Never in trendy instances has the United States girls’s nationwide crew entered a World Cup surrounded by way of such a lot of questions. The scrutiny that follows the crew is continuing, however never-ending accidents and dependable participant turnover not too long ago created uncertainty.
United States trainer Vlatko Andonovski’s beginning lineup on Saturday towards Vietnam for the crew’s opener exemplified as a lot. In maximum situations, the selection of surprises would had been observed as a chance too many to begin a big match, however the United States received as anticipated, 3–0 over an overmatched however dogged Vietnam facet making their match debut.
Forward Sophia Smith led the way in which with a first-half brace. Her first function, within the 14th minute, got here as midfielder Lindsey Horan discovered ahead Alex Morgan for a flick-on. It was once the kind of coordinated motion Andonovski alluded to short of to look from his crew within the opener to wreck down Vietnam’s hyper defensive setup, a five-back formation that will develop into a line of six defenders every now and then.
Smith scored once more in first-half stoppage time without work a brief nook kick. She additionally assisted Horan’s function in the second one half of.
Trinity Rodman began at the proper wing, answering the query of who would fill the void left by way of the injured Mallory Swanson.
But the largest marvel of the night time for america got here within the No 10 place. Savannah DeMelo crammed in for Rose Lavelle, who’s being eased into the match following a months-long absence because of a knee damage. Ashley Sanchez had up to now assumed the ones backup tasks.
Saturday was once DeMelo’s first get started in a USA jersey. She is simplest the 3rd participant to have made a USA World Cup roster with no need up to now been capped and the primary since midfielder Shannon Boxx in 2003.
Julie Ertz, whose wonderful comeback was once intended to resolve the crew’s midfield issues, began at center-back in a marvel that have been foreshadowed by way of Andonovski in earlier weeks following the lack of captain Becky Sauerbrunn to a foot damage.
Four years in the past, Ertz was once one of the most absolute best gamers on the planet – as a defensive midfielder. She hasn’t performed constantly at center-back in six years. She additionally hasn’t performed a lot in recent years, duration. Ertz was once clear of the crew for 18 months, all through which she gave delivery to her son in August 2022, ahead of returning in March.
Since then, Ertz has battled minor setbacks and performed some distance fewer mins than to start with deliberate in her pre-World Cup comeback. On Saturday, she covered up along emerging superstar Naomi Girma. It was once the primary time the 2 performed the placement in combination in an professional fit.
The pair had little to do, on the other hand, permitting them to familiarize themselves with every different. Vietnam did not sign in a shot within the fit.
Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe, who’s enjoying in her fourth and ultimate World Cup, don’t seem to be totally are compatible and want to building up their mins because the match progresses, Andonovski mentioned on Friday. The pair entered the fit in combination simply previous the hour mark as america conveniently led 2-0. It was once the primary look in a aggressive fit for Lavelle in 3 months. The pair just about mixed for a function two mins later, however Rapinoe hit her try top and extensive. Lavelle rattled the crossbar within the eighty fifth minute.
Morgan had a deficient penalty try stored simply ahead of halftime in an extraordinary second that went mistaken for america at the day, however except for some anticipated rustiness in passing moments, it was once a certified efficiency that units up the Americans for Thursday’s defining staff sport: a 2019 World Cup ultimate rematch with the Netherlands.