The USA were the third side to successfully defend the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the Second World War four years ago in France. Vlatko Andonovski’s team has maintained its unbroken six-year lead in the Fifa rankings. They will start as slight favourites in Australia and New Zealand. The Americans’ quest for an unprecedented third straight World championship has been anything but easy due to a recent spate of injuries and a sometimes rocky generational transition.
They endured a lacklustre bronze medal showing at the Tokyo Olympics with a veteran-heavy team. Their once-swashbuckling attack struggled for ideas in the final third despite having plenty of time on the ball. The US was forced to retool their roster. However, as their “three-peat” bid approaches, it’s far from a finished product. While it’s true that the 2015 and 2019 tournament champions had pressing issues to resolve before their performances peaked at the perfect moment. Both teams were essentially established months in advance, not this season.
The Manager
Since taking over for Jill Ellis as the US’s ninth coach in November 2019, Andonovski, a longstanding NWSL manager who prefers a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 configuration, has been a steady hand. However, Sweden lost its 23-match undefeated streak to begin its term in their opening game of the Tokyo Olympics. His game management was criticised as the match swiftly descended into chaos. When the United States lost three consecutive friendlies to England, Spain, and Germany in November, it raised concerns about his suitability for the job. Although his position has never been under jepardy.
Star player
With an extraordinary 2022, Sophia Smith, 22, made a strong case to be the next face of US women’s football. She became the youngest NWSL MVP while leading the Portland Thorns to a third league championship. Smith scored 11 goals internationally to become the USWNT’s youngest leading scorer in a calendar year since 1993. Swanson and Macario sidelined for the US from the FIFA Women’s World Cup mean that the US will rely even more on Smith to provide scoring punch.
Rising star
Since making her senior debut last year, Naomi Girma, a 22-year-old centre defender with 15 caps, has cemented her place in Andonovski’s team. Thanks to her calmness, vision, distribution, and talent at a position where expertise is normally coveted. The Californian has been as rock-solid for her nation whether partnered with Alana Cook or Sauerbrunn after a remarkable maiden season with the San Diego Wave that saw her earn NWSL Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year awards.
Fun Fact
Rose Lavelle was the unexpected midfield standout at the most recent World Cup. She has a 10-year-old English terrier named Wilma Jean Wrinkles. Lavelle FaceTimes with when travelling. Wilma Jean Wrinkles is rapidly approaching 13,000 Instagram followers.
State of Football
Title IX, a federal law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in government-funded organisations. It required equal funding for women’s sports programmes. This requirement gave the United States a critical competitive advantage abroad. Producing a player pool that is still coveted by nations around the world, despite the gap narrowing.
Our Prediction
With four FIFA Women’s World Cup victories under their belts and four additional Olympic gold medals along the road, the USA has never placed worse than third in a competition. Anything less than a fifth would be unsatisfactory. But achieving the remarkable accomplishment of winning three in a row will be their toughest challenge yet. Given how far they are travelling, how injured they are, and how much of a lead they formerly held over their competitors.
For more football news, click here
