USWNT gets off to a slow start in New Zealand as Lynn Williams scores again

The United States women’s national team opened in 2023 with a win 4-0 New Zealand on Wednesday in Wellington.

Mallory Swanson (nee Pugh) scored the opening goal seven minutes into the break, giving life to a US attack that was barely available for the first 45 minutes. Swanson added a second goal nine minutes later, and Alex Morgan and Lynn Williams was also on the scoreboard.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, etc (US)

The teams will meet again on Saturday in Auckland as the Americans use the trip to prepare on and off the field for this summer Women’s World Cup. The United States will be playing the entire group stage of the World Cup in New Zealand and at the two venues used this week, giving the two-time defending champions a glimpse of what their tournament life will be like.

JUMP TO: Best/worst performer | Highlights and remarkable moments | Quotes after the game | main statistics | upcoming match schedule

rapid response

1. America still needs to put in its best

Urgent, urgent, urgent. A slight shift in the US collective form model: Americans are best at playing at a faster pace. A big part of the success in recent years has been the high pressure on opponents to pass the ball in dangerous positions.

Wednesday’s first half was an idiot from the United States, who methodically tried to break New Zealand’s tight 4-4-2 by playing central. The result is a lot of central defenders Becky Sauerbrunn and Naomi Girma play together, followed by an optional spin in the middle of the park. Fortunately for the United States, New Zealand, lacking a number of starters due to matches played outside the FIFA window, made no progress.

Exceptional fitness and four substitutions to start the second half are part of the reason the games are open. But the general American urgency is markedly different. Swanson and The Holy Trinity Rodman space attack on their respective flanks. Emily Fox and Sofia Huerta push higher from their full-back position.

The US decided to bring the game to New Zealand. Why it took 45 minutes to do so is still a point for improvement.

2. The 6th position is still a mystery

The Julie ErtzThe -size hole is still in place for the United States. Wednesday brought another attempt at a solution. Taylor Kornieck started coming to America for the first time, playing the role of number 6 Andi Sullivan mainly used in 2022.

Kornieck plays higher on the court for San Diego Wave FC, so the move is a gamble to some extent. USA head coach Vlatko Andonovski told HBO Max broadcasts during pregnancy that Kornieck offered “an opportunity for us to try something different” and experiment with unpredictable movements. .

The latter didn’t really happen. Lindsey Horan often dropped deep to create a brace and get on the ball, but the Kornieck-Horan combination did not create much space in the first half, often being pulled wide in an attempt to find space. Kornieck was substituted for Sullivan early in the second half, when the game changed dramatically.

Whether Kornieck is the answer for the role or not, her very presence as a starter there on Wednesday suggests that Andonovski has yet to settle on the answer for the position. this mind. Sam’s Coffee is another, less experienced option.

3. Lynn Williams is back in time

Lynn Williams returned to the field after a nearly year-long absence with a hamstring injury, entering Wednesday’s game in the 67th minute. Williams last played for the United States in February 2022 and did not play in the game at all. regular season of the National Women’s Soccer League. She has been traded since Current Kansas City arrive NJ/NY Gotham FC last week, on draft date.

A healthy Williams offers the best defensive presence of any forward in America. She changes the way the team defends from the top and allows for higher, more relentless pressure. Williams returned at just the right time for a US team that was in need of that spark.

On Wednesday, she also marked her comeback with a goal — and an impressive one. Seven minutes into the game, Williams adjusted his body mid-air to head Rodman’s pass and generate enough force to beat the New Zealand goalkeeper with ease. Erin Nayler.

The goal was an exclamation point for Williams’ long-awaited return. Even in a crowded group of strikers, Williams offers the two-way play that Andonovski will need at the World Cup.

Best and worst performers

GOOD: rose – Once again, Lavelle remains the only (healthy) US player capable of breaking disciplined opponent defenses. In slow dribbling or passing, Lavelle is the catalyst of this team. Support hitting that heel? Any.

GOOD: Mallory Swanson — A quiet first half gave way to a quick double in the second half. For club or country, Swanson running in isolation with defenders is a recipe for success.

GOOD: Margaret Purce – A dull American first half punctuated by Purce wanting to attack defenders 1v1. It was an encouraging return for the winger who was dropped from the roster in October and November.

THE WORST: Ashleigh Ward — Sometimes loses position and reveals 1v1, especially in the second half.

THE WORST: gabi rennie – Even if the home team defended well in the first half, they did not have a chance to advance.

THE WORST: Neville’s grace — The United States finds its greatest joy in isolating Neville on its flanks.

Highlights and remarkable moments

In the first half, the United States dominated the ball, but mainly in areas that did not pose a danger to the New Zealand defense.

Morgan, Swanson & Purce combined to complete 19 passes in the first half.

Six teammates finished at least 27 each. Sauerbrunn & Girma each has 58 pieces. pic.twitter.com/3UGbLx22fm

– Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) January 18, 2023

Swanson scored the first two goals in a row.

️ for @MalPugh

📺 @HBOMax pic.twitter.com/qrsRNDJFoA

– United States women’s national soccer team (@USWNT) January 18, 2023

After the game: What the player/manager said

USWNT’s Lavelle: “We had to find the ball a little bit more between their seams, and get the ball a little bit more in the middle for them to collapse and then find our wingers. We, obviously have some things to clean up, but a really good response.”

Williams of the USWNT: “It feels great, but I dedicate it to my teammates – they were with me all the way and supported me and were like, ‘You’ve done this, Lynn.’ So it feels unbelievable.”

main statistics

– Swanson scored 4th double for the US national team

– Morgan scores his 120th international goal

– It was the biggest home crowd ever for a Ford Football Ferns match with 12,508 fans in attendance

Next

USA: The United States again faced New Zealand in a friendly on January 20, before playing its first SheBelieves Cup match against Canada on February 16.

New Zealand: After the friendly against the US, New Zealand will face Portugal in a friendly on February 17.