The US Women’s National Team is now halfway through a revitalisation project begun in the embers of disappointment in Japan. The US performance at the Tokyo Olympics was seen as woefully lacklustre, though they did grasp bronze medals. The veteran-heavy roster did not perform to expectation, and the manager, Vlatko Andonovski, has overseen an ambitious transition scheme in the year since.
With less than a year to the World Cup we take a look at where he and the team have got to.
Integrating new talent
Following a drawn-out “victory tour” featuring the emotional retirement of Carli Lloyd, Andonovski’s roster revolution began in earnest last November (in the precise location where its final iteration will be ultimately tested: Australia). Announcing the new roster, Andonovski told media: “We’ve turned a page toward World Cup qualifying”. He made clear the aims of the programme in Sydney, in Newcastle and in the months cascading from those friendlies would be integrating new talent and testing them.
Of the 22 players invited to the Australia camp only 10 had been in Tokyo and only six were present for the World Cup victory in France 2019. All over the field, Andonovski introduced (or reintroduced) names whose consistent club performances had earned them a look. So began the mantra of the Andonovski era: if you’re killing it with consistency in NWSL, you’ll get a look. Veterans and stars will need to perform there too.
The forward line saw the greatest shift of any, as veteran stars Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath and Christen Press were all left out. Players with only a handful of caps were brought in. The pattern continued in the next two camps, as Andonovski called in fresh rotations of players balanced by a few veterans. Asked where all the big names had gone, he told media that “we’re not calling Mia Hamm or Julie Foudy into camp” either.
NWSL was the level playing field where players made their case for a tryout. And their tryouts were USWNT camps from last summer until this June. As Rose Lavelle told me over the phone in February, discussing competition for spots: “National team training is as intense as any game.”
Eventually, as the US prepared for World Cup and Olympic qualifying in Mexico, Andonovski phased a few veterans back in. Rapinoe was reintroduced in the role of player-coach. And Morgan – who responded to her seven-month absence from the national team by having the season of her life, sitting atop the pack in the race for golden boot – made her return.
Having won the Concacaf Women’s Championship in Mexico, the US have qualified for the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics. They took care of business, and Andondovski has shaped a new core to this team along the way.
Moving on to the next phase
Eleven months is plenty of time before the World Cup. Fringe players can still (and perhaps should) make their way towards the squad. Notably, there’s a stockpile of injured players and new mothers whose re-emergence could change the team’s shape. But, after a successful summer and long year in transition, Andonovski has etched the outline of the team he will take to the World Cup.
There’s a lot of talent in the team, but it’s imperfect. A few positions need more depth. Inconsistency plagues certain areas of the pitch. Andonovski and the veteran captain, Becky Sauerbrunn, were sober in their estimation: this is not a team currently ready to win a World Cup.
Emphasis on yet, because they could be in a year. And what they plan to do is get more experience together as a team, experiment and refine.
Nine days ago US Soccer announced its 23-player roster for two September friendlies against Nigeria. Presumably, this is the current core to the squad, and the one they’ll take to Wembley to face England on 7 October.
Below, I break down the state of that squad position by position, with notes on their present state and players on the horizon who may break in.
Goalkeepers
The US has a lot of depth in this position. Alyssa Naeher is the No 1 but Andonovski has made an effort to get competitive matches to some exciting understudies. I expect that to continue, and hope to see some alternates get minutes this month.
In the squad Naeher, Casey Murphy and Aubrey Kingsbury.
Potential call-ups Phallon Tullis-Joyce. We’ll likely see OL Reign’s 25-year-old keeper on a USWNT roster at some point. Andonovski indicated he was also monitoring Adrianna Franch, Bella Bixby, and Katie Lund.
***
Defenders
Sauerbrunn directs the backline when fit. Her centre-back pairing is an interesting debate, though, and Andonovski has done a fair amount of experimenting. Abby Dahlkemper and Tierna Davidson are injured, and Alana Cook and Naomi Girma have knocked them down the pecking order in the meantime. Cook has played her way into the top choice but I am excited to see more of Girma this September.
Centre-backs in the squad Sauerbrunn, Cook, Girma.
Potential centre-back call-ups Davidson and Dahlkemper.
Crystal Dunn gave birth in May, and announced last week she would return to train with the team this September. That should bolster the hopes of USWNT fans and dismay opponents. While Dunn has been utilised as a full-back since the era of Jill Ellis, she’s a natural midfielder. If Andonovski is willing to reconsider his formation and get creative, I’d love to see what Dunn can do further up the pitch.
Full-backs in the squad Emily Fox, Sofia Huerta and Hailie Mace
Potential full-back call-ups Kelley O’Hara (injured), Emily Sonnett (injured), Carson Pickett and Dunn.
***
Midfielders
There is exciting, creative talent coming through but their recent form has been inconsistent as a unit. The talent and creativity are not yet manifesting on the pitch. I’d love to see Andonovski experiment with players and formation, giving more time to players such as Ashley Sanchez.
In the squad Andi Sullivan, Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Kristie Mewis, Sanchez, Sam Coffey, Taylor Kornieck and Savannah DeMelo.
Potential call-ups Jaelin Howell, Sam Mewis (injured), Julie Ertz (pregnant).
***
Forwards
The US has a lot of depth here. Andonovski’s preferred wingers are Mallory Pugh and Sophia Smith, and both have been outstanding. I’m excited to see more of Trinity Rodman but she dropped out of this camp because of a family commitment. Morgan has been the starting striker but Cat Macario will test her for that role once fit. Rapinoe remains available on the wing – and is still capable of her former magic.
In the squad Pugh, Smith, Rapinoe, Morgan, Midge Purce, Ashley Hatch.
Potential call-ups Macario (a certain selection once fit) and Rodman
Talking points
Spain’s bright future Spain’s Under-20s defeated Japan 3-1 in Costa Rica on Sunday, clinching the 2022 Under-20 Women’s World Cup title. The future stays bright for a nation whose development of the women’s game has skyrocketed over the past decade.
Putellas recognised Staying with Spain, Barcelona’s captain, Alexia Putellas, was named Uefa Women’s Player of the Year for the second year running.
England back together England’s Lionesses are back in training for the first time since claiming the European Championship trophy. They aim to secure World Cup qualification against Austria on Saturday or Luxembourg on Tuesday. The group stage of World Cup qualification wraps up on Tuesday, with first-placed teams securing their ticket and second-placed teams heading to the playoffs.
Quote of the week
“Kris Ward has been relieved of his duties as head coach.” The Washington Spirit Twitter account ended with striking lack of explanation and hilarious informality the reign of Ward, who took over from Richie Burke mid-season last year and guided the team to a championship. The details surrounding the situation remain unclear but it follows a seriously lacklustre season for the Spirit.
Recommended viewing
Rapinoe is in incredible form with OL Reign. Building on a string of goals, she scored this stoppage-time winner against Orlando Pride last Friday night (and then got a yellow card for ripping off her shirt).
Megan Rapinoe, at age 37, in her last four games: 4 goals, 3 assists, 1 stoppage-time winner, and now 0 shirt
— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) August 27, 2022
pic.twitter.com/it95Mt66T4
• This is an extract from our free weekly women’s football newsletter, Moving The Goalposts. To subscribe and get the full edition, visit this page and follow the instructions.
