Game on! We’re back after an international break and ready to face the Portland Thorns. If you caught the USWNT this week, you really had a treat. The team was in fine form for their SheBelieves Cup matches against Japan, and while we saw a different look against Canada, it feels like they’re really honing in on connections that are working.
A week off makes me extra ready for this week’s Courage match. Let’s go!
Recap: SheBelieves Cup
First, the USWNT posted a 2-1 victory over a wily Japan side. The US showed their best form in a while. Japan’s Kiko Seike rocketed up the field in the first 30 seconds of the match to score. But solid goals from Jaedyn Shaw and a penalty kick from Lindsay Horan put the game away for the USWNT. That lineup – Jaedyn Shaw starting in the 10 position; the Jenna Nighswonger/Naomi Girma backline magic, and multiple great looks from Mallory Swanson – felt awfully close to a world class lineup, including the subs.
INCREDIBLE ANGLE OF JAEDYN SHAW GOAL 😍
— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) April 7, 2024
Check out this amazing Birds Eye view of Jaedyn Shaw’s equalizer in yesterday’s 2-1 SheBelieves semifinal victory over Japan. 🔥❤️🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/Hyd3f5WsJM
On the other hand, the USWNT starting XI for the Canada game was a little odd. The team had taken some tough knocks in the Japan match, so some of that was probably rest, especially for Naomi Girma, who was dealing with a thigh strain.
Still, Sophia Smith got a goal and a brace for this match. I don’t know if soccer gets better than her second goal, catching Canada in transition. Essentially, there was a quick series of passes: Lindsay Horan → Jaedyn Shaw → Trinity Rodman → Sophia Smith, who drew out the keeper and scored at just the right moment.
A BEAUTY IN THE BUILDUP AND WE'RE AHEAD! #USWNT x @vw pic.twitter.com/zeBj6HkEuM
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 10, 2024
The game went to penalty kicks, with the winner scored by none other than Emily Fox.
Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy was called up, but did not see playing time this round, with Chicago Red Stars’ Alyssa Naeher continuing to be the top choice and playing exceptionally well.
Bianca St-Georges subbed in for Canada at 63’ in the Japan match, but did not make an appearance in the final.
Along with everyone else, I’m looking forward to Coach Emma Hayes taking the reins for the USWNT in June. In our four friendlies left before the Paris Olympics, my hope is we start to see some consistency in playing time for a starting XI, with minor fine-tuning.
3 – Sophia Smith has scored three goals from outside the box for the #USWNT, all since 2022, more than any other player on the team in that time. Distance. pic.twitter.com/bvvQlU1KU7
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) April 10, 2024
Look ahead: Courage v. Portland Thorns
Portland lost some talent in the offseason. USWNT player Crystal Dunn signed with Gotham FC, and goalkeeper Bella Bixby announced a pregnancy.
That still leaves Janine Beckie (CAN), Sam Coffey (USWNT), Jessie Fleming (CAN), Olivia Moultrie (USWNT), Becky Sauerbrunn (former USWNT captain), Sophia Smith (USWNT), and more. I’m getting mad just typing this; what an absurd list.
With so much starting talent, I don’t think anyone expected Portland to be searching for a win by game four. They are a perennial powerhouse, finishing second in the league last year, with many names from the list above showcased in the SheBelieves Cup this week.
But … that could be part of Portland’s challenge. Bi-coastal travel is always tough on teams. Needing to rest star talent in a team already at the bottom of the table could put them at a disadvantage.
Still, as Katie and I discuss in this week’s podcast (spoiler alert!), never underestimate the hunger factor.
We didn’t post a win against Portland in 2023. Last May, we raced to a thrilling 3-3 draw, in which the Courage showed better form, but Portland matched it stride for stride. That was followed by a less thrilling 2-1 loss away in August.
I’m feeling a high scoring match with these two teams.
Courage news and updates
- Kristi Hall-Griffey, from Duke University, joined the Courage as head athletic trainer.
- Ireland, featuring Denise O’Sullivan, lost both of their matches in the UEFA European Qualifiers. France won 1-0 (and Sully got a yellow card); followed by a defeat from England, 2-0.
- Riley Jackson played two international friendlies with the US U-20. The team had a 0-0 draw against Germany, followed by a 3-1 win against … Canada.
Around the league and beyond
- If you’re in the Triangle area and looking for a regional trip, the USWNT will face an opponent, yet to be named, in Washington, DC at Audi Field. The match will take place Tuesday, July 19, the team’s final friendly before heading to Paris! (Steven Goff, Washington Post, subscription required).
- Zambia won in extra time against Morocco, securing their spot in the Olympics. USWNT will play Zambia in their first Group B matchup on July 25 at 3p ET.
- That’s it for this week!
- As always, you can get in touch with tips, suggestions, corrections and more: contact@lionspitch.com.
Next match: Saturday, April 13, 7:00 pm ET
North Carolina Courage v. Portland Thorns
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