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Women’s World Cup: 5 players to watch in USA vs France quarterfinal

By Coley Gallagher

REIMS, FRANCE - JUNE 24: #3 Samantha Mewis of USA competes for the ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Round Of 16 match between Spain and USA at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 24, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)
REIMS, FRANCE - JUNE 24: #3 Samantha Mewis of USA competes for the ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Round Of 16 match between Spain and USA at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 24, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images) /
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LE HAVRE, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Kadidiatou Diani of France during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Round Of 16 match between France and Brazil at Stade Oceane on June 23, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
LE HAVRE, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Kadidiatou Diani of France during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Round Of 16 match between France and Brazil at Stade Oceane on June 23, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

1. Kadidiatou Diani – France

Kadidiatou Diani plays as a forward for France and her club team Paris Saint-Germain in France’s Division 1 Féminine. In this World Cup, Diani has proven she willing to play in any position — she played in three against Brazil. France coach Corinne Diacre told FIFA.com, “I just use her where I need to for the team.” Diani may be willing to play anywhere, but she owns the right flank. She charges straight up the line with the ball at her feet. Sometimes she will cut inside, run straight at a defender and take a shot. Other times she’ll break for the corner and launch a pass across the box for one of her teammates to put away. Gavin got on the end of two passes from Diani against Brazil.

Diani has ten goals in five years with the French national team, but none in this World Cup. However, she was a member of the squad that won the 2012 U-17 Women’s World Cup. She scored four goals for France in that tournament and another against New Zealand in the 2014 U-20 World Cup. She has proven she can get a ball into the net. In her conversation with FIFA.com Diani’s coach Diacre summed up what Diani needs to do against the US: “She’s a very valuable player to have around and I think the only thing she needs to do to keep being effective is to score.” So far this season Diani has scored 13 goals for PSG. Maybe playing in front of her home fans in Paris will help Diani finish one against Team USA.

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