That was a solid if sloppy first game for the #USWNT last night at the #WWC. Statistically our xG was 3.6 so the 3 goals was solid but we left at least another 3-4 goals on the field.
Positives:
Morgan as a facilitator with Smith & Rodman on the wings is promising. Morgan’s back heel assist was *chef’s kiss*, and we had more line-breaking passes into the box against a parked bus in hopes of stealing a point with a 0-0 tie.
#SavannahDeMelo! Excellent in possession, excellent service, and has eyes in the back of her head. I suspect she’s the future #10 after she’s had more time with the team.
Sophia Smith: Best player on the field. No opponent should feel relief when Morgan retires. That first goal was clinical af. Rodman feels like her twin, just a year behind developmentally.
#JulieErtz: She’s the one I’m worried about retiring. Maybe #NaomiGirma can be her CB/DLP replacement as she’s good in possession. But Ertz is EVERYWHERE, always attacking, and constantly keeping the defense guessing. If she goes down our path to victory becomes WAY harder.
Negatives:
The referee & her crew. She’s had only 19 games reffing at this level, looked nervous, and was afraid of making a mistake. She should’ve called the penalty and let a review handle the final decision. She let Vietnam CONCACAF away when she should have been aware that was their best chance of stealing a point. And the offsides call on the 2nd goal was mindbogglingly bad.
Photo: Robin Alam/USSF/Getty Images
