As the nation hopefully tunes into ESPN2 tonight at 6pm, the US will have to fight off many obstacles to keep their hopes of World Cup qualification alive. Challenged by playing in an unsupportive atmosphere, the US will look to remain undefeated and un-scored on by Costa Rica.
There remains little doubt that the women’s national team is still transitioning from their powerhouse dominating 90’s and pre-2007 World Cup days. While the US is building their identity and foundation for the future, the rest of the world has finally improved drastically. With better coaching and more opportunities, more parity has been created within the women’s game. Therefore, the lousy setup of the women’s CONCACAF World Cup qualification has been a joke and hopefully will be changed after this debacle of a tournament is over.
Tonight, the US has one simple task. Embrace the US women’s soccer tradition of never giving up. To embrace the competitive drive that I once witnessed as a young teenager when many national team players were playing in a “pick-up” soccer game. The desire to win was so intense that a fight almost broke out between two very good friends. Winning was everything, even in a pick-up soccer game.
If Costa Rica’s coaching staff knows what they are doing, they will come out in a 4-5-1formation--or a similar formation to congest and jam the midfield. During the CONCACAF tournament, the US midfield and defense has been frustrated and often times ineffective at controlling the midfield. Frantic play along with not developing a strong possession game has had the US starting matches a little “off” and sluggish. The midfield has not been able to settle down and become creative. Costa Rica will look to exploit this weakness and force the US to fall into their bad habit of playing a direct and physical style of soccer. If the US falls into this pattern, the referees will not tolerate the US physical play. Costa Rica may be able to have a quick counter against the US central defenders who have seemed vulnerable in quick counter situations.
The good news is that the US has never lost to Costa Rica and recently defeated them on November 1. The bad news is that it took the US a penalty kick late in the first half to start their scoring campaign. The other three goals all came in the second half. The US failed to capitalized on many scoring chances that game. The score could have been worse. However, Costa Rica definitely exposed the weaknesses in the US midfield and central defense.
To win tonight, look for the US to play more relaxed and less direct. The midfield needs to find width and use the flanks to initiate the attack. The US is a stronger side and has more depth. A quick attacking style that exposes gaps within the Costa Rican defense will free up Abby Wambach in the center. Look for sub (or starter?) Alex Morgan to come in to take some pressure off Wambach. The US will need to be disciplined and play a possession game.
The US may start veteran Kristine Lilly at left midfielder. Her experience and silent leadership should be beneficial during this stressful match. Lilly has always been the calm silent one.
One thing is for certain, the US Women’s National team once again has the country talking about them. Hopefully, they will rise to the challenge as they have always done.
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