Members of the US Women’s National Team had scheduled various vacations before and after Thanksgiving. They assumed that they had plenty of time to rest before they were asked to train again after the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup qualification tournament in Mexico. Plans have changed. Rather than receiving a much needed rest, the US will be training and competing for the right to play in Germany for the Women’s World Cup next summer.
Finishing third in CONCACAF qualifying, the US earned a playoff spot against FIFA's 11th ranked Italy. The first match will be played in Padova, Italy on November 20th followed by a November 27th match in Chicago. The winner will be decided on aggregate.
After winning their initial qualifying group, Italy was placed in an eight team tournament play against other group winners. France defeated Italy 3-2 sending Italy to play other initial losers for a chance to play the CONCACAF third place team. After playing a home and away series for each opponent, Italy defeated the Ukraine (3-0 on aggregate) and Denmark (3-1 on aggregate). Italy then played Switzerland on October 23 and 27th.
Alessia Tuttino scored in the 86th minute against a Swiss squad down to 10 players due to a 36th minute sending off. The second leg between Italy and Switzerland produced a more offensive game. Italy defeated the Swiss 4-2 (in Switzerland) and advanced to play the US based on a 5-2 aggregate score.
Expect Italy to be a very technical team. Starting in 2009, they have placed an emphasis on rising to the level of other European teams. Led by such players as Patrizia Panico (86 international goals, plays for Sky Blue) Elisa Camporese, Elisabetta Tona, and Alessia Tuttino, Italy will look to challenge the US defense which has seemed vulnerable as of late. The Italians will try to control the midfield by being aggressive in moving the ball forward to free up space for their strikers. Italian midfielders will try to play the ball in behind the US defense while strikers will look for quick combinations or slotted balls.
The Italians should pose a credible threat to the FIFA #1 ranked US team. Defensively, the US central defenders need to close gaps often created on the counter attack. As of late, the US central defenders look out of position and hesitate when the opposing team is attacking off a dribble. Shannon Boxx must improve her central midfield play. The US needs to avoid their direct-central offensive play in order to defeat the Italians. Many US players make the unnecessary pass when they have had enough space to attack on the dribble. Both the defense and midfield resort to playing low percentage long balls to their strikers. This style of attack produced a blank against a tactically ready Mexican squad. Coach Pia Sundhage continues to encourage her players to attack using the flanks in hope that they will challenge and take on individual defenders. Against Costa Rica, Heather O’Reilly was the only notable midfielder attempting this. Lori Lindsey should also provide some attack on the flank for the US.
The height and power of the US strikers led by Abby Wambach should prevail against Italy’s defense and goalie, Anna Maria Picarelli. An alumna of Pepperdine University, Picarelli will be determined to ward off any US goals. At 5’4 and a Californian native, many had told Picarelli that she was too short to play for the US on a national level as well as play professionally. The daughter of an Italian father, she found success in Italy. Picarelli does well vertically and off set-pieces.
Despite the recent exposure of the US team’s weakness, keep in mind that the US has defeated many difficult European opponents this year including Sweden, Norway, and even defeating Germany twice. The US is a physical and intimidating team that always has a desire to win and the heart to achieve success.
Fun fact: USA’s first women’s international game was a 1-0 loss to Italy in 1985.
View Italy’s line-up versus Switzerland
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