Algarve Cup Second Match Preview: USWNT vs. Swizterland

The USWNT will face 1-0 Switzerland in the second match of the Algarve Cup after facing perhaps their toughest competition of the group stage on Wednesday, defeating Norway 2-1 on a pair of second half goals by Carli Lloyd. After a frustrating first half that saw reckless play by goalie Hope Solo and the USA unable to maintain steady possession, I tweeted “Jill Ellis has to go, she cannot coach this team!” Perhaps it was a hasty thing to send out to the masses, but Ellis’ system just doesn’t seem to be working.

Friday brings another test, this time against a spirited Swiss squad, led by Lara Dickenmann, who scored both goals in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Iceland. While not as stern of an opponent as Norway, a loss to Switzerland would be catastrophic for the USWNT, and would perhaps eliminate them from advancing in the Algarve Cup.

The key for victory for the Swiss is to continue to employ the same type of defensive strategy as have the last three opponents the USA have faced (France, England and Norway). England especially, played a low defensive line against the Americans, not allowing many breakaway chances. Against France, Alex Morgan was able to get behind the defense on a couple of good chances, but was denied both times. France then switched to the low playing defense and it was a different game. Unlike previous years, the US have had a difficult time breaking through such defense.

Switzerland also has a bona fide star in their attacking forward Ramona Bachmann. Otherwise known as “Swiss Magic” or “Swiss Thunder” or even the “Swiss Miss Pele,” Bachmann has the kind of skill that makes her capable of taking over parts of games. Along with Dickenmann, they present a formidable 1-2 punch that the USA defense must be keenly aware of.

For the USWNT, the transition to Jill Ellis has not gone smoothly to say the least. She is till tinkering with formations and lineups, looking for that near perfect combination. Offensively, her squad still lacks imagination and more importantly, emotion. Aside from Lloyd, the team seems to be missing that emotional will to win that drove the ’99 squad. Time is running out for the vets of this team (Wambach, Rampone, Solo) and younger squads like Sweden and France seem poised to make a serious World Cup run. The key for those teams has been midfield control, another area in which Ellis’ squad has been lacking. Defensively, USA have been prone to mental lapses, as evidenced by Ada Hegerberg’s goal in Wednesday’s match, as she was given a near clear run to goal. Against Switzerland, they cannot afford to do this against the dynamic duo of Dickenmann and Bachmann.

“People are going to have to step up,’’ Abby Wambach said this week, on more than one occasion. Some have. I felt Ali Krieger played a solid game against Norway, getting in the box, being part of the attack. Julie Johnston and Amy Rodriguez also played valuable minutes, however, I still view defender Lori Chalupny as a liability. She just can’t seem to keep up with the younger faster players and she has to be constantly bailed out. She more than likely will be named to the World Cup squad, but truthfully, does she deserve it?

Carli Lloyd has said she is sick of losing, and she has taken it upon herself to do something about it, as proven by her monster second half against Norway. However, she cannot do it all by herself, she needs twenty two other women to have that same determination and drive. She also needs a coach to inject some creativity into the attack, and to settle on some formation and hone it.On paper, this should be a game the USWNT wins easily, however nothing has proven to be easy under Jill Ellis.

My prediction USA 3-1.

Algarve Cup Preview: USWNT vs. Switzerland

By Scott Sinclair | Mar 6, 2015