Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday set to miss USWNT quarterfinal against China
By Cronan Yu
Midfielders Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday will both miss USWNT’s quarterfinal clash against China on Friday after each accumulated an excess of yellow cards in the side’s 2-0 round of 16 win over Colombia on Monday.
Two second half goals courtesy of Alex Morgan and a Carli Lloyd penalty was enough to see Ellis’ side progress against courageous Colombian outfit.
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The win, however, was soured when Megan Rapinoe earned her second booking in four matches in the tournament after shoving Colombian player Orianica Vasquez in the back, a culmination of events which saw the 29-year-old lose her cool after allegedly being fouled, with the referee not heeding to her pleas.
The left winger has thus far netted on two occasions with both goals having been scored in a standout performance against Australia in their opening group encounter. Another notably contribution was her assist to Abbey Wambach’s goal which sealed USA’s berth into the knockout stages against Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Holiday, who has played every single minute of the United States’ campaign thus far, will suffer the same fate as Rapinoe after being booked for a first half sliding challenge.
Post-match, coach Jill Ellis had this to say about USWNT’s performance.
"“We knew we would have a challenging game because Colombia are a very good opponent. I thought we controlled most of the ball and I had faith that at some point we would breakthough and we are happy to advance. I thought we stroked the ball around pretty well at times. Many of the goals in World Cup football come from set-plays and that is the way it is. I know that the players that come in [for suspended players] will be confident of stepping in and doing well. I have upmost confidence in the players we have.”"
USWNT will sorely miss Rapinoe
While USA’s defence has been sturdy throughout the tournament courtesy of assured performances by rising star Julie Johnston and the work ethic of Becky Sauerbrunn, a reality which is reflected in the fact that USWNT have not conceded a single goal in 333 minutes, the same cannot be said their attack.
For the next few days, both Rapinoe and Holiday will have to deal with such a frustrating fact knowing that they will not be able to play a part against China in Ottawa in what is a rematch of the 1999 World Cup final.
If anything, Rapinoe has been the bright spark of a side which has, so far, failed to deliver intriguing, attacking football which it has promised. Her spirited runs into space, energy and technical ability has often posed a threat to opposing defences while her colleagues themselves have been bereft of any sort of intensity in the final third. No doubt Rapinoe’s ability would’ve been key to unlocking China’s stubborn defence, but, in a cruel twist of fate, Ellis and her uninspired attack will have to make to without out.
Meanwhile, although Holiday has not exactly shone, her telepathic understanding with Carli Lloyd in attack has proven useful and Jill Ellis will have yet another central midfield conundrum to solve.
That is not to say the squad lacking in depth. Christen Press, Tobin Heath and so-far-unused Heather O’Reilly can all, to a certain extent, adequately fill in the void temporarily left behind by Rapinoe.
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While USWNT has so far gotten away with their lack of cohesiveness, and probably will get away with it against China in Ottawa, these suspensions have wider ramifications and seem to suggest that there seems to be an unsteady feeling in USA dressing room and that players don’t have complete faith in Jill Ellis.
So much so that Abbey Wambach resorted to controversially blaming referees for their bookings, suggesting that they were purposefully given.
"“I don’t know if they were yellows. Who knows? It seemed like she was purposefully giving those yellows to the players she knew were sitting on yellows. I don’t know if it was just a psychological thing. Who knows?”"
Wambach may well be reprimanded by FIFA for such ignorant comments. But these are the least of USWNT’s worries as it seems chaos is only just beginning to unfold.