The U.S. Women’s National team will go into the World Cup on a positive note after defeating Wales by a 2-0 scoreline in San Jose, California after an unimpressive display against a Welsh team that is ranked 30th in the FIFA rankings. It took until the second half and substituting 34-year-old Alex Morgan with 21-year-old Trinity Rodman, who changed the game completely while scoring a brace for the Americans.
Although the Yanks came out on top, the team was far from impressive in the first half as head coach Vlatok Andonovski had to tweak his line-up due to injuries. This, however, is no excuse for the team that will be defending their World Cup title later this month.
The first half saw the Stars and Stripes pushing forward yet seeing those attacks peter out before presenting any danger to the Dragons from Great Britain. In reality, the Americans seem more concerned with not getting injured than playing at full throttle against the Welshwomen who brought a physical game to the USA. And the visitors would be quite content that they were able to stifle their opponents for the first 45 minutes.
Rodman was introduced right after the intermission, followed by three more substitutions in the 64th minute. Four minutes later Alana Cook thought she had scored with a header but an alert Kayleigh Green got her head to it, directing out of harm’s way.
The breakthrough goal by the young lady who plays her club soccer for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League came in the 76th minute after a one-touch pass from Sophia Smith. Ten minutes later a solo effort put the game to bed.
With nine ladies returning from the previous World Cup and 14 players making their international debuts, the 2023 tournament will be a much tougher one than the previous but Andnovski is confident that his team can get the job done.
