The United States women’s national team Opening the SheBelieves Cup 2023 with bold win 2-0 than the reigning Olympic champion Canada. winger Mallory Swanson scored twice in the first half, the first with a sharp finish and the second with a shot deep inside the Canadian third defence.
The rest of the match was played with more class, but the US was able to comfortably watch the match come to an end. Combined with Brazil’s 1-0 win over Japan earlier in the day, this win puts the United States at the top of the table. She believes in cup Goal difference rankings. The SheBelieves Cup is the second final international competition for the United States before the 2023 Women’s World Cup kicks off in July, held in Australia and New Zealand.
Off the field, the game begins with show solidarity between American and Canadian players on two front lines. Players from Canada have been in a very public dispute with their federation over funding and wages, something the American players have expressed support for and both teams have worn bracelets in support. for transgender students due to recent legislation in Florida, where the match took place.
rapid response
first. USWNT started fast and made it difficult for Canada
It’s fascinating to think that the upheaval in Canada’s camp over the past few days – first they didn’t play for lack of league support, then suddenly they – contributed to the way the first few minutes played out. . Purple boots with “Enough is enough” adorned for them says quite a bit about how Canadian players feel about their league right now.
But the fact remains that the US cornered their northern neighbor from the opening whistle, and didn’t really let Canada breathe until about 20 minutes into the game.
At that time, the United States led 1-0 thanks to Swanson (née Pugh) and possibly more. Swanson’s first attempt to score came just 12 seconds into the game, although the Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was in a good position to stop her narrow shot. Sheridan did a great job to save Ashley Sanchezhis effort a minute later, and there was the thought, however brief, that this could be one of the nights for the United States in front of goal.
But Swanson soon banished such thoughts in the seventh minute, scoring from 16 yards after Alex Morgan – honored for her 200th camp before the game – emotional The Holy Trinity Rodman‘s diagonal back to the top of the box.
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The United States eventually had to slow down and eventually did so midway through the first half, allowing the visitors to have first long possession around 22 minutes. But Canada still looked a bit stunned, and Swanson later doubled the lead for the home team in the 34th minute. Morgan pressured Vanessa Gilles on a weak pass, and when Sheridan tried to create a better angle, Swanson swooped in and shot the net.
The only time the United States was under pressure was when they were sloppy with the ball in their own half. One such incident took place in extra time in the first half when the defender Chef Alana give the ball to Canada Janine Beckiebut the American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was there to save the shot then with a brilliant save.
High-pressing strategy is something that the US cannot apply in every match. Brazil and Japan, the other opponents in this tournament are certainly skilled enough to play with such an approach. But Thursday’s game showed that if it’s used at the right time, it can be hugely effective.
2. Swanson tries his best to get a guaranteed World Cup spot
Is Swanson at the best of her career? At least at the international level, a strong case can be made. It is true that she has had a not-so-bad 2022, scoring 11 goals in 17 regular season games for the team. Chicago red starand scored seven more for the USWNT, including one in the Concacaf W Championship semi-final against Costa Rica.
But now Swanson is taking his game to the next level.
Thursday’s game had four consecutive goalscoring games, and now has five goals for the year. Better yet, she constantly finds herself in an advantageous position to have a clear view of the target.
All that said, Swanson cannot belittle anything when there is competition in winger positions including Lynn Williams, China Purce, Megan Rapinoe and the absent Sophia Smith. newcomer The Holy Trinity Rodman was also in that group, although on this night she failed to take advantage of the opportunities that opened up to her.
But at the moment, Swanson is making it impossible for USA head coach Vlatko Andonovski to take her out of the squad.
3. Position and personnel to answer question number 6
show continued absence of Julie Ertz, the position held by midfielder has become a hot topic in recent times about who will take over. That is it Andi Sullivan, Sam’s Coffee, Lindsey Horan or Taylor Kornieck?
In this game, Sullivan took over that number 6 defensive midfielder, although Horan was often at her side to help come up with another alternative during the build-up. Having said that, Sullivan didn’t hurt the prospect of keeping his place in the lineup. While Sullivan’s strength was her distribution, she made some tricky tackles in the first half that helped keep Canada under pressure.
So maybe the problem is not with the personnel but with their location. Horan’s mobility and skill means an additional escape but also an escape that can provide some defensive help when needed. In her comments after the game, Horan seemed to prefer playing deeper alongside Sullivan.
The prospect of facing Japan and Brazil in the remaining matches will present the US with a very different test. But it’s worth trying to work with Sullivan/Horan again ahead of the World Cup later this summer.
Best and worst performers
Best: Mallory Swanson, USWNT
The goal didn’t come easier than Swanson’s second, but she finished the first with confidence.
Best: Kailen Sheridan, Canada
Sheridan kept the game from spiraling out of control in the earliest moments, including a classy save from Ashley Sanchez’s header in the third minute.
Best: Andi Sullivan, USWNT
There was a lot of question about the 6 position, and while Horan dropped deep to assist in the attack, Sullivan made some solid tackles and was also very responsive on the ball.
Worst: Vanessa Gilles, Canada
Gilles had a nightmare night in terms of his distribution. Aside from her blunder in Swanson’s second minute, she nearly gifted the US another goal late in the first half, only to make up for her mistake of parrying Morgan’s shot.
Worst: Christine Sinclair, Canada
Aside from a header late in the first half, Sinclair had little effect on the game and was substituted in the 57th minute.
Worst: Jessica Fleming, Canada
Did little to solve the game in the early stages and not much in the way of defending the ball.
Highlights and remarkable moments
Mallory Swanson says coach Vlatko Andonovski said he wanted the USWNT to start quickly and that’s exactly what they did. Swanson scored in the 7th minute with a beautiful finish.
Mallory Swanson scores in her fourth straight game ️
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Swanson wasn’t done there, though.
Canada defender Vanessa Gilles helped Swanson pull off a terrible back pass to goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, which Alex Morgan helped pressure her to do. Swanson rushed forward, but she did it brilliantly.
Anotha’ one for Mallory Swanson 💥
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After the game: What coaches and players say
USWNT Coach Vlatko Andonovski on Swanson: “I don’t know if I’ll say [two goals is] what I expected, but that’s what I want from her in every game: two goals. It’s not just two goals. Her flair in the game, it makes the game look easy at times. Every time I watch her compete, not only in matches but in training sessions, I feel like I can go back and play this game. That’s how easy it looks. She plays very well individually, but we can see more and more Mal combine with the players around [her].”
Andonovski on Sullivan’s performance: “I thought [Sullivan] is very large. I think she’s very good, defending and sealing in any little gaps that have developed. And part of the reason why Canada can’t get past us in the middle is because of Andi and her ability to shut down.”
Andonovski on Horan’s performance: “Lindsey is Lindsey. The pressure doesn’t stop her, and she has the ability to do things that not many players can do. She’s just a world-class midfielder. But one thing that I’m happy about. The heart about Lindsay is that she doesn’t. Don’t neglect her work without the ball. She moves reasonably and gives her best without the ball. So that’s what makes her world class.”
USWNT quarterback Lindsey Horan on a deeper midfield role: “I love it. I find it fun to hold the ball and feel the game. I think that’s what I did today, that’s where I feel I’m at my best, but other people are around. I’m allowing me to do that. So think today the team played great and I was a little more involved than usual.”
Canada coach Bev Priestman on the players’ performance after a week of protests against the Canadian federation: “In a lot of ways you think your players are superheroes and they are not. I feel, with what’s in front of me, of course disappointment on the sidelines, because we’re starting to fall flat. I I think it’s a result of emotions and lost practice days and you add all of that up, they’ll definitely get in. But I think, without making excuses, I think the US played really well. They’re in the third game of 2023. They’ve got two games in New Zealand, they’ve got a longer camp in there, and you can see that.”
Key stats (powered by ESPN Stats & Information research)
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Mallory Swanson scored her team’s fifth goal in the calendar year 2023. It was also her fourth consecutive game to score.
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Swanson’s second goal of the game was the 30th of her international career. She joins Alex Morgan (120) and Megan Rapinoe (63) as the third player on a list with at least 30.
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The US women’s national team has started 2023 strong with three wins by an 11-0 aggregate score (twice against New Zealand and Canada). That comes after losing three (to England, Spain and Germany) in the last four games of 2022 and conceding in the last five of the calendar year.
Next
USA: The USWNT continues their SheBelieves Cup campaign when they take on Japan on Sunday, February 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Canada: Canada WNT resumes the SheBelieves Cup on Sunday, February 19 when they take on Brazil at 6:30 p.m. ET.
