The US Women’s National Team have been slammed ahead of their critical Round of 16 clash with Olympic silver medallists Sweden in Melbourne, with one pundit declaring their performances as “the worst I’ve seen them play”.
The top-ranked team in the world, led by midfielder Lindsey Horan, scraped through to the knockout stages after failing to win against the Netherlands and Portugal, and having the scoreline flatter them against a valiant Vietnam outfit, and now face a dominant Sweden side who have won every game so far, including a 5-0 demolition of Italy.
With the width of the post being the only thing between the USA and a catastrophic early exit from the World Cup for the reigning champions, former Matilda Catherine Cannuli told Optus Sport that she wasn’t impressed with the Americans.
“The movement off the ball for the USA the other day was non-existent. It‘s the worst I’ve seen them play in a long, long time,” Cannuli said on Optus Sport.
“Before, they were able to dominate teams with their physicality. Now, teams are starting to tactically outplay them, and that‘s going to be a big problem for them going forward.”
Former Denmark keeper Thomas Sorenson said that the current American transition would take time.
“It‘s a culture shift, and it takes time,” Sorenson said.
“They‘ve come from a period of great success, and now they’re struggling, it takes adjustment. All they need is one big win to kick on from, and there’s a chance they go far in this tournament.”
Cannuli, however, blamed coach Vlatko Andonovski, saying that the institutional domination of the Americans meant the nation had no excuses.
“Vlatko has had so much time with this team. He should be in a better position with the quality of the girls he has,” she said.
“Yes there‘s a generational shift, and a lot of players coming through, but all of his players play in the US and he gets them whenever he wants them. The NWSL stops so they can go on camps and play games. He should be doing better, and they should be asking what he’s been doing in this last four years.”
American star striker Alex Morgan has herself remarked on her side’s problems in front of goal, telling press it had been a particular focus.
“I think we’ve broken down what went wrong, how we can fix that,” Morgan said.
“In possession, out of possession — how we can capitalise on the chances we have in front of goal, how we can create more chances in front of goal, how I can put away the chances that I’m given.”
The US Women’s National Team are the most dominant team in the history of the sport, and are gunning for a historic third consecutive World Cup title.
They have not been ranked lower than first in the world for over six years, but have struggled so far this World Cup amid historically poor form.
They play against Sweden in Melbourne at 7pm AEST, who defeated them 3-0 in their last head-to-head clash at the Tokyo Olympics.