Indy 11 plays Miami FC Sat 7 pm on 5 Game Unbeaten Streak
Look who has themselves back in the playoff picture. The Boys in Blue stay at home looking to extend their five game unbeaten streak in a match-up against The Miami FC this Sat night at 7 pm. The Eleven are coming off a 2-1 win vs Loudoun United FC and are 4-0-1 in their last five games. With a 10-9-8 record, Indy is sixth in the USLC Eastern Conference. Miami is 3-2-0 in its last five matches and is coming off a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. MIA is 10th in the Eastern Conference at 7-11-8.
American’s Overseas
Captain America Christian Pulisic had a great second weekend at AC Milan as he scored this blistering goal (Italian Call) and the Italian fans are loving him. Yanus Musah also played the last 25 minutes or so and had some good moments. AC Milan will travel to defending league Champ Roma in a early season match-up at 2:45 pm on Paramount plus. Fulham American’s Tim Ream and Jedi Robinson had a solid tie last weekend with Arsenal and will travel to Man City Sat at 10 am on Peacock. Notingham Forest and American keeper Matt Turner almost stole a win last weekend in a 3-2 loss with a some great saves @ Man United before losing in ET – they will travel to Chelsea at 10 Sat on USA. Josh Sargent was off to a great start for Norwich scoring 3 goals in 3 games before this goal & Injury which might put him out for months. Loved this clip on young American GK Gaga into the stands to celebrate his clean sheet (see all the US players oversea’s games below)
MLS & Messi
Messi didn’t check in to his game in New York City vs the Red Bulls until the 60th minute – but he did not disappoint the majority Messi Crowd with this spectacular pass before his goal in Miami’s 2-0 win as seen here in Time’s Square. Here was the Messi cam from his visit to Cincy for the Open Cup win. Of course the 11 game winning streak did come to an end Wed night at home vs Nashville in a 0-0 tie. Sunday night its Miami @ LAFC 10 pm on Apple TV MLS Season Pass & Serius XM. (the Miami home radio crew is hilarious with their Spanglish coverage of the game). Another huge match this weekend has Seattle hosting Portland for the Cascadia Cup – at 10:30 pm Sat on Apple TV Free.
US Men Name Sept Friendly Camp & Team for Sept 9 & 12
Impressive roster for the Sept friendlies next weekend – as the US plays friendlies while Europe has Euro’s Qualications, Africa has the African Cup and South America does World Cup Quals starting Thursday – next Tues. Cool to see Paredes and Cardoso and Malik Tillman along with newcomers Drake Callender & Ben Cremaschi from Inter Miami.
DEFENDERS (9): Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo), Mark McKenzie (Genk), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg), Tim Ream (Fulham FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham FC), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Johnny Cardoso (Internacional), Ben Cremaschi (Inter Miami), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven)
FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin), Folarin Balogun (Arsenal FC), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Juventus)
Games to Watch
Friday is the American must see game with Pulisic & Musah traveling to Roma at 2:45 on Para+ (why no CBSSN? Who knows). Sunday its Liverpool hosting Aston Villa at 9 am on USA Network, while the feature game is at 11:30 am Man United traveling to Arsenal. Spanish leagues Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla follows at 12:30 pm on ESPN+, while Philly hosting the NY Redbulls wraps up the evening on FS1 @ 7:30 pm.
Man check out these goodlooking Refs for the tourney at North Central last Saturday my first visit to Brebeuf for a Soccer game -great to see Coach Carlos Zavelta – here with Jason Wubu (r)
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Champions League group draw 2023-24: Man Utd vs Bayern, Newcastle face PSG
By The Athletic Staff6h ago
Manchester United will face Harry Kane’s new Bayern Munich side in the group stage of the 2023-24 Champions League, while Newcastle United will meet Paris Saint-Germain.United, who memorably beat Bayern in the 1999 final, will also take on Copenhagen and Galatasaray in Group A, while champions Manchester City will face RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys in Group G.PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan have been drawn in a heavyweight Group F, alongside Newcastle United — returning to the competition for the first time in two decades.
The 32 teams were drawn from four pots into eight groups at a ceremony in Monaco, with sides from the same country unable to face each other until the knockout rounds.Real Madrid, 14-time winners, will take on Napoli, Braga and Union Berlin, while Barcelona have been drawn against Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp.The group stage runs from September to December, with UEFA set to confirm the full fixture list and kick-off times by Saturday morning at the latest.Wembley Stadium in London will host the final on June 1, 2024.
Champions League groups in full
Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Copenhagen, Galatasaray
Group E: Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
Group F: Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United
Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys
Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Antwerp
When are the Champions League group games?
The full fixture schedule will confirmed in due course.
Fixture 1: September 19/20, 2023
Fixture 2: October 3/4, 2023
Fixture 3: October 24/25, 2023
Fixture 4: November 7/8, 2023
Fixture 5: November 28/29, 2023
Fixture 6: December 12/13, 2023
How does the Champions League group stage work?
Teams in each group play each other twice, home and away, with the top two advancing to the round of 16.The third-placed sides in each group transfer to the Europa League knockout round play-offs, where they will face the Europa League group runners-up for a place in the last 16 of that competition.
Other key 2023-24 Champions League dates
Wembley will host the 2023-24 Champions League final (Justin Tallis/Getty Images)
Round of 16 draw: December 18, 2023
Round of 16 first leg: February 13, 14, 20 & 21, 2024
Round of 16 second leg: March 5, 6, 12 & 13, 2024
Quarter-final and semi-final draw: March 15, 2024
Quarter-final first leg: April 9 & 10, 2024
Quarter-final second leg: April 16 & 17, 2024
Semi-final first leg: April 30, 2024 & May 1, 2024
Semi-final second leg: May 7, 2024 & May 8, 2024
Final: June 1, 2024
USMNT analysis
Red Hot Pulisic & Weah highlight USMNT roster. Cremsachi earns big callup
The new USMNT roster is out and ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks it down for you. Gregg Berhalter will make his return to the team and his roster includes many mainstays, some big dual national news, and some surprises.
BY BRIAN SCIARETTAPOSTED AUGUST 30, 2023 12:10 PM
IN HIS RETURN AS THE head coach of the United States national team, Gregg Berhalter today announced his 24 player roster for the upcoming camp that will include friendlies against Uzbekistan (September 9 in St. Louis) and Oman (September 12 in Minnesota). The roster contains surprise inclusions and a long list of players who are missing due to injury.
Specifically, the following players are listed as out due to injury
Tyler Adams
Taylor Booth
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Sean Johnson
Gio Reyna
Josh Sargent
Zack Steffen
Walker Zimmerman
Here is the roster along with some thoughts.
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB/COUNTRY; CAPS/GOALS)
DEFENDERS (9): Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 26/2), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/ITA; 0/0), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 11/0), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg/GER; 0/0), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 51/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 10/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 36/2), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 25/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 6/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Johnny Cardoso (Internacional/BRA; 7/0), Ben Cremaschi (Inter Miami; 0/0), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 16/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 44/11), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 27/0), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 4/0)
FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin/GER; 32/7), Folarin Balogun (Arsenal/ENG; 2/1), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 8/1), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 16/7), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 60/25), Tim Weah (Juventus/ITA; 31/4)
FORM WATCH
In terms of form, the players will arrive at a mixed level.
Pulisic and Weah are playing terrific soccer right now to start the season. It will be very interesting to see both arrive in camp again under Berhalter as both players publicly expressed support for him. Robinson also played well at Fulham and Turner has been strong to start his time at Nottingham Forest.
What is interesting too is that 12 players on this roster are with different clubs than where they were at the start of 2023. The player pool is largely in flux. Many players such as Brenden Aaronnson at Union Berlin or Weston McKennie at his return to Juventus are still getting their feet wet. Ricardo Pepi is also transitioning to a backup role but one where PSV will want to bring him along gradually.
DUAL NATIONAL NEWS
But the roster also includes significant dual national news is that Inter Miami’s Benja Cremaschi has been selected as he has emerged as one of the most impressive teenagers in MLS and is also a dual national with options. Last winter, he was playing with Argentina’s U-20 team and lately has stood out playing alongside Lionel Messi. In recent interviews (including to ASN in March), he has said that he is in contact with both federations.
Kristoff Lund, meanwhile, is in the process of making his one-time switch from Denmark. He has been playing with Denmark’s youth teams as a left back but has fallen out of the picture there. Recently he sealed a transfer from Hacken in Sweden to Palermo of Serie B. He is Olympic eligible.
Lund appears to be more of a wild card pick. Last season he helped guide Hacken to the Allsvenskan title and now he is in Serie B with Palermo (but he has yet to play). But the U.S. team has several players competing for the backup left back spot behind Robinson – including Caleb Wiley, Jonathan Tolkin, DeJuan Jones – and even youth options like Noah Allen. Did Lund quickly surpass these players?
YOUTH IS SERVED
Of the 24 players on the roster, nine would be age-eligible for the U.S. U-23 Olympic next year with the birth year cutoff of 2001 and younger (Lund, Paredes, Scally, Cardoso, Cremaschi, Tillman, Musah, Cowell, Pepi).
Not every player will make the Olympic team. Some will play with the full national team next year instead and some have eligibility issues for the Olympics given that they played with another country in Olympic qualifying. But nine players being born in 2001 or later shows a youthful twist.
PAREDES & CALLENDER
Aside from Lund, two players who are looking for their first national team caps are Kevin Paredes and Drake Callender. Both have earned their way here.
Paredes is coming off the U-20 World Cup and last season was a regular off the bench for Wolfsburg. He is listed as a defender but typically he plays more left wing than left back. But he has been among the most exciting players of the 2003/04 birth years. His national team inclusion always seemed as if it was a matter of time.Callender, meanwhile, has raised his game in 2023 with Miami. Even before Messi’s arrival he was making inroads into the U.S. team. But with Zack Steffen no-man’s land with his club situation and Ethan Horvath also no playing, it is important to have a goalkeeper who is playing.
REYNA/BERHALTER REUNION ON PAUSE
Gio Reyna was not expected to be part of this roster. While he just returned to training at Borussia Dortmund, he has still not played a game since the Nations League Final.We know through Vanity Fair that Gregg Berhalter is still yet to sit down and speak with Reyna and he has sought the advice of mediators. But that reunion will be a huge story and one that will still have to wait.
NOTABLE OMISSIONS
There is an interesting list of players who are healthy and not on this list.Caleb Wiley, John Tolkin, and DeJuan Jones have all been important left backs for the U.S. team and youth national teams over the past year. Tolkin and Wiley, in particular, are eligible for the U.S. Olympic team. But Berhalter instead went with Lund.
Gaga Slonina is also expected to be an Olympic option but for this camp, Berhalter went with Callender and Horvath as backup options. Slonina has made three starts with Eupen in Belgium since arriving on loan from Chelsea.
Brandon Vazquez is one of the top center forwards in MLS and is poised to make a move abroad. With Josh Sargent suffering a serious injury, it might have opened the door but Berhalter has instead kept with two center forwards in Pepi and Balogun.
Brenden Aaronson called up, Mark McKenzie returns to the USMNT for September friendlies
McKenzie got his first call-up since late March, after being left out of the Nations League final four and Gold Cup rosters. by Jonathan Tannenwald Philly Published Aug. 30, 2023, 11:34 a.m. ET
Union alum Mark McKenzie is back with the U.S. men’s soccer team for the first time since March.Christof Koepsel / Getty Images
Though the opponents are relatively minor, U.S. men’s soccer team manager Gregg Berhalter has called in his major players for his first games back in charge of the program.Hershey’s Christian Pulisic, Medford’s Brenden Aaronson, and fellow attacking stars Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Tim Weah, and Folarin Balogun are among the 24 players on the squad for games against Uzbekistan on Sept. 9 and Oman on Sept. 12.The defense includes Antonee Robinson and Bear, Del.’s Mark McKenzie, who got his first call-up since late March. McKenzie was left out of the Nations League final four and Gold Cup rosters, the marquee events of the year so far. Starting goalkeeper Matt Turner also is on the roster.“He’s always been playing at a top level in Belgium,” Berhalter said of McKenzie. “For us, when we’re looking at this centerback pool in particular, with a couple guys out, we think this is a great opportunity for him. It was a decision we made between him and Auston Trusty, and we felt like this is a good moment for Mark, a good opportunity for Mark to show that he belongs with this group.”Trusty, a Media native and fellow Union alumnus, recently joined England’s Sheffield United after it was promoted back to the Premier League.
Mark McKenzie (center) working out in a practice with Genk earlier this month.Virginie Lefour / Belga Mag / AFP via Getty Images
The roster features two notable newcomers. The highest-profile is midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, an Inter Miami academy product, now a teammate of Lionel Messi, and the son of Argentine parents. Cremaschi, 18, has been part of the U.S. under-19 team and Argentina’s under-20 team. Messi has joined the latter’s recruiting effort, and the senior U.S. invitation is a loud countermove.Playing in these games wouldn’t tie him to the U.S., because they’re just friendlies. But if he does play, it will be notable.“We’re excited about the prospect of bringing him into camp; we’re excited to see what he can bring to our team and to our formation because we believe in him and we think he’s an excellent player,” Berhalter said. “And then it’s just going to be about the environment and him feeling comfortable with everyone.”
Benjamim Cremaschi (left) plays with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.Lynne Sladky / AP
The second newcomer is left back Kristoffer Lund. He was born to a Danish father and American mother, grew up playing for Denmark’s youth teams, and has filed a change of nationality application to play for the United States. The 21-year-old plays for Italian second-division club Palermo, and if he’s good enough to stick, he’ll be welcome depth.A long list of injured absentees includes captain Tyler Adams, Downingtown’s Zack Steffen, Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent, and Walker Zimmerman.
Lower-ranked opponents
Why are Uzbekistan, ranked No. 74 by FIFA, and No. 71 Oman the opponents? Because there were barely any better options. Europe’s nations have qualifiers for next summer’s European Championship, Africa has qualifying for this winter’s Cup of Nations, and South America has the start of its qualifying marathon for the 2026 World Cup. Traditional Asian powers Japan and South Korea are playing friendlies in Europe, and Australia is playing Mexico at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium on the same night as U.S.-Uzbekistan. Canada was available, but the U.S., currently ranked 11, has seen enough of Canada for a while — and the Canadian federation is in turmoil.
Gregg Berhalter (center) will be back on the sidelines as U.S. manager next month.Ashley Landis / AP
This year’s biggest games are yet to come. In October, the Americans will host two big-time opponents: Germany in East Hartford, Conn., and Ghana in Nashville. November will bring a Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series that also will serve as qualifying for next year’s Copa América tournament that the U.S. is hosting. (Though it’s the host, it agreed to qualify because it’s officially guest-hosting South America’s event.)The Nations League opponent will be determined by qualifying games played this month and next month. The U.S. earned a bye to the quarterfinals by reaching the previous tournament’s semis.
Same as the old boss?
Berhalter hasn’t been on the U.S. bench since last fall’s World Cup. His contract expired at the end of the year, and the final months of his tenure were consumed by the scandal over his broken relationship with Reyna and parents Claudio and Danielle. He officially was rehired in June.In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Berhalter admitted that while he has spoken with many U.S. players since regaining the job, he hasn’t spoken with Gio Reyna yet. And when asked whether he could repair ties with the parents, who’d been close with Berhalter and his wife for decades, he answered after a long pause: “I don’t think that’s a subject I’m comfortable talking about.”
Gregg Berhalter admitted he hasn’t spoken directly with Gio Reyna since regaining the helm of the U.S. men’s soccer team.John Locher / AP
There undoubtedly will be a lot of noise around Berhalter’s return, whether from scandal-seekers or fans who didn’t want him back for on-the-field reasons. But it’s no longer questionable that a lot of players backed his return, and that might help the diplomatic side of Reyna’s return.“I look forward to having conversations with him, I look forward to watching his progress, and hopefully him getting back on the field,” Berhalter said. “And then for us, hopefully being able to include him in the October camp against two good opponents.”
On Wednesday, Gregg Berhalter announced the first roster of his second tenure as manager of the United States men’s national team. Among the 24 players selected, only four ply their trade in Major League Soccer. While uncapped Inter Miami duo Drake Callender and Ben Cremaschi have stayed in the headlines thanks to their new iconic club teammates, the other two, Cade Cowell and Miles Robinson, enter with something to prove as many European transfer windows close on Friday until January.When Cowell made his MLS debut in 2020 as a 16-year-old, the conversation was about his potential. The discussion remains the same today. The San Jose Earthquakes homegrown broke through two years ago, notching five goals and six assists across 1,663 MLS minutes, an impressive return for a teenage winger. At the time, head coach Matías Almeyda praised his breakout season but pointed to specific areas Cowell needed to improve to make the professional leap.“We can’t settle on his power,” Almeyda told The Athletic in 2021 amidst a solid stretch for Cowell. “We can’t settle on his pace. He has to aspire to play in Europe, and we’ve talked about this. And for that, one needs to have so many small technical skills. He still has to learn those. He’s young.”Almeyda highlighted a need for greater precision with both feet, sharper movement off the ball and development into more of an aerial threat. However, it was the coach and not the teenage sensation who first made his debut for a European side. Almeyda led AEK Athens to a 2022-23 Super League Greece title before getting the club to the brink of UEFA Champions League inclusion — Athens fell in the final playoff round against Royal Antwerp on Wednesday.In Atlanta, Robinson plays a very different role than Cowell and is at a very different stage of his career, but the center back is also waiting for a career-changing move abroad. Robinson was a staple of Berhalter’s rosters throughout World Cup qualifying, starting 11 of the team’s 14 qualifiers and forming a steady partnership with Walker Zimmerman. However, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon playing on Atlanta United’s turf, ending his hopes of a World Cup debut and opening the door for Tim Ream’s reintegration into the team sheet.
“It was definitely tough at some moments, more mentally than physically,” Robinson told MLSsoccer.com in March regarding his recovery. “Watching the World Cup was also mentally pretty tough. I use it for motivation at this point.”Although he watched the team’s run to the round of 16 from his sofa, he returned in time for Atlanta’s season opener — ironically enough, against Cowell’s Earthquakes.Diving into the data, here’s what the two players, at crucial moments in their careers, bring to the USMNT and what they can show to prospective teams.
Cowell looks to push past potential
In Almeyda’s San Jose stead came head coach Luchi Gonzalez, who played a key role in developing several FC Dallas homegrown players who turned into U.S. internationals, including Ricardo Pepi, Reggie Cannon, Bryan Reynolds and Tanner Tessman. Each earned moves abroad after debuting with the MLS side, giving plenty of reasons why Gonzalez could similarly impact Cowell’s development.
But that potential hasn’t come to fruition in the box scores. Cowell has not scored a goal this year and has three assists in 1,347 minutes of play across the regular season and Leagues Cup. Of the 19 U.S.-eligible wingers who have played at least 500 minutes for an MLS team this year, none have a lower rate of combined shots on target and chances created per 90 than Cowell’s 0.71 output. He has remained in his usual post on the left wing for Gonzalez, whose Quakes most often play as a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1. Of the 188 U.S.-eligible players of any position who have logged 500 minutes or more, only two have a worse xG performance than Cowell’s -3.53 return (Tom Barlow and Teal Bunbury, at -3.81 and -3.65, respectively).
He hasn’t been any less willing to play with the ball at his feet, though. Cowell has averaged 58.1 take-ons per 90 minutes, an impressive rate considering his average of 38.3 touches per 90. On ten occasions across the regular season and Leagues Cup, he has collected the ball and dribbled at least 13 feet before taking a shot. None of those resulted in a goal.
“Cade is a physical specimen,” Gonzalez told The Athletic during San Jose’s preseason in Coachella Valley. “He’s one of the fastest and most explosive players in the league. It’s about him evolving and growing in terms of his timing, in terms of his decision-making, in terms of his pressing, in terms of his crossing and his finishing, his combination. He’s got such a high ceiling, and he’s had a great attitude and openness to learn and get better. His training habits have been very good.”
It may not be a great sign that, 18 months after Almeyda’s observation, Gonzalez had a similar prognosis for Cowell’s prospects. Nonetheless, the winger did garner genuine interest from Serie A side Bologna during this summer window. According to the Athletic’s Tom Bogert, the Italian club put forward a loan with a purchase proposal. The purchase option involved “an automatic trigger that was very likely to be met” and was set at $3 million before possibly rising to $5.5 million with add-ons.
Cowell was keen on the move, but San Jose countered by asking for more. Bologna said it was their final offer, instead signing Swedish left winger Jesper Karlsson from AZ Alkmaar. Cowell is now expected to finish the year with the Earthquakes, who dropped to eighth in the West after Wednesday night’s MLS slate and added fellow U.S. prospect Matthew Hoppe on loan earlier this month.
That said, it makes sense why Cowell is in this U.S. camp. The pool of wingers is relatively thin for this specific group. Gio Reyna and Taylor Booth are missing due to injury, while Alejandro Zendejas has left much to be desired from his first seven U.S. caps. The main alternatives are two veterans whose roles in Berhalter’s system aren’t in question, namely Jordan Morris and Paul Arriola.
Instead, 19-year-old Cowell will get a chance to train with the United States’ top attackers after his previous call-ups came among a heavily rotated roster. Perhaps taking reps alongside Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Folarin Balogun will give him another chance to reflect on his approach and find room for improvement. Now, it’s a matter of turning this opportunity into further progress towards garnering another European suitor.
Robinson working on his comeback
Robinson has logged 1,917 minutes across the regular season and Leagues Cup, also making a trio of starts for the U.S. during the Gold Cup and another in the Nations League semifinal against Mexico. Fortunately for club and country, he has recovered remarkably well from his pre-World Cup injury and is getting back to his previous form.
Be it in the air or against an opponent with a ball at their feet, Robinson has been difficult to get past. Of the MLS center backs ranked near or ahead of him in terms of winning tackles or stopping opponents on the dribble, none come close to his imperious aerial ability.obinson played one of his old hits this past weekend, rising to head a corner kick home for his first goal since November 7, 2021.Robinson is in the final months of his contract with Atlanta. PSV is considering signing a pre-contract agreement with the defender to bring him over at the start of the January window. Clubs in Germany and England are also weighing that option, according to Bogert. As he has less than half a year remaining on his pact, Robinson can legally discuss a possible free transfer at this stage.His salary could make it tricky for Atlanta or another MLS team to sign him as a free agent this winter without using a designated player slot. Robinson is currently the third highest-paid center back in the league, with his $1.4 million base salary trailing only Zimmerman and Matt Miazga of FC Cincinnati. At 26 years old, he may feel pressure to earn a move to Europe before those opportunities begin to close.Whatever comes next, both he and Cowell will hope their inclusion on Berhalter’s first roster of 2023 alerts another team or two to their quality and potential.
Berhalter ‘looking forward’ to conversations with Gio Reyna; more USMNT notes
Though Gio Reyna’s recovery from injury has prevented him from joining the U.S. men’s national team for its upcoming camp, coach Gregg Berhalter said he hopes to be able to bring Reyna along in October for friendlies against Germany and Ghana, and that he expects to speak with him ahead of that camp.
“Those are conversations that I look forward to and it’s just understanding sensitivities around it,” Berhalter said. “I mean, he’s a young player, I think for everyone involved it’s been a lot for the last six months. And we just want to do it in the best possible way to put him in position to help the team in a way that we know he can. And unfortunately, he was ruled out for this camp, but I look forward to continuing to monitor his progress at Dortmund and hopefully getting him back into camp in October.”Reyna was one of several players held out of this camp due to injury or fitness concerns as they work back from injury. Reyna has not played since picking up a calf injury in the CONCACAF Nations League final on June 18 and only started full-team training with Borussia Dortmund this week.
In a Wednesday press conference, Berhalter was asked if he felt he needed to explain to the team why he made comments at a leadership conference about issues within the locker room during the World Cup. In those comments, which were expected to be off the record under Chatham House rules and were an answer to a question after his presentation, Berhalter spoke about how he nearly sent a player home from the World Cup, but that the team culture overcame the issues at the tournament. The Athletic later reported the player in question was Reyna and detailed the issues with Reyna’s effort in training ahead of the opening game against Wales.Berhalter said he “immediately” communicated with team members after his comments were published by the Charter newsletter.“I sent a note to each and every one, every player and apologized for this getting out in the way that it did,” Berhalter said. “It was never about names, it’s more about an example of our strong team culture, and I felt that if it hurt one player, then it’s worth apologizing to the entire group. And that’s what I did.”Berhalter seemed to imply that the federation has been in touch with Reyna since Berhalter’s appointment — Reyna was a part of the team that played in the CONCACAF Nations League final shortly after Berhalter was officially reintroduced as manager of the team — and that Reyna has been “responding” but that they are being measured in when the coach and player sit down to talk.“For us, it’s understanding the sensitivity around the issues, understanding the right time, in the right way,” Berhalter said. “We’re committed to every single player in this player pool. And for us, it’s about how do we maximize communication with them and target it in a way that we’re getting the most out of each and every player. So for this, it’s just being a little bit more thoughtful, a little bit more sensitive to the past. And I look forward to having conversations with him. I look forward to watching his progress and hopefully him getting back on the field, and then for us hopefully being able to include him in the October camp against two good opponents.”Berhalter touched on several topics ahead of his first camp back with the national team for September friendlies against Uzbekistan in St. Louis on Sept. 9 and Oman in St. Paul, Minnesota on Sept. 12. Berhalter noted that the two countries rank ninth and tenth in the Asian Football Confederation and could be opponents in the 2026 World Cup, for which eight AFC teams will qualify.Berhalter also spoke about Lionel Messi’s impact on MLS and the busy transfer window involving Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, and several other USMNT players.Here are some other topics Berhalter covered on Wednesday:
Crocker started in his role full-time on Aug. 2 (Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Working with Matt Crocker
Berhalter was named manager of the national team in between the Nations League semifinals and final in June, but he did not coach the Nations League final nor in the Gold Cup after that. Instead, he has been working with new U.S. soccer sporting director Matt Crocker to establish a staff and a “strategic plan” within the program and federation working toward the 2026 World Cup.“We spent three days together and really dissected every area of the USMNT, whether it’s scheduling, player pool, programs they want to implement,” Berhalter said. “Basically working on creating a strategic plan on working back from what we want to achieve, and then saying, ‘OK, here are some buckets that we’re gonna look to exploit and let’s think of programs in each of these buckets and let’s work on how we’re going to be successful in all these areas.’ So it was a really good time and I think productive, especially when now I can start and we can start unveiling this to the staff and to the players.”Asked about approaching a second cycle with the team, Berhalter said there is a freshness that the national team allows that’s different from the “boredom” that can occur with club soccer just because the team isn’t together all the time.He said the focus has been on building off the foundation of the 2022 cycle.“There’s been a lot of good work in building our identity both on and off the field,” Berhalter said. “And we want to continue that. … We want to basically acknowledge that, ‘OK, there’s been good work, but now we can take it to a different level. And here’s how we’re going to take it to a different level.’ And part of that is a player ownership model where they have more ownership in what’s happening. They are already empowered, and the leadership council has been very effective in communicating the voice of the team, but really we’re guides here and we all — the player pool, the staff — we all want the same thing, to be successful in 2026. That’s what we’re trying to achieve. And it’s just working together to do that.”
(John Todd/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Formation changes?
Toward the end of the last cycle, Berhalter’s U.S. teams functioned mostly in a 4-3-3 formation that looked to emphasize the strengths of its midfield. In Qatar, it was a system clearly built around a midfield trio of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah.Under the two interim managers, Hudson and Callaghan, that formation started to shift some, and in the Nations League it was Reyna who stood out as a No. 10 in front of two defensive midfielders. But notably, that roster was missing Adams (and, in the final, McKennie).On Wednesday, Berhalter was asked if he was looking to use wingbacks or if he had given thought to moving out of the 4-3-3.
“I have always thought that this team could play in a system with wing backs,” Berhalter said. “Especially Antonee Robinson is a guy that could definitely do that. Lund can do that as well. On the right side, you see there’s players that have the ability to do that. For us, I think it’s more about just the general philosophy of how we want to play and what we’re trying to do. We want to be aggressive. We want to be high-pressing. We want to be able to control the ball, and I won’t really get caught up on the formation.”
Berhalter said the time between international windows allows the team to plan for opponents and adjust tactically for those teams.“Ideally, I’d like to go into the next World Cup having a back-three system and a back-four system in place,” Berhalter said. “And we’ll see how that develops over these next couple of years. But I think the biggest difference has been what we’ve been able to do in midfield, with the dynamic players that we have in midfield. When you have guys like Tyler and Weston and Yunus, it’s a tremendous engine that we are able to take advantage of.”
Balance with the 2024 Olympic team
Berhalter said that the U.S. is close to announcing an Olympic team coach, who will come from outside the U.S. senior team staff. With the men’s Olympic soccer tournament functioning as U-23 competition, the U.S. Olympic team could feature significant overlap with the senior team — nine players on this September roster are eligible. The Olympic team will have camps in September and October, but clubs are not obligated to release their players for Olympic duty.“We know how important that international experience is in terms of building a successful group and we expect to be working hand in hand with the Olympic group, especially when we’re talking about rosters because there is a lot of overlap in the rosters,” Berhalter said. “So really trying to figure out okay, what does game time look like in the senior team versus the Olympic team and trying to coordinate those efforts.”
New coaches and absentees
Berhalter announced his coaching staff would include his longtime assistant and former interim manager B.J. Callaghan, who guided the U.S. to the Nations League title, as well as U.S. under-20 coach Mike Varas. Berhalter said the team also hired Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper coach Fabian Otte and was finalizing a deal to hire Isaac Guerrero, who worked with Barcelona and Venezia.
Paul Tenorio is a senior writer for The Athletic who covers soccer. He has previously written for the Washington Post, the Orlando Sentinel, FourFourTwo, ESPN and MLSsoccer.com. Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulTenorio
The USMNT’s Folarin Balogun on swapping Arsenal for Monaco: ‘I expect to produce here’
He arrived hungry in every sense.Folarin Balogun had been unable to eat for hours due to medical blood tests ahead of a transfer he hopes will take his career to the next level. Once they were out of the way, he tucked into a plate of salmon and rice in the plush first-team dining room of his new club, Monaco.Earlier, on a whistle-stop tour of his new home, he visited the Jardin Exotique de Monaco — the best spot for views of the principality’s famously glittering harbour.“It’s like a painting,” he told the club staff accompanying him on the journey.The move is another bold stroke on the canvas for a 22-year-old who is no stranger to bold decisions. Having switched international allegiance from England to the USMNT in May, he has now chosen a permanent shift from the Premier League to France’s Ligue 1 after last season’s impressive loan spell there with Stade de Reims.“I believe that you get the best results in life when you’re not comfortable,” he told The Athletic at his unveiling on Thursday. “So that’s why I’ve taken myself out of my comfort zone, away from my family and friends, to improve as a player.”
Balogun takes in his new home (AS Monaco)
What does the €40million (£34.4m; $43.4m) move mean for the striker? Why have Monaco compromised their new policy of transfer austerity to bankroll his move? And what could it mean for his future with club and country?The Athletic examines the next step for one of European football’s, and the USMNT’s, most exciting young prospects.
Balogun joins an unusual club, in exotic surroundings, which is bidding to once again challenge Paris Saint-Germain’s supremacy in the French top flight.There are some links with his former team, Arsenal — Arsene Wenger led Monaco to the title in 1988 and another Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, also played for and coached the club that play in red and white.Yet, in some notable ways, north London and Monaco are very different. For starters, Arsenal are a club from England’s capital that play in the English Premier League. The principality of Monaco is the world’s second smallest sovereign state, an enclave on the northern coast of the Mediterranean, sharing its land borders with France. It has its own royal family, dialect (Monegasque) and has become a major global banking hub and tax haven.Monaco have always played in the French football league, though, where they have enjoyed historic success, even if their games do not attract the same significant following as those of PSG, Marseille, Lyon and Lille.It is little wonder Balogun was impressed by his first views of the opulent harbour — luxury mega-yachts are regularly moored outside Monaco’s Stade Louis II ground — but it may take him time to adjust to the small crowds that attend matches.According to statistics site Transfermarkt, the stadium’s capacity is 18,523, but average attendances last season were just 7,095 — fewer than any other Ligue 1 club. By comparison, Stade de Reims’ was 13,602 and Marseille’s 62,623.Monaco’s owner, Dmitry Rybolovlev — the Russian oligarch and billionaire who arrived in 2011 and funds the club via a trust under his daughter Ekaterina’s name — wants to change that, although Balogun’s high-profile arrival is no longer typical of the way he wants to do it. In 2013, Monaco were one of Europe’s biggest spenders, signing James Rodriguez for €45million and paying even more for Radamel Falcao. But they also have a reputation for elite recruitment.This is the club that lured Kylian Mbappe from Paris to southern France and offered him his first taste of senior football. Monaco have leaned more heavily on their fine-tuned recruitment model over the past few seasons as the big fees have made way for even smarter value buys.
At the end of last season, Englishman Paul Mitchell signalled his intention to stand down as the club’s sporting director (he remains in post for now) and Thiago Scuro, formerly of the Red Bull group, was named as the new director of football. Although Balogun had been on the club’s radar for some time, landing his signature was a major aim of the new man and his staff, along with head coach Adi Hutter, who replaced Philippe Clement in July.
Monaco’s sparkling new training centre (Matt Slater/The Athletic)
Monaco’s training ground is at the end of a twisting road in the mountains, back over the border in France, in a small village called La Turbie. If you thought places like Manchester United’s Carrington training ground were off the beaten track, this is on another level.There were still three fans sitting on the wall outside the modern six-floor facility when The Athletic arrived on Friday for the new signing’s first press conference as a Monaco player.Twelve camera operators and reporters waited for Balogun to arrive and, when he did, the forward was man-marked by the Brazilian Scuro. Scuro and Balogun spoke mainly in English (a quick “merci” from the player to his audience aside), translated for the French journalists present, and the New York-born player was relaxed, polite and thoughtful with his responses.In his opening remarks, Scuro conceded that Monaco had been “chasing Balogun for a while — it’s a long story — but we’re delighted to have him now”.In fact, Monaco had been tracking Balogun since before last season, when he scored 22 goals in all competitions for Reims, a mid-table club based in the north east of Paris in France’s Grand Est region. Such was his fine form that they began to fear his value was inflating beyond their means.They are a club going through change, with the need for a new spearhead to their attack becoming more apparent. Despite scoring 25 goals in all competitions himself last term, their first-choice striker Wissam Ben Yedder is 33 and less able to do what the team demands.The France international is also beset with off-field problems. Last month, Ben Yedder was accused of rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault. He spent 48 hours in custody with his younger brother, who faced the same accusations, where they were questioned by police in the Mediterranean resort of Nice.On August 11, prosecutors in Nice said the brothers, who deny any wrongdoing, had been charged and the pair were now subject to a judicial inquiry. If the outcome of that inquiry concludes there is enough evidence against them, they will stand trial.ADVERTISEMENT
In April, a Spanish court also gave Ben Yedder a six-month suspended prison sentence and fined him €133,799 for tax offences during his time as a Sevilla player.
Ben Yedder playing against RC Strasbourg earlier this month (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Ben Yedder remains Monaco’s captain and scored again in their 3-3 draw at Nantes last week, but is also in the final year of his contract.Balogun is the future.The club’s recruitment team noted his prowess in a less attack-minded team last term and firmly believed he would flourish further under Hutter’s attacking, front-foot style, which requires a centre-forward to lead from the front. For them, that starts out of possession with a high-intensity press they no longer believe Ben Yedder can consistently perform.The latter will leave big shoes to fill. He is a fan favourite, but again, Monaco are confident Balogun can handle the expectations — as is the man himself.“There was competition at Arsenal and I wouldn’t expect to come to another top club and not face competition,” he said. “But for me, (Ben Yedder) is a legend and I’m looking forward to playing alongside him and learning from him.“I expect to produce here and a lot of the pressure is internal. Obviously, the price tag brings expectations, but I’m not afraid of that.”Over the last six transfer windows, Monaco’s most expensive signing was Dutch forward Myron Boadu, signed for €17million, so at nearly twice that fee, Balogun is a sign of renewed intent.It is also partly symbolic as well as practical. Next year is the club’s 100th anniversary and owner Rybolovlev wants the team back in the Champions League. Ligue 1’s top three clubs will qualify for that competition this season and, without any European football to detract focus from the league, the addition of Balogun is seen as the best way to achieve that return for 2024-25.“This is a statement signing,” said a club official, granted anonymity in order to protect their job. “We don’t spend this money anymore with this new management team. It’s not the Monaco of old.“But it’ll be a big year for the club and we want to get it right and have a quality team, so the signing of Denis Zakaria (the hugely experienced Swiss midfielder who spent last season on loan at Chelsea from Juventus) and Balogun are intent from the owner. Doing things right.“It’s us saying we know what Rennes and Marseille are spending so we need to be competitive.“Lens are giving it a go as well with their signing of Elye Wahi (from Montpellier) — a statement signing. It’s getting more crowded at the top of Ligue 1 with the other investment groups that have come in. Nice and Lyon want to be up there. This season, without Europe, we will be able to focus on the league and need strong performances, especially at the start of the season.”
Balogun and Scuro pose for the cameras (Matt Slater/The Athletic)
There is a lot riding on the deal.“But it’s not about gambling,” said Scuro. “It’s about trusting the character and skills of the player you’ve identified. I’ve often said that the signing is just one day. The development is just as important and it takes longer, but we have the people and the resources at Monaco to do that.”The skills they have identified were showcased at Reims last term, but less so during his previous loan spell in the English second tier with Middlesbrough in 2021-22, when Balogun scored just three goals in 21 appearances.“I was playing as the central striker at Reims last season, so it was easier for me as it was more familiar,” he explained. “At Middlesbrough, I played a different role, just behind the striker. It was a different focus but it was part of the plan to develop me as a player.”Monaco want to play to his strengths, which the club official identified as “running and attacking the depth very well”.Balogun’s impressive last-ditch counter-attack equaliser for Reims in a 1-1 draw with PSG last season is a case in point. The searing pace to burst through, round the goalkeeper and remain composed to hit the back of the net grabbed the attention of recruitment teams across Europe.For Monaco, he is not a one-dimensional sprinter, though. They see a player who can also come to the ball, link the play and allow team-mates to run in behind. In the 3-4-2-1 formation Hutter favours, Balogun’s presence should serve to liberate the likes of Takumi Minamino, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Breel Embolo.Where Ben Yedder’s physical decline means he only comes to the ball, Balogun is also expected to make clever runs off the back shoulder of defenders and find spaces with his movement.
Balogun’s stint on loan at Middlesbrough was part of his education (Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Club staff are also excited by the potential of his link-up with their Brazil international full-backs Caio Henrique and Vanderson, who like to get forward and play strikers in but can also come inside and combine with Balogun if he drops to the ball.“We see him as a really good fit for our style; proactive on the front foot,” added the Monaco official. “We have 10 goals in three games already this season. He’ll be a really big part of scoring even more.“He scored against us here late in the season while a few of us were watching and it really emphasised how he can turn the game in an instant.”
If all this makes Balogun sound like a player Arsenal may have wanted to retain, then that does not reckon for Mikel Arteta’s singular vision and the club’s willingness to sell highly-rated academy graduates when they feel the time is right. Balogun joined Arsenal in 2012 as a 12-year-old and, come scholarship decision time, he was a winger who felt he was among the weakest players in his age group. “I told myself I only had two options: go hard or go home,” he said. “And, at 16, I had my best season ever. I was the top scorer in the team — I must have scored 40 goals. Even I was shocked at the transformation.”
Despite last season’s Ligue 1 heroics, the question of whether he could do it at the sharp end of the Premier League, or even be allowed the chance to demonstrate his quality, remained earlier this summer when he returned to Arsenal.Gabriel Jesus is first choice at the Emirates Stadium, while fellow academy graduate Eddie Nketiah had an impressive spell during the Brazilian’s absence last season in which he proved he had adapted his game to be the all-rounder Arteta desires. Nketiah’s progress was rewarded with a first call-up to the senior England squad on Thursday.Then there is Leandro Trossard, who performed a false nine role at times, and the arrival of Kai Havertz from Chelsea to add further competition in that area.Balogun made it clear he had no interest in another loan or reverting to life as a squad player.That left only two options: playing at Arsenal or leaving permanently. Arsenal accepted the latter provided they would be protected in the deal. Indeed, the influx of funds would help offset heavy spending earlier in the summer.
Balogun during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States (Jose L Argueta/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
In the end, a fee of €30million was struck, with €10million in potential add-ons — payments that kick in if he achieves certain challenging milestones, whether that be scoring 35 goals or making a certain number of Champions League appearances. The two clubs have also negotiated a sell-on clause.In terms of the player’s future on the international stage, the move is seen as positive by USMNT head coch Gregg Berhalter.“He’s familiar with the French league, he’s already performed at a really high level with a French team and now he’s going to a bigger club in the French league — I think it’s a really strong move,” he said earlier this week.“They’re paying a lot of money for him and Monaco is a club that is really thoughtful and smart with who they bring in. I think it’s a fabulous move for him.“We expect him to be able to score goals and continue to score goals, like he’s done. And having met him and spoken to him, he’s a really humble guy. He’s a guy who’s focused on the process and continuing to improve and he sees this as the next step for him on his way as he climbs the ladder in European soccer.”Monaco checked in with Berhalter during the latter stages of their pursuit of the forward and were given similarly positive soundings. The USMNT manager told them he wanted the striker to get regular starts.If that gave their chances of landing him a boost, then so, too, did the intervention last season of Henry.Balogun said the France World Cup winner “planted the seed” of a move to Monaco in his head when they spoke last season.“After we (Reims) played here he contacted me to congratulate me on my game,” he said. “I knew he had played here and he told me a bit about the club and that it’s a beautiful place.“That was it, really. But even after my first training session here (yesterday), he texted to say congratulations on the move. It’s a good feeling to have the support of someone like him.”
Henry playing for Monaco against Marseille in 1998 (AFP via Getty Images)
For their part, Monaco are privately pragmatic about the deal. At his unveiling, he held up a shirt with 2028 — when his contract is due to expire — on the back under his name.But while they want him to provide short to mid-term success, they would be unlikely to keep him for five years if his rise exceeds French football. They are proven at buying from and selling to the biggest clubs in the world. Their sales pitch was to come to the principality and prove what he can do.If he stays hungry, and his appetite appears big, they could be celebrating a €30million bargain in one of the wealthiest corners of the world.
Julie Ertz retires from playing soccer after 10 years as a pro and two World Cup titles
“I got to live out a dream I wish for everyone,” Ertz said, “falling in love with a sport you have played your whole life and getting to share it with your son.”
Julie Ertz has called time on her playing career after making a third U.S. women’s World Cup team in her 10 years on the field.Andrew Cornaga / AP
Julie Ertz announced her retirement from playing on Thursday, ending a 10-year pro career that included two World Cup titles and a return from injury and childbirth to make this year’s tournament.“With immense emotion and processing, I’ve decided it is time to hang up the boots,” she said in her announcement on social media. “These past 6 months have been a dream come true. After pregnancy, I never knew if I had a chance to play the beautiful game again, let alone another World Cup.”Ertz, 31, rose to prominence at the 2015 World Cup, three years after captaining the U.S. under-20 team to an age-group World Cup title. She was a centerback at the start of her career, and she was Julie Johnston before the Mesa, Ariz., native married former Eagles star Zach Ertz in 2017.They would go on to make Philadelphia a home, even though Julie never played for a team here. She famously played a game for the U.S. the night the Eagles won the NFC championship in 2018, and broke down in tears when informed of the news after the final whistle.
By the 2019 World Cup, she had moved up to defensive midfield, where she became an all-time U.S. great. Her ferocious work ethic, snarling tackles, and big aerial presence on set pieces made her not just a written-in-ink starter, but just about irreplaceable. On a 2019 championship squad full of big-name stars, Ertz was as important as any of them.Though she never lost her tenacity, she lost a lot of the next quadrennial cycle. Ertz suffered a MCL tear in May 2021 and made it back just in time for the Olympics in August, but she wasn’t her full self. She didn’t play again for the rest of the year, for her club — the Chicago Red Stars — or country.The following April, she announced her pregnancy, and in August she gave birth to son Madden.
Julie Ertz brought the World Cup trophy off the plane when the U.S. women returned from France in 2019.YONG KIM / Staff Photographer
‘You chase greatness every day’
By the start of this year, it was getting to the point where a return to playing made sense. But when the NWSL season started, she wasn’t on a team. So it was a surprise when Ertz got called up to the U.S. squad for a pair of April friendlies, some 600 days since her last game.And it was even more notable when then-manager Vlatko Andonovski made it clear that Ertz’s return wasn’t just because the U.S. women’s team’s collective bargaining agreement mandated that players return post-pregnancy if they or the coaches wanted it.
Julie Ertz (right) goes in for a trademark tackle in the April game against the Republic of Ireland that marked her return to the U.S. national team.Eric Gay / AP
“If she comes anywhere near her best, that she will certainly help us win a World Cup,” he said. “If somebody’s 80 or 90% is still better than somebody else’s best, then too bad.”In mid-April, Ertz signed with Angel City FC. She played seven games for the club before heading to the World Cup — where Andonovski had another big move up his sleeve. Instead of playing her in midfield, he returned her to centerback. This upended not just players who weren’t on the team, but some who were.Yet while Andonovski flunked his test, Ertz passed hers with flying colors. She was one of the Americans’ best players in their four games, marshaling a defense that allowed just one goal. It wasn’t her fault that the attack failed to finish at the other end of the field.“Representing this country on the national team has been the greatest honor,” she said. “To play for the USWNT means you chase greatness every day while you wear the crest. I hope that I was able to leave an impact that reflects that.”
Julie Ertz (center) played seven games for Angel City FC.Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images
‘A truly beautiful game’
Ertz admitted after the Americans’ early elimination that her national career was likely over. She hadn’t returned to the field for Angel City when she announced her full retirement, and now she won’t. But she made it clear that the club was “a huge reason” why she was able to do what she did this year.“The support from the staff and players can’t be put into words to help me get back,” Ertz said. “I’m crushed to not be able to continue the push to [the] playoffs and that made this decision incredibly difficult. The logistics of not living in an NWSL market is challenging, and I know the sacrifices it takes to be the best you can be.”Once the short-term frustrations of this World Cup recede, Ertz’s legacy will be clear: one of the U.S. team’s all-time greats, a surefire Hall of Famer, a champion and off the field, and the latest in a lineage of athlete mothers.“As I have gotten older and become a mom, it’s clear the sacrifices of time away from my family no longer seem doable with so many factors at play,” she said. “These girls gave me a gift I could never repay and I got to live out a dream I wish for everyone: falling in love with a sport you have played your whole life and getting to share it with your son.”
Julie Ertz (center) with Naomi Girma and Alyssa Naeher during the U.S-Vietnam World Cup gamee.Andrew Cornaga / AP
She thanked the fans, and she knows there are a whole lot of them around here. Though Zach now plays for the Arizona Cardinals, the Ertzes still maintain a connection to Philadelphia through their vast and heartfelt charity work.
“To the fans, you have made this journey remarkable, life-changing and so fun,” she wrote. “When playing at the highest level you never truly think about retiring, and often that choice is forced upon you. However, it truly is a blessing to walk away from this game knowing l’ve given everything I possibly had to being the best player I could be. … Thank you for showing up, for buying our jerseys and making the atmosphere unbelievable.”
Ertz concluded by reflecting on the fleeting nature of life as an athlete. Age 31 is rather young to call it quits in soccer. But as she wrote, she has greater priorities in life now.
“It’s a sad thing to reflect and know the game just moves on without you,” she wrote. “The game doesn’t owe you anything but it has given me so much. What a truly beautiful game it is. I’m just grateful for the time we had.”
Julie Ertz signed lots of autographs for fans when the U.S. women played at Lincoln Financial Field in 2019, and set a team attendance record that still stands.STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer
2023 USL Championship Records Indy Eleven: 10W-9L-8D (5), 38 pts; 6th in Eastern Conference The Miami FC: 7W-11L-8D (-3) 29 pts; 10th in Eastern Conference
Community Health Network Sports Medicine Indy Eleven Injury Report OUT: Y. Oettl (ankle) SETTING THE SCENE The Boys in Blue stay at home looking to extend their five game unbeaten streak in a match-up against The Miami FC.The Eleven are coming off a 2-1 win vs Loudoun United FC and are 4-0-1 in their last five games. With a 10-9-8 record, Indy is sixth in the USLC Eastern Conference. Miami is 3-2-0 in its last five matches and is coming off a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. MIA is 10th in the Eastern Conference at 7-11-8.
IND
MIA
27
Games
26
34
Goals
33
29
Goals Conceded
34
23
Assists
17
91
SOT
99
99
Shots Faced
111
9
Clean Sheets
6
SERIES VS. MIAMI Saturday marks the fourth meeting between the two teams, with the series even 1-1-1 in USL Championship action. This is the second match up of the 2023 season with the Boys in Blue taking the first meeting 1-0 on the road.
IND: 1-1-1 | GF 2, GA 2 50/50 CLUB Solomon Asante and Aodhan Quinn became the first two players in USL Championship history to reach both 50 regular season goals and 50 regular season assists. Asante (51G/53A) and Quinn (54G/50A) have combined for 104 goals/assists each, placing them in a tie for fourth on the USL Championship’s all-time list.
Quinn has 54 goals, and was the 24th player in USL Championship history to hit 50. He is one of only seven players to have a combined 100 career goals and assists with 54 goals and 50 assists, and is the second player to join the 50 goals/50 assists club.Quinn has recorded 25 penalty kick goals in 28 attempts in his career in the league, the most of any individual player on record in league history.
LAST TIME OUT IND 2:1 LDN AUGUST 26, 2023 After trailing early, Indy Eleven battled back for a 2-1 victory at home against Loudoun United FC.This win moves the Eleven to 10-9-8 extending their unbeaten streak to five games. Meanwhile, Loudoun’s record changes to 7-18-3.Starting quickly, Loudoun’s Tommy Williamson found the back of the net scoring in the match’s opening minute. Indy Eleven looked to answer back possessing most of the ball which created chances in their attacking third.Kicking off the second half, the Eleven fired back after an Aodhan Quinn penalty kick was slotted home to equalize the game at 1-1 in the 73rd minute. As a result of this penalty, Quinn adds to his USL career league lead with a 25th penalty kick goal. Not long later in the 81st minute, Solomon Asante assisted Sebastian Guenzatti who scored to give Indy Eleven the winner at 2-1. This goal moved Guenzatti to sole possession of eighth in career goals rankings for the USL Championship. Asante’s assist gives him 53 across his career. As the final whistle sounded, the Eleven led possession with 53.6% and had the shot advantage with 13 to Loudoun’s six.
USL Championship Regular Season Indy Eleven 2:1 Loudoun United FC Saturday, August 26, 2023 Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis
Scoring Summary LDN – Tommy Williamson (Cole Turner) 1’ IND – Aodhan Quinn (penalty) 73’ IND – Sebastian Guenzatti (Solomon Asante) 81’
Discipline Summary IND – Jake Blake (caution) 22’ IND – Solomon Asante (caution) 42’ LDN – Houssou Landry (caution) 45’ IND – Stefano Pinho (caution) 90+4’
What a start for Captain America Christian Pulisic at AC Milan as he scored a blistering goal (in Italian) and had an assist in his first official game becoming the first American to score in the German, English and Italian leagues. Yanus Musah is expected to join him in the line-up as they face Torino at home Saturday at 2:45 pm on Paramount plus, then next Friday @ League Champ Roma at 2:45 pm on Para+. Fulham American’s Tim Ream and Jedi Robinson will look to bounce back from a bad loss last weekend at they travel to Arsenal Sat at 10 am on USA. Of course American Captain Tyler Adams how now officially signed with Bournemouth where he expects to return to the field in early October after leaving relegated Leeds United. It appears Bologan has finally signed with Monaco from Arsenal – his return to the French League 1 costing Monaco $50 million. (see all the US players oversea’s games below)
Miami & Messi win Leagues Cup in Penalty’s then defeat Top Rated Cincy @ home in Penalties again to advance to the US Open Cup Finals in Sept.
After going 10 rounds deep in an amazing shootout win@ Nashville on Saturday night including this goal / from behind goal and this miss at the buzzer to win the first ever Leagues Cup Inter Miami and Lionel Messi came back to beat league leading FC Cincinnati in an amazing 5-4 win on Penalty kicks after a 3-3 finish in extra time. It was my first visit for a Cincy game and we had standing room only seats in the Baily. I have to admit this was a solid supporters section – rivaling the 3252 @ LAFC – the issue was the STANDING ROOM only for us old guys. We spent the first half watching Messi coming our way – wearing my Cincy Jersey before bailing to the other endzone – and unleashing my Miami Messi Jersey down 2-0 at the half. All Miami did was come back with 2 spectacular assist from the GOAT – one in the 93rd minute to send it to extra time. Miami scored first before Cincy tied it up late in ET sending us to another shootout – right in front of us. Where Miami won it 5-4 on PKs- as they move on to the US Open Cup Finals in Sept – after winning their first ever trophy and Messi’s World Leading 42nd in the Leagues Cup @ Nashville. It was there than Messi – gave the captains band to the former captain American Defender Deandre Yedlin – allowing him to lift Miami’s first ever trophy with Messi’s help. Messi is the Best player I have ever seen play – no questions asked – and now I am fully a member of the crazy Messi Fan club. Miami games have become must watch TV – No wins in the 11 games before he arrived – and now 8 in a row, 1 trophy with a home date in mid-Sept for another vs Houston. I still don’t think Miami can make the playoffs this year-the Barcelona trio needs rest on these next MLS regular season games like at New York Sat night – hopefully Messi will go at least a half – but we’ll see.
I paid a little more than I should have for Tickets to see Messi in Cincy but wow was it worth it with my long time buddy and my former stopper to me the sweeper in high school John Hoge!!
GAMES ON TV
Sat, Aug 26
7:30 am USA Bournemouth vs Tottenham
9:30 am ESPN+ Darmstadt vs Union Berlin (Aaronson, Pfuk)
10 am USA Arsenal vs Fulham (Ream, Jedi)
10 am Peacock Man United vs Nothingham Forest (Turner)
12:30 pm NBC Brighton vs West Ham
12:30 pm ESPN+ MGladbach (Scally) vs Bayer Leverkusen
2:45 pm Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic, Musah) vs Torino
2:45 pm CBSSN Hellas Verona vs Roma
7 pm MyIndy TV Indy 11 vs Loundon United
7:30 pm Apple TV free Atlanta United vs Nashville SC
7:30 pm Apple TV Free DC United vs Philly
7:30 pm Apple MLS Pass Miami (Messi) vs NY red Bulls
8:30 pm Apple TV Free Dallas (Matt Hedges) vs Austin
8:30 pm Para+, Galazo Houston Dash vs KC Current NWSL
9::30 pm ESPN2 San Diego Loyal vs New Mexico United USL
Sun, Aug 27
9 am USA Sheffield United vs Man City
11:30 am USA New Castle vs Liverpool
11:30 ESPN+, ESPND Villareal vs Barcelona
2:45 pm Para+ Bologna vs Juventus (Mckinney, Weah)
4:30 pm FOX Minn United vs Seattle Sounders
5 pm Para+ Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns NWSL
8 pm Para+ Angel City vs OL Reign
Tues, Aug 29
2:45 pm ESPN+ Fulham (Ream, Jedi) vs Tottenham (Leagues Cup)
3 pm para+ Young Boys vs Maccabi Haifa
Wed, Aug 30
2:45 pm ESPN+ Doncaster Rovers vs Everton (Leagues Cup)
3 pm Para+, TUDN PSV vs Rangers
7 pm Apple MLS pass Inter Miami (MESSI. Busquets, Alba) vs Nashville
8 pm ESPN+ Rio Grand vs San Antonio (Farr)
Fri, Sep 1
2:30 pm EPSN+ Dortmund vs Heidenheim
2:45 pm Para+ Roma vs AC Milan (Pulisic, Musah)
3 pm USA Luton Town vs West Ham
8 pm Para+ KC Current vs Angel City
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It was Steven Smith’s first game running the middle at Grand Park Sun (Tyler Fleischmanm L, Shane (R)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Expect the unexpected
If this Pig assaulted my Daughter on stage like this – I’d kick his a$$.
SOURCE: LEYLA HAMED/X
Content warning: This section contains mention of sexual misconduct.
The GIST: Amid repeated calls for his resignation after he forcibly kissed Spain’s captain Jenni Hermoso as she accepted her FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) medal on Sunday, Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales announced early this morning that he is not stepping down, insteading vowing to fight for his post. You can’t make this sh!t up.
The background: Following swift backlash to the kiss (among other lewd gestures), Rubiales released a bullsh!t “apology” earlier this week, apparently eager to brush all criticism aside and ignore the calls for his removal, even as Hermoso herself urged action.
The latest: Still, in an impassioned speech at today’s RFEF extraordinary general assembly, Rubiales said the kiss was “mutual and with consent.” He shared that he would not be forced out of his role due to a “witch hunt” and “false feminism” and called the last five days a “social assassination” of his character.
Not only that, but Rubiales doubled down on backing Spain’s controversial women’s national team head coach, Jorge Vilda, reportedly offering him a four-year contract extension and increasing his salary to half a million Euros next year.
Sadly, Rubiales’ speech was received with a mighty round of applause as he blew kisses to the majority male assembly. To quote USWNT star Megan Rapinoe, what kind of upside-down world are we living in?
And after all that, last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had the audacity to say that the onus is on female footballers to “convince us, men, what we have to do” when speaking about equality in the game.
Zooming out: Women’s soccer has never been more popular, yet players are still fighting for protection on the field, in the locker rooms, and even in moments of glory. When will it end?
San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney again called out Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales for his forced kiss of star player Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup, which she described as “completely inappropriate.”“If you are prepared to do that on the world stage in front of millions, what goes on behind closed doors?” she asked of the Spanish federation before asking the sport’s governing bodies to intervene.Rubiales has come under fire for his actions following Spain’s 1-0 win over England in the World Cup final, which included the kiss and also grabbing his crotch in celebration. While Hermoso initially downplayed the kiss, the 33-year-old midfielder has since called for action against Rubiales in a statement released in conjunction with her agency and the Spanish players’ union.FIFA has opened an investigation into Rubiales’ actions, it announced in a statement released Thursday.
Stoney, who already had condemned the Spanish soccer federation president’s kiss of Hermoso, weighed in again Wednesday, drawing a line between the gesture and the broader issue of player-staff relationships. Team staff members “should not be having relationships with players at all,” she said, calling such relationships something that she “absolutely despises” despite having seen them happen repeatedly in the sport,“You shouldn’t be socializing with players anyway,” she said. “You shouldn’t even be putting yourself in that position. … Don’t come into work and prey on vulnerable women who you are responsible for their contracts or medical or whatever it is, whatever role you play. Don’t have a relationship with players.”The controversy surrounding Rubiales comes on top of a longstanding dispute between Spanish players and the national federation. Last September, 15 players protested the national team environment and the management style of head coach Jorge Vilda, and just three of those players were selected for the World Cup roster. There is “a reason players were on strike,” Stoney said of the Spanish federation.And while she made clear that the issue of power imbalance in relationships extends beyond sports, she wants to see the issue addressed within women’s soccer.“I’m completely against anything that puts a player in a vulnerable position. … So I think the governing bodies, FIFA, UEFA, anybody who’s involved, step in because it’s not acceptable,” Stoney said. “These women get treated like this far too often, far too many times, and something needs to change.
Christian Pulisic begins life in Serie A with a goal and a renewed sense of purpose
As AC Milan’s bus wound through Bologna, passing the porticos and red and orange buildings, the colour of the fat and tomato of the ragu that makes this city world famous, Christian Pulisic prepared for his debut in Serie A.When the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara’s iconic brick tower came into view, the American could have been forgiven for thinking it was one of the fortresses that make the region of Emilia Romagna feel like one of those far-off lands in Game of Thrones.
Visiting teams have tried and failed to break its walls in Thiago Motta’s time in charge of Bologna. Since replacing the late Sinisa Mihajlovic in September last year, Bologna’s defensive record at home has been the best in Serie A along with that of Champions League finalists Inter.
(Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Pulisic’s new coach, Stefano Pioli, found that out in April when a 1-1 draw almost cost Milan their place in this season’s Champions League. Some of the starters that day, Aster Vranckx, Charles De Ketelaere and Ante Rebic are no longer at the club. Others, Alexis Saelemaekers and Fode Ballo-Toure, are on the way out.
Pioli was rotating his team in between Milan’s Champions League quarter-final with Napoli. But the last visit to the Dall’Ara underlined Milan’s all too frequent struggles in breaking teams down — not to mention the shallowness of a squad which has been comprehensively overhauled this summer. Pulisic was bought in to help ensure that more frustrating draws in places like Bologna and other Italian cities where championship contenders can’t be seen to be dropping points are a thing of the past.
On a night sweatier than a slice of mortadella in one of those steaming Schiacciata sandwiches they sell around here, Pulisic could have found the going tough. Playing on the right in a 4-3-3, he has in effect replaced De Ketelaere, the €36million (£30.7m; $39.3m) present Milan gifted themselves for winning the league in 2022.The Belgian underwhelmed in his first season and opinions on what to do with him this time around were split. Now on loan at Atalanta, De Ketelaere scored on his debut in a 2-0 win against Sassuolo in Reggio Emilia, a short drive down the road from Bologna. If Pulisic had stumbled on Monday night, it would have been a story in itself, not much ragu about nothing. A fickle online response along the lines of “Milan should never have let De Ketelaere go” was easy to predict.
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But, on a night when Milan’s owner Gerry Cardinale had flown over to Italy especially to see the game, Pulisic didn’t allow that to happen.
Pulisic opens his Serie A account (Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)
In this university town with its 11th-century red brick college, the 24-year-old turned out to be a model student for Pioli. He’s a quick learner and it was abundantly clear how much Pulisic has benefited from a full pre-season. During Milan’s tour of the U.S., Pulisic built up his fitness and reconnected with old Chelsea team-mates in a way that has facilitated his integration and effectiveness.For instance, Ruben Loftus-Cheek plays on Pulisic’s side. The pair warmed up together and covered for each other on the pitch. But it was Pulisic’s ability to activate Olivier Giroud and vice-versa that got the Milan fans in the away end so hot under the collar they were shirtless before long.First, an angled ball from Pulisic to the far post found fellow Milan debutante Tijjani Reijnders who cut it back for Giroud to open the scoring.
Then Pulisic introduced himself in the best way possible to his new league. There have already been some sumptuous goals in Serie A over the opening weekend. Antonio Candreva’s curler against Roma for Salernitana was good enough to be an installation at the next Venice Biennale. Nadir Zortea’s clincher at the Mapei Stadium was the kind of dart best fired from a bamboo shoot. One of the best, however, came in the last match of the first round.Pulisic cut inside and exchanged a one-two with Giroud as he had done when he won a penalty against Monza in the Trofeo Silvio Berlusconi friendly a fortnight ago. Only this time, rather than carry on his run, Pulisic took aim and fired a shot past Lukasz Skorupski, silencing the Bologna ultras standing behind the Pole in the Curva Andrea Costa.The Athletic reported earlier this week that 45 per cent of all Milan jerseys sold since Pulisic’s arrival have his name and number on the back. More will no doubt be sold in the wake of a debut that more than delivered. Which isn’t to say it was perfect.
Bologna almost scored the quickest goal of the weekend when Charalampos Lykogiannis burst down Pulisic’s side and forced Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan to tip a shot destined for the top corner onto the bar. The lively Lewis Ferguson and direct Dan Ndoye tried to create overloads on the same flank, causing Milan problems. But Maignan, arguably the best goalkeeper in the world when fit, was up to whatever came his way and Milan boarded the bus back to Lombardy with a 2-0 win.
Withdrawn by Pioli with a quarter of an hour to spare, Pulisic couldn’t have wished for a better start in Italy. “I knew Pulisic was a talent when I was on the phone trying to convince him to join us,” said Pioli.“I was sure we’d signed a player of great quality. He’s very versatile. He allows us to give other players a breather. He can play very well in Leao’s place on the left or off the striker.”Pulisic was delighted with how his debut had gone. “For sure, I’m very emotional, it was great to score a goal so early on my debut, great to help the team win and get a clean sheet. It was just the perfect night,” he said after the game.There’s a song they play at the Dall’Ara, typically when Bologna win, by the city’s greatest songwriter Lucio Dalla. It’s called L’anno che verrà. The year to come. These may still be early days for Pulisc in Italy but, on the basis of his showing in Bologna, the year to come could be a very good one for him.(Top photo: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
USMNT weekend viewing guide: Full slates
Lots of action around the globe this weekend.
By jcksnftsn Aug 25, 2023, 11:41am PDT Stars & Stripes
There look to be matches involving USMNT players all across the top five leagues in Europe as well as in MLS this weekend. Saturday in particular has over a dozen matches spread throughout the day that can be access relatively easily on a variety of platforms. There are a couple matches on Friday as well so let’s start there.
Friday
Nantes v Monaco – 3p on beIN Sports
Folarin Balogun looks set to join Monaco, but will be a spectator as his new side take on Nantes Friday afternoon. Balogun will be joining a side that has scored seven times in their first two matches, winning both. Meanwhile, Nantes are looking for their first points this season.
Celta Vigo v Real Madrid – 3:30p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
Luca de la Torre started and went 84 minutes last weekend in Celta Vigo’s 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad. This weekend, things will get tougher as they face league leading Real Madrid, who have been predictably dominant in their opening two matches.
Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur – 7:30a on USA Network
Tyler Adams has officially joined Bournemouth ,but remains out with a hamstring injury that seems likely to keep him sidelined through the upcoming international break. Bournemouth are looking for their first win on the season and taking on a Spurs side that have top six aspirations coming off a 2-0 win over Manchester United.
Koln v Wolfsburg – 9:30a on ESPN+
Kevin Paredes was a time wasting sub for Wolfsburg last weekend in their 2-0 win over Heidenheim, coming on in the 89th minute. The good news is he looks recovered from a hamstring pull that had sidelined him in the preseason.
Bochum v Borussia Dortmund – 9:30a on ESPN+
Gio Reyna has only just returned to training and also seems likely to be out through the upcoming international break. His Dortmund teammates picked up a late goal last weekend to win 1-0 and will now face Bochum.
Heidenheim v Hoffenheim – 9:30a on ESPN+
John Brooks and Hoffenheim lost their opener 2-1 to Freiburg last weekend and will look to pickup their first points of the season Saturday against newly promoted Heidenheim. Brooks started and went the full 90 last weekend.
Darmstadt v Union Berlin – 9:30a on ESPN+
Brenden Aaronson started and played 76 minutes of Union Berlin’s 4-1 win over Mainz last weekend, but Jordan Pefok was an unused substitute in the match. The team will look to keep things rolling against a Darmstadt side that lost their opener 1-0.
Arsenal FC v Fulham FC – 10a on USA Network
Tim Ream received a rather harsh red card last weekend in Fulham’s 3-0 loss to Brentford and will miss the match this weekend as Antonee Robinson and the rest of the squad take on Arsenal. Arsenal have won their first two matches though both were decided by just a goal.
Brentford v Crystal Palace – 10a on Peacock
Chris Richards has not made it off the bench for Crystal Palace in their first two matches and could be in for a long season if things don’t change. The club has split their first two and face a Brentford side coming off a 3-0 win over Fulham.
Manchester United v Nottingham Forest – 10a on Peacock
Matt Turner and Nottingham Forest picked up their first points of the 2023-24 campaign with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United last weekend and now face Manchester United. Man U are coming off a 2-0 loss to Tottenham after an opening weekend win over Wolverhampton.
Borussia Mönchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen – 12:30p on ESPN+
Joe Scally and Borussia Mönchengladbach escaped with a draw with Augsburg last weekend. After jumping out to a 3-1 lead, ‘Gladbach allowed Augsburg to score three unanswered to take the lead themselves before picking up a tying penalty kick goal in the dying minutes of the match.
PSV Eindhoven v Go Ahead Eagles – 12:45p on ESPN+
Sergino Dest stepped right into the starting lineup for PSV on Tuesday following his transfer from FC Barcelona. Dest got the start at left back in PSV’s 2-2 draw against Rangers in the away leg of their Champions League qualifier. Dest played 81 minutes for PSV while Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman were unused substitutes for their side. The team returns to league action this weekend where they have won their first two matches and are facing a Go Ahead Eagles side that lost their opener 5-1 to AZ Alkmar and then defeated FC Volendam 4-1 despite playing the second half of the match down a man.
AC Milan v Torino – 2:45p on Paramount+
Christian Pulisic scored a screamer in AC Milan’s opener last weekend as the team went on to win 2-0. Yunus Musah, who also joined the side this summer, was ineligible to play due to a red card picked up in last season’s finale with Valencia. Milan’s opponent this weekend played to a scoreless draw with Cagliari last weekend.
Free MLS matches on Apple TV:
Miles Robinson and Atlanta United face fellow centerback Walker Zimmerman and Nashville SC at 7:30p.
DC United host the Philadelphia Union’s Quinn Sullivan and Jack McGlynn at 7:30p.
CF Montreal and New England kick off at 7:30p.
Jesus Ferreira and FC Dallas take on in state rival Austin FC at 8:30p.
Sporting Kansas City play host to Cade Cowell and the San Jose Earthquakes at 8:30p.
Sunday
Mainz v Eintracht Frankfurt – 9:30a
Paxten Aaronson was held out due to illness last weekend as Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Darmstadt 1-0. Aaronson also missed the previous weekend’s DFB-Pokal match due to illness so it sounds like he must have had something pretty rough. Hopefully he will be recovered and available this weekend as Frankfurt travel to Mainz.
Juventus v Bologna – 12:30 on Paramount+
Tim Weah started for Juventus and played the opening 45 minutes coming off at halftime for USMNT and club teammate Weston McKennie. Weah had picked up a knock in the first half and it seems like the substitution may have been precautionary as his side was up 3-0 at the half.
Minnesota United v Seattle Sounders – 4:30p on Fox
Jordan Morris and the Seattle Sounders are coming off a 2-0 loss to Atlanta United and will look to get back to their winning ways against a Minnesota side that sit just five points back in ninth place, holding on to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.Which matches are you watching? Hit the comments and discuss.
Breaking down Miami’s classic win, CCV Shelved, Cannon’s saga, Balogun update, & more
ASN’s Brian Sciaretta walks you through an epic night in the Open Cup, a big breakthrough with Folarin Balogun where he seems likely to join Monaco, tough news for Cameron Carter-Vickers, the latest with Reggie Cannon and Caden Clark.
BY BRIAN SCIARETTAPOSTED AUGUST 24, 2023 1:00 PM
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THE U.S. OPEN CUP final is set after a classic between Inter Miami and Cincinnati saw Messi and CO. advance yet again while Houston deserved its win over Real Salt Lake. Meanwhile, there is plenty of news to unpack abroad with big updates on Folarin Balogun and Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Let’s start in Ohio.
MIAMI WINS CLASSIC OVER CINCY
Inter Miami defeated Cincinnati on penalties after a wildly intense and entertaining 120 minutes ended in a 3-3 stalemate. This game had everything you would want. It started with Luciano Acosta nabbing the opener early off a deflection. Things got crazy in the second-half and Lionel Messi was front and center.
U.S. national team forward Brandon Vazquez, 24, was terrific on the day and his 53rd minute goal put Cincy up 2-0.
But that is when Messi took over and provided a masterclass on what makes him great. Like all great players, when he is down, he has a response. It requires an effort that goes from the opening whistle to the final whistle. Messi will expose even the slightest of lapse, particularly at the end of the games.
In the 68th minute, Messi’s free kick found Leo Campana to pull it back. Then Messi made his play of the game deep into stoppage time with a pass for the ages – again to Campana for the finish.
As Tata Martino put it: Messi was “more as a conductor and not a finisher” on the night. And that is sometimes when he is at his best.
When the game went to extra time, it seemed as if Miami would win. Four minutes into extratime Ben Cremaschi, 18 assisted to Josef Martinez to move in front. Even when Cincy equalized towards the end, it always felt Miami had the edge.
Sure enough, in penalties it turned over two a pair of Americans who are breaking out. In the 5th round, goalkeeper Drake Callender made a save on Nick Haggelund and Cremaschi won it with the final take.
Here are a few thoughts
Miami wins in Cincy: To show you just how good Miami is right now, they became the first team to win in Cincinnati this season after Pat Noonan’s team had a 15-0-3 record before last night’s game. If Miami can win Leagues Cup and then roll into Cincy and win, who exactly is going to beat them now.
Miami heads to NJ: It’s important to note that Lionel Messi still hasn’t played an MLS game. Once that happens, Miami has a huge climb to make the playoffs. It’s still unlikely and it requires no off days. But now they head to New Jersey to face the Red Bulls on Saturday after going 120 minutes on Wednesday. It’s yet another tough test for Messi and Co.
Martino’s doing a great job: Tata Martino has done a great job. “A lot of our wins have been more due to our character than our game and, obviously, due to having the best player in the world playing with us,” he said after the game. He’s right. Messi is one thing. But making it all work is on Tata. What he’s done in a short time frame is impressive.
Cremaschi and Callender: Both of these players are likely on Berhalter’s list to get into camp. Cremaschi is a top duel national and the obvious ties to Argentina are becoming stronger with him in Miami. Argentina wants him for their U-20 team. The U.S. will have to work harder to keep him in the system. A September call-up won’t ensure Cremaschi stays with the U.S., but it would be a nice signal of confidence. Meanwhile, Callender has been very strong over the past few months and the lack of playing time with Zack Steffen and Ethan Horvath have opened the door for him.
HOUSTON GETS PAST RSL
While the game took 120 minutes, Houston clearly deserved its 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. It was a disappointing performance from RSL who badly misses the injured Pablo Ruiz. For long stretches, it seemed as if RSL was trying to hold on, maybe muster a chance off a counterattack, and try to get the game into penalties. Houston was clearly better.
Ben Olsen has had a great season and he’s surpassed my expectations. Getting into the Open Cup final also helps because Inter Miami is already in the Concacaf Cup due to the Leagues Cup. As a result, Houston is now assured of entry next year.
Houston is going back to the playoffs this year. They’re going to the CONCACAF Cup next year. Things are trending in the right direction. But does anyone really think they’re going to go to Miami and win the Open Cup final?
CARTER-VICKERS SHELVED
According to Scottish journalist Gavin McCafferty, Cameron Carter-Vicker will be out longer than expected with his hamstring and is now expected to be shelved for eight weeks. That means the next two international windows. Even worse, he will miss key Champions League games for Celtic (who are now scrambling for centerbacks in the remaining days of the window).
It’s unclear who Berhalter will call-up in central defense next month. Carter-Vickers is out but there is a long list of players who are not playing including Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, and Erik Palmer-Brown. It is also unclear how long Berhalter will continue with Tim Ream, who turns 36 in the fall.
BALOGUN TO MONACO?
Sky Sports is now reporting that U.S. national team forward Folarin Balogun is nearing a transfer from Arsenal to Monaco.
Monaco is not in Europe this year after a late three-game collapse to end 2022/23 saw them tumble to sixth. But the club is expected to contend for Ligue 1 this year and has six points from the first two games of the season.
Balogun, 21, scored 21 goals last year on loan with Stade de Reims. Keeping him within Ligue 1 makes this a safer bet for Monaco as he has proven himself within the league.
CANNON’S SAGA
What is going on with Reggie Cannon? He’s still without a club after terminating his deal with Boavista when he claimed lack of payment. But that issue is apparently unresolved legally and that makes Cannon a difficult player to sign on a free deal since it is not clear.
On top of that, FC Dallas still claims it has not been paid any money from selling Cannon to Boavista. The Portuguese club might be short on funds, but they’re still buying players. Dallas has taken its case to CAS (Court of Arbitration and Sports) and won. But Boavista still continue to ignore the ruling and are continuing to operate business as usual.
Clark, 20, is still owned by RB Leipzig after a weird start to his career that involved him starting his career with the Red Bulls (who had to pay Minnesota for his rights), getting sold to Leipzig, and getting loaned back to Red Bulls. At the end of the 2022 season, the Red Bulls decided not to exercise its option to extend his loan for 2023 and he moved to Leipzig where he made the bench for a few Bundesliga games but didn’t play. Clark ended up not making the U.S. U-20 World Cup team and wasn’t part of the important March camp and instead he went back to the USA. Now, it appears he hasn’t been with Leipzig at all in preseason and now he’s training with Minnesota. He was set to join Colorado earlier this month, but Leipzig couldn’t’ seal the paperwork in time.
Clark hasn’t played a game in over 11 months. It is fine he is training with Minnesota, but he can’t sign for them since it’s past the MLS transfer window and he’s not a free agent. It now looks as if he is going to go all of 2022 without playing.
What level he will be at when he returns is anybody’s guess.
Tyler Adams and Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth are a perfect tactical match
From Leeds United to Chelsea to Bournemouth. On the face of it, Tyler Adams’ dramatic week of transfer twists and turns in English football might look to have fizzled out into a slight anti-climax.
The 24-year-old USMNT midfielder sealed a move worth around £23million ($29.1m) from Yorkshire down to England’s south coast on Sunday, as Andoni Iraola’s side swept in to sign him following a failed switch to the capital. As reported by The Athletic, concerns about a hamstring injury caused negotiations with Chelsea to stall.
In Bournemouth, however, Adams has not only found an exciting project, but one that specifically needs a player like him for it to flourish.
With a forward-thinking head coach at the helm, one seeking to implement a fearless, high-intensity style of play, Adams’ energy and defensive tenacity will make him an essential part of a promising, new-look side.
“He’s a really good player,” Iraola said of the American last week, “he has performed in the Champions League, has national-team experience, but I don’t want to go too far because right now he’s not our player.”
Well, now he is.
And you can be sure that his new coach will be going into every possible detail with the player himself.
This is what Adams can expect at Iraola’s Bournemouth…
First and foremost, Iraola will be delighted to get his hands on a high-quality ball-winner to play in the centre of midfield, particularly after the departure of Jefferson Lerma to Crystal Palace as a free agent earlier this summer. Only Philip Billing averaged over 2.0 tackles a game among Bournemouth central midfielders to play more than 900 minutes in the league last season, while up at Leeds, Adams was the third-most prolific tackler among the 20 clubs in the division, averaging 3.7.
Drilling into some more advanced defensive metrics shows us that Adams brings quantity and quality in terms of defensive actions.
Using the true-tackles metric — a combination of successful tackles, failed challenges and fouls committed while attempting a tackle — we can see he was one of the more aggressive midfielders in the 2022-23 Premier League, attempting to make a tackle 8.8 times per 1,000 opposition touches. His true-tackle win rate was only bettered by four Premier League midfielders who played a minimum 900 minutes, and his capabilities in the air were similarly strong.
It’s a gung-ho approach to defending that Adams has developed during a career under some of the sport’s most demanding coaches.
“I always err on the side that I’m going to win every single ball,” he said in an interview with The Athletic’s John Muller in February 2022 (see below), “so I tend to be aggressive and go for it.
“In the Red Bull DNA (Adams played for New York Red Bulls in MLS and then their German sister club RB Leipzig before going to Leeds, where he worked under Jesse Marsch, who had previously managed Red Bull Salzburg and Leipzig), counter-pressing is such an important thing. We try to win the ball as quickly as possible and aren’t afraid to make mistakes because we’re confident in our pressing as a team.”
Before taking charge at Bournemouth, Iraola led Madrid club Rayo Vallecano to La Liga promotion in the summer of 2021, before launching two unprecedented pushes to qualify for European football.
Despite perennial off-field turbulence and a shoestring budget, Rayo’s fearless approach under their young coach saw them beat Barcelona three times in four meetings, while also catching Real Madrid, Villarreal and Sevilla off guard with their high-pressing football. No side in Spain’s top flight won back possession in their attacking third more often than Rayo did last season, in a system that encouraged risk-taking in advanced areas on the pitch.
Adams will rarely be the player tearing after opposition defenders, looking to win the ball back in Bournemouth’s attacking third, nor will he be busting a lung to join in every attack. Instead, his ability to defend the width of the pitch will provide the assurance for his team-mates to push on, knowing he will work tirelessly to maintain the side’s defensive shape.
His role is likely to be similar to the one played for Iraola’s Rayo by Oscar Valentin, a similarly tenacious ball-winner at the heart of midfield, and the player who attempted the most true tackles in La Liga last season.
As we can see from the comparison chart below, the two profile remarkably similarly in regards to their defensive tenacity, while their attacking contributions are minimal.
One of the principal ways Iraola teams attack you is via their full-backs, so Valentin’s role was about positional discipline to cover the spaces those wide men left behind.
Here against Real Valladolid in January, for example, Valentin sprints over to the left side of the pitch as he sees full-back Fran Garcia carry the ball forward, making sure he is in a good position to deal with any counter-attack if the ball is lost.
And here he is on the right against Getafe last October, as Ivan Balliu charges forward, ready to plug the gap should Rayo’s marauding right-back lose the ball.
Whether provided with a midfield partner or not, Valentin was always prepared to put out fires across the width of the pitch.
Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez and English right-back Max Aarons are among Iraola’s other signings this summer, transfers that certainly suggest Adams will be expected to play a similar role for him to Valentin at Rayo: the facilitator who allows high-flying full-backs to get forward.
Kerkez profiles similarly to Garcia, a high-volume tackler who looks to get forward and cross the ball often, while Aarons is a relentless dribbler, having attempted the most take-ons of any full-back (97, 2.6 per game) in England’s top four leagues with Norwich City in 2022-23 — 42 more than any other full-back in the Championship.
And, looking at Adams’ tackles and interceptions map from last season, it’s clear he is comfortable dropping in to defend wide spaces, with the majority of his ball-winning actions taking place on the flanks.
He looks to be the perfect midfield sweeper who can allow his team’s wide players to attack without fear of what is going to happen behind them if it goes wrong.
On the ball, Adams won’t need to be the principal creator, particularly with Alex Scott also joining the club.
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Valentin completed an average of just 33.7 passes and created less than a chance per game for Rayo last season, with a pass completion rate of 81.9 per cent.
Adams offers an upgrade on all of these figures, having completed 46.2 passes per game for Leeds last season with an accuracy of 82.4 per cent and moving the ball particularly well into the attacking third, so he should have no problems adapting to Iraola’s stringent possessional demands.
With a need for solidity rather than creativity, Adams’ role in this Bournemouth team won’t need to be as expansive as it might have been if he had signed for Chelsea, allowing the USMNT star to focus on what he does best — winning back the ball.
(Top photos: Getty Images)
USMNT player tracker: Weah impresses, McKennie gets a chance, Sargent shines
Fresh starts and second chances — it was a positive weekend for USMNT duo Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie as Serie A got under way.Welcome to the USMNT player tracker where, each week, we will be bringing you updates on our U.S. players in various leagues around Europe.With the Copa America next year, and a home-soil World Cup on the horizon, we’ll be tracking how they perform every weekend.
For Weah, who joined Juventus from Lille in July, it was a lively league debut as he helped the Turin giants to an impressive 3-0 win at Udinese. Playing as a wing-back, he completed two out of three duels and 3.97 progressive passes per 90 minutes in the half he played. Weah, son of AC Milan’s legendary striker George, was withdrawn at half-time with a slight foot injury.But his exit meant a chance for compatriot McKennie. The midfielder has been facing an uncertain future under manager Max Allegri, with rumours rife that he was not in his plans this season.It had even been uncertain whether the former Leeds United loanee would be taken on Juve’s pre-season U.S. tour. In the end, he did fly out with the squad and did enough to convince Allegri to give him 45 minutes on Sunday.McKennie won five of the six duels he attempted, made three successful tackles and made one key pass in an encouraging run out.If you want to keep up with this column each week you can follow Greg here.
Issue of the weekend
After some head-spinning twists and turns, Tyler Adams is a Premier League player again. The midfielder signed for Bournemouth, owned by American businessman Bill Foley, on Sunday following a week when he appeared to be on the brink of joining Chelsea, only to be left in limbo when the west London club’s interest abruptly fizzled out as they pursued other targets.
Then came the drama over whether Bournemouth’s initial approach had triggered the £20million ($25.4m) release clause in his contract, with Leeds denying they had and the south-coast outfit insisting otherwise.
A compromise was reached eventually, with Bournemouth paying over that amount, and the 24-year-old got his return to one of Europe’s big leagues along with the chance to become a fixture in Andoni Iraola’s team ahead of next summer’s Copa America.
If that was encouraging news for USMNT supporters, then so too was right-back Sergino Dest finalising his loan switch from Barcelona, where he had been deemed surplus to requirements, to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands on Monday. It is a chance to reset his European career and get vital minutes at another big club.
Norwich had a big hole to fill when Finnish striker Teemu Pukki called time on his illustrious Carrow Road career to head for MLS and Minnesota United in June. After 88 goals in 210 appearances for the club, supporters may have wondered who would be able to even begin to plug that gap.
Well, it’s provided an opportunity for USMNT forward Josh Sargent and, so far, it’s one he’s taken with both hands. The 23-year-old was no slouch last season, with 13 goals in 40 Championship games, and he seems set to continue that form with two in his club’s first three league games.
He was on target again with a header as Norwich beat Millwall 3-1 on Sunday, and completed three dribbles, with four shots, before his replacement on 80 minutes. Sargent’s bright start to the season has brought with it speculation that Leeds United are coveting him as they bid for their own return to the top flight.
(Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The visualisations in the Graphics of the Weekend section below hint at Sargent enjoying the additional space in the box and scoring responsibility afforded by Pukki’s departure, with a trend of coming off the left and cutting on to his right foot.
Quote of the weekend
Former Inter Milan and Udinese manager Andrea Stramaccioni was impressed with Weah’s contribution in Juventus’ win over the latter.
“Juventus have caught an interesting player with potential to be expressed,” said Stramaccioni during Sunday Night Square on DAZN. “He knows how to attack and has a modern open-mindedness because he is able to defend.
“The U.S. national team coach had pointed him out to me as a player with huge potential for growth. He has to have time to adapt, but he’s a futuristic player and Juve are right to bet on him.”
Graphics of the weekend
How did other U.S. players get on?
Name: Matt Turner Club: Nottingham Forest Position: Goalkeeper Appearances: 2 Clean sheets: 0 Save Percentage: 70%
Turner experienced his first win as a Nottingham Forest player when he helped his new side to beat Sheffield United. The 29-year-old will have prioritised playing regularly in his next step after it became apparent Arsenal wanted David Raya to compete with Aaron Ramsdale at his expense.
Enter Steve Cooper’s side, who continue to be linked with a move for Manchester United’s Dean Henderson as well. But Turner has started his first two games with Forest and, although he hasn’t kept a clean sheet yet, he made several important saves against Sheffield United, including one on 78 minutes that felt pivotal with the scores level. Eleven minutes later Chris Wood got the winner which ensured smiles for Turner and his new team-mates.
(Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Name: Tim Ream Club: Fulham Position: Defender Appearances: 2 Tackles/Interceptions per 90mins: 0.81/1.17
Last weekend, Ream was celebrating an impressive performance as Fulham ground out a win at Everton on the opening day. This time he was heading for an early bath after being sent off in the 64th minute as Brentford inflicted an emphatic 3-0 defeat on his team at Craven Cottage.
The penalty he conceded with the challenge that earned him his second booking allowed Bryan Mbuemo to score but incensed the home fans, who felt it was a harsh decision by referee Darren Bond.
Further reading…
Look out for Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah’s Milan kicking off their Serie A campaign at Bologna on Monday evening in Italy (2.45pm ET, Paramount+). Plus keep your eyes peeled for The Athletic’s interview with USMNT and Eintracht Frankfurt prospect Paxten Aaronson later this week.
(Top photos via Getty Images)
Paxten Aaronson exclusive: Cheetah runs, stir fries and staying power
It was a moment that made it all worthwhile: moving nearly 4,000 miles from home, the gruelling training, the lonely nights when you miss your family, your girlfriend and a home-cooked meal.Thrust into the action as a 59th-minute substitute, Paxten Aaronson did not have time to stop and pinch himself.There was a job to be done. His team, Eintracht Frankfurt, needed to beat Freiburg on the last day of the 2022-23 Bundesliga season to ensure a seventh-place finish.But nearly three months later, as the 19-year-old describes helping Frankfurt over the line to European qualification, his eyes light up and the excitement in his voice is still palpable.“We needed a win and we needed two other teams to lose,” he says. “I was lucky enough to be on the pitch and it was just unreal, you know. The stadium, the atmosphere and the passion. Every game kicked off at the same time so, on the scoreboard, you would see the scores every time someone across the league scored.“The fans would be cheering and you didn’t always know which team had scored, but you just know that you had to get the job done. It was a surreal moment.”In front of 50,500 supporters, Frankfurt scored an added-time winner to clinch a spot in the Europa Conference League to cap a memorable season that had already seen them compete in the Champions League, reaching the last 16.It’s why Aaronson feels justified in making the move to Germany, where he made seven appearances (all from the bench) in his debut season, instead of remaining in MLS with Philadelphia Union where he played 23 league games the previous campaign. For the self-confessed football nerd, the threat of relegation or the promise of European qualification, and all the associated drama, gives everything an edge.“Every game means something (here),” he says. “If you’re past the line, you’re fighting against relegation. If you’re above it, you’re fighting to get a European spot.“The fans and the players put their hearts on the line to either stay in the league or clinch Europe next year. So I think that’s the biggest difference, in terms of the two competitions and in terms of the league. If you’re ambitious and you don’t want to stay too complacent, then Europe’s definitely the way because the competitions, the atmosphere, all of it is… yeah, it’s different.”
Aaronson tussles with Borussia Dortmund’s Emre Can (Fantasista/Getty Images)
The player, whose brother Brenden will also play in the Bundesliga this season after joining Union Berlin on loan from Leeds United, feels the high of being involved on that triumphant final day fuels his desire to play a more significant part for Frankfurt this term and made the initial homesickness worth it as he adapted to life in Germany.Aaronson is from a close family and went from living with parents Janell and Rusty and sister Jaden to following his brother into a move to Europe.“I live by myself in an apartment,” he explains. “There are perks to it, you know. It’s enjoyable at times because you have your freedom. You can just go at your own pace. And then sometimes it’s not as enjoyable — when you’re sitting there at seven or eight o’clock at night and you don’t know what to cook and there’s nothing on the table, so you have to make some really bad pasta or something like that.“And, of course, some days it’s more difficult than others. When you have two days off and everybody in Europe wants to fly home because it’s so close here, but you can’t fly back to America because it’s six or seven hours (away). But you keep yourself occupied. And I have.“I have visitors a lot. My grandparents, my girlfriend flies out a lot.“So I’m always keeping busy and honestly, with the amount of effort and work you have to put in every day in training, the days go by fast. It’s an adjustment. It’s a part of my character development — not even in football but outside, too. Being able to mature in a new country and learn different things all around the world. It’ll only make me a better person in the long run.”He’s improving at cooking, too, and becoming a selfless team-mate on and off the pitch as he builds friendships that extend beyond the dressing room.“My go-to is probably stir fry,” he smiles. “My girlfriend actually taught me how to make it. It’s just vegetable and chicken stir fry. I always love rice with everything and, yeah, it’s broccoli, peppers, chicken, rice and carrots.“Jesper Lindstrom (Frankfurt’s Danish midfielder) is a good friend. We sometimes go out to dinner. When he hurt his foot, I actually had to go over every morning at like 8am — he lives a 23-minute walk from me — to walk his dog because he was on crutches.“But I have a strong connection with everybody because they were all just super welcoming and it’s a good group of guys. Especially when you’re a young guy coming in nervous and stuff — it’s just important that you feel welcomed.”
Brenden Aaronson playing for Union Berlin against Mainz earlier this month (Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
They may be two of the U.S.’s brightest young footballing talents, but the Aaronson brothers had to overcome early rejection back home due to their slight frames and height.
Their parents encouraged resilience, though, and the brothers’ natural ability won through. That is why the younger Aaronson remains keen to embrace his attributes rather than trying to match older and more physical opponents in Europe.
“I’ve always said the two attributes I like most about my game are my quick acceleration and how fast I can be with the ball,” he says. “And I always explain to the lifting coaches that I never want to lose that.
“I wanted to build healthy muscle. Muscle that wouldn’t get me so bulky that I turn into a player that’s not as explosive as I am.
“And they understood that. We do exercises, of course, in pre-season. But after that, you can’t do these heavy exercises because it just weighs you down.
“So they do a lot of exercises that are built for the player like me, like squatting and jumping, which is for explosiveness. And focus on the core. For every athlete, it’s super important because they always preach that if you have a strong core, it’s injury prevention number one.”
He has had to step up his level of stamina since returning for pre-season training after a trip back to New Jersey with Brenden to spend time with family and friends.
“There’s a difference here in terms of training and demand on the body; a lot of double sessions. Usually in America, when we would have double sessions, it would be maybe one on the field and one in the gym,” he says.
“So I’d say, intensity is definitely the biggest challenge. Here, if you have a double session in pre-season, it’s two on the field and it’s not like in the morning it’s hard in the afternoon it’s easy — it’s like two really hard sessions. That definitely took some adapting to get used to, but I’m enjoying it.”
(From left) Marcel Wenig, Ellyes Skhiri, Aaronson and Timothy Chandler in training (Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Opposition midfielders could well have a hard time keeping up this season. The pre-season work is likely to have enhanced the pace and endurance of a player who credits his willingness to run (and run and run) to his early days on his elementary school yard.
“They had something every day at recess called ‘cheetah running’,” he explains. “You would run around the track all recess until they blew the whistle and you would collect popsicle sticks. So every time you ran around the track, you would get one popsicle stick. You’d try to get the most popsicle sticks out of everybody in the class.
“And then at the end of the year, you would see how many popsicle sticks you had. They had a ceremony and stuff for whoever won. So me and my brother would always gun for number one on the cheetah-running list.
“My dad always jokes, ‘This is what built your endurance’ because every day, right before lunch, I would be itching. I would be telling my teacher, please let me out early so I can get more popsicle sticks.
“It seems silly now. But yeah, that’s kind of where the endurance and running started.”
Like anyone connected with the Bundesliga, Aaronson is excited at the impact of England captain Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich and feels it will only make the division stronger.
“It’s massive for the league having someone of his calibre and what he’s done in England,” he says. “It will boost the level and recognition of the league even higher.
“I think the Bundesliga is definitely up there with one of the best.
“Every league has their differences. When you think about Serie A, it’s known for the defending. When it’s La Liga, it’s ball possession and the very good passing. And then the Premier League has its calibre. For me, the Bundesliga is a league that’s very fast-paced and a lot of the games are frantic. It’s man-to-man defending. Nobody really drops off.
“If you get the ball in the middle, someone’s coming from behind and hitting you. Everybody runs forward and it’s all about the pressing. Being an American and having so many Americans in the league, it kind of suits our playing style. We have strong endurance, we’re usually always quick.
“It’s a big transition game and it’s a big transition league. And if you win the ball, most of the time you’re going in on a three versus two. If you can capitalise on the moment, that can win you games.”
Aaronson loves the energetic nature of the Bundesliga (Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
He hopes stepping up in this league will also boost his USMNT career. Aaronson has one senior cap and hopes to play for the under-23s in next summer’s Paris Olympics after the U.S. qualified for the first time since 2008.
“It’s a major event,” he says. “When you think about the Olympics, you just kind of get this feeling. It would obviously be very good to represent my country in such a big tournament.
“So getting to be on a team that helped qualify and then hopefully playing in the tournament would be a good honour.”
Before that will come another season of learning his craft at Frankfurt and soaking up more experiences.
He has already tasted the fervour of a game against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. “It was a difficult game for us (Frankfurt lost 4-0 in April). It’s always difficult going there,” he recalls. “But for me, I just remember walking onto the field and seeing the Yellow Wall (Dortmund’s famously imposing single-tiered stand).
“You speak about watching it on TV, but it’s not the same as when you’re on the pitch.
“All those 80,000 people are just stacked above you and they’re all shouting down at you. When I was warming up to go into the game, I got four beer bottles just launched on me.
“It’s an incredible stadium and getting onto the field, playing against the likes of Marco Reus and guys I’ve watched since I was a youth was an exciting moment.”
The Yellow Wall at Signal Iduna Park (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
There should be plenty of equally exciting moments for both brothers this season and their father has already booked his trip to Berlin in November — Frankfurt travel to the capital raising the prospect of his boys going head to head.
Although it is over four hours by train between the two cities, or an hour’s flight, Aaronson is glad to have his brother relatively near and sought his older sibling’s advice before agreeing the switch to Europe last November.
But this season he is preparing to make his own mark on the league; Aaronson was named as one of the top five youngsters to watch in 2023-24 by the Bundesliga’s website along with Nelson Weiper, Kevin Paredes, Julien Duranville and Mathys Tel.
Can this be his year?
“I think so, definitely. If I take my moments and I take my opportunities, every minute I’m on the pitch, whether it’s training or in a game,” he says.
“I want to show I’m here to stay. If I always keep working and doing what I’m supposed to, for sure I can have a good season.”
Some players may feel pressure at the heightened expectations but Aaronson’s enjoyment of football always supersedes the sense of tension.
“For me, it’s never felt real, you know? It still just feels like I’m just playing for fun. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel like it’s my job. So it’s just enjoyable. I’m like a big nerd with that stuff. If there’s a game on, it doesn’t really matter what it is: I’m putting it on.
“First weekend of the Premier League with Burnley versus Man City on the Friday, I was on my couch watching it. It’s entertaining for me and that’s always been the same, even when I was a little kid.
“There are the occasional players that you talk to and they’re like, ‘I’ve never watched the game’ and that always amazes me. You play the game, you love the game. Like, isn’t it interesting for you to watch other players and other teams?”
Aaronson playing for Philadelphia Union in May 2021 (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The adventures continue for Aaronson and European football is another prospect that has the wide-eyed football fanatic excited for the new season.On Thursday, he was an unused substitute as Frankfurt drew 1-1 with Bulgarian side Levski Sofia in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifying play-off.“Getting to play against teams from different countries like France, or even occasionally the teams you might not have heard of — that’s amazing,” he says. “They’re always gonna come in and fight, so embracing this competition and getting to play against these different styles and these different tactics is exciting.“The fans always get behind it because when you play in Europe and you have a trophy that you can win, it always puts a pump on your chest.”In May, Frankfurt parted company with Oliver Glasner, the manager who signed Aaronson, but his replacement Dino Toppmoller was quick to reassure the youngster he values him as highly as his predecessor.“He told me about the importance of staying hungry,” he says. “He thinks that this season can be as good as I make it.“And I think that, too — if I never get complacent. It is a big thing for me because, at a young age, you can kind of see some players who get a lot of spotlight or a lot of success too early and then, later on, it kind of affects them.
Toppmoller has taken Aaronson under his wing (Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
“I always try to tell myself not to ever get too high or too low. Just always be hungry.“And I think that sets a tone. It sets the mood for always wanting to accomplish more.”He might be running for more valuable prizes than popsicle sticks this season, but Aaronson’s enthusiasm remains just as unbridled as it was as a young boy tearing around the playground in Medford. And as back then, rewards are sure to follow.
(Top photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Greg O’Keeffe is a senior writer for The Athletic covering US soccer players in the UK & Europe. Previously he spent a decade at the Liverpool Echo covering news and features before an eight-year stint as the paper’s Everton correspondent; giving readers the inside track on Goodison Park, a remit he later reprised at The Athletic. He has also worked as a news and sport journalist for the BBC and hosts a podcast in his spare time.
Drake Callender’s rise from Inter Miami’s third-choice keeper to Leagues Cup hero
It was the 86th minute and Atlanta United had just won a penalty kick. Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender stood tall in goal with his chest puffed out and his hands at his sides, waiting for the approach from Thiago Almada. Though Miami led 4-0, and the result was all but guaranteed, Callender remained unfazed in goal. He was approaching the spot kick as if the game was on the line. As Almada made his approach, Callender was focused — he waited and waited, refusing to move too early. He had studied the Atlanta United attacker and knew that he liked to shoot to his right, but he couldn’t move in advance of the kick and risk exposing that he already knew where Almada was going to shoot. If he did, Almada would just tuck the ball into the other side of the goal. It wasn’t until Almada virtually made an impact with the ball that Callender finally moved and threw himself to his right to make the save. As the ball was cleared out of play, Callender jumped up onto his feet, clenched his fists together, grinned cheek to cheek, and let out a child-like scream of joy. It was the first penalty kick stop of his professional career. You could see by his reaction how good it felt to get over that mental hurdle and finally save one. Even though it might not have had a major on the result of the game, or been the most difficult of saves to make, it would turn out to be incredibly valuable for his psyche, and a positive memory he would be able to rely on in the future. As it would turn out, he wouldn’t have to wait too long for his next opportunity to put into practice what he had learned from that valuable experience. Less than a month later, Callender would be required to step up again when Inter Miami’s match against Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final went to penalty kicks on Sunday. His previous stop, certainly still fresh in his mind. This time, the situation was more tense, though.After five saves in regulation, and one already earlier in the shootout, Callender would save his best for last when he stepped up to the spot in the 11th round of the penalty shootout. With the game on the line, and every outfield player having already attempted their kicks, it was now the goalkeeper’s turn. Once again unfazed by the moment, Callender looked calm as could be — you could hardly tell he’d never been there before, as he rocketed the ball into the roof of the net with the confidence of someone who’d scored hundreds of goals in their career. But his job was not done yet, he still had one more shot to face, from fellow goalkeeper Elliot Panicco. As Panicco made his approach, Callender danced on his line, waving his arms and legs about, but just like against Atlanta, he waited until the moment right before impact to finally make his move. With the ball headed toward the upper left half of his goal, the Inter Miami keeper pushed off with all his might and expertly redirected Panicco’s attempt far away from goal. Fully aware of what this stop meant to him and his team, Callender jumped to his feet and immediately took off on a dead sprint for his teammates, who were running toward him from the center circle. It was Inter Miami’s first trophy in team history. Though the 25-year-old Callender had a tough and inconsistent start to the year, his game has improved remarkably since the arrival of Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. His performances during the Leagues Cup have been on another level and were often marked by heroic displays, including his saves against Nashville, and impressive performances against both Cruz Azul in the group stage and the Philadelphia Union in the semifinals. It would be hard to argue that without his big-time stops, often in the game’s most crucial moments, Miami would have never ended up lifting the Leagues Cup trophy this season. It should hardly be surprising that his impressive play earned him the title of best goalkeeper at this summer’s tournament. What makes Callender’s story even more inspiring is his journey from being Miami’s third-choice goalkeeper to now becoming a vital piece of arguably the most exciting team in the league. After playing college soccer for the California Golden Bears, Callender had his homegrown rights traded from San Jose to Miami ahead of the latter club’s inaugural MLS season. After spending a majority of that season outside the game day squad, Callender knew that in order to develop it was crucial for him to get playing time in 2021. With the encouragement of his then head coach Phil Neville, he spent a majority of 2021 with the reserve team in USL League One. That year, Callender gained invaluable experience as a No. 1 goalkeeper, playing 17 games for Fort Lauderdale, and learning what it takes to make it at the next level. He returned to preseason in 2022 a changed goalkeeper. It didn’t take long to see that the decision to go down a level for playing time was a wise one. Callender started the beginning of preseason as third choice, but got his first chance in MLS in March 2022 during a 3-1 loss to FC Cincinnati after injuries to both goalkeepers in front of him. Despite the loss, he showed glimpses to his coaches in that game of what he could be if he put it all together. Though his promotion would be short lived and he was once again relegated to the bench the following match, it wouldn’t take long for Callender to get another opportunity, this time in the U.S. Open Cup against local rivals Miami FC. That match would turn out to be a springboard for Callender that season, and proved to his coach and to the rest of the team that he ultimately had what it took to make it at the MLS level.By July 2022, after a string of impressive performances in league play, Callender’s evolution from third-string goalkeeper to first choice at Inter Miami was complete. In total, he started 24 league games last season and consistently got better as the year progressed.This season, despite that slow start in MLS, Callender has been a constant in the starting lineup and gradually impressed along the way — even in the face of adversity when his team struggled on the way to Neville’s departure. His performances haven’t just been noticed within MLS circles either, as he’s now being called into USMNT camps (twice so far), including when the USMNT beat Canada to lift the CONCACAF Nations Leagues Cup this past summer.Even though Callender’s rise has been impressive, the reality is he still has some work to do if he wants to permanently etch his name as one of the three goalkeepers called into USMNT camp on a consistent basis. While Matt Turner has locked down the No. 1 spot, both Ethan Horvath and Zack Steffen have made a case over the past 12 months that they still have a valuable role to play for their country, and at just 19-years-old, Gabriel Slonina has the inside track to become Turner’s eventual successor. Though not impossible, it will be difficult for Callender to knock down that door without some things going his way over the coming months and years, considering who is in front of him, and that each of those other keepers are under 30-years-old — the prime age for the position. That being said, the USMNT goalkeeper position has been more unpredictable in recent years than it traditionally has been. As for his skill set, like many Americans before him, Callender is very explosive, has exceptional reflexes and is often able to save shots that appear to be guaranteed goals. He is quick in his decision-making and direct to the ball, which allows him to make a lot of saves and through a variety of methods. His stop in the Leagues Cup semifinal against Philadelphia is a perfect example of this. Callender’s ability to shoot his right hand down, while keeping a strong and stable barrier behind the ball, was special, and not a save every goalkeeper makes under the circumstances. Callender’s positioning is also impressive for a younger goalkeeper, usually only requiring small and minimal movements in order to consistently get into the correct shape to make the save. His excellent hands and ability to catch the ball is also how he gives off the allure that everything is easy, and makes so many difficult stops look routine. That’s not to say that he always gets things correct — he would surely be the first to admit that he’s a work in progress, but it is encouraging to see him often rely more on the fundamentals than his athleticism to make saves.Callender is blessed with height and long arms and knows how to use his reach and wingspan to his advantage. His size and advanced starting position can also be seen in how effectively he deals with and claims high balls lifted into his box, even when his box is busy. It’s one of his biggest strengths as a goalkeeper. One area of his game that has occasionally come into question is his positioning when dealing with long and direct balls played in behind his back line. Though often confident in his actions, it is in these moments where he sometimes hesitates, unsure of how to best handle the situation. It’s also one of the hardest things for goalkeepers who like to stick closer to their line, like Callender often does from open play, to get comfortable doing. Against the Union in the Leagues Cup semifinals, Callender nearly got punished when he got the timing of his attempted sweep outside the box all wrong.
As the ball was played from within Philadelphia’s own half, Callender was far too low in his starting position and hesitated, unsure whether to come for the ball or stay closer to his line, before eventually rushing off his line at the final moment to try to win the ball off the foot of Chris Donovan. Luckily for Callender, after Donovan beat him to the ball and rounded him, the Union attacker became unbalanced and launched the ball with his left foot over the net and into the stands. It wasn’t the first and it won’t be the last time it happens — he also had a similar moment against FC Dallas before that — but it will be key for him to learn from the moments when things go wrong, make improvements, and put things right the next time.Callender does have this skill set in him and it appears he has already started to make adjustments to his approach, though. In the final against Nashville, just five minutes into the game, he made a great sweeping header, clearing the ball nearly to the center of the field. This time his positioning was higher, and his thought process clear. Though it’s encouraging to see, it’s definitely an area he will want to improve upon and get more comfortable and consistent doing.
Another area of his game that he will have to improve if he wants to take the next step and work his way into a consistent spot with the USMNT and potentially earn a mve to a bigger league in Europe, is his ability with the ball at his feet. Though Callender is secure in his passing, and able to use both feet out of the back, the range of passes that he is consistently able to play are often limited. He’s primarily been used as the pivot at the back to slowly move the ball out wide to his center backs, or clear the ball long and away from danger rather than as someone who can break lines with his passing. The accuracy of his medium to long distance passing in particular is where he will need to improve if he wants to take that next step in his career. It will be interesting to see how this area of his play develops now that Miami has a new coach in Tata Martino and new players who want and demand their team play out of the back. On Wednesday, Callender and Inter Miami already have their sights on their next trophy when they meet MLS leaders FC Cincinnati in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup at TQL Stadium. It was the Open Cup last season where everything started to take off for Callender, and the fact that Wednesday’s match will be played against the same team and at the same venue of his first start for an MLS team couldn’t be more symbolic and meaningful.
(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
A Women’s World Cup Best 11 with NO American’s – first time ever.
USWNT knocked off FIFA world rankings top spot for first time in six years
The U.S. women’s national team (USWNT) have been knocked off the top spot of FIFA’s world rankings for the first time since March 2017.They were replaced by Sweden, who moved up from third to the summit for the first time in their history. World Cup winners Spain sit in second after rising from sixth place, with the USWNT in third.England, the losing finalists in Australia and New Zealand and European Championship winners a year ago, remain fourth.The U.S.’ fall follows their disappointing World Cup campaign, which saw them be eliminated in the round of 16 after a penalty shootout defeat to Sweden. It was the first time the team had failed to at least reach the semifinal in a Women’s World Cup.latko Andonovski resigned as coach of the team last week. Assistant coach Twila Kilgore was named interim head coach while sporting director Matt Crocker leads the search for a new head coach.
There are implications for the program as a whole, for the NWSL, for the youth national teams, for the role of NCAA and elite club soccer in player development.his World Cup has raised massive existential questions about America’s ability to keep up moving forward.As much as U.S. Soccer has always said it’s set the bar for international women’s soccer, the bar has been raised on them — and while that state of affairs is something they have acknowledged in the past, there’s a big difference between acknowledgement and the harsh reality of their World Cup campaign ending in the round of 16 for the first time ever.
USWNT captain Lindsey Horan on World Cup exit, more: ‘We did not get the best out of every single individual’
By Meg Linehan and The Athletic StaffAug 22, 2023184
U.S. women’s national team midfielder Lindsey Horan discussed the team’s Women’s World Cup exit, captaining the squad and more, saying Tuesday, “We did not get the best out of every single individual.” Here’s what you need to know:
Speaking with former USWNT players Tobin Heath and Christen Press on their podcast, “The RE-CAP Show,” Horan said, “I don’t think everyone was fully prepared, and that’s on us as well.”
Horan also addressed feeling like the USWNT was not set up to succeed, and she suggested the players came together to adapt during the Sweden game.
The USWNT exited this year’s Women’s World Cup after losing 5-4 on penalties to Sweden in the round of 16. It marked the first time the program failed to at least reach the semifinal in the tournament.
What else Horan said
“At the end of the day, you’re set up in a structure to do this, and your opportunity individually (is) just go play within the structure,” Horan said. “But if you’re not set up — like the game against Sweden, I don’t think we were necessarily set up to play the way that we played. That was just us, finally coming together and being like, this is what we’re gonna do. And then it worked. Then it’s like, ‘Okay, keep doing it.’ Could that have happened earlier? Maybe.”
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Horan also spoke about finding joy at the World Cup, saying, “I think it’s such a hard one because it’s a tournament.”
“You’re going into each game, where all you want to do is win, and it doesn’t really matter how you play,” she said. “It’s about winning, and it’s each game at a time. The joy is winning, you look at it in that kind of way. (In) the first game, there were bits and pieces of joy, but we still weren’t at our best.“Looking at those three group stage games, and you felt it in the team. You felt this tense feeling, and people were just not enjoying their football or they weren’t enjoying individually playing, and there’s so much going on in their head. I had a press conference, and that was the first thing that came to my mind: there was no joy. I haven’t truly enjoyed enough moments on the field where I came off the field and I was like, ‘Oh, I loved that game.’ That’s hard to say a lot in the World Cup. So that’s where I was finding it very difficult to be like, yeah, we just need to find the joy again and then we’re gonna be great. That’s a very hard thing to do.”
Horan also discussed her pregame speeches with the team throughout the tournament.
“I remember going to the Sweden game, and I was just like, ‘Guys, we are so good. Every single one of us is so good. When we’re confident, when we’re brave, when we’re actually enjoying football, we are at our best.’ The one thing I said was, ‘Every time someone gets the (ball), each person should have three or four options. That’s always a thing you say in football, but when you have that, when you see that everyone wants that ball. One of my other main points was (for) everyone (to) sit in their heads right now and say, ‘I want the ball at all times in this game. I’m not hiding. I want the ball. If I’m going to make a mistake, I want the ball again.’ I remember, actually, Tobin saying that to me in the Olympics, she kept saying to me, ‘I don’t care if you make a mistake, get on the ball again.’ So that was my main message to the team in that game.
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“It just all came together. Maybe the first 10 minutes, we were under a little bit of pressure, but once we started being confident, everyone wanting the ball, there was bravery. You saw it in every single player. You saw the joy.”“It comes and goes in so many ways after the World Cup,” Horan said. “You’re disappointed, you’re upset, you’re angry. Then you sit there and you think, especially as a captain, you’re just like, ‘I had so much responsibility. What more could I have done to help the team?’ I sit there and I’m just like, ‘Maybe that speech that I had before the Sweden game, that could have been before the Netherlands game or before the Vietnam game or whatever.’ I think it’s so hard. There’s always little things that you can fix and you can look back on, but I think individually I tried to do that as much as possible with each of the players.”The captain continued, speaking about how she attempted to alleviate pressure from her younger teammates.“I remember I made it a point, I want to help Sophia Smith as much as possible in this tournament because I think she has a lot of pressure on her back and I want to make sure she’s in a good place, that some of the younger players are in a good place because they’re going to have massive roles. So it’s like, could I have done more to help those players? Because I don’t think we got the absolute best out of some of them because of the way that we were set up and some of the things that we did in the game. But at this point, you’re just killing yourself. I’m killing myself for the last two weeks, like, what the heck could I have done to help or to push or to push our playing style or to push this bravery?”
Horan also spoke about the team’s failure to win in specific moments, compared to the 2019 team.
“When I think about a World Cup, you win a World Cup in moments, moments in every single game,” she said. “There had been moments in every single game for us to win. There are moments in the Netherlands game that we could have won. There are moments in the Vietnam game, where we could have made it a seven or eight (to) nothing game, and then you look back and you’re like, ‘Oh, we could have been playing South Africa in the round of 16.’ We didn’t win those big moments.
“I think back to 2019, and we won every single one of those big moments. They came in every single game with the route that we had, which was so difficult. We won those moments. … How did we prepare for those moments? We were put in a place — that’s usually on the individual like Pinoe (Megan Rapinoe) scoring every single PK that we had throughout the tournament. She was prepared to win that moment. We were put in a place to be prepared for those, and how did the coaching staff do that? That’s such a hard, hard thing for me. We actually were fully prepared for that back in 2019.”
Horan continued, “With this team — with a new coach coming in and Olympics very quickly — and now leading into another four-year cycle, what’s the main goal here?”
“Do we just prepare for a four-year cycle leading into the next World Cup, or do you focus on, ‘Hey, we want to go win gold?’ Don’t ask me that, because I’m a player that hasn’t won a gold medal at the Olympics. For me, it’s just like how can you prepare for the next four-year cycle but also in your mind, winning a gold medal, that’s what this team is about.
“When a coach comes in, it’s like, hey how do we get the best out of every single individual player putting the most simplicity into a 10-day camp every few months and getting the best out of your team, and without overcomplicating everything? Because yes, I could talk about the last four-year cycle, and we don’t need to get into every single thing, but that’s not what we did. We did not get the best out of every single individual. I don’t think everyone was fully prepared, and that’s on us as well.”
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What to make of Horan’s comments
While some of the highlights of Horan’s comments are provoking strong reactions on social media already, for me, it’s the entirety of what Horan said about the World Cup experience and the last four-year cycle that feels particularly damning.The general consensus around the team’s lackluster Olympic performance was that they were missing a fundamental joy when playing the game — so to hear that the exact same problem occurred two years later under the same technical staff shows that this could have been prevented.And while Horan’s right that she’s just a player and not in charge of the decision, her own questions about what the next coach might bring to the role illuminates that not even the players quite know what U.S. Soccer is prioritizing at this moment in time — the next four-year cycle leading up to the 2027 World Cup, or the immediate challenge of the 2024 Olympics.
The interview does help show how Horan grew into her role as captain, and her own frustrations about not being able to fully succeed in that role, on or off the field. Her honesty should be appreciated, not just by those on the outside looking in, but by the federation’s leadership. — Linehan
Backstory
Vlatko Andonovski resigned last week as head coach of the USWNT, and assistant coach Twila Kilgore was named interim head coach while U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker leads the search for a new head coach.Andonovski succeeded Jill Ellis in October 2019. The U.S. did not win either of its major tournaments under Andonovski, taking bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The team won four of 10 matches with Andonovski at the helm at the Olympics and World Cup combined. The coach went 51-5-9 overall with the U.S. team.Kilgore’s first matches as interim head coach will come next month when the U.S. women have two friendlies against South Africa on Sept. 21 and 24.
(Photo: Jenna Watson / USA Today)
The USWNT’s salvation lies in youth development. Will the status quo stop it?
In most big-time women’s soccer countries, elite prospects get pro coaching as teens. The NWSL and U.S. Soccer face pressure to make that happen here. But will old-minded youth clubs block progress?
Alyssa Thompson (center) is a too-rare example of an elite American women’s soccer prospect who was able to turn pro as a teenager.Abbie Parr / AP
YDNEY, Australia — Though Spain’s women’s World Cup triumph was the nation’s first, it was far from a one-off. It was years in the making, thanks to major investments in youth player development.There’s a lesson in that for the U.S. women, and it has nothing to do with the dreams of those fans who obsess about the team’s playing style.Spain’s most important push in women’s soccer came not from its national governing body, but from its pro teams. Their youth academy setups, especially Barcelona’s, have created a pipeline of players that America currently can’t match.If you’re the parent of a youth or college soccer player, or a coach or administrator of a league, you might have just done a double-take. How is it that a country as big as the United States, with so many players and teams and leagues and scholarships, isn’t producing enough quality?
The answer is actually quite simple. In Spain, England, France, Germany and other big-time women’s soccer countries, elite prospects get coaching worthy of their pro potential starting as teenagers. In the U.S., only a tiny handful of players can dream of that.Most of them play through their high school years for youth clubs that focus on their own interests, then hope to get to an elite-level college team that can launch them to the pros in their early 20s.
Spain’s 19-year-old rising star Salma Paralluelo turned pro at age 15.Abbie Parr / AP
No wonder the U.S. under-20 team hasn’t won its age-group World Cup in a decade, and the under-17s never have won theirs. Meanwhile, Spain won last year’s under-20 women’s World Cup and is a two-time under-17 reigning champion.Some players from those squads were on the field at Stadium Australia on Sunday, including 19-year-old phenom Salma Paralluelo, who won the World Cup’s top young player award.
Pressure on the NWSL
For years, close observers of the National Women’s Soccer League have complained about its lack of a homegrown player rule akin to Major League Soccer’s — a way for young players to sign directly with teams instead of going through a draft. And for years, the NWSL has promised a rule would come.But the wait has dragged on for so long that it took a lawsuit from then-15-year-old Portland Thorns prospect Olivia Moultrie in 2021 to force the NWSL to drop a ban on all players younger than 18. And it took another year after that for the league to allow its teams to sign two under-18 players to their squads without having to petition the league for special permission.
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In the NWSL’s early years, some teams didn’t have the internal infrastructure to handle having minors in their squads. But those days are in the past as ever more investment comes to clubs and the league as a whole. Now people who’ve been pushing for bigger change are done waiting, including some of the biggest names in the game.“I think there’s conversations that are going to happen,” said San Diego Wave president Jill Ellis, the former two-time World Cup-winning U.S. manager who chaired FIFA’s technical committee at this tournament. “I know there’s some fantastic talent. … I think there are opportunities to grow in certain areas, and pull certain levers to continue to accelerate.”
“I do think allowing the minors to sign now has been a big step,” Ellis said. “We’ve got to make ourselves so attractive [that] people don’t want to On the other end of the Pacific coast in Portland, Thorns general manager Karina LeBlanc is also pushing for reform. The former Philadelphia Independence and Canadian national team goalkeeper joined the club after the Moultrie lawsuit, and ensures no guessing is needed of her opinion.“What [the] Portland Thorns did and Olivia Moultrie did broke a barrier,” LeBlanc said. “I think the pathway of what it was, is going to be different from what it is in the future. And it’s about us sitting at the table and having those honest discussions of, what do we need to do differently?”he revealed that some meetings have already taken place, with “honest conversations” about focusing on youth development.“Everything was discussed,” she said, followed by an admission she wasn’t allowed to say what everything meant. “It was an open discussion. And I think it was important because we had owners, GMs, we had across the board — other stakeholders that are not within the league. … We all understand that the game is growing, and we have to grow with the game.”
So the ideas are there, which is a good sign. Now they need executing.It will take a lot of money, and not every NWSL team has the funds to run its own youth academy. Some already do, and there’s a growing sense they should be allowed to reap the rewards. Those without the resources could be allowed to partner with a local youth club of choice to build a pipeline there, as some MLS teams did before they could fund their own full-fledged academies.
‘Meaningful impact on the pitch’
Proof that the matter has reached NWSL team owners’ suites came from a conversation with Julie Uhrman, president of Angel City FC. The Los Angeles-based team doesn’t just have piles of money, Hollywood fame and a willingness to push boundaries, it has Alyssa Thompson: the 18-year old winger who debuted for the senior U.S. team at England’s Wembley Stadium as a high schooler last fall, was the NWSL’s No. 1 draft pick this past winter, and charged on to the World Cup squad.“You’re seeing younger and younger players not only enter the NWSL, but have meaningful impact on the pitch.” Uhrman told The Inquirer, name-checking Moultrie, Shaw and Thompson unprompted.“How do we develop the best program for young players to come in, develop and grow, learn the game, mature and have the support necessary to be successful on and off the pitch?” she continued. “We’ve started with Alyssa Thompson, and I think you’re seeing some exceptional players at a younger age. We just have to create a system that can really support them.”The other big stumbling block isn’t about money. It’s about emotions. It took almost a decade for MLS to overcome youth clubs that complained about the pro teams taking “their players.” In some cities, there’s still ample ill will. (Fortunately, Philadelphia isn’t one of them, thanks to the savvy of the Union academy’s leaders.)ow can that status quo be beaten? Former U.S. women’s team and Orlando Pride manager Tom Sermanni has seen a lot of ruffled feathers in his years around the American game, and didn’t hesitate to ruffle a few more.“It is hard to beat that,” he told The Inquirer. “I would say there’s two things. One is that you’re not taking all of your players, you’re only taking a few. The second thing I would say is that from a club perspective, would it not be a big advantage to say that we’ve actually produced players who are getting identified on a level?”Common sense to an outsider’s ear, but a stick in the chest of the youth soccer-industrial complex.
‘The ideal vehicle’
“For me, it’s selling it to the club in the sense of saying that it’s showing that your club is actually doing a very good job,” Sermanni said. “But ultimately, the state associations, probably in conjunction with the national association, have just got to sort of bite the bullet.”His vision is state- or regional-level hubs giving players elite training under U.S. Soccer’s supervision. Sermanni added the carrot of allowing players to go back to their local clubs part-time.
Tom Sermanni coached the U.S. women in 2013 and ’14. His most recent full-time job was as New Zealand’s manager from 2018-21.Martin Mejia / AP
“If those programs are run well, players will want to go there and play,” he said. And if those programs are free, some players will want to go there and play. The other thing is that you don’t necessarily then have to take the player all the time — you might take the player in a training program, but they can go back and play for the club.”The biggest challenge of a U.S. Soccer-run structure, even more than the nature of top-down rule, is the country’s vast size. It’s easier to scout everyone in a European or South American country with a smaller land mass.That’s where the NWSL comes in, and the new women’s league planned by the USL to join its second- and third-tier men’s leagues. Sermanni called on the pros to lead the way.“They’re the ideal vehicle to be that elite pathway, if it’s too challenging for it to come through the governing body and the state bodies,” he said.For decades, the U.S. women’s team’s most prized skill has been its been its decisiveness in big moments. As a consensus forms that change is needed, one can only hope the people in charge act the same way.
The Premier League action continues, with three sides hoping to maintain perfect starts in matchweek three.Brighton, who have hit eight goals in their first two games, will aim to continue to impress against West Ham, while Arsenal host Fulham in a London derby and champions Manchester City head to Sheffield United hoping to compound the promoted side’s early misery.ADVERTISEMENT
Luton team news: Former Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley is in contention to face his old side. Rob Edwards said: “He’s been training with us now for a couple of weeks, I’ve been delighted with him, so he’s certainly in the mix. I just know he’s hungry and he wants to play football.” Another new signing, goalkeeper Tim Krul, is also available, but defenders Gabe Osho and Dan Potts remain sidelined.
Opta omen: Pochettino has won 85 per cent of his Premier League games in charge against promoted sides (W34 D4 L2), the joint-best win rate of any manager with 10+ such games. Both of his defeats have come in home games, however (1-3 v Wolves in December 2018, 0-1 v Cardiff in April 2014).
Bournemouth team news: Head coach Andoni Iraola said on Friday that neither of his new summer signings, Alex Scott and Tyler Adams, were “close” to playing, but the latter should return earlier than the former. Lewis Cook will not be available against Spurs but could return next week. Marcus Tavernier, Adam Smith, Ryan Fredericks and Dango Outtara are all nursing injuries.
Tottenham team news:James Maddison is available for selection after doubts over his fitness last weekend when he left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on crutches. But Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou told reporters on Friday that the England international trained fully and “looks like he will be available”. “His ankle was a bit sore after that but the medical team looked after him,” he said. “People would have seen him in a moon boot but it was more precautionary. He has felt good and probably could have trained yesterday.” Rodrigo Bentancur, Ryan Sessegnon and Bryan Gil remain out.
Opta omen: Early days, but under Postecoglou, Tottenham are averaging 63 per cent possession, 18 shots, 533 successful passes (174 ending in the final third), 18 sequences of 10+ passes, and 18 pressed sequences per game, all increases on their Premier League game averages under Antonio Conte (51 per cent possession, 14 shots, 425 successful passes – 91 ending in the final third – 12 sequences of 10+ passes, and 12 pressed sequences per game).
Arsenal team news:Takehiro Tomiyasu is suspended after being sent off in the win over Crystal Palace. Oleksandar Zinchenko made a late cameo in that game after returning to the bench following a calf issue. Jurrien Timber (ACL) is a long-term absentee. Gabriel Jesus, who was ruled out for a “few weeks” at the beginning of August, returned to full training on Thursday.
Fulham team news:Willian is a doubt for the visitors, but the biggest miss in their squad is how they cope with life after Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serbia international departed west London for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal last week, leaving Marco Silva’s side with less than two weeks to find a replacement up front before the summer transfer window closes.
Referee: Paul Tierney
Opta omen: Arsenal have never lost a home league game against Fulham, winning 24 and drawing six of their 30 such meetings. It’s the most one team has faced another at home without ever losing in English league history.
Brentford team news:Josh Dasilva (hamstring) is still sidelined, while Ben Mee was deemed still not ready last time out against Fulham due to a calf injury. Striker Ivan Toney is banned.
Crystal Palace team news: Roy Hodgson has reported no fresh concerns but Michael Olise is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Hodgson also said that Jean-Philippe Mateta will be part of the Palace squad, with the French striker linked with a move away from Selhurst Park. Will Hughes could return from injury next week but new signing Matheus Franca requires another scan on a back problem that will happen “hopefully before the end of the month”.
Opta omen: All four Premier League meetings between Brentford and Crystal Palace have been draws – no pair of sides has ever drawn each of their first five meetings in the competition before.
Wolves team news:Matheus Nunes — subject of Manchester City interest — is suspended.
Referee: Craig Pawson
Opta omen: Despite losing their opening two games, only Brighton (43) have attempted more shots across the opening two Premier League matchdays than Wolves (39), netting just a single goal from an xG of 4.48 (-3.48, the biggest negative differential in the division so far).
Man Utd team news: Left-back Luke Shaw is expected to be sidelined for an extended period after sustaining a muscle injury. Midfielder Mason Mount could be out until after the September international break due to an injury picked up against Tottenham. Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay could step in. Harry Maguire missed the defeat to Spurs with a knock, while fellow defender Tyrell Malacia is still out. Rasmus Hojlund has been building up his fitness after a back injury but remains unavailable for this weekend’s fixture, although he is expected to return to full training next week.
Opta omen: Manchester United have won their last 10 meetings with Nottingham Forest in all competitions by an aggregate score of 36-3. They won all four meetings last season without conceding a single goal.
Brighton team news: Roberto De Zerbi is expected to provide an update on Julio Enciso on Friday, after reports from Paraguay said the player had suffered a knee injury.
West Ham team news: Nayef Aguerd is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the win over Chelsea. New signing Konstantinos Mavropanos was pictured in training on Thursday. Fellow newcomer Edson Alvarez will be pushing for his first Hammers start after coming off the bench.
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Opta omen: Having netted four goals in each of their first two Premier League games this season, Brighton are looking to become only the fourth side in English top-flight history to score 4+ goals in their first three games of a season, after Everton in 1890-91, Sheffield Wednesday in 1931-32 and Blackburn in 1958-59.
Opta omen: The two longest total match times in the Premier League this season have both involved Aston Villa (108:03 vs Everton on MD2 & 107:39 vs Newcastle on MD1). Indeed, their average game length of 107:51 is 3 minutes & 26 seconds longer than any other side (Chelsea, 104:25).
Sheffield United team news:Gustavo Hamer is set for his home debut. Striker Oli McBurnie and right wing-back George Baldock missed out through injury in the narrow defeat to Nottingham Forest, as did midfielder Anis Slimane.
Man City team news: Pep Guardiola will watch on from Spain after undergoing back surgery in Barcelona, with assistant Juanma Lillo taking charge. John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne are sidelined but Bernardo Silva — fresh from signing a new contract — should return.
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Opta omen: Sheffield United are winless in their last eight league games against Manchester City (D2 L6) since a 1–0 home win in January 2000 while in the second tier.
Newcastle team news: Eddie Howe has confirmed that Joelinton is fit, despite limping off against Manchester City last time out and missing training in the early part of the week. New signing Lewis Hall could be involved in some capacity.
Liverpool team news:Ibrahima Konate is a fitness doubt. The France international has not trained this week due to a muscle problem he suffered in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth. Joel Matip is on standby to deputise at centre-back alongside captain Virgil van Dijk. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been passed fit but Thiago (hip) and Curtis Jones (ankle) will not return to full training until Monday. Alexis Mac Allister is available after his red card against Bournemouth was overturned.
Referee: John Brooks
Opta omen: In his top-flight league managerial career, Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp has beaten Eddie Howe more times than he has any other manager (11), winning each of his last 10 Premier League games against him. No manager has ever registered 11 consecutive Premier League wins against another, with Klopp’s 10 against Howe the joint-longest, along with Alex Ferguson against Gordon Strachan and Pep Guardiola also against Howe.
(Top photo: Getty Images)
Indy looking to extend four-match unbeaten streak
#INDvLDN Preview Indy Eleven vs Loudoun United FC Saturday, August 26, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. ET Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis
2023 USL Championship Records Indy Eleven: 9W-9L-8D (4), 35 pts; 7th in Eastern Conference Loudoun United FC: 7W-17L-3D (-16) 24 pts; 11th in Eastern Conference
Community Health Network Sports Medicine Indy Eleven Injury Report OUT: Y. Oettl (ankle) QUESTIONABLE: TBD
SETTING THE SCENE The Boys in Blue return home after a three-match road swing to host Loudoun United FC on Saturday.
The Eleven are coming off a 0-0 draw at Memphis 901 FC and are 3-1-1 in their last five games. With a 9-9-8 record, Indy is seventh in the USLC Eastern Conference. Loudoun is 1-3-1 in its last five matches and is coming off a 3-1 loss to Sacramento Republic. LDN is 11th in the Eastern Conference at 7-17-3.
IND
LDN
26
Games
27
32
Goals
30
28
Goals Conceded
46
22
Assists
19
85
SOT
115
99
Shots Faced
119
9
Clean Sheets
4
SERIES VS. LOUDOUN Saturday marks the seventh meeting between the two teams, with Indy holding the 4-2-0 all-time advantage in USL Championship action. This is the second match up of the 2023 season with the Boys in Blue coming from behind to take the first meeting 2-1 on the road.
IND leads: 4-2-0 | GF 8, GA 7
Recent Meetings 5.6.23 | at LDN | W, 2-1 9.17.22 | home | W, 1-0 3.12.22 | at LDN | L, 1-0 8.18.23 | at LDN | L, 4-1 7.20.19 | home | W, 2-0
USL Championship Regular Season Loudoun United FC 1:2 Indy Eleven Saturday, May 6, 2023 Segra Field – Leesburg, Va.
Scoring Summary LDN – Kalil ElMedkhar (Santos) 6’ IND – Sebastian Guenzatti (Boudadi) 73’ IND – Juan Tejada (Martinez) 90’
LAST TIME OUT MEM 0:0 IND AUGUST 23, 2023 Indy Eleven successfully defended a 0-0 draw at Memphis 901 FC, playing a man down for a half-plus of action.
A scoreless first half saw the teams even with three shots apiece with one on target each. In true form, Indy topped the possession battle at 55%-45%, but perhaps the most significant stat that carried into the second frame was a Harrison Robledo ejection that put the Eleven down a man for the remainder of the match.
The second half saw a brilliant defensive effort from the Boys in Blue, led by Tim Trilk in goal. Trilk registered three saves for his third clean sheet in six games in 2023, and ninth overall for Indy.
Sebastian Guenzatti led the Indy attack with a pair of shots, with Jack Blake having the lone shot on target. Defensively, Robby Dambrot won a team-high three tackles and Mechack Jerome had a match-high seven clearances.
USL Championship Regular Season Memphis 901 FC 0:0 Indy Eleven Wednesday, August 23, 2023 AutoZone Park – Memphis, Tenn.
Discipline Summary MEM – Aiden McFaddden (caution) 44’ IND – Harrison Robledo (ejection) 44’ MEM – Carson Vom Steeg (caution) 54’ IND – Callum Chapman-Page (caution) 67’ IND – Douglas Martinez (caution) 67’ MEM – Nighte Pickering (caution) 80’
50/50 CLUB Solomon Asante and Aodhan Quinn became the first two players in USL Championship history to reach both 50 regular season goals and 50 regular season assists. Asante (51G/52A) had three assists in the 4-0 win over Birmingham (8.9) to push himself over the plateau. Quinn (53G/50A) added his 50th assist in the 1-0 win at Miami (8.12).
20,000 AND BEYOND… Aodhan Quinn became the USL Championship’s leader in regular-season minutes played against Tampa Bay on July 22.
Quinn has 53 goals, becoming the 24th player in USL Championship history to hit 50 goals. He is one of only seven players to have a combined 100 career goals and assists with 53 goals and 50 assists, and is the second player to join the 50 goals/50 assists club.
Quinn has recorded 24 penalty kick goals in 27 attempts in his career in the league, the most of any individual player on record in league history.
MLS Leagues Cup Finals Sat 8 pm – Miami & Messi @ Nashville FC 8 pm Apple TV MLS Network
Man this guy is something 9 goals in 6 games and along with Sergio Busquets has turned this Miami team from the worse team in MLS – 11 games no Wins before the GOAT Arrived – to a team that might just be the best team in MLS right now. Check out this goal and these cheecky moves – man Messi and Miami have become MUST WATCH TV. I haven’t watched an entire MLS game since last year’s finals – but I have plopped down by $39 and watched the last 2 Leagues Cup wins for Miami. And I am headed to Cincy on Wednesday night to hopefully see Messi in person as they face Cincy in the US Open Cup. I for one have enjoyed this Leagues Cup with MLS kicking Mexico’s Liga MX buts. Sure Liga MX was on the road in this first ever competition between the full leagues – but it was fun to watch. I even caught myself sort of rooting for Mexican Giant Monterrey to win setting up a Monterrey vs Messi showdown that would have certainly broken the Record for an MLS game if non any Club team in US TV history. Already close to 1 million tuned in to watch Miami and Messi beat Top 4 MLS contender Philly Union at their place. Miami blanked them 4-0 – goal and assist for Messi. (Highlights) Over 1.3 million have purchased Apple’s MLS Season Package to see.
WORLD CUP Finals Sun 6 am England vs Spain on FOX – All European Final
Man I was sad to see the home team bow out to England with Sam Kerr going the whole game – she had her chances to tie the game up 2 or 3 times in the 2nd half before England pulled off the win 3-1. (Highlights) Any won’t it be funny if England Finally BRINGS IT HOME (the World Cup Trophy) and no dignitaries are there to see it – as the King is sending no one to watch. I struck out on my picks last week – missing both games – here goes my thoughts on the final – I like this dysfunctional Spain team 2-1 win over Sweden (highlights) – who obviously hates their coach – winning despite him – in a hard fought 2-1 win in extra time. I like Sweden over the Aussies in the 3rd place game Sat @ 4 am on Fox.
American’s Make World Cup Final After All – The Refs
Four Americans, including center referee Tori Penso, will be officiating Sunday’s Women’s Finals of the World Cup. This marks the first time U.S. Soccer referees will lead the officiating crew in a senior FIFA World Cup final. In addition to Penso, who will be in control of the match, Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt will be on the field as assistant referees while Armando Villarreal will serve as a video assistant referee. None of that would have been possible had the U.S. made the final, as it had in the last three women’s World Cups, since FIFA prohibits referees from working a game if they come from the same country as one of the teams.
Well I asked for a cleaning of the house and that’s what’s happening for the US Ladies – as both Coach Vlatko and Women’s GM Kate MarkGraf have resigned. I will be interested to see who they bring in – you know the Australian Coach Tom Gustavsson was the US Assistant for 2 World Cup’s under Jill Ellis – many think he should have been offered the job rather than a guy with ZERO international experience in Coach A. Either way – it’s a start. But many things need to change if the US Ladies are going to turn this around. (see stories below along with great WC GK Saves).
World Games To Watch – Serie USA starts
Excited to see how Pulisic and Musah do for AC Milan this weekend (Monday actually at 2:45 pm on Paramount Plus as the Italian Serie A (USA) gets underway this weekend. Lots of Stories below about Serie A predictions, Pulisic and Germany predictions as they both kickoff their European seasons. Great interview with Pulisic on Men in Blazers. Also excited to see McKinney and Tim Weah work together at Juventus they face Udinese Sunday at 2:45 p on Para+. Sat Fulham America hosts Brentford on Peacock, while Man City hosts New Castle at 3 pp on USA, right after The Spurs host Man United at 12:30 pm on NBC. Sunday Germany has Union Berlin and American’s Aaronson & Jordan Pfuk facing Mainz.
Carmel Boys Recap 2-2 vs Noblesville Carmel Ties Noblesville 2-2 on this last second score at home. The Top ranked Carmel Ladies beat Westfield @ Pack the House Night at Murray Stadium Friday night 3-2 with a whole bunch of Carmel FC and Carmel Dad’s Club kids on hand in their jerseys. Great turn out folks !
WORLD CUP IN NEW ZEALAND
My Girlie – Courtney (middle) with her Angel City Buddies at the Women’s World Cup in NZ. Spain game
GAMES ON TV
Sat, Aug 19
4 am FOX WORLD CUP 3rd pl Sweden vs Australia
9 am ESPN+ Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig
10 am PEacock Fulham (Ream, Jedi) vs Brentford
10 am USA Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth (Adams)
12:30 pm NBC Tottenham vs Man United
3 pm USA Man City vs New Castle United
8 pm Apple MLS Pass Nashville vs Miami (Messi, Alba, Bisquets) Leagues Cup Final
9::30 pm ESPN2 San Diego Loyal vs New Mexico United USL
Sun, Aug 20
6 am FOX England vs Spain WORLD CUP FINALS
9 am USA Aston Villa vs Everton
9:30 am ESPN + Union Berlin (Pfuk, Aaronson) vs Mainz
11:30 am USA West Ham United vs Chelsea
1:30 pm ESPN+ Barcelona vs Cadiz
2:45 pm Para+ Udinese vs Juventus (Mckinney, Musah)
3:30 pm ESPND Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid
7:30 pm Apple TV Columbus Crew vs Cincy
7:15 Apple TV Free NY Red Bulls vs DC United
Mon, Aug 21
2:45 pm Para+ Bologna vs AC Milan (Pulisic, Musah)
3 pm USA Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
Wed, Aug 23
7 pm Para + Cincy (Vasquez) vs Inter Miami (MESSI. Busquets, Alba)
Got to do the Guerin vs North Central game w/ (L-R) Marco Lopez and Mark Sinders, the ole ballcoach Thur. night. How’s this for a blown Call as MAn U’s GK punches 2 guys and misses the ball with no call?
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Women’s World Cup Daily: Final and third-place previews
ESPN
Aug 18, 2023, 07:30 AM ET
The final for the 2023 Women’s World Cup is almost here, and these daily files give you the latest reporting from around the tournament as well as betting lines, what-to-watch-for information and best reads. Check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Australia and New Zealand.
The lead: Two games left; one winner to be crowned
Australia vs. Sweden, Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia; Saturday, Aug. 19: 6 p.m. local / 4 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. BST
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook: Australia +185, Draw +230, Sweden +135
BRISBANE, Australia — For Australia, Saturday’s third-place playoff with Sweden represents an opportunity to send off a magical home World Cup on a high, to shrug off the disappointment of a heartbreaking 3-1 loss to England in the semifinals and secure a first-ever podium finish for any senior Australia national team — men’s or women’s — on football’s biggest stage. Tony Gustavsson indicated on Friday that no quarter would be spared and that his strongest line-up would be selected, while the players were in a bullish mood as well.
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“You want to win, 100%,” Clare Polkinghorne declared. “We don’t want to walk away with nothing from this. We’ll recover like any other game — we’ve got third place to win.” At just 21 years old, midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross will likely feature in several future World Cups in green and gold, but she echoed a similar, defiant desire to take something from the coming game. “We’re not leaving here empty-handed,” she said. “We’re definitely going for third place.”
For the Swedes, victory on Saturday would secure them their fourth third-place finish at the World Cup — their third in the past four tournaments — to go along with silver medals at the previous two Olympics. They’ve become experts of a sort on coming so close yet so far, leading to captain Kosovare Asllani declaring after their semifinal loss to Spain that she was “tired of crying big-tournament tears.” Nonetheless, third place is better than fourth, and coach Peter Gerhardsson said the joy of beating England in a playoff four years ago is something they want to experience again — Joey Lynch
Could Wiegman replace Southgate as coach of the England men’s side?
Gab Marcotti & Julien Laurens debate whether Sarina Wiegman could replace Gareth Southgate.
Spain vs. England, Stadium Australia, Sydney; Sunday, Aug. 20: 8 p.m. local, 6 a.m. ET, 11 a.m. BST
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook: Spain +160, Draw +200, England +190
SYDNEY — England have a fully fit squad as they look to complete a remarkable double. Last summer they broke the nation’s long wait for a major trophy when they won Euro 2022, but now they’re looking to add the World Cup title. Coach Sarina Wiegman switched formation midtournament to 3-5-2, and they’ll look to that system to see off Spain. Star forward Lauren James is back in the mix after returning from suspension, but Wiegman faces a selection dilemma over keeping faith with Ella Toone in the No. 10 role or bringing back James.
Leah Williamson, England’s injured captain from the Euros, will be in the stands supporting the Lionesses, and retired legends Jill Scott and Ellen White will also be in Stadium Australia, but this is a new-look England team from the one that won the Euros. England are fully aware of Spain’s threat and have the local knowledge of Barcelona‘s Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze as the Lionesses look to make it two major trophies in 13 months. — Tom Hamilton
Spain coach Jorge Vilda also has some big decisions to make. Vilda has not named the same side twice at the tournament so far, but he might be tempted to stick with the XI that beat Sweden. However, that would mean leaving out Salma Paralluelo once again. The Barcelona teenager started the first four matches at the finals but has starred off the bench in the past two games. She netted the winner against Netherlands in extra time and scored the opener against Sweden. There is no doubt she deserves to start, but will Vilda want to lose her impact off the bench?
The other dilemma centres around Alexia Putellas. The back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner returned to the team against Sweden only to be taken off after an hour. She has not completed 90 minutes since recovering from an ACL injury. Forward Jenni Hermoso could drop into a deeper midfield role, allowing Paralluelo or Esther González to come in if Vilda decides Putellas is not ready. There are also decisions to make at the back, with full-back Oihane Hernández returning from suspension and captain Ivana Andrés fit again. They are all welcome problems for Vilda, though, and demonstrate the depth La Roja have.
Given their star names and success at youth level in recent years, perhaps the biggest surprise is that Spain had never won a knockout game at a major tournament before this World Cup. They feel their time is now and are seeking revenge for last year’s quarterfinal elimination to England at the Euros. — Sam Marsden
Marsden: Salma Paralluelo pivotal in Spain’s semifinal win vs. Sweden
Sam Marsden praises Salma Paralluelo’s influence after coming off the bench to score in Spain’s 2-1 win over Sweden.
Final predictions
Spain 2-1 England. It will be a real clash of styles in the final. European champions England are tough, organised and predictable under Wiegman, and they know how to win. But Spain are the team with the flair and individual brilliance of Paralluelo and Putellas, who is still searching for top form after a long-term cruciate ligament injury. England have the winning pedigree, but Spain are the developing team, and if Paralluelo shines, La Roja will win. — Mark Ogden
England 2-0 Spain. An all-European World Cup final in Sydney to determine the champions of the world. The technical brilliance of Spain against the resourcefulness and adaptability of England. Looking at the way the two teams have played in this tournament, something has got to give with both being ball-dominant sides. I can’t see Spain giving up possession and playing on the counter. Wiegman, though, is one of the best managers in the world, and I fully believe she’ll have a plan ready that can come through. — Lynch
Spain 2-1 England. The team I’ve picked to win has lost ever since the knockout rounds started: the United States, Sweden, now Australia. Based on that alone, it seems Spain will win. The players are incredible to watch, but knowing about the issues the players have had with manager Vilda and the lack of support from their federation makes it hard to fully back them. That said, the Spanish team’s ability to dictate play and score at will is undeniable. La Roja have two of the very best players in the world in Aitana Bonmatí and Putellas, and they play like it. I think it’ll come down to execution, and the Spanish players are just better. — Caitlin Murray
England 2-1 Spain. England have the difference-maker in this final: Wiegman. She knows what it takes to win these tournaments and is the best coach in the world. England will look to take the tempo out of the Spain passing system and control the balance of the match, with Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp the threats up front. — Hamilton
England 2-1 Spain. It will be close, just as almost all the knockout games have been this tournament, but England will edge it. The Lionesses have found some much-needed momentum (and goals) over the past few games, growing into the World Cup, and have shown incredible calm throughout. Experience will be a factor on Sunday, and, against a Spain side who don’t always make the best decisions, England will find their way through. — Sophie Lawson
England 2-1 Spain. England will make it a Euros-World Cup double on Sunday. Wiegman’s tactical genius has so far gotten England through every obstacle at this tournament and they have found a way to win even when they haven’t looked convincing. Throw in the fact that the Lionesses appear to be getting into a groove at exactly the right time, and their finals experience, and England look the goods. That being said, Spain will be no easy beats and goals should come from both sides. La Roja’s best is exceptionally good, but England will find a way to crush Spanish dreams. — Marissa Lordanic
Lordanic: Devastation for Matildas after semifinal loss to England
Marissa Lordanic reacts to Australia’s 3-1 loss to England in the semifinal of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Sights and sounds
TV ratings a winner despite Matildas’ heartbreaking loss
MELBOURNE, Australia — The Matildas’ efforts to secure a fairy-tale World Cup win on home soil came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday evening, but Australia continued to smash records in support of them nonetheless. Yet again, television rating records were smashed as the nation rallied around its women in green and gold: free-to-air broadcaster the Seven Network has declared that its broadcast of the Matildas’ 3-1 loss to the Lionesses was the most-watched television program in Australia since 2001, when the current rating system was established.
Per the broadcaster, the semifinal clash reached 11.15 million Australians at some point during its broadcast (approx. 41% of the total population), with an average audience of 7.13m (approx 26.7%).
The Matildas have already smashed the previous benchmarks in Australian ratings history, such as Ash Barty’s win at the 2022 Australian Open, Lleyton Hewitt’s loss at that same event in 2005, and England’s win over the Wallabies in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Given that the Seven Network figures don’t include those watching the contest on Optus Sport — who on-sold the rights to select games, including Matildas’ matches, to the free-to-air network — or those watching at pubs, clubs and the dozens of live sites across the country, the number of viewers for the game could even surpass the record set when more than 8 million Australians watched as Cathy Freeman won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics under the previous rating scheme.
Given that several members of the squad, including Sam Kerr, cite Freeman as their childhood inspiration, the Matildas breaking that mark would represent a piece of romantic serendipity. — Lynch
Early USWNT exit a motivating force?
SYDNEY — Former two-time Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis said the failure of the United States women’s national team at this year’s tournament should galvanize leaders to make changes and be a turning point in the sport in the country.”Do I see it as a step back? No, I see it as a motivating force,” Ellis told reporters at the FIFA Women’s Football Convention on Friday. “People need to come to the table. We can spur more collaboration. Maybe this is a moment and reflection point for us to get together and for stakeholders to work out a bigger plan.”Such discussions should include changes at the U.S. youth development level, she added.”At the end of the day, you want the best players to train with the best players,” Ellis said. “I mean, the ECNL had a 6-0 semifinal. There’s so much disparity in that league, and it’s the best.”The Elite Clubs National League, or ECNL, is the premier youth developmental league in the United States for girls.”The beauty of the smaller countries is they get the best to train with each other, so how do we look at that environment?” Ellis added. “How do we get the best coaches in the youth environment? The training environment matters.” — Murray
Alessia Russo ready for World Cup final ‘dream’ vs. Spain
Alessia Russo speaks about playing in a World Cup final and whether England are treating the game any differently.
News of the day
– Former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg led the backlash against Gianni Infantino on Friday after the FIFA president said women need to “pick the right battles” and “convince men” to enforce change. The Norway and Lyon striker responded to Infantino on X (formerly Twitter) after his speech, which came ahead of Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final between England and Spain in Sydney. She wrote ironically: “Working on a little presentation to convince men. Who’s in?” Infantino had earlier hit back at critics at the FIFA Women’s Football Convention, saying that expanding the tournament to 32 teams has turned out to be a success and that “FIFA was right” to do so.- Australia coach Gustavsson said there will be no room for sentimentality at the selection table in the World Cup third-place playoff against Sweden, with it his intention that the strongest possible side will take the field. Alanna Kennedy was ruled out with delayed onset concussion symptoms on Friday morning, but the rest of the squad trained, albeit Katrina Gorry, her left leg encased in a pressure bandage, was on an individualised, lighter load during the portion of training open to the media. “If it was emotional, those players would play because they deserve to play,” he said. “But I can’t pick based on emotions. This is a third-placed game, we’re playing for a medal. I’m gonna make sure we have a line-up there that is the strongest starting line-up we can have but also the strongest finishing line-up. I’m just going to plan what I think is best for the team in this one game and not look at it as a bigger picture than that. It’s not about giving players experience just for the sake of giving experience. This is a game to win.”
– England’s determination to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup could be on hold until 2035 at the earliest due to the English FA opting against an attempt to bid to stage the 2027 competition. UK government Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said last month “it is a matter of when not whether” the country would submit a bid to host the competition, but the situation facing England is more complex than simply entering the bidding race. The FA has already accepted that a joint bid involving Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands will be Europe’s sole submission for 2027, with South Africa, Brazil and a U.S.-Mexico effort also aiming for the hosting rights. A decision on the hosts will be made in May 2024.
A successful Germany-Belgium-Netherlands bid would rule out a European host nation in 2031, so the English FA, although keen to capitalise on the accelerated growth of women’s football and last year’s successful staging of Euro 2022, are now prepared to play the long game to win hosting rights in the future.”In terms of bidding, we’re obviously conscious we’ve had a lot of tournaments,” English FA CEO Mark Bullingham said. “We’ve put a bid in for Euro 2028, and that’s obviously a big commitment. We would love to host the Women’s World Cup one day, don’t get any doubt on that, but if you look at the landscape, you’ve got Germany, Belgium and Netherlands bidding for 2027, so potentially be the one after that [2035].”England hasn’t hosted a men’s World Cup since 1966, and a proposed joint UK bid for 2030 has been dropped. There are no existing plans to bid for a subsequent Men’s World Cup, but the women’s event is a more likely target. “There are 211 countries in FIFA, and the fact is we’ve had the women’s Euros so recently, we’ve had the men’s Euros final, we’re hopefully going to secure the men’s Euros for 2028; that’s actually a lot of Euros in our country at one time, clearly the next step would be to get a World Cup, men’s or women’s,” Bullingham added. “And I think a Women’s World Cup could be brilliant for us and brilliant for the game.” — Ogden
– Seeking to attach itself to the momentum that has seen the Matildas break attendance and rating records across Australia, the A-League Women (ALW) competition will launch before its men’s counterpart for the first time in 2023-24, attempting to break domestic attendance records in a stand-alone opening round this October. The coming season will mark the first time the ALW features 12 teams and a full home-and-away season — the only major footballing code in Australia to do so — and commissioner Nick Garcia said the league wants to see “more fans in bigger venues cheering on our stars” across its first week. The ALW has consistently battled for mainstream recognition in Australia, magnified in recent years as members of the Matildas squad struck out to play in European leagues — Lynch
SYDNEY — Alex Chidiac‘s hopes of reaching the final were dashed when she and her Australia teammates suffered a 3-1 defeat to England in their semifinal, but there’s still one major prize she’s after: teatime with Women’s World Cup mascot Tazuni.A longtime appreciator of the mascot arts, Chidiac has taken a particular affinity to Tazuni — a Eudyptula penguin native to Australia and New Zealand. Ever since Tazuni’s reveal ahead of the tournament, Chidiac has gone as far as to don a penguin outfit when she and other Matildas met the mascot last November.The talented midfielder has owned an Emperor penguin plush since her childhood, a toy that follows her on her travels around the world as an emotional stand-in for her mother, who also owns a small penguin plush representing Chidiac. With the tournament almost over, Chidiac is becoming slightly concerned that Tazuni hasn’t been returning her calls.”Is there anything we get, like a Tazuni plush toy?” Chidiac asked. “[Tazuni] leaves after the game. The live one leaves after the game, and I’d like to celebrate with her. Just to hang out. I’ve been wanting to get a cup of tea with her since I met her; she’s been ghosting me.”More seriously, Chidiac’s continued dearth of minutes this World Cup has become a significant point of consternation in the Australian fanbase.One of the Matildas’ most technically proficient players, one who is willing to embrace risk and possesses the talent to slice open a defence, the 24-year-old has featured just twice this tournament off the bench and, on both occasions, was thrown on with her side down 3-1 and the game largely settled.”It’s always up to the coach at the end of the day,” Chidiac told reporters when asked what she felt she needed to do to play. “So it’s tough for me to say what else I need to do — it’s not up to me. I’m just trying to do my best every session and put myself forward in any way possible.” — Lynch
England have lost once in 38 games under Wiegman – why are they so hard to beat?
Winning a major tournament is not about your ceiling, it’s about your floor.ngland have rarely played exhilarating football at this Women’s World Cup, with the exception of the 6-1 victory over China in the final group game. Against knockout-stage-quality opposition, Sarina Wiegman’s side haven’t offered a performance as majestic as, say, Japan in their 4-0 thrashing of Spain, or Sweden in the first half of their 2-1 win over Japan, or even Nigeria in the second half of their 3-2 win over Australia.
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All those victorious sides, however, have now been eliminated. England have not and, over the course of two years under Wiegman’s management, we have seen how difficult they are to beat, having lost once in 38 games.
The list of managers who have tried and failed to beat England during her time in charge is growing by the week. Brazil’s Pia Sundhage watched her side draw the Finalissima at Wembley in April before losing on penalties, and she was impressed with what she saw.
“They are so good, whatever they do,” she said. “If you look at the passing patterns, we know them but we’re one step behind and there they are. England are so comfortable in the way they play — just look at the Euros. Even if you and I know exactly how it is going to go… the ball is played there, I should be there and everybody knows. But England will be successful.”
The Lionesses’ solid base has helped them become an excellent tournament side, not because they always play well, but because they never play terribly. But how?
Few managers know how to get through major tournaments quite like Wiegman. This is, remarkably, her fourth straight European Championship or World Cup where she’s reached the final — two with the Netherlands and two with England. The common theme has been a fine defensive record. Her Netherlands side conceded once in five matches before a 4-2 win over Denmark in the Euro 2017 final and three times in six matches before a 2-0 loss to the USWNT in the 2019 World Cup final.
With England, it was two concessions in five matches before a 2-1 win over Germany in the final of Euro 2022 and this year there have been three concessions in six matches so far. Of those three goals, one was a penalty and two were unstoppable long-range efforts. Overall, in the 22 matches leading up to the final, Wiegman’s sides have kept 13 clean sheets. In nine matches, they’ve conceded once. Never have they conceded twice. Wiegman’s sides don’t always sparkle, but they never collapse.
Wiegman on the touchline against Australia (Ane Frosaker/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Despite her teams being defensively strong, they are never defensive. They generally take the game to the opposition. They are patient in their build-up play, asserting control in the opposition half. They usually defend with a high line. And yet England are rarely caught out, despite — or because of — a major system change midway through the tournament, from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2. We also have to take into account the absence of Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby — three surefire starters.
“I think Sarina Wiegman is exceptional,” says Jill Ellis, who coached the U.S. to success at the previous two World Cups. “She’s made big adjustments within the tournament. And from the Euros to now, you’ve got players like Alessia Russo starting, you had Lauren James starting. These were players that weren’t starting. So she’s not only brought that talent on to be starters a year later, but they’ve shone; they’ve done exceptionally well.
“I think she’s managed this tournament close to perfect. She’s done a remarkable job and her staff have done a remarkable job, as well as the players they’ve brought in. They adjusted during the tournament when they played China. They found ways to win at times. They’ve come back from being behind. And it’s tough to go out and play in front of 75,000 people that are not cheering for you. So we’ve got to give full credit to England and their staff. Sarina has managed an incredible tournament.”
Those tactical changes over the past month have been instrumental in taking the team to the World Cup final. “In April we had meetings with the technical staff,” said Wiegman. “We had the last camp and said, ‘Where are we now? What can we do?’. We tried to find ways to be unpredictable for our opponents. At that time the squad still had lots of wingers so we thought we’d stick with what we wanted to do, stick with the same shape.
“Then, during the tournament, the first two matches we were struggling a bit and we had moments where we played really well but we also had moments where we were a little vulnerable. After the second match Arjan (Veurink, Wiegman’s assistant) came to me and said, ‘Sarina, let’s sit down. Isn’t this the time to go to a 3-5-2?’. I said. ‘You’re completely right, this is the right setting’.
“Now, how the squad is built and with the players available, we can get more of their strengths in this shape, so then we changed.”
Belief is an abstract concept which is hard to measure, but the England players have an aura about them. It is not an arrogant swagger but a gentle breeze of unwavering belief.
“Sarina makes you feel on top of the world and confidence can go a long way for a footballer,” Beth Mead tells The Athletic.
Despite the challenges England have encountered in this World Cup, they have never crumbled. Prior to Wiegman’s reign, they would have done.
The manager has created a collective who really know each other. One of her buzzwords is “connections” and that is why when she first came in as England boss in September 2021, she created a safe environment so each player and staff member could express themselves.
The England manager sent players off in pairs to find out more about each other, the theory being the connections would transcend to the pitch.
In high-pressure moments, you need calm heads. Wiegman and her assistant, Veurink, do not yell. The players feel their reassurance on the sidelines and in team talks. Wiegman knows that if she prepares well and has planned for different scenarios, then she’ll feel calm, but, most importantly, she has learned how to conduct herself from experience.
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The Dutch duo are quick to recognise what to do in various situations. Veurink, a very good tactical reader of the game, will spot minor details that can have a big impact. They keep instructions simple and to the point.
Wiegman and Veurink in training (Photo: Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Wiegman is also a master of creating a tight-knit team, especially in tournaments. She keeps her squad focused on themselves and never gets carried away with the noise or added pressure from the outside. “She will not leave an opening for anyone who is outside the team,” Arvid Smit, who was Wiegman’s assistant coach with the Netherlands, says. “That’s impossible. That’s what makes her team so strong. You are together with staff and players and there’s nothing going out and in. She manages that really well.”
Although they have not hit top form, England players have a licence to play with freedom and enjoy their football. It sounds simple, but a happy person is a happy footballer. There are patterns of play but it’s not overly prescriptive. Players under Wiegman express themselves.
“That’s one thing I’ve really loved about her coming in,” said Millie Bright last year. “You don’t feel pressured to play a certain pass — whatever you see it’s your decision and the team goes with it. If it’s wrong, you learn to make a better decision next time. I feel really free to be able to play like that and it gives me confidence. Football changes in every second of the game. You can’t be predictable. We have game plans but being able to express ourselves has taken us to another level.”
When Wiegman was asked why Russo and Lauren Hemp are playing so well together up front in the aftermath of the 3-1 win over Australia, she was keen to stress it is because they have “complementary” qualities.
The same might be said of her defence. Last year’s centre-back duo of Bright and Williamson worked so effectively because they offered completely different skills. Bright was the aerially dominant centre-back who was impossible to beat, while Williamson was the reader of the game who distributed the ball forward intelligently.
This year’s balance at the back works even better. Now using a back three, Wiegman is fielding three completely different players in defence. Bright remains in position in the middle, always there to clear the ball. To her right, Jess Carter is England’s best one-on-one defender and good at covering ground quickly. On the left, Alex Greenwood offers a left-footed option, particularly important considering that left wing-back Rachel Daly is right-footed.
Carter in action against Australia (Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
England also protect the defence very well, regardless of whether Keira Walsh is on her own with two midfielders ahead or Georgia Stanway is positioned alongside her. They have an excellent understanding and England seldom leave space between the lines.
Consistency of selection was a key tenet in Wiegman’s approach last year. Things have varied more at the World Cup with that major system alteration, chopping and changing to find her best XI in the group stage and the absences of James and Walsh through injury and suspension respectively. But since settling on the 3-5-2, Wiegman has kept the same XI together when possible. She’s retained faith in Russo, who was slightly misfiring in the group stage. She’s stuck with Daly at left wing-back, despite concerns about her against the trickery of Nigeria and Colombia.
Most interestingly, Wiegman has used substitutes very sparingly. In the age of five substitutes, she has used just 2.7 per game, the joint-lowest in the competition. She’s introduced a substitute 17 times in total at this tournament, a significant difference from the approach of Spain boss Jorge Vilda, who has used 29.
That’s partly because England’s games have been tighter going into the final stages, whereas Spain’s first four were all over at an early stage. But Wiegman isn’t looking to turn to fresh legs to restore a lead. In the aftermath of the 2-1 win over Colombia, she indicated she was reluctant to use substitutes unnecessarily because they might take time to adjust to the tempo of the game. She believes a consistent XI is more solid.
Consideration must also be given to England’s set-piece defending. They are yet to concede from a dead-ball situation in tournament football under Wiegman, although Lucy Bronze’s handball against China that led to England’s only concession of the group stage from the penalty spot did come from a corner. Bright and Bronze are England’s best defenders in that sense — Carter and Greenwood are reliable too — while Russo and Daly effectively both bring the aerial power you expect of No 9s.
If either side are to put on a true footballing exhibition in Sunday’s final, it is likely to be the tiki-taka specialists from Spain. But great football rarely wins tournaments. Wiegman’s way often does.
Five things the USWNT must do before the 2024 Olympics
Caitlin Murray, ESPNAug 17, 2023, 03:39 PM ET
When it comes to the future of the U.S. women’s national team, there’s a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it.Vlatko Andonovski has finally resigned as head coach after steering the USWNT to its worst Women’s World Cup finish in program history. His decision to step down was as necessary as it was inevitable, but it doesn’t automatically fix anything.The USWNT still needs serious reform, but with another major tournament coming up in less than a year in the form of the 2024 Olympics, there’s not a lot of time to spare. The U.S. Soccer Federation is now in a situation where it’ll be making decisions soon that will have big impacts in the short term and for years to come.Here is a look at the biggest items on the to-do list for U.S. Soccer and whoever becomes the next USWNT coach.
Step 1: Pick a coach (and make sure they have the qualifications Andonovski lacked)
U.S. Soccer has announced that new sporting director Matt Crocker will be leading the search for a new coach. It’s perhaps notable that USWNT GM Kate Markgraf is not leading that search, but we’ll get to that in a moment.Crocker’s background is not in women’s soccer — before joining U.S. Soccer full time earlier this month, he headed football operations for Southampton in the Premier League — but it shouldn’t be difficult to hire someone qualified. Andonovski had no international experience — not as a player, not as an assistant coach, and not as a head coach — which should’ve disqualified him for the job.If U.S. Soccer is willing to pay for the best coaches in women’s soccer, poaching another international coach is a no-brainer. Coaches such as England‘s Sarina Wiegman and Australia‘s Tony Gustavsson should be at the top of U.S. Soccer’s list, but with the 2024 Olympics around the corner, some of these proven coaches might not be available yet.
That leaves U.S. Soccer with two ways to approach this:
1. Hire someone on a multiyear contract through the next World Cup-Olympics cycle, and settle if the best candidates are still committed to their current teams, or 2. Bring on someone for the Olympics only, then make a permanent hire afterward when more candidates become available.
If U.S. Soccer wants to look short term at the Olympics only, former USWNT coach Jill Ellis makes an intriguing option, too. She wasn’t on the list of USWNT head-coach candidates ESPN’s experts put together because, over the long term, it doesn’t seem as if it would make sense for Ellis or for U.S. Soccer. But in the short term, if no long-term candidates are available, maybe U.S. Soccer can convince her?
Ellis stepped down after winning back-to-back World Cups in 2015 and 2019, the ultimate high note to leave on. But the part of her legacy no one talks about anymore is the disappointing quarterfinal exit at the 2016 Olympics. A retry at the next Olympics is a chance for her to find success in the one tournament where she didn’t win. In her favor is the fact that, even if it goes poorly, it still won’t tarnish her double-World Cup-winning legacy.
(I interviewed Ellis for a piece I did about Gustavsson, where she said U.S. Soccer ought to look at Gustavsson as a candidate, and I didn’t have time to ask her whether she’d be interested in the USWNT job herself. She’s leading FIFA’s technical study group for this World Cup and was pressed for time as she spoke to me between meetings. This is another reason I doubt she’s looking to go back into coaching full time right now: plenty of opportunities keep coming her way, beyond her president role at San Diego Wave FC.)
Whatever U.S. Soccer does, the struggles of Andonovski raise the stakes to get this hire right. Maybe there was a time when the USWNT had such a differential in talent, fitness and/or resources — you name it — that it could overcome a bad coach, but the Andonovski era proved that time has passed.
Step 2: Decide whether the USWNT needs a GM at all (and whether it should be Markgraf)
When Markgraf was hired as general manager for the U.S. women’s national team in 2019, it was a new position. It also seemed, at least on paper, as if it might be an unnecessary position.
U.S. Soccer added a general manager on the men’s side after the men’s team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Whether this was a move that has provided extra support for the men’s team or was intended to add a buffer layer of accountability for people at the top of U.S. Soccer is something fans and pundits continue to debate. But once the men’s team added a GM, the women’s team had to have one too.
U.S. Soccer then added another layer of oversight when Markgraf’s hire was announced: men’s GM Earnie Stewart was promoted to sporting director — becoming Markgraf’s boss in large part, sources told me, because his salary was so much higher than Markgraf’s as GM that the optics were seen as a problem within U.S. Soccer. Brian McBride was later hired as the new men’s GM.
Vlatko Andonovski steps down as USWNT head coach
Cristina Alexander details Vlatko Andonovski deciding to step down as head coach of the USWNT.
Stewart, a sporting director for various men’s teams, did not have relevant experience in women’s soccer (just like Crocker), and Markgraf, while an intriguing hire for a lot of reasons, had no experience in sports administration herself — and then she hired an inexperienced coach, too. In short, two people were apparently directly responsible for overseeing what Andonovski did — Stewart and Markgraf — but in the end it didn’t seem to help much.
U.S. Soccer has not replaced McBride as the men’s GM since he stepped down in January, and maybe the federation won’t. If the federation doesn’t have a men’s GM anymore, does it need a women’s GM? In May, Oguchi Onyewu was hired in a new role called “VP of sporting” that directly reports to Crocker. That role, which U.S. Soccer said doesn’t replace the men’s GM role, oversees everything U.S. Soccer does despite, again, Onyewu having no background in women’s soccer.
For years the USWNT didn’t have a GM and everything worked out just fine. This isn’t cause-and-effect, of course — the timing might be incidental as much as anything because women’s soccer is getting much more competitive, which we’ve seen during this World Cup. But U.S. Soccer changes its organizational chart seemingly as often as the U.S. national teams change their kit designs, so the federation’s top brass are probably in the midst of deciding not only whether Markgraf should remain as the USWNT’s GM but whether the USWNT needs a GM at all.
Step 3: Retool the USWNT roster (and cut players without sentiment, as hard as it is)
Rather than hoping they’ll come good, the players who have performed well in the NWSL but not for the USWNT need to be cut loose. In some cases it might be clear — Andonovski loaded his World Cup roster with successful NWSL players he apparently didn’t think were good enough to see the field — but others will be tough. Look, for instance, at the case of Savannah DeMelo. We don’t know whether she can hack it at the USWNT level because she made the roster as an uncapped player and was thrown into a role without much of a chance to succeed.
For the players with outsized reputations, the next coach must shed any reverence for the past. That job is made a bit easier by the retirement of Megan Rapinoe — she was sensational for the USWNT for about a decade but, at this World Cup, didn’t look like the world-class player she once was. The USWNT needs to invest in finding its next great game-changing winger instead of hoping it can still be Rapinoe.
Other evaluations of veterans won’t be as easy. Alex Morgan has been the face of the USWNT for years now, but she also had a very rough World Cup. There needs to be a serious examination about whether she wasn’t put in the right position to succeed or whether she just isn’t at the level to contribute to the USWNT.
This is the sort of tough decision-making that must happen with every player before settling on an Olympic squad.
Step 4: Make the system and the tactics fit the USWNT player pool
Andonovski’s tactics were a failure at the World Cup, full stop.
His attacking line, for instance, was full of redundant parts. Morgan needs service to thrive as a striker, but the so-called wingers on either side of her were actually strikers who wanted to dribble and shoot, not pass the ball. Why play a 4-3-3 that can’t score goals in the way a 4-3-3 is meant to score goals?
So what’s the next coach to do? Well, it should depend on how the roster looks once the coach finishes Step 3.
The system needs to fit the players, not the other way around. This isn’t club soccer, where you can go out and sign players for the system you want and then work on it every day for months at a time. This is national team soccer, where the players in your pool are the only players you have and the system should be relatively turnkey and easy for them to execute with limited prep time.
On top of that, the next coach needs to make sure the players are comfortable with different systems based on different scenarios. Andonovski seemed to have an idea about how the USWNT should play, and he never really deviated from it. The wacky tactical experiments and surprise formations former coach Ellis tried (and got criticized for) in friendlies? Andonovski never did that, and because of that the players could not adapt or solve problems on the field in the World Cup.
Can USWNT land ‘dream’ hire after Andonovski’s resignation?
Ali Krieger answers a question about the possibility of the USWNT luring England manager Sarina Wiegman or Australia manager Tony Gustavsson to replace Vlatko Andonovski.
Step 5: Make team chemistry and player mentality a focus to bring back USWNT swagger
If U.S. Soccer nails the previous four steps, the USWNT will be in much better shape, but there is something else that has been missing from this team. It’s harder to put your finger on, and it could’ve been because of the bad tactics the players were saddled with, but the mentality was off during the World Cup.
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Lindsey Horan and Lynn Williams, in their final media availability before the fateful round-of-16 match against Sweden, volunteered that the players had discussed with one another wanting to play with more joy. That they admitted that confirms a lack of confidence that didn’t help the USWNT either. After all, through four games, the USWNT’s expected goals, or xG, was 9.14, per Opta calculations, and the team took 85 shots but scored only four times. A team with more swagger was probably going to score more off those chances.Although Sweden got knocked out in the semifinals, the Swedes looked much better than the USWNT did at every point. The Sweden players also discussed how much fun they were having and how much they were enjoying each other’s company. They held cornhole tournaments and played games with each other to decompress. Compare that to a USWNT group that, from outside, didn’t appear to be having fun.(I personally asked multiple players how they spent their downtime, and the response I always got was that recovery and meals were their downtime. If they did any team-bonding activities, they kept it a secret.)The Swedish players talked throughout the tournament about the importance of their team psychologist — indeed, the cornhole tournament was the psychologist’s idea. But it could be as simple as allowing the players to take their mind off soccer — at past tournaments, players took team field trips to zoos and landmarks together. In Auckland, New Zealand, they said their days were filled with training and recovery “modalities.”Or maybe there’s something else that needs to be addressed. Whatever it is, the USWNT needs its mojo back.
Leagues Cup winners, losers: Messi rules over MLS, Liga MX
Cesar Hernandez Aug 17, 2023, 11:55 AM ET
After 70-plus matches featuring 47 teams from North America’s MLS and Liga MX, the first-ever fully expanded edition of the Leagues Cup tournament is set to conclude Saturday.
It’s been a highly enjoyable few weeks and on Saturday, we’ll see who will lift the interleague trophy when Nashville SC host Messi’s Miami in the blockbuster championship match. Earlier in the day, as an appetizer, the Philadelphia Union will host Monterrey in the tournament’s third-place game.
Summarizing the competition is no easy task, especially when you consider the constant supply of fireworks and eccentricity that has been on display. That said, clear talking points and lessons have been gained and ahead of the weekend’s conclusion, here are a few winners and losers of the lively 2023 edition of the Leagues Cup.
Winners
Messi mania in Miami and MLS
Who would have guessed that the greatest player of all-time would have been a success both on and off the field?
From the minute Messi first stepped onto the pitch in the tournament’s opener between Miami and Cruz Azul, to the buildup to Saturday’s championship match, the World Cup winner has been a massive triumph for Miami and MLS. With nine goals and four assists in just six games played, the 36-year-old (along with new teammates such as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba) has helped transform the worst team in MLS to an immediate powerhouse that has now qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Whether it be in the stands, with celebrities like LeBron James and Kim Kardashian in attendance, or on TV screens, attention on MLS has soared. Ticket prices are through the roof for Messi’s games and according to a social media post from Miami owner Jorge Mas last week, subscribers to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV have more than doubled since Messi’s arrival.
By Saturday, the Messi spotlight could grow even brighter with a possible first trophy with his new team.
Liga MX optimists
Living in the shadow of Messi and his MLS impact, Liga MX clubs are dealing with a mixed bag of feelings with no representation in the final.
If we’re looking at the glass half-empty, Mexican media and fans will feel justified by their complaints that Liga MX teams have been falling behind in recent years. For those looking for examples of stagnation, arguments have been made that no Liga MX teams in the final and just two overall in the quarterfinal stage point to an ongoing mismanagement of the Mexican top flight.
However, if we crunch the numbers for individual Liga MX vs. MLS results at the Leagues Cup, the glass does tend to look half-full. Playing as the constantly traveling visitors, Liga MX teams have so far gone 17W-12D-17L (90 minutes only, not including penalties). MLS teams at home only won those Liga MX matchups outright 36.9% of the time.
That’s actually a fantastic sign for the competitiveness of Liga MX that isn’t talked about enough. Even when you take away Mexican title favorites like Club America, Monterrey and Tigres, Liga MX’s middle-to-lower-tier teams held a 9W-10D-15L away record vs. MLS clubs.
Keeping the previous section in mind, what Nashville have done looks all the more impressive. With the caveat of their home-field advantage, the Tennessee club found knockout-round success against both America and Monterrey, two Mexican clubs that were pre-tournament favorites to win it all.
Earlier in the round of 32, Nashville also had to surpass rivals FC Cincinnati.
“To be able to come through this tournament beating Cincinnati, beating Club America, beating a good Minnesota team handily [5-0 in the quarterfinals] and then obviously beating Monterrey, we should be full of confidence,” club captain Dax McCartytold the league’s website after defeating Monterrey 2-0 in Tuesday’s semifinal. “I can tell you right now, there’s no one in that locker room right now that’s afraid or scared of the moment and scared to play this Miami team.”
While most of the American soccer world has been focusing on Messi’s every move, Nashville deserve a huge amount of credit for their run to the final. This is a team that joined the league alongside Miami in 2020 to much less fanfare, and yet they’re now on the cusp of a first-ever trophy, led by the two goals and five assists from game-changing attacker Hany Mukhtar.
And at the very least, like Miami, they’ve officially qualified for next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup for the very first time.
On paper, Queretaro shouldn’t have even been included in the Leagues Cup conversation. Were it not for the ongoing pause on promotion/relegation in Mexico’s top flight, Los Gallos Blancos would currently be playing in the second division.
Heading into the tournament as the team with the lowest market value in Liga MX and MLS, according to Transfermarkt, Queretaro not only made it out of the group stage, but somehow finished in the quarterfinals. In fact, they made things difficult for 2022 MLS Cup finalists Philadelphia Union last week, narrowly missing a semifinal spot after a 2-1 loss after an injury-time goal for the hosts.
Playing a defensive-minded approach from manager and former player Mauro Gerk, as opposed to the typical intense attack-heavy style championed by most Liga MX clubs, Queretaro found success on their own terms as they outpaced all but one Mexican team.
Losers
Canadian clubs
Often overlooked in the U.S. vs. Mexico rivalry that encompasses both clubs and national teams, Canada can at times feel like a third wheel in North American soccer. And yet when handed a chance to steer the narrative in their direction at the Leagues Cup, MLS’s three Canadian sides didn’t do much to steal headlines.
Toronto FC, with zero points, were knocked out in the group stage. CF Montreal, with two points, also suffered a group-stage exit. Only the Vancouver Whitecaps made it through to the next round after a second-place finish in their group, but once there, they were quickly pushed out after a round-of-32 penalty shootout with Tigres.Barring an unexpected title push this season in MLS (Vancouver as long shots?), Canadian teams will need to wait until at least 2024 to get top billing over the U.S. and Mexico focus.
Mexico’s cuatro grandes
The largest fan bases in Liga MX and likely in all of North America? Check. Long-heralded histories that could provide a boost in the Leagues Cup? Check. Silverware or progress made in that Leagues Cup tournament? Well, about that …Mexico’s traditional “big four” of America, Chivas, Cruz Azul and Pumas will probably want to quickly move on from their summer performances. With a chance to show MLS clubs and new Liga MX powerhouses like Monterrey and Tigres that they could thrive in an international competition, all four teams ultimately fell short of their own expectations.For Chivas, who entered the Leagues Cup with a promising 3W-0D-0L start to the Liga MX season, the Guadalajara giants collapsed with two consecutive losses and a group-stage exit. Things only went slightly better for Pumas and Cruz Azul, both of whom were rapidly knocked out in the round of 32. Cruz Azul, facing behind-the-scenes turmoil with ownership and staff, later fired coach Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti after falling to Charlotte FC.Club America went a step further into the round of 16, but for a team and organization that prides themselves as being consistent title contenders, anything short of a final appearance is a failure. Sure, part of their exit was due to a controversial retaking of a penalty shootout that had initially gone in their favor, but they only have themselves to blame for putting themselves in that position to begin with.
Teams could be forgiven for being knocked out in the group stage. With the countless variables coming into play for a tournament that was expanded to all Liga MX and MLS clubs for the first time, it wasn’t a surprise to see the occasional upset or shocking result.But when you finish last in your group with zero points, and also with the added advantage of hosting all of your group-stage matches, that’s a different conversation. Austin and the Galaxy were the two teams to do that this summer.While the Galaxy imploded in spectacular fashion after scoring a late own-goal and allowing an injury-time winner from Vancouver that ended the California club’s group-stage run, Austin were embarrassed twice in a row at home in losses to Liga MX minnows Mazatlan and FC Juarez.”This is disappointing, this is really disappointing, there’s no other way to put it,” Austin’s Ethan Finlay said after his side were eliminated from contention. “We had to win one game out of two.”
Tired, out-of-form clubs returning to regular seasons
With both Liga MX and MLS returning to regular season play this weekend (for clubs not involved in the final or third-place matches), time will tell who the Leagues Cup will hurt more: teams who were knocked out early, but subsequently had longer breaks, or teams who are more in rhythm but with more mileage in their legs.For struggling teams in both leagues such as the Colorado Rapids, Toronto, the Galaxy, Puebla and Necaxa, it’s tough to imagine that poor performances this summer will provide a boost in the return to regular-season play. On the other end of the spectrum, it’ll also be interesting to see what group-stage exits mean for Liga MX league-leaders Chivas and Western Conference leaders St. Louis City SC.Also of note are Monterrey and Philadelphia, both of whom will be gutted that they won’t be fighting for silverware on Saturday. Although the Union still have a CONCACAF Champions Cup spot that’s up for grabs for the third-place finisher, could the extra minutes and exertion in the Leagues Cup hurt their regular-season run? Will Monterrey’s constant traveling and injuries gained in the competition drop their morale in the returning Apertura season?
Bournemouth agree Tyler Adams deal with Leeds; USMNT midfielder set for £23m transfer
Bournemouth have agreed a deal with Leeds to sign USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams for a fee in the region of £23million plus add-ons.The south coast club made the breakthrough on Friday after protracted negotiations.Adams is set to undergo a medical on Friday afternoon and, if all goes to plan, the 24-year-old will sign a five-year deal.
The Athletic reported on Thursday that a potential deal was proving complicated, with Bournemouth believing they had met a time-limited relegation release clause of £20m, but Leeds maintaining that it had expired.Talks continued, despite the apparent impasse, and Adams is now set to return to the Premier League with Androni Iraola’s side.Adams had last week travelled to London to finalise a proposed move to Chelsea, only for the deal to fall through. The west London club have since signed midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Romeo Lavia from Southampton.Adams has been recovering from a hamstring injury that saw him undergo what the club described as “non-invasive” surgery at the end of March. He had stepped up his training programme in recent weeks and is scheduled to return after next month’s international break.He has 36 caps for the USMNT and captained them at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
USMNT weekend viewing guide: Getting things rolling
The EPL is already in its second matchday, while things kick off in Germany and Italy.
After an extended summer break, we’re back with fall action as the European leagues are kicking off. We also have a number of USMNT players making moves and looking to settle in at new clubs. Let’s see what we’ve got:
Saturday
Wolfsburg v Heidenheim – 9:30a on ESPN+
Wolfsburg welcome newly promoted Heidenheim to the Bundesliga on Saturday morning. Kevin Paredes suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason, and it does not appear that he will be ready for the opener. Once fit, he’ll be looking to build on the 554 minutes he saw with Wolfsburg last season.
Hoffenheim v Freiburg – 9:30a on ESPN+
John Brooks looks to keep his Bundesliga career rolling as Hoffenheim and Freiburg open their season. Justin Che has moved on following the end of his loan to Hoffenheim, and he was sold by FC Dallas to Danish side Brøndby and subsequently loaned to AO Den Haag in the Dutch second division.
Augsburg v Borussia Mönchengladbach – 9:30a on ESPN+
Still just 20 years old, Joe Scally signed a four year extension with Borussia Mönchengladbach in April and will look to build on the 4,100 minutes he has already logged in the Bundesliga. ‘Gladbach finished last season in 10th place, seven points out of qualification for European competitions.
Fulham FC v Brentford – 10a on Peacock
Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, and Fulham far exceeded expectations last season and will do well to see a repeat performance in the EPL this year. Robinson signed a long term extension with Fulham in July and is now under contract through the end of the 2027-28 season.
Liverpool FC v Bournemouth – 10a on USA Network
There have been solid rumors over the last couple of days that Tyler Adams will complete a physical and move to Bournemouth over the weekend, though likely not in time for the club’s match with Liverpool on Saturday morning. Bournemouth finished last season just five points out of relegation while giving up a third worst 71 goals, so it looks like Adams will once again have his work cut out for him.
Borussia Dortmund v Köln – 12:30p on ABC
Gio Reyna is once again injured to start the season, this time with an ankle injury that looks like it will keep him out of Dortmund’s opener on Saturday against Köln. Dortmund had a fantastic chance to break Bayern Munich’s league title domination last year, but choked away the opportunity in the final matchday and lost the league on goal differential. Reyna saw just 600 minutes of playing time last season, and another injury is a poor start to the new campaign.
Vitesse v PSV – 12:45p on ESPN+
Ricardo Pepi picked up his first goal for PSV this week, a penalty kick in the team’s 3-1 Champions League qualifying victory over Sturm Gratz. PSV opened their season last weekend with a 2-0 win over Utrecht, with Pepi seeing 7 minutes off the bench late.
Nashville SC v Inter Miami – 9p on Apple TV
Walker Zimmerman and Nashville SC will need to keep Lionel Messi in check if Nashville is to defeat Miami and lift the Leagues Cup. Miami have scored four goals in four of their six Leagues Cup matches, scoring 2 and 3 in the other two matches. DeAndre Yedlin even added an assist in the team’s most recent match, a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Union.
Sunday
Norwich City v Millwall – 7a on ESPN+
Josh Sargent picked up a goal and an assist last weekend for Norwich City in the team’s 4-4 draw with Southampton. Norwich probably should have won the match, but gave up a penalty 7 minutes into second half stoppage time.
Union Berlin v Mainz – 9:30a on ESPN+
Jordan Pefok saw 22 minutes off the bench last weekend for Union Berlin in the team’s 4-0 win over FCA Waldorf in DFB-Pokal play. After a strong start to the 2022-23 campaign, Pefok really cooled off and was used exclusively as a substitute for the last two months of the season.
Eintracht Frankfurt v Darmstadt – 11:30a on ESPN+
Paxten Aaronson joined Eintracht Frankfurt in January and saw 165 minutes for the club through the end of the season. Aaronson wasn’t included in the squad for last weekend’s DFB-Pokal match.
Udinese v Juventus – 1:45p on Paramount+
Weston McKennie has rejoined Juventus after his loan to Leeds, and as of this moment, it looks like he will be trying to break back into the minutes distribution with the club. Joining him this season is Tim Weah, who has joined the side from Lille. Speculation is that Weah will see significant time as a wingback, where he’s expected to be heavily involved in the attack as well.There is a full slate of MLS action on Sunday evening as well, with the Columbus Crew-FC Cincinnati and New York Red Bulls-DC United matches being the free offerings from Apple TV for the weekend.
Monday
Bologna v AC Milan – 2:45p on Paramount+
The biggest shift on the USMNT radar for the upcoming season is both Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah joining title contending AC Milan in Serie A, Pulisic transferring from Chelsea and Musah joining the side from Valencia. Milan finished last season in fourth place and qualified for Champions League play, though they were 20 points back of Napoli, who ran away with the league. Early indications are that Pulisic is expected to feature on the right wing, but there are fears that Musah will be in a backup role.Hit the comments section below and let us know what you’re following this weekend and what you’re looking forward to for the upcoming season.
USWNT GM Kate Markgraf follows coach with exit
Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondentAug 18, 2023, 05:39 PM ET
The U.S. women’s national team‘s leadership shakeup will continue with general manager Kate Markgraf set to leave her role at the end of this month, the U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed Friday.Markgraf’s contract expires at the end of August and the USSF said she would “provide support through the end of the month to assist in the transition.”Sources told ESPN that her decision not to return was made prior to the Women’s World Cup.The news that Markgraf, 46, will depart came a day after manager Vlatko Andonovski resigned.”Kate has been an instrumental part of Women’s National Team both on and off the field for many years, and we’re very thankful for the tireless work she has given to the USWNT and all our Youth National Teams,” U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said.”We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and look forward to building on the foundation she helped establish over the past several years.”The Americans were eliminated in the round of 16 by Sweden via a penalty shootout, though conversations continued with U.S. Soccer about Markgraf possibly staying. The World Cup exit was the earliest in U.S. team history and appeared to seal her decision.”It has been an incredible honor to work with the players, coaches and staff at U.S. Soccer on the mission of keeping our program at the top of the women’s game,” Markgraf said.”I am proud of the foundation we have built, and even more proud of the character and commitment demonstrated by our players as they represent the United States on and off the field. I look forward to supporting all of our programs and have every confidence that we will maintain our standards of excellence moving forward.”Markgraf was the first person U.S. Soccer appointed to the position of general manager of the team in 2019, and her first decision was the hiring of Andonovski. That was followed by two substandard performances in major tournaments, starting with a bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics.In an interview with ESPN prior to the World Cup, Markgraf said that, while she didn’t explicitly tell Andonovski which players to take to the tournament, she had a part in shaping the roster. Andonovski confirmed that was the case.”We have to make so many tough decisions in different times, whether it’s on the field or off the field,” Andonovski said prior to the tournament. “But the questions that [Markgraf] is posing is in such a professional and respectful way, help us think deeper, help us think different, outside of the box, and in a way prepare ourself for even more stressful moments and be ready for it.”It is unclear if the GM position will continue going forward.”We are grateful to Kate for the tremendous work she has done in helping guide our Women’s National Team and the transformative work on our youth Women’s National Team programs,” U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said.”Her knowledge and experience have been incredibly valuable, and we are poised to build on that foundation as we look to the future.”In announcing Andonovski’s resignation, the federation reiterated that Crocker had already started an in-depth analysis of the women’s national team program and would develop a long-term strategy “to ensure U.S. Soccer can continue its success on the women’s side of the game. The comprehensive approach will establish the operational roadmap that will guide the women’s program forward.”Markgraf was a decorated player for the U.S. team, making 201 appearances and being part of the 1999 side that won the Women’s World Cup as well as gold medal-winning squads at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.Following her playing career, she earned master’s degrees in kinesiology and educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She also worked as a broadcaster for ESPN.
Losing this World Cup doesn’t make the U.S. women’s national team a failure
The U.S. women’s national soccer team is still the most successful team in the history of the women’s game.
Staff illustration/ AP Images/ Getty Images
Earlier this month in Melbourne, Australia, the U.S. women’s national soccerteam lost to Sweden in penalty kicks, sealing their elimination from the World Cup. Two-time World Cup winners Tobin Heath and Christen Press, both sidelined with injuries, described the team’s early exit from the World Cup, respectively, as “traumatic” and “a nightmare.”
hose players (and fans) are losers, too. But losing is a part of sports. Or, as my 85-year-old grandfather — himself a former Ironman triathlete and ultramarathoner — so eloquently put it when I described this op-ed to him: “Someone has to lose.”
Many of the critiques against the U.S. team are gendered and homophobic. Some people — including Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham and Jesse Watters, former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, and former President Donald Trump — seem more excited about the loss than their wins.
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Watters called star player Megan Rapinoe “abrasive and self-centered.” On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Many of our players were openly hostile to America – No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close. WOKE EQUALS FAILURE. Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA.” And users on social media piled on.
And yet, it often felt like many people were cheering for her demise.
President Joe Biden awards the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to Megan Rapinoe at the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 7, 2022.J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Rapinoe has played for our country in international matches 202 times. This World Cup was her last, but she’s still the cofounder of two companies: re—inc, a fashion brand, and A Touch More, a production company. At 38 years old, she has already had an incredible career, and I’m excited to see what she does next.
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As my colleague Will Bunch noted in these pages, cheering against players like Rapinoe because you disagree with their politics is simply un-American.
The 13 coloniesrebelled against Britain and America was founded — right here in Philadelphia — so that we could enjoy free speech. We should all be taking pride in the fact that these players are able to use their voices — even if FIFA refused to allow them to wear rainbow armbands in support of LGBTQ rights without incurring a yellow card.
Rapinoe and the other U.S. players are among the best in the world, and these women represent us on an international stage. Rooting for them is patriotic.
Other countries get it. In Australia, “Matilda Mania” — a reference to the nickname given to the women’s team — has swept over the continent, selling out stadiums, breaking viewer records, and prompting kids to sign up to play soccer in droves.
The U.S.’s Brandi Chastain reacts to her winning penalty kick that won the 1999 World Cup for the U.S. national team in their game against China in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Saturday, July 10, 1999.Read moreANACLETO RAPPING / AP
Carli Lloyd said she “didn’t see the confidence” in the U.S. women’s national team during its 2023 Women’s World Cup run while speaking to reporters at the FIFA Women’s Football Convention on Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
Lloyd said she “didn’t think this team was fit.”
She added that the training sessions at the end of her career — which concluded in November 2021 — “were very easy and barely competitive and barely training. I can’t speak to how they were in the last year and a half and I wasn’t there, but it’s everything.”
When asked about what Spain and England’s presence in the final indicates about their domestic leagues, Lloyd said the NWSL isn’t on the same tactical level as its international counterparts right now.
What Lloyd felt was lacking
“I think developing players at the youth level, mentally being able to persevere. I think you saw a group of players that maybe needed to be taught a little bit more about adversity or have a coach that could motivate, that could allow them to believe in themselves.
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“I mean, I just looked at that team, and you didn’t see the confidence. You didn’t. You didn’t see the the aura, in any interviews in any postgame remarks that we’ve generally had over the last several decades, where you just feel like the players are confident. So I think from a development standpoint, from a technical standpoint, from a tactical standpoint, I didn’t think this team was fit.”
What Lloyd said about NWSL
“I just think that we’re seeing these leagues around the world really put pressure on the NWSL. Because I firmly believe the NWSL is one of the best leagues in the world from a transitional standpoint. From a tactical standpoint, not up there yet. From a tactical standpoint, probably not up there that much,” she said. “So it’s going to be interesting and you’re not seeing a lot of players coming overseas into the NWSL whether that is the pay structure, the caps, all of that.”
Backstory
Following the USWNT’s 0-0 draw with Portugal, Lloyd criticized the Americans for dancing and smiling after the final group stage match, adding “you’re lucky to not be going home right now.”
USWNT captain Lindsey Horan said the comments were “kind of frustrating for me to hear, especially knowing this team and how much we put into every single game” during a news conference at the tournament before the team was eliminated. When asked about the remarks, Horan said, “I always want to defend my team and say like, you have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes, you have no idea every single angle, every single training, like what we’re doing individually, collectively, et cetera.”
Vlatko Andonovski has resigned from his post as United States women’s national team manager. He was, in many ways, extremely unlucky, but his downfall was also very much of his own making.Andonovski was a popular hire whose tenure started spectacularly before poor performances at the Tokyo Olympics led to his competence being called into question. What followed felt like a slow but steady two-year decline of the former best team in the world, culminating in an early World Cup exit. He couldn’t handle the team’s numerous injury issues, and eventually, his decisions stopped making sense entirely.U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker is now tasked with finding Andonovski’s replacement. His timeline for that is short, with the 2024 Paris Olympics less than a year away. But before he starts interviewing candidates, it’s important that he reaches some sound conclusions about why Andonovski’s tenure went sour.
In 2016 and 2017, several FC Kansas City players told me that having the opportunity to play for Andonovski was the only thing keeping them from retiring from NWSL or pursuing a move overseas.
The manager Andonovski replaced was a two-time World Cup winner, but still a relatively unpopular coach. Jill Ellis faced a player revolt in 2017, requiring then-U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati to hold a meeting where he informed the squad she wouldn’t be fired. Following Ellis’s departure, Ali Krieger, Sydney Leroux, Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd all shared public criticism of their former coach.
It’s notable that Ellis had not been an international or professional club head coach before starting the USWNT job. She was a successful college coach, as well as a long-time assistant and youth team coach for the USWNT program. But by current standards, she would be considered underqualified for the post.
Andonovski, by contrast, entered the position with an impressive NWSL resume. Two championships with FC Kansas City. Two playoff appearances with an OL Reign team that had failed to make the playoffs in the season before he took over. The latter top-four finish was achieved while he was forced to utilize a league record 33 different players due to injuries and international call-ups. The players and federation had every reason to believe he would be an upgrade over Ellis.Early returns were good. Between Andonovski’s appointment and the 2021 Olympics, the USWNT had a record of 22 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses. That run included an Olympic qualifying tournament where the team won by at least 3 goals in every match and did not concede once. It also included shutout wins over England, Spain, the Netherlands, Brazil, and France.In the sendoff friendlies before the team headed to Tokyo, the USWNT recorded a pair of 4-0 wins over Mexico while playing the most stylish soccer the team has ever played. The second game featured the famous Christen Press Phantom Goal, disallowed for an erroneous early whistle for an offside call that shouldn’t have happened.
There was no reason to lack optimism about the USWNT’s chances of competing for the Olympic gold medal.
It was obvious something was wrong from the first second of the USWNT’s opening group stage game at the Olympics. The team looked completely disjointed. They couldn’t string three passes together. When Sweden finally scored in the 25th minute, it had felt like it was coming for a very long time.
Starting slow and having to mount a comeback wasn’t new territory for this U.S. squad. Sweden was also a good team that regularly gave the USWNT problems — they handed Andonovski his only draw before the tournament. What was shocking, though, was the complete lack of a response. The Americans didn’t battle to get back into the game. They just continued to get comprehensively outplayed for the rest of the match, a 3-0 victory for the Swedes.
The USWNT bounced back with a 6-1 trouncing of New Zealand, but its remaining 4 games were less than impressive: A staring contest 0-0 draw with Australia, a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands where they advanced on penalties, a 1-0 loss to Canada where their attack was stagnant, and a 4-3 win in a clown fiesta of a rematch with the Australians to salvage a bronze medal.
To this day, I fail to understand how a team that looked so impressive in the build-up to the Olympics simply forgot how to play soccer. I’m sure Andonovski felt similarly. I’ve been waiting for the story about player infighting, or a food poisoning incident, or anything that would cause the extreme downturn to make sense, and it just hasn’t come.
Markgraf clearly put more stock in the 23 games that came before the Olympics than the 5 poorly played ones at the tournament, and Andonovski kept his job for the next two years. The situation was reminiscent of 2007, when Greg Ryan’s first and only regular-time defeat as USWNT manager was a 4-0 loss to Brazil in the World Cup semifinals. The main difference, of course, is that Ryan was fired.
The wrong solutions for large problems
Andonovski has, in many ways, been dealt a bad hand. Eight players he’s clearly indicated he’d like to have as part of his main rotation, if not as first-choice starters — Christen Press, Tobin Heath, Becky Sauerbrunn, Sam Mewis, Mallory Swanson, Catarina Macario, Abby Dahlkemper and Tierna Davidson — were unavailable for selection in this World Cup squad or nowhere near full speed due to recent injuries. One could reasonably argue he needed to have succession plans for the former 3 due to their age, but he was certainly counting on having the latter 5. With all of these players available, who knows if coaching mistakes are even noticeable?
Savannah DeMelo went from being unable to get a camp invite to the starting lineup in the blink of an eye. Alana Cook went from clearly first-choice to withdrawn from consideration just as quickly. Sophia Smith — ostensibly the team’s most talented attacking player — was shifted from right wing, to left wing, to center forward, without any clear consideration for opposition matchups or how best to get her the ball in dangerous positions. Emily Sonnett’s surprise start in defensive midfield actually worked out very well, but it came out of nowhere. It was another action in a pattern that screamed “A coach who’s not sure what to do is making stuff up.”
It’s a stunning downfall for the coach who figured out that NAIA goal machine Bethany Balcer would make a better second striker than out-and-out No.9, or that dribbly winger Christina Gibbons would make an even better box-to-box midfielder, or that Allie Long had the ability to resurrect her career as a holding midfield general in the mold of Sergio Busquets. At NWSL level, Andonovski was a master of solving roster issues by correctly identifying which underutilized skills his bench players possessed and repurposing them into new roles. At the international level, he couldn’t make it work.
(Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Variance can be cruel
Andonovski didn’t do a great job, and the USWNT players are ultimately responsible for not putting the ball in the back of the net. But it wouldn’t have taken much positive random variance for the World Cup to have gone a different way for the Americans.
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Like facing Sweden goalkeeper Zećira Mušović on the average form she showed against Japan and Spain, rather than the white-hot form she had against the USWNT. Or Alex Morgan, scorer of 121 international goals, converting one of her 17 shots for 3 xG. Or Megan Rapinoe, Ballon d’Or winner, converting a penalty. If any of those things happen, we might be talking about Andonovski doing a respectable job rather than calling him one of the most unsuccessful coaches in the program’s history.
We don’t have to look far to know this is true. Speculation is rampant about the USWNT trying to poach England manager Sarina Wiegman, to the point where the FA felt compelled to shoot down the rumors. If England prevails in the World Cup final, she’ll be able to stake a claim as one of the great international managers of all time. Her team was inches from suffering the same fate as the USWNT did in their round of 16 match against Nigeria, turning in the exact same level of performance, but edging the penalty shootout to advance.
Bev Priestman guided Canada to an Olympic gold medal, then exited the World Cup in the group stage 2 years later. Pia Sundhage has earned praise for Brazil’s improvement over the last 4 years, and her team went out in the group stage. Futoshi Ikeda presided over a Japan team that played the most impressive soccer at this tournament, then was defeated by Sweden more decisively than the United States was.
An opinion I was stewing on before I started writing this article, but wasn’t totally set on, is that the next USWNT manager should be someone who has experience in international management. I became more convinced of that when I started reminiscing about how good Andonovski was at adjusting to injury and squad construction problems when he was a club manager, and conversely, how bad he was at doing the same thing as USWNT manager.The way you replace outgoing or unavailable talent is different in club vs. international soccer. If you’re asking a player to convert to a new position as the USWNT manager, you don’t get to work with them every single day for nine months at a time as you do as their club coach. Andonovski’s USWNT was great when he had all his preferred pieces available, but when he started losing them, he was unable to problem-solve as he did with FC Kansas City and OL Reign.It was reasonable to hypothesize that, based on his club record, Andonovski would be an excellent USWNT manager. Unfortunately, his skillset didn’t translate well. I fear that the likes of Laura Harvey and Emma Hayes would run into similar problems, and end up lamenting how little of their job was actually working on the grass with players. International management is probably closer to being a CEO than a soccer coach, hence Jill Ellis’s current position with the San Diego Wave.
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
England’s Mary Earps can cement her place as the game’s best goalkeeper
She has loved her time in Australia and New Zealand because she enjoys making big saves, and she has made some absolute gems. And because she believes now more than ever she’s part of a group that’s good enough to lift the trophy when the team takes on Spain on Sunday (coverage begins at 5 a.m. ET with kickoff at 6 a.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
If you could write the ideal script for a player based off how they would wish their tournament to go then Earps’ tale might be it: The formerly discarded goalkeeper who won back her spot, has conceded just twice in more than nine hours, triumphed in a penalty shootout, is loved by her teammates and her army of loyal TikTok followers and has backed up her status as FIFA’s best shot-stopper.But there is one thing Earps wishes she could change. Like the rest of her colleagues she is being supported by a cadre of friends and family members Down Under, getting behind the Lionesses‘ surge to meet Spain in Sunday’s final.Yet she’s the only member of the starting lineup whose loved ones don’t get to support her in the most obvious and visible way — by wearing her jersey. It isn’t for sale, no matter how much England supporters and Earps enthusiasts might be willing to pay.”I can’t really sugar-coat this in any way, so I am not going to try,” she told the Guardian last month. “It is hugely disappointing and very hurtful. It is something I have been fighting behind closed doors. I have been trying to go through the correct channels as much as possible. … I have been desperately trying to find a solution.”Nike has stated that selling England goalkeeping jerseys is not part of its commercial strategy. Frankly, it is hugely disappointing. Earps’ traveling fans have bought outfield jerseys and had her name and No. 1 embossed upon them, but that’s far from an ideal workaround.Earps plays for Manchester United, where she became the Women’s Super League goalkeeper of the year and the first to claim 50 clean sheets in WSL. Her goalkeeper jersey with the Red Devils was available, for a while. It was so popular, it sold out.
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final preview: Spain vs. England
That Earps would be outspoken and attack the issue with passion should be no surprise. She lives her life the way she plays the game, with spirit and barely a backward glance.She holds a degree in business and information management and vacations in eye-catching locations, to the delight of her social media followers. Sydney, where the Lionesses will meet La Roja at Stadium Australia, has already been ticked off her list. So, too, coincidentally given Sunday’s opponent, has Madrid.Her trips usually take place during offseason downtime, and there hasn’t been much of that lately. Earps’ performances in starting every game of England’s victorious European Championships campaign led to her claiming the FIFA award. This tournament has done nothing to dispel the notion that there’s no better women’s goalkeeper, anywhere.
Earps was calm and disciplined against Australia in the last four, and the goal the co-host did score, a scorching strike from Sam Kerr, fell into the category of “unstoppable.”She’s 30 and coming into her prime for a keeper, but less than three years ago she thought this might be it, after falling out of the England squad altogether, with four other keepers selected ahead of her. Earps sat on her kitchen floor, in tears, at the news.”I had made peace with my international career being over,” she told the English Football Association’s website.This, needless to say, is the opposite end of the spectrum.All that comes before Sunday is a compelling story about an intriguing and mightily likable athlete. But it’s about to get overtaken. Rightly or wrongly, a World Cup final has an inevitable way of becoming the biggest thread to a soccer player’s narrative.
To win one is life-changing, an accolade to be placed on the top line of the resume forever. To lose one hurts, the sting so deep as to never be fixed. Over-dramatic? Just ask anyone who it’s happened to how they feel about it, and if they still think about it, never mind how long has elapsed since.
Goalkeeper Mary Earps leads England against Denmark
England looks good but will be up against its biggest test. The backline in front of Earps is perhaps the tournament’s best. Jess Carter, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood have been mostly rock-solid, though captain Bright erred in allowing Kerr too much space for that Wednesday wonder-goal and would do well to avoid a repeat against Jenni Hermoso or Salma Paralluelo.Earps seems to take everything in her stride, and that’s just as well. The next task on the list? Oh, just the biggest game of her life.”The job is not done,” Earps told reporters, with typical unflappability. “Still one game to go.”Martin Rogers
Published Aug. 16, 202
Medford’s Brenden Aaronson is enjoying his new home with Union Berlin
‘It just really opened my eyes,’ the Medford native said of moving to Berlin on loan from Leeds United, ‘I felt like it was a great place to come, and it would get the best out of me as a footballer.’ Philly U:nion
Brenden Aaronson poses in a Union Berlin jersey at the team’s presentation before the start of the Bundesliga season.Matthias Kern / Getty Images
A new chapter in Brenden Aaronson’s European soccer journey starts Sunday when his new club, Germany’s Union Berlin, kicks off its Bundesliga season.
Union Berlin will play in the UEFA Champions League this season for the first time in its history, qualifying directly for the group stage after finishing fourth in the Bundesliga last season. Off the field, Aaronson gets to live in Germany’s largest city, and be part of a club renowned for its family atmosphere and tight-knit fan base.
“The things that they were talking about, the plan of the club and things like this, and playing in [the] Champions League and in the league, it was easy,” Aaronson, 22, told a small gathering of media including The Inquirer via Zoom this week.
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“I think they made it a really good layout for us, and a good layout for myself,” he said, “and what they wanted me to come and do here, and the player that they want me to be. It just really opened my eyes, and I felt like it was a great place to come, and it would get the best out of me as a footballer.”
Aaronson will play in a different tactical setup with Union Berlin than the U.S. national team’s usual 4-3-3, and the 4-4-2 he saw often with past clubs. Manager Urs Fischer prefers a 5-3-2 setup with Aaronson in a box-to-box role. That’s deeper than Aaronson has been used to, but he said he likes it.
“We get into a shape and we’re very structured and we’re hard to break down,” Aaronson said, “but then attacking, he tells me to be free, go one-v-one and play my creative self like I like to be in games. … Honestly, it’s going really well, I feel very confident in the system now, I feel like it’s going to benefit me a lot as a player. I’m going to learn a lot this season.”
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There’s a long, proud history of Americans in the Bundesliga, including a current U.S. national team colleague at Union Berlin: striker Jordan Pefok. Aaronson was happy to see a familiar face when he arrived, though Pefok might not be staying there. He has fallen down the team’s depth chart, and soon after Aaronson spoke for this story, a report emerged in Germany that Pefok might go on loan to Borussia Mönchengladbach.
“He’s been like an older brother, I guess you can say, coming in here,” Aaronson said. “It’s just a good feeling having someone to go to at first, because things can be a little awkward sometimes. At first I’m a little shy, but then when I get up to guys and I get to know the group, it goes really well.”
Jordan Pefok (right) playing for Union Berlin last March.Andreas Gora / AP
The Aaronson Derby
Speaking of brothers, Aaronson’s actual brother — his younger brother Paxten — is set to begin his second campaign with Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. It’s a neat coincidence that Union and Eintracht play back-to-back Sunday, and each at home: Union vs. Mainz (9:30 a.m., ESPN+) and Eintracht against Darmstadt (11:30 a.m., ESPN+).
Because Paxten turned pro in MLS with the Union after Brenden left, it’s the first time in the brothers’ careers that they have played professionally in the same league. They could face each other twice in the Bundesliga this season, Nov. 4 in Berlin and March 30 in Frankfurt.
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“It’s going to be amazing — I can’t wait to see my brother,” Brenden said. “I’m already trying to plan a trip to, like, if I have two days off or something, go and see him in Frankfurt. He’s there alone right now because his girlfriend just went back to the States, and I know what it’s like being alone in a foreign country. It’s tough.”
The elder Aaronson has quite a bit of experience with that now. It’s been more than 2½ years since he left the Union to move to Europe, first to Red Bull Salzburg, then Leeds, and now Berlin. Last season was especially difficult for him, because his first World Cup — the pinnacle of his career to date — was jammed into the European club season.
Paxten Aaronson (left) on the ball for Eintracht Frankfurt last April.Alex Grimm / Getty Images
Summer rest ‘really needed’
While many fans don’t like it when players complain about playing too much, in the soccer world they’ve gotten a fair hearing. The 2022-23 European season was exhausting, and the World Cup made it end later than usual, which cut into increasingly rare time off to relax.
Aaronson noted that in the short span between when the World Cup ended in December and the Premier League season resumed just over a week later, he flew home to New Jersey for a few days, then flew back to Leeds. Only in late June, after the English season and the U.S. national team’s Concacaf Nations League title win were finished, was he finally able to just go sit on the beach for a while.
“Everybody knows that it was a tough year; it wasn’t the way things wanted to go,” Aaronson said of Leeds’ relegation. “I think the beginning of the year, it went really well, we were playing good football, and then, you know — I mean, I’ll say it — [expletive] happens in football. It’s tough, and that’s the way it goes, but I think that to be able to disconnect from the season, go home, be around family, just get away from it, play a little golf with some friends, just relax, go to the beach — it was something I really needed.”
Brenden Aaronson (right) walks off the field with U.S. national team colleague Tyler Adams after their Leeds United squad was relegated from the English Premier League last season.Stu Forster / Getty Images
He emphasized, though, that “there’s no excuses” for his subpar stats down the stretch of the season, which earned him a lot of scorn from Leeds fans.
“I think I could have played better for a portion of that season,” he said. “I’m OK with it now, and I’ve forgotten about it, so yeah, I feel good.”
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Aaronson hasn’t forgotten about his old team back home, though. He noted that when he woke up the morning after the Union’s 4-1 blowout loss to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami (which took place in the middle of the night in Germany), he checked his phone and was surprised by the score.
“I saw a 30-yard goal from Messi, and I was like, oh my God, he scored on Andre Blake from 30 yards?” Aaronson said. “It’s crazy.”
Spoken like the Union fan he still is, now having a second Union to call home.
Just a day after Lionel Messi announced to the world that he was coming to Major League Soccer and Inter Miami, CBS Sports Golazo Network host Susannah Collins twirled her hands around a clear glass bowl live on air and pulled out a red ball.
FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami had advanced out of the quarterfinals of the Eastern region in the U.S. Open Cup. The team whose name was pulled out of that bowl first would host the semifinal of the 110-year-old tournament. On the heels of Messi’s announcement the day prior and the seismic movement of ticket prices around his games in the hours since, the ball Collins pulled would now represent a multi-million dollar prize. The semifinal was now likely to be a sold-out game, with the chance to sell every ticket in the house at Messi-level prices.
Three weeks later, FC Cincinnati put tickets for the semifinal up for sale. Typically, the club’s rivalry “Hell is Real” game against the Columbus Crew is their hottest-selling ticket. With around 17,000 season ticket holders and a stadium capacity of 25,513, that game usually sells out after a few days.
When details of Messi’s contract emerged, some observers wondered whether MLS owners would be frustrated that league partners like Apple, Fanatics and Adidas played a role in sweetening the deal in order to entice the Argentine to any single club. So far, the answer has been no, mostly because every team understands that it, too, will see the benefit of the signing. MLS was built so that the business interests of the teams are tied together, a single-entity structure that embraces revenue share and aims to minimize losses for each individual owner. What’s good for one team typically is good for all.
“The group in that room (at MLS board of governors), they’re all partners unless they play each other,” MLS deputy commissioner Gary Stevenson said earlier this month. “So they’re rooting for each other.”
Fans are flocking to more cities than just Fort Lauderdale to see Messi (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Messi’s arrival opened up the potential for increased revenue not just for Inter Miami, but for the whole league, something which is important when you consider that Sportico research for last year had the average MLS team bringing in $57 million of revenue per year, compared to NFL ($545 million), NBA ($308 million), MLB ($313 million) and NHL ($187 million).
“It’s a positive for all the clubs in the league, and I think it’s positive for the league,” Houston owner Ted Segal said earlier this month. “Personally, I feel gratitude towards the Mas brothers and David Beckham for getting the deal across the line, in partnership with the league. And I think it’s a (continuation) of our momentum that we have in this league right now.”
Right now, just about everyone in American soccer is seeing the rewards of Messi’s arrival — and the show he’s put on in his first two games. Most MLS teams hosting Miami are seeing significant upticks in gameday revenue. Messi’s jerseys are selling out. Apple announced that three games the week of Messi’s debut set records in viewership. Social media numbers are through the roof, both in Inter Miami’s followers and in views on highlights, like Messi’s freekick goal in his debut against Cruz Azul, which has drawn hundreds of millions of eyeballs. Even the U.S. Soccer Federation will benefit – as the organizer of the U.S. Open Cup, it will get a 50 percent cut of the gate from FC Cincinnati’s U.S. Open Cup semifinal.
Messi’s deal is not just about who is paying him, but also about just how big the ripple effect from this contract will be.
“While we’ve talked about the dollars being significant, I think the halo effect of him and what it means for the entire football ecosystem (is key),” said Derek Aframe, executive vice president and head of integrated marketing at Octagon, a top global sports and entertainment marketing and management firm. “Anyone in some form or fashion is going to benefit from his presence.”
After Inter Miami’s 4-0 win over Atlanta United last Tuesday, right back DeAndre Yedlin arrived to speak to the media with a pair of pink and black Beats by Dre headphones on top of his head. They were a gift to teammates, he said, from Messi.
Beats by Dre, of course, is owned by Apple, so the headphones became another visible extension of the partnership between one of the biggest companies in the world and one of the biggest sports figures.
It also spoke to the unique nature of Messi’s contract.
“The fact you’ve got MLS, Apple and Adidas and equity in (Inter Miami), those four pieces coming together are rather historic, that you see that level of coordination to bring any athlete,” Aframe said.
Similar to David Beckham’s deal with MLS in 2007, Messi’s contract is designed to be a mutually beneficial one beyond Messi’s playing days. MLS paid a steep price in the $25 million expansion clause that Beckham triggered to launch Inter Miami. By the time the team was announced, expansion fees were significantly higher — NYCFC paid $100 million in 2015, a year after Beckham triggered his clause, and FC Cincinnati paid $150 million in 2018, the year Miami announced its team. But in providing Beckham an opportunity to own an MLS franchise, the league also kept Beckham’s brand tied to its own.
Beckham’s visibility around Inter Miami, and thus MLS, advertises the league to all of his followers and fans. Messi’s contract has similar benefits. With a trigger to own a percentage of Inter Miami after he is done playing, Messi will be an MLS stakeholder after his playing days. His brand will remain closely linked with the league. It also incentivizes Messi to continue to push the league forward, as he directly benefits from its growth.
“Jorge (Mas) is spending a tremendous amount of money, to have Apple and (senior vice president of services) Eddy (Cue) jump in, this only happens when you have five or six people that are willing to take economic risk,” said former AEG executive Tim Leiweke, who helped put together the deal that brought Beckham to MLS in 2007. “The league and Don Garber have been through this and Don is smarter about this than anybody in the world. It’s about: how do you compensate Messi to share in the 10-year vision even though the contract is three years?”
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas noted as much when he compared the contract to that of Michael Jordan, whose deal with Nike and the Jordan brand has continued to pay long after Jordan stopped playing.
“Commercial opportunities are important. The windows of athletes are ‘X’ time and I always talked to him about a legacy,” Mas said on Taylor Twellman’s new Apple podcast, Offside. “I said, ‘Lionel, you have an opportunity. Much like Michael Jordan. Much like figures in time, Muhammad Ali, a name you could recognize in every corner of the world, David Beckham and others. That in your post-career, you can not only maintain relevance but make a difference in the things that matter to you.’ And I think that was super compelling.”
Messi’s arrival has seen ticket sales increase in many cities (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Even in the short-term, MLS attaching itself to brands like Beckham and Messi is hugely valuable, both in significance and in reach. That has been evident in the early days of Messi in MLS, with his highlights being shared out by both Messi (490 million Instagram followers) and Beckham (81.5 million), far exceeding the impact of Inter Miami (12.7 million) or MLS (3.3 million).
“When we look at athletes active on social, by carrying sponsors with them, jerseys sponsors, arena sponsors, there is an incredible amount of value in that and that value attaches itself to Inter Miami and their sponsors,” said Daniel Kirschner, the CEO of Greenfly, a platform used by over 500 sports organizations to optimize digital content. “Inter Miami’s reach and impact, the number of people seeing those logos, has expanded exponentially. For MLS more broadly, it brings value by showing who he is playing against, awareness of teams, awareness of the league. It carries that value to a much broader fan base.”
For Messi’s commercial partners, the impact has been immediate.
Tor Southard, senior director of Adidas Soccer in North America, said in a press conference on July 20 that the company has seen “incredible demand” for Messi jerseys and that “retail partners have reported record single-day sales for the launch day.” Messi jerseys are on backorder online and have sold out in the team stores at DRV PNK Stadium on game days. Adidas inked Messi to a lifetime contract in 2017.
Ahead of last Tuesday’s game against Atlanta United, Messi shared a link to MLS Season Pass on his Instagram story. It was another example of the value of his partnership with Apple. According to Sports Business Journal, the MLS Season Pass subscription numbers have increased from around 700,000 in early June to nearly 1 million in late July.
Other advertisers, like Hard Rock Casino and Budweiser, have also put out new ads upon Messi’s arrival.
AB InBev struck a partnership deal with Messi in 2020, winning an award for an advertising campaign by sending bottles of Budweiser to the goalkeepers on whom Messi has scored goals. Octagon works with AB InBev, and Aframe said Messi’s move to North America brings an entirely different value proposition to companies’ partnership with the Argentine.
“It opens up a whole new set of opportunities to attract a new fanbase in that sense,” Aframe said. “There’s a chance to maybe reframe the story of Messi, in light of now playing in this country. That story is yet to be told.”
In MLS, the valuation of Messi goes beyond single-game ticket sales, or even jersey and subscription sales. There is an opportunity valuation, as well. Messi opens doors to new audiences.
The Messi boost can be seen simply by looking at Inter Miami’s social media growth, from just less than 1 million Instagram followers before he announced to 12.7 million today (though claims that 3.5 billion people saw his unveiling should be taken with a large pinch of salt). But there is no guarantee on how long that expanded audience will stick around.
The task the league and teams now face is how to turn these touchpoints with Messi into fans that stay after he’s gone. It’s a challenge that MLS teams hosting Inter Miami recognized as soon as Messi announced he was coming and ticket sales spiked.
The Chicago Fire is currently on pace to set a league record for most gross revenue driven by a single game. Prior to Messi’s announcement on June 7, the team had sold around 8,000 tickets for its midweek game against Inter Miami on October 4. They sold 10,000 more in the 10 hours or so after Messi’s announcement.
Currently, the team is tracking toward more than 40,000 tickets sold for the game at Soldier Field, an NFL venue with a capacity of 61,500. The low ticket prices are $189 in the 400 level, with prices going up to $495 in the club level, $650 in the 100 level and a handful of field-side seats as high as $3,500. Sources said the Fire are looking at between $7 and $10 million in revenue for the game. That is more than every other Fire home game this season combined.
For a team that ranked dead last in MLS in revenue as recently as 2021, it’s a massive uplift. But the game now also represents a significant opportunity for Chicago, which has been attempting to pull in new fans since returning to Soldier Field in 2020 after a generation in suburban Bridgeview.
The Fire has been one of the worst teams in the league over the past decade, and that’s led to a significant drop-off in fan interest. The hope was that a rebrand and a return to the downtown Soldier Field in 2020 could provide a rare chance at a reintroduction to the market that might spur interest. That plan was scuttled by the COVID-19 shutdown. The Fire sold nearly 50,000 tickets for its first game back at Soldier Field in March 2020 only for the pandemic to end any hope of making a big impression under new owner Joe Mansueto. The game was postponed and the season was played behind closed doors.
This Messi game now presents a similar marquee event to pull in fans who otherwise haven’t engaged with the Fire. If Chicago can put on a show for the 30,000-plus who purchased tickets specifically to see Messi, perhaps they can compel them to return.
The Fire is not alone in these efforts. Atlanta United opened up the upper bowl of its stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 71,000 capacity for soccer) and sold out the 25,000-seat inventory with an average price of around $150 — adding around $4 million in gross revenue. That despite the fact that Messi may not even play because Atlanta United has an artificial turf surface and some players deem that too risky as it can cause more knee injuries in particular. (With the Mexican national team playing the Tuesday before the game and the NFL’s Falcons playing the day after, Atlanta United officials have said they will not be putting down a grass surface on top of the turf.) Charlotte FC also opened up the entirety of its NFL stadium and is selling upper-bowl tickets for between $150-$250. They also play on an artificial surface.
It’s unclear if Messi will play at Atlanta (Photo: Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Other teams, like LAFC, who have bigger season ticket bases and smaller venues, aren’t going to see the single-game revenue increases, but look at the game as an advertisement for their teams, stadiums and atmosphere. Notably, the league’s revenue share model, which was updated this year, requires teams to put 10 percent of all ticket revenue into a league pot through the first 30,000 tickets sold, then 33 percent of all revenue above that, according to sources with knowledge of the agreement. So, every team in MLS benefits from the Messi crowds.
Those aims to convert Messi fans into Fire fans — or any other MLS team — are a microcosm of the long-term opportunities built into this current Messi boost.
“We have a special moment to capitalize on,” Garber said earlier this month. “So you would expect us to do everything to ensure that we’re providing our fans, our partners, particularly our media partners, all the tools to be able to capture the moment. We’re very thoughtful about how we ensure that to 2026 and beyond, MLS is raised to a higher level and it’s really transformed by having this iconic moment that we take advantage of.”
AC Milan Serie A 2023-24 season preview, predictions: Rossoneri might be favorites to win Scudetto
Stefano Pioli’s team were the most active this summer
AC Milan went through a big summer revolution. After reaching the Champions League semifinals last season, losing to city rivals Inter, coach Stefano Pioli and the club decided that it was the right time to make some changes in the roster. Club legend and former director Paolo Maldini left after some disagreements with the American owner, Gerry Cardinale. The former head of scouting, Geoffrey Moncada took charge of the transfer business alongside the new CEO, Giorgio Furlani. The Rossoneri made some big changes that created a lot of expectations around the team and the club, which is now considered one of the main candidates to win the title in the upcoming season. This will be the first season without soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who decided to retire at the end of the past season.
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Summer transfer business
The AC Milan summer transfer window started off with Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali leaving his childhood club to join Newcastle for €70 million plus €5 million in add-ons. That money was immediately used to make some signings, as the Rossoneri signed goalkeeper Marco Sportiello and midfielder Luka Romero as free agents. Then, they signed USMNT winger Christian Pulisic from Chelsea for around €20 million and USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah for €20 million, add-ons included, Then midfielders Tijjani Reijnders from Feyenoord for €19 million and Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea for €16 million followed, and most recently winger Samuel Chukwueze from Villarreal for €20 million and striker Noah Okafor from RB Salzburg for €14 million.
It was a very active summer for the club, which decided to add young and talented players. AC Milan will also change the tactical system and will play with the 4-3-3 in the upcoming season, as the Rossoneri already tried in the first preseason games against Juventus, Real Madrid and Monza, with the possibility to switch back to the 4-2-3-1 as they played in the past three years under Pioli.
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What to expect from AC Milan
AC Milan can be considered one of the top candidates to win the title, as they renovated the roster with some young and promising talents but also had already some of the best players in the league, including winger Rafael Leao and goalkeeper Mike Maignan. AC Milan will likely fight with Inter again for the Serie A title and can be considered as the best-positioned side to win it this time, considering that have invested and changed the team early in the summer, while Inter still have to make some moves at the end of August. Pioli had more time to prepare for the season and worked with the new signings already the whole preseason, while Simone Inzaghi couldn’t. The Rossoneri also signed two of the most talented USMNT players. The two should not be starters at the beginning of the season, but they will definitely have chances to show their potential.
Three players to watch out
Tijjani Reijnders: One of the most underrated signings of the summer. The Dutch midfielder was one of the best talents of European soccer in the past seasons when he played for AZ Alkmaar and now has the chance to make an impact in one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. Watch out for him, he’s one to follow this year.
Christian Pulisic: The USMNT star can play in multiple positions of the attacking line. He can play as right winger, left winger when Leao is not available and potentially also as a number ten if AC Milan will use the 4-2-3-1. Pulisic is the player that AC Milan missed in the past years, the one that can also come off the bench and decide games.
Samuel Chukwueze: He is considered one of the best talents around Europe and attracted interested of multiple clubs, but AC Milan were able to bring him to the Italian league. The Nigerian winger should become the starter on the right in the 4-3-3.
AC Milan predictions
Serie A finish: 1st
Top scorer: Olivier Giroud
Player of the season: Rafael Leao
Somethingunexpected: Zlatan Ibrahimovic will join coaching staff
Christian Pulisic at AC Milan: USMNT star fitting right in with Rossoneri after positive preseason performance
The American international has looked sharp for his new club so far
Christian Pulisic has officially started his new chapter at AC Milan. The U.S. men’s national team player moved this summer from Chelsea for €22 million with the ambition to become a key player for the side coached by Stefano Pioli. Pulisic made his debut in the US pre-season tour and played as a starter in both clashes against Real Madrid and Juventus. AC Milan lost 3-2 to the Spanish giants in the second half after the Rossoneri were up 2-0 and then lost in penalties against the Italian rivals on Thursday.
Despite the results, Pulisic is making a great impression so far among both his teammates and the fans. His attitude on and off the pitch was widely appreciated, and supporters could feel his desire to shine with his new club since he touched ground in Italy at the beginning of July. Pioli considered Pulisic the perfect addition to his squad, which last season suffered a lot when key player and winger Rafael Leao was not fit. The USMNT player can play in three different positions in the tactical system used by the Rossoneri — he can play as a left winger, as a right winger in the 4-3-3 and potentially also as a number ten in the 4-2-3-1.
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That’s what AC Milan needed — a player that could play in different positions of the attacking line to provide quality and depth. Pulisic, in fact, played in two different positions in his first unofficial games of the season. Against Real Madrid, he started at left winger, while against Juventus he started on the right, with Leao playing on the left. It’s easy to imagine that Pioli has in mind to play with Leao on the left and new signing Samuel Chukwueze on the right as starters in either the 4-2-3-1 or the 4-3-3, as he played in the first two games of the season. However, this shouldn’t impact the role of Pulisic, who can become a crucial player, potentially off the bench, something that AC Milan definitely missed last season. But he can also be key as a starter when one between Leao and Chukwueze aren’t available.
“His physical condition is improving, we’ve only been working for two weeks. He can play on the right, left or on the frontline, he’s smart and has quality,” Pioli said after the Juve match. “Can he play with Leao? They also swapped sides against Juventus. We have Leao on the left, Chukwueze on the right, Pulisic who can play very wel everywhere.”
In general, the first impressions of Pulisic are definitely positive. He’s adapting fast and well, and the fans are perceiving his attitude as a good sign for the upcoming season. For sure, he needs to work hard to get a starting role in this renovated roster, but he will have his chances. Pioli considers him as the perfect player to overcome some of what lacks in the squad, either as a starter or as a player that can come out of the bench and decide a game.
Tactically speaking, Pioli will have to deal with the presence of much more offensive players like Leao, Chukwueze and Pulisic that support striker Olivier Giroud compared to past years. The question is: can they all play together? At the beginning of the season, probably not, but considering that the second lines didn’t perform as the starting eleven players, this is definitely a big improvement for the club in any case, at least on paper.
Pulisic needed a place to shine, and AC Milan this season looks like the right place to be, despite the big changes that happened in the summer, including the farewell of former director and club legend Paolo Maldini. Time will tell us if this was the right move for him, but looking at the first weeks of his new chapter at AC Milan, it all seems to be going in the right direction.
Eleven looking for third straight victory
#ELPvIND Preview Indy Eleven atEl Paso Locomotive FC Saturday, August 19, 2023 – 9:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. MT Southwest University Park – El Paso, Texas
2023 USL Championship Records El Paso Locomotive FC: 9W-9L-5D (-8) 32 pts; 8th in Western Conference Indy Eleven: 8W-9L-7D (3), 31 pts; 6th in Eastern Conference
Community Health Network Sports Medicine Indy Eleven Injury Report OUT: Y. Oettl (ankle), M. King (hip) QUESTIONABLE: None
SETTING THE SCENE The Boys in Blue return to action Saturday when they hit the road for the second game of a three match road trip against El Paso Locomotive FC.
The Eleven are coming off a 1-0 win over The Miami FC and are 3-2-0 in their last five games. With an 8-9-7 record, Indy is sixth in the USLC Eastern Conference. El Paso is 0-4-1 in its last five matches and is coming off a 5-0 loss to Phoenix. ELP is eighth in the Western Conference at 9-9-5.
ELP
IND
23
Games
24
29
Goals
29
37
Goals Conceded
26
20
Assists
19
99
SOT
76
107
Shots Faced
91
6
Clean Sheets
8
SERIES VS. EL PASO Saturday marks the second meeting between the two teams, with El Paso holding the 1-0-0 all-time advantage in USL Championship action. The is the lone meeting of the season.
ELP leads: 1-0-0 | GF 0, GA 2
Recent Meetings 6.9.21 | at ELP | L, 2-0
2021 USL Championship Regular Season El Paso Locomotive FC 2:0 Indy Eleven Wednesday, June 9, 2021 – 9:00 p.m. ET Southwest University Park – El Paso, Texas
Scoring Summary ELP – Nick Ross (Macauley King) 2’ ELP – Diego Luna (Macauley King) 49’
A FAMILIAR FOE Indy’s roster looks drastically different from the last time these teams met in 2021. In fact, there were more current Indy players in El Paso’s starting lineup than there were in the 18 for the Boys in Blue. Mechack Jerome, Macauley King and Bryam Rebellon suited up for El Paso, while current assistant coach Ayoze was the only current Eleven product to represent the Boys in Blue. Head coach Mark Lowry was also on the other bench for the match up, while Sebastian Velasquez spent two stints with the club.
INDY ELEVEN PLACE FOUR ON USLC TEAM OF THE WEEK AUGUST 15, 2023 After an undefeated week, Indy Eleven placed four players on the USL Championship Team of the Week and added a bench selection
Defender Adrian Diz Pe, midfielder Solomon Asante and forward Sebastian Guenzatti earned starting nods after Indy earned a decisive 4-0 win over Birmingham Legion FC and a 1-0 win over The Miami FC last week. Defender Younes Boudadi was added as a bench selection. Indy is the only third team in 23 weeks of action to place three players on the team of the week, while adding a bench player, and only one team has seen four players recognized among the league’s top 11.
Diz Pe scored his first goal of the season, which proved to be the match winner in the 1-0 decision over Miami on Saturday. As part of the Indy backline, he helped the team to a pair of shutouts, registering 14 clearances and a pair of interceptions.
Asante recorded three assists in a match for the third time in his USL Championship career in the win over Birmingham. His three assists gave him a combined 103 goals and assists (51G/52A), placing him tied for fourth all-time in the USL Championship, and made him the first player to split 50-50. His assist total places him second all-time.
Guenzatti scored a pair of goals, including the game winner, in Indy’s win over Birmingham. The two tallies bring his season total to six and USLC career total to 63, moving him to ninth all-time in the league.
Boudadi played all 180 minutes of action on the Indy backline over a two-match week helping the Boys in Blue to a pair of clean sheets. He registered four tackles, three clearances, a blocked shot and an interception. In all, the Eleven only allowed five shots on target.
LAST TIME OUT MIA 0:1 IND AUGUST 12, 2023 It was another night for the history books as Indy Eleven defeated The Miami FC, 1-0, on Saturday. The victory ended a three-match win streak for Miami, the hottest team in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference, who had only given up one goal in the stretch.
Adrian Diz Pe had the match-winning strike as he headed in a corner from Aodhan Quinn to improve the Eleven to 8-9-7 on the season. The 51st-minute game winner was the first of the season for Diz Pe who came on for Indy at the half, and the assist was the 50th career for Quinn.
Quinn is now fourth all-time time in the USL Championship for regular season assists and moved up to a tie for fourth with four players, including teammate Solomon Asante, with 103 (53G/50A) combined goals and assists. Asante reached the feat on Wednesday against Birmingham Legion FC with his third career USLC match with three assists, and now sits at 51 goals and 52 assists. Quinn and Asante are the only two players in the USL Championship who have reached the 50/50 threshold.
USL Championship Regular Season The Miami FC 0:1 Indy Eleven Saturday, August 12, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. ET FIU Stadium – Miami
2023 USL Championship Records The Miami FC: 6W-10L-8D (-3), 26 pts Indy Eleven: 8W-9L-7D (2), 31 pts
Scoring Summary IND – Adrian Diz Pe (Aodhan Quinn) 51’
Discipline Summary MIA – Boluwatife Akinyode (caution) 12’ IND – Younes Boudadi (caution) 47’ MIA – Joaquin Rivas (caution) 62’ IND – Cam Lindley (caution) 66’
50/50 CLUB Solomon Asante and Aodhan Quinn became the first two players in USL Championship history to reach both 50 regular season goals and 50 regular season assists. Asante (51G/52A) had three assists in the 4-0 win over Birmingham (8.9) to push himself over the plateau. Quinn (53G/50A) added his 50th assist in the 1-0 win at Miami (8.12).
20,000 AND BEYOND… Aodhan Quinn became the USL Championship’s leader in regular-season minutes played against Tampa Bay on July 22.
Quinn has 53 goals, becoming the 24th player in USL Championship history to hit 50 goals. He is one of only seven players to have a combined 100 career goals and assists with 53 goals and 50 assists, and is the second player to join the 50 goals/50 assists club.
Quinn has recorded 24 penalty kick goals in 27 attempts in his career in the league, the most of any individual player on record in league history.
World Cup Semi Finals – Tues 4 am Spain vs Sweden/Wed 6 am Eng/Australia on Fox
We are down to 4 with 3 of them European squads – along with the home team in Australia. So who do you like? As much as my English Friends want the Lioness’ to bring it on home – I like Australia in the this semi-final. Australia has managed without best player on the planet for the last 5 years – Sam Kerr for most of this tourney and she played 65 minutes last game and could go for more in this one? I see Australia winning a close one 2-1 in normal time. (enough shootouts). On the other side I like Sweden over a young Spain side that has simply never played at this level before. They might be more skilled but will take Grit and Great Defense and Head balls on set pieces in tight games so I like Sweden 2-0. Beside Sweden took out the US – then defended them by saying no one should take potshots at the strongest program the world has ever seen. Give me Sweden to take it home. (tons of stories below) Now interesting in this one as we watch the Aussies – who have flat captured the nation – my daughter is there – and she says the Aussies are so fun to root for! Unfortunately my girlie Courtney is over there like these US fans – looking for a team to root for. (check below for tons of stories & Great GK Saves)
MLS Leagues Cup Semi-Finals Tues Night 7 pm Miami @ Philly, 9:30 pm Monterrey @ Nashville Apple TV MLS Pass
So 3 of the Final 4 teams in the New Leagues Cup between MLS and Liga MX are MLS. At 7 pm Messi and Miami will travel to Philly who pulled it out in the final minutes. While on the other side Nashville pulled out the miracle PK win and will host Mexican power Monterrey at 9:30 pm all on Apple TV MLS Season Pass. (Read stories below) I like Messi & Miami to pull off the win 3-2 in PKs, while Nashville will ride the home crowd to take down Monterrey again 2-1 in PKs.
EPL off to Roaring Start for American Players
What a start for Fulham football club with a solid 1-0 win over Everton with American defenders Tim Ream and Jedi Robinson holding down the defense, couple that with a fine showing for American #1 GK Matt Turner at Nottingham Forest as they almost upset Arsenal at home (2-1) thanks in part to some great saves by Turner.
Australia and England round out semifinalists
The Matildas and the Lionesses are through to the semifinals after quarterfinal dramatics on Saturday. Australia becomes the first home nation to make the Women’s World Cup semifinals since 2003. England is the only team to make the semifinals of the 2015, 2019 and 2023 World Cup. Nerves of steel: Australia took the long route to victory, advancing past France in a historically lengthy penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw through extra time. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold became the hero of the match for the Matildas, making multiple penalty saves to put Australia through. England also had to battle adversity, coming back to defeat Colombia 2-1 after conceding the first goal. An equalizer from Lauren Hemp sent the game into halftime all level, and Alessia Russo scored the game-winner in the second half. There hasn’t been a European Women’s World Cup winner since 2007, but 2023 might be the year that changes. Three of the four semifinalists are from UEFA: Sweden, Spain and England. With Spain taking on Sweden in the semifinals, at least one European team will have a shot at the trophy. Making history: No matter what, there will be a team winning the World Cup for the first time in 2023.England, Spain and Australia have all yet to reach a World Cup final. Spain, Australia and Sweden have all yet to win a major tournament. Bottom line: The last few years have made waves about European investment in women’s football. It’s now time to see if that pays off on the biggest of stages. Spain vs. Sweden, Tuesday at 4 am ET (FOX) England vs. Australia, Wednesday at 6 am ET (FOX)
Carmel FC GK Training starts Monday, Aug 21
Mondays – Shelbourne Field 2 U11/U12 5-5:45 pm U13+ 5:45 -6:30 pm w/Coach Shane Best
My Daughter Courtney (middle) was one of those American’s in New Zealand who had to find another team to root for. They had a good time – but no US being there sucked.
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4 am FOX Semi Spain vs Sweden WC
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Real Madrid sign Chelsea keeper Kepa on season-long loan to replace Courtois
Reffing
How USA fans watched the World Cup after USWNT exit
Caitlin Murray, ESPNAug 14, 2023, 03:03 AM ET
SYDNEY — After Bill and Heather Drake took their two daughters to see the U.S. women’s national team compete in the group stage games of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the American team went on to win the whole thing in a captivating run through the knockout stage. So, when the 2023 tournament rolled around, this time the Drakes wanted to see the U.S. in the later rounds.They booked flights from Detroit, Michigan to Auckland, New Zealand — a travel day of around 24 hours — where they planned to see the USWNT compete in the quarterfinals and semifinals, both set to take place in Auckland. Two days before their flight, however, they woke up at 5 a.m. and watched on TV as Sweden knocked the Americans out in the round of 16.”It was heartbreaking,” Heather said. “I was happy — I felt like they were playing well. Up until that game, I didn’t think they were playing like the U.S. team that we expected. So I was excited — I was like, ‘OK, maybe this can happen.'”But then it didn’t happen. The U.S. previously had never failed to reach the semifinals of a Women’s World Cup, but after a 0-0 deadlock, the round-of-16 match turned to penalty kicks, where Sweden gave the Americans a shocking early exit.
And with that, countless travel itineraries went up in smoke for USWNT fans.The Drakes and their daughters, Claire and Claudia, made the most of their trip, chatting with ESPN on a ferry bringing them back to Auckland’s downtown from picturesque Waiheke Island. But when first confronted with the notion of flying around the world to see a team that was no longer even in the World Cup, it was hard not to feel let down.It was a little disappointing,” Bill said. “The more the thought sunk in, the more disappointing it got.”How much blame lies with Andonovski for USWNT’s World Cup failure?Luis Miguel Echegaray questions the tactics of head coach Vlatko Andonovski after the USWNT crashed out of the Women’s World Cup vs. Sweden.Fans based in the United States bought nearly 100,000 tickets for the Women’s World Cup, according to FIFA — the most of any nation outside host countries Australia and New Zealand. That’s a lot of disappointed fans, some of whom might have never had a chance to watch their team play as they banked on the U.S. making it deeper into the tournament.On Saturday at the Auckland airport, a familiar scene played out at an Air New Zealand gate where passengers waited to fly to Sydney, the host city of a semifinal game and the final. Two sets of strangers, a family of four — a mom, dad, daughter and son — and a couple of women (one wearing a Portland Thorns T-shirt) shared updates on the ongoing Australia-France game and recognized each other as Americans and got to chatting.
“You’re here for the World Cup too?” “Yep. We’re from L.A. Where are you from?” “The Bay Area.” “Ah.” They had rearranged their plans when the USWNT got knocked out, and the talk quickly turned to the team and questioning coach Vlatko Andonovski’s choice of lineups and substitutions.
Upstairs at the Auckland airport that night, Tehya Mondala was playing cards with her dad, Bryan, and her mom, Helen. They were waiting for their flight to head back to San Diego after watching the USWNT in only one of the three games they had planned to see. They attended the group stage game against Portugal, but when the USWNT failed to win the group and took an unexpected path, the family couldn’t see the team in the round of 16 — and then, well, the Americans weren’t even in the quarterfinals.
“We knew that was a risk — although it’s the first time in history it happened,” Bryan Hageman said. “We weren’t going to change our hotel and our airfare and everything else.”
The team’s poor form early in the tournament had braced the family for the possibility beforehand, Bryan added: “Before we came here, we knew in that Portugal game they had to score four goals and they didn’t look like they were going to score one goal, even before the game.”
Before the tournament started, the consensus prediction was that the U.S. would win Group E, which meant that the team would have played its round-of-16 match in Sydney before returning to New Zealand for a quarterfinal in Wellington. (The organizers of the tournament, FIFA, thought the same and plotted a schedule where the winner of Group E would play locally in the afternoon so the games could air during primetime for an American TV audience.)
But the U.S. finishing second in the group meant a detour to the round of 16 in Melbourne, Australia, and then a return to Auckland for the quarterfinal. (Those games were set to be played at night locally, which meant kickoff times in the middle of the night back in the United States.)
Cassidy Fialkiewicz and Zion Moore of Seattle booked travel from Auckland to Sydney, expecting the Americans to top their group, but made an impromptu 24-hour whirlwind trip to Melbourne to follow the team when the path changed. The pair managed to get last-minute match tickets and flights, so they went for it.
“Our base is in Sydney because we thought they were going to be in Sydney,” Cassidy said on the day of the U.S.-Sweden game. “We flew in this morning and we’re leaving tomorrow at 6 a.m. and no hotel.”
Asked what she’d do if the USWNT unexpectedly got knocked out that night, she said she planned to make the most of the World Cup. “I love soccer,” Cassidy said. “We’re just going to go to Sydney and watch some good football. That’s what it’s all about.”
But the World Cup has largely continued on without the U.S. fans who have been such a presence at past tournaments — including the American Outlaws, the superfans who travel in groups to major tournaments and friendlies for both the men’s and women’s national teams. Monica Bosiljevac of the American Outlaws estimated that about 3,000 fans attended the march to the stadium before the USA-Netherlands group game in Wellington, comparable to the turnout in Paris for the USWNT’s 2019 quarterfinal against France.
“It seems less accessible, or like less people are traveling here than they did for Canada [in 2015] or France because it’s a longer trip, but I’ll say that the turnout for AO has still been blowing us out of the water,” Bosiljevac said early in the tournament when the U.S. was still in it.
Carlisle: Rapinoe was disappointing throughout World Cup
Jeff Carlisle looks back on the USWNT’s World Cup exit and the underwhelming performances from Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan.
Of fans who made the American Outlaws events part of their itinerary, a popular choice was to plan to see the third game of the group stage and then continue on to the knockout stage. Some fans hedged their bets, booking refundable options for the USWNT winning the group or finishing second.
That means some American fans, of course, were left having to find new teams to root for. Many U.S. fans had tickets to watch the quarterfinal in Auckland that, without the USWNT, turned into a match-up between Sweden and Japan. Early on, it became clear many Americans were rooting against Sweden, the team that sent the U.S. home.
The Drakes had tickets to that game, too. When ESPN asked whether they’d be rooting for Sweden or Japan, they didn’t hesitate, all responding in unison: “Japan.”
The England-Australia Women’s World Cup semifinal has plenty of storylines to watch. Not only is this England against a former colony, one that still bears the Union Jack on its flag, but this is one of the pre-tournament favorites against the host nation.Stadium Australia in Sydney will be rocking with more than 75,000 fans. The Matildas played in this venue for their opening group play match against Ireland (a 1-0 win) and their opening knockout match against Denmark (a 2-0 win). England played its come-from-behind quarterfinal win against Colombia in Stadium Australia.England is -155 (20-to-31) to advance with Australia at +110 (11-to-10) on BetMGM. The Lionesses had emerged as the favorite to win the tournament after the Americans went out, but Spain has taken the top spot in the odds ahead of the semifinals.All odds from BetMGM. Here’s where you can buy tickets to upcoming games.
Australia became the second host nation to advance past the quarterfinals and is getting star striker Sam Kerr back to fitness. Kerr subbed on in the 55th minute against France, her longest appearance of the tournament. After playing for more than an hour with extra time, she could be ready to start in the semifinal.
The Matildas have had clean sheets in four of their five matches. The one that was not was a 3-2 loss to Nigeria in group play.The Lionesses have had plenty of close matches this World Cup. Outside of a 6-1 shellacking of China, England had two 1-0 wins in group play, survived in penalties against Nigeria (after 120 minutes of goalless play) and beat Colombia 2-1. With a rocking crowd in Sydney, it would be a minor surprise to see the English get an easy victory despite an edge in talent and big match experience after winning the Euros last year.
This is the first time Australia has made it this far in a World Cup, but it is England’s third straight semifinal. In the previous two, the Lionesses lost 2-1. For this match, however, the English are favored.
The winner of this game will get a minor edge in the final. Both this semifinal and the final take place in Stadium Australia.
After Sweden’s 2-1 win over Japan in its World Cup quarterfinal, a journalist asked Amanda Ilestedt when she would ask her coach to move her up the field to play as a striker. The Swedish center back laughed and said, “I already did (move up the field).”
Ilestedt currently leads Sweden in goals scored (four) and is one of four players tied for second place in the tournament’s golden boot race. The reasoning is quite simple, Sweden effectively uses its set piece opportunities and Ilestedt is in the right place at the right time.
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“Set pieces are very important. Amanda is very good there. (She) can score goals in different ways,” Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson said. “Old fruits in trees when they fall down, you have to pick them up. That’s what we did in the last game (scoring goals from the set pieces).”
All but one of Ilestedt’s goals have come from headed corner kicks. The goal Gerhardsson referred to as “old fruits in trees” falling down was the one against Japan. Kosovare Asllani sent a free kick into the box and Nathalie Björn and Magdalena Eriksson both attempted shots, but it was Ilestedt who cleaned up from close range.
With a semifinal against Spain beckoning, Sweden looks to reach its sixth major tournament final. They haven’t made a final of the World Cup since 2003, when they lost to Germany, but they have a great chance this time around. First, Sweden must get through Spain on Tuesday at Eden Park in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, though.
If they want to use their strength, Ilestedt will be crucial. Along with her goals, her partnership with Eriksson in the center of Sweden’s defense has helped them progress throughout the tournament — including beating the U.S.
A golden boot contender
Sweden’s set piece success is no secret.Against Japan, Sweden profited twice from set pieces. The first was a close-range goal from Ilestedt. The second came from a converted penalty after a handball by Fuka Nagano during another corner kick for Sweden. But with that goal, Ilestedt’s teammates are now confident she’s demonstrated everything needed to be the tournament’s top scorer.“I also want to score some goals, but if you have Ilestedt then I’m like, ‘OK, she can score, it’s fine,’” Björn said with a laugh. “I think she can (win the golden boot) now that she showed she can shoot, as well. ”Sweden has mostly used in-swinging set pieces throughout the tournament. They have varied on occasion with out-swinging deliveries, but putting a ball directly in front of the goal has proven to be more successful for the team. It gives players like Ilestedt the chance to get on the ball and not have to generate too much power to turn it goalward.“I think set pieces are one of our biggest strengths, it’s something we work on. Amanda is amazing but we have so many players that are really good in the area,” Asllani said. “In the end, I don’t think anyone cares who’s the leading goal scorer, the only thing we’re thinking about is winning games.”
As seen with her previous goals before Japan, all Ilestedt had to do was redirect the ball when it came to her. She didn’t have to try to angle it in a certain way. The power and direction came due to the set piece delivery, which both Asllani and Jonna Andersson have been very good at throughout the tournament.
“I don’t think so many people were expecting her to be the one with the most goals for our team but she’s an amazing player and she really deserves this,” said Fridolina Rolfö. “We all know how good she is at heading the ball. As (Asllani) said, set pieces are one of our strengths so I’m not surprised but at the same time, I’m happy for her because she’s an amazing player”
Partnership with Magda Eriksson in central defense
When we talk about Ilestedt, we can’t do so without focusing on her primary job: being a defender. Sweden has conceded two goals so far this tournament, which shows just how strong they have been defensively.Against the U.S., Sweden struggled to maintain possession and avoid pressure. Goalkeeper Zećira Mušović produced some incredible saves to keep the score at 0-0, but the communication between the two center backs also helped Sweden see out the game.“Amanda and I like to talk to each other,” Eriksson said. “It was impressive against the U.S. that we managed to maintain the dialogue despite the pressure.”It was needed again against Japan as Sweden faced an onslaught late in the second half. Similar to the match against the U.S., Ilestedt and Eriksson did just enough to keep Japan from finding the tying goal.
Ilestedt and Eriksson celebrate during Sweden’s match against South Africa. (Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images)
Whether they are in a back three or a back four, the two center backs continue to be key for what Sweden has done right in this tournament so far. Eriksson tends to progress the ball more when Sweden is in possession but that doesn’t mean that Ilestedt isn’t capable of finding the right pass, either. In the first half against Japan, Ilestedt’s understanding of when to move or which lane to step into to cut out the passing lines was part of what Sweden did right. When she had the ball at her feet, she was also able to make the right decision and continue to recycle possession.
Eriksson and Ilestedt have been targets for all of Sweden’s set pieces. And though the former has yet to score, Ilestedt has done it enough for the both of them. She’s already matched Wendie Renard’s World Cup record for most goals by a defender at a single World Cup. She will be someone that Spain has to mark tightly. If they don’t, Ilestedt could become the first defender at a World Cup to win the golden boot award.(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Women’s World Cup Daily: Semifinal previews, predictions
ESPN
The 2023 Women’s World Cup is in full swing, and these daily files give you the latest reporting from around the tournament as well as betting lines, what-to-watch-for information and best reads. Check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Australia and New Zealand.
With Japan, Colombia, France and Netherlands now out after the quarterfinals, there will be a new Women’s World Cup champion crowned. England face co-hosts Australia, while Sweden battle Spain for the right to be called the best women’s international team on the planet.
ESPN’s writers on the ground in Australia and New Zealand take us through the two semifinal fixtures.
Semifinal previews
Spain vs. Sweden, Tuesday Eden Park, Auckland; 8 p.m. local, 4 a.m. ET, 9 a.m. BST
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Spain have overcome a lot on their path to the World Cup semifinals, but now is perhaps their biggest challenge: beating Sweden for the first time in their history.
The squad mutiny from last October, when 15 players wrote to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) demanding changes behind the scenes and within the coaching setup, has somehow been put in the rearview mirror at this World Cup, but Jorge Vilda’s team also suffered a 4-0 defeat against Japan in the group stage. And the ongoing battle for fitness of Spain’s leading player, two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, is another issue that Vilda has had to deal with.
While Spain have gotten this far despite their problems, Vilda knows Sweden poses a significant test for his players.
“Yes, we have never beaten Sweden,” Vilda said. “But it is an additional motivation and we have this opportunity now. I am convinced that we can look them in the face and, if we present a good version of ourselves, win the game. We are Spain, everyone knows how we play, and we will stick to the script. But it has to be the best version of Spain for us to win.”
Sweden, having eliminated Japan and the U.S. to reach the semis, go into the clash at Eden Park as the favourites to reach the final. Peter Gerhardsson’s team have made it this far by capitalising on their ability on set pieces, and the coach makes no apology about the direct style of his side.
“One of our strengths are the set pieces in the offense and defence,” he said. “We practice a lot. It’s part of the game and you can work a lot on structure at set pieces. We are not scoring all goals directly from set pieces. It is second balls, too. When old fruit in trees are falling down, you have to pick them up. That’s what we did in the last game — it’s falling fruit.”
Ilestedt has scored four goals in five games for Sweden, despite playing in central defence. Only Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa has scored more goals than Ilestedt, who could win the Golden Boot as well as the trophy. All of Ilestedt’s goals have come from set pieces, while eight out of Sweden’s 11 goals at the tournament have followed dead-ball setups. Her performance so far has even surprised some of her teammates. “I don’t think so many of us were expecting her to be top scorer in our team,” forward Fridolina Rolfö said. “But she’s an amazing player, especially with her head, and I am so happy for her.”
At 19, Paralluelo is on course to be the outstanding young player of the tournament. The Barcelona winger showcased her incredible ability with a stunning solo goal to win Spain’s quarterfinal match against the Netherlands. A former 400-metre runner who competed for Spain at the 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships, Paralluelo’s pace is one of Spain’s biggest weapons. Having started on the bench against the Dutch, the big question is whether she will play from the start against Sweden. — Mark Ogden
Lynch: No sweeter win for Australia than beating England
Joey Lynch looks ahead to a rivalry clash in the World Cup semifinals with hosts Australia set to face England.
England vs. Australia, Wednesday Stadium Australia, Sydney; 8 p.m. local, 6 a.m. ET, 11 a.m. BST
SYDNEY — The front page of Monday’s Australian Daily Telegraph (renamed the “Daily Tillygraph” in honour of the Matildas) said it all: “Now for the Poms.”
This is the latest chapter of a cross-sport Australia-England rivalry, played at a sold-out Stadium Australia. It’s box office. Many of the players know each other, as they play for the same clubs. They’ve crossed paths for years, but never like this. This is the semifinal the 2023 World Cup wanted: the co-hosts against the reigning European champions, all with years of sporting hostility behind them.
Tony Gustavsson’s Matildas will have the benefit of a wall of green and gold inside the stadium. The boisterous home fans will be there roaring on a team that has gripped a nation, and they’re hoping for another huge victory in their first World Cup semifinal.
England’s Lionesses are unbeaten at this World Cup, suffering just one defeat in all since Sarina Wiegman took over as coach in 2021. That loss came against Australia in April, a 2-0 defeat in London, and this is a new-look team with star players injured or retired, and young phenom Lauren James suspended. But England have showed their adaptability in this World Cup as they played a 4-2-3-1 in wins over Haiti and Denmark, before switching to a 3-4-1-2 for their final group-stage match with China, a game they won 6-1.
England’s knockout stage has been tough. But this is the big one, and it’s their sternest test yet.
England are a team packed with stars and have the depth to cope with some absentees, but Bright is indispensable. The England captain has been a rock at the back. She came into the tournament having just recovered from a knee injury but has been the pillar of the back three, heading away anything that has come her way. Bright will be the key to stopping Australia’s attacking threats.
Foord has had a wonderful tournament so far. The Arsenal forward has been lethal, switching between a role at the front in the opening couple of matches to out wide in the knockout stage. But it’s not just her ability to turn defences inside out which makes her so valuable — it’s also her defensive qualities that make her a world-class player as she tracks back to help her teammates. Foord will be targeting that gap between Lucy Bronze and Jess Carter on England’s right side, and both will be on red alert to stop the Aussie star. — Tom Hamilton
Predictions
Sophie Lawson: Sweden and Australia for me. Sweden have experience at this level; Spain do not. If Sweden can dominate the midfield as they did against Japan, or sit back and let Spain have the ball as they did against the U.S., I think they have the nous to get through 2-1. As for the Matildas, they’ve been growing into this tournament whereas England are a lot more stop-start. Factor in the swell of home support and all signs point to gold vs. gold, Swedish manager vs. Swedish manager in the final. The score? 2-0.
Tom Hamilton: I think it’ll end up being a Sweden vs. England final. The strength of Sweden’s set pieces and defensive stability will see them through 2-1 against Spain, but expect Vilda’s team to dominate possession and territory.
Australia and England can be decided on the flip of a coin, but the Lionesses’ experience at this stage — their third World Cup semifinal in a row — and defensive stability will see them through 1-0, despite the wave of passionate home support.
Mark Ogden: I’m going for a sea of yellow at Stadium Australia in the final on Sunday. Sweden have too much power and belief against a Spain team that have reached the semis for the first time. 2-0.
England have a better all-round team than Australia. The Matildas have the outstanding talents of Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler, as well as the incredible home support which will tilt Wednesday’s semi in their favour. 2-1.
Joey Lynch: Sweden and England to win. Having shown the weight that ruthless pragmatism and strength can have against one technically superior opponent, Sweden should have enough to step up and do similar to Spain and win 2-0. Where England get the goals they’ll need is a massive question, but if they can clamp down on Australia’s transition and Jess Carter and Lucy Bronze do similar to Foord, I can’t see the Matildas getting through their defence. 1-0 to England.
Caitlin Murray: Sweden vs. Australia in the final. Sweden beat my previous winner pick (Japan), so they’ve earned the nod. Sweden also beat the team I came here to cover (the U.S.), so I shifted my coverage accordingly and found that Sweden’s team has remarkably similar vibes to the 2019 USWNT that won it all four years ago. They seem like the kind of team that can stop anyone, even Spain, so I predict 1-0 Sweden. Meanwhile, this is wishful thinking, but I’d love to see Australia make it through as a host country and underdog. The players are stepping up, and Gustavsson is allowing them to be their best, so I think it’s possible. England can and will put up a fight, so I predict the Matildas going through 2-1.
Marissa Lordanic: Sweden vs. Australia as well. Both of these semifinals will be tight contests, but I expect Sweden to continue their upward trajectory, coupled with a healthy smattering of luck, and their experience at this stage of major tournaments. Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic will be key again for a 1-0 win. Australia will top England 2-1, namely because their attack’s potency should trump England’s defensive resoluteness.
Sweden’s advance into the World Cup semifinals ‘came down to millimetres’
Sophie Lawson reacts to Sweden’s 2-1 win vs. Japan to get into the semifinals and compares it to round-of-16 game against USWNT.
Sights and sounds
Amid World Cup hype, talk of All Blacks never far
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — As the Northern Explorer train came to a halt at Auckland Strand station after its 11-hour journey up the North Island from Wellington on Sunday, the train manager had a message for the passengers before disembarking.
The train was busier than usual — winter is the quiet season on the route through New Zealand’s stunning volcanic landscape — and she will have noted the many Americans on board by their accents and sportswear bearing the crests of the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Falcons and New York Yankees, not to mention several in Team USA gear.
FIFA data shows that from the 90,000 tickets bought by U.S. residents, many paid to attend the Wellington quarterfinal, expecting the USWNT to have played in that tie rather than suffer a shocking round-of-16 elimination.
Many of those on the train back to Auckland headed north originally expecting to watch the USWNT in Tuesday’s semifinal in the city. But with the defending champions no longer in the competition, the American fans have time on their hands to explore New Zealand’s biggest sights — and the train manager made sure to tell her passengers what really matters in the country.”If there’s one thing I can recommend you all to do in Auckland, it is the All Blacks Experience [guided tour],” the train manager said. “I know most of you are here for the soccer, but we’re pretty big on rugby here, and it is a definite must for anyone who is visiting Auckland.”
New Zealand has embraced the Women’s World Cup as co-host, but make no mistake, while locals will chat about the football, they move on to rugby as quickly as possible.
The train manager was almost speaking for the nation: “Enjoy the football, but rugby is the real deal here.” — Mark Ogden
Sweden’s unusual approach
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson has been one of the characters of this World Cup, and he admitted that he will adopt an unusual approach to preparing for Tuesday’s semifinal against Spain.
After “going the gym and for a walk,” Gerhardsson plans to read a book: “Resonance: A Sociology of Our Relationship to the World,” by German author Hartmut Rosa.
“I’m glad you asked me this,” Gerhardsson said in his prematch news conference. “It’s a book about sociology and about not knowing what is coming. If you as a human being know everything, it’s not exciting. That’s why football is so exciting — you never know what is going to happen.”Gerhardsson then revealed that his mother has been buying copies of newspapers in Sweden every day during the tournament for his scrapbook.”She is very interested in football,” he said. “She buys all the newspapers so I can read everything when I get back and put them in the scrapbook. It’s costly to pay her back, I can tell you! But it’s the same in every tournament.” — Mark Ogden
England’s Bright ready for Australia semifinal: ‘Bring it on!’
Millie Bright speaks after England fight back from a goal down vs. Colombia to reach the World Cup semifinals.
News of the day
– Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday backed calls for a public holiday if the Matildas win the Women’s World Cup. “I’ve said that the state and territory leaders should consider it and I know that it’s received a pretty warm reception in most quarters,” Albanese said in a radio interview with state broadcaster ABC when asked if calls for a public holiday were justified. “This is something much more than just a sporting event. This is an inspiration to young girls in particular, but also young boys.”
– While many fans will view this match through the lens of the history of the two nations, and in particular their battles in other sports, the Matildas seem genuinely unfazed by any talk of rivalry with England. “I think you see it a lot in the men’s competition, especially in cricket and rugby,” Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams told the media when asked about England. “But for us, we’ve had so many rivalries with other countries that we played against. We’ve played against Brazil at every other World Cup, you could say that about America, you could say that about so many countries. So really for us, it’s just another game. I think for us, Australians are, I don’t want to say unbothered, but we want to go out there and do the job and that’s to play. All the extra stuff of rivalries, it doesn’t really come about.”
– The hurt of England’s 2-1 defeat to the U.S. at the semifinal stage in the 2019 World Cup has stayed with captain Millie Bright. “I think as much as you look forward — and for us our mentality is always looking forward — when you play in tournaments, those moments always stay there and you always want to correct them,” Bright said. “For us, the game is in a very different place and as a team we’re in a very different place. We look forward now, it’s a new challenge and new opportunity. You definitely learn from it, but the game’s in such a different place that a lot has changed since then. Everything is different — the crowd, the atmosphere, the teams, the quality of the tournament. Everything is at a new level, so as much as you still carry some of that with you at this point, you’ve already learned a lot, so for me it’s always about looking forwards.”
And finally …
SYDNEY, Australia — The whole country of Australia was enraptured in the Matildas’ dramatic quarterfinal clash with France on Saturday, and former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce was no different. The only problem for the honourable member for New England was that he wasn’t watching the right encounter with Les Bleues.Joyce admitted on a breakfast television appearance on Monday morning that what he thought was Australia defeating France 1-0 and advancing to the semifinals of the World Cup was actually footage of their pretournament warm-up fixture.As the rest of the country went into various states of hyperventilation as the actual game went into extra time and then a remarkable penalty shootout, Joyce went out to dinner, operating under the impression that Mary Fowler had sent his nation into the final four. It was only when he finished his meal did he realise.
Why the Commercial Hotel in Walcha was broadcasting a replay of this game, rather than a live fixture on free-to-air television is unknown. As is why nobody in the pub picked up the footage on the screen very clearly taking place at Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium — which is not a World Cup venue — as opposed to Brisbane’s Lang Park.
One hopes that the former leader of the National Party, who readers might remember as the politician who threatened to euthanise actor Johnny Depp’s dogs if he didn’t immediately send them back to California, has better luck in watching Australia’s clash with England. But given that the two nations previously played a friendly in April, he may want to triple check which game is on before he settles in — Joey Lynch
Special report: Women’s goalkeeping has long been ridiculed but not any more – this is why
Chloe Morgan is The Athletic’s women’s football editor. She is a former professional goalkeeper who played for Tottenham in the Women’s Super League and Crystal Palace in the Women’s Championship.
Coming into this Women’s World Cup, I spent some time trying to pre-empt its emerging stories — who the standout stars might be, where the “Cupsets” might lie, how many more federations will be exposed as failing to properly provide for their players and staff.My heart sank a little as a former goalkeeper when I thought it was inevitable that there would be some obvious and decisive goalkeeping error that would trigger all kinds of debate or, worse, abuse about how female goalkeepers were just not up to scratch.
Then it happened. South Africa’s Kaylin Swart, facing a soft shot directed straight at her by Lineth Beerensteyn of the Netherlands, let the ball slip through her arms and dribble into the back of the net, triggering a collective gasp around the stadium. The goal was a game-changer — the difference between South Africa, who were 1-0 down with 22 minutes still to play — going from hoping for an equaliser to damage limitation as they exited the tournament.For Swart, despite playing in a history-making game for South Africa — this being the first time they had reached the last 16 stage — it will be a match she will want to forget. But this was far from the main focus of the game. In fact, barely any fuss was made and Swart received no backlash. If anything, the goalkeeping story that day was the positive one of Zecira Musovic of Sweden, who made 11 saves against the U.S. as her side went on to defeat the four-time champions on penalties.The narrative around female goalkeeping has changed for good.
Zecira Musovic in action for Sweden in their round-of-16 win against the U.S. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)
I spoke to two goalkeeping legends — and former England No 1s — Karen Bardsley and Rachel Brown-Finnis to get their takes on the situation. “I can see why you might have wanted to protect goalkeepers, but that’s changed,” says Brown-Finnis. “No one is taking their errors as ammunition anymore when comparing the two (male and female).” he reason being the standard is just so bloody good now.“There’s a reason we’re seeing so many goalkeepers get player of the match this year,” adds Bardsley. “Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria), Mary Earps (England), Daphne van Domselaar (the Netherlands), Zecira Musovic, Courtney Brosnan (Republic of Ireland), Becky Spencer (Jamaica). It says a lot about the standards.”So why has this tournament been such a big win for goalkeepers?
Increased data
Football’s modern era uses technology to give players and teams an extra edge. When I first started with Spurs, almost a decade ago, I would have been lucky to have seen a couple of hardback books on the art of goalkeeping, but now the information available is endless. During my career, all players started to wear GPS vests every training session and match. Every game was monitored by video platform Wyscout and the team’s sports scientist tracked certain metrics every game, including interceptions, recovery times, accelerations and decelerations.Most importantly for goalkeepers, there started to be access to data around how the majority of goalscoring chances arrived — through set pieces, penalties (noting players prone to going down a little too easily…) or open play.
The data became so granular that we could map teams’ attacks: whether they progressed via the left- or right-wing or centrally, who took set pieces and the areas or players they would aim for, whether the crosses would be in- or out-swinging.I would have data on where the most likely penalty takers would aim and their success rate. So many elite goalkeepers have taken to printing this out, attaching it to their water bottles — as Musovic did against the U.S.Despite her not saving any of the penalties (the majority of which were unsaveable), she went the right way for all but two — oddly enough one being the penalty taken by U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, on whom, understandably, there was unlikely to be any data.
The downside is that too much information can feel overwhelming. A significant part of goalkeeping will always be instinctive, reacting to the live scenario. It can sometimes be difficult to reconcile data with what is happening in real-time. In a penalty shootout, you might know that Jane Bloggs prefers — and is most successful with — a low, driven strike in the bottom left corner. You might also notice how she opens her body up during the run-up and her foot positioning indicates she will not strike across her body, so it’s important to not rely solely on the data.Ultimately, data is a relatively new weapon in women’s goalkeeping. Approaching a game, you want to be armed with as much information as possible because anything that gives you an advantage can be the difference between making that vital save and not — and sometimes the difference is in a split second or fingertip.
Talent pathways
When Brown-Finnis, Bardsley and I first started playing, the mentality and perception around goalkeeping was completely different. You were put in goal if you were considered the weakest or least talented on the pitch — I can’t recall the sheer number of times I was told to get in goal because I’d cause the least damage there. I started to receive specific goalkeeper training only in my early-to-mid twenties and, unsurprisingly, I improved massively. In my last year in the Championship at Crystal Palace, I played alongside 18-year-old goalkeeper Emily Orman, who was on loan from Chelsea.
Orman, who had signed with Chelsea aged 16 and had represented England from under-14 to under-19 level, had been training with the first team since her arrival and had been receiving world-class goalkeeper coaching — and also trained alongside some of the world’s best in Ann-Katrin Berger and Musovic.
The difference between my generation and Orman’s is huge. I had seen the position transition from shot-stopping to being inclusive with the back line — with a greater focus on distribution, starting counter-attacks and being involved in game management. These things came more naturally to Orman.
“There has been a significant transformation in the position and we’re now seeing top athletes in goal,” Brown-Finnis explains. “We’re seeing goalkeepers who have started off life really young — perhaps as outfield players first — who are developing neuro-muscular pathways early. They’re learning to strike the ball, change movement and are also being given the opportunity to play in different positions to better understand the roles on the pitch.
“Mary Earps is brilliant at starting attacks, (Germany’s) Merle Frohms is fantastic at playing out from the back. It boils down to better goalkeeper coaching at a younger age. There’s this saying that it takes 10,000 hours to master something. These girls coming through now have been getting those hours in much earlier.”
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Equally, the Championship (the level below England’s WSL) is now being used for budding goalkeepers to gain match experience — to iron out the kinks and learn to bounce back from mistakes in a less pressurised environment, mainly because the Championship has less exposure and generally lower attendances, although the competitiveness is still significant.
Relationship with the back line
Alongside the improvement of goalkeeper-specific training, there is now a focus on working with the back line. “The goalkeeping position has developed and it is now viewed as part of the back four/five unit,” Brown-Finnis says. “They do hours of training together, in and out of possession. It’s drilled into the (defenders and goalkeepers) that they are integral to each other.”
On top of this, squads are now starting to bring in unit specialists. We’ve seen this at Arsenal, where finishing and set-piece specialists (also Kelly Smith) are working with the front line and new addition Alessia Russo.
“Defensive specialists have been brought in to improve output as a unit,” says Brown-Finnis. “We’re seeing goalkeepers being more engaged in games, working on communicating with clarity and tailoring their communication depending on which players they are speaking to. But also goalkeepers are having a chance to work on how they communicate with the outfield players in their respective leagues.”
Earps will be familiar with the playing styles of a significant majority of her team-mates having played alongside Lauren James, Ella Toone, Alessia Russo and Katie Zelem at various points in Manchester United’s previous four seasons. She will also be familiar with her other Lionesses team-mates having played against them in the WSL.
Mary Earps has made some vital saves for England at the World Cup (David Rogers/Getty Images)
A prime example of when this defensive cohesion has not been immediately present was when Switzerland took on Spain in the round of 16. Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll made her international debut, being picked over Real Madrid’s Misa (who had started all of the group games). In the 11th minute, defender Laia Codina blindly launched a strong back pass to Coll, who clearly wasn’t expecting it and watched the ball roll into her own net.It was Codina’s error, but that initial cohesion between the back line and keeper was missing — understandably given this was the first time the unit had worked together in a competitive game.
Bardsley notes that Nigeria’s Nnadozie has stood out as someone who has a good relationship with her back line: “She’s a very good shot-stopper, but she links up really well with her centre-backs and full-backs. She’s happy to clip into the full-backs and she can do so using both feet — that’s the standard now.”
Increased focus on goalkeeper-specific training
As a goalkeeper, you face a host of scenarios in a game: one-v-ones, two-v-ones, high crosses, a packed box for a corner, penalties, long-range shots, bouncing shots, cutbacks. The list goes on. The goalkeepers at the Women’s World Cup will have had hundreds, if not thousands of hours with their coaches working on how best to deal with each scenario. Each drill is aimed at optimising their ability to react as the game unfolds.But the outfield drills are just half the work. Training at elite level now includes position-specific, individualised strength and conditioning, with goalkeeper plans being unique. Bardsley notes that focus on plans had been “hyper-accelerated to where we are now”.“I remember, around 2011, we were starting to question why goalkeepers were doing box-to-box runs and outfield workouts when goalkeepers had completely different output and in-game demands. Even with nutrition, it made little sense for us to eat loads of sweet potatoes (as per the outfield nutrition plan) when we wouldn’t be expending the same levels of energy. To me, it made more sense to look at the types of carbs which would help us with concentrating and focusing in key moments.”
My own plan with Spurs included plyometric box jumps — different types of jumps with resistance bands and a focus on core work to improve stability when being crowded in the box. To the delight of the other players, particularly Lucy Quinn, who would rip me to shreds most gym days, I also had wrist-strengthening exercises, such as holding a plate over the edge of a box or wrist curls. To be fair, it did look odd.Brown-Finnis feels the specific plans had a huge impact on goalkeepers and, more specifically, were important to female goalkeepers given the unique challenges they face. “Goalkeepers have very different needs to outfield players as female goalkeepers are shorter (compared to male goalkeepers),” she says.This definitely rings true: the average height of male keepers at the 2022 Qatar World Cup was 6ft 2in (188cm) compared to 5ft 8in (173cm) for the women. The goals are the same size and yet the group stage at this World Cup only saw a handful more goals let in compared to last year’s group stage in Qatar for the men.“What we’re seeing in gym plans now is a focus on plyometrics — short, sharp bursts of work,” Brown-Finnis adds. “Goalkeepers are concentrating on footwork and improving their reaction time, making sure they’re in the right position earlier to make the save.“It can be argued that (female goalkeeper) reactions need to be quicker than men’s/taller goalkeepers so they can push off earlier to give them a better chance of the save. Making a save is a mathematical equation — you need to see the ball, recognise the flight, react with every ounce of plyometric power, have quick feet to initiate the movement and then also decide to go with your top hand for optimal reach.”Bardsley also feels that the focus has now shifted to work on movements that better replicate game scenarios. From her time in the U.S., she recalls coaches using American football pads pushed against players to mimic opponents applying pressure.
Making saves against world-class strikers requires athleticism. One of the best saves in the tournament so far was Musovic’s against the U.S., helping to earn her the player of the match award. Lindsey Horan shot from the edge of the box — its speed was recorded at 92km/h — and the strike went through a sea of bodies, meaning Musovic was late to see it. But what happens before is key — and this is where the gym work is critical. Her quick footwork gets her across goal, her explosive leg power enables her to dive, and her wrist/finger strength takes the impact of the shot as she tips it around the post for a critical save.For another example of goalkeeping athleticism, look no further than Japan’s Ayaka Yamashita — and another contender for the save of the tournament — in their last-16 game against Norway. It was a huge leap; Yamashita (who is 5ft 7) reaches to claw a header away at the back post from Karina Saevik at point-blank range. The save denied Norway a chance at mounting a comeback, sending Japan through to the quarter-finals.
Ayaka Yamashita is in great form for Japan (Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Mental resilience
The mental stress of goalkeeping is intense. One lapse of concentration or judgment could mean fatal error — and a loss. No other position has quite the same level of pressure, especially with 40,000-plus fans watching — with millions more at home — in a stadium on the other side of the world and in the most important international tournament on the planet. But what we’ve seen this year in bundles from goalkeepers is resilience, focus and presence. In terms of making the difference, Brown-Finnis feels there had been increasing focus on “the mental side (of the game); mental preparation and mental rehearsal”.“There is a greater capacity to stay present, to be unwaveringly unemotional on the pitch,” she continues. “Goalkeepers want to reach an optimal emotional level of excitability to enhance their ability to concentrate and be ready to perform.”At the elite level, goalkeepers are being given greater access to sports psychologists to help with mental performance. Being prepared is key. “I do a lot of visualising mental training, brain training,” Musovic said recently. “So a lot of hours of extra work that I think you don’t realise if you’re not in this body.”“The support around goalkeepers is a lot different and more holistic now,” Bardsley says. “The staff are not just goalkeeper coaches — they try to understand the person and the player and also create an environment around the goalkeeper to enable them to be themselves.”Within the England camp, that support is very much shared across all the goalkeepers, not just the current No 1 and starting XI. “Everybody is clear on what their role is,” says Bardsley. “It can be an awkward dynamic between ’keepers when you know you need to train and prepare the same way for a game, but there may be some insecurity because you won’t be starting.“The England goalkeeper’s union, while obviously not all being able to make the starting XI, appreciated that if Mary had a good tournament then that would be a success for the whole team. Sarina would have had these conversations early — before the tournament started — so everyone knew the situation and could then be supported by staff, the goalkeeper coach and the players.”In terms of the goalkeeper-specific support that can be provided, Brown-Finnis says: “There are certain tools goalkeepers will develop (with the help of psychologists), such as visualisation as well as reset buttons for when bad moments happen. I used to wipe my hand over my head and that was my rest to detract from a bad moment, to reset and get back to my optimal state. It took practise.”I had my lucky (or sometimes unlucky) towel that my mum had bought me as a housewarming present. It became my glove towel and if I ever had a bad moment or felt I was at fault, I would go to it, wipe my gloves and start again mentally. You only ever have limited time on the pitch to make a difference so can’t dwell on a mistake and possibly perpetuate the cycle and make another. After the game — likely the following day — it’s appropriate to reflect on the events with your coach.On mental resilience, Bardsley feels having access to mental support had the “biggest impact” on her career, specifically in helping to increase her self-awareness and understanding of how she liked to work.“The (support) helped me to become more efficient in my training and preparation. What we see now is that goalkeepers have access to performance and lifestyle coaches and that support is more qualified and skilled. Before, it would often be someone who might have been a bit newer to the profession or with less experience.”Returning to Swart’s error, the quality of her positioning, movement and footwork in the lead-up to the relatively soft strike from Beerensteyn is not in dispute. Her handling let her down — the ball went through her arms and trickled into the back of the net. What’s noticeable is that Swart did not appear to dwell on her error, coming off her line to sweep up a ball heading for the path of Beerensteyn again. It also did not detract from her magnificent save in the 8th minute, when she expertly tipped a high cross over the bar to keep the game level. And, while Swart was responsible for the error, her team also had multiple chances on goal (Thembi Kgatlana in the first half and Linda Motlhalo in the second) to secure a draw and didn’t. Attacking errors should also be considered as such and noted as missed game-changing moments. Swart’s error should not be taken in isolation.This year, and perhaps because of a more understanding fanbase, one-off mistakes can be taken for what they are: isolated, human and bound to happen in moments of relentless high pressure. (Top photo: Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Why Nottingham Forest signed Matt Turner: Strong in the air and a superb shot-stopper
The signing of Matt Turner from Arsenal is the first of two major pieces of incoming transfer business Nottingham Forest hope to complete this summer to bolster their goalkeeping options.
United States international Turner will almost certainly be in goal, back at the Emirates Stadium against the club he just left, for Saturday’s 2023-24 Premier League season opener, having made a £10million ($12.7m) move to the City Ground. However, Forest remain determined to bring Dean Henderson back as well, following last season’s successful loan from Manchester United.In the meantime, they have made a significant addition in Turner.While he will be a familiar face at the Emirates after his one season there, the 29-year-old might be a lesser-known quantity to some Forest fans, given the limited game time he saw for Arsenal after a transfer from MLS last summer.Our Forest correspondent Paul Taylor (PT), along with The Athletic’s goalkeeping expert Matt Pyzdrowski (MP) — an American who spent over a decade playing professionally in Swedish from 2011 — takes a look at what Turner brings to the table, why he wanted to sign for Forest and what it means for the club.
Why has Turner made this move to Forest?
The reality is that he wasn’t going to get close to being first-choice at Arsenal.
He knew that to lock down his place as the No 1 for the USMNT, who co-host the World Cup in 2026, he was going to need to leave the north London club he only joined a year ago.
While it may seem an obvious move, it won’t have been an easy decision to give up the prestige and glamour of being at a Champions League club for one that had to fight hard to avoid relegation to the EFL last season and, let’s face it, accept the financial implications that come with it.
So for Turner to be mature enough to understand that and say, “I’m hungry, I’m not OK sitting on the bench. I want to play!” is a smart and proactive position to take and speaks volumes about his character and ambitions.
Turner playing for Arsenal in the FA Cup last season (Photo: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
It’s the kind of move his international team-mate Zack Steffen didn’t make early enough after joining Manchester City in 2019. Steffen waited a season too long to leave City (joining Middlesbrough of the Championship on loan for last season) and his development stagnated. This ultimately cost him a squad spot at last year’s World Cup — something that at one point would have been unthinkable.
Turner is coming off a very strong CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, where he captained the U.S. and played a key role, highlighted by his heroics in their shootout win over Canada in the quarter-finals. He was arguably the only American player on his team to walk away from the tournament with any credibility (they lost in the semi-finals to Panama).
Moving now, when he’s in form and confident, is ideal. MP
Why do Forest want him?
When on-loan duo Henderson and Keylor Navas returned to their parent clubs at the end of last season, it left a huge void in the squad and there was a growing sense of trepidation that head coach Steve Cooper’s side might start the season without having signed replacements.
Forest have always wanted to bring Henderson back and there is a belief that it will happen, once he is back to fitness after the January injury that ended his season early. But the arrival of Turner eases the pressure on that front.
The club also explored the idea of trying to bring Navas back from Paris Saint-Germain, but the finances involved were prohibitive — particularly when it came to potentially signing both him and Henderson.
One benefit of signing Turner and Henderson is that they are both likely to increase in value if they flourish at the City Ground. Henderson is 26 and Turner three years older — still relatively young for goalkeepers.
Forest will keep 36-year-old Wayne Hennessey as a third option between the posts, while looking to move on Ethan Horvath — another U.S. international. George Shelvey, a 22-year-old who has done well in pre-season but is yet to make his senior debut for the club, will be sent out on loan to gain experience.
Presuming the deal to bring Henderson back from Old Trafford gets completed as well — which is likely to be another loan with either an obligation or an option to make the move permanent — Forest will have two high-quality players fighting it out to be first-choice in goal.
Legendary Forest manager Brian Clough understood the value of having a good goalkeeper — as he demonstrated when he paid a then significant £270,000 ($344,000) to sign Peter Shilton in 1977 — and that ethos has not been lost at the club 46 years later. PT
What will Turner bring to the Forest team?
One of the biggest question marks for Turner on his arrival at Arsenal a year ago was his ability with the ball at his feet.
Turner admitted this was an area of his game that needed to improve if he wanted to take the next step in his career, and at Arsenal he was in an ideal place to do so.
Their manager, Mikel Arteta, encouraged Turner to take even more risks than he was used to with the U.S. and his MLS side, New England Revolution, and, judging by his performances over the past 12 months, it’s clear that has paid dividends.
While it would be wrong to suddenly classify him as an expert passer, he has undoubtedly improved and grown in confidence — especially in regards to his decision-making — and in a short amount of time added a more expansive skill set to his game.
At Forest, it’s unlikely that Turner will be called upon to play out from the back in a similar way regularly, but he is more than capable of doing so if required. It is more likely that he will be required to play long, accurate passes to his wingers and forwards to stretch the opposition and try to catch them on the counter. This is something he is comfortable doing, which is good news for Forest.
But his biggest strengths have always been his athleticism and shot-stopping.
The test for him will be how he handles the pressure of being on a team most people expect to be in the bottom half of the Premier League, with the threat of relegation again a possibility.
It will also be interesting to see how he responds after making his first big mistake. Will he learn from it or not? Dealing mentally with errors is something that every goalkeeper has to do and the ability to bounce back quickly is what defines them.
Judging by his performances, it is unquestionable that Turner improved in his year with Arsenal and he now has a chance to prove he is good enough to be a No 1 in the Premier League. MP
Why do Forest want Henderson too?
Forest did well to land a player of Navas’ quality and experience in the January window once it became clear Henderson was going to be sidelined for a considerable amount of time. It was a truly vital mid-season signing and a key factor in their eventual top-flight survival.
Navas played 17 games, including big wins over Brighton, Southampton and Arsenal.
Henderson suffered an injury in January (Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
But the club do not want to have to be scrambling around for such a last-gasp signing again next January if they suffer similar injury misfortune. Rather than having to pull a rabbit out of their hat as they did with Navas, they want to be proactive.
Their desire is to have two quality players fighting it out for the first-team spot — competition for places would help to keep both Turner and Henderson on their toes, regardless of who is in the team. PT
What would the impact of Henderson signing be on the team dynamic?
It has the potential to set up one of the more intriguing goalkeeper battles in this season’s Premier League.
Coming off his injury and being cast aside at United, where £43million Andre Onana has been signed from Inter Milan to replace the departed David de Gea, Henderson will feel like he has a lot to prove, and he won’t be happy sitting on the bench and missing valuable game time with a European Championship squad place with England next summer surely in his sights.
It will be interesting to see how he handles that, should it happen, and also to see how it impacts Turner and the rest of the goalkeeping group. Though it’s quite possible they will support one another, it may potentially challenge the relationships the pair have with each other, and even with the club — much in the same way it did between Henderson and De Gea at United.
Also fascinating is the fact Turner and Henderson are so similar in their ability as goalkeepers. They are both more traditional in terms of their strengths — strong in the air and good shot-stoppers.
Both will be expecting to be the one to play and there are also those national-team implications for each of them. It will be a very delicate and difficult relationship to navigate. The key for Cooper and the rest of his backroom staff will be to handle the situation well.
What will encourage Forest is Henderson’s attitude last season.
Despite being a loan signing, he moved to the area and, more than that, when sidelined with injury, stayed around rather than return to United and even travelled to away games. He remained a familiar face around the training ground too, even once he had undergone surgery and it was clear he would not play again last season. Such a mentality will be vital again now. PT/MP
Forest already have one U.S. international goalkeeper in Horvath… is Turner an upgrade? And how will all this impact the USMNT?
Steffen’s sporadic and limited game time for Manchester City, in addition to his inconsistent form when he did play, left the door open for Turner’s rise to claim his country’s No 1 jersey.
It is perhaps ironic that those roles have now shifted. Steffen made 45 appearances for Middlesbrough last season and was one of their best performers as they made the promotion play-offs. In total, he played 4,050 minutes of club football in 2022-23, while Turner managed just 630 (way down on what he was registering in MLS).
Though Steffen is currently recovering from knee surgery, Turner knows that another year on the bench at the Emirates would risk seeing him lose his place in the national team. That is a big reason why he has left Arsenal and why he hopes to be the No 1 at Forest.
Turner celebrates after the Gold Cup shootout victory over Canada last month (Photo: Jeff Dean/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Another goalkeeper who had a strong 2022-23 and is in the conversation for the USMNT No 1 jersey is Horvath.
Loaned out to Luton Town, he played a huge part in their promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, registering a total of 4,620 minutes on the pitch, keeping 20 clean sheets in 47 appearances. However, overall Horvath is seen as being a step below Turner — with the latter a much more well-rounded goalkeeper.
Should Turner come in and perform at his best, he has the potential to single-handedly win Forest several points this season. MP
Premier League roundtable: Will City win four in a row? Which teams should fear drop? Who’s heading back from Saudi Arabia?
The 2023-24 season kicks off at Turf Moor on Friday night as Vincent Kompany’s new-look, new-vibes Burnley take on treble winners Manchester City. Not only did Pep Guardiola’s team win the FA Cup and the Champions League in 2022-23, they also won the Premier League for the third season in a row.
No team in English top-flight history (since 1888-89) has ever been crowned champions for four successive years. Not yet, anyway.
Can City further their dominance to unprecedented levels? Or will Arsenal go one better than last year and win their first league title for 20 years? Who’s going to struggle? And what revolutionary new tactic will we all be enjoying come May 2024?
We asked seven of our writers to answer those questions and more ahead of the 32nd Premier League campaign.
Will Manchester City become the first team to win the league for four consecutive seasons? If not, why not? And who will?
Joey D’Urso: Arsenal were brilliant for most of last season and their late wilting seemed to be more about experience and mentality than anything else. They have battle scars now as well as three great new signings in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber. It’s on…
Carl Anka: It pains me to write this, but Manchester City are favourites for the title until proven otherwise. They’ve got the best manager in the league (if not the world) who seems quicker and more inventive at finding solutions than anyone else. Their defensive scheme is remarkable. The structure and aggression of their front press can make games claustrophobic and they have a genuine game-breaking striker in Erling Haaland. To dethrone City, you will need to be near perfect and they will have to have endured a down spell. Good luck to any potential usurpers!
Ahmed Walid: For City to win it, they probably need to put in their best shift once again. It’s likely they will because Pep Guardiola is Pep Guardiola and the quality of their players is non-negotiable, but it won’t be completely surprising if one of Arsenal, Manchester United or Liverpool beat them to it.
Nick Miller: Every year I tell myself I’m not going to be sucked in by an indifferent spell of form from Manchester City. Every year I tell myself that at some point they will peel off a 10-game winning run and leave everyone else in the dust. Every year I tell myself they’re too strong and don’t hope for anyone else to produce a bit of variety. But every year I forget and I’m sucked in by the hope. I should know better. I should know they’re going to be too strong again. I should know not to hope too much for a proper title race. But I don’t know better, so I’m going to say: Arsenal for the title.
Sarah Shephard: My heart says no but my head says yeah, they will. Arsenal will be stronger both in terms of squad depth and experience, but I still can’t see it being quite enough to close the gap on Guardiola’s treble-winners. I can see Manchester United also pushing them hard this season, but again, it’s a struggle to see them surpassing City. The only slight question mark could be if there is any sort of complacency or competition fatigue (if there is such a thing) from City having so much success and fighting on so many fronts for so long last season. But I’m not holding my breath.
Adam Hurrey: Yes, because they’ve engineered themselves into a state that every elite club craves: relative stability. Tales of Pep Guardiola’s relentless demands are legion, but through a combination of pathologically obsessive carrot and cold-blooded stick, he has managed to keep his City squad hungry and willing to compete for places. The only candidate from the so-called Big Six who can offer anything like that is Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta’s ship hasn’t been fully sea-trialled across a 60-game season yet. The others still have too far to bounce back in 2023-24.
Jack Lang: Yes, just about. Arsenal were brilliant for long chunks of the 2022-23 season and have added both depth and quality this summer. They should be better equipped to sustain a title challenge and I can see them going closer. Manchester United, too, should put up a decent fight, but City have the best striker in the world and the best manager in the world and remain the team to beat.
Walid: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United
Miller: Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool
Hurrey: Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool
Shephard: Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle
Lang: Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool
*based on UEFA coefficents, the Premier League should have five spots in the new-look 2024-25 Champions League
Can Arsenal dethrone Manchester City? (James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Is the Big Six over? Is it a Big Seven? Eight? Twenty?
D’Urso: No. The Big Six descriptor was always about money, not the league table. Although Tottenham finished below Villa, Newcastle and Brighton last season, their revenue is roughly double each of those clubs’, giving them a huge advantage for the longer term, especially as financial fair play restrictions become increasingly important. The same goes for Chelsea. It would take several bad seasons (and good ones for someone else) for anyone to truly break up the Big Six.
Anka: We’ve been asking this question ever since Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester looked like they would gatecrash the party. Their relegation serves to show how the Big Six is a big club and breaking into it is harder than anticipated. I thoroughly expect Newcastle to have a good 2023-24, leading us to have a conversation with the sub-editors desk as to whether we should use “The Rich Seven” or “The Magnificent Seven” as shorthand, but for now, my answer is the same as last season. The Big Six descriptor has less to do with league position and more to do with money and the cultural history of the clubs included in it. So long as teams change their tactical approach when they play you and it’s treated as a big deal when you lose, then the Big Six remain.
Walid: From a football perspective, it is. The quality of Newcastle United, Brighton, Aston Villa, Brentford and even Fulham makes them a thorn in the side of the Big Six. Any of those teams could beat Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool or Chelsea on any given day.
Miller: Sort of. The nice thing about the group of financially dominant clubs expanding is that there is an increased chance of a really rich team doing something stupid or having an awful season, which is a) funny and b) good for some semblance of competitive variety. So the top seven probably won’t be the big seven, but they will still buy everyone else’s players.
Hurrey: As unromantic as this will sound, the Big Six was always about more than perennial league position: it’s been about influence, commercial revenue, Champions League knockout experience, stealing players from shrewder, smaller clubs, that sort of thing. Given their apparent legal untouchability and latent sleeping-giantness, I will allow Newcastle into a provisional Big Seven.
Shephard: Not yet. I’m afraid it will take more than one season for a club to be allowed entry. Newcastle seem the most likely to force an expansion but only if they can repeat last season’s form.
Lang: I agree wholeheartedly with Joey.
Newcastle and Chelsea of the… Big Seven? (Jason Allen/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Which clubs will struggle this season?
D’Urso: The obvious answers are Luton Town and Sheffield United, who aren’t spending much. This tells us something interesting about modern football — it might make more sense in the long run for both to just bank a year of TV money and subsequent parachute payments and hopefully get back to the Premier League again with a firmer financial base. It’s a less risky strategy than betting the house on staying up, which worked for Nottingham Forest last season, but things would be very ugly at the City Ground now if it hadn’t.
Anka: Something feels off at Fulham. They were impressive last season in how they maximised set pieces and Aleksandar Mitrovic’s bully-ball stylings, but their summer activity hasn’t moved the needle too much. There’s a good core group there but several players are over the age of 30 and Mitrovic looks to have had his head turned by an offer from the Saudi Pro League, even if he ends up elsewhere. I don’t think they’ll be relegated, but I can see them getting dragged into the mire.
Walid: With a few of the teams getting closer to the Big Six, there was a clear gap in quality between the top half of the table and the bottom half last season. Unless any of the bottom-half teams, in addition to the promoted ones, overachieve, then the struggling clubs could be all of the bottom half once again.
Miller: Depends on your definition of ‘struggle’, but I can see Spurs finishing mid-table, although nobody will mind too much because they’ve got a manager who doesn’t feel like he’s doing them a massive favour by being there. I wonder whether Crystal Palace will regret sticking with Roy Hodgson. Luton and Sheffield United seem to be in ‘take the money and stabilise’ mode. Nottingham Forest could go either way. Everton have been chancing it for a few seasons. So it could well be a big ol’ bunfight at the bottom.
Hurrey: If you can even call it struggling, in relative terms, I officially ‘fear for’ Luton and Sheffield United. I have also decided that Brentford will plateau, Everton and Wolves will get booed by their fans a lot and that Forest — who will part ways, really messily, with Steve Cooper before Christmas — are basically the new Watford.
Shephard: I have concerns for Wolves after last season’s struggles and the losses of Raul Jimenez, Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves this summer (and clearly former manager Julen Lopetegui did, too). Luton and Sheffield United will also be up against it, but I have a feeling that at least one of them will survive — likely the latter.
Lang: I think it will be quite a tricky few months for Brentford. Ivan Toney is a gigantic loss and although they coped well without him in the final few games of last season, there will surely be a drop-off over the longer term. Thomas Frank is obviously brilliant but I would be hugely impressed if he and his players manage to match last season’s ninth-placed finish.
____ is the player who will outscore Erling Haaland in 2023-24…
D’Urso: Did you see the former intelligence officer who told Congress the other day that the USA has proof that aliens exist? There’s a greater chance of him being right, and Elvis and Tupac being found alive for good measure, than anyone outscoring Erling Haaland this season (barring injury, obvs).
Anka: Lol. Lmao. Julian Alvarez if you want to be goofy. Next question.
Walid: If Harry Kane stays at Tottenham, he is the most logical answer to this question. The England striker’s 30 goals last season have been forgotten among the 300 million mentions of Erling Haaland, but unlike the Norwegian, Kane scored them in a turbulent Spurs side that surely would have finished lower than eighth if not for him. Otherwise, yes, it’s Haaland again.
Miller: Barring a startling revelation that Dixie Dean or Jimmy Greaves were actually cryogenically frozen in their prime and will be thawed out this season, it’s going to be Haaland. But I will play your little game and say… Mo Sal… Harry Ka… Marcus Ra… nope, sorry, can’t do it. Haaland.
Hurrey: Nope.
Shephard: Ugh. On the understanding that his level would have to drop massively for anyone to outscore him, I’ll shoot for… Marcus Rashford.
Lang: Realistically, it’s going to take a full-on Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan situation to stop him. The pertinent question, therefore, is this: which Premier League striker seems like they would have the most violent, most unhinged entourage? The answer is obviously (heavily redacted on advice of crack legal team).
Haaland celebrating goal number one of 36 in the Premier League last season (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
2023-24 will be a season too far for ____
D’Urso: Fulham. They outran expected goals last season and gravity could catch up with them this time, especially if they lose any one of Aleksandr Mitrovic, Joao Palinha or manager Marco Silva.
Anka: I’m not ready to watch a Premier League without James Milner in it, but I’ll be surprised if he makes more than 10 starts for Brighton this season. He’s probably still amazing at the bleep test, but at 37 years of age and many miles on the clock, let’s not ask too much from him.
Walid: Nottingham Forest. No specific reason, just a hunch.
Miller: Fulham won’t be as good as last season, particularly if their sole plan for replacing Mitrovic is Raul Jimenez. But Wolves appear to be selling everyone and have lost a manager who kept them up but who didn’t want to be there. They could go down.
Hurrey: The Thomas Frank hype machine, Roy Hodgson’s been-there-done-it outlook, David Moyes wearing a slim-fit tracksuit, the chances of Frank Lampard ever again managing a serious top-flight club.
Shephard: Steve Cooper. He’ll have been Nottingham Forest manager for two years in September, which in Forest years is about 35, so I can’t help but feel the end is in sight. Sorry, Steve.
Lang: Possibly Bournemouth. Andoni Iraola is a brave, exciting appointment and I’m rooting for them to thrive, but… well, the squad is a bit of a jumble and a bad start could easily lead to the kind of existential crisis that usually ends with Sam Allardyce taking over in February.
Which player or team are you most looking forward to watching?
D’Urso: Moussa Diaby at Aston Villa. Chalk-on-the-boots wingers who run at people really fast are a dying breed in modern football. Diaby seems a livewire.
Anka: I’m very intrigued to see this new iteration of Manchester United with Andre Onana pinging balls out from the back and Rasmus Hojlund looking like a baby Cavani. I’m curious to see Big Ange’s revolution of Spurs and I predict, big, BIG things for Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto. I was genuinely punching the air when he got picked up last January.
Walid: Dominik Szoboszlai. I am a sucker for brilliant shooters and the Hungarian’s profile makes sense at Liverpool, especially after their shift towards a 3-2-4-1 shape on the ball.
Miller: Whichever player Brighton have found from somewhere that we haven’t really heard of yet who will turn out to be brilliant and worth £50million by next summer.
Shephard: I’m intrigued to see how Liverpool shape up with their new-look midfield, but also what Mauricio Pochettino manages to eke out of a Chelsea side that looked so bereft of ideas and oomph last season.
Lang: To me, there is no sight more thrilling than that of a defender dribbling out from the back, accepting the inherent risk because it shrinks in comparison with the possible payoff. What I have seen of Jurrien Timber, therefore, has made me quite excited.
A pre-seasoned Mykhailo Mudryk (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
The player clubs should try to buy back from the Saudi Pro League in Jan is ____
Anka: It’d be dead funny if Sergej Milinkovic-Savic finally made it to the Premier League this Jan after years of being linked with a move to Manchester United. I’m surprised a European club didn’t try to get Marcelo Brozovic on a short-term deal. He remains an exceptional midfielder who could have done a job for many clubs in the top six.
Walid: Surely it’s Ruben Neves?
Miller: The Ruben Neves loan to Newcastle feels quite ‘on the nose’, but if it’s anyone it will be him. Unless Jordan Henderson discovers that floating in pools of money doesn’t quite make up for missing one of Jurgen Klopp’s big hugs.
Hurrey: Nobody in particular, although I can vividly picture Moussa Dembele “ending his Al Ettifaq nightmare” to score three goals in 14 games for Crystal Palace.
Shephard: Ruben Neves. He’s only 26 and he really, really wants to play Champions League football (so he said back in May). It’s only fair on the poor lad.
Lang: No one. Hey, remember all those players who went to China, earned enough money to keep their great grandkids’ great grandkids in Prada pyjamas, then returned to have really successful careers in top European leagues? No, me neither. The players who have made the choice to go to Saudi Arabia have told us something about their priorities and we should listen.
How many of the 20 teams will end the season with the manager they started with?
D’Urso: Less than half. It’s carnage out there. A big factor in this is that England is the place to be for any aspiring manager now, not to mention the most lucrative (Saudi aside). Owners will know they can easily poach top bosses from abroad in a way that wasn’t the case 10-15 years ago.
Anka: Nine bosses are not surviving the season. No club will have three managers across 2023-24. Sean Dyche will teeter, before pulling things back.
Walid: At least nine. The math behind this is that I can’t see any of Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Erik ten Hag, Mikel Arteta or Mauricio Pochettino getting the sack. Thomas Frank, Eddie Howe and Roberto De Zerbi’s credit in the bank will surely keep them safe, plus all three are a big reason why their teams are in those positions in the first place. Finally, Unai Emery’s power at Aston Villa and the success of last season means it would take a crazy campaign to see him get the chop.
Miller: Eight. I’ve got a hunch that a big dog could go mid-season, although I can’t quite tell you which one yet.
Hurrey: A startlingly stable and rational 14-15 teams.
Shephard: At least 11, I think. But there’s no accounting for owners with itchy fingers and panic buttons – one of those gets pressed and the whole Jenga tower begins to crumble.
Lang: Eleven, although just typing that has made me feel like a gullible rube with way too much faith in humanity.
Sam Allardyce at Leeds in 2022-23. Will he take part in 2023-24? (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
What new tactical trend will emerge?
D’Urso: Brentford’s long throw-ins are fun and seem to lead to goals. It’s surprising this hasn’t been copied more widely.
Anka: This summer I have seen many an imagined XI put in a 3-2-4-1 formation with a box midfield. The value of inverted full-backs and the power that box midfields have against counter-attacks is still not properly understood, but I reckon we’ll see multiple teams attempt it and try to figure things out.
Walid: More innovation at set pieces, especially corners. Last season’s 3.9 goals per 100 corners was the highest number of any season since 2007-08, and with more set-piece specialists coaching at Premier League clubs, that number could increase.
Miller: Not so much a new trend but a doubling down on the full-backs in midfield thing: rather than just one moving inside, some madman will do it with both. Probably Arsenal, with Oleksandr Zinchenko on one side and Jurrien Timber on the other.
Hurrey: A step up in the move away from using traditional names for formations. Feels like “4-3-3” and variants don’t quite do justice to how some managers are trying to set their teams up. Also, I have no idea.
Shephard: With the new rules surrounding time-wasting coming into play, might we see a player from each team who has the specific task of reminding everyone to get a move on during goal celebrations/set pieces etc? Probably not the most popular person in the squad… maybe the same one responsible for collecting player fines in the dressing room?
My biggest hope for the new season is ____
D’Urso: Fewer handball penalties. They should be reserved for Luis Suarez vs Ghana-style abominations. No more close games decided by a ball-to-shoulder penalty calls in unthreatening positions. They’re rubbish.
Anka: (Outside my usual hopes for a decrease in racist abuse in the game and less rampant hyper-capitalism squeezing the joy from things) I was hoping that Chelsea wouldn’t get a sponsor for the front of their shirts. It was quite nice the way it was but that dream looks to be over before the season has even begun.
Walid: For it not to be over in March. A competitive Premier League where the title is decided in May, European places touch-and-go towards the end of the season and a relegation battle that makes your head go crazy on the final day of the season is much better than a team just rampaging through the league and three doomed teams we knew were going down from February onwards.
Miller: It would be nice if Roberto De Zerbi lasted the whole season at Brighton. As it is, he’s probably one of the obvious choices if a big club panics, but they were so good at points last season it would be lovely if he could have until May.
Hurrey: Everyone gives the cups a right good go!
Shephard: In line with the above and in response to the criticism some teams received last season for “going OTT”, I hope we continue to see players release their full emotions when they feel it’s warranted (not when the pundits/commentators deem it “right” to do so).
Lang: …that the football community as a whole wises up to the fact that pretty much everyone is using the verb “to invert” incorrectly. To invert something is to turn it upside-down or arrange it in the opposite order. A winger can be inverted if he or she plays on the opposite side than may have been expected historically given his or her stronger foot. A full-back can also be inverted, but invert does not mean move into the centre. Denis Irwin was an inverted full-back because he was right-footed and played on the left; Oleksandr Zinchenko is doing something interesting when he drifts in off the flank, but he’s not inverting.
How we think the Premier League will finish in 2023-24
Some 42 of our writers and editors predicted the final order of the 2023-24 Premier League. This table is an average of those predictions:
The English Premier League kicks of this weekend with games across Peacock and the occasional USA network or NBC game. I will start keeping track of the American’s overseas as a few have made moves including Matt Turner from Arsenal to Nottingham Forest along with fellow American GK Ethan Horvath. Tyler Adams looks to be on the move to Chelsea – where Pulisic left to join Italy’s AC Milan along with Yanus Musah. Tim Weah and McKinney will team up in Italy at Juventus so it might be time to get Paramount plus for Serie A Italian League games and Champions League of course. I will make my official predictions next week – but rest assured Arsenal, Liverpool, and Man City will be in the top 4. Still working on the others and where my precious Fulham and American’s Tim Ream and Jedi Robinson will end up. All the games this weekend are below – but the big game is Sunday 11:30 am on Peacock Liverpool vs Chelsea. Wow News on Spurs Harry Kane finally choosing to join Bayern Munich rather than stay at Spurs in search of the EPL Goals record – stories below.
Sat Games
7:30 am Peacock Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest (Horvath, Turner)
10 am Peacock Everton vs Fulham (Ream, Jedi)
12:30 pm NBC New Castle United vs Aston Villa
Sun, Aug 13
9 am Peacock Brentford vs Tottenham
11:30 am Peacock Chelsea vs Liverpool
WORLD CUP CONTINUES WITH France/Australia Sat 3 am & England/Colombia Sat 5 am on Fox
If you are waking up late – today’s world cup games are must see TV !!
Spain scored late to secure their first ever trip to the Semi-Finals of a World Cup, while Sweden continued its impressive run and held on to beat Japan 2-1 to advance. England and France will look to make it a European sweep of the Final 4 – vs the home side Australia (with Sam Kerr) back in the mix, and the only team from the America’s Colombia. Its an All American Ref Crew for England vs Colombia Sat am. (see Ref section below).
Of course the fallout is still coming in the USWNT after their first ever ouster before the Semi-Finals as we expect to hear any day that American Manager Vlatko A is no longer our coach. The US has just 9 months to ready a squad to compete in the Olympics in France in July. Already Rapinoe and Julie Ertz have retired from international play and the thoughts are right back Kelly O’hara will announce soon as well. The ladies are scheduled to return to NWSL play earlier than anyone expected this summer.
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Why Nottingham Forest signed Matt Turner: Strong in the air and a superb shot-stopper
The signing of Matt Turner from Arsenal is the first of two major pieces of incoming transfer business Nottingham Forest hope to complete this summer to bolster their goalkeeping options.United States international Turner will almost certainly be in goal, back at the Emirates Stadium against the club he just left, for Saturday’s 2023-24 Premier League season opener, having made a £10million ($12.7m) move to the City Ground. However, Forest remain determined to bring Dean Henderson back as well, following last season’s successful loan from Manchester United.In the meantime, they have made a significant addition in Turner.While he will be a familiar face at the Emirates after his one season there, the 29-year-old might be a lesser-known quantity to some Forest fans, given the limited game time he saw for Arsenal after a transfer from MLS last summer.Our Forest correspondent Paul Taylor (PT), along with The Athletic’s goalkeeping expert Matt Pyzdrowski (MP) — an American who spent over a decade playing professionally in Swedish from 2011 — takes a look at what Turner brings to the table, why he wanted to sign for Forest and what it means for the club.
Why has Turner made this move to Forest?
The reality is that he wasn’t going to get close to being first-choice at Arsenal.He knew that to lock down his place as the No 1 for the USMNT, who co-host the World Cup in 2026, he was going to need to leave the north London club he only joined a year ago.While it may seem an obvious move, it won’t have been an easy decision to give up the prestige and glamour of being at a Champions League club for one that had to fight hard to avoid relegation to the EFL last season and, let’s face it, accept the financial implications that come with it.So for Turner to be mature enough to understand that and say, “I’m hungry, I’m not OK sitting on the bench. I want to play!” is a smart and proactive position to take and speaks volumes about his character and ambitions.
Turner playing for Arsenal in the FA Cup last season (Photo: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
It’s the kind of move his international team-mate Zack Steffen didn’t make early enough after joining Manchester City in 2019. Steffen waited a season too long to leave City (joining Middlesbrough of the Championship on loan for last season) and his development stagnated. This ultimately cost him a squad spot at last year’s World Cup — something that at one point would have been unthinkable.Turner is coming off a very strong CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, where he captained the U.S. and played a key role, highlighted by his heroics in their shootout win over Canada in the quarter-finals. He was arguably the only American player on his team to walk away from the tournament with any credibility (they lost in the semi-finals to Panama).Moving now, when he’s in form and confident, is ideal. MP
Why do Forest want him?
When on-loan duo Henderson and Keylor Navas returned to their parent clubs at the end of last season, it left a huge void in the squad and there was a growing sense of trepidation that head coach Steve Cooper’s side might start the season without having signed replacements.Forest have always wanted to bring Henderson back and there is a belief that it will happen, once he is back to fitness after the January injury that ended his season early. But the arrival of Turner eases the pressure on that front.The club also explored the idea of trying to bring Navas back from Paris Saint-Germain, but the finances involved were prohibitive — particularly when it came to potentially signing both him and Henderson.One benefit of signing Turner and Henderson is that they are both likely to increase in value if they flourish at the City Ground. Henderson is 26 and Turner three years older — still relatively young for goalkeepers.Forest will keep 36-year-old Wayne Hennessey as a third option between the posts, while looking to move on Ethan Horvath — another U.S. international. George Shelvey, a 22-year-old who has done well in pre-season but is yet to make his senior debut for the club, will be sent out on loan to gain experience. Presuming the deal to bring Henderson back from Old Trafford gets completed as well — which is likely to be another loan with either an obligation or an option to make the move permanent — Forest will have two high-quality players fighting it out to be first-choice in Legendary Forest manager Brian Clough understood the value of having a good goalkeeper — as he demonstrated when he paid a then significant £270,000 ($344,000) to sign Peter Shilton in 1977 — and that ethos has not been lost at the club 46 years later. PT
What will Turner bring to the Forest team?
One of the biggest question marks for Turner on his arrival at Arsenal a year ago was his ability with the ball at his feet.Turner admitted this was an area of his game that needed to improve if he wanted to take the next step in his career, and at Arsenal he was in an ideal place to do so.Their manager, Mikel Arteta, encouraged Turner to take even more risks than he was used to with the U.S. and his MLS side, New England Revolution, and, judging by his performances over the past 12 months, it’s clear that has paid dividends.While it would be wrong to suddenly classify him as an expert passer, he has undoubtedly improved and grown in confidence — especially in regards to his decision-making — and in a short amount of time added a more expansive skill set to his game.t Forest, it’s unlikely that Turner will be called upon to play out from the back in a similar way regularly, but he is more than capable of doing so if required. It is more likely that he will be required to play long, accurate passes to his wingers and forwards to stretch the opposition and try to catch them on the counter. This is something he is comfortable doing, which is good news for Forest.But his biggest strengths have always been his athleticism and shot-stopping.The test for him will be how he handles the pressure of being on a team most people expect to be in the bottom half of the Premier League, with the threat of relegation again a possibility.It will also be interesting to see how he responds after making his first big mistake. Will he learn from it or not? Dealing mentally with errors is something that every goalkeeper has to do and the ability to bounce back quickly is what defines them.
Judging by his performances, it is unquestionable that Turner improved in his year with Arsenal and he now has a chance to prove he is good enough to be a No 1 in the Premier League. MP
Why do Forest want Henderson too?
Forest did well to land a player of Navas’ quality and experience in the January window once it became clear Henderson was going to be sidelined for a considerable amount of time. It was a truly vital mid-season signing and a key factor in their eventual top-flight survival.
Navas played 17 games, including big wins over Brighton, Southampton and Arsenal.
Henderson suffered an injury in January (Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
But the club do not want to have to be scrambling around for such a last-gasp signing again next January if they suffer similar injury misfortune. Rather than having to pull a rabbit out of their hat as they did with Navas, they want to be proactive.
Their desire is to have two quality players fighting it out for the first-team spot — competition for places would help to keep both Turner and Henderson on their toes, regardless of who is in the team. PT
What would the impact of Henderson signing be on the team dynamic?
It has the potential to set up one of the more intriguing goalkeeper battles in this season’s Premier League.
Coming off his injury and being cast aside at United, where £43million Andre Onana has been signed from Inter Milan to replace the departed David de Gea, Henderson will feel like he has a lot to prove, and he won’t be happy sitting on the bench and missing valuable game time with a European Championship squad place with England next summer surely in his sights.
It will be interesting to see how he handles that, should it happen, and also to see how it impacts Turner and the rest of the goalkeeping group. Though it’s quite possible they will support one another, it may potentially challenge the relationships the pair have with each other, and even with the club — much in the same way it did between Henderson and De Gea at United.
Also fascinating is the fact Turner and Henderson are so similar in their ability as goalkeepers. They are both more traditional in terms of their strengths — strong in the air and good shot-stoppers.
Both will be expecting to be the one to play and there are also those national-team implications for each of them. It will be a very delicate and difficult relationship to navigate. The key for Cooper and the rest of his backroom staff will be to handle the situation well.
What will encourage Forest is Henderson’s attitude last season.
Despite being a loan signing, he moved to the area and, more than that, when sidelined with injury, stayed around rather than return to United and even travelled to away games. He remained a familiar face around the training ground too, even once he had undergone surgery and it was clear he would not play again last season. Such a mentality will be vital again now. PT/MP
Forest already have one U.S. international goalkeeper in Horvath… is Turner an upgrade? And how will all this impact the USMNT?
Steffen’s sporadic and limited game time for Manchester City, in addition to his inconsistent form when he did play, left the door open for Turner’s rise to claim his country’s No 1 jersey.
It is perhaps ironic that those roles have now shifted. Steffen made 45 appearances for Middlesbrough last season and was one of their best performers as they made the promotion play-offs. In total, he played 4,050 minutes of club football in 2022-23, while Turner managed just 630 (way down on what he was registering in MLS).
Though Steffen is currently recovering from knee surgery, Turner knows that another year on the bench at the Emirates would risk seeing him lose his place in the national team. That is a big reason why he has left Arsenal and why he hopes to be the No 1 at Forest.
Turner celebrates after the Gold Cup shootout victory over Canada last month (Photo: Jeff Dean/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Another goalkeeper who had a strong 2022-23 and is in the conversation for the USMNT No 1 jersey is Horvath.
Loaned out to Luton Town, he played a huge part in their promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, registering a total of 4,620 minutes on the pitch, keeping 20 clean sheets in 47 appearances. However, overall Horvath is seen as being a step below Turner — with the latter a much more well-rounded goalkeeper.Should Turner come in and perform at his best, he has the potential to single-handedly win Forest several points this season. MP(Top photo: Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Indy 11 Coach Mark Lowry
The Premier League Bad Predictions Amnesty 2023-24
The Premier League is back tonight, promising thrills, spills and all manner of footballing chaos. Our team of writers at The Athletic have gone to great effort to make some sensible predictions and season previews for 2023-24. But for those who want their football forecasts to talk about xVibes more than xGOT, this week has brought a return of our Bad Prediction Amnesty.
This is how it works: before a ball is kicked for a new season, you tell us your biggest, most instinctive prediction to do with it.
Hello friends, the Premier League returns this week. So it’s time for the Bad Predictions Amnesty. watched a pre-season fixture but think a team’s new striker will score a hatful? Put it in the amnesty. Taken a look at Kenilworth Road and reckon there’ll be some Luton-flavoured disruption? Vent to the amnesty.Reckon a manager looks a little more flustered than usual and is headed for the sack? That’s a hot take for the amnesty.We’re looking for opinions that only the overconfident part of the football brain can create. Like when a player stands over a penalty and you “just get the feeling” the angle of their run-up is wrong, so they are obviously going to miss.
You can redo your prediction at the end of the January transfer window, and change your gut feeling if your gut is feeling twitchy.Then, when it’s all over, we all look back at our predictions, have a laugh and realise how attuned our football senses are to the sport we love so much. We’ve received thousands of responses and predictions via social media. Remember: the idea of our amnesty is not to be proven correct. It’s to purge yourself of that nagging footballing thought you have rattling in your head before the season starts and to have a good laugh with fellow-minded fans too.
Here’s how the upcoming season will unfold, according to our Bad Takes.
Rule changes are going to cause havoc
With all the extra stoppage time, a team will score TEN goals in a game this season.— Dan Bardell (@danbardell) August 7, 2023
The 2023-24 season comes with an array of new officiating rules that will be sure to bring about fresh tactics and approaches to a matchday. The EFL got started last weekend and saw games with 10 minutes-plus of added time, in both halves, along with yellow cards for time-wasting, kicking the ball away and any hint of dissent.Couple that with another “let it flow” edict for referees, and we will have matches where players have to play for longer than ever before while having fewer stoppages for robust challenges. As such, our amnesty was full of predictions that this season will lead to outright chaos.Multiple double bookings and late dismissals in games. Numerous added-time muscle injuries. Plenty of last-gasp winners, many of which will come from the penalty spot.A new requirement — asking for all but one member of a team’s coaching staff to remain seated and away from the touchline — has been dubbed the “Jason Tindall Rule” by some fans, who believe the Newcastle United assistant to be most at risk of extra bookings.
Record number of red cards in injury time. And, linked, record number of games decided by an injury time penalty.— David Whitley (@mrdavidwhitley) August 7, 2023
The sensible prediction is to believe the relevant decision-makers will realise the flow of games has become increasingly untenable before quietly doing away with the new rule’s harsher sanctions.The predictions shared in this amnesty suggest we’re set for a record amount of late goals and sendings-off this season, as managers forget they are now allowed to use up to five substitutions across a game.
The 20-assists record is finally broken
Trent Alexander-Arnold breaks the assist record— Brad (@DymondFormation) August 8, 2023
It happens every three or four seasons. A player will start a league campaign in good passing form and earn several assists in a short space of time, creating a conversation about this being the season where someone will finally dethrone Thierry Henry.His 20 assists for Arsenal in 2002-03 is one of the stranger curios in Premier League history. For one, Henry also managed to score 24 league goals that year. For another, Arsenal didn’t win the league, finishing second — five points behind Manchester United.
His assists record has been equalled, by Kevin De Bruyne in 2019-20, but not beaten. Paul Pogba got off to a flyer in 2021-22, with seven in his first four games, but added only two more the rest of the way. Cesc Fabregas (18) and Mesut Ozil (19) came close in 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively.
To break the record, someone will likely have to play every available minute throughout the season, take some set pieces and have an array of attacking options ahead of him.
Rest assured, if the record is broken in 2023-24, The Athletic will have a meaty feature for you all to read, including a deep-dive on how Henry earned 20 assists in a season where Arsenal didn’t end up as champions.
But for now, we wish good luck to any pretenders to the assist-king throne. Currently, Trent Alexander-Arnold is the amnesty’s leading candidate.
It’s time for DarwinSzn 🫡— Hari Sethi (@Hari_Sethi) August 7, 2023
There aren’t many fans who believe Erling Haaland will be beaten for this season’s Golden Boot, but plenty think Darwin Nunez is going to make a good fist of it. The Uruguayan had a topsy-turvy debut season with Liverpool, scoring nine Premier League goals in 29 appearances but looking a little awkward doing so. Nunez is physically dominant in a way few strikers are, but last season he was inconsistent in his application and prone to the occasional baffling on-field decision.
It’s hoped the 24-year-old has ironed out some of the stranger quirks for the coming season. Now taking English lessons and with a greater appreciation for Jurgen Klopp’s style of football, Nunez could be a crucial part of a healthier and revamped Liverpool.
Newcastle are going to have a turbulent season…
What would represent a good 2023-24 season for Newcastle? The sensible, considered answer can be found here, but there is an acknowledgement that they find themselves in a tricky situation. Newcastle would ideally like to consolidate themselves within the Champions League places, but they are doing so at a time when the ‘Big Six’ have all looked to strengthen.
Three senior signings have arrived at St James’ Park this summer too, but there are questions (from those less familiar with the club) as to whether any of Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento truly move the needle.
It happens to plenty of clubs who try to make the leap from having a good team to having a good squad.
Many are predicting an unfortunate stumble, and possibly a managerial change to boot.
The optimistic reading is Luton will steer themselves to safety using a style of football that would make Sean Dyche’s Burnley blush. The pessimistic reading is they will find the top flight a step beyond them, suffering a Premier League relegation on a par with the ignominy of Derby County’s 11-point 2007-08 horror show.
Whatever happens, Kenilworth Road will be the backdrop for many a memorable moment over the next nine months.
And so many, many more…
This is but a sampling of the many predictions you have given us.
A number of you believe Kai Havertz is about to have a goalscoring purple patch having swapped Chelsea for Arsenal. Plenty predict Richarlison to take over from Bavaria-bound Harry Kane and make a good fist of being the central striker at Spurs.
Graham Potter to return to club management this season. Michael Carrick will be a top-flight boss before the campaign is over. Morgan Gibbs-White to be so impressive for Nottingham Forest he receives a senior England call-up.
No one is quite sure which European competition Chelsea, Brighton or Aston Villa will find themselves in for 2024-25, but nearly everyone thinks Bournemouth will prove a top-half surprise package.
All your predictions will be stored to look at again, with more knowledgeable eyes, in a few months’ time.
(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
Season preview
ASN’s 2023/24 European season preview: a detailed look at each American player in Europe
ASN’s Brian Sciaretta gives a detalied look at each of the American players throughout Europe as the 2023/24 season prepares to get underway.
BY BRIAN SCIARETTAPOSTED AUGUST 09, 2023 11:50 AM
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A NEW SEASON IS upon is in Europe. Some leagues have already begun, and some leagues are nearing their kickoff. This past offseason has seen a lot of changes and there are still several American players who can or should be moving before the transfer window closes. But most of the stage is set for the coming season.
Most leagues feature a number of American players, and each has their own set of possible goals in the months ahead. Here is a discussion of each of the players in each league and what are the realistic goals in the coming season.
THE PREMIER LEAGUE
There has been a lot of movement regarding Americans in England this year at several levels. The Leeds relegation and Christian Pulisic’s exodus has changed the landscape. But there is still a significant presence.
First, there is the duo at Fulham which overperformed last year immediately after promotion.
Tim Ream was perhaps the best American player in any league in 2022/23. It ended early with a broken arm and that limited his preseason. But Ream will soon be 36 and the obvious question is how much longer can he stay at one of the highest levels in the game? He is only signed at Fulham through this season. For now, he is still a big player, and he has a spot on the national team. We will learn a lot about Ream this year. Is he still a national team player for the Copa America? Does he want to stay in Europe beyond this season? Father Time wins all battles, but Ream is aging like fine wine.
Antonee Robinson also had a very good season for Fulham in 2022/23 where he made big strides in his game and finally showed himself to be a player who belongs in the Premier League and is a lock starter on the national team. He doesn’t need to do anything more than keep it up, build off last season, and prove he can keep doing this season after season.
Chris Richards showed a high ceiling at times last season for Crystal Palace. But he’s now 23 and he needs to play regularly. We know his talent, but minutes have been too elusive for him due to a steady flow of injuries. In 2022/23, he played just 442 minutes and was injured for the World Cup. The most first-team minutes he has played in a season has been 1300. What he needs is to simply stay healthy and play regularly. He is likely to continue to play with the national team if he is healthy, but he needs minutes to be at his best heading into the Copa America.
Auston Trusty took a very positive first step in England last year. The move from Colorado to Arsenal didn’t really impress given the common ownership. But Trusty then went on loan to Birmingham City, played 4000 minutes and was the team’s player of the season. He used that to earn a legitimate transfer from Arsenal to newly promoted Sheffield United. Sheffield United needs defenders and Trusty can help them in their three-man backline. It should be expected that he plays real minutes, and it will be a huge challenge for Sheffield United to stay up. If they do, Trusty will likely have played very well. If Sheffield United are relegated, Trusty will be very prepared to help them in the Championship. But there is no question that this move will help raise his profile and allow him to compete for a spot on the national team.
Matt Turner is still yet to make his Premier League debut after spending all 2022/23 as the backup at Arsenal. Now he is set to be the first-choice goalkeeper at Nottingham Forest after securing a full transfer. Forest will likely be in a relegation battle and Turner’s play could help be a factor whether they remain in the Premier League. This is also great news for the national team who finally have stability for their top keeper.
There are also other issues for Americans in the Premier League. Folarin Balogun probably won’t be with Arsenal beyond this window. Arsenal wants to sell him, and his value won’t be any higher in January. It’s just a game of chicken for how long they can hold out and what their price is.
The good news for Matt Turner at Forest also means that Ethan Horvath shifts to the backup option. But he is good enough for the Championship at least. But will any teams there (or perhaps on the continent) make a push for him? Sticking with Forest, Alex Mighten is still there but he needs a loan or a transfer to play. His loan to Sheffield Wednesday was a disaster last season as it was canceled at the end of the January window and he was forced to play with Forest’s reserve team.
Luca Koleosho declined a spot on the U.S. U-20 team to play for Italy’s U-19 team, but in theory he could still switch back to the USA. But Koleosho, a winger, has impressed at Burnley and could be in line for a breakout season.
Finally, Gaga Slonina played for Chelsea’s U-23 team and isn’t ready for the first team yet. But there could be loan options for him this season at some point.
SERIE A
No other top European league has seen a huge bolster of American talent than Serie A. In a league where it used to be rare to see American players based, there are four top U.S. national team players there at two of the most historically powerful Italian teams.
Christian Pulisic is the biggest name in American soccer, and he is now at AC Milan after a rollercoaster tenure at Chelsea where he won the Champions League and also struggled with injuries and for a steady starting job after an endless flow of managerial changes. Expectations should be high for Pulisic. He is back in the Champions League, he is rated by Stefano Pioli who has more security than anyone at Chelsea, and Pulisic should also be playing with a chip on his shoulder. Pulisic has now reached a point where he is in his prime. He’s not seen as a player for the future. Milan wants him for what he is now. The only thing stopping Pulisic now are injuries. He needs to avoid those and be ready for a 2000+ minute season.
Yunus Musah will join Pulisic at Milan but there are far more questions surrounding Musah than Pulisic. For Musah, it’s about the final product. We see how he can effortlessly dribble through the midfield and he’s become a lock starter for the national team. But the question is creating and scoring goals. Last season, he failed to score and had just two assists for Valencia. He can and must be better at Milan and the leash will not be nearly as long under Pioli. Milan clearly believes Musah will become a more complete package, but it’s by no means a sure thing. That’s the most important thing for Musah over the course of the season – to show more creation and actual quantifiable goal production for Milan.
Weston McKennie is perhaps the most surprising American player of 2023. His move to Leeds was a surprise. His struggles there to help the team avoid relegation were a surprise. His failure to trigger his option to buy on his loan to Leeds was a surprise. His remaining with Juventus after his loan was a surprise. Finally, his very impressive preseason for Juventus was perhaps the biggest surprise. He is back in top form at Juventus, but can he keep it up and can he help Juventus remain a solid top four team in Italy. We know McKennie can perform well at the highest of levels, but can he be reliable to perform this way for an entire season under the pressure of one of world’s most storied clubs? He’s done it as a member of the supporting cast at Schalke and Juve. But the next step is to be in the main cast.
Tim Weah is now also at Juventus and for the first time in his career, he seems set to begin a season in a set role. At PSG, Celtic, and Lille he floated from winger, to center forward, to right back, and to wingback. But now at Juventus, he seems set to play this wingback role. Weah, 22, looks comfortable and happy in this role. Perhaps this consistency of a position will allow him to go from a promising player to a dependably good player. Assuming he can stay healthy (and he is still yet to play a 2000 minute season at the first team level) there is no reason to feel anything but optimistic about this move.
Aside from these players, there still could be some interesting movement for Americans in Serie A. First, Folarin Balogun has been linked with Inter Milan and Arsenal has reportedly rejected offers for the U.S. national team forward. If Inter Milan eventually come to terms, that would put yet another American presence at the top end of the league – which would be a staggering development. If Inter Milan end up spending an enormous sum on Balogun, he will play.
Finally, keep an eye on Tanner Tessmann who impressed last season in Serie B with Venezia. There is reported interest from within Serie A for an August transfer.
THE BUNDESLIGA
Among the top European leagues, the Bundesliga is typically the home to the most American players given that it has fewer restrictions on foreign, non-EU players. This continues to be the case as at least nine players should be regularly in the matchday squads. There are also youth players knocking at the door at several clubs.
Gio Reyna is the biggest American name in the league but he’s also the biggest mystery. He puts up very productive numbers based on minutes played, but last season he rarely started. He also still struggles with injuries, and he hasn’t been able to participate with Dortmund’s preseason. He’s played less than 1100 minutes the last two seasons combined. There is no question about his talent. But will this be the season he can put it all together in all three areas: 1) staying healthy, 2) earning a starting spot, 3) continuing to produce. Dortmund will want to sell Reyna at some point, but he’s only going fetch a real sum if he can do all three. For Reyna, success could be determined as to when he will be at 100%.
Brenden Aaronson didn’t put up the numbers he wanted last year at Leeds United but now he will head to the Bundesliga with a Union Berlin team that is in the Champions League. The expectation and goals should be that he improves at Union Berlin where he is playing in a less physical league and is surrounded by better teammates compared with the level of the league. This is probably the move he should have made after Salzburg. Confidence will be key.
Jordan Pefok will also be at Union Berlin, but the open question is his confidence level as the season opens. He began 2022/23 in terrific form but then struggled shortly afterward. After September 17, he only scored one goal and he lost his spot in the starting XI. Was this a matter of confidence, or was it Bundesliga defenders figuring him out and taking away his strengths? There should be concern given how he has struggled in top leagues before. He was once a promising player in Ligue 1 but then faded before finding success in Ligue 2 and in Switzerland. We will learn a lot about Pefok this season as to whether he is simply someone who thrives at lower levels? Regarding the national team, the arrival of Balogun and the improvement of Ricardo Pepi has moved him down the ladder (and he was already behind Josh Sargent and Haji Wright). He also faces new competition from players like Brandon Vazquez. On many levels, he needs to have a big year.
Paxten Aaronson was denied a release by Eintracht Frankfurt to play in the U-20 World Cup because it seems like the club has a clear path for him. He showed some promise in the preseason and there should be hopes that he gets regular playing time. A 2000-minute season seems unlikely, but if he can impress off the bench early in the season, it should open doors for potential starts. Eintracht are clearly happy with the younger Aaronson and have a patient approach. He should get opportunities early in the season. Internationally, Aaronson could benefit tremendously from the Olympic team if Eintracht are willing to release him.
Timothy Chandler is now 33 and is clearly playing out the string of what could be the final years of his career. He’s a bench option for Eintracht these days and he hardly plays. Last season, he was only on the field for 81 minutes. It’s hard to see his situation improving much.
Kevin Paredes picked up an injury in preseason with Wolfsburg and won’t return until a few weeks into the season. The U.S. U-20 winger looked sharp last season, but it was almost entirely as a sub. He made a respectable 22 appearances but only started once (where he didn’t play well). The key for him once he returns to health is to show he can be an effective starter, even if it is just occasionally. He needs to far surpass the 512 minutes he earned in 2022/23. Internationally, he is another player who could benefit tremendously from the Olympic level to bridge the gap from the USYNT to the USMNT.
Joe Scally faded out of the starting lineup towards the end of 2022/23 when only played two minutes for Borussia Monchengladbach in the final five games of the season. Heading into the 2023/24 preseason, it appeared as if Scally would face competition for the starting right back job. But that changed dramatically in July when it was announced that Stefan Lainer had cancer and would miss several months. It was also revealed that Monchengladbach would not seek another right back. Scally, 21, has the starting job at M’Gladbach as a result. It’s not the way anyone would want to beat out competition, but Scally needs to take advantage of the opportunity to ensure he is the right back M’Gladbach want.
Lennard Maloney and 1.FC Heidenheim were the unlikely winners of the 2.Bundesliga last season and many in Germany are predicting the club won’t survive in the Bundesliga. That’s probably a fair assessment. But Maloney has a nice opportunity to test himself in Germany’s top tier where he will likely continue as a defensive midfielder (after converting from central defense last season). He desperately wants to play for the U.S. national team and playing well in the Bundesliga could give him the opportunity he craves.
John Brooks arrived at Hoffenheim midway through last season after a failed move to Benfica. In his return to Germany, he helped Hoffenheim climb out of the relegation zone and comfortably into midtable. Now 30, Brooks is a very experienced central defender who has a great understanding of the Bundesliga. He should be an anchor in the team’s backline once again after he was the team’s player of the month to end 2022/23. Will it get him back in the picture with the U.S. national team? Gregg Berhalter preferred other players last year and he will likely continue to explore other options the rest of 2023. But if Brooks is thriving at Hoffenheim heading into the Copa America and other central defenders are struggling, Brooks could be back in the mix.
Pellegrino Matarazzo is the only American manager in the top European leagues to start 2023/24 and it was a tough assignment for him to right the ship at Hoffenheim last year when he took the job in January. But eventually he did and Hoffenheim climbed out of the relegation zone in the final month of the season. Expectations should be that Matarazzo continues to improve the team back to where it should be – midtable. He’s a very good manager and is certainly continuing to make a big name for himself in Germany.
Elsewhere in Germany there are other players who are at the youth levels looking to break through. Quincy Butler has been making the bench this preseason at Hoffenheim after previously playing on the team’s bench. Damion Downs made the bench a few times for FC Koln last season and featured this preseason for the first team. He should be back with the second team to start the season but could get a look later in the season. Like Downs, Malik Sonogo is knocking at the door with the first team at Union Berlin while also playing with U.S. youth teams.
Malik Tillman has been training with Bayern Munich this preseason after a very productive loan last season with Rangers. He looks set for a loan to PSV this season.
Also, Borussia Monchengladbach has been looking at FC Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez for most of 2023. Cincy doesn’t seem willing to let Vazquez go before the end of the 2023 season, but would M’Gladbach look to acquire him in January (possible buying him in August and then loaning him back through 2023)? We will see.
LA LIGA/LIGUE 1
With several American players featuring in the top leagues of Spain and France, only one U.S. international is in the mix between the two leagues to start 2023/24.
Luca de la Torre had an up and down season with Celta Vigo in 2022/23. He eventually cracked the team’s starting XI where he had some good games and some subpar games. He only managed a couple of assists (with no goals) and had some good games and some bad games. Celta Vigo flirted with relegation but managed to escape at the end. The goal for de la Torre should be to remain as a starter despite upgrades at the club. If he does that, he must help guide the team to a safer season in 2023/24 where there is never any doubt about relegation. With the national team, he remains a solid backup option but there will be emerging competition among the younger group of players who are mostly U-23 players now. He should be feeling some pressure for both club and country in 2023/24 and it is up to him to prove he is still the better option.
THE EREDIVISIE
The Eredivisie will have its biggest presence of Americans in many years as a number of players have found their way into the league.
Ricardo Pepi remains in the top Dutch flight, but things are much different. He has gone from a relegation team to perennial powers PSV Eindhoven. He could also get the chance to play in the Champions League. While it won’t be as easy for him to see the field due to competition, he should be able to see the field on a regular basis, at worst as a sub. Expectations should be high for Pepi as he has already shown he can score in the Eredivisie – but now he should only see his play elevated by better teammates. It’s an appropriate step up and while Pepi might not play enough to reach double digits like he did last year, he should be effective.
Djordje Mihaiolvoic will finally get his first full season in the Eredivisie after joining AZ Alkmaar last December. When he joined AZ, it was tough for Mihailovic, 23, as he was trying to break into a team that in the middle of an overachieving season. His playing time was limited and most of his appearances came as a late substitute. Now with a full preseason with players starting off on an equal footing, more should be expected. Success for Mihailovic is starting most of his appearances and finding a way to create chances for a team that should finish in the top five.
Agustin Anello is an Olympic eligible winger who desperately wants to play for the United States for the first time at any age level. The Miami area native went on loan from Lommel (2nd tier Belgium) to Hajduk Split where he was a regular substitute. Hajduk declined its option to buy Anello, but Anello quickly secured an impressive move to Sparta Rotterdam. Anello played regularly in the preseason but we will see if Sparta sees him as a starter. That is unclear but he will get opportunities. From there, it is up to him. If he takes advantage, he could get a starting job and opportunities with the U.S. U-23 team.
Taylor Booth impressed last season and earned a spot on the U.S. national team by March. After a rocky first few weeks with Utrecht, Booth was the league’s player of the month for November. Eventually he cooled off a little, but he needs to stay at the level of being one of Utrecht’s better offensive players. He also needs to show he can handle the physicality of the league better for him to eventually force a sale and take a bigger role with the national team (and he’s also Olympic eligible as well). Booth has the ability to improve, and this season will also help set his ceiling.
Anthony Fontana singed a new contract with newly promoted PEC Zwolle after he performed well on a short term contract for the last two months of 2022/23. The former Philadelphia Union homegrown hardly played in Serie B with Ascoli but he moved to Zwolle shortly after his contract was terminated. He’s likely a bench option for Zwolle to start the season, but success would be impressing and moving into the starting lineup and helping Zwolle avoid relegation back to the Eerste Divisie.
Elsewhere in the Eredivisie, Malik Tillman is linked with a loan to PSV from Bayern Munich. Such a move would likely include an option to buy. That would be a nice step up for Tillman after his successful time from Rangers.
Also at PSV, Richard Ledezma is still with NYCFC on loan and could rejoin PSV later in the season. His loan to NYCFC has been successful in getting him playing time, but he has not dominated in the way it would take to indicate he is ready to play regularly for PSV. It might take another loan.
Defender Kik Pierre is with Excelcior and while he could only play for the USA if he filed a one-time switch. That seems highly likely as his Dutch dreams seem distant. But he’s also not good enough yet for the USA. To get there, he needs to stay healthy and play well. But staying healthy has always been tough for Pierre and he is already injured to start this season.
THE BELGIAN FIRST DIVISION
The first division in Belgium will once again be busy with up to five Americans set to be regular contributors on matchday squads.
Mark McKenzie is the most prominent American in the first division. The central defender has locked down a starting job with Genk and has occasionally worn the armband. The start to the season hasn’t gone well as Genk has been bounced from the Champions League. But there should be a high bar for success this year for McKenzie. He should be one of the best central defenders in the First Division and help Genk into being a top two or three team. If that happens, McKenzie should be in a great position to be sold in 2024 and continued looks with the U.S. national team.
Bryan Reynolds will return to Westerlo after he had a very good season there on loan from Roma. He impressed so much that Westerlo purchased Reynolds directly from the Italian club. He has a high ceiling as a right back but needs quality coaching to get to that level. But he’s in a great spot to play every single game with a team and develop. Internationally, Reynolds seems likely to be the Olympic team’s right back.
Griffin Yow while he is injured to start the season, Yow is a very good pick to be a surprise this year among Americans abroad. Yow was actually Westerlo’s best player in the preseason and looks as if his game has come a long way from his DC United days behind the scenes. The winger from Virginia is another Olympic option and while making that team will be tough for Yow, it’s not an unrealistic goal either.
Sam Vines is a huge question mark heading into this season with a Royal Antwerp team who won the First Division. Vines made the move to Antwerp in 2021 but has dealt with serious injuries. First a broken collarbone shortly after he got there. Then last November, his World Cup hopes were eliminated when he broke is tibia in training. While he was a regular starter before his tibia injury, he never played again the rest of the season. In preseason and the start of the season, he’s been a sub. But success for him would be reclaiming his starting spot. But 100% recoveries from a broken tibia are tough to predict.
Marlon Fossey was one of the breakout Americans in 2022/23. After his youth career stalled out at Fulham (and with U.S. youth national teams) due to repeated injuries, Fossey finally turned his career around last year when he joined Standard Liege on a free transfer. He emerged as a regular starter as Standard’s right wingback. His athleticism in covering the right side was impressive and, even more impressively, he stayed healthy the entire season. One more healthy season could make him a nice asset for Standard to sell. Internationally, the right back position is crowded for Fossey but he could force a look if he builds off last season.
Finally in Belgium, it’s been a sad story with Owen Otasowie who isn’t being paid by Club Belgium and the club seemingly never know his whereabouts. It wouldn’t be surprising if we’ve seen the last of him as a professional player.
SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
There isn’t as big of an American presence in Scotland this season after Malik Tillman and James Sands left Rangers, Ian Harkes left Dundee United, and Matthew Hoppe’s loan from Middlesbrough to Hibernian unsuccessfully ended. But there are still important payers.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is regular starter for Celtic and is an important player to the team’s backline. He had knee surgery offseason but started the team’s first game of the season, a 4-2 win over Ross County. Clearly, Carter-Vickers needs to dominate Scotland again since he was on the Premiership’s Team of the Season for 2022/23. Anything less would be disappointing. His games in European play and in Old Firm games are critical because they are the few times he will be tested with Celtic. He was on the World Cup team and will have competition if Richards gets healthy and McKenzie plays well with Genk. But he’s in a good position too with Berhalter coming back.
Dante Polvara returned to Aberdeen from a successful loan stateside with the Charleston Battery. The new coaching staff at Aberdeen likes him so he has clear goals which would mark success: 1) starting regularly and 2) making an impact for an Aberdeen team which could finish as high as third place.
Joe Efford is healthy after being sidelines for most of the 2022/23. The winger needs to break back into Motherwell’s starting XI, but he didn’t have a great preseason so he has work to do.
Scott Pittman is the all-time appearance leader for Livingston and is a club legend. But now over 30, his starting job isn’t as secure. Getting back into the starting XI and helping the team to a top-half finish would be success.
THE 2.BUNDESLIGA
There isn’t as much of an American presence in the 2.Bundesliga with Lennard Maloney getting promoted and Ryan Malone leaving for Ingolstadt in the 3.Liga along with American manager Joe Enochs getting relegated with Jahn Regensburg. But some big names remain.
Julian Green returns to Greuther Furth after a disappointing season. Two years ago, Green was key to Furth’s promotion. Then in the Bundesliga, he rarely played as they were relegated. Last season, he was lackluster as Furth limped to a midtable finish. But he had a nice preseason and a solid start to the season. We don’t yet know what Green will show up this season, but the early signs are that he could be at the level where he was three seasons ago in a successful season – which would be a big improvement.
Maxamillian Dietz looks to be a starter for Greuther Furth after years in the reserves. Last season, he made a few first team substitute appearances, but he started the club’s preseason games and the first two games of 2023/24. He plays the right side of a three-man backline. At 21 years old, he is eligible for the U.S. Olympic team so his goals should be starting for Furth, helping the team in a promotional race, and getting into the U.S. U-23 team (which needs defensive depth).
Terrence Boyd successfully restarted his career starting last season at the age of 32 when he was one of the best center forwards in the 2.Bundesliga with Kaiserslautern. His national team days are over, but it should be a nice goal for him to help in the Kaiserslautern revival as an offensive threat. He’s one of the better “feel good” stories with his charismatic personality. He could still hit double digits again.
Fabian Hurzeler was a remarkable story getting St. Pauli’s managerial job a month before his 30th birthday. When he took the job, St. Pauli was almost in the relegation zone. By the end of the year, St. Pauli was a contender for promotion. Hurzeler’s goal this year should be to have St. Pauli in contention for promotion. After last year, that is realistic.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP
There is a lot up in the air regarding Americans in the Championship. Will Zack Steffen and Ethan Horvath return with different teams after good seasons? Will Tyler Adams move on from Leeds despite being injured since March? Meanwhile, Matthew Hoppe moved away on loan while Jonathan Tomkinson could also still move away.
Josh Sargent has a lot on the line as he is now the top forward at Norwich since Teemu Pukki was sold to Minnesota. Sargent is a good forward and he can and should hit double digits again. But can he go from being a good forward to a forward who can lead a team in a promotional race? That is a high bar but that is a bar that Norwich set for him. He has a ton of responsibility and handling that well would impress Gregg Berhalter.
Also with Norwich City, former U.S. national team forward David Wagner is the team’s manager and the pressure will be on him to get the team into the playoffs, at least. Meanwhile, U.S. U-23 hopeful Jonathan Tomkinson had a mediocre loan to Stevenage in League Two last year and the defender from Texas might need another loan.
Daryl Dike has had a tough time since joining West Bromwich in 2022. He simply can’t stay healthy and is not supposed to be healthy until later in the year with an Achilles’ injury. It’s very disappointing news given how likable and charismatic Dike is. The goal for Dike is simply to get back on the field and stay healthy. Could he do better? Of course. But seeing him healthy for an extended period would be a great start.
Haji Wright is now with Coventry – who paid a club record for the American forward after he broke out in the Turkish Super Lig with Antalyaspor with 31 goals in all competitions over two seasons. But when a club pays that high of a price, it expects something in return. Namely, Wright will need to be a forward who can reliably produce goals for a team that expects to be in a promotional race. Last season, Coventry narrowly missed out on promotion in a shootout loss to Luton Town in the playoff final. After Coventry sold star forward Viktor Gyokeres to Sporting CP in the offseason, Haji Wright will be expected to fill that void and deliver. The pressure on Wright is enormous and the bar has been set high.
Duane Holmes made the move away from his hometown club, Huddersfield, and is now with Preston North End. At 28 years old, he needs to be consistent and steady for a club which finished 12th in 2022/23 but who has ambitions to push for the playoffs. A tenacious midfielder at his best, he has far more opportunity at Preston North End than with a limited Huddersfield team.
Lynden Gooch and Sunderland pushed for back to back promotions in 2022/23 but fell short in the playoffs. Gooch has had spells in and out of Sunderland’s starting XI. Now playing right back, he has grown nicely into the position. The goal for him is to start most of Sunderland’s games and help it continue to be in the playoff mix.
Vaughn Covil started at the beginning of last season for Hull City before suffering a torn ACL which not only ended his season, but it eliminated him from any possibility of playing with the U.S. U-20 team last cycle. He’s back now and the goal is for him to simply get back on track to where he was before the injury. It might take a loan away from Hull City.
Jaheim Headley played a lot of minutes last year for Huddersfield and he had some impressive moments. The 21-year-old left back has told people, however, that his goal is to play for Jamaica.
YANKS IN OTHER LEAGUES
Rokas Pukstas is one of the top American teenagers now and he is now a lock starter for Hajduk Split. He started off 2023/24 in terrific fashion with two game winning goals in the first two HNL games. He ended last season winning the Croatian Cup (where he drew a penalty). But unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury and will miss the next two months. It’s a setback given the strides he had been making. But his goal should be to continue to emerge as an important player for Hadjuk Split, win games/trophies, and eventually force a sale. Internationally, he seems like a strong candidate for the U.S. Olympic team next summer.
Erik Palmer-Brown earned a move from Troyes in France after their relegation to Panathinaikos FC, who finished second in Greece and are still alive in Champions League qualifying. For Palmer-Brown, 26, he now gets to join a team that is surrounded by better talent – as opposed to midtable or relegation level talent. It’s a great move for him mentally to be able to win. He should aim for a spot in the starting lineup (which he always seems to do, no matter where he plays) and he should also aim to be one of the better centerbacks in Greece. Internationally, he seems to be behind several other players on the national team but perhaps winning will help him (like it did for Carter-Vickers). He also wouldn’t be a bad overage selection for the U.S. Olympic team.
Alex Mendez has had an up and down time the past two seasons with Vizela in Portugal. He’s been in and out of the starting XI while occasionally having some big games. He’s still only 22 years old and time is on his side but the goals this season should be a 2000-minute season (he was around 1400 in his first two Vizela seasons) while also being productive to help Vizela push into the top half of the season.
Alejandro Alvarado had a disappointing season with Vizela in 2022/23 where his first team minutes completely evaporated, and it cost him a spot on the U.S. U-20 World Cup team. His career doesn’t seem to be in a great place and he simply needs to do whatever he can to play regularly.
Benji Michel was a good sub option for Arouca after joining the Portuguese club in January. Arouca finished firth last season to earn a spot in the qualifying rounds of the Conference League (where they will face Norway’s Brann). Michel, 25, only started once for Arouca and earning more starts should be his priority.
Justin Che moved from FC Dallas to Brondby in Denmark after Hoffenheim declined to purchase him following the end of an 18-month loan in May. In between, he played at the U-20 World Cup for the U.S. team. Two things for Che, he needs to gradually develop as a player and start to get regular playing time. He also needs to figure out a primary position after floating between right back and central defense the past two years.
Christian Cappis is also at Brondby and his minutes have been uneven (1049 minutes in 2021/22 and 982 minutes in 2022/23). There have been reports he might be exploring a move back the USA, which would be fine if this is where he can play. He probably will leave Brondby if he remains only an occasional starter.
Sebastian Soto moved last year to Austria Klagenfurt to jumpstart his stagnating career. He saw limited minutes and scored one goal. He is now hurt with a back injury to start 2023/24. Whenever he returns, he will need to crush it. At 23, it’s getting late early for Soto and the hype from his U-20 days is now over. He is still yet to show anything professionally.
George Bello also has struggled in recent years. He began to fade in Atlanta and then that continued when he moved to Arminia Bielefeld as that club suffered back-to-back relegations. Bello’s minutes evaporated by the end. Now he’s at LASK in the Austrian Bundesliga, and that would be fine expect that the club also recently signed long-time left back Rene Renner to a long time deal. Renner regularly plays nearly every minute for the club, so Bello joined a team where he is clearly the backup. If he gets any meaningful opportunity, he must take advantage of it. Otherwise, Bello is not going to play much.
Emmanuel Sabbi has been an effective winger for OB Odense with most of his goals coming against the bottom half of the Danish Super Liga. The strong winger has probably found his level at age 25 but OB’s sporting director has recently said Antalyaspor in Turker has been interested.
EDIT: there are now reports out of France that Sabbi will be on the move to Le Havre who were just promoted to France’s Ligue 1. That is a big step up for Sabbi and a rare chance for him to break into a top league.
YANKS STILL ON THE MARKET
As we near mid-August, there are still several American players who could be on the move. These will be big stories for the remainder of the window.
Folarin Balogun increased his stock with a tremendous season in 2022/23 with Reims on loan from Arsenal. Inter Milan want him, and he could succeeded there and in many other places. It just comes down to Arsenal setting a realistic price.
Tyler Adams is still with Leeds United and there is interest from Premier League teams who would pay the release fee for Adams because they see him as a starter. Still, it becomes tough to move an injured player and Adams hasn’t played since an injury in March.
Sergino Dest had a terrible loan in 2022/23 to AC Milan and he is back with a Barcelona team that doesn’t want him. He will land on his feet with a good but not great club. To get back into the highest levels of the game, he needs improve in certain areas while having a coach who appreciates his style of playing. Among top managers, Dest isn’t for everyone.
Tanner Tessmann impressed last season with Venezia as a big and athletic midfielder who is also skilled. It would be a surprise if he remains with Venezia for the duration of this season. A move this summer still seems very realistic.
Gianluca Busio was also with Venezia but his minutes were erratic. He’s expensive for Venezia and the club would likely want to move him. But who will come in with a high enough offer for Venezia. A move back to MLS could work, but which teams will pay a few million for him? That doesn’t seem realistic.
Malik Tillman raised his stock nicely on loan with Rangers and he also isn’t in Bayern Munich’s plans. The reports of PSV seem like an appropriate step for him take, even if it is on loan.
Ethan Horvath returned to Nottingham Forest after his loan to Luton Town last season ended with his purchase option not being picked up despite a successful promotion. Is he really going to be Turner’s backup? It seems like he has done enough to show he is a keeper who can be a valuable asset to a Championship team looking for promotion.
Zack Steffen is also in limbo after returning to Manchester City after his loan to Middlesbrough resulted in his purchase option not being picked up. He’s a strong candidate to move since he is now No. 3 at City. He needs a good move for his national team career.
Reggie Cannon is a free agent after terminating his contract with Boavista. There have been reports of interest from Koln and Rayo Vallecano, but Cannon needs to be careful that clubs are not simply taking a flyer on him since he is now free. He’s in a tricky spot.
Caden Clark moved to Leipzig from the New York Red Bulls in January but didn’t play for the German team. In fact, Clark is yet to play a game since September 18, 2022 (nearly 11 months ago). He fell out of the U.S. U-20 squad too. There were reports that Twente was interested in him on loan. But he’s in a spot where he desperately needs to play. Almost any option that gets him on the field is a good one.
Konrad De la Fuente has had a miserable 18 months. He’s fallen out of favor at Marseille and he didn’t play on his loan to Olympiacos. Now there are reports that SD Eibar in Spain’s Segunda wants to bring him in on loan. That’s great. De la Fuente needs to play and reverse the downward trend. A big thing to watch with de la Fuente is his professionalism. How hard will he work to improve?
Uly Llanez is another young player in limbo. Still signed to Wolfsburg, he spent the last two seasons on loan to St. Poelten of Austrian’s second tier. He doesn’t want to go back there for a third season but Wolfsburg probably doesn’t have a lot of options for him either. His career has been stuck in the mud for a long time now and it isn’t clear how this will be fixed.
Linehan: This World Cup’s anti-USWNT outrage isn’t just hateful, it’s irrational
Here we are again.The U.S. women’s national soccer team, can you believe it, has done something to elicit a flood of commentary, criticism and right-wing vitriol. But in a novel twist, this time it was prompted by an on-field result — a World Cup round of 16 loss on penalties to Sweden, the first time in 12 years that the team has stumbled on the world’s biggest stage, with team lightning rod Megan Rapinoe missing her first-ever World Cup penalty kick in the process.
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Clearly, a lot of people have been waiting for this to happen.
On social media, former President Donald Trump attributed the loss to current President Joe Biden, adding that many of the players were “openly hostile to America,” among more unhinged contempt. Political commentators, almost all right-leaning, have parroted this talking point, with former Fox News and NBC host Megyn Kelly declaring on her SiriusXM radio show that she was “thrilled” the U.S. lost. Players’ public stances on a number of social, cultural and political issues have repeatedly been cited as offenses that constitute “revel(ing) in anti-American vitriol,” as Texas senator and former Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz put it on Twitter. So too are their marketing deals, their hairstyles, the awards some have won…everything down to the clothes they wear and the way they choose to celebrate existing at the peak of their profession.
Somehow, these voices have been given weight despite the fact that it’s likely few if any of them actually watch the USWNT, or women’s soccer, or women’s sports in general on a regular basis. And it’s all in addition to social media’s rotten waterfall of bigotry; hate speech masquerading as commentary, posted by trolls masquerading as serious people.
They’ve all gotten their chance to gloat. So here we are again.
When the U.S. women won the World Cup in 2019, conservative politicians and talking heads had a playbook they followed to the letter. The equal pay fight was at its zenith, kneeling for the national anthem was a hot topic, and Trump was trading barbs with a U.S. team that was at the center of those conversations. In a way, one could understand the uproar that accompanied that moment. The discussions at play were significant and real enough that nothing felt forced.
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Four years later, no actual discussions are on the table — just wedge issues conservatives are gleefully pushing in the hopes of scoring political points.
Consider the fact that so many of the people heaping invective on this U.S. team are doing so while trumpeting the need to “protect women’s sports” – something that has never been about reducing harm for athletes or calling for increased investment and resources, but has always been about a deeply hypocritical politicization of women’s sports, about erasing trans people from public life and denying them the joy of playing at any level, and about policing the behavior of women.
These are all things that several members of the USWNT drew attention to last year, when they wore wristbands reading “Protect trans kids” during a friendly in Texas. Now, at least in part because of that stance, the players are in a target zone of hate.
The backlash actually has very little to do with the World Cup performance. You can tell because it didn’t start with the team’s loss to Sweden, or the awful performance against Portugal, or the lackluster draw against the Netherlands. It first became noticeable at the earliest possible moment, before the United States’ opening win against Vietnam, when some team members sang the national anthem and some did not. That, somehow, was enough to cause a ripple of outrage — a small one, but big enough that USWNT defender Naomi Girma was asked about it at a subsequent press conference.
The USWNT press corps — people like me who cover this team on an everyday basis — chose not to engage in that topic because it clearly wasn’t about singing the anthem. If it had been, I might have pointed out that most of the USA baseball team didn’t sing the anthem in the final of the World Baseball Classic this year, or that the USA men’s basketball team didn’t sing the anthem in the Olympic gold medal game in 2021. I could have pointed to a significant number of USMNT players who didn’t sing the anthem at the last World Cup, or identified the same among other countries who have competed in New Zealand and Australia over the last few weeks.
I might even have pointed out that the U.S. law concerning behavior during the playing of the national anthem (U.S. Code Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 171) makes exactly zero mention of singing. What it does mention, though, is standing. That isn’t something that was debated rationally very often in the buildup to World Cup 2019, but at least there was a basis to do so.
The 2023 outrage has never been rational. It’s just one group shouting regardless of whether anyone is listening or not. It is rooted in misogyny and sexism, racism, homophobia and transphobia — all the antitheses to the things this team has stood for collectively and individually.
We could be talking about all of the many reasons why the USWNT failed; the actual soccer that was played, coaching mistakes, or larger systemic issues that will need to be addressed by the U.S. Soccer Federation moving forward. All those things contributed to the team’s earliest exit from a World Cup in tournament history. Becoming too “woke,” whatever that means, certainly didn’t hurt them this time, just as it didn’t help them when they won in 2019, or even in 2015.
While the attacks are crude and meritless, they have at least proven that the platforms of the USWNT as a whole, and those of players like Rapinoe, are significant and far-reaching. They have power, enough to be considered both a target and a threat. That’s still a deeply uncomfortable if not outright dangerous position to be in — there is a real, human cost to this vitriol we are forgetting as we debate whether to engage or not.
The bigger question here is: Who are we listening to right now, and why?
Is it someone like Fox Sports commentator and former U.S. men’s national team defender Alexi Lalas, who declared the USWNT “polarizing” because of their “politics, causes, stances and behavior,” at least to a certain “portion of America?” I wonder if he has followed his own train of thought long enough to consider how his network’s coverage of the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar had its own political approach, from choosing to ignore Qatar’s lengthy history of human rights abuses directly related to that World Cup, to segments like the one in which Lalas appeared in a thobe alongside Qatari influencer Khalifa Al Haroon (also known as Mr. Q).
Perhaps instead we should be listening to the voices that know this team, this sport, and the USWNT’s legacy that extends beyond the field. There are numerous current and former players who have provided excellent analysis through the World Cup, and players from other national teams who have credited the USWNT with growing the sport. If the U.S. women’s national team had clearly been acting out of step with what was expected of them, surely these are the people who would be able to tell.
“The U.S. women’s national team, they’re pioneers,” Sweden forward Kosovare Asllani told Tobin Heath in a clip posted following her team’s win over the U.S. “You are raising the game, you’re opening doors for the rest of the community, the rest of the world. You’re first with everything.”
She also mentioned she had told an American journalist not to “talk sh–” about the USWNT.
I still can’t help but resent even having to write this column. I resent having to spend a single second of a single minute of a single day at this World Cup — a tournament of upsets and excellence — thinking about what bad-faith politicians and commentariat have to say about the USWNT loss. All of this is so cynical, so manufactured and so cheap. It’s not about soccer, nor is it about the facts, nor has it ever been. They’ve been waiting to see this team stumble, and they’ve finally cashed in on their chase to poison the USWNT’s World Cup platform for their own gain — especially in the case of Rapinoe.
Something she said four summers ago still works at this moment, though.“I think that I’m particularly and uniquely and very deeply American,” Rapinoe said, addressing her own view of what patriotism means. “If we want to talk about the ideals that we stand for, the song and the anthem, and what we were founded on, I think I’m extremely American. ”This team, more than ever before, represents the diversity of the United States. Keeping the spotlight on them as players, as humans, and on their platform and their “politics, stances, causes and behaviors” — as if any of those are anything but standing on the right side of history — is the best way to ensure they win, even if they are out of the World Cup.Otherwise, we’ll just be right back here again.(Photo: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Meg Linehan is a senior writer for The Athletic who covers the U.S. women’s national team, the National Women’s Soccer League and more. She also hosts the weekly podcast “Full Time with Meg Linehan.” Follow Meg on Twitter @itsmeglinehan
We will be back stronger’
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Japan cruised through the World Cup group stages and shocked the tournament with a 4-0 demolition of Spain in their final match.
They then easily beat Norway 3-1 to set up today’s quarter-final with Sweden, where many pegged them as favourites.
But it was Sweden who triumphed in the end, bringing to a close Japan’s high-octane football at this World Cup.
“We fought so hard because we wanted it,” captain Saki Kumagai said. “We want to go to the next round, of course. We will come back stronger.”On his side’s journey at the tournament, Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda added: “The team grew and the players grew out of this World Cup. We were able to demonstrate that on the world stage, which is a fact.”We also lost this match, which is also a fact. But the players, their work at this World Cup, is something that we need to assess positively.”
‘We want to go the whole way’
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Sweden are not resting on their laurels after that 2-1 win against Japan in their quarter-final.
The European side, who beat the USWNT on penalties in the round of 16 on Sunday, were 2-0 up in their quarter-final and survived a late comeback from the Japanese to seal a place in the next round of the World Cup.”Obviously, we’re not happy with a semi-final, we want to go the whole way,” captain Kosovare Asllani said. “I believe strongly in my team and we’ll be more than ready for (the semi-final on) Tuesday.””We were very happy with the win against the U.S., but we knew we had to recharge and think about Japan,” midfielder Kosovare Asllani said. “We knew we were going to play a very skilled and technical team, and we didn’t want them to have a lot of time on the ball, because that’s when they’re the best.”Sweden will face Spain in Tuesday’s semi-final, after Jorge Vilda’s side beat the Netherlands 2-1 earlier on.
Russo anticipating a physical Colombia team: ‘We’ll be ready to go’
England forward Alessia Russo spoke with reporters ahead of her team’s quarterfinal match against Colombia on Saturday. Here’s what she said:
(Is there) more pressure as a starter rather than coming off the bench?
“I think there is always weight on your shoulders when you play for your country. It is different, but your job is the same and your focus is the same. When I went into the Euros, it was my first tournament and I just wanted to make sure I stayed in the moment and enjoyed every second of it. That’s been my mindset coming into this.
“Yes, obviously what you do on the pitch is most important but how you go into games is really crucial too. For us, as players, we know the standard and how to get the best out of each other so it’s just about staying in your zone and knowing what’s right for you.”
Colombia’s friendly against Ireland was called off, abandoned, before the tournament because of perceived over-physical behaviour. … Are you ready to get a kicking from defenders and are you ready to give a bit back?
“I think Colombia, yes, are a physical team and aggressive but so are we. It’s something that we’ve faced before in this tournament and we’ve stepped up. That’s part of the game now, it’s getting more physical, it’s getting stronger. Players are quicker and faster. I think in this tournament the level has been so high and it’s great to see, and I think you all know as much as I do that no one ever in this tournament is an underdog. And they [Colombia] have put on some really good performances in this tournament and, when Saturday comes, we’ll be ready to go.”
Most games at this tournament have been almost a battle. Are you expecting more of that this weekend? And what’s it like as a player, to be in that sort of classic tournament match, where it becomes almost like a slog?
“I think it’s great that you can’t take your foot off the gas for one second and, not that we could in the Euros either, but you can see it, every game is so, so tight and that just shows the level of the game right now which is amazing. Yes, we’re expecting that on Saturday for sure. Colombia are a great team and they’ve got some great players, so it’s going to be, from minute one to the final whistle goes, it’s going to be tough.”
Do you think it’s significant that Sarina (Wiegman) is the last female coach in the tournament?
“It’s great for young girls that want to go into coaching. We always say about inspiring the next generation and to go out and play football and get as many young girls involved as possible, so to know that they can be a coach as well and see Sarina on the biggest stage is incredible. She’s one of the best managers I’ve ever played for so to have her as our leader and our role model is something that we really appreciate.”
What’s she like in tournament scenarios? She seems very cool. Is that the case? And you all seemed so calm for the penalties…
“Yes she’s very cool and she’s a very calm head, which is so important when you’re in high-pressure moments. She’s a winner, she knows how to win, and she’s done it before. Yes, she has the full respect of everyone and I think it’s great to have someone leading us that knows how to deal with those high-pressure moments, as well as [someone who] keeps everyone calm on the pitch.”
(There was a) video of you on social media the other day as a young person with a pair of football boots. … What do you think that young Alessia would think seeing you now and, when you see that, does it give you perspective on what you’re achieving now?
“I think it’s things like that make you realise and just relax a little bit. These moments in these tournaments can be really high-pressure but I think that little girl would have been dreaming about a World Cup ever since she was born. So to be able to be living in that moment now is something that I’m so grateful for but it’s so nice to be able to relate back to being that little kid when times are hard and pressure is on because that’s who you’re playing for, and that’s why you’re here.”
You’re quite a physical player. … Is that something you’ll relish if that comes up against Colombia?
“Yes I’m quite a big player in terms of my height and stature, so I’d like to think I could hold my own. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I couldn’t. But yes, I think the strength-in-depth in the squad is amazing and you’re tested every day in training to be strong in those moments. I’m coming up against Millie Bright most days in training, so I think if there’s ever a test it’s right there. So yes, you prepare for those moments every day in training.”
The role of a No. 9…what are some of the big differences you’ve noticed, compared to the WSL, at the international level? Especially at a World Cup, coming up against defenders that you won’t usually meet?
“I mean, I don’t think it differs too much because I think the standard of the WSL is so high. And the centre-backs that you play against are mostly internationals anyway. So I think it’s pretty similar but you have very little time on the ball and you’ve got to be really quick in your decision-making, and then when you’re in an around the box you have a split-second to get your shot off or you miss your moment, so I think, yes, it’s just about trying to be one step ahead and making sure you never miss a moment.”
I know you won’t tell us what formation you’re going to play but how much do you practice the two formations?
“We prepare for everything.”
England’s Russo talks her ‘pinch-me’ Beckham moment
England forward Alessia Russo spoke with reporters ahead of her team’s quarterfinal match against Colombia on Saturday. Here’s what she said:
(Is there a) different dynamic in the squad, given the competition for places and changing team?
“I think the dynamic of this team is what makes it so special. It’s been the same ever since I stepped into the squad. We have such a good team spirit and togetherness and I’d like to think that you can see that on the pitch in how we celebrate and enjoy each other’s moments.”
How have you found playing in a two with Lauren Hemp?
“I love playing alongside all the attackers in this team. We have so many different strengths and it’s great. When I’m up and around the box you enjoy yourself. Hempo and I have lots of conversations and it’s good. But you can see the strength in depth in this squad.”
(Is it) easier to get on the ball when you have someone with you? The mid-block has made it hard in this tournament for some strikers.
“It’s always nice when you have players around the box. That happens in this team regardless of the formation that we’re playing. I think my job as a No. 9 is pretty similar, whatever the formation. But it’s always nice when there are more of us.”
Can you tell us about meeting David Beckham?
“It was amazing actually. He has been one of my idols — and heartthrobs! — ever since I was a little girl. It is one of my biggest highlights off the pitch to sit and have a normal conversation with someone who you would watch on the world stage when you were a young girl. It was amazing. He was really nice. It was a pinch-me moment in terms of what women’s sport nowadays has done.”
Harper (Beckham’s daughter) said (Russo) was her favourite player.
“I was buzzing. Everybody is a fan of the Beckhams, aren’t they?”
What was your takeaway from it?
“It was a completely World Cup-focused conversation, and it was nice to not only hear from him about what he did on the pitch, but how he felt in the moments of the World Cup. He says that it was the biggest highlight of his career, a moment that obviously he will never forget. He said that his best and biggest memories were in an England shirt. It is something that you can really relate to. For me, stepping into my first World Cup is something I’ve dreamt of ever since I can remember.”
Does it show the size of the occasion, given his highs and lows?
“He said that you should never lose sight of what you guys are doing as a team. I think sometimes we are always in the moment and all we see and compete for every day is the pitch and training. But there’s an impact away from that and that’s really special to hear. Hearing that Harper is a huge fan is nice to hear.”
Swapped shirts?
“Yeah. I was buzzing for his shirt but he took mine as well.”
Has he been in touch over the course of the tournament?
“He messaged me after one game — I think the China game — but it’s just nice to hear that players are following the tournament. For all of us, these are our idols.”
What did the message say?
“I can’t actually remember. The time difference has thrown me off.”
Spain leave it late against Netherlands
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Earlier, Salma Paralluelo scored an extra-time winner to earn Spain a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands and a place in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time.
The 19-year-old Barcelona winger broke the 1-1 deadlock when she latched onto a through ball, and unleashed a shot that went in off the post
“It means everthing for me, it was a unique moment, great euphoria … I’m extremely happy,” Paralluelo said.
Sixth-ranked Spain, who had not advanced past the round of 16 in two previous two World Cup appearances, will face Sweden for a place in the final in Auckland on Tuesday.
“We went to extra time, but the team kept on believing,” said coach Jorge Vilda. “They played on an extraordinary level, all players, and it was a match with a lot of emotional decisions, and the goal from Salma, it was sheer joy.”
All the goals came late in a tight game with Mariona Caldentey scoring Spain’s first from a penalty kick in the 81st minute after Dutch defender Stefanie Van der Gragt had handled the ball inside the box.
Van der Gragt, in her final match before retirement, earned some redemption when she equalised in the 91st minute to send the contest to extra time in front of 32,021 fans at Wellington Regional Stadium.
But Paralluelo had the final say, meaning the ninth-ranked Dutch — runners-up to the United States four years ago in France — followed the USWNT, Germany, Canada and Brazil out of the tournament.
Sweden hold off Japan fightback to reach semi-final
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Sweden held off a late Japan fightback to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the fifth time with a 2-1 win at Eden Park on Friday.
Five days after ousting four-time champions the United States in the last 16, the Swedes dominated the 2011 title winners for most of the evening to book a last-four date with Spain at the same stadium on Tuesday.
The result means a tournament full of surprises so far is without a former winner in the semi-finals.
Defender Amanda Ilestedt gave Sweden the lead with her fourth goal of the tournament in the 32nd minute, with Filippa Angeldal adding the second from the penalty spot just after the break.
Riko Ueki missed a 76th-minute penalty and fellow substitute Honoka Hayashi’s goal 11 minutes later proved too little, too late as Sweden held firm under pressure to progress.
All 54 American-born players who played in the World Cup, but not for the USWNT
Part of the World Cup viewing experience for many Americans is rooting for more than one team: the U.S. women’s national team and the country they or their parents may have immigrated from. The same concept can be seen among the players in the tournament.
The diaspora of multiple countries is prevalent across the United States. At the international level, playing for the U.S. isn’t always the first choice or, in other situations, even an option.
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This year, the Women’s World Cup expanded to 32 teams, increasing the chances of Americans playing for nations that aren’t the U.S. — in fact, 54 players in this year’s competition were born in the U.S. and represented another country that makes up their identity.
Casey Phair (left) is the youngest player to appear in a World Cup. Photo by Bradley Kanaris, Getty Images.
Casey Phair became the youngest player at a World Cup when she took the field for South Korea — she’s also currently enrolled at The Pingry School in New Jersey. The Philippines are by far the team with the most American-born players, with 18 of the 23 players playing for the country. Jamaica, who made the knockout round in its second-ever World Cup, also has double-digit U.S.-born players. With the Reggae Girlz elimination Tuesday, there are only three American-born players left in the competition.
Only two teams featuring American-born players. The expectation is that those players won’t see much of the field during the next round of the knockout stages, due to their place in the overall roster for their country. Here’s a look at the American-born players who took part in the World Cup as members of teams other than the USWNT.
Colombia
Angela Baron – Keller, Texas
Elexa Bahr – Buford, Georgia
The last team with American-born representation, Colombia booked its ticket to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time in team history. Neither Baron nor Bahr have featured for Colombia in this tournament. They aren’t considered in contention for starting spots or as players who can come on and change the game for Colombia due to Baron being superseded by Daniela Arias, Monica Ramos and Jorelyn Carabalí in defense, while Linda Caicedo, Lady Andrade and Mayra Ramirez keep Bahr on the bench up top. They may only see minutes at the tournament if an injury happens to those above them in the depth chart, even with Colombia advancing to the quarter-finals.
The Netherlands
Damaris Egurrola – Orlando, Florida
Highly sought-after by the U.S., Spain and the Netherlands, Egurrola decided to play for the Dutch and has seen minutes at the World Cup as a substitute in all of the Netherlands’ games so far. She has Jill Roord, Jackie Groenen and Danielle van de Donk in front of her in the midfield depth chart, but many view Egurrola as a player set to star soon for the Netherlands. They are still at the World Cup, so chances are Egurrola will continue to feature as a substitute for as long as the Dutch are in the tournament.
Despite their journeys ending before the quarter-finals, some of the other players on this long list managed to make their mark in a significant way for their country.
Argentina
Sophia Braun – Beaverton, Oregon
Braun made her debut at the World Cup in a defeat against Italy at right-back. Despite the loss, she showed glimpses of quality which were amplified by her goal in Argentina’s draw against South Africa. Braun is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, which she showed in the game against Sweden. Argentina didn’t make it out of the group stages, but Braun was a highlight for the team.
At 19 years old, the Atlanta native did not make an appearance at the World Cup. With midfielders like Jessie Fleming, Quinn, Sophie Schmidt and Julia Grosso ahead of her, Awujo will have to look to the future for minutes with Canada. The tournament did provide an opportunity for Awujo to gain valuable experience, even with the team going out in the group stage.
Haiti
Chelsea Surpris – Crowley, Texas
Danielle Etienne – Richmond, Virginia
Lara Larco – Boca Raton, Florida
Milan Pierre-Jerome – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Noa Ganthier – Boca Raton, Florida
Surpris (right-back) and Etienne (midfielder), from Texas and Virginia respectively, were the only American-born players to feature for Haiti at the World Cup. Surpris started for Haiti in their final group match having been kept as a substitute in the other games, while Etienne only saw time as a substitute as she came on in the 81st minute against China. With Haiti now out of the World Cup, no other American-born player featured for Haiti at the tournament.
Ireland
Chloe Mustaki – Lima, Ohio
Courtney Brosnan – Millburn, New Jersey
Kyra Carusa – San Diego, California
Marissa Sheva – Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Sinead Farrelly – Havertown, Pennsylvania
Brosnan, Carusa and Farrelly have established themselves as starters for the Republic of Ireland at goalkeeper, striker and midfielder. Unfortunately for them, Sheva and Mustaki, Ireland’s World Cup dreams were over after the group stage and the loss to Canada. Throughout the tournament, Brosnan and Farrelly were standouts for Ireland and, while Carusa didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet, she was a vital hold-up player for the attacks.
Almost all of the Jamaican players listed here would be considered key members of the team, but the Swaby sisters are its heartbeat. With dominant defensive displays in the draw against France in their opening game at the World Cup and a win against Panama, Jamaica made a massive statement. After a brilliant defensive display by the Swaby sisters, Jamaica made it to the round of 16 for the first time in its history. On top of that, Allyson Swaby can add a goal to her World Cup resume, a 65th-minute winner against Panama, and the goal that ultimately sent them through to the knockout stages.
The youngest players on the team, Washington and Simmonds are worth noting as well. At 17 and 19 years old respectively, the pair are seen as Jamaica’s future.
Despite their defensive efforts, the Swaby sisters couldn’t stop Colombia from knocking them out of the tournament. They, and the rest of the players listed above, did all they could to push Jamaica further than it has ever been at the World Cup and should be proud of their achievements.
The captain of the co-hosts started off her World Cup campaign with an improbable win against Norway, but the defeat against the Philippines and draw with Switzerland showed Riley and her teammates an early exit. Over 99,000 people combined were in attendance for all three of New Zealand’s games and Ali Riley captained the team throughout. The hosts didn’t make it past the group stages but the fan attendance shows that they captured the support of the nation, and Riley was pivotal throughout those matches.
Both Onumonu and Alozie have been standout performers for Nigeria, but it’s Payne who makes the team tick. When she’s on song in that midfield, Nigeria can threaten any team in the world, as shown by their recent performance against Australia. Payne runs that midfield with a dominant and confident air. Nigeria pushed England right to the end, only losing out on penalties. This was a showcase for how far Nigeria has come as a team and the contributions made by Payne and Alozie in particular, helped them on their impressive journey.
It’s been tough going for Baltrip-Reyes, Tanner and Panama. Baltrip-Reyes started for Panama at this World Cup as a center-back in their 4-0 loss to Brazil, and Tanner came on in the second half as a forward. Baltrip-Reyes also featured in the final game against France and did well enough for her team at right-back. A 6-3 loss isn’t usually something you want to write about for a team but with all that Panama came through to qualify for the World Cup, scoring three goals against a solid French side cannot be discounted. They were in a difficult group with France, Brazil and Jamaica, but can look back at their time in Australia with more hope for the future than disappointment.
Philippines
Alicia Barker – Woodinville, Washington
Carleigh Frilles – Fairfax, Virginia
Chandler McDaniel – Orange, California
Dominique Randle – Seattle, Washington
Hali Long – Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Isabella Flanigan – Fairmont, West Virginia
Jessika Cowart – Fairfield, California
Kaiya Jota – Baldwin Park, California
Katrina Guillou – Washington, D.C.
Kiara Fontanilla – Fullerton, California
Malea Cesar – Newport Beach, California
Olivia McDaniel – Laguna Beach, California
Quinley Quezada – Rosemead, Califórnia
Reina Bonta – New Haven Connecticut
Ryley Bugay – West Lafayette, Indiana
Sarina Bolden – Santa Clara, California
Sofia Harrison – Montgomery County, Maryland
Tahnai Annis – Zanesville, Ohio
The star of this team, and the name many should keep paying attention to in the U.S., is midfielder Bolden. She scored the goal that put the Philippines into the World Cup for the first time in its history and then proceeded to score the goal that won the game against New Zealand. The story for these talented players ended with a heavy defeat against Norway, which saw them exit the World Cup in the group stages.“When you go up against quality players like Norway have, it’s a way to gauge how far you as a player have to go to compete with them,” Bolden said after the match.
South Korea
Casey Phair – Warren Township, New Jersey
It was a tough start to the World Cup for the 16-year-old striker from New Jersey. South Korea lost their opener to Colombia 2-0. Head coach Colin Bell was very careful with his management of Phair, making sure to not ask her to do too much due to her age and development level. Phair was given the start against Germany in South Korea’s final game and almost produced a fairytale moment. Only three minutes in, she was sent through on goal and only a great save by Merle Frohms prevented the Phair from giving South Korea a dream start. South Korea found the back of the net three minutes later and held Germany to a draw, sending one of the tournament favorites out at the group stages.
Switzerland
Noelle Maritz – Newport Beach, California
Maritz shined in Switzerland’s backline and has helped set up her nation with the easiest path to qualification in Group A. After a solid win against the Philippines, a draw with Norway and a draw against New Zealand, Switzerland qualified for the round of 16. Switzerland tried to keep its steady defensive shape against Spain in the round of 16 but couldn’t stop the team who managed to find enough quality to knock out the Swiss. Maritz again was a steady presence, but it wasn’t enough to stop them leaving the tournament early.
(Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)
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Union pushes past Querétaro to set up showdown with Lionel Messi, Inter Miami in Leagues Cup
Drexel product and Paoli native Chris Donovan played hometown hero, scoring the game-winner in the 101st minute.
Chris Donovan (right) celebrates his game-winning goal against Querétaro with teammate Alejandro Bedoya in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match Friday at Subaru Park.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff Photograp
The Union’s Leagues Cup quarterfinal win over Querétaro had everything: a 30-minute power outage, Jesús Bueno’s first goal for the Union, Chris Donovan scoring in front of his hometown crowd, and shoves traded between teams after the final whistle.
One thing it didn’t have was Lionel Messi, but don’t worry — he’ll officially be at Subaru Park on Tuesday with Inter Miami to take on the Union in the semifinals.
“We look forward to hosting the greatest player of the history of the sport in our building,” Union manager Jim Curtin said. “I think it will definitely be the loudest Subaru Park will ever be. It’s a great matchup, and one that if we play like tonight, we’ll be in big trouble.”
The last time the MLS and Liga MX teams faced off resulted in a 5-1 Union thrashing July 22 in the group stage. Friday’s match was quite different, with the Union finally pushing past Querétaro, 2-1, in the 101st minute thanks to Donovan’s goal.
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“We didn’t play good. We didn’t create a lot, but if you really look at it, did they create a ton?” Curtin said. “You know, they had some possession for sure. But they didn’t really hurt us; Andre didn’t have to do too much. The 5-1 game, you knew it wouldn’t look like that, because they’ve gotten better as this competition has gone on.”
The scoreboard is dark as a power outage delays the Philadelphia Union game against Querétaro at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. The game started about an hour late before power was restored.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff PhotograpUnion Julián Carranza and Querétaro Querétaro Kevin Escamilla chase the ball during the first half in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, August 11, 2023.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff PhotograpUnion Olivier Mbaizo collides with Querétaro Querétaro Jonathan Perlaza while heading the ball during the first half in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, August 11, 2023.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff PhotograpUnion Jack Elliott left and Jakob Glesnes over run Querétaro Querétaro Ángel Sepúlveda during the second half in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, August 11, 2023. The Union beats Querétar 2-1 to advance to the semifinals.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff PhotograpUnion Jesús Bueno gets a shot past Querétaro goalie Querétaro Fernando Tapia for a goal during the first half in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, August 11, 2023.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff PhotograpUnion Jesús Bueno left celebrates his goal against Querétaro with teammates during the first half in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, August 11, 2023.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff PhotograpUnion José Andrés Martínez and Querétaro Querétaro Ángel Sepúlveda head the ball during the second half in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, August 11, 2023. The Union beats Querétar 2-1 to advance to the semifinals.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff PhotograpUnion Mikael Uhre takes a shot over Querétaro Querétaro Kevin Escamilla and goalie Querétaro Fernando Tapia during the first half in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, August 11, 2023.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff PhotograpUnion Jesús Bueno tries for the loose ball with Querétaro Sandoval Raul during the second half in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, August 11, 2023. The Union beats Querétar 2-1 to advance to the semifinals.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff PhotograpUnion Chris Donovan kicks the winning goal against Querétaro goalie Querétaro Fernando Tapia with teammate Quinn Sullivan during the second half in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, August 11, 2023. The Union beats Querétar 2-1 to advance to the semifinals.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff PhotograpUnion Chris Donovan kicks the winning goal against Querétaro goalie Querétaro Fernando Tapia during the second half in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals match at Subaru Park in Chester, Friday, August 11, 2023. The Union beats Querétar 2-1 to advance to the semifinals.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer / Steven M. Falk / Staff Photograp
Querétaro also had made a goaltending change since its last game at Subaru Park, replacing Alejandro Arana with 22-year-old Fernando Tapia, and won its next three matches. Tapia only conceded one goal in that span and made 12 saves.
Quick lead
The Union tested Tapia early with a shot from Mikael Uhre that he saved in the first minute of play, but they broke through in the 10 minute. Jack McGlynn evaded two defenders and a deflected shot found Bueno through traffic, who tapped the ball by a reaching Tapia.Jesus Bueno earns his first #DOOP with the Union & gets us on the board in the 10th minute! 😈Jesus Bueno marca su primer gol con la camiseta del Union para ponernos arriba en el marcador 🇻🇪#DOOP | #PHIvQRO 1-0 pic.twitter.com/nbnTGiUBzg— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) August 12, 2023
Bueno was the hero in the Union’s round of 16 victory last week, scoring the penalty kick that ultimately lifted the Union past the New York Red Bulls. His goal on Friday night officially was the Venezuelan midfielder’s first with the Union.
“Jesús has been a revelation this year,” Curtin said. “Always has been a solid, steady player, but I think he’s taking this game to another level.”
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The Union outshot Querétaro, 7-3, in the first half, with three of the Union’s shots coming on target and only one for Querétaro.
Unfortunately for the Union, Querétaro’s second shot on target was the equalizer. In the 65th minute, Ángel Sepúlveda corralled a cross pass from Jaime Gómez and launched the ball past Andre Blake to knot the score, 1-1.
Julián Carranza exited in the 81st minute with an injury and was subbed for Quinn Sullivan.
“Julián reached for a ball and then felt something in his lower hamstring … I don’t want to speculate too much, and he’ll get an MRI,” Curtin said. “But this is kind of part of the the grind, the gift and the curse of it, of advancing in this competition, right? You see some injuries start to mount up for teams.”
The Union’s last two games in the Leagues Cup had gone to penalty kicks, and, for a while, it looked like Friday’s match was headed that way once again. In Leagues Cup matches, games that are tied after regulation bypass regular extra time and head straight to penalties.
While the Union had its chances to pull back ahead, sending several shots wide and into the stands behind the goal, the game remained deadlocked heading into stoppage time.
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“It is human nature to maybe have a an eye on the next game, so I tried to guard against that as best I can,” Curtin said. “But sometimes, you know, it’s human nature. These guys are people. And sometimes the excitement of that maybe got us a little distracted.”
In the 101st minute, Donovan finally found the back of the net on a redirected cross pass from Kai Wagner. The Drexel product and Paoli native played hometown hero to set up a date with Messi’s Inter Miami.It’s pretty surreal to score one where you know that extra time is just about to expire as well, and you know that Messi is on the other end of it,” Donovan said.
Tensions were high on the pitch throughout the game, with multiple scuffles between the teams broken up by the referees. Six yellow cards were handed out to Querétaro players and one to José Andrés Martínez. The home fans at Subaru Park loudly took issue with the 15 fouls called against the Union, while Querétaro collected 15 fouls of their own.
Omar Mendoza’s second yellow card resulted in his ejection in the 99th minute. Wagner’s kick from outside the box came inches away from putting the Union back in front, but it clanged off the post.
After Donovan found the back of the net moments later, players streamed out onto the pitch from both benches to trade words and pushes, but no supplemental discipline has been laid.
“At the end, it was a little bit [of] chaos probably, but that’s how it is, that’s how you play Mexican teams,” Wagner said. “They both bring the intensity, and that’s what we need sometimes.”
Gázdag’s status
The Union were without leading scorer Dániel Gazdag on Friday, as he went down with a knee injury in the second half against the New York Red Bulls. Gazdag netted three of the Union’s five goals in their last meeting with Querétaro.
Curtin said before Friday’s match that Gazdag had been diagnosed with a Grade 1 knee sprain and that he was not ruled out for the semifinals.
Are you kidding me – Messi Magic – Messi Scores 2 and a PK in 4-4 Miami OT win on PKs @ Dallas in the Leagues Cup Sunday night – seriously Messi games are MUST WATCH TV RIGHT NOW. Yes I went to bed Miami down 4-2 with 20 minutes to play – I am sorry Messi – I will never question you or Miami again. Must Watch TV is back Friday night 8:30 pm Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC on Apple TV – MLS Season Pass! Along with 3 other great games with 6 MLS and 2 Liga MX teams in the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals. Great to see USMNT GK Matt Turner on his way to Nottingham Forest – hopefully heading to a place where he has a chance to battle for a #1 spot with fellow US GK Ethan Horvath and maybe Dean Henderson (on loan to Man U last year) and of course last year’s savior Keylor Navas also on loan. Love this story from Gregg Doyle of the Indy Star on the “Interesting AMERICANS” Rooting against our US Women – stories like that make me proud to have gone to the same University of Florida Journalism School as him.
US Women Lose on PKs to Sweden – Earliest World Cup Exit Ever
Well I told you 2-1 loss and of course I was wrong. Who could have assumed the US Would ONCE again NOT SCORE A GOAL? How about zero goals in 238 minutes of play this World Cup. How about a 1-3 record in knockout games all time for the SOON to be FIRED Coach Vlatko? US high-lights vs Sweden
I think you can look at this 2 ways – 1) we hired a horrific coach in Vlatko who had little to no tactical ideas and was clueless not only about how to sub, on proper formations, and how to adjust to who should be on the team. Or 2) The 20 year Head Start the US Women had on the Rest of the World has been obliterated and the Rest of the World has caught up. Now that club teams are present in Europe with proper academy training and Champions League providing ladies teams like Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea, Arsenal with similar advantages the men have – the US has been surpassed and will never catch back up. The old US pay to play and poor player identification that has plagued the men for so long is now showing its ugly head in the women’s game. Couple that with the U17/U19/U20 ladies not even getting out of group play in recent World Cup’s and the reality is the US WILL NEVER AGAIN Win a Women’s World Cup?
I think it’s a little of both. I thought Vlatko should have been canned after the worst ever Olympic showing for the US Women in the last Olympics – then we get blasted at England and Spain last winter – the handwriting was on the wall that the US was in for trouble with this foreign coach in charge. So we play more soft BS home games against No one – then wonder why we should have been sent home in the group stage. Make no mistakes about it Portugal should have sent us home last game with Vlatko’s continued stupidity in formation. Player selection and substitutions. Bottomline Andonovski combed through one of the world’s deepest player pools to pick 20 US field players. He then let nine of those 20 selections stay on the field for over 87% of all possible minutes, gave fewer than 20 minutes to four players and ended up not letting two see the field at all. This after leaving two of the best forwards in the NWSL Ashley Hatch and at home. This tournament wasn’t lost to Sweden on Sunday – it was lost in the other 3 games – especially the Netherlands game when the win was there for the taking along with 1st place in the group – but he left 3 stud players on the bench and refused to sub in fresh legs, this after not playing the double 6 we should have been playing since last year. In my mind Coach Vlatko Andonovski was over his head – and should be SHOWN THE DOOR AS SOON AS HE GETS HOME. Maybe It’s time to blow it up and start over ladies.
As for this year’s team – it all started with the stupid Fox Commercials poking fun at the rest of the World with how do you beat the mighty US. Then tons of commercials with US ladies everywhere – even those like Rodman and Sophie Smith who lets be real HAVE WON NOTHING YET. The US ladies showed up and strutted around in their little Armani Jackets – dancing on the fields pregame and and postgame after ties to teams we should have NEVER Tied. Carli Lloyd was right when she said the best player on the field vs Portugal was the Post and the US had no business dancing around and taking pics when they should have been throwing lockers around after they LOST the WORLD CUP when they tied the Dutch.
The real shame is the US actually played well in the final game vs Sweden. Honestly Vlatko was forced to make a change for Lavelle and he finally instituted a double 6 – with Sullivan and Kristie Mewis in the game as defensive mids allowing Horan to move to her more natural attacking mid position. It worked as the US had their most shots on goal all tourney long. We had 21 shots to Sweden’s 9, 11-1 on goal. We out-possessed them 60% to 40% and we completed more passes and had more corner kicks 9-3. The US Simply hit a hot goalkeeper in Zecira Musovic who was player of the Game and GK of the Tournament so far with this performance. (Great GK discussion –see more below) The shame is Naeher after some shaky moments the last 2 games and was an absolute rock. Hey we should have won the shootout when she made the first save. Then she becomes the first GK in a World Cup to Ever make her own PK before nearly stopping another one. Nauher and her D did not lose this game. It was 100% the offense under Vlatko – that was to blame. Hopefully he bows out gracefully and we find the right coach to carry us into next Summer’s Olympic games. The turn around is quick – but we have good enough players – will we hire the right coach to help put us back in contention? Wth our US Soccer Federation’s Track record – I doubt it – but let’s hope. Classy Julie Ertz, Megan Rapino on missing the PK, Watershed moment says Taylor Twellman
WORLD CUP CONTINUES WITH ENGLAND, Spain/Japan WINNER AS FAVORITES
England has to go to penalties vs Nigeria (England vs Nigeria hi-lights) as another African team pushed their European counterparts to the brink before losing. I really think the African teams are the surprise of this tourney – I sure do hope the ladies get paid properly and African ladies soccer continues to grow the way it has in Jamaica with their showing this World Cup. This team that had to beg for $ on crowd sourcing just to afford to come has made quite the splash sad to see them bow out 1-0 today.
Huge Congrats to the Carmel High Soccer Programs – Carmel Girls & Boys Ranked #1 in Pre-Season. Also huge congrats to all our Carmel FC players who tried out and made high school teams at Carmel, Guerin, Noblesville, HSE, Zionsville and more – especially our 6 Carmel FC and 4 former CFC Goalkeepers on squads – CFC GKU! Hope to see you while reffing some highschool games this fall.
Speaking of Goalkeeping checkout saves belowand Carmel FC GK Training starts Monday, Aug 14
Mondays – Shelbourne Field 2 U11/U12 5-5:45 pm U13+ 5:45 -6:30 pm w/Coach Shane Best
GAMES ON TV
Weds, Aug 9
7 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 host Birmingham Legion
Thurs, Aug 10
9 pm FOX Spain vs Netherlands WC QFs
Fri, Aug 11
3:30 am FOX Japan @ Sweden WC QFs
3 pm USA Burnley vs Man City EPL starts
Sat, Aug 12
3:am FOX Australia vs ?? QF3 WC
6:30 am Fox England vs ?? QF3 WC
7:30 am Peacock Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest (Horvath, Turner)
10 am USA? Everton vs Fulham (Ream, Jedi)
12:30 pm NBC New Castle United vs Aston Villa
2:45 pm ESPN+ Bayern Munich vs RB Liepzig Super Cup
3:30 pm ESPN + Athletic Club vs Real Madrid
7 pm ESPN+ Miami FC vs Indy 11
Sun, Aug 13
9 am USA Brentford vs Tottenham
11:30 am Peacock Chelsea vs Liverpool
3:30 pm ESPN+ Getafe vs Barcelona
Mon, Aug 14
9 am USA Man United vs Wolverhampton
Tues Aug 15
4 am FOX Semi Final #1 WC
Weds Aug 16
6 am FOX Semi Final #2 WC
3 pm CBSSN Man City vs Sevilla (UEFA Super Cup)
Fir, Aug 18
2:30 pm ESPN+ Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich
2:45 pm USA Nottingham Forest vs Shelfield United
Sat, Aug 19
4 am FOX WORLD CUP 3rd place Game
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USWNT’s historic World Cup exit was decided by millimeters — now comes the fallout
The U.S. fans had already largely trickled out of the stands, as Sweden did their victory lap around Melbourne Rectangular Stadium after beating the reigning champions 5-4 on penalties and ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” began to blast over the sound system. Right inside the circle on the pitch, there was a mass of red and white. U.S. technical and communications staff in red jackets fanned out, finding stunned American players in need of comfort after a devastating shootout that included three U.S. misses. The players, though, mostly found each other. Sophia Smith, one of those who missed their penalty, sobbed into her hands, while Lindsey Horan and Trinity Rodman encircled her. Megan Rapinoe, who also missed, found her family on the sidelines eventually, looking for solace.Sweden’s long march around the stadium finally took them back across the center of the field, directly behind where U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski stood, wrapping up his postgame comments for TV, and a fleeting but apt image of a blue and yellow divide between U.S. manager and team.And for one long, long moment Alyssa Naeher — who had done everything humanly possible to send her team through to the quarterfinals, including converting a penalty herself — stood alone, staring out into the distance.
Below, the Swedish fans kept dancing. Above, the seagulls circled, again and again and again, finally finding joy as section after section emptied leaving behind delicious treasures, happily oblivious to the fine line between agony and ecstasy for the opposing humans.It only took a millimeter for Sweden to advance on Sunday night, with Lina Hurtig’s penalty requiring goal-line technology to confirm it had fully crossed, but the USWNT won’t just be rueing that single sliver of air, barely visible in the official images. They’ll be thinking about their three missed penalties, the unthinkable one from Megan Rapinoe. They’ll be thinking about the Portugal game, the Netherlands game, how so much went wrong in this tournament — not a single goal in the last 248 consecutive minutes! — despite a comprehensive defensive performance led by Naomi Girma.As Sunday night turns to Monday here in Australia, the sting is still too fresh to fully consider the fallout that awaits — the improved performance, the tactical adjustments, the fight in the team all somehow making this early exit worse. This was the best the U.S. had played this World Cup, and to let it slip through their hands at the final moment through a fraction’s fraction feels like the most heartbreaking option.There will be fallout, though the who and when and how is still to be determined. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski refused to address his future with the team in the press conference after the match — not out of fear for his job, but because he felt the moment was not about him.“Someone just pointed out how the players are going through the mixed zone (visibly emotional) and I see that,” he said when asked yet again about his future with the team. “I think it’s selfish to think about me, my future, what I’m gonna do, when we have a 20-year-old going through this moment, this situation.”It is almost certainly the end of his time with the national team, but it goes beyond Andonovski. That was already clear by the end of the group stage. There are implications for the program as a whole, for the NWSL, for the youth national teams, for the role of NCAA and elite club soccer in player development. This World Cup has raised massive existential questions about America’s ability to keep up moving forward. As much as U.S. Soccer has always said it’s set the bar for international women’s soccer, the bar has been raised on them — and while that state of affairs is something they have acknowledged in the past, there’s a big difference between acknowledgement and the harsh reality of their World Cup campaign ending in the round of 16 for the first time ever.“This year’s Women’s World Cup is a testament to the growth of women’s soccer on a global scale and we are excited to see increased investment in these incredible players,” U.S. Soccer said in a post on Sunday night. “Our goal remains the same, to win. We are committed to surpassing the standard we helped to create and we will rise to meet the challenge.”To actually rise to meet that challenge means a lot of big, difficult conversations back at federation headquarters in Chicago in the days and weeks to come. The tournament has proven, time and time again, that rankings mean nothing, that favorites can and will be toppled and that sentimentality counts for little. For now though, the ride comes to an end. There’s no team flight home, no final public debrief before departing Australia. For all the criticism, at least Sunday night showed that this was never a question of if they wanted it enough. The mentality was always there, and they were a millimeter away from showing that it might just be enough, at least for one more match, to keep the ride going.
It’s worth remembering though, that this one was for a three-peat. Everyone is rightfully fixated on this moment and the team’s earliest exit from the World Cup, but it’s still an exit that comes after winning the previous two tournaments. There are some positives to take away from the past few weeks, with the team’s young talent getting their first taste of the World Cup stage. The next cycle isn’t already a lost cause.“This team has a bright future,” Andonovski said on Sunday. A promise, and one that can be kept — but only with painful introspection.
Vlatko Andonovski failed to get the most out of USWNT players in the World Cup – here’s why
The United States women’s national team is out of the World Cup, and head coach Vlatko Andonovski is taking his fair share of criticism.Throughout the tournament, the U.S. manager made questionable decisions regarding squad selection, substitutions (or lack thereof) and the team’s tactical approach to games. Those decisions will be magnified now that the U.S. is out of the tournament, dispatched by the thinnest of margins on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw with Sweden in the round of 16. It was the earliest-ever exit for the U.S. at a Women’s World Cup.The Athletic’s Jeff Rueter and Kim McCauley have analyzed Andonovski’s approach throughout the World Cup cycle. Here, they discuss what the manager got wrong, where the blame should lie and what comes next.
Rueter: Well, I’ve had something like two hours of sleep. I fed the pigeons, looked over the plains and worked through my entire “lo-fi hip-hop beats to process goal-line software” playlist. That’s enough preparation to look back on four years of an international coaching tenure, right?
McCauley: I don’t think a week of sleep and meditation could prepare me for this, but I’ll do my best.
Rueter: On Sunday the United States clearly had the advantage over Sweden in several zones. The center back partnership between Naomi Girma and Julie Ertz was exceptional, as it has been all tournament. Even as they worked to keep up with Sweden’s movement on the break, they seemed to be operating in sync well enough to avoid creating truly dangerous open terrain. Seeing Emily Sonnett in the lineup surprised almost everyone, but her presence alongside Andi Sullivan deeper in midfield helped unlock more of Lindsey Horan’s progressive instincts — which, in turn, helped find an easy route to Trinity Rodman on the right wing whenever right back Emily Fox’s passing lanes were blocked. It truly, finally, looked like a team capable of winning a World Cup. It just didn’t come soon enough to work out the best way to turn that quality into goals.
McCauley: This is a good place to start talking about some of Andonovski’s decision-making, and how much we put the U.S.’s lack of goals on his decision-making vs. bad luck or unpredictable bad player form. Alex Morgan was the most notable disappointment among the U.S. forwards, failing to score a goal despite leading the Americans in shots with 17, and expected goals (xG) with 3.05. But Sophia Smith also disappointed following a solid opener against Vietnam, and despite looking dangerous at various points, neither Rodman nor Lynn Williams contributed to a goal. Morgan didn’t look confident in her role, and her shots were constantly weak or poorly placed. I still think she can be an excellent contributor to the USWNT, but it was clear after the Netherlands game that she was not the right center forward for this team, and Andonovski shouldn’t have persisted with her as the starter.
Rueter: I can’t blame Andonovski for backing Morgan against the Netherlands despite her missed penalty in the opener. She still had some good interplay going with Smith in particular (see: the assist vs. Vietnam, her sole goal contribution of the tournament) and came close to scoring from the run of play when that game was still 1-0.
At a certain point, though, you have to recognize when a player is failing to make a major impact toward winning games. By halftime against Portugal, it was hard to see what role Morgan was fulfilling toward that end.
Six of her 17 shots went on target, each resulting in a save; that placement rate of 35.3% rates 30th among the 37 strikers who put at least two shots on goal in the tournament’s first three or four games. The quartet down to the goalkeepers’ right knees makes sense, especially for a left-footed finisher and glancing-header director. Nevertheless, these are all fairly low, close to the goalkeeper or both. None of them really tested a goalkeeper’s range or reflexes.
It isn’t as though Morgan has been in steep decline as a goalscorer since 2019. She won the NWSL Golden Boot last year. Still, I can’t help but wonder how this team would have looked with Smith playing centrally and one of Williams or Alyssa Thompson helping tire the backline on the left to allow Morgan to come in against tired defenders to read space and capitalize late. We never got to see it.
McCauley: Andonovski could argue that his selection of Morgan was justified due to the high volume of shots she got, and that she just didn’t finish them in a small sample size. But I don’t think he could argue against the criticism that Smith was ineffective. She was the team’s best attacking player on club form by a mile coming into this tournament and was expected to be the USWNT’s star. Did Andonovski put her in a position to succeed?
Rueter: I don’t think so, and I think this smoothly transitions into one possible defense of the 390 minutes we just witnessed. There’s a case to be made that expectations should have been reset after it was clear that Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario wouldn’t be available for the tournament. The argument would have to be that Morgan was tougher to drop when Swanson’s goalscoring was off the table, and Smith was a better option than Morgan (see: more dynamic and right-footed) to shunt to the left wing.
I don’t completely agree with that – there were potentially better options available among the depth and quality of the players who were selected. But I also don’t know if the six forwards brought in for this World Cup were the ones who were most needed to do the job.
McCauley: The elephant in the room here is Megan Rapinoe, who clearly wasn’t one of them. Rapinoe’s a legend, but she was way off the pace, and her set piece deliveries were extremely poor. Andonovski might argue that her leadership was required, but she got on the field more than Thompson, despite being a less effective player at this point in her career. Putting her into games was a clear tactical error on Andonovski’s part. We have the benefit of hindsight, but I don’t think there’s any question that one of Ashley Hatch or Jaedyn Shaw needed to come to this tournament. Those are two extremely different players who would have occupied different roles, but they are notably both at peak fitness, in good form and therefore actually effective at playing soccer.
Rueter: I’ll make my one and only cross-World Cup comparison of the tournament to say that it may have been better if Rapinoe’s role was more like David Beckham’s was for England in 2010 as a pseudo-coach. That level-headedness seemed particularly vital once Becky Sauerbrunn joined the injury list, but I’m not sure if that required using a roster slot that could have been used on an in-form striker or another winger who would allow Williams and/or Smith to primarily play centrally.
McCauley: Andonovski also could have brought another forward instead of three No. 10s (Rose Lavelle, Savannah DeMelo, Ashley Sanchez), if he knew he had no intention of giving Sanchez any minutes.
Rueter: Yeah, it’s hard to keep this dialogue going without talking about subs. We made it further in than I would’ve expected, honestly.
I will never be able to understand the squad management at play throughout these four games. If the expectation was to build players up to begin peaking in the knockouts, why was Lavelle seemingly the only player whose playing time was monitored so meticulously? If you spent most of the last year building the partnership between Girma and Alana Cook, why didn’t the latter play a minute of the tournament? If Kristie Mewis was seen as a big-moment specialist, why didn’t you give her a single chance to touch the ball during a game before a shootout? Andonovski combed through one of the world’s deepest player pools to pick 20 field players. He then let nine of those 20 selections stay on for over 87% of all possible minutes, gave fewer than 20 minutes to four players and ended up not letting two see the field at all. It doesn’t make any sense to me.
McCauley: And then there’s the case of DeMelo not getting a look while turning in dominant performances in NWSL for a year, then coming out of nowhere to jump ahead of several players who had been part of Vlatko’s plans consistently since 2019.For someone who’s so defiant in press conferences about believing in his system and game model, he seems extremely fickle, changing his opinions at a moment’s notice. He talks so much about sticking to the plan and then takes actions suggesting he doesn’t believe in it himself.
Rueter: So much of what we saw was a culmination of several players doing their best in a position they don’t play often enough to prepare for this level of competition. There’s a midfielder at left back (Dunn), another at center back (Ertz) and a left back on the right (Fox). You have central midfielders being asked to play like central wingers running the half-space and a striker playing left wing. That’s half a lineup of players remembering their secondary training!
McCauley: The USWNT’s roster construction and lineups felt like a comedy sketch where someone scrambles to fix a small problem, makes it worse, scrambles to fix that problem, makes it worse again and the situation snowballs out of control. At some point Andonovski needed to take a deep breath, start from zero with no preconceptions and piece together the best team he could based on what he had available. Instead, it felt like he was always trying to fill the missing pieces from his ideal setup. I don’t think that Andonovski is a bad coach, but he was hindered by his long-standing ideas about who several of these players were and the team he wanted to construct. A player pool has never needed fresh eyes quite like this one.
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Rueter: At this stage, I’d be truly shocked if there isn’t someone with a fresh set of eyes taking over the position. Andonovski brought a somewhat polar opposite approach from his predecessor, Jill Ellis. At times, Ellis seemed to be overly reliant on players’ individual brilliance carrying the team in spite of few cohesive tactics, which often led to opponents growing into games as they gradually neutralized each USWNT star. Andonovski seemed hellbent on running this team like a club despite a generational change.
McCauley: Let’s just get the “Will Andonovski be fired” question out of the way. I find it difficult to envision any other scenario besides Andonovski being told “We’re not renewing your contract but thank you for your service,” he says “Thank you for the opportunity,” they part ways amicably and a coaching search begins.
Tactically, I think that the search has to be for something halfway between the Ellis and Andonovski approaches you mentioned. I think it’s possible to find this since it’s how good international managers operate in general. Peter Gerhardsson of Sweden is an excellent example. His team’s tactics make sense and play to his players’ strengths, but he keeps it pretty simple so people can rotate in and out based on form and fitness. But culturally, the next manager needs to be willing to start from zero in terms of player status on the team. No one’s name in permanent ink, no guaranteed places. Everyone evaluated on club form and early camps under that manager as if a new national team is being founded. That is a more important starting point than tactics for me.
Rueter: The ol’ “great unknown” approach might be worrisome, but I think you’re right. It isn’t as though this team doesn’t have the players available to win a World Cup. We can list off players who would likely feature regardless of the next coach, but that feels counterproductive after what we just saw. Key players missed the tournament. Other key players underperformed or weren’t set up on the field to play at their best. You have to turn the page at some point. We’re left with what amounts to arguably the least inspiring four-year cycle in the program’s history. Time to see what else is out there.
McCauley: There are a lot of ways Andonovski had the deck stacked against him. I think the criticism of him has been too harsh at times. We can say he didn’t get the job done and it’s time to move on without branding him a bad coach, but he was very clearly not the right coach for this team. As the rest of the women’s soccer world improves around the USWNT, it’s very important to find the correct successor.
The USWNT’s long era of success is over, but a new one could be on the horizon
JONATHAN TANNENWALD I’m the Inquirer’s soccer reporter, covering the Union, MLS, the NWSL, the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams,
Vlatko Andonovski’s time as manager is undoubtedly over. But there’s a long line of young U.S. rising stars ready to step up for next year’s Olympics and the 2027 World Cup.
Rarely if ever has the U.S. women’s soccer team’s best player at a major tournament been as young as 23-year-old Naomi Girma.Andrew Cornaga / AP
MELBOURNE, Australia — The rest of the women’s soccer world threw a dance party at the graveyard on Sunday night when the United States crashed out of the World Cup in the round of 16 for the first time.
It was hosted by the thousands of Aussies who cheered for Sweden, with table settings for their Matildas, England, France, Japan, Spain, and more. And oh, how they reveled, from the stadium stands to every social media platform imaginable.There was just one problem, though. While a tombstone for the United States stood front and center, there was no coffin beneath it.For they all knew deep down that the most decorated program in women’s soccer history is far from dead. The Americans’ earliest-ever exit from a major tournament was fully deserved. Manager Vlatko Andonovski blew it repeatedly, and his players didn’t measure up in the big moments that are beyond any coach’s control. His tenure is surely over, and he made it clear after the game that he knew it. “Now it’s time for criticism,” he said in what was almost certainly his last postgame news conference on the job. “Now you can say whatever you want.”
Vlatko Andonovski (left) consoles U.S. captain Lindsey Horan after the loss to Sweden.Scott Barbour / AP
An opening for a house-cleaning
Andonovski’s boss, U.S. women’s team general manager Kate Markgraf, might have to go too. That will be a big call, but new U.S. Soccer Federation sporting director Matt Crocker could be invited to make it.Crocker was hired because his background includes a lot of work in women’s soccer, not just men’s soccer. He helped build the England youth teams that produced the reigning European champions, with unprecedented talents in players like Keira Walsh, Lauren James, and Alessia Russo.
Now he has an opening to clean house if he wants to and reshape the U.S. program into one that focuses much more on young players than it traditionally has. That’s how all good national teams do their business, even ones that carry the world’s biggest-name stars. Crocker knows that the U.S. youth pipeline needs serious repairs. The under-20 team hasn’t won its age group World Cup since 2012, the under-17s have never won it, and pre-college player development is mostly run by local youth teams that are in it for themselves, not the bigger picture.
New U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has an opportunity now to put his stamp on the women’s national team program.Lucas Peltier / AP
The NWSL desperately needs a homegrown player system like MLS has, even if NWSL teams don’t yet have the money for full-fledged youth academies. Players like the San Diego Wave’s 18-year-old phenom Jaedyn Shaw, who was allowed to bypass the draft because of her young age, should be the rule rather than the exception.The sooner elite young talents are able to work with top-level pro coaches, the better. If it means getting them out of the college ranks — and more importantly, out of youth clubs that care more about their own results (and bank accounts) than player development — so be it.The evolution has already happened on the men’s side, and the results are clear. Look no further than the Union’s incredible track record for proof.
What the future could hold
Crocker doesn’t have all the power to force such a change, but he’s got plenty, and he’s got a big bullhorn. He should be encouraged to use it.e also should be encouraged to remind the public of what the U.S. team has now, and will have in the next World Cup cycle that begins now. Naomi Girma, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, Ashley Sanchez, Trinity Rodman, and Savannah DeMelo have now stood on the biggest stage of all (though Sanchez frustratingly didn’t play).They have seen what it takes and surely will be fired up to make a statement as soon as next year’s Olympics in Paris.
Sophia Smith (left) and Alyssa Thompson (right) could be U.S. national team stars for a long time to come.Abbie Parr / AP
“I think anyone who would say the U.S. is done is very mistaken,” Girma said Sunday night. “There’s a lot of us coming up who are going to learn from this, a lot of us who are going to be motivated to get better and get better results. So yeah, I think there’s a lot more ahead of us, and that’s exciting.”Then add in Shaw, Catarina Macario, Mallory Swanson, Tierna Davidson, Mia Fishel, and Sam Coffey, all 25 years or younger. They are talent for the present and future. Girma, 23, was the best U.S. player at this World Cup, and it’s been decades since that’s been said of any U.S. player near that age.
Sweden knows it too
“Now it’s time for us to move on, and time for the new ones to cement themselves — and we’re seeing that in this tournament for sure,” Megan Rapinoe said after her last World Cup game ended with her shockingly shooting a penalty kick over the crossbar.She spoke for herself and many other veterans such as Julie Ertz, who admitted after the game that her national team career is likely over; Kelly O’Hara; Alyssa Naeher; and Becky Sauerbrunn, who missed her last World Cup due to injury.
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If you don’t want to hear it from Rapinoe — and yes, I know how many Inquirer readers don’t want to hear from her, because you’ve barraged me with emails for years — then take it from some of Sweden’s stars. Veteran playmaker Kosovare Asllani was as blunt as an Eagles fan calling WIP when I asked her if she thinks the U.S. is done for good.“I’ve heard there’s been a lot of talk about it, but they will come back for sure,” she said. “They have so much quality in their team, and this defeat will not take them down. I expect them to be ready for the next World Cup. … I wouldn’t say that they’re out of the game at all. So don’t talk [expletive] about the U.S. women.”Magdalena Eriksson concurred, highlighting Girma and Smith’s play and Macario and Swanson’s absences.“The future is still bright for the U.S.,” she said. “They’re still a massive powerhouse in women’s football, and they will be for a long time.”
Andonovski’s end
The next era won’t have Andonovski involved, obviously. But while criticism of his tactics is well-earned, any criticism of him personally is not. He has deep integrity, and signed off Sunday night with remarks that were honorably selfless.“I’ve never even thought of what was for me,” he said, “because I never step on the field, never come in the locker room or into training thinking what is for me, or where I stand. I never coached to save my job — I always came in to do my job, to prepare this team to represent the country in the best possible manner.”That way of doing things, he later added, “will never change, and no matter what happens in the future, that’s how I will approach this job or any other job.”
Vlatko Andonovski (center) with Julie Ertz (left) at the U.S.-Netherlands game that ended in a tie and landed the Americans in a round of 16 matchup with perennial nemesis Sweden.Andrew Cornaga / AP
It’s not just bluster. Andonovski failed at this job, but he really is that good of a person. He’ll no doubt get another marquee coaching job soon enough, whether in the NWSL or abroad. If it’s in the club realm, it should surprise no one if he finds a way to keep contributing to the overhaul of the U.S. women’s team that he launched, by coaching new young talents to the level the U.S. program demands. Those players might even play on home soil in 2027 if the U.S. bid to host that tournament is successful. It could be an almighty revenge tour, with that World Cup preceded by the Paris Olympics and followed by the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. So let the party roll on for now in Australia, a country that knows a lot about throwing big bashes. But when the drinks are done and the music stops, don’t be surprised if some familiar faces are waiting outside the graveyard’s gates.
Catarina Macario (right) could have helped the U.S. a lot at this World Cup if she wasn’t still sidelined amid a long ACL injury rehab.Jeffrey McWhorter / AP
I’m the Inquirer’s soccer reporter, covering the Union, MLS, the NWSL, the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams, and Philadelphia’s place in the world’s game. I also pitch in with coverage of college basketball and the WNBA.
US Women’s World Cup exit review: Andonovski, injuries, more
Jeff Carlisle Caitlin Murray ESPNFC
Aug 7, 2023, 12:11 PM ET
MELBOURNE, Australia — The reign of the U.S. women’s national team as Women’s World Cup champions is officially over, as a millimeter was all that separated a Lina Hurtig penalty shootout tally for Sweden from an Alyssa Naeher save. You have to go back 12 years, when Japan defeated the U.S. in the 2011 Women’s World Cup final, to find the last time the U.S. was eliminated from a World Cup. This time, it marked the earliest exit from a World Cup in the program’s history.In some ways, the end of the U.S. team’s two-tournament run as World Cup winners was a shock, coming as it did on the night when the Americans delivered by far their best performance of the tournament. But in other ways, the defeat was a long time coming, with cracks in the U.S. team’s dominance evident even before the Women’s World Cup.Here are the factors that contributed to the USWNT’s demise.
The USWNT had too many injuries
The U.S. wasn’t the only country to encounter injuries — England was without four key players, and France had several out — so the U.S. can’t cite injuries alone for its exit. But the USWNT would have had a stronger team if its players had been healthier.
Mal Swanson, Catarina Macario, Becky Sauerbrunn and Samantha Mewis all were missed as probable starters. Before Swanson’s injury, she had accounted for most of the USWNT’s goals on her own. Had she been at the World Cup, she could’ve made a difference for this team, which collectively struggled to put balls in the back of the net. — Carlisle
Andonovski picked the wrong roster and lineups
The injuries and roster issues are intertwined to a degree. While the defense performed well despite Sauerbrunn’s absence, the ripple effect meant that Julie Ertz wasn’t available in midfield. From there, Vlatko Andonovski had limited options, though some of his decisions were perplexing, even without the injury impact.The front line seemed filled with redundant parts, as Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Lynn Williams possessed a lot of the same traits, namely a desire to run at defenses. Megan Rapinoe‘s presence as a pure crosser of the ball made sense, but there were no other options when it became clear she was out of form.Probably the biggest lineup-decision problem was the construction of the midfield. Once Ertz moved to the back line, Andonovski decided to play Andi Sullivan as a lone holding midfielder despite having doubts about Sullivan’s suitability for the role, and having experimented with a double pivot earlier in the year. The U.S. midfield struggled mightily against the Netherlands and Portugal, and the performance against Sweden was the best of the tournament in large part because of the double pivot.
It more or less confirmed that this setup should have been used earlier in the tournament, and that Andonovski should have called in the personnel to do it reliably. — Carlisle
Poor in-game management from Andonovski
The USWNT could’ve given itself an easier path than Sweden in the round of 16. All the Americans needed to do was beat the Netherlands, but Andonovski’s subs (or lack thereof) seemed to help ensure the draw.
After Lindsey Horan‘s second-half equalizer, the USWNT had momentum and the Netherlands players were losing steam. A sub could’ve sealed it. But Andonovski opted to bring in none, a decision that was widely criticized.
Against Sweden in the round of 16, a tight game that went into extra time, the only sub he brought on to make an impact was Rapinoe, whose touch was off all night. As the Swedes struggled to keep chasing the very direct Americans, Andonovski opted not to go to his bench, which could have taken advantage of all the running Sweden had to do and the physical toll that took. — Murray
The youth pipeline isn’t producing the right players
Anyone who has followed the youth national teams knew this day would come. The USWNT’s under-20 team did not get out of the group stage at both the 2022 and 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cups. The U-17 USWNT did get out of the group in 2022, only to be eliminated in its first knockout game, and previously crashed out of its groups in 2018 and 2014.If the U.S. isn’t producing the best young players, it won’t produce the best senior players. The young players who made this World Cup roster — the likes of Smith and Rodman — are potent, but one-dimensional, forwards. Injured forward Macario, who brings flair and creativity, developed her game in Brazil before moving to the United States.You also have to question the role of scouting when it comes to which players break through. Injured forward Swanson, a player known for her pace and athleticism, first caught the attention of the youth national team at 13. Rose Lavelle — arguably the most creative player the USWNT has other than the injured Macario — didn’t earn her first youth call-up until she was almost 18.For U.S. Soccer to have the best, most technically gifted and creative players available at the senior level, it needs to find these players at the youth level and bring them all the way through to the senior side. — Murray
Alex Morgan ‘not planning’ retirement after World Cup exit
Alex Morgan says she has no immediate plans to retire after the USWNT was eliminated from the World Cup by Sweden.
USWNT lacked chemistry and couldn’t finish
Before the 2019 Women’s World Cup began, some of the players took to calling their teammates their “22 best friends.” During the tournament, the players said they spent tons of time together, and still chose to hang out even when they didn’t have to. They went to cat cafés and made the most of their downtime.
This USWNT in 2023 was all business — perhaps to a fault. Lindsey Horan and Lynn Williams said before their round-of-16 match that the players agreed they wanted to play with more joy, but it’s hard to force that. In New Zealand, the American players didn’t seem to do much fun or bonding. When asked how they spent their downtime, they said recovery and meals were their main activities when not training.
On the field, they looked tight and as though they were trying to force something to happen. Despite an expected goals (xG) through four games of around nine goals, they managed four. They created chances, but the individual chances were mostly not good enough, and when they were good enough, the players couldn’t finish.
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Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and others to bring you the latest highlights and debate the biggest storylines. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only).It’s hard to say how or why a team gets the yips in front of goal, but this version of the USWNT certainly lacked the sauciness and the fun-loving flair of past teams. The players desperately wanted to score and to put in good performances, but that approach might have been their undoing. — Murray
The USWNT was too overconfident
There’s no reason to believe the USWNT players showed up expecting to cruise through the beginning stages of the World Cup — but if they had, could you blame them?Fresh off winning back-to-back World Cups against a backdrop of global dominance since the USWNT launched in 1985, the thought of the team struggling through the group stage seemed almost inconceivable. The optics of players doing podcasts and sponsored content during the tournament, or wearing designer suits to their matches, probably didn’t help the perception that they expected a leisurely start to the tournament.While this could have been a factor — did players prepare the way they needed to? Did they have the right mentality in games? — we’ll never know. The players worked and ran relentlessly during games, trying their hardest to score and either getting unlucky or lacking quality.The goals never came, nor did the possession play, passing or the other elements needed to win a World Cup, but it certainly wasn’t for a lack of effort. — Murray
The team was caught between two generations
The influx of youth into the national team was a factor, but it had to be done. The team’s poor performances at the Tokyo Olympics demanded change, with injuries accelerating this trend. But this is also something that happens within every cycle and shouldn’t cause a team to implode — certainly not a team with such potential and history as the U.S. women.After the 2015 Women’s World Cup triumph, we witnessed the retirements of Lauren Holiday, Christie Rampone and Abby Wambach, while Carli Lloyd took on a reduced role. Granted, Rampone and Wambach were no longer full-time starters, but it points to the fact that ushering players out is a constant for a national team program.An argument can be made that Andonovski should have done this sooner, but the impulse to give the 2019 World Cup winners the chance to repeat their feat at the Olympics was powerful. — Carlisle
The global gap has closed
This is a factor that has been impacting U.S. performances for a while. The rest of the world is catching up in terms of the caliber of player, as well as their fitness. The question posed by Netherlands manager Andries Jonker about “What is left of [the USWNT’s] superiority” beyond fitness proved prophetic — the answer was “not much.”Up and down the competition, we saw established sides struggle against up-and-coming opponents. One need look no further than Portugal for an example of a country whose clubs have invested more in their women’s teams and then seen a corresponding increase in performance at international level. In a 0-0 draw to close the group stage, Portugal was the better team on the ball.Then consider the group-stage exits of women’s soccer powerhouses Germany, Brazil and Canada because these teams all failed to beat lower-ranked teams. Whatever you’re feeling about the U.S., it’s indisputable that the gap has well and truly closed. — Carlisle
After painful World Cup finish, Megan Rapinoe ‘feels like it’s the right time’ to walk away
On Sunday night in Melbourne, as the seagulls of AAMI Park wheeled freely overhead, the United States lost to their old frenemy Sweden in the round of 16 at the World Cup. Despite the Swedes dominating their group while the U.S. scraped out of theirs, it began as a match of uncertainty. But everyone took to heart the lesson that this World Cup is about confounding expectations. Megan Rapinoe felt that perhaps most acutely of all. What happened was what you should have predicted with both sides feeling so uncertain: scoreless in regulation, scoreless in extra time, and then to penalties to decide who moves on. But the unexpected element of it finally came into play as Rapinoe stepped up to take her penalty, the fourth in line after three confident penalties from her teammate. Sweden’s Nathalie Björn had just missed, giving the U.S. an advantage. Rapinoe has, in the past, been as reliable a penalty taker as there is. In fact she had only ever missed one before, a save by Aubrey Kingsbury in NWSL play back in 2018. In this moment — a moment so familiar to Rapinoe — cradling the future of 22 teammates in her hands, she skied the ball over the goal. It was the first time she had ever missed the goal entirely with a penalty in her 23 career attempts.
Maybe there’s a metaphor in there about the ways that careers end in this game; that sometimes you don’t get a satisfying end to the chapter. Sometimes you have to live with what you get, even if it’s sad and frustrating and a giant what-if that you just carry around, until the weight gets familiar and you can hold it without thinking about how heavy it is.Rapinoe herself seemed to understand that the best. She smiled a wry smile in the mixed zone, red-rimmed eyes in a wan face, having just gone through a line of video cameras and now patiently answering questions from even more press even though she’d been in tears minutes earlier. “Well, now that I’m in therapy, and I’m you know, 38, that’s like — this is life,” she said. “I wish we were moving on and I could guarantee a championship and do all that, but I feel like it doesn’t take away anything from this experience.”
Not that she was totally zen about it at all. She was clearly still wrapping her head around the miss as she was guided to a stop by the USWNT staffer in front of the assembled American press. She gave an almost bewildered chuckle, a little bit shellshocked, scoffing at herself. “There’s some dark humor, me missing a f—ing penalty at the end of this game,” she said. “I feel like you know, I joke too often — always in the wrong places and inappropriately. So maybe this is ‘ha ha’ at the end. I don’t know.“ Nobody’s gonna laugh because you guys feel bad,” she added to the scrum, which of course had the effect of making everyone laugh. She rambled somewhat, almost processing it out loud in real time, her voice wavering slightly with restrained grief. “But it’s kind of funny. I mean, you guys thought I was gonna make it. I was like Jesus Christ, skying it?”It was consummate Megan Rapinoe: charming, direct, not shying away from the events of the night. Maybe after a few days of getting her head around it she might have had a more sober assessment but what else is there to be said? “Jesus Christ, skying it” indeed. Rapinoe also gave her attention to the younger players on the team, the ones who would be carrying on the legacy of the United States from now on. “The kids are taking over,” she said, her smile turning warm for just a second. “This is, I think whatever — 13 or 14 players’ first World Cup? So they’ll all be back and better and in just four short years. You know, it is sad. We’ve had some of the best players on and off the field that the game has ever seen. Marta, Sinc (Christine Sinclair), obviously Becky (Sauerbrunn)’s not here. Being able to be in the atmosphere with all those players at the same time was really special. And now it’s time for us to move on and time for the new ones to cement themselves.”Lindsey Horan’s voice broke as she talked about that generation leaving the World Cup behind. “it’s emotional. Now those are some of the greatest football players of all time. Players that I’ve looked up to. Pinoe, you know, Sinc. Both of them I got to play with. Marta. literally one of the GOATs. It’s hard as a women’s football player, (to) see these guys exiting like this. But look at how much they did for women’s football, them on the field, their character, everything. They’re the reason that we’re all here today.”Certainly these players all deserve to be discussed together, but Rapinoe’s exit does stand in contrast to the departures of other legends of the game. Christine Sinclair and Marta both called time on their World Cup careers with their respective teams having done so much for their countries but never counting a star above the crest. Rapinoe helped the U.S. win two World Cups, and an Olympic gold medal.
So there is, perhaps, less melancholy and more a sense of sweet sadness at Rapinoe’s departure from the World Cup. This is a player who has seen and done it all, hoisted trophy after trophy while rising to cultural icon status in the United States. At the individual level, she won the 2019 World Cup golden boot and golden ball, and was named The Best FIFA women’s player that year, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022. She was on the cover of Time magazine. Her repeated advocacy for issues such as pay equity and racial equality has been a major contribution for other athletes who want to address the intersection of politics and sports. Truly, hers has been a fulfilling career.
At the end, Rapinoe went to her family in the stands. She hugged her fiance, Sue Bird, for long, long moments, searching for some solace in a time of such bruising public heartbreak. Even a giant needs a hug and the reminder that they are loved for who they are.
Rapinoe’s nephew, Austin, consoles her after the loss. (Photo: Alex Grimm – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
“I’ve been sort of reflecting from time to time, even during the tournament. It’s hard not to,” Rapinoe said. “I’m trying to stay in the moment but things sort of crop up. But, I mean, I feel pretty good about my World Cup resume. You know, three finals, two championships, four World Cups. To be able to play this long and still be impactful. I mean, obviously, you want to win everything all the time and that’s the goal. But I feel really proud of it and really proud of this team and really proud of all the players that I’ve played with, and I’ve just loved every bit of my career and I’ll just miss it to death. But yeah, it also feels like the right time and that’s okay.”
What Went Wrong for the USWNT?
Goals have been hard to come by in the Vlatko Andonovski era, and this Women’s World Cup was no different. SI
The casual cruelty of the game of soccer was on full display as the U.S. women’s national team was eliminated from the 2023 Women’s World Cup by the smallest of margins. Sweden handed Vlatko Andonovksi’s team its earliest exit in the World Cup, defeating the reigning champions 5–4 on penalty kicks, with Alyssa Naeher unable to keep out a tricky rebound after making a thrilling, potentially game-saving stop. Many were skeptical of the USWNT’s chances against the Swedes after a disappointing showing in the group stage, but a savvy tactical adjustment buoyed the squad—the U.S. that opponents had come to know and fear was back. In an unexpected move, the typically conservative Andonovski called Emily Sonnett into the midfield, creating a double pivot with No. 6 Andi Sullivan. The shift allowed Lindsey Horan to charge into the attack, while providing outside backs Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox the ability to spring forward on the flanks. Connecting in the midfield and building up through the lines, the USWNT’s attack was humming, with the squad creating plenty of dangerous chances. Still, one thing eluded to the U.S., the thing that’s plagued the team all tournament: finishing. For that reason, the adjustment was simply too little too late. Goals have been hard to come by in the Andonovski era, and this World Cup was no different. The team notched just four goals through four games, three of those coming against Vietnam. It’s tough, if not impossible, to capture a third straight World Cup with that pervasive of a scoring drought. Logging 22 shots and 11 on target, the USWNT squandered a frustrating amount of opportunities in the final third against Sweden—and it didn’t help that goalkeeper Zecira Musovic had the game of her life, registering 11 saves.
Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated
The 0–0 scoreline through regulation was especially disheartening given the improvements the group made following its abysmal outing against Portugal, with the U.S. maintaining 58% of possession, dictating pace and tempo with 77% accurate passing on 583 attempts. For comparison, against Portugal, the USWNT only held 44% of the possession, connecting on 63% of just 300 passes. The midfield was primarily to thank for the upgrade. Sullivan and Sonnett anchored the center of the pitch, with an accurate pass rate of 78% and 89%, respectively. Finally, the USWNT looked in command, able to stay on the ball and maintain possession in the center of the park. For all their efforts in the build-up, though, things broke down in the box. The final touch was simply—as it has been for some time—off. While it’s true that players who could have risen to the occasion didn’t, and a moment of individual brilliance may have saved the USWNT from its soul-crushing fate, the scoring dry spell falls at the feet of Andonovski. Lethal talents like Sophia Smith, who is leading the NWSL Golden Boot Race with 10 goals, and Alex Morgan, who won the award in 2022 with 16 goals, were neutralized. Failing to cement a concrete attacking identity, the U.S. under Andonovski has often looked aimless and without any sort of chemistry. For that reason, the Andonovski experiment is likely over, with the World Cup loss almost certainly sealing his fate. Winning only four of 10 major tournament games through the Tokyo Olympics and 2023 World Cup, Andonovski’s spotty track record has put him on the hottest of hot seats. Much of his USWNT tenure has been spent struggling with how to address the defensive midfield position in the absence of Julie Ertz. It’s a cruel irony that in what will likely be his last consequential game with the USWNT, he finally got the decision right. The standard for this team is winning, though, not marginal improvement game-to-game, which means he is presumably on the way out. It never all came together under the coach (this World Cup a microcosm of that truth), and now the young players Andonovski brought into the fold, like Trinity Rodman, Naomi Girma, Alyssa Thompson and Emily Fox, will carry the torch for a team that will look a lot different. Hopefully that team can put the ball in the back of the net.
Netherlands’ Beerensteyn on USWNT: ‘From start of Women’s World Cup, they had really big mouth’
Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn has taken aim at the eliminated USWNT, saying the two-times reigning champions had a “really big mouth” ahead of the Women’s World Cup.
The Dutch drew 1-1 with the U.S. to finish ahead ahead of them in Group E during the first stage of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
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The Americans were then eliminated by Sweden in the last 16 after a dramatic penalty shootout — the first time in history they had gone out before the tournament semi-finals.
Beerensteyn, who scored in a last-16 win over South Africa that booked a quarter-final date with Spain, said: “The first moment when I heard that they were out, I was just thinking, ‘Yes,’ because from the start of this tournament they have already a really big mouth, they were talking already about the final and stuff.
“I was just thinking, you first have to show it on the pitch before you’re talking. And I’m not being rude in that way. I have still a lot of respect for them. But now they are out of the tournament.”
Beerensteyn was part of the Netherlands side beaten by the U.S. 2-0 in the final four years ago.
“For me, yeah, it’s a relief and for them, it’s a thing that they have to take with them in the future,” the Juventus striker added. “Don’t start to talk about something that’s far away, and I hope that they will learn from that.”
The USWNT are out of the Women’s World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Sweden.It was Lina Hurtig, via goalline technology, who netted the winning penalty with her kick adjudged to have crossed the line when Alyssa Naeher thought she had kept it out.Nathalie Bjorn and Rebecka Blomqvist of Sweden and Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith all missed in regulation before Kelley O’Hara missed the seventh kick for the U.S.Hurtig then stepped up to score, by millimetres, to send the defending champions home.Sweden are now through to face Japan in the last eight.Here’s what happened and how goalline technology works…
What happened in the USWNT vs Sweden game?
With scores still level in the shootout, O’Hara’s miss via the right-hand post gave Hurtig the opportunity to send Sweden through with Sweden’s second sudden-death kick.She struck her kick at goal only for goalkeeper Naeher to get a hand to the ball before it spun back towards goal.Naeher grasped to keep it out at the second attempt, but goalline technology showed that the ball — by a matter of millimetres — had indeed crossed the line, sparking jubilant scenes for Sweden and despair for the U.S.
The USWNT are out of the tournament (Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
What is goalline technology?
Goalline technology (GLT) has been a staple of football ever since it was introduced back in 2014. It is now used routinely across the world game, including at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.GLT determines whether the whole of the ball has crossed the line to confirm whether a goal should stand or not.
How does it work?
The technology uses a number of cameras positioned around the stadium to produce an image of where the ball was at the time of the incident and, crucially, whether it crossed the line entirely and therefore whether a goal should be awarded or not.The information is “transmitted within one second”, according to FIFA, before it is relayed to the match referee, who receives the information via a watch on their wrist.After a decision is made, the data from the cameras is used to create a 3D animation for the screens inside the stadium and for television viewers watching from home.
Does GLT use the same technology as semi-automated offside?
Semi-automated offside is being used at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.However, GLT cameras are purely focused on the two goal areas and do not cover the entire field of play. Therefore, they are not used for semi-automated offside technology.
Sweden coach: Mušović saves psyched out U.S. stars in shootout
Joey Lynch, Australia Correspondent
MELBOURNE, Australia — Sweden women’s national team coach Peter Gerhardsson said goalkeeper Zećira Mušović‘s performance was so impressive that it could have psyched out the United States‘ stars in the penalty shootout of Sunday’s Women’s World Cup round-of-16 match.Mušović was crucial in her side’s victory at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, pulling off a series of stunning saves to deny the USWNT, which dominated much of the game but couldn’t score in regulation or extra time as it finished 0-0.In the penalty shootout, which Sweden won 5-4, Mušović didn’t need to make a single save. Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith both saw their attempts sail over the bar — the latter of which would have won the game for the U.S. had it found the net. When Kelley O’Hara‘s penalty hit the post, it allowed Sweden’s Lina Hurtig to kick her side into the quarterfinals, with the ball crossing the line by a razor-thin margin.https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=ESP6860507164″ When you come to a penalty shootout, it’s the goalkeeper’s game,” Gerhardsson said. “[Mušović] likes when it comes to penalties, she knows it’s her game. I don’t know what she did, what mental thing that she did to make them put them over the bar and things like that. But I think goalkeepers like these kinds of penalties, they’re mentally prepared, that’s their game.”She was good in the game. Even if she didn’t save any penalties, I think for the other team, maybe they put it outside because they know that if it’s not a good penalty, maybe she takes it.”Mušović, who plays for WSL giants Chelsea, made a total of 11 saves across the evening, a single-game World Cup record for a goalkeeper who kept a clean sheet.In doing so, Musovic ensured the USWNT would end its World Cup before the semifinals for the first time. The Americans also ended their tournament on a 238-minute scoring drought, their longest in Women’s World Cup history.”To be able to perform in that way, it’s a lot of hard work that’s been put in over a lot of years that nobody sees,” Mušović said. “The main reason why I’m a goalkeeper is because I give my team the opportunity to win the game. I can only do my best and you can only love the feeling of when you’re in the zone and stuff is happening in a way that you’re just doing it.”I had a really good feeling before the game. I know we were facing a really good opponent in the U.S., ranked No. 1 in the world. We had a good feeling in the squad, we know what we are capable of. It was the game style, just go out and do your best, have each other’s backs and stay humble throughout the whole game.”Mušović was named player of the match, and teammate Magdalena Eriksson said there’s little doubt her performance will be long remembered. Among the highlights were a block of a Trinity Rodman shot in the 27th minute, a split-second reaction to deny a Lindsey Horan effort in the 53rd and a last-gasp deflection of an Alex Morgan header in the 89th.”It’s gonna be historical,” Eriksson said. “Finally she gets to prove what she can do on the world’s biggest stage. We all know she had this in her and now she could finally prove it.”I’m just so happy at the moment. Happy and confused because I feel like I don’t know what’s happened. I can’t believe that we managed to do that. It was such a difficult game for us. We relied a lot on [Mušović] having an amazing game and we managed to pull through to penalties and then we knew anything could happen.”
In the case that two teams cannot be separated in normal time, there will be a period of extra time.As is usually the case, extra time will be 30 minutes long in total; split into two 15-minute halves. If a winning team still cannot be determined, a penalty shootout will follow.
What has been said?
U.S. captain Lindsey Horan said: “I’m so proud of the team. A lot went into this performance and it was changing gears, playing like us and playing our style.“We were confident and patient and we played beautiful football today. We entertained, we created chances but we didn’t score and that’s part of the game.“Penalties, to be frank, they suck! They’re cruel, I’ve gone through too many in my career. I’m proud of every player who stepped up to take a penalty today. Score or miss, it shows courage to take a penalty, so I’m proud of the team.”Head coach Vlatko Andonovski added: “So proud of the team, so proud of the girls, of the women on the field. I know they were criticized — or we were criticized for the way we played, I know we were criticized for different moments in the group stage — I think we came out today and showed what we were all about. We showed the grit, the resilience, the fight, the bravery, showed everything that we could to win the game and, unfortunately, soccer can be cruel sometimes.“The message (post-game) is that this is something we’ve worked on, this is something we’re ready for, we’ve been working on penalties for the last nine months, last 10 months, something like that, and it’s just sometimes you’re not going to hit the right one.”
Women’s World Cup quarter-finals: A guide to the questions facing each team
The Women’s World Cup quarter-finals on Friday and Saturday feature four genuinely exciting fixtures between sides who seem very well matched. The four games all have a very different tactical feel, too. Here’s a guide to the main questions for each side.
The Netherlands v Spain
Andries Jonker has broadly used the same system throughout this tournament, always with three defenders and attack-minded wing-backs. The precise shape has changed, though — sometimes Lieke Martens has played between the lines to form a box midfield and on other occasions she’s seemed like a second striker. There is an intelligence and an understated flexibility about this Dutch approach.
Their big problem is the absence of Danielle van de Donk through suspension. Her fellow Lyon midfielder Damaris Egurrola, a more defensive option, will probably come into the side and change the shape, sitting deep alongside Jackie Groenen as the Netherlands spend longer without the ball than they’ve been accustomed to in this tournament. The speed of Martens and, in particular, Lineth Beerensteyn, will provide their main threat.
Jorge Vilda, meanwhile, sprang several surprises for Spain’s 5-1 win over Switzerland, including changing his goalkeeper and leaving out Alexia Putellas. After such a positive performance, it’s difficult to see him making significant changes.
That will mean Jenni Hermoso playing from midfield rather than as a centre-forward, with the exciting wing duo of Alba Redondo and Salma Paralluelo out wide. They’ll have big defensive responsibility against the Netherlands’ wing-backs.Maybe the biggest beneficiary of the changes, though, was Aitana Bonmati, who thrived without Putellas last season for Barcelona and the same was obvious against Switzerland. Continuing to omit Putellas is a big call, but it’s surely the right one.
Japan v Sweden
Japan have, by common consent, been the tournament’s best side so far. In fact, they’ve been the best side by a distance, particularly in possession. World Cup 2023 has been dominated by an inability to play through the centre and a lack of cohesion in the final third, but there’s been no sign of that from Futoshi Ikeda’s side.
Ikeda switched to a 3-4-3 formation last year and has maintained it ever since. Japan have the cohesion of a club side in the way their wing-backs overlap to allow the inside-forwards to drift inside. In turn, those two players have the ability to run in behind because striker Mina Tanaka drops deep to become a playmaker as much as a goalscorer. It works excellently.So far, opponents have struggled to work out how to play against Japan’s front five. Spain broadly played their usual game and were thrashed 4-0, perhaps surprised by Japan’s ability to transform from a possession-based side to a counter-attacking powerhouse. Norway manager Hege Riise tried something unusual, asking holding midfielder Ingrid Engen to drop into the back five without possession. Japan responded brilliantly to this, with Tanaka and the inside-forwards darting into the space Engen had left between the lines. Engen’s struggles were summed up by her own goal.Neither Spain nor Norway attempted to match Japan’s 3-4-3. They probably didn’t have the squads to do so. But Sweden do and manager Peter Gerhardsson used that formation in their opening game of last year’s Euros, a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.He could, in theory, use the same XI. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, an energetic runner down the right, may drop back to wing-back with Kosovare Asllani playing from the right. Alternatively, he could bring in a proper defender, probably Linda Sembrant, to be more solid. But the main task here is matching the energy of Japan’s wing-backs.
Maybe Gerhardsson will stick with the 4-2-3-1, although there’s a sense Sweden have become too predictable in that shape and they offered little in attack against the USWNT. If he does maintain the current system, at least both Rytting Kaneryd and Fridolina Rolfo, now accustomed to a left-back role for Barcelona, are comfortable tracking back. The danger is Sweden end up with a back six, though, and struggle to push forward into attack.
Australia v France
Yet again, the main question for Australia is simple: is Sam Kerr fit enough to start? Tony Gustavsson will continue to keep his cards close to his chest, but if the answer is ‘yes’, the next question is about who drops out.After using three different forward duos in his three group games, Gutavsson had finally settled on Mary Fowler as the No 9 and Emily van Egmond behind. Fowler led the line excellently against Denmark and deserves to keep her place, but Van Egmond is playing a crucial link role as the No 10. If Kerr returns, Fowler could be redeployed in that deeper role but she struggled to find space when used there against the Republic of Ireland. There’s no easy answer — unless Kerr is not fit enough to start.
This is likely to be the simplest tactical battle, at least on paper, with both sides lining up roughly in a 4-4-2. Maybe the most interesting zone will be down France’s left and Australia’s right.
Herve Renard is using two attacking left-backs, Selma Bacha and Sakina Karchaoui, down the same flank and they have an excellent partnership, interchanging and creating space for one another.
Meanwhile, Australia’s right flank has been excellent so far. Ellie Carpenter knows Bacha from Lyon, while Hayley Raso has been energetic without possession and calm in front of goal. In a tournament where the main action has been happening out wide rather than in midfield, the battle down that wing could decide the game.
England v Colombia
England probably start their quarter-final clash against Colombia as favourites, but there are many more question marks about the approach of Sarina Wiegman than that of Nelson Abadia.
Colombia’s shape and line-up seem fairly predictable, with the caveat that their front four are often given license to roam around and interchange positions. Linda Caicedo pops up on either flank, while the powerful Mayra Ramirez is sometimes seen leading the line and sometimes drifts in from wide.
Tactically, though, the ball is in England’s court. For the match against Nigeria, Wiegman stuck with the 3-4-1-2 system that worked so effectively in the 6-1 victory over China. But against a more organised and more dynamic side, England were poor. In particular, they struggled with the Nigerian wingers breaking into space on the outside of England’s back three. It was a surprise Wiegman didn’t change shape to correct the issue and it was particularly striking how much more solid England looked after Lauren James’ dismissal and an enforced switch to a back four.
James’ suspension also means the 3-4-1-2 seems less workable, with no obvious candidate for the No 10 role. Ella Toone is out of form, so basing the side around her would be inadvisable and Georgia Stanway could play there but that would rob England of her partnership with the fit-again Keira Walsh.
Therefore, it would be a surprise if England didn’t return to a back four. But this prompts many questions in terms of selection. There would be an issue at left-back, where Rachel Daly has performed well going forward but is suspect defensively. Jess Carter, the other candidate to drop out, did well against Nigeria and is England’s best one-against-one defender. This is surely a game for her against the trickery of Colombia’s wide players.
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The third midfield slot, alongside Walsh and Stanway, would also be up for grabs. Toone is the obvious choice, but Laura Coombs would provide a more solid option. Lauren Hemp would presumably return to the wing, although she’s looked more comfortable through the middle, while the other wing slot might invite a recall for Chloe Kelly — although Daly, as a full-back-turned-striker, could also be an option in that role.There is no simple solution for Wiegman. This is probably her most difficult XI to predict yet.
(Top photos: Getty Images)
Michael Cox concentrates on tactical analysis. He is the author of two books – The Mixer, about the tactical evolution of the Premier League, and Zonal Marking, about footballing philosophies across Europe. Follow Michael on Twitter @Zonal_Marking
Nottingham Forest reach agreement to sign Matt Turner from Arsenal
Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner.The USMNT international is scheduled to undergo a medical later today (Monday).Forest’s interest in Turner was revealed by The Athletic and talks over the 29-year-old have now led to a compromise between the clubs.Arsenal are working to finalise the acquisition of Brentford’s David Raya to replace Turner and compete with existing No 1 Aaron Ramsdale. An opening offer for the 27-year-old Spaniard was turned down but discussions have continued as both clubs look to strike a deal, with Raya into the final year of his contract in west London.Turner, who joined Arsenal from MLS side New England Revolution, is one of several players targeted by Forest as they look to fill a void left between by the end of Dean Henderson and Keylor Navas’ loan spells.Forest remain determined to bring Henderson back to the City Ground and discussions are held with Manchester United. An appearance clause in a loan-to-buy agreement has been at the crux of negotiations.
Henderson, the 26-year-old England international, is still working to regain match fitness following the thigh injury that ended his season after 18 appearances for Forest. He has yet to appear for United during their pre-season. Forest have also held an interest in Wolves’ Jose Sa and New England Revolution’s current keeper, Djordie Petrovic. Both Forest and Ligue 1 side Nantes have had $8million (£6.3m) offers for the 23-year-old rejected. Wayne Hennessey and Ethan Horvath remain as goalkeeping options on Forest’s books. With Hennessey carrying a slight injury, Horvath, another USMNT international, has featured regularly in pre-season following his loan spell at Luton Town last season.Turner is the USMNT’s No 1, but has struggled for minutes since moving to Arsenal last summer.
Why ambitious Premier League clubs want USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams
His initial move to the Premier League may have resulted in relegation and injury, but Tyler Adams remains a player in demand, his star firmly on the ascent.For now, the 24-year-old USMNT midfielder is continuing his rehabilitation from the hamstring injury that ended his season in March and made Leeds United’s struggle to avoid relegation even harder.But even with his return date uncertain — the earliest he will be fit is estimated at the September international break — there is serious interest in quickly bringing him back to England’s top flight. The Athletic reported last week that he has a relegation release clause in his Leeds contract, thought to be in the region of £20million.Chelsea are considering bidding for Adams as they remain deadlocked in talks with Brighton & Hove Albion over Moises Caicedo. The Ecuador international is their top midfield target but they have been unwilling to meet Brighton’s £100million ($127m) valuation. Their fourth offer, worth £80million, was rejected last week.A source with knowledge of the situation, speaking anonymously to protect their job, said they believe Chelsea could try to sign both midfielders.Fellow Premier League club Aston Villa are also interested in Adams, who made 24 Premier League appearances last season, with manager Unai Emery continuing his squad rebuild.
Adams at the World Cup last season playing for USMNT (Photo: Tim Nwachukwu via Getty Images)
Some publications have also reported interest from Brighton, Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
Leeds are desperate to keep him, though. The club’s new American owners, 49ers Enterprises, have made retaining Adams a priority and manager Daniel Farke would ideally like to build a team around him.
But what makes clubs like big-spending Chelsea, who want to challenge for honours again under U.S. ownership, and upwardly mobile Villa so keen?
Adams’ strengths are primarily defensive, with some impressive metrics provided by Opta.
The chart below illustrates his ‘true’ tackles, a combination of tackles won, challenges lost and fouls committed while attempting a tackle, giving us a measure of how often he “sticks a foot in” and attempts to win the ball; and his ‘true’ interceptions, a combination of interceptions and blocked passes, to give us a better idea of the frequency of attempted interceptions.
We can possession-adjust these metrics to per 1,000 opposition touches, which means defenders in high-possession teams who don’t have to do as much defending are judged for how often they attempt to win the ball relative to opposition possession rather than minutes played.
The fact Adams ranks so highly in both true tackles and true interceptions tells us he is a very tenacious, aggressive ball-winner who will always look to make the tackle if he can.
He also ranks highly in tackle and aerial duel success rate, making a reasonable argument that he was one of the best ball-winning midfielders in the Premier League last season.
Looking at the location of these defensive actions, the majority were in wide areas, as shown by the second chart — on both sides of the pitch, too, emphasising his versatility. Reinforcing that is how he has previously shone playing as a wing-back, never more so than with his goal for Leipzig against Atletico Madrid in their 2020 Champions League quarter-final tie, which saw the Germans progress to the last four.
These days he is established as a midfielder, but his multi-positional experience and intelligence is particularly valuable if he is to play as one of the holding midfielders in a team that inverts their wingers – being able to defend wide spaces really well while a full-back presses on.In his ‘My Game in My Words’ feature with The Athletic’s John Muller last year, Adams elaborated on the mindset that makes him such a formidable defensive midfielder, honed while in Germany at RB Leipzig, where he spent two and a half seasons before moving to England.
“You have to weigh the percentages of your chances to win the ball,” he explained. “I alwys err on the side that I’m going to win every single ball, so I tend to be aggressive and go for it.“In the Red Bull DNA, counter-pressing is such an important thing. We try to win the ball as quickly as possible and aren’t afraid to make mistakes because we’re confident in our pressing as a team.”Away from his tackling, Adams isn’t the most expansive on the ball, as his smarterscout pizza chart below shows. Smarterscout gives players’ games a series of ratings from zero and 99, a bit like the player ratings in the FIFA video games but powered by real data and advanced analytics.It highlights a facet of his game he can perhaps improve. Adams’ score for progressive passing is slightly above average, but his ball retention isn’t, especially considering he isn’t very adventurous when dribbling and passing forward.
Nonetheless, it is clear that Adams’ performances and stylistic fit in the Premier League will make him an attractive option for any club that can afford him. Interest from Bundesliga is inevitable, too, but German sides might find it difficult to compete with Premier League clubs’ offers in terms of transfer fees and wages. Once he is fully fit again, Adams and his representatives will have no shortage of options for the next phase of his European career.(Top photo: Naomi Baker via Getty Images)
Cata Coll: Barca back-up and no game for 90 days but now she looks like Spain’s No 1
It was 5am when a phone rang in a house near Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The time did not bode well, but Cata Coll’s father picked up.
“Dad, today I’m starting,” said his daughter, calling from almost 12,000 miles (19,000km) away in Auckland, New Zealand.
Spain’s best game of the 2023 Women’s World Cup so far, a 5-1 win against Switzerland in the round of 16, was preceded by some big surprises. Head coach Jorge Vilda decided to make changes to his starting line-up — a lot of them. And the most striking one was in goal.
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Coll, 22, would make her international debut — in the knockout stages of a World Cup. It was an unexpected gift for the second-choice ‘keeper given that 24-year-old Misa Rodriguez, Spain’s No 1 at this tournament, was also fit and ready to play.
A gift, but also a double-edged sword. Against Japan in their final group match, Spain had just suffered their worst defeat in 11 years and going into the Switzerland game they knew only too well that their country had never won a knockout tie at a Women’s World Cup.
Coll was not alerted in advance by Vilda and found out she would be starting when her name was written on the board during the pre-match talk. It would be her first competitive match in 90 days.
“I didn’t care that it was so late,” Coll said of her call to her father. “I was a starter. I saw it and I said, ‘Wow, let’s play’.
“At the beginning, I was nervous. (But as a footballer) When you put on your boots, it’s like putting on your overalls. You know you’re good at it, that you’re going to enjoy it.”
Coll is not even first-choice for her club, Barcelona. That position is held by Sandra Panos, who was also Spain’s starting goalkeeper until recently. Panos, 30, was one of the 15 players who sent a letter to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) last September asking not to be called up until changes to the setup were made. She did ask to return just before the World Cup, but Vilda left her out due to a “technical decision”.But Coll starting was also remarkable because it had been so long since she last played a competitive match. She is known as the “life of the party”, but has gone through tough times, particularly in the past year.In 2019, she signed for Barcelona at age 18, having been tracked by the club for years. She had won the golden glove award as part of Spain’s Under-17 World Cup-winning team a year earlier and was also their starting goalkeeper in that year’s Under-20 World Cup, when she saved a penalty in the semi-final against France before Spain lost to Japan in the final.ADVERTISEMENT
Barca signed Coll from Collerense, one of Spain’s biggest football academies in the women’s game, based in Palma de Mallorca. With Panos at her peak, Coll was sent on loan to Sevilla in her first season.She soon developed a reputation as a penalty specialist. In her second year at Barca, they played fierce rivals Atletico Madrid in November 2020. Panos was out injured. Atletico were awarded a penalty in the opening minutes. Toni Duggan stepped up to take it and Coll made a fine save, then got up as if nothing had happened, playing on and helping Barcelona claim a 3-0 win.Those who know Coll describe her as a very confident person who never hesitates. Moments that affect most players — an injury, having to settle for a place on the bench for a while, making a great save — do not seem to impact on her in the same way. She uses pressure to her advantage and is determined to prove doubters wrong.That comes across in her style of play. She is a goalkeeper who is adept at using her feet and comes off her line a lot, often making life easier for her centre-backs. You could see that against Switzerland, where Irene Paredes did not have to cover as much distance at the back and finished the 90 minutes more rested as a result.Coll’s penalty save against Atletico seemed to signal her time had come. But then came the worst news: a knee injury the following month which would keep her out until March 2021.It was the beginning of a long road of misfortune when it came to injuries.Having returned from that knee problem, Coll was hit with a worse one — tearing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a training session in February 2022. That would mean more than a year out, during which she worked hard on her mental state. Her family were her big supporters and she eventually returned to the pitch this March.
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Coll played half an hour against Valencia on March 17, and started against Alhama two weeks later. The last official match she played before the World Cup came against Huelva on April 30 — the day of club and country team-mate Alexia Putellas’ return from an ACL injury.The lack of playing time meant Coll’s chances of making the World Cup squad looked slim. But Vilda called her up, citing her character.“Cata is striking because of her personality, what the team feels with her with few others,” the coach said. “She’s never going to give in.”With Panos not selected for this tournament, it seemed Misa was certain to be first-choice throughout, especially after Real Sociedad’s Elene Lete was ruled out (Atletico’s Lola Gallardo was one of the players who asked not to be selected).Misa did indeed start the three group games and, while she had little to do with most of the goals conceded against Japan, when it came to facing Switzerland, Vilda thought of a player whose personality exuded a confidence that, in general, he felt the team had lacked.It was Coll’s moment.Her debut began poorly. A bizarre backpass from Laia Codina to Coll resulted in an own goal in the opening minutes of the game. It was surely the most absurd goal of this World Cup.But Coll did not appear affected and went on to have an excellent game.Now, she seems the best bet for the future of the national team. She only turned 22 in April and has the trust of her coaches.Even when she was injured at Barca, the club did not sign another goalkeeper. In fact, they wanted to renew her contract.“It’s been a tough road for her,” said a source close to the player, who preferred to remain anonymous to protect their relationship, “but football is starting to give her back what she has given.”
In this My Game In My Words series, The Athletic builds towards the Women’s World Cup by talking to leading players around the world to find out how they think about football, why they play the way they do and to reflect — through looking back at their key career moments — on their achievements so far.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Lieke Martens knows what it means to set a tournament on fire.
With a Champions League winner’s medal to her name, Martens has earned a reputation for the spectacular and is certain to be a key player for the Netherlands in next month’s Women’s World Cup in Australia, starting on July 20. The winger’s international record speaks for itself; 58 goals for the Netherlands in 144 appearances.
But it is hard to forget one of Martens’ most spectacular years — 2017. She spent it ripping through defences and destroying rivals’ European Championship dreams.
She won the Player of the Tournament award at the 2017 Euros, a winners’ medal and a flurry of individual prizes the same year, including FIFA Best Women’s Player and the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year. A Cruyff turn in a group game against Belgium saw the two defenders tracking her left so disorientated that they ran into each other and clashed heads.
Martens celebrating with her UEFA Women’s Euros Player of the Tournament trophy in August 2017 (Photo: John Thys/AFP via Getty Images)
She built a tournament on such moments, each movement pivotal and brimming with flair. More than five million in the Netherlands watched on TV as Martens and her team-mates, managed by Sarina Wiegman, lifted the trophy. Later that year she made her Barcelona debut and became part of the attacking trident, along with Caroline Graham Hansen and Jenni Hermoso, which proved a nightmare for Chelsea in their 4-0 2021 Champions League final defeat.
“After 2017, everything changed,” 30-year-old Martens said. “We’re the first generation who are getting so much attention and getting to know how it is to be a public person. Those things are totally different than the generation before us.”
Lieke Marten’s Club History
SEASONS
APPEARANCES
GOALS
Rosengard
2015 – 2017
29
20
Barcelona
2017-2022
110
54
Paris Saint Germain
2022- 2023
16
3
What was the biggest surprise about finding herself a public figure? “Your freedom is different. People are watching you without you having any idea that people are watching you. They’re asking things on the street. The most important thing is that little kids, little girls have a dream they can accomplish now.”
We want to know how she manages the on and off-field pressures. We cannot do so fully without understanding the laser focus, on display as young as 10, that has guided her thus far. From PSG’s training base, she conducted the interview in perfect English. She speaks five languages — Dutch, English, Spanish, German and Swedish — and said modestly that she understands French but finds it tougher to speak, even if she can get by without a translator. “To add a sixth one — it’s impossible almost,” she said, half-joking.
Fruitlessly, I had looked earlier in the day for that Cruyff turn on YouTube, but the consolation is that there is no shortage of clips of her doing other things that have amazed fans. One has 3.4 million views; another has 2.1 million. The one I settle on — titled “Lieke Martens is the Queen of Football” — is eight minutes of Martens in motion, ripping down the left wing, her runs full of the deceptions that are the hallmark of all the most magical players. It takes a few viewings to unscramble each clip to see the deft sleights of hand, the featherlight touches which leave tumbling defenders in her wake.
Martens and I watch the clip. In those instances, what is she thinking?
“I’m a player who does a lot on feelings,” she said. “You have your few tricks or movements you feel really comfortable with, that you can count on. I’m a player who waits for the defender to do something. If a defender just wants to go forward, I will react. And if I’m at dribbling at speed, then I’m the one deciding. It’s impossible for a defender to catch (you) if you’re moving at the right moment.”
She is right-footed but found a home on the left wing in her early days with the Dutch national team, having played as a No 9 and a 10 before. “I wasn’t a real winger in the beginning, I was coming more inside (to find) a shooting position. The last years, I have been working to drive with speed. I don’t do that many technical skills: my technique in general is just dribbling at speed. If I see that I want to go inside, I try and pull my defender inside. Then I want to go with the opposite side because then it’s really hard to change (direction) quickly.
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“Some people like to watch clips before the game if they are playing against a good full-back. I don’t like to analyse them that much. I only like to analyse how they will play when they have the ball because then I have to defend against them. I don’t want to think too much about how I’m going to play because if I have the ball, it’s me who is deciding, not the defender.”
Martens won the Golden Woman Player 2021 during her time with Barcelona (Photo: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)Wiegman, under whom the Netherlands reached the 2019 World Cup final, turned out to be a good fit for her. “She always gave me a lot of freedom to play on my feelings,” Martens recalled. “She always said to enjoy and have fun, instead of saying: ‘Hey — if you get the ball over there, I want you to do this’. There’s some instructions but in many things she let me be free.”She credits her touch to the work she put in as a youngster. Aged 10, she would reject kickabouts with the local kids in favour of more technical training. She would line cones across the football field directly behind her parents’ house in Bergen to practise her dribbling or slam the ball against the wall to work on her first touch and close control.“I did a lot on my own because when I was younger I only had practice twice a week with the boys,” she said. “I didn’t have that much time to get better. After school, often I didn’t even want to play with other kids. They couldn’t understand why I was often doing things by myself. It was so satisfying if you had a good touch when you kick the ball as high as possible in the air. Controlling the ball was a big achievement. From that I have this touch I can still count on.”As a child, she tried to copy Ronaldinho, watching YouTube videos of his dribbling and skills. Her role for the Netherlands can be likened to Arjen Robben, the men’s international winger. She has analysed clips of him “doing little touches because I know if you do this quick enough no one can catch you.”During her five seasons with Barcelona beginning in 2017, her versatility was evident — the club played her more like a No 10 and a No 9. Sometimes she played between the lines and sometimes as a winger.Martens moved to PSG in 2022 and in her debut year she won the Division 1 Feminine goal of the season for her volley in their 3-1 win over Dijon.This goal is another great example of her instinctiveness. Martens says that she had glanced where she wanted to shoot before the ball came to her. “If you don’t know before your first touch, it’s impossible to shoot (accurately)” she explained. “With your first touch you turn your body to goal. I moved to the left, (adjusted my) body shape and scanned where the goal was.”
“These situations don’t come that often. Seriously — I’m not practising volleys that much.” The volley, she conceded, is “one of the most amazing goals I’ve scored.”
I pull up another example of brilliance from her spell at Barcelona — the Women’s Clasico in December 2021. Barcelona won 3-1: Martens scored twice and set up the other. We watch the build-up to Barcelona’s third. Striker Mariona Caldentey spins the ball between two defenders. Martens races onto it, her first touch controlling the ball and her second lifting it over the goalkeeper into the far corner.
Explaining the build-up to the goal, Martens said: “(At) Barcelona, we worked a lot on the first movement and dragging your defender with you.
“I’m not the fastest in football, but I’m giving myself two or three metres’ space. You have a quick look where the goalkeeper is. It doesn’t make any sense to go for the far corner if she stays on the line. I’d keep dribbling then. But now she’s out five metres, it’s easier to shoot than dribbling; if we come closer to her, it’s a difficult angle to score. The goalkeeper makes it easier because she moves forward.”
That goal required two touches. We move on to one that takes her four — from the Netherlands’ 2-0 win over Belarus in a World Cup qualifier in 2021. On the edge of the area, defender Merel van Dongen lays the ball onto Martens’ right foot. She pushes it onto her left, cuts past the defender with her right, then shoots.
What is she thinking as the defender closes her down? “She is really close,” Martens said. “It was impossible to go outside her because the only thing I could do is play to my teammate on the left. But to be honest, I didn’t look for this. The first touch that sets me up to shoot is really important: it is a quick movement to make myself free in front of goal. There are maybe 10 people in front of me. It’s not easy to not hit anyone.”
I told her that I spoke to one full-back for this series who said that time slowed down when she was on the ball. Is it the same for Martens? “We’re in a totally different position,” she said. “She has the whole game in front of her. I’m in smaller spaces, with a lot of people around. You have to make quick decisions, think in a split second.”
Martens joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2022 (Photo: Armando Babani/Getty Images)
Martens is always scanning for space, always orienting herself. “My teammates, especially from the national team, will make space for me to shoot on the go,” she said. “The ball you get is so important: the right speed and the right foot and you know you can turn. I’m just scanning before if I have space to turn. That’s really important to make a quick decision — if you can take your touch forward or not.”
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Martens was named in the Netherlands’ squad for the World Cup in Australia. Her Euros ended early last summer with a hamstring injury that began to plague her towards the end of her final season in Spain. But she’s fully fit again and remembers how it felt to set a tournament alight. This summer offers her another chance to do so.
The My Game In My Words series is part of a partnership with Google Pixel. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
So as bad as the US has looked – I have to admit at least they advanced to the knockout stages – who would have dreamed #2 Germany, #5 Canada, Brazil and everyone’s early round darling Colombia would be going home while 3 African nations Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco have moved on. They said this Women’s World Cup was going to be the most attended, most watched and most competitive ever – and they were right. Love this from Brazil’s Marta in 2019 sad to see the Samba Queens go out early. Former USWNT players Tobino Heath and Christen Press are worth the listen on their post game podcasts. Fastastic saves in the MLS/Liga MX Leagues Cup by Charlotte’s GK with 3 PK saves for the win. See all the saves in the GK section below.
US Looks Horrific in tie with Portugal – must face favored Sweden on Sun 5 am
As bad as the US looked last game they looked even worse this time. Three inches – that’s what separated the “ “ #1 team in the world from going home as Portugal’s breakaway shot hit a beaten US keeper Alyssa Naeher’s post and kicked out in the 93rd minute. Yes the US outshot Portugal – but they had 75% possession and absolutely bossed us all over the field. Full highlights The thing is Portugal like EVERY Other European team in this Tourney is not scared of the US anymore. They know they are better than the US right now – and no amount of posturing and looking all fancy by the once dominant US ladies in their Armani like Jackets as they strut around all over New Zealand is going to change that. At this point throw the tactics out the door COACH Vlatko couldn’t coach our U8 Girls team right now – not sure what he can do to fix all that is wrong with this US team. Most alarming for me is I don’t see the grit, the want to or just downright boss-ness that past US teams had. We have been on the ropes before but usually while dominating play. I am not sure we strung 4 passes together vs Portugal while they maintained for 10 and 15 pass segments.
Carli Lloyd has been criticized for calling the US out after they frolicked on the field after the Portugal loss – ah tie. I had no issues with it! Truth hurts. I hope the US ladies take all this negative press and it rally’s them to actually play like they give a shit / leave the pretty suits on the bus / put on sweats and bust out. Win Despite the coaches ineptitude- win despite his stupidity- that’s what they did last World Cup. Just not sure this entitled collection of stars (you’ll note I DIDN’T say team) has that in them. I would start by inputting some more veterans in the starting line-up. Kelly O’hare at right back, Ertz into the #6 slot in a double pivot with Horan and an adjusted 4-4-2 with Morgan and Smith up top. Start Rapinoe (who had the best passes to score for Morgan in her 25 minutes last game) and insert Sanchez for her long passing and scoring ability. We CANNOT be bossed around in the middle of the park like we have the last 2 games – Sweden will demolish us 3-1 if he sticks to the current plan. Switch things up and we could be looking at a 2-1 result – not sure who comes out on top though?
INDY 11 hosts Memphis Sat on Star Wars Night on TV23
Traveling to Kentucky for the second game of a two-game road trip, Indy Eleven played at Louisville City FC for the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. A 28th-minute goal by Elijah Wynder would prove to be the difference as Louisville City FC would go on to earn all three points at home. For the match, Indy controlled the possession battle (68%-32%) but was outshot by Louisville City 14-7 and 5-0 in shots on goal. Next up, the Boys in Blue head home to host Memphis 901 FC for a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday, August 5 on Star Wars Night.
MLS –Leagues Cup Round of 16 Continues
The Messi magic continues as Miami knocked off rival Orlando 3-1 as Messi scored 2 and got into a spat with many of the dirty Orlando players. I think Miami is too far back in MLS league play to make the playoffs but they are 3-0 after not winning a game in 11 tries before “the Goat” arrived. Sure would be nice to see Miami make a Leagues Cup or US Open Cup run however. Miami travels to Dallas Sat 7 pm ? on Apple TV. Full Leagues Cup Schedule and bracket below.
Good luck and congrats to those who made High School Teams this week – for those who didn’t – those of you in Carmel go to the biggest high school in the state – its VERY hard to play sports at a school with 6,000+ kids – welcome to college 4 years early.
GAMES ON TV
Fri, Aug 4
8 pm FS1 Chicago Fire vs America Leagues Cup Rd 32
8 pm Apple TV Cincy vs Nashville Leagues Cup
8 pm Apple TV Columbus vs Min United Leagues Cup
9 pm ESPN + FC Tulsa vs Louisville City USL
10 pm FS1 Monterrey vs Portland Timbers
Sat, Aug 5
1 am FS1 Switzerland vs Spain – Round of 16 WC
4 am FS1 Japan vs Norway Round of 16 WC
7 pm TV23? Indy 11 vs Memphis- Star Wars Night
10 pm Fox Netherlands vs South Africa Round of 16
10 pm ESPN2 Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid
Sun, Aug 6
5 am Fox Sweden vs USA Round of 16 WC
11 am ESPN+ Man City vs Arsenal Community Shield
11 am ESPN Man United vs Athletico Bilbao friendly
TBD Apple TV Dallas vs Miami (Messi) Leagues Cup Rd of 16
Mon, Aug 7
3:30 am FS1 England vs Nigeria Round of 16 WC
5:30 am FS1?? Australia vs Denmark Round of 16 WC
11 am CBSSN Liverpool vs Darmstadt 98
7 pm? Apple TV? Charlotte vs Houston Leagues cup
8 pm Apple TV? Philly vs NY RB League Cup
Tues, Aug 8
4 am FS1 Colombia vs Japan Round of 16 WC
7 am FS1 France vs Morocco Round of 16 WC
Weds, Aug 9
7 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 host Birmingham Legion
Thurs, Aug 10
9 pm FOX QF1 WC
Fri, Aug 11
3:30 am FOX QF2 WC
3 pm USA Burnley vs Man City EPL starts
Sat, Aug 12
3:am FOX QF3 WC
6:30 am Fox QF3 WC
7:30 am USA Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
10 am USA? Everton vs Fulham (Ream, Jedi)
12:30 pm NBC New Castle United vs Aston Villa
2:45 pm ESPN+ Bayern Munich vs RB Liepzig Super Cup
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2023 Women’s World Cup knockout stage – who’s qualified and who will USWNT, England face?
By The Athletic UK Staff Jul 27, 2023 The Athletic
The Women’s World Cup group stage reached a dramatic conclusion on Thursday and the knockout line-up is complete.Germany followed Brazil and Canada in making a high-profile exit, but holders the USWNT and European champions England are through to the last 16.
Knockout qualification at a glance
Qualified: Spain, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Nigeria, Netherlands, United States, England, Denmark, Sweden, South Africa, France, Jamaica, Colombia, Morocco
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Eliminated: Costa Rica, Zambia, Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, Panama, New Zealand, Philippines, Canada, Portugal, Vietnam, Haiti, China, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Germany, South Korea
Last-16 fixtures
Saturday, August 5
Switzerland vs Spain — Eden Park (6am BST) Japan vs Norway — Wellington Regional Stadium (9am BST)
Sunday, August 6
Netherlands vs South Africa — Sydney Football Stadium (3am BST) Sweden vs USA — Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (10am BST, 5am ET)
Monday, August 7
England vs Nigeria — Brisbane Stadium (8.30am) Australia vs Denmark — Stadium Australia (11.30am)
Tuesday, August 8
Colombia vs Japan — Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (9am BST) France vs Morocco — Hindmarsh Stadium (12pm BST)
Group A
Norway produced their best performance to advance (Photo: SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
Switzerland
3
1
2
0
2
0
2
5
Norway
3
1
1
1
6
1
5
4
New Zealand
3
1
1
1
1
1
0
3
Philippines
3
0
1
2
1
8
-7
1
Norway were at risk of failing to reach the knockout stages but produced their best performance of the tournament to beat Philippines by the required margin to progress.
Sophie Roman Haug scored a hat-trick in a 6-0 win which saw them go through in second place — meaning a tough test against Japan.
Switzerland had to grind out but their 0-0 draw with New Zealand saw them advance as group winners, with Spain their next opponents.
New Zealand and Philippines went out.
Group B
Sam Kerr roars on Australia (Getty Images)
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
Australia
3
2
0
1
7
3
4
6
Nigeria
3
1
2
0
3
2
1
5
Canada
3
1
1
1
2
5
-3
4
Ireland
3
0
1
2
1
3
-2
1
Australia’s qualification was in the balance after a shock 3-2 loss against Nigeria, but the co-hosts avoided New Zealand’s fate as they roared back to rout Canada 4-0 and seal top spot.
A first-half Hayley Raso double and second-half goals from Mary Fowler and Steph Catley saw Australia — with Sam Kerr back on the bench — book a last-16 date with Denmark.
Defeat for Canada means it is the first time in Women’s World Cup history that the reigning Olympic champions have been eliminated at the group stage.
Nigeria failed to beat already-eliminated Ireland, but a goalless draw saw them progress as runners-up, with England next in wait.
Group C
Japan topped their group without conceding a goal (Getty Images)
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
Japan
3
3
0
0
11
0
11
9
Spain
3
2
0
1
8
4
4
6
Zambia
3
1
0
2
3
11
-8
3
Costa Rica
3
0
0
3
1
8
-7
0
High-scoring Spain and Japan booked their spots in the knockout round with a game to spare.
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But Japan wrapped up top spot in style after routing their closest rivals 4-0, with Hinata Miyazawa scoring twice for the former champions.
Japan, winners of the 2011 World Cup and runners-up in 2015, will face Norway in the last 16 on Saturday, while Spain will take on Switzerland earlier on the same day.
Costa Rica and Zambia knew they were heading home early ahead of their final-round meeting, but Zambia avoided bottom spot after a 3-1 win.
Barbra Banda scored the 1,000th goal in Women’s World Cup history with her penalty kick in the 31st minute.
Group D
Lauren James starred against China (Getty Images)
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
England
3
3
0
0
8
1
7
9
Denmark
3
2
0
1
3
1
2
3
China
3
1
0
2
2
7
-5
3
Haiti
3
0
0
3
0
4
-4
0
England needed just a point after beating closest challengers Denmark 1-0 — but they turned on the style to seal top spot, routing China 6-1.
The Euro 2022 winners will now face Group B runners-up Nigeria.
Denmark beat Haiti 2-0 to seal second spot and will face co-hosts Australia next.
Group E
The USWNT scraped through after being held by Portugal (Getty Images)
They will now face the winner of Group G — Sweden — in Melbourne on Sunday, with the Netherlands facing South Africa in the last 16.
The USWNT’s route is now potentially trickier; get through their last-16 tie and they are likely to face former champions Japan — The Athletic’s team of the tournament so far — in the quarter-finals rather than semi-finals.
The Netherlands claimed top spot in style after beating bottom-placed Vietnam 7-0.
Group F
Jamaica players celebrate advancing to the knockout stage after the scoreless draw. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
France
3
2
1
0
8
4
4
7
Jamaica
3
1
2
0
1
0
1
5
Brazil
3
1
1
1
5
2
3
4
Panama
3
0
0
3
3
11
-8
0
France needed only a draw against Panama to secure qualification but their 6-3 victory over the already-eliminated South American side meant that they topped Group F with seven points.
Despite being pegged behind two minutes into the game by a wonderous long-range free-kick from Panama’s Martha Cox, France walked out comfortable winners, thanks largely to a 24-minute hat-trick from forward Kadidiatou Diani.
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Jamaica needed a draw from their final group game to qualify from the group and managed to do exactly that.
A 0-0 draw against Brazil meant that the Caribbean side finished second in Group F and qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
Another shock exit, as Brazil become the second top-ten ranked team to be eliminated from the competition after Canada’s elimination on Monday.
Group G
Sweden topped the group with a perfect record (Getty Images)
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
Sweden
3
3
0
0
9
1
8
9
South Africa
3
1
1
1
6
6
0
4
Italy
3
1
0
2
3
8
-5
3
Argentina
3
0
1
2
2
5
-3
1
Sweden needed just a point to win the group, but a much-changed side maintained their perfect record with a 2-0 win over Argentina.
They will next face holders United States in a blockbuster clash in Melbourne — a rematch of the Olympic quarter-finals in 2021 when the Europeans won 3-0 en route to the final.
Italy seemed set for the runners-up spot but South Africa instead reached the knockout round of a Women’s World Cup for the first time after a dramatic finale in that game.
Thembi Kgatlana scored a stoppage-time winner to seal a 3-2 victory and prompt wild South Africa celebrations.
Group H
Two-time winners Germany are out (Getty Images)
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
Colombia
3
2
0
1
4
2
2
6
Morocco
3
2
0
1
2
6
-4
6
Germany
3
1
1
1
8
3
5
4
South Korea
3
0
1
2
1
4
-3
1
Twice former winners Germany crashed out in the opening phase of the Women’s World Cup for the first time after a 1-1 draw with South Korea in their final Group H match on Thursday.The Germans, champions in 2003 and 2007 and ranked second in the world, had needed a win to be sure of progressing.But Morocco’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the other group match in Perth sent both teams through to the last 16.
USWNT problems run bone deep as they hope to find next level in World Cup knockouts
Since the tournament’s inception in 1991, the USWNT has never finished lower than third place in a World Cup, despite previous dips in the program. The goal in Australia and New Zealand was to achieve an unprecedented three-peat after winning the competition in 2015 and 2019. But right now, the U.S. looks utterly toothless in front of goal and lost in the woods tactically.ADVERTISEMENT
Even though the U.S. barely avoided the unthinkable — exiting the World Cup at the conclusion of the group stage — it would have been deserved, honestly. Instead, the team survived and advanced into the round of 16 via a 0-0 draw with Portugal, finishing second in Group E behind the Netherlands with a win and two draws. For those who stayed up late to watch back home, it will do little to inspire hopes of another deep World Cup run.Just about everything that could have gone wrong did. As the Netherlands cruised to a 7-0 victory over Vietnam in Dunedin, scoring beautiful goal after beautiful goal, every touch for the U.S. was a struggle. They looked hesitant and uninspired. Avert your eyes from their passing network. Captain Lindsey Horan’s every move was designed to avoid a second yellow card that would result in a suspension for the round of 16, but despite the painful caution, it was Rose Lavelle who picked up her second yellow of the tournament in the 39th minute.Lavelle still looked dismayed in the mixed zone after the match. “’I’m just disappointed in myself that I picked up that yellow,” she said. “Disappointed I can’t help the team out on the field next game. I think there’s still a lot of ways that I can help the team off the field, so I guess that’s where my energy will be.”
By that point in the game, every single writer up in the media tribune at the stadium was already hedging their bets as they sent out their updates: it would be a problem for the USWNT if they reached the knockout stages. If. Over the past decade, that word hasn’t seen a lot of use in the group stage. The “if” at least turned to “when,” but only by the grace of the post that prevented a late winner from Portugal’s Ana Capeta in the second minute of extra time.
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It’s not to say that there haven’t been moments like this in the USWNT’s history, but every single time before, the team managed to pull off some last-gasp heroics. Still, you’d have to go back to 2011, and how they were forced into a playoff home-and-away series against Italy to qualify for that World Cup. The U.S. won each of those matches 1-0, though. It wasn’t pretty, but they advanced.
That same World Cup, they also finished second in their group, behind Sweden. There are still a handful of current players who remember that. Alex Morgan is one of them.
“We’re not happy with the performance we put out there,” she said in the postgame press conference. “But at the same time, we’re moving on. This isn’t the first time in my career we’ve moved on second in the group. So now, it’s coming back together (as a team), knowing that we have all the pieces to make it all the way, but putting that all together.”
Only moments before in the mixed zone, Morgan had gotten a question positing that Sweden would be favorites in the round of 16 (while still not yet finalized, an almost certain conclusion considering how these two teams’ tournaments histories have been interwoven). Morgan paused for the briefest of moments, before simply replying, “No,” and moving on to the next interview down the line.
The team has that level of confidence in themselves, and they must. They also must balance immediately putting this match behind them emotionally, while learning from it at the same time.
Can that level of confidence in themselves improve though, as they reset for the knockout stages?
“I just have blind confidence in everything around us, and in myself and in the group,” Megan Rapinoe said. “So it has to. It just has to.”
It feels like we’re counting the days down until it all ends, and the work of trying to understand full sense of everything that’s gone wrong for the team at this tournament begins.
There’s a lot, to be fair. It goes beyond a head coach, beyond a dismal performance on a Tuesday night, beyond the lack of substitutes in the Netherlands match or the lack of finishing against Vietnam in the opener. Or Andonovski’s reluctance to see if the 4-2-3-1 might work better, and to shift away from the 4-3-3, when it hasn’t just been shut down, but exploited fairly easily by opponents. Or the number of injuries the team carried into this tournament. (One could argue that the quality of refereeing had at least some impact on all three matches, too, if one were so inclined.)
These are all symptoms, not the illness. The problem’s much deeper, reaching through the youth national teams and into the core of the program itself. We saw some of the warning signs in the last Olympics, where they lost to Canada in the semifinals, but with the strange nature of that tournament and the bounce back for bronze, followed by the project of the roster transition beginning in earnest, it was easier to overlook. There was a window for improvement, and the team looked like it was shaping up through qualification last summer. The USWNT’s lackluster group stage feels like that problem finally bubbling up to the highest levels.
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Consider the track record of the two U.S. women’s youth national teams who also participate in World Cups, the U-20s and the U-17s. Every single player on the field for the U.S. comes up through this system, and it’s been a long, long time since either one of these teams has been successful.
The last time the U-20s won their World Cup was in 2012. Over the next three tournaments, their final placement got worse with each successive tournament: fourth place in Papua New Guinea in 2016 (losing to Japan), ninth in France 2018, 11th in Costa Rica 2022. The last two times, the U.S. failed to advance from their group.
It’s even rougher for the U-17s. Their best performance in the World Cup was in the inaugural one for the age group, in 2008 — held in New Zealand. The U-17s finished second there, but failed to advance from their group in 2016 and 2018 (finishing 10th and 13th place, respectively), and in the most recent U-17 World Cup, they lost to Nigeria in the quarterfinal for a sixth place finish.
It’s only going to get harder, at every level moving forward — not just in whatever match-up they face on August 6 in Melbourne. Andonovski reminded everyone on Monday that rankings mean absolutely nothing at the World Cup, but it’s more than that, and it’s more than the rest of the world catching up to the USWNT, or their lack of fear playing against the U.S. It was a lot more than stray passes or a lack of chemistry or unsophisticated tactics.
There are bone-deep problems in the program that will need long-term solutions — not just whatever may come down the line if the USWNT goes out any earlier than the final, whether that means the departure of Andonovksi or USWNT general manager Kate Markgraf, or both. None of that is happening at this moment, though.
There was no magical solution on Tuesday night. Rapinoe was a few inches away from playing her final minutes in a World Cup, but she could not make the difference after she entered the game around the hour mark. There was no joy from Morgan’s left foot either, despite multiple opportunities. The USWNT had their chances, as always (six shots on target to Portugal’s zero), but as is more than normal over the past year-plus, they had nothing to show for them.
Every World Cup match is a test and on Tuesday, the USWNT was lucky that it’s graded as pass/fail: Pass, you move on, fail, you go home. But was tonight the gut punch that might finally jolt the team into reaching its full potential?
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“It’s definitely a reminder that every game needs to be our best game, even in the group stage,” defender Naomi Girma said, unwilling to go that far. “Now, going into knockouts, it’s win or go home. We’re still in it. We are capable of raising our level so much and playing a lot better, creating more chances, putting our chances away, being clear in the back. I think there is a higher level for this team, and going into the next round, we’re gonna need to tap into that.”
Meg Linehan is a senior writer for The Athletic who covers the U.S. women’s national team, the National Women’s Soccer League and more. She also hosts the weekly podcast “Full Time with Meg Linehan.” Follow Meg on Twitter @itsmeglinehan
The USWNT look aimless – they don’t really know what they are
Close followers of the USWNT were generally pessimistic about their chances at this Women’s World Cup, but the scale of their underperformance in the group stage was quite striking. The 3-0 win over Vietnam wasn’t as easy as anticipated, while the games against the Netherlands and Portugal have brought two draws, 1-1 and 0-0. Slip-ups happen, even for the serious contenders to win this competition. Germany lost to Colombia, France couldn’t beat Jamaica. Australia and England needed a penalty to defeat Ireland and Haiti respectively. But the U.S. performances have been more troubling than the results. It’s partly about individuals. But it’s also about identity.
The first issue is the U.S. no longer have a dominant collection of individuals, unlike when they won the previous two tournaments. Coming into this World Cup, it felt probable that western Europe had caught up in that respect, but on the strength of the group stage, it seems nations from across the globe have too.The U.S. are (probably) between two generations of great players. This can happen. The 2015/2019 generation was genuinely special. Of that group, some dependable players have retired. Some are injured. Some weren’t selected. Some are still around, but are evidently past their best. There is no questioning the talent of Naomi Girma, Alyssa Thompson, Sophia Smith or Trinity Rodman, all 23 or under and the start of the next U.S. generation. But these players are all competing at their first World Cup, have little experience playing outside their home country and simply aren’t at the age where footballers usually peak. At the moment, you can reasonably put together a World Best XI without a single USWNT player, for probably the first time since the Women’s World Cup was created in 1991. That doesn’t mean the U.S. can’t win the tournament, but it does mean they have to play more collectively. That brings us to the second issue: the absence of tactical intelligence from Vlatko Andonovski’s side. There is simply no cohesion in what the U.S. are attempting, with or without possession. Leaving aside the win over Vietnam, where anything other than a comfortable victory would have been an astonishing shock, they have been ill-equipped to cope with the opposition’s system. In fairness, the Netherlands opened the scoring against the run of play, but thereafter they kept the ball expertly, moving it patiently around the defence while the U.S. looked utterly confused about how they might go about pressing the opposition back three.Portugal, meanwhile, used a diamond midfield, which allowed them to cut through the U.S. lines smoothly. One particular move, which put in Jessica Silva for a good goalscoring opportunity, was particularly rare at this World Cup as an example of a team progressing the ball directly through the centre.
It’s not that other teams don’t want to do that, of course, more that their opponents have defended in a compact block, forcing attacks down the flanks. Not the U.S.; there are simply too many gaps between the lines.Their attacking game has been largely based around getting the ball out wide to Smith and Rodman or Thompson, and expecting them to thrive in one-against-one situations. It worked against Vietnam but, to be frank, it hasn’t worked against defenders who are actually professional footballers.There is a lack of genuine creativity and incision in this side. The best moments of interplay have come when Alex Morgan has dropped deep and flicked the ball around the corner to the wingers. But against Portugal, Morgan — probably troubled by her lack of goals in this competition — was too individualistic and shot in situations when she could have passed, like this difficult attempt when Rose Lavelle was screaming for the ball on the edge of the box.
Morgan has no goals from 13 attempts at World Cup 2023. Damningly, just one has been on target. Even more damningly, that was a penalty, which was saved.The third issue is something deeper: it’s about philosophy. In truth, despite their previous successes, this has never been an area of strength for the USWNT; there’s always been a question mark about precisely what type of football they offer. The strengths of previous U.S. sides have been mental resilience, fitness levels and belief. These are all general concepts which could apply to any sport.But what is the footballing identity of a U.S. side? Are they about long, patient spells of possession? No. Are they astute counter-pressers who set up traps and then pounce quickly? To a certain extent, because of fitness levels, but this has generally been about energy rather than intelligence. Do they rotate positions to drag opponents apart? Not noticeably. Do they switch formation to exploit opposition weaknesses? Probably to a lesser extent than other contenders to win World Cups.The man who coached the U.S. to their first Women’s World Cup triumph, Anson Dorrance in 1991, once explained the footballing style of the side. “What we had an opportunity to do, which was unique, was developing our game within the sort of cultural and athletic mores of the United States,” he said, quoted in Kieran Theivam and Jeff Kassouf’s book, The Making of the Women’s World Cup. “I was coaching entirely within the parameters of our own culture. Because we had no (footballing) culture, we couldn’t pride ourselves on our sophistication or our creativity. But we had this relentless, irrepressible American spirit with a confidence that belied our capability.”That approach persists today. In footballing terms, that approach comes down to a couple of concepts: one-against-one dribbling out wide, and hard running from midfield. This works when you are superior individually and in terms of fitness, but without those two advantages, there’s nothing to fall back on. Subsequent managers have focused on winning, and have largely been very successful, but haven’t implemented much of a philosophy.
“The intensity in European football really has grown the last couple of years, as well as the fitness,” said Netherlands manager Andries Jonker, speaking before the 1-1 draw between the sides in the group phase. “In the past, the American women were a lot fitter than the rest of the world, but I really think those days are over. If you look at the Champions League nowadays, you see the same level of intensity. So the big question is now, what is left of their superiority?”
Their most impressive performer here has been Lavelle, a willing runner from midfield but not the most incisive footballer you’ll ever see. She is suspended for the round-of-16 game against Sweden. Even with Lavelle, this side lacks footballing guile and players who can play clever passes. The introduction of Megan Rapinoe for the final half-hour against Portugal was interesting, because while she initially looked dangerous by attempting to thread passes in behind, a welcome development, she was ultimately too ambitious in possession and conceded the ball cheaply.Rapinoe found a team-mate with just seven of her 22 passes, a 32 per cent completion rate, and at one point bafflingly booted the ball up in the air towards no one in particular, allowing Portugal to break. Passing numbers in isolation can be misleading, but it’s worth noting Morgan’s completion rate was only slightly better: 33 per cent. Lynn Williams’ was 47 per cent and Smith’s 54 per cent. All four of those figures are below each of the 10 Portugal outfielders who started the game.The U.S. weren’t really playing football and they weren’t able to control the game. The most curious aspect of their performance against Portugal was in the final 15 minutes, when they made the game a back-and-forth counter-attack contest at a time when the prospect of a 0-0 was underwhelming but, in terms of progression to the next round, fine. That played into the hands of Portugal, who were two inches away from finding a winner and eliminating their opponents.
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Despite all this, it’s far from impossible that the USWNT still win this tournament. In fact, bookmakers still consider them the favourites.The strongest section of the side has been Girma and Julie Ertz’s centre-back partnership, and for all the struggles going forward, this team has conceded only once. If you keep clean sheets, you can progress through tournaments. For all the surprise about Canada being eliminated from this competition early, considering they’re the reigning Olympic champions, they were completely uninspiring in Tokyo two years ago too. They won only one of their three group games, and their three knockout scorelines were 0-0, 1-0 and 1-1, with both the goals they scored coming from the penalty spot. They had no attacking identity. But they didn’t concede many, so they won the tournament.Maybe the U.S. will do something similar. Maybe the dribbling skill of their wingers and bursts from their midfielders will prove more decisive against opponents who attack and leave space in behind.But there’s an emptiness, an aimlessness and a lack of intelligence about this U.S. side. Despite high-profile individuals, they’ve been less convincing as a unit than the likes of Portugal and Haiti, sides who have been eliminated. You can blame Andonovski, who is almost certainly out of his depth, but in wider footballing terms, the U.S. don’t really know what they are.
The USWNT’s ‘Prayer Circle Formation’ is tough to watch, but winning isn’t impossible
The United States women’s national team will head into its World Cup round of 16 game against Sweden with a majority of its fan base doubting the team for perhaps the first time in their history. During the U.S.’s last group-stage match, a 0-0 draw against Portugal, they turned in the ugliest and sloppiest performance of the Vlatko Andonovski era, prompting questions about whether the team has what it takes to win a World Cup knockout stage game.
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Criticism of Andonovski and his team are warranted after they failed to beat first-time qualifiers Portugal, but it’s worth pointing out that this game was very close to going a lot differently.If Alex Morgan heads in the cross that Rose Lavelle delivered a couple inches away from perfect, only 18 seconds into the match, or if the U.S. scores any of their 17 relatively high-quality shots — good for 2.13 expected goals — we are probably not having an exhaustive conversation about everything wrong with their coach and tactics. A game with this shot profile is one the USWNT wins more often than not.
The U.S. had six shots inside the box and seven of 0.1 xG or better. The things that happened in between those shots were ugly and difficult to watch, but the USWNT did, ultimately, get enough high-quality shots to win the game. It’s probably good for the team’s long-term prospects that none of those shots resulted in a goal, though. Instead of having a 2-0 win to paper over all of the cracks in the U.S.’s tactical setup, all of those cracks were clear for everyone to see in a 0-0 draw, in which the Americans were an inch from elimination.m
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USWNT’s attack is supposed to look like
I’ve spent three years not liking the way the U.S. is playing, giving Andonovski the benefit of the doubt because he is a qualified coach who has won NWSL championships, and giving games a second look to see if I missed anything. This game had fewer positives to find on second look than any other one I can remember, but you could at least see what his team was trying to accomplish on this third-minute move, probably the best of the game. Julie Ertz starts the attack with an excellent outlet ball to Crystal Dunn, who runs into wide space that’s available due to Portugal’s narrow 4-4-2 diamond formation.
Sophia Smith gets into a good position to receive a pass ahead of Dunn, who finds her with an early ball, getting Smith isolated in a one-on-one in a lot of space against Portugal left back Ana Borges. This is the kind of situation the U.S. would like to find Smith in frequently, and she makes a good decision to cut inside, then try a diagonal ball toward the top of the box.
Smith’s ball isn’t great, but the U.S. attackers are in good positions to keep Portugal under pressure, compete for the second ball after Smith’s diagonal pass is intercepted, and continue the attack with a numerical advantage on the right side. They’re able to work it to Lynn Williams, who beats her defender and squares to the top of the six-yard box for Alex Morgan.
Portugal defender Diana Gomes does a solid job of reacting and putting Morgan off balance just enough to alter the shot and prevent a goal. But this was a good move resulting in a high-quality chance, and if the U.S. were able to do this repeatedly, they’d have won the game.
What’s actually happening 95% of the time they have the ball
Unfortunately for the U.S., Portugal settled into their shape and started defending much better around the 10-minute mark. From then on, the U.S. looked sloppy, and struggled with their passing. Midfield shape and movement is the most glaring issue with the U.S. at the moment. The team is regularly taking up a stance I’ll call the “Prayer Circle Formation,” in which everyone’s occupying a space on the perimeter of the pitch and no one’s in the middle. Intelligent and technically adept players who regularly show the ability to combine in tight spaces at the club level are being made to appear inept, as they look up for passing options and find no one Also, this is exactly what happened when the USWNT lost to Canada in the Olympics in 2021. The Prayer Circle has to be considered a feature, not a bug, of Andonovsi’s tactics at this point. He wants to create overloads in wide areas and get numbers into the box so badly that he is willing to sacrifice having a midfield to do so. Personally, I think this sucks and leads to very bad soccer. There are — and I swear to god I am not exaggerating one bit — at least 15 instances of the Prayer Circle popping up in the Portugal match, but we’re going to stick to three examples. During the English-language broadcast of the game, Fox analyst Alexi Lalas lobbed a harsh criticism at Crystal Dunn, stating that she looked like she’d never played soccer before. I would like to know where Dunn is supposed to pass the ball in this instance.
Dunn chose a lofted pass over the top of the defense toward Lindsey Horan, who was making a vertical run in the channel between the right center back and right fullback. Here’s another move where the U.S. tries to build down its left flank through Dunn, who is then tasked with advancing the ball to… who, exactly?
Horan is lagging back on this play while Lavelle stays in the right half space, neither winger cuts inside, and Morgan tries to stretch the back line. Dunn is left with only one passing option: Smith on the left side. Because Portugal knows that Dunn only has one passing option, they can cheat to their right and set up to trap her against the sideline. Holding midfielder Andi Sullivan has also caught a lot of criticism for her lack of contribution to build-up play and inability to play passes quickly. I am not going to argue that Sullivan has played well during this World Cup, but I would like to know what quick and/or progressive pass she is supposed to play here.
Horan is not offering herself as an option and Lavelle is literally out of frame. This is another instance of the two more advanced central midfielders trying to make a run into the box during early build-up. This isn’t a bad thing; it’s great to have midfielders who are a threat to make runs into the box and score goals. But Horan and Lavelle regularly made this run at the exact same time, meaning neither of them was making themselves a passing option in midfield.
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This was the most recognizable repeated pattern of play for the U.S. in this game: Dunn, Sullivan or Emily Fox gets on the ball roughly 60 yards from goal. Horan and/or Lavelle (usually “and”) make a vertical run toward the box. The player on the ball thinks Portugal has the run covered, so they don’t try to play in their midfielder, and look for their second option. There is no second option. The central midfielders have run forward, and no one from the front line is moving into midfield to replace them. The ball carrier’s only options are to play long or backwards. The USWNT has faced constant criticism for not playing fast enough, and I’m not sure how they’re meant to do that without hoofing it long up the pitch. The players are having to stop to think because there aren’t available teammates to pass to. Teams that play fast with short passes on the ground are able to do so because their teammates make themselves available for passes. This problem does not originate with the player on the ball, but with the players off the ball.
I hate the left side bias
The USWNT’s build-up leans extremely heavily to its left side. Dunn had a team-leading 72 touches in the match, while Fox, her counterpart on the right side, had just 42. The desire to build through Dunn makes sense — she’s a technically adept central midfielder being tasked with playing left back, and she has a lot of existing chemistry with Horan, the left-sided central midfielder. Using the skills of those players to beat the first line of pressure and advance the ball into midfield makes sense.
But then they don’t go anywhere. They just keep advancing the ball down the left by passing to Smith, or a run by Morgan or Horan toward that side of the pitch.
The USWNT’s inability or unwillingness to work the ball into midfield or play a switch to the right side after early build-up makes them predictable and easy to defend against. It also means fewer touches and less time on the ball for Lavelle, the team’s most impactful creative playmaker. I would try to engineer a system that gets Lavelle on the ball as often as possible instead.
Directness is fine but this is a little extreme
I like watching teams that play forward early. There’s such a thing as pointless circular passing, and Japan’s demolition of Spain is an excellent example of why possession and high passing percentages don’t necessarily mean you’re the better team. But you need the ability to keep the ball situationally, and the USWNT extremely does not have that at the moment. As Carr points out down the thread a bit, 2.6 passes per sequence is average for an NWSL match, and the USWNT has not hit that number once in its three group games. They’re just going for the home run ball over the top constantly. Andonovski alluded to this being a genuine tactic in the post-match press conference. When he was asked about his team’s low pass completion percentage, he said, “If we have a lower pass completion (percentage), it could be because of the technique of the pass, or the area where the pass was attempted.” In other words: We were trying low-percentage, high-risk passes on purpose.Horan and Lavelle finished the game with 63% and 57% passing accuracy respectively, which looks pretty bad on the surface, but I don’t think it’s the problem. Asking your best passers to play lots of high-risk passes in the hopes that they hit one and unlock the defense is a legit tactic, and in this particular instance, one that came off… OK? Horan created two chances with 0.24 expected assists, and Lavelle had three with 0.64 xA.Where the problems arise is that the way Horan and Lavelle have been asked to play, where they’re either passing or running at the box all the time and rarely supporting others, makes life pretty much impossible for everyone else on the pitch when they have the ball. You can really see the problem in the forwards’ passing stats: Smith and Morgan completed just two passes each in the final third, and Williams completed zero.
What’s the solution?
I don’t think this team can learn how to play nice combinations in midfield and attack in a balanced fashion right now. If they haven’t fixed those problems in the two years since the Olympics, I’m not sure how they’re meant to fix them in five days. I don’t think that a formation change or swapping out personnel fixes these problems. Andonovski’s USWNT does not have the foundational building blocks in place to dominate midfield and play good passing soccer.The solution, sadly, is “what they’re doing, but better.” Defend and play fast, direct counter-attacks. Get Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Lynn Williams on the pitch at the same time and run them onto the ball over and over and over again while most of the team sits deep in shape. With apologies to Alex Morgan, who could be an excellent deep-lying forward in a team that worked combinations through the center, this is not her team. I am not a “get back to what made the USWNT great” ideologue. I hope that the program aspires to develop a more modern passing approach in the future, but those aspirations will not help them win a game against Sweden, right now. I believe the players are capable of executing a more technical and stylish style of soccer, but I do not believe they’re capable of it this month, under this coach.Despite all the negativity, the players’ individual talents are still good enough to carry the USWNT to a win over anyone. In their worst attacking performance in recent memory, they put up 17 shots and 2.13 xG, because the players are good enough to create chances even when they’re confused and the tactics don’t make any sense. This team is not well coached, and they stink to watch, but they can still win the World Cup.Sign up for the Full Time newsletter to get the biggest World Cup storylines delivered directly to your inbox daily.(Photo: Jose Breton / Pics Action / NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Carli Lloyd was wrong in her criticism of the USWNT – this is why
There is a refrain that I have been using in this tournament: teams are icebergs. We get maybe 10%, if that, from observing them. The other 90% is a mystery; not known to us, nor meant for us. And so it’s frustrating that yet again, a thread of criticism has started to unravel around the U.S. women’s national team, essentially, being too happy.After the U.S. held on to a scoreless draw to squeak past Portugal and into the round of 16 as the second-place team in the group — a position they hadn’t been in since 2011 — FOX Sports cameras cut to players dancing, smiling and taking pictures with fans. In the postgame coverage, Carli Lloyd, a two-time World Cup winner herself, was quick to criticize the players.“I’m just seeing these images for the first time right now, at the desk,” Lloyd said. “I have never witnessed something like that. There’s a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family, but to be dancing? To be smiling?… You’re lucky to not be going home right now.”
“For me, I always want to defend my team and say like, ‘You have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes, you have no idea every single training, what we’re doing individually, collectively, et cetera’,” Horan said. “So for anyone to question our mentality hurts a little bit, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. I don’t really care. It’s (about) what’s going on inside of here.”There are two primary assumptions going on with the outside commentary. First, that the players actually are happy. One would certainly hope they are: they’re at a World Cup, the pinnacle of any soccer player’s career. And second, that there’s something wrong with being happy even if everything isn’t exactly going to plan.This is not a new phenomenon; finding something to dislike about the way players are handling a tournament is an old refrain for this team. We’ve gone from worrying that they’re celebrating too much during their 13-0 win over Thailand in 2019 to asking why the players are smiling and dancing and implying they’re being too soft with each other’s feelings, that there isn’t enough grim Trunchbullian motivation in that camp. Don’t the players know how close they came to elimination?
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Every single U.S. player who went through the mixed zone after their 0-0 draw against Portugal was clearly aware of the situation.“We know that we can be better,” said Crystal Dunn. “It’s not like everyone’s sitting there like, ‘Wow, that was the most amazing performance put together’.”“We need to play better and we know that,” said Megan Rapinoe.Alex Morgan, team co-captain, missed multiple shots late in the game and was quick to say she needed to do better.“We expect so much of ourselves,” Morgan said. “We hold the high standard and we wanted to go through first in the group, but this World Cup is crazy. Every World Cup is crazy, but this one especially.”Defender Kelley O’Hara, who came on in the last minute of second-half stoppage time, perhaps summed up her feelings on the issue best with a long, aggravated sigh when asked what she thought the team needed to do to spark a better performance in knockouts.
“Just have to do a couple of Kumbayas and we’ll be good,” she said sarcastically, possibly referencing a remark from Fox Soccer’s commentary team about the U.S. singing “Kumbaya” while being a team that is struggling and not going into the round of 16 with confidence.The players might talk about being in a bubble, walled off from things like pundits and social media, but they know. They’re not unaware that they are at the most high-profile event of their profession or that they didn’t score on Portugal or that it’s now the number one talking point about the team.
“It is kind of frustrating for me to hear, especially knowing this team and how much we put into every single game,” Horan said. “How much preparation we put into every single game. Seeing our training, seeing how hard we work. In this game, you can’t question that we didn’t want to win the game. You can’t question we weren’t working as hard as we possibly could. We know we could have done better.”
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen, Getty Images.
No player at the World Cup is walking around unaware of the group standings. And no player or coach is going to fully give away what is going on within camp. Reporters might get to go to open practice, but after the first 15 minutes, everyone gets kicked out so the team can prepare in earnest. Why, then, would anyone assume that what we see is representative of the total picture?
Not only are practices a momentary glimpse, no one is privy to team meetings with and without coaching staff, strategy sessions, recovery, private conversations between players, calls to family members, sessions with team psychs or the hours of downtime. We don’t know if they’re actually having a chill time in camp or if players are sobbing in their rooms, nor are we entitled to know any of that.Not even the people who used to be on the team know. They have their own valid experiences, true. But personnel change, dynamics change, and players know better than anyone that the people commenting from the outside can only guess at the feelings inside.Criticizing players for appearing to be having a good time also implies the corollary: would it make you feel better to see them look miserable? Do you want them to look like they’ve just had to take the beaches of Normandy? If so, why?When U.S. midfielder Rose Lavelle spoke to the media the day before the Netherlands game, she said, “I think watching the World Cup is always really fun.” Head coach Vlatko Andonovski said that team mealtimes are usually scheduled such that at least one other game is on. It was a reminder that players don’t usually go into soccer because they want to live out years of misery and dour, grim grind for its own sake. They do it because they love it, and to begrudge the players the parts of this job that make them love it is churlish at best and cruel at worst.“We want this so badly that sometimes I think we lose track of why we started to play and why we’re here,” forward Lynn Williams said. “It’s because we love the game and we love absolutely playing and we love these moments on the world stage.“That’s why we’ve put our bodies through so much and sacrificed so much. And I think that it’s a lot of people’s first tournament, mine included, so you just want to go out there and perform so badly that sometimes you forget about all the joy and the reason why you started.”Motivation isn’t the problem either.“If you have to get up for quarter-final match work or a knockout round match in a World Cup, you know, I don’t think anybody needs that kind of motivation,” Rapinoe said after the Portugal game, also addressing questions about how to get everyone looking sharper.“I think there (were) things that we could do better from the last couple of games,” she said. “But like, I’m not gonna dwell on it. It is what it is.”
That ability to turn the page and look forward instead of back has always been a crucial component of tournament mentality. So if the criticism is the players aren’t upset enough, then consider that there are many ways to motivate, and negative emotion isn’t always the answer.In an interview with SB Nation, two players who have also been there, Christen Press and Tobin Heath, laughed that they were even bothering to do commentary on games because they both knew from experience that external opinions were ultimately so much noise.“Nobody cares,” Heath told SBN. “It’s so funny because we’re all here giving our opinions and think we matter… Honestly, it’s the biggest BS that anybody notices because all these players are fully focused on getting the job done.”After that Portugal game, first-time World Cup player Trinity Rodman lingered on the field. She signed autographs and took selfies long after the rest of the stadium had emptied out.If the lasting image of that game against Portugal is instead Rodman trying to make it a special moment for every single fan who had come so far to support the team, and maybe feel some positivity herself, then perhaps that’s a lesson everyone watching can internalize that playing a game and joy should go hand in hand.
Steph Yang is a staff writer for The Athletic covering women’s soccer in the United States. Before joining The Athletic, she was a managing editor at All for XI and Stars & Stripes FC and a staff writer for The Bent Musket, as well as doing freelance work for other soccer sites. She has covered women’s soccer for over seven years and is based out of Boston, Mass.
USWNT’s coaching blunders make 2023 World Cup path murkier
Claire Watkins August 1, 2023 Just Women’s Sports
In his first World Cup as USWNT coach, Vlatko Andonovski has overseen the lowest group-stage points total in team history. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images)
The U.S. women’s national team advanced to the Round of 16 in auspicious fashion on Tuesday, finishing second in Group E following a 0-0 draw with tournament debutantes Portugal. The USWNT made it through the group stage undefeated, but scored only four goals in three games and compiled their lowest World Cup points total in team history after two consecutive draws.
The message after the match from head coach Vlatko Andonvoski and his players was about the importance of surviving and advancing, but the reigning World Champions now have a more difficult path to the World Cup final. They’ll likely face longtime rivals Sweden in their first knockout-round match, with more than a few adjustments needing to be made.
The good news for the U.S. is that they have yet to lose a match while underperforming, but they’re running out of time to fix glaring issues. Here are a few main takeaways from a sloppy, scoreless draw that nonetheless set the stage for the rest of the tournament.
Formational regression hangs players out to dry
No individual players for the USWNT looked sharp against Portugal, but they also were not aided by formational issues that have plagued the U.S. since the start of 2022. Since the Tokyo Olympics, Vlatko Andonovski has been trying to figure out the best combination of formation and personnel to round out the team’s midfield, especially during Julie Ertz’s prolonged absence.
In the middle stages of that key development year, the U.S. tried to slot Andi Sullivan into Ertz’s role in a 4-3-3 formation that prioritized pushing two midfielders forward to aid the attack. Against Concacaf competition in World Cup qualifying, there was logic behind this approach, as the U.S. was tasked with breaking down low-block defenses. Ultimately, the approach worked, even if the USWNT didn’t look like their best selves for much of that tournament.
But the lesson the USWNT should have learned from their tough slate of friendlies against England, Spain and Germany in the latter half of 2022 is that Sullivan needs a defensive partner against similarly balanced midfields. The U.S. adjusted into a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lindsey Horan and sometimes Rose Lavelle helping occupy defensive space and distribute the ball through the spine of the midfield.
Strangely, in the World Cup group stage, the USWNT lined up in the former setup rather than the latter, despite in-game data showing that two of their opponents were unlikely to sit and wait for the U.S. to attack. The approach might have made some sense against Vietnam, but the Netherlands were clearly coming into the second match with a packed midfield as part of their three-back system. Portugal, likewise, had defensive players step forward to neutralize the U.S. midfield with relative ease.
Scouting abnormalities can be forgiven; it’s the other team’s job to surprise and create problems that the USWNT isn’t anticipating. But Andonovski’s reluctance to adjust to losing the numbers and possession battle in the midfield has placed more strain on individual players than necessary. Against the Netherlands, the U.S. found a second gear to make the system work for them. But against Portugal, the mental fatigue of holding an uneasy shape began to show as players tired.
The shape does not suit Sullivan, who has continued to start in the defensive midfield despite the team’s struggle to move the ball. On Tuesday, the USWNT was relegated to moving the ball in a horseshoe motion from the backline out to the wings, where defensive overloads quickly shifted possession back in Portugal’s favor. Players were so locked into the system that they couldn’t find their open teammates.
Andonovski might be saving a surprise shift to a 4-2-3-1 for the knockout rounds, but more deft adjustments in the group stage might have given the USWNT a better chance at finishing on top. He might also slot Ertz back into the defensive midfield, but with Alana Cook failing to see the field in the team’s first three games, the team’s cohesion is at risk.
Lynn Williams started in place of Trinity Rodman against Portugal, but the USWNT still lacked finishing ability. (Robin Alam/USSF/Getty Images)
Continued lack of trust in the bench
After calling for only one substitute against the Netherlands, Andonovski made two changes to his starting XI against Portugal, starting Lynn Williams in the frontline and Lavelle in the midfield. Williams made an immediate impact, but her relative freshness compared to Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan’s fatigue actually added to the lack of cohesion on the frontline, rather than alleviating it.
Lavelle similarly provided a spark but also paid for trying to bring an edge to the midfield, picking up her second yellow card of the tournament that will require her to sit out the USWNT’s Round of 16 match. The rest of the squad appeared to suffer for lack of rest, with both physical and mental fatigue playing a role in the team’s tepid approach to ball progression and chance creation.
When Andonovski compiled this World Cup roster, he had a clear idea of his starters, his depth players and his specialists. After three games, it seems clear his trust mostly lies with his set starters, as those on the bench continue to fight for minutes. Megan Rapinoe made a substitution appearance against Portugal, but her defensive limitations at this stage in her career makes it difficult to start her and relieve some of the pressure on Smith. Sofia Huerta has not gotten much time on the field either, despite being called in to unlock tight, low-scoring games with her service — something the U.S. has struggled with in all three matches.
Instead, Andonovski brought on Emily Sonnett in a 5-4-1 formational shift that saw the U.S. concede more chances in second-half stoppage time than in the rest of the match. He has now locked the USWNT into a process of their own making, with starters who are tiring and substitutes who have not gotten enough World Cup minutes to step in and feel comfortable. It’s the same dilemma that led to Savannah DeMelo getting two quick World Cup starts after just her first cap with the team.
The approach may have been forgiven if the team had gotten all three points against the Netherlands, allowing for heavy rotation in their third match. But in a tournament decided by the finest of margins, the U.S. has now perhaps pushed too hard for results that never came, making the climb ahead of them even steeper.
Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.
Mentality or tactics: What can save USWNT’s World Cup quest?
Caitlin Murray, ESPNAug 3, 2023, 08:03 AM ET
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — If it has looked to you as if the players on the United States women’s national team aren’t having as much fun as they could be during this Women’s World Cup, they’d be the first to agree.Asked what’s been missing from this World Cup campaign so far, captain Lindsey Horan on Thursday highlighted a lack of joy on the field.”It’s that confidence, that belief in ourselves to do what we are most special at — each of us individually, but also as a team — and also finding the joy in it,” Horan said, then promised: “Once we get a little bit more of that joy back and that feeling, things are going to move a bit better.”
But a lack of the swagger and fun that has defined the USWNT over the years — including its rollicking campaign to win the previous World Cup in 2019 — is hardly the only problem you could identify within this U.S. team.The USWNT is struggling with the fundamentals: Players aren’t stringing together passes, putting shots on target or maintaining possession. That has played out with the USWNT’s worst World Cup group stage ever: the American women won just a single game for the first time since the Women’s World Cup began in 1991.This No. 1-ranked USWNT side hardly resembles the reigning Women’s World Cup champions, and although some pundits and former players have raised questions about the players’ mentality, others have called out a failure of tactics and structure, which are the purview of coach Vlatko Andonovski.
It’s a chicken-or-egg question: Is the USWNT not executing tactics well because the players lack the right mentality? Or are the players not showing the right mentality because the tactics are holding them back?
After a listless 0-0 draw with No. 21-ranked Portugal to close out the group stage, and facing a win-or-go-home game Sunday against Sweden in the round of 16, it becomes all the more imperative to figure out the answer.
‘How can we expect growth in seven days?’
Midfielders Tobin Heath and Christen Press, who played for the USWNT under Andonovski at the Olympics in 2021 but are not on the 2023 World Cup squad, placed their criticism squarely on their former coach, albeit without saying his name.”In every soccer match, you need to make tactical adjustments to exploit spaces, get numerical advantages, yada yada,” Press said on “The RE-CAP Show,” the podcast she hosts with Heath. “And we haven’t seen, in a game, any of those tactical adjustments.”But it points to the larger point: Have we seen any tactical adjustments in the last year? Have we seen any different formations tried? Have we seen any adjustments to the way that we’re pressing?” Press added: “We’ve seen the team come out for the last year in the same general shape, in the same general pressing structure. The question I have is: now we’re in this tournament and we’re saying, ‘OK, we’re not super happy with the first three games, but we’re going to grow’ — but if we haven’t seen growth in the last year, how can we expect growth in seven days?” That’s the problem: If the USWNT’s tactics are all wrong and they’ve been going down the wrong path ever since they qualified for the World Cup last year, it will be difficult to try to change course now. That’s especially true if Andonovski hasn’t shown the ability to adjust and fix vulnerabilities in the USWNT’s tactics over that time — he won’t suddenly become a better coach anytime soon, either.In that sense, perhaps the focus must shift to player mentality because that’s reasonably the only thing that can change before a must-win game against Sweden. Certainly, that’s where Carli Lloyd, another player from that 2021 Olympics team, has stirred the pot, accusing her former teammates of not caring enough about winning.Whatever the reason, the individual performances from USWNT players at this World Cup have been below par. In the span of a few minutes against Portugal, for instance, three U.S. players passed the ball out of bounds without any pressure, and it’s jarring to see some of the best players in the world looking this disjointed.In some ways, it’s reminiscent of how the USWNT looked in Tokyo two years ago. Winger Megan Rapinoe‘s assessment after the USWNT’s Olympic opener, a 3-0 loss to Sweden, was blunt: “There’s a lot of stuff we can clean up — trap the ball, pass the ball to your own team is probably the first one.” After the USWNT got knocked out by Canada in the semifinal, Rapinoe’s reaction was similar: “We don’t have juice because the ball’s banging off our shins and we’re not finding open passes and doing the simple things.”Rapinoe could have been talking about this World Cup. As former USWNT player Julie Foudy said on her podcast, “Laughter Permitted,” the USWNT looked all out of sorts against Portugal: “They can’t even connect four or five passes. They were connecting nothing.” Fellow USWNT legend Kristine Lilly agreed: “They couldn’t keep the ball.”How could a team that played such ruthless, clinical and spellbinding soccer at the 2019 Women’s World Cup turn into the same team that has struggled with the basics at the 2021 Olympics or this ongoing 2023 World Cup? Perhaps the answer is in the chicken-or-egg question of tactics vs. mentality.”If you want to look at the feeling the players have, the errant passes on the field — I felt the exact same way at the Olympics,” Heath said. “[Fox pundit, and former USMNT defender] Alexi Lalas made a comment that was really harsh about Crystal Dunn looking like she never played soccer. This is one of the best players in the world. To even think there could be a comment about a player like that, for me, it’s: ‘What is happening?’
“That’s the feeling I had in the Olympics. You [Press] were one of the best players going into the Olympics. Sam Mewis was one of the best players in the world going into the Olympics. How do you take a player that is going into a world championship with the tag of a Ballon d’Or winner [Rapinoe] that’s going to use that platform to win something — how do they become nothing? That’s what I’m seeing.”
‘There are going to be times we need to problem-solve on the field’
Per ESPN Stats & Information, the USWNT has struggled to string together passes at this World Cup. In 2015, the team averaged 4.57 sequences of 10-plus passes per 90 minutes. In 2019, its average was 9.14. At this World Cup? It’s 2.00 so far.Meanwhile, the number of 1-on-1s — when players take on defenders alone, with the ball at their feet — has skyrocketed. In 2015, the USWNT attempted 15.6 1-on-1s per 90 minutes. In 2019, it was 20.1. At this World Cup? It’s 31.7 through three games.
Williams: The USWNT will be a scary thought when team clicks
Lynn Williams says the USWNT is embracing the pressure it faces at the World Cup.
It shows that the USWNT has resorted to a very direct style of play, sending more balls forward and pumping in more crosses per 90 minutes than in the previous two World Cups, too. That has led to more chances and more shots than the two prior tournaments, but the rate of shots on target has plummeted, going from 44% in the two recent World Cups to just 27% so far here in New Zealand.
The players need to play better, and the coaching staff is there to help them do that.
ESPN asked forward Lynn Williams and Horan on Thursday whether they are getting the necessary feedback from their coaches to solve problems on the field.
“I think we are,” Williams said as she sat next to Horan, who didn’t chime in. “We have this high standard and we want to do X, Y and Z, but these teams are good. They’re good, technical teams. So, there are going to be times we need to problem-solve on the field and take that responsibility on ourselves.”But I think that, even though there are times we didn’t get it right, we were able to rectify that and fix it on the field ourselves. So yeah, I do think we’re getting the necessary feedback and ways to fix it moving forward.”
Krieger’s keys to USWNT improvement before Sweden clash
Former USWNT World Cup winner Ali Krieger explains the areas the side needs to address before its knockout clash with Sweden.It’s easy to understand why Williams might have a different take from those of the likes of Heath and Press. The latter two might not necessarily have an ax to grind, but Andonovski is the one who cut both of them from his team — even before Press tore her ACL last year, Andonovski said publicly that he hadn’t been planning to call her into USWNT camp anyway. Williams, meanwhile, is in camp with Andonovski right now.But Lloyd, who has ripped into her former teammates and decried what she sees as a lack of passion within the team, has also been willing to criticize her former coach, notably over his reluctance to use his bench to bring on game-changing substitutes.Ultimately, it might be impossible to pinpoint what’s going wrong — the Olympics happened two years ago, and clearly all the lessons weren’t learned from that tournament — but before a tough knockout match against Sweden, the USWNT must get better. Whether the players improve their mentality or the coach improves his tactics — or both — something’s got to give, or the USWNT might find itself making history with its earliest exit ever in a major tournament.
Lindsey Horan, Lynn Williams and the USWNT try to fix what’s wrong before it’s too late
“We want to win as much as possible, and we want to play better,” Horan said ahead of the U.S. team’s round of 16 game vs. Sweden. “You guys know that; our team knows that.”
U.S. captain Lindsey Horan hopes to not just get the team back to winning, but back to playing with joy.Andrew Cornaga / AP
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — You don’t have to be a former player, a current player, a coach, a diehard fan, a journalist, a tactics savant or an eye-test devotee to know something is wrong with the U.S. women’s soccer team.It’s obvious, and captain Lindsey Horan is not trying to hide it.“Obviously we want to play better; we want to perform better — we want to entertain our U.S. fans more, and for ourselves as well,” she said as the team prepares for its round of 16 clash with Sweden on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia (5 a.m. ET, Fox29, Telemundo 62, Peacock).“But the expectations are always going to be there for this national team, and they’re always going to be great, and we’re always going to be in the pressure-cooker, and we love that,” Horan continued. “So we just need to raise our standards, which we always do. And we move forward, and we go out and we do everything in our power to prepare ourselves for this next game.”
Lindsey Horan’s header against the Netherlands remains the last goal the U.S. scored in this World Cup.Andrew Cornaga / AP
The cacophony of complaints has been justified, even if it overlooks two things that shouldn’t be totally ignored. The U.S. hasn’t lost a game yet, even if it feels it has; and it conceded just one goal in its three group stage contests.Along with the tangible end product missing, some intangibles have been missing too. The joy that the U.S. has so often played with isn’t there, and it is palpable. Horan said the team has spent the days since the group stage-ending scoreless tie with Portugal trying to rebuild that side of its mentality.“We love this game so much; we’re so passionate about this game; we want to win as much as possible, and we want to play better,” she said. “We all know that. You guys know that; our team knows that. We want to play better and find those little pieces of joy in the game as well.”If that can happen, Horan said, “once we get a little bit more of that joy back and that feeling, things are going to move a little bit better on the field. We’re going to have more rhythm; we’re going to have more confidence, and things will come — more and more chances will come.”
Alex Morgan (center) rues one of the United States’ missed chances against Portugal.Abbie Parr / AP
Veteran forward Lynn Williams, who had some of the U.S.’ best scoring chances in the group stage-ending scoreless tie with Portugal, also took a turn in the psychologist’s chair.
“We want this so badly that sometimes I think we lose track of why we started to play and why we’re here,” she said. “It’s because we love the game, and we love absolutely playing, and we love these moments on the world stage — that’s why we’ve put our bodies through so much and sacrificed so much … You just want to go out there and perform so badly that sometimes you forget about all the joy and the reason why you started.”Though the rest of the world has caught up to the Americans on the field, the World Cup’s bright lights can still trap the world’s greats. Star-studded Brazil and Germany, among the pre-tournament favorites to win it all, shockingly failed to get out of the group stage. Spain was routed by Japan. Canada collapsed in its group finale vs. Australia — which itself was under heaving pressure from the huge crowds and media spotlight surrounding the cohosts.
But as Horan has embraced the captain’s armband, she has also embraced one of the U.S. team’s eternal mantras. As former manager Jill Ellis famously put it at the last World Cup: “Some teams will visit pressure, but I think we live there.”Right now, Horan has the deed to the house.“We’re playing for these big matches; we’re playing for these big moments, these pressure-cookers, and that’s what we want to be a part of,” she said. “And us being the U.S. national team, we’re always going to have that. You guys always want to talk about us, and we’re going to take that.”The test in front of the Americans now is daunting, but familiar. The clash with Sweden in Melbourne, Australia will mark the fifth straight major tournament (World Cups and Olympics) in which the longtime rivals have met, and the 10th in major tournaments overall. And the U.S. will be without one of its most important weapons, playmaker Rose Lavelle, because of yellow card accumulation.
Rose Lavelle’s yellow card against Portugal means she’s suspended for the U.S.’ round of 16 game against Sweden.Abbie Parr / AP
Sweden, meanwhile, just finished off a sweep of its group with a 2-0 win over Argentina, after a 2-1 win over South Africa and a 5-0 rout of Italy.It bears saying, even if you don’t want to hear it, that the U.S. has beaten Sweden just once in a major tournament in the last 16 years — the 2019 World Cup group stage finale. The U.S. also failed to beat Sweden in its last two meetings, a 3-0 Swedish rout at the 2021 Olympics and a 1-1 tie in Stockholm three months earlier.The last American win in the matchup was a 2019 friendly in Columbus, Ohio, that coincidentally was Vlatko Andonovski’s first game as U.S. manager.If the U.S. loses this one, Sweden will have been both the first opponent of his tenure, as well as the last.
The USWNT is no longer a World Cup favorite after a disappointing group stage performance
A difficult round of 16 game vs. Sweden awaits Sunday.
The United States’ Megan Rapinoe (left) subs in for Sophia Smith during the group stage finale against Portugal. The USWNT played Portugal to a 0-0 draw to sneak into the round of 16.Andrew Cornaga / AP
The U.S. women’s national team is in the World Cup’s knockout stage … just barely … after drawing with Portugal to finish second in Group E.
The Americans, two-time defending World Cup champions, were a few inches away from a premature flight home from New Zealand after Portugal hit the post in stoppage time.
Their play has been far from great. And their celebratory response to getting through to the knockout stage was enough for USWNT legend and South Jersey native Carli Lloyd, working as a broadcaster, to question the level of passion on the team.
While there should be a collective exhale for USWNT fans, there’s reason for concern. Finishing second in the group means the path to a third consecutive World Cup victory is now a lot more difficult.The U.S., which entered as a favorite to win the competition, is barely favored to get out of the round of 16, where a showdown Sunday morning with Sweden awaits.Here’s a look at where the U.S. stands in World Cup futures markets as the group stage nears its ending.
World Cup odds: USWNT is no longer the favorite
The U.S. entered the Australia-New Zealand World Cup as a +225 (2.25/1) favorite to win the trophy.
On Wednesday morning, the U.S. was tied for second on the BetMGM odds board with Spain at +400. The new favorite? England at +333. Over at FanDuel, England was +340, the U.S. was +430, and Spain was at +470.
Six teams had odds of 10/1 or shorter at BetMGM: England (+333), United States (+400), Spain (+400), Japan (+800), Germany (+900), and Australia (+1000).
Sweden, Sunday’s round of 16 opponent for the USWNT that dominated Group G, is down the board at +1800.
USWNT vs. Sweden odds
Soccer odds offer multiple ways to wager, and the simplest one, “to qualify,” allows you to pick which team gets through to the next round. The U.S. was -185 Wednesday morning to get past Sweden (+130).
That’s a pretty short round of 16 favorite for a team that was expected to win the competition.
As for the three-way money line for Sunday (90-minute result):
USWNT: +110
Sweden: +240
Draw: +225
It’s a pretty tight matchup between two of the better women’s soccer teams in the world. The goal total was at 2.5 goals (+120 to the over, -165 to the under), so oddsmakers are expecting a low-scoring game.
Sunday vs. Sweden is likely a much earlier major test than U.S. soccer fans predicted and would have hoped for. But it beats the alternative.
Published Aug. 2, 2023
World Cup last 16: Why every team left will, won’t win it all
Bill Connelly, ESPN Staff WriterAug 3, 2023, 10:46 AM ET
The first 32-team edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has had a little bit of everything: exciting underdogs, star turns and some heavyweights looking utterly spectacular. As is always the case, however, the group stage is just a table-setter. The tournament really begins when the knockout rounds start.
Said tournament won’t feature some of the heavyweights. Germany, the three-time World Cup finalists and two-time champs, had their spot in the round-of-16 yoinked away by Morocco‘s win over Colombia on the final day of the group stage. (Germany had beaten Morocco 6-0 in the first group game, too. Ouch.) Brazil, the 2007 runners-up and four-time World Cup semifinalists, were knocked out in favor of Jamaica. For all of the hand-wringing about the current form of the U.S. women, they did advance! That’s no longer a given, no matter who you are. You can’t just win on talent alone anymore; you’ve got to have good ideas, and you’ve got to execute them.
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With the dance card filled in and the matchups set, it’s time to take a breath and preview what’s coming. Let’s talk about each qualifying team’s biggest strengths and weaknesses: basically, the reasons they advanced, the reasons they could make a run and the fatal flaws that will probably trip them up at some point. Only one team can win the title, after all.
Editor’s note: As teams officially qualify for the round of 16, we will add them to the file in alphabetical order. Betting odds below are from Caesars Sportsbook. If you add up all the equivalent odds, they will have a total above 100% because, well, that’s why the casino always wins in the long run.
Title odds, per Caesars: +1200 (equivalent to 8%) How they got here: Defeated Ireland 1-0, lost to Nigeria 3-2, defeated Canada 4-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group D (Denmark), Monday
Why they will win it all: They’ve been winning without their star. With Sam Kerr playing zero minutes as she worked her way back from injury, Australia was forced to grind and manufacture points. It worked. They aren’t the most intense pressing team in the field, but they picked their spots perfectly, scoring all seven of their goals from high turnovers, most in the tournament. And at the other end, they allowed just a 53% completion rate into the attacking third and a tiny 17% completion rate on crosses.
They also took their chances, unlike many in this tournament. Their seven goals came from shots worth just 6.4 expected goals (xG) — including two each from Arsenal‘s Steph Catley on the left and Manchester City‘s Hayley Raso on the right — and with everything on the line against Canada in the group stage finale, they were brilliant, seizing an early lead and cruising.
Recapping Australia’s incredible night vs. Canada
Marissa Lordanic looks back on a huge night for Australia as they beat Canada 4-0 to advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Why they won’t: That Nigeria match was alarming, wasn’t it? For all of their sturdy play and major-club talent, Nigeria tore up their otherwise solid transition defense, attempting four shots worth 0.15 xG or more and putting three of them in the net to take a shocking 3-1 lead. The Matildas obviously responded, scoring late to cut Nigeria’s lead to one then destroying Canada. But for a team that has never really broken through at a major tournament — they’ve been to three World Cup quarterfinals but no semis, and their one semifinal trip at the Olympics still resulted in no medal — Nigeria felt like a warning sign. So does the fact that they haven’t generated any scoring without high turnovers. Kerr’s (assumed) return will help immensely. But Australia still has plenty to prove.
Title odds, per Caesars: +3000 (equivalent to 3%) How they got here: Defeated South Korea 2-0, defeated Germany 2-1, lost to Morocco 1-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group F (Jamaica), Tuesday
Why they will win it all: They never stop taking the fight to you. Colombia never stops attacking either you or the ball. They rank second in the tournament in total defensive interventions (463) and first in ball recoveries (247). Only 34% of their passes have traveled under 10 meters (second-lowest).
They’re also fifth in average carry distance and fourth in 1v1s per carry, and those numbers have come about in a fascinating way. While your centre-backs typically lead the team in carries (because of how buildup play usually works), it’s the exact opposite for Colombia. Centre-backs Jorelyn Carabali and Daniela Arias have only 125 carries between them, while attackers Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid) and Mayra Ramirez (Levante) have 101 each and are averaging a robust 6.8 meters per carry between them. Caicedo has made 29 ball recoveries, too, third-most in the tournament for an attacker.
Caicedo never stops charging. And sometimes, she does this:
Why they won’t: They rely on moments of magic. Caicedo’s match winner against Germany was unreal. It defined Group H, too — without it, Germany finishes first in the group and Colombia finishes second. But it was a shot worth 0.05 xG. Aside from a penalty against South Korea, all three goals were low-probability strikes, as were all of their attempts in the loss to Morocco.
We’ll remember Caicedo’s goal for a long while, but it’s hard to win four knockout matches via magical goals.
Title odds, per Caesars: +8000 (equivalent to 1%) How they got here: Defeated China 1-0, lost to England 1-0, defeated Haiti 2-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group B (Australia), Monday
Why they will win it all: They’re relentless on defense. The Danes have advanced to the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time since 1995, and they’ve done so primarily with length and disruption. Led by Everton defensive midfielder Karen Holmgaard and Hammarby centre-back Simone Boye, they’ve won 67% of their aerial duels in the defensive half (third-best). They’ve blocked the third-most crosses, made the fifth-most ball recoveries and allowed the fifth-fewest possessions of 9+ passes.
They fight you for every inch with a defense featuring not only Holmgaard and Boye but also Everton fullbacks Katrine Veje and Rikke Sevecke. Combine that with a willing and deep midfield led by Holmgaard and Arsenal‘s Kathrine Moller Kuhl and you’ve got a very frustrating team to play against. Only England were able to score against them during the group stage, but they still managed only 13 shots worth 1.2 xG.
Why they won’t: They’re passive in attack. They don’t attempt 1v1s (only 2.7% of carries feature one), and they don’t win the ones they attempt (29% in the attacking third, fourth-worst in the tournament). They’ve completed just 73% of their passes (17th) and scored three goals (12th) from 28 shots (16th) worth 3.5 xG (15th). Against England, they attempted just six shots and finished only 24% of their possessions in the attacking third. They’ve got storied veteran Pernille Harder up front, but she has found space for only six shots and one goal.
They make life difficult for opponents’ attack, but life is equally difficult for them.
Lordanic: We’re running out of words for James’ brilliance
Marissa Lordanic and Mark Ogden react to England’s emphatic win over China in their final group stage game.
England (First place, Group D)
Title odds, per Caesars: +300 (equivalent to 25%) How they got here: Defeated Haiti 1-0, defeated Denmark 1-0, defeated China 6-1 Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group B (Nigeria), Monday
Why they will win it all: They’re the most well-rounded team left. They outshot Haiti 21-7 in what would have been a blowout if not for brilliance from Haitian goalkeeper Kerly Theus. Their attack didn’t really click against hard-working Denmark, so they leaned on a suffocating defense that allowed just a 54% completion rate in the defensive third and 53% in the attacking third. And against China — the No. 14 team in the world, per the FIFA rankings! — they made a statement with a nearly perfect 6-1 walloping.
Basically, England is playing like a team that has lost one match in 27 months.
They’ve scored the third-most goals (eight) and allowed only one. They build slowly from the back (second in average possession time and length), they create a steady stream of shots (sixth-most), and they put them on target (43%, second-best). They press the length of the pitch, forcing turnovers 19% of the time (best) and forcing 53 high turnovers per match (fourth-best). They’re getting nearly flawless performances from veteran defenders Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Millie Bright (Chelsea) and Lucy Bronze (Barcelona).
Throw in a star turn from Chelsea’s 21-year old Lauren James (three goals and three assists in just 200 minutes) and you’ve got an absolute wrecking ball on your hands.
Explaining why VAR denied James another stunning goal vs. China
Dale Johnson explains why Lauren James was denied an excellent goal vs. China after Lucy Bronze was controversially deemed to be offside.
Why they won’t: Injuries are still a concern.Keira Walsh might be the best midfielder in the world, but she also might be out for the rest of the tournament with a knee injury. Leah Williamson is world-class at centre-back or defensive midfield. She’s out. Beth Mead and Fran Kirby are among the most relentless wingers around. They’re out too.
At some point, you might actually need your best XI on the pitch, and that won’t be an option for England.
Title odds, per Caesars: +750 (equivalent to 12%) How they got here: Drew Jamaica 0-0, defeated Brazil 2-1, defeated Panama 6-3 Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group H (Morocco), Tuesday
Why they will win it all: They have the talent to exploit whatever weakness you’ve got. In all three group-stage matches, France tilted the pitch and swallowed up counter-attacking opportunities. Jamaica didn’t have the midfield to advance the ball in a threatening manner, so France never let them. Panama didn’t have the defense to stop an onslaught of attacks, so France attempted 26 shots and scored six times.
This squad also features 11 players from French heavyweights Lyon and PSG, plus two for Manchester United, two for Real Madrid, one for Chelsea and one for Juventus. Manager Herve Renard has enjoyed a successful career by crafting simple plans around whatever superiorities exist on a national team roster, and he has plenty of superiorities to work with here, from PSG’s Kadidiatou Diani (3 goals, 1 assist) up front to PSG’s Grace Geyoro (26 ball recoveries, 86% pass completion) in midfield to Lyon’s ever-present Wendie Renard at the back. And despite a past predilection for drama, they advanced to the knockout rounds with almost none.
‘Confident’ France score 6 against Panama to win group
Julien Laurens recaps an evenftul night in Sydney as France score six goals as well as concede three vs. Panama to top group F.
Why they won’t: The only shots they allow are great ones. Brazil attempted only 11 shots, but three were worth at least 0.2 xG (all taken within 10 meters), and one, scored by Debinha, was worth 0.5. Panama attempted only six shots, but one was a penalty and one was a tap-in worth 0.6 xG. (In fairness, Renard sat this match out.)
France’s defense has suffered very few defensive breakdowns, but almost all of them were catastrophes. That volatility will make winning four straight matches awfully difficult.
Jamaica (Second place, Group F)
Title odds, per Caesars: +15000 (equivalent to 1%) How they got here: Drew France 0-0, defeated Panama 1-0, drew Brazil 0-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group H (Colombia), Tuesday
Why they will win it all: Rebecca Spencer is standing on her head. In eight World Cup qualification matches, the 32-year-old Tottenham Hotspur keeper faced 33 shots on goal, worth 11.8 xGOT (post-shot xG for shots on target) and allowed only nine goals. In three World Cup matches, she has faced 17 shots on goal worth 2.4 xGOT … and allowed none.
‘Determined’ Jamaica reach WC knockout stage for first time ever
Joey Lynch recaps a “momentous” goalless draw between Jamaica and Brazil that sends the Caribbean nation to its first-ever World Cup knockout match.
Despite having Manchester City‘s world-class Khadija “Bunny” Shaw up front, Jamaica haven’t been able to create many threats; they’ve attempted just 29 shots in three matches, none within 7 meters of goal and none worth more than 0.14 xG. But with a defense driven by players such as centre-back Allyson Swaby (PSG) and right back Tiernny Wiltshire (Houston Dash), they also have allowed only a couple of particularly high-quality chances. And Spencer has cleaned up everything that has come her way.
It’s hard to lose if your opponent never scores.
Why they won’t: You do probably have to score at some point. Saying Jamaica have attempted 29 shots oversells it a bit, as 20 of those shots came in a 1-0 win over Panama. Against France and Brazil, they managed just nine shots worth 0.4 xG. Shaw has tried her best — and considering she had 20 goals and seven assists in the Women’s Super League last year, her best is awesome — but of her five shot attempts, only one came within 19 meters of goal.
Her supporting cast has not been able to help her enough and probably won’t in the knockout rounds either.
How ‘achingly clinical’ Japan dismantled Spain in Wellington
Sophie Lawson reacts to Japan’s stunning 4-0 win over Spain at the Women’s World Cup.
Title odds, per Caesars: +800 (equivalent to 11%) How they got here: Defeated Zambia 5-0, defeated Costa Rica 2-0, defeated Spain 4-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group A (Norway), Saturday
Why they will win it all: They are spectacular front-runners. Over the last two years, in all matches logged by Stats Perform, Japan has scored 23 goals and allowed one when they were ahead. If you give this team a lead, it’s probably lights out. Just ask Spain.
Now granted, it took them 43 minutes to score their first goal against Zambia in their World Cup opener, but they scored four more from there. They took the lead on Spain, then played some of the most unbelievable transition ball you’ll ever see, scoring three more times.
They’ve also played almost perfect defense whether tied or ahead: They allowed 16 total shots worth a combined 0.9 xG in three group stage matches, and have proven almost flawless in buildup play. While more than 54% of their passes have come in their own half of the pitch, opponents have started only eight combined possessions in the attacking third.
The ball primarily goes through Roma defender Moeka Minami and Manchester City midfielder Yui Hasegawa (who came off the bench vs. Spain), two of their most talented players, and they’ve been brilliant.
Why they won’t: What happens when they’re behind? Japan’s roster has plenty of major-club talent — four of their 23 players play in England‘s Women’s Super League, captain Saki Kumagai plays for German champ Bayern Munich, Minami plays for Italian champ Roma, and two more play in the NWSL. But they’re all midfielders and defenders. Almost all of their shot attempts come from players who are still plying their trade in Japan’s domestic league.
There’s nothing automatically wrong with that! And “we don’t know how they’ll play when behind because they haven’t been behind yet” is a luxury problem. But if they fall behind and have to force the issue, it’s hard to see where attacking prowess might come from.
Should USWNT and other World Cup favourites fear Japan?
Sophie Lawson believes Japan should be considered one of the top contenders to win the World Cup after a “relaxed” 2-0 win over Costa Rica.
Title odds, per Caesars: +35000 (equivalent to <1%) How they got here: Lost to Germany 6-0, defeated South Korea 1-0, defeated Colombia 1-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group F (France), Tuesday
Why they will win it all: They shoot like Steph Curry. Morocco attempted just 24 shots in the group stage (seventh-fewest) but put 50% of them on target, tied for first with Japan. In a tournament in which so many teams are struggling in this department — Germany and Canada both bowed out in part because only 29.5% of their shots were on target (tied for 20th), and the U.S. put itself in serious danger by managing only 27.0% (25th) — Morocco advanced with accuracy. Their two goal scorers, Ibtissam Jraidi (Al Ahli) and Anissa Lahmari (Guingamp), attempted just six shots but put five of them on goal and two of them in the goal.
And they’ve made history because of it. They were already the first Arab nation to qualify for the World Cup; now they’re the first Arab nation to advance and one of three African nations to do so. They’re 72nd in the FIFA rankings, with no players on a club that played in last year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League. What a damn story.
Why they won’t: They’re the worst team remaining. It’s mean, but it’s true. They’re 72nd in the FIFA rankings! They’ve played five top-20 teams over the past two years, and they’ve been outscored 13-0. Granted, that includes a pair of 0-0 draws against Italy and Switzerland in the run-up to this tournament — this defense can undoubtedly be very stingy — but they also got blown out by Germany to start the World Cup.It will take quite an infinite load of magic for Morocco to advance past France, much less anyone else.How Morocco secured a historic spot in the World Cup knockoutsSophie Lawson reacts to Morocco’s progression to the round of 16 on their Women’s World Cup debut.
Title odds, per Caesars: +1200 (equivalent to 8%) How they got here: Defeated Portugal 1-0, drew USA 0-0, defeated Vietnam 7-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group G (South Africa), Sunday
Why they will win it all: They are organized and confident. The defending World Cup runners-up endured a frustrating spell of late, bowing out in the quarterfinals in the 2021 Olympics and the 2022 Euros. But the defense has been solid for a while, and it’s been nearly impenetrable in New Zealand.
Through three matches, the Dutch have allowed opponents to average just 0.06 xG per shot; only Germany, Brazil and Japan have allowed a better average, and none of those teams had to play the U.S., which averaged just 0.05 xG per shot and scored only on a set piece.
They do not allow long possessions or carries, and the midfield — 19-year old Esmee Brugts (PSV Eindhoven), Jackie Groenen (PSG), Victoria Pelova (Arsenal), plus elite attacking midfielders Jill Roord (Wolfsburg) and Danielle van de Donk (Lyon) — might be the best in the tournament. They control the center of the pitch and steer you away from anything dangerous.
Why they won’t: They’re … too calm? Granted, they unleashed hell in their final group stage match against Vietnam, attempting 42 shots and scoring seven goals. But against more talented opponents, they are languid in possession. They attempted 12 shots with an average possession length of just 13.7 meters against Portugal, then attempted just five shots, with only 12% of possessions ending in the attacking third, against the U.S. in their meeting.
Poise is good, and the Dutch have it in droves, but you need urgency sometimes. Can the Netherlands dial that up against great opponents?
Title odds, per Caesars: +10000 (equivalent to 1%) How they got here: Drew Canada 0-0, defeated Australia 3-2, drew Ireland 0-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group D (England), Monday
Why they will win it all: They force the issue for 90 minutes. They’ve both won and lost the second-most ground duels to date. Their attackers have made 71 ball recoveries (second most). Their defenders have made 401 interventions (third most). Their possessions have been the fourth longest (19.6 average meters) and sixth widest (35.7) in the tournament. They stretch the field as far as it will go, and they pressure you in one way or another in every inch of it. They are exhausting.
They’re also good. They’ve gotten stellar work from some of their bigger club stars — particularly defender Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash), defender Christy Ucheibe (Benfica) and forwards Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid) and Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville) — and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC) has been outstanding. And while Barcelona‘s Asisat Oshoala hasn’t touched the ball much, she is one of the most proven attackers on the planet. Advancing in a group with Australia and Canada required serious depth, with such an intense style, and tested Nigeria. They passed.
Why they won’t: Intensity doesn’t produce enough shots. Pulling four points from matches against Canada and Australia was a mammoth accomplishment, but they did so while getting outshot 44-22. They scored all three of their group stage goals in an inspired half-hour against Australia but otherwise came up blank, struggling to get Oshoala involved They’ve put a lot of pressure on Nnadozie to come up big, and while she has done so, she’ll have to play even better to win a likely matchup with England in the next round.
Carlisle: Philippines will exit World Cup with good feelings
Jeff Carlisle reacts to Norway’s 6-0 thrashing of Philippines which saw them join Switzerland in the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup.
Title odds, per Caesars: +6500 (equivalent to 2%) How they got here: Lost to New Zealand 1-0, drew against Switzerland 0-0, defeated Philippines 6-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group C (Japan), Saturday
Just ask the Philippines, which trailed Norway 2-0 after 17 minutes and lost 6-0 — without Hederberg even playing (she’s battling back from injury) — via a hat trick from Roma‘s Sophie Roman Haug.
Why they won’t: The slightest bump ruins everything. After a perfect, vertical, length-of-the-pitch attack led to a Hannah Wilkinson goal and a 1-0 New Zealand lead in the World Cup opener, Norway short-circuited. They played impossibly direct ball with no success, they pressed forward and opened themselves so badly in defense that they were lucky not to lose by more. Against Switzerland, they controlled the game, generating shots worth 1.4 xG to the Swiss’ 0.5 over the first 75 minutes. But when the breakthrough never came, they seemed to panic again, and Switzerland nearly stole the match with a fantastic scoring chance in stoppage time.
This team never seems to get along with its manager and never seems to be greater than the sum of its parts when things matter. The Philippines blowout was a reminder of their potential, but their results against Switzerland and New Zealand was an even stronger reminder of their floor.
How South Africa made history vs. Italy at the World Cup
Sam Marsden recaps South Africa’s first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup after their 3-2 victory against Italy sent them into the last 16.
Title odds, per Caesars: +25000 (equivalent to <1%) How they got here: Lost to Sweden 2-1, drew Argentina 2-2, defeated Italy 3-2 Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group E (Netherlands), Sunday
Why they will win it all: They have a plan. Against Sweden, the Banyana Banyana snared an early lead, then played the “park the bus and stay super-organized” game well enough to nearly secure a draw. Against Argentina, they ripped up a disorganized opponent for a number of high-quality chances and took a 2-0 lead into the final 20 minutes before giving up a pair of well-struck, low-probability goals.
Against Italy, they had to come from behind and play a far more open game. They gave up a number of big scoring chances, but created plenty of their own and did this to advance to the knockouts.
With a high-chemistry squad built around domestic league talent (including six players from African heavyweight Mamelodi Sundowns) and an attack built around Racing Louisville’s Thembi Kgatlana (2 goals and 2 assists), Sejong Sportstoto’s Hildah Magaia (2 goals, 1 assist) and Monterrey‘s Jermaine Seoposenwe (1 assist from six chances created), South Africa does whatever is required at a given moment.
Why they won’t: The defense isn’t good enough. They were unlucky to give up two goals to Argentina, but both Sweden and Italy overwhelmed the South African back line, combining for four goals on 33 shots worth 5.7 xG. The Banyana attack is an absolute delight, but they’ll probably need to score at least two goals in any match to have a chance moving forward. That seems like a lot to ask.
Marsden: Big worrying signs for Spain after Japan demolition
Sam Marsden reacts to Spain’s disastrous performance in their 4-0 loss to Japan at the World Cup.
Title odds, per Caesars: +450 (equivalent to 18%) How they got here: Defeated Costa Rica 3-0, defeated Zambia 5-0, lost to Japan 4-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group A (Switzerland), Saturday
Why they will win it all: They have the strongest identity. Against Costa Rica, Spain enjoyed 80% possession and 6.2 passes per possession. Against Zambia: 74% possession, 5.8 passes per possession. While behind against Japan, they hit 77%. They have forced 257 high turnovers in three matches. They deploy the most fully-formed version of the modern possession game, they complete 87% of their (mostly short) passes, and when they lose the ball they counter-press with abandon.
This isn’t the most talented Spain team possible, but the players who came to New Zealand have dominated. Barcelona legend Jenni Hermoso, 33, has two goals and an assist. Real Madrid midfielder Teresa Abelleira has combined 28 ball recoveries with 14 chances created.
Simply put, you cannot take the ball off of this team. They force you into a counter-attacking game, and while plenty of other favorites are good at that (particularly the U.S.) — Japan was spectacular at it, scoring all four goals in transition — you will have no Plan B.
Why they won’t: Will the important shots be on target? In the 2022 Women’s Euros, they lost matches to Germany in the group stage and England in the knockout rounds, scoring one total goal from shots worth 3.2 xG. In three World Cup group stage matches, they’ve scored eight goals from shots worth 10.5. When you don’t make the most of your chances, it’s really difficult to survive four single-elimination matches without a costly hiccup.
Sam Marsden reacts to Sweden advancing to the last 16 after beating Italy 5-0 at Wellington.
Title odds, per Caesars: +1800 (equivalent to 5%) How they got here: Defeated South Africa 2-1, defeated Italy 4-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group E (USA), Sunday
Why they will win it all: They’re unflappable. After a beautiful Thembi Kgatlana shot set up a Hildah Magala rebound goal to put Sweden 1-0 down in their opener against South Africa, a brief sense of foreboding set in. For all of Sweden’s accomplishments, they brought an aging team to New Zealand, one with a number of stars battling back from injury. South Africa was making them look slow. But Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfo tied the game with an into-the-mixer goal in the 65th minute, and a set piece goal put them ahead in the 90th.
On Saturday, Italy played them dead even for 38 minutes before a ferocious series of knockout punches — four goals in 12 minutes — turned a nip-and-tuck battle into a laugher.
An “aging team” can also be one loaded with unflappable experience. Rolfo, PSG’s Amanda Ilestedt, Wolfsburg’s Rebecka Blomqvist and the San Diego Wave’s Sofia Jakobsson have combined for nine goals in three matches, and a midfield of Manchester City’s Filippa Angeldahl, Hacken’s Elin Rubensson and Milan’s Kosovare Asllani has been excellent.
Why they won’t: It’s hard to trust the defense. Sweden has had to be unflappable because at times, they leave things unsettled. In last summer’s Euros, they needed a 79th minute goal to beat Switzerland, then a late stoppage-time goal to beat Belgium in the quarterfinals. And against better teams, their defense has been glitchy — they allowed four goals to England in the Euro semis and four to Australia and three to Norway in friendlies.
At this World Cup, they’ve only allowed one goal, but it’s come from 28 shots worth a combined 2.3 xG. And with the U.S. awaiting in the round of 16, the tests are just beginning.
Title odds, per Caesars: +10,000 (equivalent to 1%) How they got here: Defeated Philippines 2-0, drew Norway 0-0, drew New Zealand 0-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group C (Spain), Saturday
Why they will win it all: They’re in control. If you’re looking for exciting, pedal-to-the-metal action, look elsewhere. There hasn’t been a goal in a Switzerland match for 206 minutes and counting. But they still won Group A, beating the Philippines and nailing down back-to-back scoreless draws with Norway and New Zealand. Their secret weapon: They’re always calm. They averaged more passes per possession than each opponent to date, including Norway, and only ball hogs Spain, England and Germany have averaged more passes per possession in the tournament. They avoid high turnovers well, and they avoid damage from high turnovers brilliantly.
The centre-back pairing of Arsenal‘s Noelle Maritz and Zurich’s Julia Stierli has been almost mistake-free in both buildup play (Maritz has completed 88% of her passes) and fire-extinguishing (Stierli has won 82% of her duels, 67% in the air). And while Real Betis keeper Gaelle Thalmann has had to make only eight saves in three matches, she made them all. This team is almost impossible to break down.
Why they won’t: As with Jamaica, you do probably have to score at some point. Granted, it’s technically possible to win the World Cup with scoreless draws and penalty shootout victories, but that seems like a pretty tall ask. You’ll need to put the ball in the net.
Switzerland is not without talent in this regard. Their attack is led by Barcelona’s Ana Maria Crnogorcevic and PSG’s Ramona Bachmann, after all. But the duo has combined for just one goal from 11 shots worth 2.4 xG thus far. They won’t get many chances against the talented opponents on the knockout-round docket, so they have to be far more efficient with the chances they get.
What should be USWNT’s game plan for Sweden?
Sebastian Salazar and Ali Krieger look ahead to the USWNT’s next matchup vs. Sweden and react to Carli Lloyd’s criticism of the team.
Title odds, per Caesars: +400 (equivalent to 20%) How they got here: Defeated Vietnam 3-0, drew Netherlands 1-1, drew Portugal 0-0 Round-of-16 opponent: Winner Group G (Sweden), Sunday
Why they will win it all: Opponents are creating almost nothing. When you’ve won the past two World Cups (and reached the final in the one before that), the best team to compare you to is yourself. And from a defensive standpoint, the Americans have looked as good as ever.
Through the group stage in 2011, 2015 and 2019, the U.S. allowed an average of 1.0 goals from 23.3 shots worth 3.8 xG. In 2023, despite a tough group featuring the Netherlands and Portugal, they’ve allowed one goal from just 11 shots worth 0.7 xG. The Netherlands managed just five shots worth 0.4 xG, Portugal just six worth 0.3.
Obviously, Portugal nearly stole victory — and a spot in the knockout rounds — with a dramatic late shot off the post, but that was still a low-probability shot (0.07 xG), as was Jill Roord‘s goal for Netherlands through traffic (0.05). This defense, led by centre backs Naomi Girma and Julie Ertz and fullbacks Emily Fox and Crystal Dunn, has given opponents almost nothing. And in a tournament in which almost no one is finishing well, defense will give the U.S. a chance to make it three straight titles.
Why they won’t: Absolutely horrific finishing. Shockingly bad. Again, comparing the U.S. to themselves, here’s the output from their four most recent group stages.
2011: 3 matches, 6 goals from 68 shots worth 6.9 xG (0.10 per shot)
2015: 3 matches, 4 goals from 39 shots worth 3.3 xG (0.08 per shot)
2019: 3 matches, 18 goals from 82 shots worth 13.0 xG (0.16 per shot)
2023: 3 matches, 4 goals from 63 shots worth 8.1 xG (0.13 per shot)
If you’re looking for encouragement, the U.S. won the 2015 World Cup with a group stage attack even less effective than what we just saw. They were lucky to score even four goals that year, but they eased into the knockout rounds, scoring twice against Colombia and Germany before erupting for five goals in the final.
Krieger’s keys to USWNT improvement before Sweden clash
Former USWNT World Cup winner Ali Krieger explains the areas the side needs to address before its knockout clash with Sweden.
Again, the U.S. squad is defending even better than it did in 2015, allowing half as many shots through three matches, so maybe it’s possible to win four straight 1-0 matches. But even the “1” in “1-0” seems optimistic because American attackers couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn at the moment.
The U.S. scored three goals from shots worth 4.8 xG against Vietnam in the opening match, then managed only one goal from shots worth 3.3 xG against Netherlands and Portugal. Vlatko Andonovski switched things up, starting Lynn Williams for Trinity Rodman against Portugal, and she was on the receiving end of a number of great opportunities (six shots worth 1.3 xG) but couldn’t put one in the net. Alex Morgan has attempted 14 shots worth 2.9 xG and has scored on none of them.
If you want a positive spin, you could easily note that progression to the mean could be on the horizon. They’re not going to continue shooting this poorly. But finishing was an issue heading into the tournament, and the path ahead for the U.S. — potential matches against Sweden (in which key midfielder Rose Lavelle will be suspended), Japan, and either Spain or the Netherlands just to reach the final — offers absolutely no margin for error.Either the U.S. can progress to the mean immediately or they’ll be going home this weekend.
Lionel Messi scores 2 for Miami again as he inspires team to victory over OrlandoBy Paul Tenorio and The Athletic Staff ug 2, 2023
Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi notched the second brace of his MLS career with two goals against Orlando City SC, leading his team to a 3-1 victory in the 2023 Leagues Cup game on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:
At this point can it even really be considered a surprise that Messi scored? Three games into his Inter Miami tenure and five goals. The early finish against Orlando City might have been his easiest yet.
Robert Taylor — who has become a star playing alongside Messi — chipped a beautiful pass into the box to an unmarked Messi, who took it off his chest and volleyed home from six yards out. Taylor, who scored three goals with three assists in 33 games last season and added another two goals and four assists in 19 appearances this season before Messi arrived, now has three goals and two assists in two-plus games playing alongside Messi.
Perhaps as notable as the goal, however, was that Messi picked up a yellow card in the 21st minute for a harsh foul on Orlando City’s Wilder Cartagena, who had been man-marking him closely in the lead up to the foul. The frustration clearly built up enough for Messi to take a hack at Cartagena’s legs near midfield that drew the caution. — Tenorio
Messi got kicked, kicked back, got angry and then delivered again
When the halftime whistle sounded on Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi walked toward the tunnel next to Orlando City defender Cesar Araujo, his hand over his mouth as the two exchanged words.Through his first two games with Miami, Messi influenced the contests without much resistance from opponents. Last week against Atlanta United, he wasn’t fouled at all. That certainly wasn’t the case against Orlando City, which clearly entered with a plan to frustrate Messi and Sergio Busquets in this Florida derby.Just a couple minutes before the referee signaled for the half, Messi had checked to receive a pass, shoving his arm into Araujo’s back to send the defender flying. Araujo and Orlando City defender Kyle Smith immediately returned the favor seconds later, fouling Messi as he received the ball and turned upfield. Messi jumped to his feet and gestured at the referee to produce a yellow card. The official obliged, booking Smith. Inter Miami players flew in to defend Messi, pushing and shoving ensued.
Messi lies on the turf as the referee flashes a yellow card (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“It was just like a derby game should be,” said Inter Miami winger Robert Taylor.
As the cameras followed Messi and Araujo walking off the field at halftime, it was clear the Argentine star was peeved. Inter Miami players eventually separated Messi from his foil, but the Argentine legend looked over his shoulder as he entered the tunnel and waited for Araujo to catch up. He had a few more words.Just before cameras cut away, Messi was seen shoving his arm out at the Orlando players next to him.Orlando City’s plan to pester Messi may not have worked in limiting his influence — he scored twice to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 win — but, if nothing else, Orlando City elicited the first real fight out of Messi in a Miami jersey.And Messi looked more than up for it.
The Argentine picked up a yellow card, was chirping at opponents throughout the game and arguably could have had a second yellow for the shove on Araujo. Oh, and he also scored his fourth and fifth goals in just three games with Miami.None of it surprised Inter Miami manager Tata Martino. Not the goals — and certainly not the intensity.“He said he was coming to compete, he said he was coming to win things and he showed it today,” Martino said. “It was a clasico, it got heated in some moments of the game and, well, he’s doing what he said he would do.”
Messi is booked in the first half (Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
It was clear from the very start that Orlando City was not going to make things easy on the night, and their players were definitely not going to shy away from Miami’s stars. That was very much to be expected. Orlando is known as a more physical team, and despite Miami being in just its fourth season, there have been some good moments between the intra-state rivals.Even in the lead up to the game, an Inter Miami fan mural was splattered with purple paint.The early foul on Busquets set a tone. Messi immediately seemed up for the intensity of the game. Three minutes after the foul on Busquets, Messi gave Miami the 1-0 lead with a volley from six yards out. He was left unmarked and alone in the box, more space around him than probably at any other point in the game. Fifteen minutes after the goal, he picked up a yellow for kicking out at Orlando City’s Wilder Cartagena. He nearly doubled the lead 10 minutes after that, with a left-footed shot caroming off the post.Then, the confrontation just before halftime.Orlando City felt the sequence that started it all should have been a second yellow for Messi and an ejection for his push on Araujo.“It doesn’t matter who it is — if it’s a second yellow it needs to be treated the same,” Orlando City manager Oscar Pareja said.
Messi battles for possession with Cesar Araujo and Kyle Smith (Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
The yellow went to one of the players in purple instead. And when the whistle sounded, Messi found Araujo as they walked toward the locker rooms. Araujo, for his part, played down the halftime incident when asked about it after the game.“Absolutely nothing,” Araujo said in the mixed zone. “Normal things in a game, but no, nothing happened.”But if your eyes were trained on Messi during the game — and most were — it felt like a true rivalry game. The second half provided a dose of controversy to go with it all.A penalty was called just three minutes in when Josef Martinez looked to have been shoved down as he ran onto a pass. Replays showed Martinez went down easily. The referee did not go to video review. Messi told Martinez to take the penalty, and the 2018 MLS MVP buried it to the lower left corner.For Pareja, that call changed the tone and outcome of the entire game.
“Today was a circus,” Pareja said. “The PK is unbelievable. Unbelievable. I don’t know if the VAR came today.”The intensity in the game didn’t drop. Messi drew another yellow card on an Orlando player in the 57th minute when Mauricio Pereyra clattered into him. He stayed on the ground for two minutes holding his face before popping up to keep playing. In the 72nd minute, Messi essentially ended the game. This time, it was a clever flick from Martinez to Messi for an easy right-footed finish that made it 3-1.Ten minutes later, Messi was seen again on camera verbally sparring with an Orlando City player — this time Felipe Martins. In the end, there were 27 fouls in the game and seven yellow cards.
Inter Miami celebrates Messi’s first half goal (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
For Martino, it’s all a part of what will likely come with the territory this season for Miami. Playing against Inter’s trio of former Barcelona stars is probably going to bring out the best — and most intense — performances from other MLS teams.“It is just like in Spain playing Barcelona and Real Madrid — the opponents up their level,” Martino said. “In Argentina, if you are playing Boca vs River, the same thing happens. Talking about the individuals, ‘I’m going to play against Messi. I’m going to play against Busquets. I am going to play against Jordi.’ Of course this is additional motivation. Yes, I expect much more of these matches. No doubt this is going to be the case. But I know how they compete — they’ve been competing at the highest level for years.“So there is no reason to believe that even if the match is harsh and physical, that they won’t be able to play.”Wednesday night definitely demonstrated as much. Messi has entertained plenty in his first three games. He has provided the goals, as he has through his whole career. On this night, however, it was his intensity that stood out.He didn’t shy away from the fight. And it most certainly set up an intriguing storyline for when Messi and Miami head to Orlando on Septemeber 24.“I think it’s clear that the rivalry is going to be wilder and better,” Pareja said. “And we are ready to do it.”
Leagues Cup tiers: Which Knockout Round teams are favorites?
Matthew Doyle Tuesday, Aug 1, 2023, 11:35 AM
The Leagues Cup group stage is now, officially, in the books. That process brought us about two weeks of games fueled by a solid dose of unpleasantries almost every time out as the wheat was thoroughly separated from the chaff (and, somehow, Santos Laguna). Now, with a day to catch our breath and the knockout rounds just 24 hours away, it feels like a good time to take a look at the remaining 32 teams and, yes, break them into tiers.As always these teams are roughly in order of how good I think they are, but what really matters is the tier designation.And remember: Everyone’s chasing that shiny trophy, one of three 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup spots, some hefty prize money and bragging rights.
Tier 1: The Heavyweights
CF Monterrey (Liga MX)
Tigres UANL (Liga MX)
Club América (Liga MX)
When MLS folks – fans, front-office types, players, league officials – talk about needing to compete with the best in the region, they’re talking about these three giants. MLS sides actually have a winning record and positive goal differential against Liga MX sides in CCL play since 2016 if you remove the series against this triumvirate. Add those series back into the mix, however, and it gets grim.
And that’s because this trio basically owns the region. They’ve won eight of 13 CCL titles since 2010, and are the favorites to win every competition they enter. Having the biggest checkbook helps: In the past five years these teams have paid $10 million or more for 13 different players. MLS, as a whole over the entirety of the league’s history, has paid that much for just seven (four of those by Atlanta United).
Right now, based on form and past international precedent, it feels like Monterrey are probably the favorite here. They did their typical thing in game one and counterattacked Real Salt Lake to death, then had to play on the front foot after spotting the Seattle Sounders an early 2-0 lead but still cruised to a 4-2 win.
Los Rayados, led by Argentinian forward Germán Berterame, were just ruthless.
Tigres – who are the oldest team in the tournament in terms of age-weighted minutes – were less impressive in the group stage and seemed to be putting out just enough effort to win. They beat Portland and then San Jose by a goal each, never really getting out of third gear. That also describes the slow start to their Apertura season, which most (including me) are chalking up to a championship hangover after their Clausura win.
Then there’s Las Aguilas. After their 4-0 win over St. Louis in game 1, it looked like they were the best team in the tournament. Then they got clobbered 4-1 in the second game vs. the Crew, and that scoreline was not a mistake: Columbus utterly dominated the final 70 minutes.
Without taking anything away from Wilfried Nancy & Co. (you’ll see the Crew near the top of the next tier), I’m going to chalk much of América’s performance on Monday night up to complacency given the ease of their first group game. And I won’t be at all shocked if the blowout loss serves as a wake-up call.
Bear in mind América’s front three of Julián Quiñones, Henry Martín and Leo Suárez is maybe the best in the region, and is certainly the most well-balanced. Columbus only had to deal with all three of them for about 10 minutes in the middle of the second half. The Fire will have to handle that trio from the start (#PrayForChicago).
Anyway, give me the choice of these three vs. the field and it’s pretty easy: I’m taking these three.
Tier 2: Legit Contenders
Just because the triumvirate are favorites doesn’t mean it’s a fait accompli (ask Toronto, who beat both Tigres and América in the 2018 CCL before losing in the final to a much worse Chivas side). They can be beaten, though even in Liga MX they are dominant, winning 11 of 24 titles since the 2010 Apertura.
Here’s the group of teams that could win this thing without sending me into a state of shock-induced catatonia:
Club León (Liga MX)
Philadelphia Union (MLS)
FC Cincinnati (MLS)
Columbus Crew (MLS)
LAFC (MLS)
New England Revolution (MLS)
Deportivo Toluca (Liga MX)
Atlas FC (Liga MX)
Nashville SC (MLS)
This is the mix of smaller but dangerous Liga MX sides (including the current CCL champs in León) and the best in MLS.
A lot of folks seem to think of León as an older side, but other than their ageless wingers (Ángel Mena is 35 and still great), they’re mostly composed of guys smack in the primes of their careers. They will not be overawed by anything they come up against in this tournament.
Philly and Cincy are probably the two best MLS teams at the moment, and I don’t think anyone would be shocked if either of them got on a run that ended with a trophy. Philly are a little more dynamic in their ability to change shapes this year, which gives them a built-in tactical advantage Jim Curtin hasn’t been afraid to use, and that we saw in group stage wins over Querétaro and Tijuana. Cincy, meanwhile, picked up probably the best win of the group stage for any MLS club when they smashed a very good Chivas side (coached by former Fire manager Veljko Paunovic) 3-1 behind a Brandon Vazquez hattie.
As I said above: Club América were probably victims of a bit of complacency and overconfidence. But no matter the circumstances you have to be really, really good to hang four on the biggest team in the region. Nobody in any competition had done it since 2020, a span of 136 games.
So yeah, the Crew just sold their No. 10 in Lucas Zelarayán, and their defense is kind of questionable, and young Patrick Schulte is prone to the occasional gaffe. And it feels a year too soon for them to lift a trophy.They belong in this tier anyway. They know who they are, they know how they want to play (it’s the prettiest soccer in MLS) and they showed they can impose that style on giants.
LAFC are not remotely the same LAFC side that won the Supporters’ Shield/MLS Cup double last year, and they don’t look like the same side that made it all the way to the CCL final this spring. They have been poor since then, but they’ve made some additions this window that could (should?) lead to better balance. And in terms of overall talent, they check the boxes.
Same goes for the Revs, though I worry their propensity to throw both fullbacks forward at the same time leaves them wildly vulnerable to being countered to death. Still, they can hang three on anybody in this tournament, and that’s a pretty good foundation to build from even if it’s high-risk, high-reward.
The same goes for Toluca with their super-dynamic wingbacks, as we saw in their 4-3 win over Nashville. They were able to make the field huge and put fractures in that Coyotes’ diamond, then pull it apart. They followed that up with a comfortable 4-1 win over Colorado.Atlas have had to rebuild after their back-to-back league titles 18 months ago, and I’m not quite sure they belong at this level, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.I would maybe have Nashville higher on this list if I didn’t have the sneaking suspicion Gary Smith was slightly more interested in squad rotation and rest than he was in a deep run.
Tier 3: They Can’t Possibly Pull it Off, Can They?
Inter Miami CF (MLS)
They’ll have the best player on the field by a mile in every single game they play. I also think they’ll have the second-best player, and they’ve managed to create instant balance all over the field under Tata Martino. Of course, a 4-3-3 with Lionel Messi inverted on the right, two running 8s in front of Sergio Busquets and a field-stretching left winger would look perfect from the jump. Of course!
But 1) this team was a disaster as recently as two weeks ago, and 2) Atlanta and Cruz Azul are not good right now. Both are disorganized through midfield, which gave Messi and Busquets time and space – more than any of the remaining teams would give them – to have an outsized impact even by their own lofty standards.till, though… it’s Messi. He’s the greatest athlete I’ve ever seen, and the pieces around him fit. For the past two decades that’s been a trophy-winning blueprint.
Tier 4: An Uphill Climb
These are teams that, frankly, I do not think can win this thing:
Orlando City SC (MLS)
New York City FC (MLS)
Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
Querétaro FC (Liga MX)
Real Salt Lake (MLS)
CF Pachuca (Liga MX)
Pumas UNAM (Liga MX)
FC Dallas (MLS)
Minnesota United FC (MLS)
New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Mazatlán FC (Liga MX)
FC Juárez (Liga MX)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)
Portland Timbers (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
Charlotte FC (MLS)
D.C. United (MLS)
Orlando City gave Tigres hell in the CCL Round of 16 this spring and have only gotten better since then. I am maybe underrating their chances here, especially since Duncan McGuire is in match-winning form as a No. 9.
NYCFC have been desperately in need of one of those since Taty Castellanos left this time last year, and hope they’ve found one in new signing Mounsef Bakrar. The Algerian got his first Pigeons goal in his first start, though take it with a grain of salt since it came against a Toronto side that’s going to go down as the most disappointing team in recent MLS history.
Cruz Azul and Querétaro looked helpless against good teams. I don’t think they have it. RSL looked helpless against Monterrey specifically – again, I think that’s the best team in the region right now, so I might be over-indexing that loss. But it was emphatic and the West region is a blender.
Pachuca are actually the most successful Liga MX side of the past 25 years: seven league titles, five Champions League/Cup titles, and a Copa Sudamericana title, which makes them the only Concacaf team to have won a Conmebol tournament. And it’s not like they’ve disappeared since then – they got a bye directly into the knockout rounds here by topping the Liga MX aggregate table in 2022.
But unlike the three giants in Tier 1, Los Tuzos develop and sell (they have the best academy in Mexico), which means there are more ups and downs in their year-to-year performances. They’re in a down period now after raking in nearly $35 million in sales over the past three windows and reinvesting less than a third of it into the roster. Writing Pachuca off makes me itch, but this just isn’t the same group they were a year ago.
Pumas have had a good start to the Apertura and have a good No. 9 and a good CB pairing, but I think the best teams will run right through their midfield. Dallas are still a goalscorer short, as are Minnesota, RBNY and Houston (one of those teams should maybe make Pumas an offer they can’t refuse for Juan Dinenno).
Sporting were excellent against Cincinnati before Alan Pulido got his red, and looked so comfortable pulling Chivas apart and controlling the tempo in their 1-0 win on Monday night. I don’t think they have enough to do that five more times, but we’ll see.
Mazatlán and Juárez are fun stories, but no threat. Vancouver have had lots of good moments this year, including their late comeback to knock the Galaxy out, but just traded their most influential player and aren’t the kind of lock-down defensive team that can 1-0 their way through a bracket. The same goes for Portland, Chicago, Charlotte and D.C., each of whom did well just to get out of the group.
In this My Game In My Words series, The Athletic builds towards the Women’s World Cup by talking to leading players around the world to find out how they think about football, why they play the way they do and to reflect — through looking back at their key career moments — on their achievements so far.
Megan Rapinoe emerges from the locker room at OL Reign’s training facility and sits at one of the tables dotting the upper level of the building, overlooking an indoor field. There’s a banner featuring an action shot of Rapinoe directly behind her from the early days, when the team was still Seattle Reign FC. It’s a subtle reminder that she’s been here since the beginning, a decade ago.
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Her teammates trickle out in ones and twos, head coach Laura Harvey is floating around too. Some, when they realize Rapinoe’s watching back old clips of herself, wander over to figure out which one she’s looking at, offer up their own commentary or knock her on the shoulder.
It’s May 26 in Seattle, and Rapinoe’s retirement announcement is still almost two months away. Though in many ways, the announcement is expected. Rapinoe’s one of few Reign players left from day one of the team, along with Jess Fishlock and Lu Barnes — it’s not unheard of in the NWSL, which is just over a decade old, but you can count those players on a single hand. It can only last for so long.
Rapinoe’s ready to watch and talk soccer. But not just the typical highlights. The stuff players don’t usually talk about, too. The little things that can win matches and grate on opponents.
Rapinoe watching moments from throughout her career. (Photo: Meg Linehan, photographed on Google Pixel)
‘Just epic s—housery’
We start with the end: the art of protecting a slim lead and killing off a match by any means necessary — something Rapinoe deems “a brutal reality” before shrugging a little.
“I would love to play the beautiful game and do all the things and pass and score goals and all of it, but the whole point is winning. That is fun. That’s the most fun part,” she says.
If you can win and do it with great play? Amazing. But it’s not the point.
“Teams are throwing every single thing they possibly can,” Rapinoe says. “They’re going to be overly aggressive. I know how to use my body really well to put myself in between (a defender and the ball), to draw fouls or bait people into fouls. That’s your responsibility not to foul. It’s not my responsibility to have you not foul me, and I’m not going to do you any favors by using any of my might to stay up.”
This is especially true in a World Cup, which, for Rapinoe and the U.S. women’s national team, starts Friday at 9 p.m. ET against Vietnam.
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“You’re trying to get to the next game, period. The only thing that matters is winning. It doesn’t really matter how you do it,” Rapinoe says, gesturing to the tail end of the 2019 match against Spain that’s playing silently on the laptop before her. This game, she says, is a good example. A better one? The quarterfinal against France. “The last 30 minutes of that game was just epic s—housery.”
She finds this skill easier in the NWSL, not that she wants to insult other players in the league, but Rapinoe says play in the league can be more aggressive. “At the end of the game, they’re just kind of stabbing at (the ball),” she says.
“I understand which players are doing that and when you just have to step in front and fall down. I am getting fouled, but it’s just like, could I stay on my feet? Yeah, probably, but why would I do that? I’m going to use what I know you’re trying to do against you.”
But sometimes, she really is doing things just to do them.
Take the infamous eavesdropping incident in a 2018 Tournament of Nations match against Brazil. Marta and two other players are huddled around a free kick, hands on their hips. Rapinoe stands, silently, not even smiling, just off Marta’s shoulder.
Rapinoe watches the clip. “What’s going on?” she says, doing a little innocent voice, as Marta on-screen finally looks up and does a double take for Rapinoe’s enormous, sh—eating grin in response.
“I also just really enjoy it, it’s fun and part of the game to have a personality within the game. Sometimes it’s with referees. Sometimes it’s with players, sometimes it’s with fans. I always just want to be talking and yakking and seeing what’s going on — not even to get an advantage, sometimes it’s just funny to do it.”
She has a hint of that same smile on her face as she watches it back.
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“I can’t resist any joke whatsoever, no matter how inappropriate the timing is,” she says. “So anytime I can find a way to get a laugh, even just for myself, or get a joke in, I will.”
As amusing as it can be, for Rapinoe there is a serious element to this part of the game — a skill level, an art. She still doesn’t understand why more teams and players don’t embrace it, even as officials are now taking a different approach to stoppage time in matches. FIFA has already said to expect lengthier added time in both halves to fully account for stoppages in play, just like what happened in the men’s World Cup.
Rapinoe’s in favor of the change, but she also thinks it just means everyone has to be more clever. It’s more than just dribbling to the corner, it’s knowing when to draw fouls, when to stay on your feet.
“I tell Rose (Lavelle) all the time, ‘They did hit your ankle, and you’re in their half. You could just fall. You’re actually doing us a disservice because they’re doing everything they can, they’ll hit you five times without you falling, and then you do too much and now we’ve lost the ball.’”
And Rapinoe certainly thinks that it suits the USWNT to earn dead balls, especially late in a game.
“We can be very disciplined and very organized and very cutthroat about what we’re doing. There’s no need to do anything stupid,” she says. “You can boot the ball further, leave the ball on the ground, walk over, stand over it, talk, that’s gonna kill the game.”
There is a balance though. You have to be smart, she says, and not annoy the referee too much by lollygagging, only to end up with more time on the clock.
“If you can kill the game, win the game and move on, who cares what anybody says about how you did it?”
Rapinoe announced that she will retire after the 2023 NWSL season (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
‘I literally do like five things over and over and over again’
In this final year of her career, it’s no secret that Rapinoe’s role has changed on the national team. It’s one of the bigger narratives heading into the tournament. The personnel has changed from the U.S.’s 2019 World Cup win and the younger generation is taking more and more minutes, with that’s the introduction of Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman, the resurgence of Mal Swanson (then her loss via injury) and the retirement of Carli Lloyd.
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With chemistry to build on this summer, Rapinoe jokes first about players entering the USWNT environment needing to learn her tendencies.
“So wild because I’ve been here for 1,000 years, I literally do like five things over and over and over again,” she says in her usual deadpan delivery, before she answers the question for real: it’s on her. Since she’s the one who’s been around, she feels she can adjust better and more quickly.
The lessons for her are by example. “This is actually how you get on the field,” she says, laughing, “and build peoples’ trust. Showing this is how you open up space, that’s how you get people open. The defense can’t cover everything at one time, so you have to make it difficult, make their choices difficult. Whatever you want to give us? We’ll kill you with that.”
It has been difficult at times. She knows how to play with Crystal Dunn and Lindsey Horan, playing with Alex Morgan is “super easy and second nature.” As new people have entered, it’s gotten “clunky” at times, she admits, but the solution is consistency and communication around her runs, her movement and her expectation of other players.
Rapinoe’s ability to read space has paid off for the USWNT plenty over the years, but take, for instance, her goal against Germany last fall. Watching the clip, Rapinoe murmurs to herself, “Just hanging out over there,” as Morgan’s first attempt at a central pass is intercepted by Felicitas Rauch, before Ashley Sanchez applies pressure and forces a turnover back to Morgan.
This time, Morgan’s cross from the endline finds a wide-open Rapinoe, who threads the needle past a diving defender and the goalkeeper.
“I try not to do any unnecessary running whatsoever,” Rapinoe says, much to nearby OL Reign head coach Harvey’s amusement.
“Being in the right place at the right time is the most important thing,” Rapinoe continues. “The best players are always in the right spot, and that’s why they’re the best. That’s why they have assists and goals and are impactful, so the positioning of yourself in the right place is the movement. Sometimes you need to move and run and make the sacrificial run, but sometimes you just need to stand there.”
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It’s an ongoing discussion she’s been having with 21-year-old Rodman. Rapinoe thinks Rodman’s instincts are good, but she also thinks sometimes Rodman does too much work on her defensive recoveries.
“She can recover everywhere,” Rapinoe says, “but I’m like, ‘You don’t have to.’”
The entire approach can be simplified down to one defining concept: “I’m constantly trying to position myself in a dangerous place.”
Next, a clip from a Reign game against the Orlando Pride in October 2022, during the team’s run to the NWSL Shield. (The official NWSL highlight clip somehow misses out on her crucial first and second touch, but it’s in the replay, beginning at the :37 mark.)
“That honestly might be one of the best things I’ve ever done in my career, individual skill-wise. Yeah, that second touch was,” she doesn’t bother finishing the sentence. We just know. She says she didn’t realize in the moment how good that second touch was until she watched it back after the game.
“Just getting it out of my feet like that and getting away from any kind of pressure and being able to set me up to do that,” she says, referring to her assist to forward Bethany Balcer. But did she see the run from Balcer that quickly?
“I’m just putting it into a dangerous spot and you need to be there,” she says. That knowledge is something Balcer has, thanks to years of playing alongside Rapinoe now. It’s something Rapinoe says everyone who plays with her knows. “Sometimes if we have to have a look about it, it’s already a little bit too late. But Boats (Balcer) is so good running across the near post like that.”
For this clip, Rapinoe has a secret. “I probably didn’t mean the (nut)meg, if I have to say it. I want to be a liar here.”
Rapinoe nutmegs the defender, putting the ball right through her legs.
The key, according to Rapinoe, is the ability to take little touches like this in order to deceive. Her defender is in charge of reading her, and making it harder to do that is a difference-maker. Ensuring that the teammate on the other end of that pass knows what she’s about to do is also key, but Rapinoe says there’s a little extra give on a play like this.
“For players who are smart like me and play like that — Kristie (Mewis) is one of them, Lindsey (Horan) is one of them, Crystal (Dunn)’s one of them — who use that deception a lot, it’s really easy for them to understand where I’m going. Then it doesn’t have to be perfect because there’s so much deception,” she says. “That’s the other part of it, sometimes even with the balls like the one to Bethany, if you’re putting it in a dangerous position early like that and it’s unexpected, it doesn’t have to be perfect, it doesn’t have to be pinpoint. You have a bit more leeway, but you’ve given yourself that leeway by doing it in a way that people weren’t expecting.”
That clip reveals Rapinoe’s favorite: passing. She swoons a little when she starts to talk about it, she loves passing. She loves the assist that sets up the assist. The pass that can cut a team open like Meredith Grey with a scalpel — but it’s also something she struggles to explain precisely.
“I just feel where space is, and feel where I am in the space,” she says. “Passing is the best, I love it, maybe even more than scoring goals. So much fun when you know you’ve unlocked somebody.”
Rapinoe points to a clip she’d already watched, a tidy sequence of wing interplay between herself, Horan and Emily Sonnett, which starts practically at their corner flag and results in Rapinoe right-footing it through two Brazilian players ahead to Lynn Williams.
Rapinoe receives a pass with some space to operate.
“The little pass to Lindsey, that just opens everything up. Now we can play…”
“The really simple, against-the-grain or diagonal balls are so deadly. You really can’t do anything about it. Your team is set up to keep you on one side and when you can slip it out the other side? The best,” she says, a giant grin on her face.
Rapinoe laces a long pass ahead to Williams, past all of Brazil’s defenders.
“I’m like, ‘Got ‘em!’”
‘I feel like I’m in therapy right now’
The bronze medal match against Australia during the 2021 Olympics came after a long, strange, uncharacteristic tournament for the USWNT. The day before the match, she told head coach Vlatko Andonovski, “Maybe I’ll just shoot it!”It wasn’t the first time she had scored an Olimpico (a goal scored straight from a corner kick) in the Olympics either, which is a rare goal to begin with, but pulling off two in two different Games is Rapinoe-levels of absurd and elite. In fact, Rapinoe’s first, which came at London 2012, was the first ever Olimpico in the Olympics.“Sometimes it’s like, I’m not totally shooting it but I’m not not shooting it, but I’m thinking about it, and I’m trying to put it in the most dangerous place. But I did know that it was going to be a little bit more open, so I tried to just—” she gestures in the direction of the laptop.Maybe less important than the technique on this one is that she very much has evidence that it was intentional. “I was claiming that one, because I said it the day before.”We watch again, this time focusing less on her and more on what’s happening in front of goal.“Not exactly prowess at the back post, lovey, Pressy,” she says with fondness for Christen Press. “I just felt it was a little exposed, and I don’t trust most goalkeepers — except ours. Lys (Alyssa Naeher) would never let something like this happen, way too cautious.”If there’s something that Rapinoe can truly hang her hat on, though, it’s the penalty kick.And for Rapinoe, routine is queen.“I don’t think I could overstate that enough because you cannot control what it’s going to feel like in this moment, in a bigger moment, in the biggest moment.” The routine gives her a process, a script — comfort despite the uncertainty of every different time she’s taken one.She relies on that routine, detouring from the selected clips and telling the story of a penalty she had recently taken in Louisville (notably during the NWSL’s 1,000th game) — and one that she found herself nervous to take.“I haven’t taken one in a while, my season is just getting going, I feel like I haven’t quite really found the form that I want to get into still,” she says. But the routine allowed her to distance herself from that emotion and find it interesting rather than disruptive. The emotion didn’t take over. Still, she found herself touching her shirt more. Her shorts, too.“Because I have such a routine, I notice when something’s different,” she says.“I feel like I’m in therapy right now. But I am,” she laughs, “so it’s helping.”
“I always encourage people to say out loud the thing that they’re scared of,” Rapinoe says. “Literally, you could lose the World Cup, and what are you going to do?”Rapinoe detours a little further with the storytelling, recounting how Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning said he wasn’t embarrassed after a lopsided Super Bowl defeat — they didn’t purposefully lose, they had gone out and done their best. That’s stuck with her.“I would bet on myself taking it, I would bet on my teammates taking it. I always want to take one and do my best. This is literally all you can do, right?”There’s one thing about penalties people always ask her about, and she doesn’t know how to answer: When does she decide where she’s placing the ball?
“I don’t really know. It’s somewhere in the lead-up,” she finally says with a shrug and a laugh.
“I don’t really watch the goalkeepers, either. I feel what they’re doing, but ultimately, if you can smack it hard and in a good enough place, I don’t think they can save it.”
There’s one final clip for her to watch, one that might sum up the different elements of her game that we’ve been discussing for the better part of an hour. Harvey’s still floating around behind us, and she walks over for this one because it’s another Reign clip — Rapinoe’s late, stoppage time winner against the Pride in August 2022.
Rapinoe watches it through once and starts laughing when she hits her celebration, whipping off her shirt.
“I just love the end of a game,” she sighs.
Rapinoe watches it again, talking to her past self on the screen. “Get in the box, get in the box,” she says.
“Sometimes I do have a tendency to hang out too far back, and I was like, ‘You gotta get in there.’ It’s good, (Sofia Huerta) balls are ridiculous, she’s so special at that.”
Harvey interjects: “We were weather-delayed, as well.” The stands are nearly empty, to say a thousand people were there to see her score this goal would be generous.
“Rose doing something crazy at the top of the box, but it worked out,” Rapinoe says slowly, before everyone breaks into laughter.
“Oh, this is such a good ball. Outside of my foot, I just booted it. These games, literally anything can happen. There’s so much faking it until I make it, all the time. But you just have to do that, I’ve learned that from my years on the national team. It could happen, there’s two minutes left, you could score two goals. You have to believe that because otherwise, if you never try you’re never gonna do it.”
“I always feel like I have a really good spatial awareness of where I am, and where other players are,” Rapinoe says.
Maybe that’s the secret. It’s been a theme the whole conversation: that Spidey sense, of sorts. Rapinoe can’t always capture it in words, but it’s always there. It works for passing, scoring goals, movement, every facet of her game. She just knows when people are moving, even if she doesn’t know exactly where they are on the field.
Watching one penalty kick clip, she says, “I couldn’t have told you that she was going to dive right, I just have that feel a little bit. That’s probably my biggest talent, to be honest.”
Rapinoe confirms it to herself.
“That’s why I’m so good and why I’ve been able to be good, that’s my talent. I’m not an exceptional dribbler, I’m not faster. That’s how I’ve been able to unlock the game for myself, being able to find pockets, be in those pockets and find space and work off my teammates.”
It’s about time to go. This is the longest the two of us have ever talked about the actual soccer on the field, but there’s a game the next day. Rapinoe will go on to provide three assists in a 4-1 win for the Reign against Angel City FC, making her only the fifth player in the NWSL to do so. She loves passing.
Before she goes though, just one final question: any closing thoughts on your games in your words?
Rapinoe laughs.
“I mean, you just never know what’s going to happen, because I don’t. That’s what I always say.”
The My Game In My Words series is part of a partnership with Google Pixel. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photos: Bob Drebin / ISI Photos, Brad Smith / USSF, Ira L. Black / Corbis)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, July 29) – Traveling to Kentucky for the second game of a two-game road trip, Indy Eleven played at Louisville City FC for the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. A 28th-minute goal by Elijah Wynder would prove to be the difference as Louisville City FC would go on to earn all three points at home.
In the 28th minute, a pass from Oscar Jimenez found an open Elijah Wynder who dribbled it just under the glove of Yannik Oettl, giving Louisville a 1-0 lead.
Indy had the chance to equalize in the 37th minute, when a shot by Sebastian Velasquez just inside the box steered left of the net in what was Indy’s first shot of the half.
Despite Indy dominating the possession battle (71%-29%), Louisville outshot the Boys in Blue 7-1 in the first half.
In the 65th minute, a Jimenez corner kick found Cameron Lancaster in the box, who delivered a header that found the back of the net, giving Louisville a 2-0 lead.
Yannik Oettl made an impressive save on a Sean Totsch header in the 71st minute to keep the deficit to two.
For the match, Indy controlled the possession battle (68%-32%) but was outshot by Louisville City 14-7 and 5-0 in shots on goal.
Next up, the Boys in Blue head home to host Memphis 901 FC for a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday, August 5. Single-game tickets for all home games at IUPUI Carroll Stadium and specially-priced group tickets and an increased portfolio of hospitality options are available for purchase now via indyeleven.com/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100 during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.).
USL Championship Regular Season Louisville City FC 2:0 Indy Eleven Saturday, July 29 Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, Ky.
Discipline Summary IND – Robby Dambrot (caution) 61’ IND – Aodhan Quinn (caution) 67’ IND – Adrian Diz Pe (caution) 86’ IND – Younes Boudadi (caution) 90+4’
Louisville City FC line-up (3-4-3): Oliver Semmle, Sean Totsch, Rasmus Thellufsen (Niall McCabe 90’), Wes Charpie, Brian Ownby (Ray Serrano 90’), Tyler Gibson, Amadou Dia, Cameron Lancaster (Wilson Harris 85’), Oscar Jimenez (Manny Perez 85’), Elijah Wynder, Kyle Adams
Louisville Subs: Carlos Moguel Jr., Danny Faundez, Maarten Pouwels
Indy Eleven line-up (3-4-3): Yannik Oettl, Macaulay King, Callum Chapman-Page (Mechack Jerome 59’), Adrian Diz Pe, Robby Dambrot (Harrison Robledo 70’), Aodhan Quinn, Jack Blake (Roberto Molina 85’), Sebastian Velasquez (Solomon Asante 70’), Douglas Martinez, Sebastian Guenzatti (captain), Stefano Pinho (Younes Boudadi 59’)
Wembley will host the 2023-24 Champions League final (Justin Tallis/Getty Images)
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Crocker started in his role full-time on Aug. 2 (Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
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Balogun takes in his new home (AS Monaco)
Monaco’s sparkling new training centre (Matt Slater/The Athletic)
Ben Yedder playing against RC Strasbourg earlier this month (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Balogun and Scuro pose for the cameras (Matt Slater/The Athletic)
Balogun’s stint on loan at Middlesbrough was part of his education (Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Balogun during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States (Jose L Argueta/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
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Expect the unexpected
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Pulisic opens his Serie A account (Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)
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Aaronson tussles with Borussia Dortmund’s Emre Can (Fantasista/Getty Images)
Brenden Aaronson playing for Union Berlin against Mainz earlier this month (Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
(From left) Marcel Wenig, Ellyes Skhiri, Aaronson and Timothy Chandler in training (Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Aaronson loves the energetic nature of the Bundesliga (Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
The Yellow Wall at Signal Iduna Park (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Aaronson playing for Philadelphia Union in May 2021 (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Toppmoller has taken Aaronson under his wing (Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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Wiegman on the touchline against Australia (Ane Frosaker/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Wiegman and Veurink in training (Photo: Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Carter in action against Australia (Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
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Fans are flocking to more cities than just Fort Lauderdale to see Messi (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Messi’s arrival has seen ticket sales increase in many cities (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
It’s unclear if Messi will play at Atlanta (Photo: Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Ilestedt and Eriksson celebrate during Sweden’s match against South Africa. (Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images)
Spain vs. Sweden, Tuesday
England vs. Australia, Wednesday
Zecira Musovic in action for Sweden in their round-of-16 win against the U.S. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)
Mary Earps has made some vital saves for England at the World Cup (David Rogers/Getty Images)
Ayaka Yamashita is in great form for Japan (Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Turner playing for Arsenal in the FA Cup last season (Photo: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Henderson suffered an injury in January (Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Turner celebrates after the Gold Cup shootout victory over Canada last month (Photo: Jeff Dean/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Can Arsenal dethrone Manchester City? (James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Newcastle and Chelsea of the… Big Seven? (Jason Allen/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Haaland celebrating goal number one of 36 in the Premier League last season (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
A pre-seasoned Mykhailo Mudryk (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Sam Allardyce at Leeds in 2022-23. Will he take part in 2023-24? (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Casey Phair (left) is the youngest player to appear in a World Cup. Photo by Bradley Kanaris, Getty Images./cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/GUILR7XFHNHITJ5REHVFLKEAXY.jpg)
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Rapinoe’s nephew, Austin, consoles her after the loss. (Photo: Alex Grimm – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
The USWNT are out of the tournament (Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Adams at the World Cup last season playing for USMNT (Photo: Tim Nwachukwu via Getty Images)
Martens celebrating with her UEFA Women’s Euros Player of the Tournament trophy in August 2017 (Photo: John Thys/AFP via Getty Images)
Martens won the Golden Woman Player 2021 during her time with Barcelona (Photo: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)Wiegman, under whom the Netherlands reached the 2019 World Cup final, turned out to be a good fit for her. “She always gave me a lot of freedom to play on my feelings,” Martens recalled. “She always said to enjoy and have fun, instead of saying: ‘Hey — if you get the ball over there, I want you to do this’. There’s some instructions but in many things she let me be free.”She credits her touch to the work she put in as a youngster. Aged 10, she would reject kickabouts with the local kids in favour of more technical training. She would line cones across the football field directly behind her parents’ house in Bergen to practise her dribbling or slam the ball against the wall to work on her first touch and close control.“I did a lot on my own because when I was younger I only had practice twice a week with the boys,” she said. “I didn’t have that much time to get better. After school, often I didn’t even want to play with other kids. They couldn’t understand why I was often doing things by myself. It was so satisfying if you had a good touch when you kick the ball as high as possible in the air. Controlling the ball was a big achievement. From that I have this touch I can still count on.”As a child, she tried to copy Ronaldinho, watching YouTube videos of his dribbling and skills. Her role for the Netherlands can be likened to Arjen Robben, the men’s international winger. She has analysed clips of him “doing little touches because I know if you do this quick enough no one can catch you.”During her five seasons with Barcelona beginning in 2017, her versatility was evident — the club played her more like a No 10 and a No 9. Sometimes she played between the lines and sometimes as a winger.Martens moved to PSG in 2022 and in her debut year she won the Division 1 Feminine goal of the season for her volley in their 3-1 win over Dijon.This goal is another great example of her instinctiveness. Martens says that she had glanced where she wanted to shoot before the ball came to her. “If you don’t know before your first touch, it’s impossible to shoot (accurately)” she explained. “With your first touch you turn your body to goal. I moved to the left, (adjusted my) body shape and scanned where the goal was.”
Martens joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2022 (Photo: Armando Babani/Getty Images)
Norway produced their best performance to advance (Photo: SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Sam Kerr roars on Australia (Getty Images)
Japan topped their group without conceding a goal (Getty Images)
Lauren James starred against China (Getty Images)
The USWNT scraped through after being held by Portugal (Getty Images)
Jamaica players celebrate advancing to the knockout stage after the scoreless draw. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Sweden topped the group with a perfect record (Getty Images)
Two-time winners Germany are out (Getty Images)
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen, Getty Images.
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Jamaica (Second place, Group F)
Messi lies on the turf as the referee flashes a yellow card (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Messi is booked in the first half (Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Messi battles for possession with Cesar Araujo and Kyle Smith (Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Inter Miami celebrates Messi’s first half goal (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Rapinoe watching moments from throughout her career. (Photo: Meg Linehan, photographed on Google Pixel)
Rapinoe announced that she will retire after the 2023 NWSL season (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Rapinoe nutmegs the defender, putting the ball right through her legs.
Rapinoe receives a pass with some space to operate.
Rapinoe laces a long pass ahead to Williams, past all of Brazil’s defenders.
The Ole BallCoach 