U.S. Women's National Team
U.S. Women Get Group of Death for 2015 World Cup
Just like the U.S. men's national team in 2014, Jill Ellis' World Cup-bound women's national side will face a steep challenge at the upcoming tournament in Canada. ASN's John Halloran has more.
BY
John D. Halloran
Posted
December 06, 2014
4:03 PM
WHEN THE UNITED STATES women’s national team takes the field this summer in Canada for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, it will have one thing in common with the United States men’s national team that took the field this past summer in Brazil—it will be playing in the Group of Death.
On Saturday, the U.S. was drawn into Group D, alongside Sweden, Australia, and Nigeria—all of whom were considered to be the strongest teams in their respective pots.
Ironically enough, when FIFA made the decision to expand the 2015 Women’s World Cup to 24 teams, some pundits worried that the tournament’s quality would become diluted. And while that may be a problem in some groups, lopsided score lines won’t be among the worries for the U.S. squad next summer in Canada.
Here’s a quick look at the opponents the U.S. will face in the group stage and a breakdown of the roster the U.S. announced on Friday for the team’s upcoming tournament in Brazil.
December 06, 2014
4:03 PM
The Group of Death
Reacting to the U.S.’s placement, even head coach Jill Ellis admitted the challenge in front of the Americans, saying: “It’s certainly the toughest group.” However, she also expressed the confidence expected from the coach of the world’s No. 1 team, saying, “With our depth and the preparation we have over the next five to six months, I think we’ll be ready.” The U.S. will open up the World Cup with No. 10 Australia, which has given the U.S. trouble in the past and has a front line led by forwards (and NWSL veterans) Lisa De Vanna and Samantha Kerr. Four days later, the U.S. will face Sweden, the one team all of the seeded teams had hoped to avoid. Sweden is coached by former U.S. manager Pia Sundhage, who led the U.S. to the finals of the 2011 World Cup and gold in the 2012 Olympics. Sundhage and Sweden will be playing with a chip on their shoulders next summer after not getting a top-six seed for the draw, despite the fact that the club is currently ranked No. 5 in the world. Ellis seemed unfazed that the U.S. had drawn Sundhage’s Sweden: “It’s easier playing a friend. I have tremendous respect for her. It’s going to be a great game.” Apparently, however, Sundhage was not as happy with the draw, responding with what Ellis would only say was “a colorful expression.” The last time the U.S. met Sweden, in the 2014 Algarve Cup, Sweden won 1-0. Led by one the most accomplished strikers in the world, Lotta Schelin, Sweden will present a formidable opponent and one that could do serious damage to the U.S.’s hopes of winning the tournament. The team that finishes second in group D will face the winner of group E (likely Brazil) in the Round of 16. The “easiest” match of the group will be in the U.S.’s third game, when it faces Nigeria. And while Nigeria is only ranked No. 35 in the world, it is the top team in Africa, winning the 2014 African Women’s Championship. Nigeria's youth teams have also given the U.S. U-20 team fits in the past. Ellis described the Nigerian team as “very athletic," which could present a particular problem for a U.S. squad that struggled against the pacier CONCACAF teams in qualifying.
The Roster for Brazil
On Friday, Ellis announced the team’s roster for the International Tournament of Brasilia, a four-nation tournament taking place over the next two weeks. The U.S. will play China, Brazil, and Argentina in a round-robin then play one final game with the top two and bottom two teams in the group facing off against each other. Here are the 24 players who will be joining the team for the tournament. GOALKEEPERS: Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC) DEFENDERS: Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Whitney Engen (WNY Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City) MIDFIELDERS: Morgan Brian (Virginia), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Samantha Mewis (UCLA), Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC) FORWARDS: Sydney Leroux (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Abby Wambach (WNY Flash)Goalkeepers
There were no surprises in the goalkeeper pool with Solo, Harris, and Naeher being named to the team. Solo is undoubtedly the team’s No. 1 and arguably the best goalkeeper in the world.