USWNT about to start their second match of the tournament against Brazil on FS1.

Sucks that the Japan and England couldn't participate as originally scheduled.

They snuck by Canada on Thursday. Had a few new faces in the starting xi to give them some looks. Looked sloppy in the 1st half, but I think Canada surprised with the amount of pressure they put on. I thought their left back played a great game against Lynn Williams. We had a number of chances to score but Canada's keeper had a great game. I thought the game totally changed when Lavelle and Press came in. Those two should be on the field to start every game.

Will be interesting to see how they do today.

I'm kinda soccer dumb but I cannot understand how Press isn't a starter.

I feel pretty certain a healthy Rose will start more often than not. She's working back in and he's playing with the lineups

Press is so much better than Rapinoe
Such a joke

Press, Dunn, and Rose are incredible.

I thought Williams was awful

I agree re Press, Dunn, and Lavelle. I didn't see anything official, but to me Lavelle was POTM.

But despite my feeling that Rapinoe has lost a step, that was a sweet goal. She can still score, and some of our other forwards seem to have trouble with that rather essential part of the job.

DeangeloVickers said:

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Press, Dunn, and Rose are incredible.

I thought Williams was awful

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Williams struggles in every game I watch. She should be a "change of pace" sub but never start.

She's playing the spot Heath usually plays, right?

That Press goal was a thing of beauty....she cut that back perfectly.

I'm with you guys on William's - she's ridiculously fast, but she doesn't put the ball in the back of the net. She has one goal in her last 7 or 8 starts. We haven't played any gold medal level competition and she is getting every opportunity in the world and still isn't putting it in the net. She is playing in Heath's spot....but when was the last time we saw a healthy Tobin Heath with the national team? Maybe pre-2019 World Cup?

What happened to Mal Pugh? Wasn't she going to be the next wunderkind? This new youngster from Brazil just doesnt look ready/comfortable.

I do think not having O'Hara on the roster right now is hurting a bit in this tournament - she gets forward well and provides really good service from down the right sideline.

Rapinoe is definitley not the Rapinoe of 5 years ago, but her vision, ball placement, crossing, and set pieces are still top class.

Rose and Dunn are easily my favorite two players to watch on this squad. Rose is like silky magic and Dunn just flat out hustles like a maniac.

I still think they miss Wambach. She was just so tenacious, instinctive, and scrappy inside the box. I know it's hard to replace the all-time leading scorer but Ertz and Mewis are probably the best targets now on set pieces. Our strikers are just not gritty and tough enough to get themselves into the fray.

The insane amount of talent on this squad makes picking a consistent lineup extremely difficult.

Choosing the right combination of three from Morgan, Lloyd, Press, Rapinoe, Heath, and Williams is always the hardest decision Vlatko will have to make. When everyone is in form, I am partial to Press, Morgan, and Heath, but Rapinoe and Lloyd continue to spit out goals/assists despite their age.

Then, choosing three from Horan, S. Mewis, Lavelle, and Ertz can be tricky. Ertz is always a given, so it's really down to picking two from the remaining three. Mewis (presently injured) has scored a ton of goals lately. So, it usually comes down to either Horan or Lavelle who are both world class on any given day.

The backline is pretty much a given when everyone is healthy: Dunn, Sauerbrunn, Dahlkemper, and O'Hara. By far the easiest choices on the pitch. Seems like the GK spot is solidly Naeher's until she retires.

I have enjoyed seeing younger players like Purce, Smith, and Macario get some minutes, but it is clear they are still a step behind in decision making and pace of play.

The second eleven for the USWNT would still be a top-10 squad in the world.

Re: Mallory Pugh

I do think she made a mistake bypassing college like she did. It worked for Horan, but Mal has never developed the technical ability needed at this level. She is just pure speed. She's still just not a very polished player.

This biggest question will be the Olympic roster for this summer (should it still take place). Only 18 players can be included. Big decisions to be made.

I'm going to assume that these players are 100% locks if healthy:
Goalkeepers: Naeher
Defenders: Sauerbrunn, Dahlkemper, O'Hara, Dunn
Midfielders: Ertz, Horan, S. Mewis, Lavelle
Forwards: Morgan, Heath, Press, Rapinoe

That leave just 5 spots: 1 GK + 4 field players
GK: Franch, Campbell, Harris, Murphy
D: Davidson, Sonnett, Krueger (formerly Short), Purce
M: Macario, K. Mewis, Sullivan, Howell
F: Lloyd, Williams, Smith, Pugh

If it were me, I'd probably take: Franch, Krueger, Macario, K. Mewis, and Lloyd. But for whatever reason, Vlatko seems really partial to Williams lately.

Realistically I just think there's too much depth for her to make the 18, but I REALLY want to see Kristie make the Olympic roster and continue the Year of the Mewii