Women’s World Cup: USA Beats Vietnam But Will Need To Improve

The United States women’s national team started off their Women’s World Cup campaign with a 3-0 win over Vietnam. This was the first step in the 4 time winners and 2 time defending champion’s journey. While they won the game, they didn’t look at their best. Of course, this is the first game of the tournament, and how they play going forward will be what matters. A few thoughts;

The US needs to play quicker. When going against a team in a low block, you must keep the ball moving quick, so gaps can appear. When you slowly move the ball side to side, like Spain did, notably in the 2018 World Cup vs Russia, you play into the other team’s hands.

The US needs to improve their passing and touch on the ball. This game could have just been a case of nerves, so I don’t want to exaggerate how much of a problem this is. But the lack of incisive passing and loose touches limited the amount of chances the US generated. And the US also left multiple goals on the table, with some poor finishing, including a missed penalty kick from Alex Morgan.

Notwithstanding her missed penalty, Alex Morgan was good. She had an impeccable layoff assist to Sophia Smith for the US’ first goal. She also made some intelligent runs. Emily Fox was a standout in defense. While she didn’t have a ton of defending to do, her composure on the ball effectively contributed to the buildups for American attacks.

Sophia Smith had a very good performance, but still can improve. She scored 2 goals and had an assist, so one can hardly criticize, but she could improve on some of her decision making in the final area. She also missed a point blank chance at the beginning of the 2nd half. But this was her first ever Women’s World Cup game, and once her nerves settle a bit, she should improve.

Savannah Demelo didn’t have a great game, but I am excited to see how she does in the tournament going forward, as she has the talent. She had a couple chances she should have done better with in the first half, where she scuffed her shots. It was only her second ever international appearance, and first start though. The US might need her to play the creative midfield role if Rose Lavelle is not fit.

Andy Sullivan was pretty anonymous. Trinity Rodman was dangerous. I was pleased with her movement and directness. She could be the source for a lot of American goals this tournament. Crystal Dunn was decent. Centerbacks Naomi Girma and Julie Ertz were fine, although they weren’t asked to do much, so it is difficult to judge. Ertz did have some nice moments going forward. Same goes for goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Lindsey Horan had her typical ball carrying game, with some clever passes and touches. Although she missed a great chance in the second half, and needs to play a bit quicker. Finished nicely for the US’ 3rd goal. Rose Lavelle added some attacking energy when subbing in. Hit the bar with a rocket of a shot late. She made an immediate positive difference when she came in. Hopefully she can play a major role for the US this tournament. We need more creative players like Lavelle coming through the ranks of US Soccer in the future. Alyssa Thompson was alright, but had limited minutes, so difficult to judge. Megan Rapinoe missed a sitter.

If the US wants to win their 3rd straight Women’s World Cup and 5th overall, their performance will have to improve. This was an opening game against a minnow though. So in a way, the USWNT was in a no win situation. Win by a lot, and people will note the competition level. Don’t, and people will complain.

Complaints are warranted though. If the US doesn’t improve their passing, speed of ball movement when attacking, and touch on the ball, a team like Spain will beat them. Luckily for the US, their path is much more favorable than had they been on the other side of the bracket. Which evens things out, considering the US had by far the most difficult path in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, needing to beat Spain, France in France, England, and the Netherlands.

All in all the US performance was underwhelming. But obviously at this point, it would be foolish to get overly worked up about it. This is a younger, more inexperienced team, so they should grow into the tournament. 6 US players made their Women’s World Cup debut in this game. As long as the US grows into the tournament, there isn’t much of a problem. But if this game represents how the US will play for the entirety of the tournament, fans should start to worry.