Does service have to come from wingers? Huerta and Rapinoe (yes her) are fine crossers of the ball. Dunn and Fox can also deliver at times. Given the intent to play Rapinoe, as a sub, an aerial threat offered variety. As opposed to what we saw. Subs unused because they offered no alternative to what was out there.
The problem with Fox and Dunn though is that they played as inverted fullbacks in the attack so they were rarely out wide for service. I have to assume this was a coach driven decision, but I never understood its value. We needed to open up the field so our pace could have room to work, not jam the middle of the pitch.
Maybe they did, but not in the way I see most teams use them. Usually, an inverted FB allows the team to go 3-x-x-x or 2-x-x-x in the build-up, by pushing the FB into central midfield in possession. I saw Dunn and Fox drift inside in wide areas higher up the field in possession, but I would not call that inverted. Opinion I guess. https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/inv...What is an inverted full,'inverted full-backs'.
How recent is lately? I have seen her try and pass, but admittedly not consistently well. I tried to imply that by saying "at times"
Recent sampling would be the WC. Last major tourney, Olympics, it was her defense/positioning that was suspect. She’s been constantly brought up here as an overdue square peg. It may just be time to rethink certain players instead of finding “qualities” that just aren’t there.
She was a great College player. Needs the right role to excel. Her selection is a reflection on how poorly we develop IQ positions like modern fullbacks. Kling is a way better footballer
one thing that I like on the BS message boards during the WC, is the many broso fans that came over to post on the USWNT section. I can easily identify with them as they care or open on what’s happening in the rest of the world & also come across as more genuine blue collar. Meantime unfortunately some of my fellow American woso fans come across as having their heads stuck into the ground. There’s also a certain, kinda snobbish entitlement that they seem to have like ‘I got an college education & you don’t’ vibes from posts from woso regulars(kinda like Hilary’s “intolerables” quote)But maybe it’s because as long the USA was on top of the world, there was no interest what was happening to woso elsewhere. Hopefully lesson learned with Spain’s meteoric rise to the top in just a few short years
USA is unique. Only country I can think of that has a separate and distinct NT following. In most countries I have been to, fans follow Clubs passionately and have a passing interest in NT soccer. Here, "experts" parachute in for NT games, then disappear until the next one rolls around.
Only on the women’s side. And IMO that’s a function of having such a steady roster…a roster that until recently was on salary by the USSF. It was more like a club team than a true NT. On the men’s side the fans are way more general soccer fans and pretty knowledgeable about the extended player pool. Men’s side roster has been more reliant on how the individual player’s Club form at time of selection as well.
Just going to pin this up top for a second. Such unfortunate news about Coffey, who has started just about every game for the WNT this year and who has also clearly been our best defensive mid for about two years now. I remember discussing her talent with a few of you this thread and how disappointed I was she was omitted from the WC roster. She obviously should have been on that WC team and I hope she is heathy enough for the oOympics.
Don't think that those of us who don't post in the league forum are not watching club games though. Expansion is so constant and club rosters so constantly churning, it will be a while yet before is possible to pick a team to support, at least for those of us away from metro areas. Just as you start to know who's where, suddenly a third or even half of them are gone elsewhere...