Once again the USWNT faced Portugal and once again the team was unable to hold onto an early lead. After a first minute goal from winger Olivia Moultrie, Portugal found a way to make it 1-1 just five minutes
later. This time the result would go the Americans way as Moultrie found the net again in the 10th minute and Sam Coffey put the game out of reach in the 82nd minute. The USA will try to take that momentum going forward against New Zealand to finish the trio of early fall friendlies.
Overall, the 3-1 win was a vast improvement for the Americans. The team split possession 51-49% with Portugal, but was more effective creating chances with 10 shots in the match. Perhaps most promising is that the team was much improved defensively. The early goal seemed to jolt the backline and not wanting a repeat performance in the first match, the team came together to allow just four shots the entire game. Notably, Lindsey Heaps and Rose Lavelle did not appear in the match so the success in the match can be attributed to the younger players gaining experience in a game with higher expectations following the loss earlier in the week.
A new challenge awaits the team as New Zealand awaits in Kansas City. The Football Ferns are coming off of a pair of friendlies against Mexico which they lost 1-0 and 2-0. In those games, Mexico found ways to score off of set pieces, a weakness that the team will need to address against the USA. Tactically, New Zealand tries to stay compact and hard to break down while pressing high to win the ball and create chances on the counter. The team did not score against Mexico, but did create 16 shots in the matches. That said, Mexico managed 36 shots in the two games so the USA should be able to cause problems for the New Zealand backline.
The win against Portugal came thanks to better defensive organization and an improved buildup when the team had possession. The team was able to move up the field with players in better position to create attacking opportunities thanks to this patient approach. Should Emma Hayes turn back to the veterans in her lineup, possession should be even more effective against a weaker opponent. More importantly, the team played together and will need to continue to build that cohesion rather than let the gameplan devolve into individuals trying to control the outcome of the game.
Hayes is still in the midst of putting a process in place to prepare the team for World Cup qualifying. The loss against Portugal was a setback, but perhaps also woke the team up to the fact that on a bad day they will get beaten by a side that is well organized and can play together. Going back to basic principles and creating cohesion will ensure the team is prepared for what comes ahead. Putting it all together again against New Zealand will be a step forward in that direction.
