US Women's National Soccer Team

The United States women's national team continued to build momentum heading toward the World Cup, earning a 5-0 win over New Zealand in an international friendly.

Carli Lloyd scored two second-half goals for the U.S. in Thursday's victory at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, the second of three matches in the Send-Off Series. Tobin Heath also had a big impact with a goal and an assist, while Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis scored as well.

With five wins in a row dating back to March, the Americans are peaking at the right time.

It was a slow start on a 92-degree day, with New Zealand gaining the only shot for either team in the first 20 minutes; however, it ended up being the only shot from New Zealand all match compared to 25 from the United States, per ESPN.

The Americans showed increased urgency from there, gaining more scoring chances with an aggressive approach, and the U.S. broke the tie in the 35th minute when Heath scored on a tap-in:

that @mPinoe cross 🔥
that @TobinHeath finish 👌#SendOffSeries pic.twitter.com/mQ186D7fL4

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) May 17, 2019

Of course, most of the credit went to Megan Rapinoe for her incredible pass:

https://twitter.com/itsmeglinehan/status/1129185779555680258

Rapinoe...what a pass. God I love the #USWNT.

— Joseph Goodman, Sports Donk 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) May 17, 2019

Five minutes later, another great cross from Lindsey Horan led to Lavelle's goal before halftime:

we're sure of it. these two have that magical connection and we're here for it.@LindseyHoran ➡️ @roselavelle pic.twitter.com/AJ2ZWmsUqF

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) May 17, 2019

The second half featured several substitutes looking for eventual spots in the starting XI, including Lloyd, Mewis and Ali Krieger.

Lloyd, 36, took advantage with an easy goal in the 61st minute, just 44 seconds after coming on. Keeping with the theme, it came off a pretty assist from Heath.

Subs in, scores seconds later. @CarliLloyd with her fourth goal in three consecutive games 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6WtKFxnEZw

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) May 17, 2019

With another score in the 83rd minute, she now has five goals in her last three matches. Mewis added a fifth for good measure one minute later.

The Americans remained aggressive throughout, ensuring the Football Ferns had few opportunities in the final third. The team's depth was on full display during what became a rout against a quality opponent also heading to France next month:

https://twitter.com/LeanderAlphabet/status/1129200039765696512

     

What's Next?

The United States—the defending champs from 2015—will face Mexico on May 26 in its final friendly before the World Cup begins June 7. New Zealand will play three more friendlies before heading to France: Mexico on May 22, England on June 1 and Wales on June 4.

The United States women's national team hosts New Zealand at St. Louis' Busch Stadium on Thursday for the penultimate game of the send-off series ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

A 3-0 win over South Africa on Sunday showcased the quality and strength in depth in the reigning champions' ranks.

𝒞𝒶𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓋𝑒 there's only 29 days until our World Cup journey starts? Until then, let these highlights be your #MondayMotivation 💁‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/K7wMeUls3M

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) May 13, 2019

Coach Jill Ellis has ample talent to call on but will likely use this game to find a winning formula in attack ahead of events in France in the summer.

             

Date: Thursday, May 16

Time: 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. BST (Friday)

TV Info: ESPN 2

Live Stream: WatchESPN

The need for more goals from those in the final third is obvious after Ellis' team needed a brace from North Carolina Courage defensive midfielder Sam Mewis to beat South Africa.

Although fellow midfielder Carli Lloyd also chipped in with a goal, the U.S. may struggle to get their passing game going between the lines on what looks like a tricky surface in Missouri:

Not exactly the smoothest surface when you put a soccer field down on a baseball infield. Busch Stadium for USWNT vs. New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/XR9JOEo67U

— Graham Hays (@grahamhays) May 15, 2019

Even so, Ellis will be anxious to see her strikers find the net against New Zealand. The plan appears to be to lean on veteran experience, with 33-year-old Megan Rapinoe again likely to be a key figure.

Rapinoe endorsed the tactical changes Ellis has made in recent years during an interview with FIFA, (h/t Philip O'Connor of Reuters, Yahoo Sport UK):

"Traditionally for most of my career with the national team we played a 4-4-2 and only in the last couple of years we changed to more of a 4-3-3. So I'm an attacker, a winger and striker, basically. I think putting me higher on the field and alleviating some of those defensive duties, it puts me closer to the goal."

Rapinoe's ability to link with Orlando Pride star Alex Morgan will define the U.S. forward line this summer. So will the performances of Christen Press, who needs to use this World Cup to showcase her full talents.

All three will view this match as an opportunity to get back among the goals.

Supply shouldn't be a problem considering Tobin Heath's vision and technique can unlock any defence. Meanwhile, Lloyd's well-timed runs can take markers away from Morgan and Co.

Heath and Lloyd combined brilliantly against South Africa:

🐐 status. With 108 goals, @CarliLloyd passes Michelle Akers for fourth all-time #USWNT scorer! 👏 pic.twitter.com/RR0jWpUrPn

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) May 12, 2019

Keeping this many match-winners quiet won't be easy for New Zealand, even though the Kiwis beat Norway 1-0 in April. It was a fourth win from seven for a team with its own threat in attack thanks to strikers Rosie White and Sarah Gregorius.

Even so, it's likely the U.S. will stand firm defensively and offer enough going forward to run out comfortable winners.

The United States' women's national team will continue their preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup on Sunday, when they host Belgium in Los Angeles.

The Red Flames narrowly missed out on a ticket to the World Cup and should provide the Stars and Stripes with a solid test. The hosts are still clear favourites, however, courtesy of their superior depth and the all-around talent in the squad.

ESPN 2 will broadcast the match, which is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET. Live-stream options can be found here.

   

Belgium's women's national team may not have scaled the heights of their male counterparts yet, but the Red Flames have steadily improved in the past few years and have traveled to the United States high on confidence.

They are unbeaten in 2019, with their most recent loss coming all the way back in April of last year. They nearly qualified for the World Cup for the first time, losing out to Switzerland on away goals in the play-offs.

The squad includes several strong international players, most notably Tessa Wullaert, who leads the current selection in scoring and plays her club football for Manchester City.

The USWNT have already played a friendly during this international break, a spectacular 5-3 win against Australia. It was a back-and-forth affair that included several great goals, including this effort from Mallory Pugh that put the final score on the board:

Pugh Pugh Pugh x Two.@MalPugh puts this one to bed! pic.twitter.com/sWPEBvd98Y

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 5, 2019

Manager Jill Ellis spoke to the press after the contest:

This game had it all. Jill Ellis breaks down the #USWNT’s thrilling 5-3 win: https://t.co/ytnczx6mj6

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 5, 2019

For Sunday's hosts, preparations for the 2019 World Cup have not gone as planned. They have won just three of their six outings this year and have been hamstrung by the lack of a clear top choice in goal.

The Matildas took full advantage, putting three goals past Alyssa Naeher. The stopper was hardly aided by her defence, which usually plays at a high level but made several key errors against Australia.

Fortunately for the Stars and Stripes, Belgium's attack should be less potent than that of Australia. The Matildas came into their friendly against the United States with a perfect record in 2019 and have been regulars at the World Cup for years.

The Belgians shouldn't be underestimated, but they don't carry the same scoring threat as the Matildas. As long as the Stars and Stripes can keep Wullaert at bay, they should be able to record a third clean sheet of the year.

Prediction: USA 3-0 Belgium

The United States women's national team finished 2018 with 10 victories on the bounce.

Five games into 2019, Jill Ellis' side have two wins, two draws and a defeat on the record.

With the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup looming, they have tested themselves against some of the best in the world this year.

The defeat came against France in January, before 1-0 wins against Spain and Brazil came either side of back-to-back draws with Japan and England in the SheBelieves Cup.

Things don't get any easier on Thursday when the U.S. take on Australia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver in a friendly.

                

Date: Thursday, April 4

Time: 9 p.m. ET, 2 a.m. BST (Friday)

TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (U.S.)

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go

                 

The Matildas are the sixth-ranked side in the world and have proved tough opponents for the USWNT recently.

On their way to winning the 2015 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. beat Australia 3-1 in Group D.

In 2017, though, the Aussies got their revenge with a 1-0 win at the Tournament of Nations before the two sides shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw at the same tournament a year later.

It would be a surprise if Thursday's meeting between the two sides wasn't another close encounter.

Australia are in fine form, having won four games on the bounce, most recently downing Argentina 3-0 to capture the inaugural Cup of Nations on March 6.

Every player on the pitch will be looking to impress as they aim to be included in the respective squads that will travel to France for the World Cup.

As the top-ranked team in the world and defending champions, the USWNT are the favourites for that tournament.

However, it is becoming increasingly clear they will face major challenges from the likes of France, England, Germany and Japan. And Ante Milicic's Australia side will want to lay down a marker in Colorado by beating the USWNT in their own back yard.

The U.S. have five more matches to play before the World Cup, with the Australia match being followed by games against Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand and Mexico:

5 games left before the #FIFAWWC.

04/04 🇺🇸 v 🇦🇺 📍 Denver
04/07 🇺🇸 v 🇧🇪 📍 Los Angeles
05/12 🇺🇸 v 🇿🇦 📍 Bay Area
05/16 🇺🇸 v 🇳🇿 📍 St. Louis
05/26 🇺🇸 v 🇲🇽 📍 New Jersey pic.twitter.com/W37Tqju9Se

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) March 30, 2019

Thursday could be a landmark day for Megan Rapinoe if she gets on the field, as it will mark her 150th cap at the age of 33.

Meanwhile, Alex Morgan, 29, is just one goal away from reaching her century at senior international level.  

The United States women's national team salvaged a disappointing showing in the SheBelieves Cup with a 1-0 win over Brazil on Tuesday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Tobin Heath scored the match's only goal and Ashlyn Harris kept the shutout to lead the squad to its first win of the tournament after draws against Japan and champions England. The hosts ended up in second place out of four teams with five points in three matches.

Brazil finishes in last place after three straight losses in its first appearance at the fourth year of this tournament.

       

Tobin Heath Continues to Be Game-Changing Player for USWNT

Casual fans of the team know about Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, but Heath has arguably been the team's most important player as of late.

The forward has been a difference-maker with her ability to push the action down the line and put pressure on defenders. She has also shown that she can either find teammates for open shots at the net or finish herself.

The first goal against Brazil featured an outstanding individual effort from Heath, who created the opportunity and then had a beautiful finish after Morgan failed:

What a counter by the USWNT! ⚽️

Tobin Heath puts in the rebound with a clinical finish for the 1-0 lead after Morgan's shot is saved. 🇺🇸 #SheBelieves pic.twitter.com/zrE6kDlRsW

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 6, 2019

Great great great run by Tobin Heath, Rapinoe's slashing run opens up huge space for Morgan to receive the pass, she's stuffed by Aline but the rebound is finished with extreme prejudice by Heath. Aly Wagner just called it "luscious" which is...accurate. USA 1-0 BRA 20'

— Stars and Stripes FC (@StarsStripesFC) March 6, 2019

She also created more chances that didn't end in goals.

In an otherwise mediocre tournament from the U.S. squad, Heath continues to stand out:

Individually, it has been a fine tournament for Tobin Heath, despite the team's overall struggles. Brilliant decisions to twice cutting across her defender on that counterattack that led to her goal, which was a pinpoint finish.

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) March 6, 2019

This has been the case for the past few months:

7 - @TobinHeath now has seven goals in her last nine appearances for the @USWNT. Finisher.

— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) March 6, 2019

There are plenty of players who look good when things are going well against inferior opponents. However, it takes another level of talent to succeed against the best competition in the world.

Heath has that type of ability, and her production is finally catching up to her potential.

If the Americans are going to win the World Cup this year, the 30-year-old will likely be a major part of the team's success.

        

What's Next?

The United States will continue to prepare for this summer's FIFA World Cup with a pair of home friendlies next month. The team will face Australia in Commerce City, Colorado, on April 4 and Belgium at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles on April 7.

The United States' women's national team stumbled to another draw at the 2019 SheBelieves Cup on Saturday, as England held them. The final score was 2-2, leaving the Lionesses tied with Japan at the top of the standings.

Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring with a stunning volley, but Steph Houghton tied things up just minutes later, blasting home an indirect free-kick.

Nikita Parris gave the visitors the lead in the second half after a well-worked move, and Tobin Heath set up a thrilling finale by prodding home the equaliser from a corner.

The USA had drawn their opening match against Japan, while England bagged a win over Brazil. England now have four points after two matches, tied with Japan at the top of the standings and two ahead of the Stars and Stripes. Japan have the superior goal difference.

   

Stars and Stripes Have a Goalkeeper Problem

The United States will start the 2019 World Cup as the defending champions and favourites for the title, but they still entered the SheBelieves Cup with some question marks surrounding the team.

The biggest was in goal, where the Stars and Stripes will be without Hope Solo this summer. Alyssa Naeher is the favourite to start, and she was the one Sports Illustrated's Laken Litman would keep an eye on:

The #USWNT is underway at the #SheBelievesCup vs. Japan! @LakenLitman sees the competition as a big one for goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher entering the Women's World Cup.

For more, watch this week's Planet Fútbol TV with a FREE SI TV trial: https://t.co/a75tZaF4gY pic.twitter.com/lVny8PM4MV

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) February 28, 2019

Naeher has experience and a big fan in manager Jill Ellis, but she's not without her critics. She conceded twice in the opener against Japan―courtesy of some dreadful defending―and got injured during the contest.

Per sportswriter Caitlin Murray, she won't have the opportunity to impress in the remaining matches:

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1101970493794471936

That opened the door for 28-year-old Adrianna Franch, an NWSL standout who had to wait a long time for her shot. Some fans have wanted to see the two-time defending NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year between the sticks for the USWNT for years, and against the Lionesses, she finally got her chance.

Franch didn't look terribly out of place, but shortly after Rapinoe's opener, she made a dreadful blunder that gave England the chance to tie things up. Picking up a back-pass inside her own box, she gifted the Lionesses an indirect free-kick with a rookie mistake a player with her experience shouldn't make.

The free-kick was well-struck by Houghton but aimed at the side of the goal Franch decided to defend―top goalkeepers have to make that save.

There was little she could do about the second goal.

Perhaps the errors were down to the nerves or a lack of experience at this level, but Franch did not leave a great impression and may find future caps hard to come by.

That leaves 33-year-old Ashlyn Harris as the only real option to provide Naeher competition ahead of the World Cup. It's a bad situation for the Stars and Stripes, who haven't had to worry about the goalkeeper position in years.

    

What's Next?

England will play Japan on Tuesday, while the USA face Brazil on the same day. The Lionesses will have to beat Japan to win the tournament due to an inferior goal difference.

The United States women's national team have the chance to bounce back from their friendly loss to France when they take on Spain at the Estadio Jose Rico Perez in Alicante on Tuesday.

Head coach Jill Ellis watched her team put in a below-par performance in Le Havre on Saturday, with the 3-1 scoreline an indication of Les Bleues' dominance. Ahead of the FIFA World Cup in France later this year, that would have been a worry.

Spain may not be as fearsome an opponent, although they will be dangerous on home soil. After the United States' first loss in 29 games, they may also sense some vulnerability and the chance to score a famous win over the world champions.

Here are the viewing details for this friendly encounter and a preview of what's to come as Ellis seeks to get a response from her players. 

        

Date: Tuesday, January 22

Time: 7:30 p.m. (GMT), 2:30 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: Fox Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go (U.S.)

       

Preview

After a tough training camp away from home, the match against France was always going to be a challenging way for the United States to start 2019.

In the end, they were a long way below their best, as Les Bleues dominated for long spells and could have won by a bigger margin. Mallory Pugh's consolation goal in stoppage time made the scoreline a little more respectable for the visitors:

🎥 Highlights of Les Bleues' 3-1 win over @ussoccer_wnt yesterday #FRAUSA 💪pic.twitter.com/6hcb1H8bfz

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) January 20, 2019

"I think we can be disappointed in the result, but not be discouraged," Ellis said, per Jonathan Tannenwald of The Inquirer. "I think where (we) are in terms of our process right now...we told our players we're in a preseason—and this was a big ask—but not to lose sight of where we want to be. This was a great test for us tonight, but the final exam is in June."

Former USWNT captain Julie Foudy was also keeping things in perspective following the humbling loss:

Fear not USWNT fans. It’s January. Lots of players out. Lots to learn from today. These losses are what drive the best teams. No need to panic. #USAvFRA

— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) January 19, 2019

Caitlin Murray of ESPN noted the United States started 2015 with a poor result before going on to achieve great things that year:

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1086729350198640640

Still, it would be naive to brush aside all the issues that reared their head against France, with the team struggling for control in midfield and cohesion at the back.

Without a number of key players—Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle and Julie Ertz were all absent—there appeared to be a lack of figures willing to take responsibility, too. It meant key attacking stars such as Alex Morgan and Christen Press were unable to stamp their authority on the match.

Football journalist John D. Halloran believes the loss will eradicate some complacency in a World Cup year:

If I'm Jill Ellis, I'm smiling - just a little bit - on the inside.

Nothing like a loss to keep the team focused over the next six months.

— John D. Halloran (@JohnDHalloran) January 19, 2019

Now the onus will be on them to perform against Spain, something USWNT defender Meghan Klingenberg thinks they will do:

🇺🇸 USWNT will bounce back strong. I’m stoked to watch their game vs. Spain to see how they respond. Hopefully they look at this as an opportunity for growth

— Meghan Klingenberg (@meghankling) January 20, 2019

La Roja are ranked 12th in the world by FIFA and are on a good run of results coming into this fixture. They've drawn their last two games—including a dogged 0-0 stalemate against Germany—and prior to that won eight games in succession.

They are a team making positive strides under the guidance of head coach Jorge Vilda, and while they are underdogs for this fixture, the likes of Jennifer Hermoso and Vicky Losada are players who will pose a threat in the final third. 

However, expect the world champions to bounce back after their loss to France and find a way to victory.

Prediction: Spain 0-2 United States