The back line got dissected when Japan wanted to. They were super confused when Japan was overloading them with numbers, it was really impressive to see how they attack. Their movement in transition and in the final third was really fun to watch.

Really, scores aside, nobody thought the USWNT got completely outplayed?

Japan played more through balls and almost every time a player made a driving run, they were served the ball. They played more direct and we re-cycle the ball more.

It was a good game with a good amount of back and forth though. I think both goals were the result of keeper errors, colliding w defender and redirecting the ball into the field.

For all those who think 20 short passes is the end all be all and the only way to play, look at the game last night.

The Japanese team was fast and direct. It worked. There is a place for both styles in the game.

Anonymous wrote:Tuned up by Japan. Without better athletes and size US would have been passed around today. Thank goodness size and speed are still paramount in USWNT recruiting.

Let’s not be all gloom and doom from this one game. No country wins all international events. They were missing main goal scorers Rodman, Smith, Swanson and had many very young players. The future looks bright.

Tuned up by Japan. Without better athletes and size US would have been passed around today. Thank goodness size and speed are still paramount in USWNT recruiting.

Anonymous wrote:I think I'm going with [some slightly out of position but it sounds like Coach is mixing things up a little]

Campbell
Sonnett
Mckeown
Dunn
Sams
Yohannes
Heaps
Sentnor
Biyendolo
Macario
Shaw

Campbell
McKeown
Sentnor
Heaps
Yohannes
Sonnett
Coffet
Dunn
Macario
Ryan
Fox

I was a little off but not terribly. Good mix of old and new guard

I like most of the fresh faces. Some need to go back and recover a bit more but most look good.

Anonymous wrote:Cooper is looking ROUGH. I know she scored and I know she was injured but she needs more recovery time for sure.

Yes, I hope she can sharpen up... cherry picking goals does not mean much... 'I should know, my kid cherry-picks all the time -ugh!' Glad she's on the mend, that is a tough thing to recover from, wishing her continued success!

Sentnor is fun to watch.

Cooper is looking ROUGH. I know she scored and I know she was injured but she needs more recovery time for sure.

I think I'm going with [some slightly out of position but it sounds like Coach is mixing things up a little]

Campbell
Sonnett
Mckeown
Dunn
Sams
Yohannes
Heaps
Sentnor
Biyendolo
Macario
Shaw

Tonight was messy. Who is your starting 11 going into match vs Japan?

Both goal scorers are wonderful examples of reslience coming back from the cursed acl injury