USWNT: A Rematch with France in The Algarve Cup Final

There Are Still Questions About The US Attack

Oct 24, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; United States forward Christen Press (14) during the second half of a women’s World Cup Qualifier semifinal soccer match against Mexico at PPL Park. The USA defeated Mexico 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The possession in this game wasn’t great. It will always continue to frustrate me when forwards make their way into the penalty area and try to maintain the ball themselves, and then lose it to weak defenders who just throw numbers at them. It’s probably my main and only criticism of Christen Press, although she’s far from the only American to get tripped up over her own feet in the box. That said, part of her game is unexpected pressure turned on at the flick of a switch, which is how she just blasted past the entire French defensive line for the second and last goal of the match.

However, in this tournament, there was only one match of four which saw genuine production from the forwards. Despite creating chances and getting opportunities, our front two are simply not pulling out dependable goals at the rate we need them to. While this makes things trickier for defenses who must be aware that every single field player is a threat to score, it also speaks to the complexity of Jill Ellis’ decision-making with regard to the formation she plays and the pieces she employs to execute on the field. I don’t envy her job.

It’s been hard to watch as hardworking a forward as Sydney Leroux struggle to find the back of the net, but I imagine that she’ll find her form in the coming months. I’d like to see Tobin Heath get some more time in the attacking third, as I thought she looked good at CONCACAF qualifiers last October in a role up top. But as Ellis appears to have abandoned the 4-3-3 experiment, I’m worried that Heath will be riding the bench for the foreseeable future.

It was surprising but reassuring to see Abby Wambach appear comfortable in what may be her new permanent role as a super-sub for this team. Her confidence is a factor as well, but if she can sell her acceptance of coming off the bench to the team she leads, I think it lends more support to the forwards who will start in her place, whether that’s Leroux, Press, or Rodriguez. In the meantime, her potency as a weapon late in games is a possible answer to the question of who will score at will when we need it most, particularly if she’s being put on the field in the 70th minute or later.

Next: French Struggles: Take With A Grain of Salt