In what MUST be a good sign, as I await the kickoff of the 2nd game in the SBC, one of 2 owners of teams in the top domestic league and the best in the world as well, the NWSL has her movie just ending, Angel City owner Natalie Portman and her Star Wars the Phantom Menace. She joins youth soccer standout Sue Bird who owns a piece of the local team, Gotham FC, with a few playing this game, in both hailing from our hometown of Syosset.
This USWNT, vying for a threepeat of World Cup titles have yet to be scored upon in this 2023. Japan although they lost, were in the game start to finish facing Brazil. With this game, there are but a quartet of matches remaining before HC Vlatko makes his World Cup Roster known.
Japan opens with tremendous pressure, forcing Fox just at the minute mark to play a ball out of touch due to pressure. Almost a misque between the GK & US defender with a Japanese player right on their tails deep in the area. First foul, by the USA just in their defensive half. A Japanese error gives Horan the ball and her high soaring cross goes out of play. First look at goal goes to the Forward in blue, Ueki, though off she was also a bit shy in her leap to nod the ball goal ward. Sanchez to Williams who finds Swanson, plays it through the 6 but too strong for Morgan. Now, Japan is pinned in by pressure, a few attempted clearances picked off by the USA. The Japanese pressure causes the USA to use the GK from near midfield to break the stress. A bad pass gives the ball to the USA end line, pulled back out of their defensive third, they then regain possession. Before it clears their defensive half it is taken back, now the US knocks it around at the top of their area. The ref makes her first sub of the game, the ball is taken out replaced by another #5. Seems its play was a bit flat. The US has the ball well in their attacking 3rd yet it winds up back at the feet of the GK. Morgan gets hit and dropped to the floor. Another ball comes in, they just don’t make them like they used to. Moeka under pressure plays a ball out of touch at about 30 yards from her end line. Best chance of the game at 15’ is fingertipped away, a Williams effort goes off the bar by the visiting goalkeeper. Over the top, but Mal is offside, a ball scooped by Horan to Swanson who is again offside. The first shot by Japan is off the defender for a corner it was taken from the top of the area. It is headed out, played back in by way of a high long drive, grabbed up by Murphy. Swanson with the hat trick of off sides at just minute 20. In the area, Huerta goes to ground and it is out for a corner. Into the US area, it pops out and is sent back in but well wide for a goal kick. Williams and Horan occupy the same space, it goes to Lynn who feeds a well offside Morgan. This getting too far forward has plagued the USA for a number of games now, it is not an advanced part of the game to stay onside. A long shot at 25’ is just wide by Japan. Her opponent too close and the US plays the ball out of touch. Japan is challenging every ball all over the field. Mal is on, but her crossing ball is too far beyond the goal, but Williams is able to run it down. The ball is pinging around yet, Japan always seems to reel it in. Another quick shot by Japan in the area is blocked by the tight defense. Just over the halfway point, the US does not look so good, they are not holding the ball well, finding the open player, getting forward at all. The speed of Swanson wins, the US causes a deep throw, they lay it back to the bottom of the circle then again a deep throw and its now in the center circle. One play near the top of the box leads to a no call another 10 yards further out does and Japan may go on goal. It falls short of its target, then winds up rolling to the safe hands of Murphy. Morgan who was down for a few then off from a head or neck injury has just backed off a pair of higher challenges. We shall see how this impacts the 2nd stanza. Swanson’s onside from Morgan, beats her player, 1v1 on GK and she is also on the score sheet. Japan having done so well to relent with mere minutes left has to be disheartened heading into the half.
I fully expect the just scored upon Japan side to come out with even more pressure, perhaps a sub or two to keep up the pace. Should this come to pass, see the US counter that with finding space and taking advantage of opportunities created by the pressure. Japan cannot afford to have the US get another goal before they equalize.
Sonnett set to come in for Huerta, has Fox move over to the right side. Girma has a player backing in on her fall at her feet for a no call. Sonnett backs off 2 balls, does not want the next, it goes to her and is played off field. In the early going here, the US is pressing more. Cook dispossess an opponent and plays it out from 25 yards from her goal. What a through ball by Horan but Sanchez cannot get to it, the US is getting forward far better now. A great hold up play goes out wide for Japan , Sonnett, nutmegged by the shot that goes a bit wide. Japan DFK from 25 yards and wide of goal, a 2 person wall by the US. The kick, knocked a bit away by Horan falls to a blue shirt, then away. The pass from Sonnet to Swanson is just short for a throw in. The pressure creates another US turnover, they recover and have it near the top of the Japan area, they back it up to half field. Right back now in the area where Japan gets it again. Swanson well in the area, lays it back returned but cleared as Sonnett runs it down. Cook wins a foot race, then safely lays it off to Murphy. An hour in and Japan gets in a great ball but the header from the crossing ball is just not sharp enough. Japan is now holding back, no pressure, with this the US moves the ball a good 80 yards with ease, Williams gets a shot off, the ball gets to Horan then cleared but gathered in by Girma. Hatch on for Morgan and Swanson gives way to a sub as well. Less than 15’ left, will Japan net the first goal on the US on the year? Murphy clears under heavy pressure. Mewis tackles the ball away it goes to Japan who knock it off the crossbar, Murphy was beaten by it. Another shot sent in, Girma blocks it out for a corner. Murphy with the save of the game, 5 yards away a bang bang shot and she deftly parries it away. Japan has cranked up the pressure here in the very late going. Rodman in on goal but right at the keeper. Interesting sub, Horan out for Korniack, far better known for her offensive than defensive contributions. The overly anxious Korniak, gets cautioned for entering the field too soon. 87’ Sonnet sends a corner knocking around well clear and out of play. A shot from the edge of the area is skied in during the last minutes of play by Japan. Girma beats her mark to the ball. 93’ great save by Murphy who then gets up for the rebound. Cook sends a shot along the end line into the stands for a corner in the 94’. The 2nd ball is high on goal and headed out by Sonnet. Nice run by Fox, keeping spaced between a pair of Japanese players then wins the throw in. A 1-0 final for the USWNT.