo’s last national team game. Naeher has remained consistent for the United States, keeping clean sheets in 8 of her 12 starts since January 2022. Only once has she allowed more than one goal among those dozen matches, the 2-1 defeat at Wembley against England.
It’s fortunate for Naeher’s sake that she’s firmly entrenched with the team because Andonovski reinforced in April that the roster’s hardest calls would be informed by players’ form at their clubs.
“If they are goalkeepers, don’t get scored on; if they are forwards, score goals. Obviously, (have) good performances,” the USWNT coach said. “There’s a group of players that we feel very comfortable with and we’ve communicated with them that all we’re going to need from them is to just maintain an OK form, a decent form.”
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The Chicago Red Stars have been the NWSL’s worst defensive team, allowing 31 goals across 12 games; no other club has allowed more than 23. Naeher has picked each one out from the back of the net, roughly 2.6 times per game. That’s nearly identical to the post-shot expected goals she’s faced (2.5 per game), suggesting she isn’t performing any better than one would expect from a first-division goalkeeper.
Andonovski will expect her consistent form when donning the national team’s crest, as she’s shown before time and again.
Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit) — 31 years old, 1 cap
On the opposite end of the “recent form versus earned reputation” spectrum, we find Washington Spirit leader Aubrey Kingsbury. Throughout most of the World Cup qualification cycle, Naeher and Casey Murphy were joined in their reflex drills by A.D. Franch. However, a sharp dip in Franch’s form ( she’s the only goalkeeper who’s allowed more goals per 90 than Naeher, with 2.8) left the door open for Kingsbury to earn a place on the roster.
Kingsbury’s goals prevented rate of 21.6% ranks third among domestic NWSL goalkeepers, while she also matches Naeher’s long distribution accuracy. Her sole international cap to date came in the 9-0 friendly win over Uzbekistan in April 2022, leaving her with little experience at this level. Still, it’s a deserved honor for an oft-overlooked veteran in form.
Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage) — 27 years old, 14 caps
Even with Kingsbury starting 2023 off strong, it’s likely that Murphy is the de facto second option in goal. Murphy currently leads the NWSL with six clean sheets for the Courage, keeping her from jeopardizing a roster spot. The bygone cycle allowed her to cement her place as Naeher’s understudy, thanks in large part to expert shot-stopping which was on display in a SheBelieves Cup clash with Japan.
She played 90 competitive minutes in that match against Japan with World Cup center back pairing Alana Cook and Naomi Girma. At minimum, it’s likely she’ll inherit the No. 1 shirt from Naeher whenever she hangs up her gloves. Until then, however, she appears tested and ready to step into this tournament if needed.
Center backs
Alana Cook (OL Reign) — 26 years old, 24 caps
Admittedly, the drafting of this piece began with Sauerbrunn’s name atop the section. Now without its longtime anchor, the USWNT backline will look and play differently than it has in World Cups past — likely with Cook at the heart of it all. Recruited for England during Phil Neville’s tenure, the former PSG defender committed to the United States in October 2019 before leaving France for the NWSL in 2021.
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Gone are the days when simply tallying tackles, interceptions, clearances and the like adequately size up a defender. Instead, we used true tackles (a player’s tackles attempted plus fouls and challenges lost) and true interceptions (their interceptions plus blocked passes) to better get a sense of how Cook has grasped a starting role for Andonovski.
While her tackling may not stand out from the pack, her ability in the air as well as her interception acumen make her a difficult defender to work around for opponents. Cook seems likely to be the U.S.’s top center back throughout the tournament…
Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave) — 23 years old, 15 caps
…depending on who you ask. If Cook has made herself the central defender of the present, then Girma is the one of the future — and also the present, if we’re being honest. Girma became the first player in NWSL history to win defender of the year and rookie of the year in her debut 2022 campaign. She did so with a very well-rounded game, able to time a tackle expertly while also bringing a calm presence when the ball was at her feet.
What makes Naomi Girma one of the best young defenders in the world
In San Diego, she’s had a chance to provide leadership beyond her years to a defensive unit. While this will be her first World Cup, she’s been able to test herself against a world-class regional rival (Bunny Shaw of Jamaica) and did well to contain the Manchester City striker during the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship. If all goes to plan, she’s destined to be one of the faces of the program for years to come.
Emily Sonnett (OL Reign) — 29 years old, 74 caps
Sonnett’s spot on the roster was likely secure regardless of Sauerbrunn’s status. As a versatile player who can help at right back, defensive midfield, or central defense, however, it’s likely that her utilization this summer will look very different than it may have otherwise. Versatility has long been a trait that Andonovski values and few have it quite to the same extent as the Marietta, Georgia native.
After spending most of the 2023 season as OL Reign’s starting defensive midfielder, Sonnett earned her first regular-season start in central defense. Understandably, her role was still a bit nomadic given her skillset. However, it could have been a “cram for the exam” performance for what could be a more regular assignment at the World Cup.
Without Sauerbrunn, Tierna Davison and Casey Krueger, this is a very thin group. Other “break glass in case of emergency” options include veteran full back Kelley O’Hara or returning Julie Ertz to her 2015 World Cup position.
Full backs
Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage) — 24 years old, 28 caps
For the first time since Meghan Klingenberg exited the player pool in 2017, the United States finally has a player who is a dedicated left back for their club. Over the past five-plus years, both Andonovski and predecessor Jill Ellis opted to shift right-footed midfielder Crystal Dunn to the defense’s port side. Fox’s emergence has given a left-footed alternative who’s more than capable of excelling at this level — though Andonovski has often deployed Dunn on the left and Fox on the right.
At Women’s World Cup, USWNT’s Emily Fox can solve problems in attack and defense
Fox has averaged 2.2 shot-creating actions (passes, fouls, or take-ons that set up a shot) per game in her first year with the Courage, adjusting seamlessly after a winter move away from Racing Louisville. While that’s good news if she works overlap with Sophia Smith, her unique deployment this season should also keep her from being redundant in the final third when Megan Rapinoe sees the pitch. The reigning World Cup golden ball winger is a more traditional winger than Smith’s inverted approach, and Fox has shown to be quite capable of tucking toward the central third when moving forward. That unique versatility should make her a key player in this tournament — and, given her age, for many years to come.
Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns) — 30 years old, 131 caps
In the years between Klingenberg and Fox, USWNT fans have been left to ask: “What if our best midfielders played out of position?” Dunn made headlines this winter when she told GQ that she “loses a part of herself” by abandoning her strong-footed instincts to patrol the left flank for her country. Now with a legitimate left back option in the fold, we may finally get to see a slightly less selfless deployment of 2021 CONCACAF Player of the Year.
With Portland, Dunn plays on the right side of a 4-3-3 midfield as their left back role is, perhaps ironically, filled by Klingenberg. There, she isn’t shy to cover plenty of ground and put her dominant foot to good use. She’s one of seven NWSL players to average at least two shots and two chances created per 90 minutes among qualifiers, and could better tap into that all-around threat on the right. Firmly in her prime and back to her best after missing much of 2022 due to pregnancy and postpartum recovery, Dunn is still among the most important players on this or any team in the field.
Kelley O’Hara (Gotham FC) — 34 years old, 157 caps
A starter for the team in 2019, O’Hara may be equipped to fill the “steady veteran leader” role which her predecessor Ali Krieger occupied four years ago. After missing much of 2022 with a hip injury, the Fayetteville, Georgia native has returned to her dependable self in her first season with Gotham, albeit with a more defensive approach to the position than she displayed before her injury setback.
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After averaging 2.99 true tackles per 1,000 opposing touches in 2021, that rate has spiked to 5.79 this season. Her vertical doesn’t seem hampered a bit, upping her rate of aerial duels won from 60% to 72.7% after her recovery. Her presence may serve as a necessary counter-balance for the more attacking tendencies of Dunn and Fox. In Sauerbrunn’s absence, her role as a World Cup-winning veteran may be especially vital to the team’s budding defensive unit.
Sofia Huerta (OL Reign) — 30 years old, 29 caps
Playing against OL Reign this season requires an opponent to keep their head on a swivel. Let the ball progress up the left and it’ll inevitably be squared back by Megan Rapinoe. Catch your breath as it trickles to the right, and it’s likely Sofia Huerta who will do the same — with even more accuracy, finding her target at an impressive 39.6% clip, the second-best rate among any NWSL player averaging at least 1.5 crosses per game (trailing roster snub Sam Coffey).
https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/14198145/embed#?secret=E1Yjz2sJc2
That synergy working the opposite flank from Rapinoe could be an invaluable escape valve if an opponent is able to contain the United States into the second half. With her club teammate likely to be rotated as Sophia Smith starts on the left, the duo could potentially enter in tandem and stretch a narrow opposing defense to create pockets of space. Not that she couldn’t handle starting responsibilities, mind you: she’s played all but two minutes to date this season in the NWSL.
Midfielders
Lindsey Horan (Lyon) — 29 years old, 128 caps
While the cast around her has rotated a lot over the past four years, Horan has been a constant in Andonovski’s side. She’s the only member of this roster who isn’t playing in NWSL, having decided to stay with Lyon after spending the past season on loan. There, the Golden, Colorado native played 750 minutes in a Champions League campaign, scoring twice and adding as many assists while starting alongside Dutch duo Damaris Egurrola and Daniëlle van de Donk.
Simply, Horan can bring a bit of everything to the team in possession as well as going forward. In 2019, she started four of the U.S.’s 7 matches, ranking 11th among field players with 358 minutes.
Rose Lavelle (OL Reign) — 28 years old, 88 caps
The breakout player from four years ago, Rose Lavelle won the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third-best player. At this point, opponents will know exactly what to expect from her. She’s a technical player on the ball, able to deliver a ball through two or three defensive lines with precision. Further up, she can dish sublime backheeled assists or take her own shot with equal effectiveness. When she’s on the ball, it’s best to just let Rose cook.
Rose Lavelle breaks down her most famous goal, dribble, and some back-heel assists
Unfortunately for her and this team alike, the injury bug has done what so few defenders can. Lavelle has played just 178 minutes for her club this season as she works to recover from a knee injury which she suffered in the same April friendlies against Ireland. If Lavelle is hampered into the knockout rounds, it could radically change the way Andonovski sets his side up.
Julie Ertz (Angel City FC) — 31 years old, 118 caps
Julie Ertz worked hard to overcome a sprained right MCL (suffered in May 2021) before further extending her leave after giving birth to her first child. She was a surprise inclusion in the April friendlies after nearly two years away from the national team. She’s logged 484 minutes for her California club since April, popping up in plays all over the pitch.
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Despite her lengthy absence from the national team, it’s hard to forget how vital she was to the team’s success in France. Her absence was felt over the nearly two years following that Olympic heartbreak, despite tidy play from Andi Sullivan in the 6. However, nobody in the pool can quite match her bite in midfield.
Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit) — 27 years old, 44 caps
Sullivan had a tough assignment stepping in for Ertz but capably held her own to keep the team’s shape. She’s shown the requisite selflessness to keep the ball moving ahead of her, doing the hard work to chase down opponents and slow their momentum on the break. Her 4.36 true interceptions per 1,000 opposing touches rank favorably to Ertz’s clip (4.58), while her 9.28 ball recoveries per 90 minutes are sixth among qualified NWSL midfielders.
It isn’t all about the defensive side of the game, though. No NWSL midfielder with at least 500 minutes sends more of their passes at least 35 yards deep, making up 16.5% of all of her distribution. Hers may be a thankless role, but it’s been a vital one whenever she’s called into action.
Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit) — 24 years old, 24 caps
A breakout turn in the Spirit’s run to the 2021 championship kicked off what’s been a steady role for Ashely Sanchez in Andonovski’s plans. She’s logged 24 caps in a year-and-a-half to wedge her way into the picture. She led Washington in assists, shots and shots on goal in 2022 — the latter two being particularly impressive as she lined up in midfield.
She’s far from picky with her shot selection, letting fly with a low 0.08 xG/shot rate. However, that confidence will come in handy as opponents look to congest the defensive area to neutralize the USWNT’s scoring threats, particularly Alex Morgan and Sophia Smith. Simultaneously, her willingness to set teammates up could help mitigate for Swanson and Macario’s absences while giving Lavelle more time to get back to her best.
Kristie Mewis (Gotham FC) — 32 years old, 51 caps
If anyone came out of 2020 in a better way than they’d entered it, it was Kristie Mewis. At that stage, it had been six years since her last involvement with the national team — the same year which saw her younger sister, Sam, debut. The next four years were nomadic. She switched leagues and clubs on an annual basis before settling in with the Houston Dash in 2017. Fast forward three years and one ACL injury recovery, and it was the elder Mewis who broke out in the NWSL Challenge Cup, sealing her long-awaited return to the national team with a goal nine minutes into her pseudo-second debut.
She stayed among the player pool thanks to her versatility. She’s able to play box-to-box or more creatively, with a balanced split of her attacking-half passes across the left, central and right thirds. No NWSL central or defensive midfielder sends more passes into the attacking third per 90 minutes than her rate of 8.45, while her 2.14 non-PK shots per 90 rank fourth among her positional peers. It may have come later than expected, but there’s no doubt that she’ll relish in her World Cup debut.
Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville) — 25 years old, 0 caps
Of all the members of this roster, perhaps none are more of a surprise than DeMelo. The do-everything midfielder has become the second uncapped player to be named to a U.S. Women’s World Cup squad, joining Shannon Boxx (2003). It isn’t a case of Andonovski drawing on the element of surprise, however. DeMelo is a tireless box-to-box midfielder who can expertly read space.
What Savannah DeMelo brings to the USWNT’s World Cup squad
While she’s untested in senior international competition, she has fared well for Louisville in NWSL action. She’s second among non-attacking midfielders in shots per 90 (2.81), fourth in chances created (1.78) and sends 30.5% of all of her completed passes at least 10 yards closer to the opponent’s goal (trailing only Ertz). Her lack of experience may drop her down the pecking order, but if and when she gets minutes, it’s likely that she won’t leave the broadcast camera’s range of vision at any point.
Forwards
Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign) — 37 years old, 199 caps
C’mon. It’s Megan Rapinoe. You know, the reigning Golden Ball winner? One of the few players whose star shines brighter than her performance on the pitch? For all of her growing list of off-field pursuits, the roster’s oldest member has shown that she can still ball with the best of them this NWSL season.
Rapinoe’s big-game mettle is second to none. She may play a more rotational role than she had four years ago, but as her all-around great form in the 2023 season has shown, she isn’t just on the roster to be an on-field coach. In time, we’ll learn if there’s a sequel to The Pose.
Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave) — 33 years old, 206 caps
C’mon. It’s Alex Morgan. The joint top scorer at the last Women’s World Cup? The four-time CONCACAF Player of the Year, five-time FIFPRO Women’s World XI honoree who has twice been a member of the Time 100 Most Influential People list? While her international scoring rate has slowed since 2020 (0.4 goals per cap, down from 0.63 through 2019), her golden boot-winning display in the 2022 NWSL season reminded everyone she’s still got it.
This season, she’s played more selflessly. She often collects the ball in the wide left channel, leading to a 2.48 non-PK shots per 90 clip which ranks third on her own team. However, she’s atop the Wave’s assist charts despite missing two games, suggesting she may be ready to share the burden of goalscoring with…
Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) — 22 years old, 29 caps
Just as Morgan once deputized Abby Wambach before taking over starting striker responsibilities, Smith is in pole position to continue the litany. She is absolutely dynamic on the ball, leading the NWSL in post-shot expected goals (8.26, showing expert placement on frame), shots on goal per 90 (3.15) and touches in the box (10.86 per 90) while ranking third in assists per 90 and fourth in progressive carries.
U.S. Soccer’s 2022 female player of the year, Smith is both the present and future of the attack. If Morgan’s recent scoring rate sustains into the tournament, it’ll almost certainly be Smith who makes up for that dip.
Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC) — 18 years old, 3 caps
A breakout star of the NWSL season, Thompson is the first teenager to represent the United States on a Women’s World Cup squad since 1995 (Tiffany Roberts and Holly Manthei). She’s versatile and fearless. She can play on either wing and is nimble when working through more veteran opposing defenses.
“She is an exciting player,” Andonovski said in April. “I almost want to say, sometimes for an 18-year-old, it’s borderline arrogant when she goes at you.”
Thompson’s youthful verve could make her a breakout star this summer, too.
Lynn Williams (Gotham FC) — 30 years old, 52 caps
The forward section skews heavily toward goalscoring and chance creation. That’s natural — only real sickos prefer watching a front-line press than someone looking to light up the scoreboard. But it’s that unsung part of the role which Williams excels at and one which this U.S. side will benefit from greatly. Only three NWSL attackers average more true tackles per 1,000 opposing touches (6.92), while her 66% true tackle win rate is third league-wide.
That isn’t to say that Williams can’t contribute to the attack, of course. Quite the opposite: her 0.61 post-shot expected goals per 90 rank third in the league behind Smith and Ashley Hatch. Entering the season, Williams told The Athletic that her aim was to be “the best Lynn Williams I can possibly be … (which) will hopefully get me on the team.” With an MVP-caliber performance in the first portion of the season, she has done exactly that.
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Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit) — 21 years old, 17 caps
The way in which Rodman plays the game is a delight to watch — unless your team is facing her. There’s an absolute urgency to her game, a willingness to make runs behind the back line to open the game in attacking phases, and a seemingly magnetic pull toward the ball when defending. She made herself impossible to drop even before Swanson’s injury. Since landing on the NWSL Best XI as a rookie in 2021, she’s kept herself in the conversation for the national team.
She’s picked her target better over time, improving her post-shot expected goals rate from 0.35 in 2021 to 0.46 in 2023 (an 11% increased likelihood of scoring when her attempt goes on frame). Her 6.96 take-ons per 90 are third-best this season among forwards, while 29.1% of her attacking carries advance at least five meters toward the goal. Both her style of play and her off-field persona have her poised to reach superstar status in the coming years — although, a regular role in the U.S. attack this tournament could accelerate that timeline.
(Photo: Joe Puetz/Getty Images, John Todd/USSF/Getty Images; Design: Eamonn Dalton)
Why uncapped Savannah DeMelo made the USWNT World Cup roster
- Joseph Lowery ESPNFC Jun 22, 2023, 12:20 PM ET
As U.S. women’s national team fans scan through the team’s recently released roster for the Women’s World Cup this summer, they’ll see a number of familiar names.
Alex Morgan? Check.
Megan Rapinoe? Check.
Crystal Dunn? Check.
Trinity Rodman? Check.
Savannah DeMelo? Che– wait a second. Who?
DeMelo, who plays as an attacking midfielder for Racing Louisville in the National Women’s Soccer League, is the only player on the World Cup roster for the U.S. women’s national team who has yet to make her senior international debut.
She isn’t totally new to the USWNT picture: DeMelo was called into USWNT camps twice last fall, once in September as a replacement for Trinity Rodman and once in October. But neither of those call-ups resulted in any actual minutes. She hadn’t been called to any USWNT camps this year, either — until now, that is, when she was named on Wednesday to the USWNT’s World Cup team.So why did a player with no appearances for the USWNT earn a coveted roster spot? Here’s what the 25-year-old brings on the field, and why she forced coach Vlatko Andonovski to pick her.
Let’s start here: Racing Louisville’s most recent win against the Kansas City Current. It’s the 64th minute and Louisville leads 2-0 thanks to Savannah DeMelo, who scored the game’s opener by blocking Current goalkeeper Cassie Miller‘s attempted clearance and assisted the second goal. Racing Louisville are pushing for a third goal when DeMelo gets on the ball at the edge of Kansas City’s box. Almost immediately, an attack springs to life.DeMelo sees forward Uchenna Kanu making a run behind the opposing back line. Even with her back to both the goal and her teammate, DeMelo spots Kanu’s run.
Most players in DeMelo’s situation would take an extra touch to turn, face forward and settle themselves before feeding the runner. Not DeMelo.She doesn’t waste any time, opting for a backheel pass into Kanu’s path to avoid letting the defense back into the play.
Kanu can’t quite control DeMelo’s pass and the sequence ultimately fizzles. Still, the whole play helps illustrate the key components of DeMelo’s game: She’s creative and quick — both in physical speed and her ability to read what’s happening on the field — and she changes games in a way that few others can.
Playing her second professional season after being selected fourth overall in the 2022 college draft out of USC, DeMelo has developed into a full-fledged star in the NWSL, which is the league where almost all of the USWNT talent pool plays club soccer. In explaining his decision to select her, Andonovski put it plainly: “Her performance in the league was one of the biggest reasons why she’s on the team. And based on the needs that we have in terms of the opponents and different situations that we may face, we see Sav being very important to us going forward.”Often playing as a No. 10 playmaking midfielder behind a striker in Racing Louisville’s 4-2-3-1 shape, DeMelo is at her best when she can impact the game in central areas.Despite occupying an attacking midfield role, DeMelo doesn’t always get to enjoy the freedom and high touch count that typically come with the No. 10 position. Racing Louisville tend to play against the ball and are averaging just 47.0% possession this year, which means she doesn’t touch the ball as much as some of her positional counterparts. According to FBref, DeMelo is in just the 40th percentile among NWSL midfielders in touches per 90 minutes this year with 48.2.
Why Savannah DeMelo has a case for midseason NWSL MVP
Jeff Kassouf talks about Racing Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo’s impact and why she has a case for midseason NWSL MVP.
Still, DeMelo doesn’t need a ton of the ball to make her mark. She has five goals and a pair of assists so far in 2023 and according to American Soccer Analysis, she’s seventh among all regular NWSL starters in expected goals (xG) plus expected assists (xA) per 96 minutes (the equivalent of a game plus stoppage time). Expected goals and assists measure the likelihood that a shot or an assist leading to a shot will result in a goal. Her numbers mean DeMelo is one of the absolute best in the league at both finding quality shots for herself and setting up her teammates for good shots in the attack.The only players above her in that xG+xA ranking? USWNT star Sophia Smith and two of Smith’s teammates with the stacked Portland Thorns, along with Washington Spirit striker Ashley Hatch, who just missed out on the USWNT’s World Cup squad, legendary attacking midfielder Debinha, who will likely be Brazil‘s star at the World Cup, and Kansas City winger Cece Kizer.That, folks, is what we call good company.DeMelo has great vision and pairs smart decision-making with quality execution in every phase of the game. In possession, she pulls out creative through-balls and flicks like the one already discussed against Kansas City. On counterattacks, she acts almost as a point guard for Louisville, drawing in opposing defenders before finding the perfect pass …
She also adds great service and scoring threat on set pieces, an area of the game where the USWNT tends to build an advantage. This right-footed strike from last year against the Orlando Pride, for example, was hit beautifully. The goalkeeper never had a chance.
Still, it’s not just DeMelo’s on-ball threat that makes her such a valuable player. What she does away from the ball is equally impressive.
With savvy off-ball runs and a clear understanding of how to find and exploit space, DeMelo is a constant thorn in the side of defenders all over the NWSL. She frequently pushes forward to add another number inside the 18-yard box.
This sequence from a recent Racing Louisville game against the North Carolina Courage illustrates her smart movement. As defender Julia Lester drives down the right wing, DeMelo is part of a band of three runners near the top of the box. While Lester makes her move on the right, DeMelo takes care to read the movement of her two teammates inside the box. One starts to break hard toward goal, while the other starts curving a run toward the front corner of the six-yard box.
With her teammates pushing back the Courage’s defense, DeMelo realizes that she doesn’t have to sprint toward the end line to find a pocket of space.
All she has to do is be patient, hold her run, and she can let the play come to her.
And so it does. The ball falls to DeMelo, who had found the pocket of space she needed, and while she can’t direct the bouncing ball on frame, she helps turn a possession into a high-quality chance — that’s exactly what the world’s best players do.DeMelo knows when to hold her runs and she knows when to run right at opponents. She has seemingly boundless energy, which makes her a major defensive asset for Louisville. You can see some of that energy on this play against Kansas City where DeMelo makes a hard, winding run out of midfield to press three Current players and push the ball into the back of the net.Between her efficiency, creativity and hard running, DeMelo is a true game-changer in the NWSL. She could be one for the USWNT, too. Her vision, speed of play and set-piece threat can help the Americans break down some of the compact blocks they’ll face this summer. Her movement and decision-making in transition can add even more heat to the team’s already scorching counterattacks. And her defensive effort and quickness can take Andonovski’s press to the next level.
It won’t be easy for her to earn minutes for the USWNT at the World Cup in a position filled with other capable and more established players. Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Ashley Sanchez and Kristie Mewis, who are all in the squad, have each had bright moments for both club and country in a similar attacking midfield role.
But if given the chance this summer, DeMelo has the skills to become one of the USWNT’s mainstays — and even a household name.
Can Jimmy ‘El Actor’ Lozano lead Mexico to Gold Cup glory?
- ESPNFC
It’s fitting that Mexican soccer’s latest telenovela-like drama is supposed to be resolved by a coach who’s sometimes referred to as “El Actor.”Born to entertainer parents (hence his nickname), Jaime Lozano didn’t seek the same limelight his mother and father occupied. Instead, soccer came calling through a career as a player and manager, but after a recent crisis arose in the distance from Mexico‘s men’s national team, the coach who often goes simply by “Jimmy” now finds himself as an unexpected leading man.His new marquee role: Reviving the national team as interim manager in the Concacaf Gold Cup.Following a frustrating third-place finish in the Concacaf Nations League last week, which included a bleak 3-0 loss to their United States rivals in the semifinal, Mexico dropped Diego Cocca as coach on Monday after just a few months in charge. Scrambling to find a solution before the start of the Gold Cup this weekend, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) appointed Lozano as interim for the tournament.Desperate for success after a discouraging 2022 World Cup and just one title in all competitions since 2016, Mexico will now place all of their hopes on the shoulders of their 44-year-old hiring. Will the script work for El Tri, or will it prove to be another major box office flop?
How Mexico got here
Before we discuss Lozano and the Gold Cup, let’s first assess the prequel.In the past few years, progress for Mexican soccer has stalled on multiple levels. The senior men’s team, who stumbled out of the group stage of Qatar 2022, have failed to clinch a title in the past two editions of the Nations League and the previous edition of the Gold Cup. Looking at the men’s youth side, the U20 squad failed to qualify for the 2023 U20 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. As for the women’s senior national team, they fell short in qualifying for the upcoming Women’s World Cup and next year’s Olympics.A long list of staffing changes at the FMF followed since last summer and by February, Cocca was selected as the new coach for the men’s senior team. Characterized by his cautious style of play that prioritized results by any means, there were immediate doubts about the Argentine manager, who didn’t use the most attractive methods of playing soccer.Unconvincing performances and narrow results emerged, as did new bosses for Cocca with more FMF staffing changes this spring, leading to scrutiny of his 2W-3D-0L record ahead of this month’s Nations League knockout round. Although his team defeated Panama 1-0 in last Sunday’s third-place match, the miserable 3-0 loss to the U.S. in the preceding semifinal was enough to solidify his fate. By Monday, new FMF commissioner Juan Carlos Rodriguez made it official.”This phase has been flawed by the disorder in decision-making, by the lack of processes, rigor and transparency in appointments, and by a perfect storm in the bad habits that we’ve been dragging for so many years,” Rodriguez said.”The natural thing to do would be to wait for the end of the Gold Cup, but today we don’t have time to waste. So I inform you that I’ve made the decision to terminate the contract of Diego Martin Cocca and the members of his coaching staff.”Cocca, flanked by media after his flight back to Mexico City, seemed perplexed by the decision.”I did everything I could and they didn’t let me continue,” the coach said as he walked through the airport.
Who is Lozano and what can we expect from him
With Cocca out of the picture, is Lozano now the mild-mannered but youthful hero that El Tri need? A former left-back who has represented the Mexican national team and a handful of Liga MX clubs, Lozano quickly developed from an academy coach and assistant into eventually the coach of Queretaro by 2017.
A chance with Mexico’s youth national team then arrived in 2018, which is when his star would truly rise. Lozano and El Tri‘s youth teams would go on to finish third in the 2019 Pan American Games, as winners of the 2020 Concacaf men’s Olympic qualifying title, and later as bronze medalists at Tokyo 2020. Despite a mixed bag of results at the club level with Queretaro and later with Necaxa in 2022, the up-and-coming coach is widely seen as one of the more promising managers in Mexican soccer.That, coupled with his experience with many of the former youth national team players who are now senior players, is what led to his appointment.”I thank you for agreeing to lead the team from now to the end of this [Gold Cup] tournament, the players know you and love you well, Jaime,” Rodriguez said on Monday. “Thank you, Jimmy, to you and your staff, for coming to support Mexico in the midst of this crisis.”From the 23 players included in the Gold Cup roster, which dropped Alexis Vega due to injury and replaced him with Roberto Alvarado on Tuesday, Lozano thrived in the 2020 Olympics with a strong core of 10 current call-ups: Guillermo Ochoa, Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Luis Romo, Carlos Rodriguez, Sebastian Cordova, Henry Martin, Uriel Antuna and Alvarado. In fact, that number would be at 11 if not for Vega’s injury.
Assuming he’ll go with the game plan seen in Tokyo 2020, we’ll see a 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3 formation that focuses on a counter-pressing style. Instead of winning by any means like Cocca, Lozano will want to be more on the front foot and take charge in the opposition’s end of the pitch. Set pieces will be key, and so will a willingness to let his central midfielders roam from their positions.
In the attack, he tends to give freedom for his wingers to search for and take on 1v1 situations. If there’s too much of a defensive overload, he’ll probably aim to rapidly switch the ball through long passes or his roaming midfielders. Defensively, he’ll likely ask his wingers to help regain possession and sit back when needed. Depending on the opponent, his fullbacks also have a tendency to be more reserved, in order to help compensate for the creativity allowed for the midfielders and wingers.
But that’s all in theory from what he has done in the past at the youth national team level.
On paper, Mexico should be at least more fun to watch than the more conservative setup under Cocca, but whether or not it will work immediately is another conversation.
Can Mexico earn Gold Cup glory?
That is, of course, the big question.
No matter the fact that Lozano has just four days to prepare before Sunday’s group opener against Honduras in Houston, the bare minimum for Mexico will be winning the Gold Cup. While that won’t be easy for an El Tri side that has retreated from its former status as the giant in the region, the national team setup will have no excuses when you consider that fellow title contenders such as Canada and the U.S. are sending MLS-heavy “B” teams to the tournament.
Even though the roster is out of form — and missing some key injured players like Jesus “Tecatito” Corona and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano (no relation) — man for man, Mexico should be the superior team in the Gold Cup.
Should is important to emphasize there. Lozano has the know-how and squad to get the job done, but the obvious factor of limited time to prepare is one that can’t be ignored.
Looking ahead, the group stage should be an interesting gut check to see where exactly the team is at. After playing Honduras this weekend, El Tri will then face Haiti on June 30 before closing out the group stage against tournament invitee Qatar on July 2.
More than likely, Mexico are expected to qualify for the knockout round, where they will have an opportunity to regain respect in the region and a title, but after some of the issues seen in the Nations League, there’s a chance that last week was just the beginning of a very long summer.
Whatever happens, it’ll make for some intriguing fútbol cinema.
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