U-20 USWNT: 2019 Nike International Friendlies – Match Day 3 Recap

On Friday, the Under-20 United States Women’s National Team, in split squads, played their final matches of the 2019 Nike International Friendlies, with the “Red” Team earning a nil-nil draw against Brazil, while the “Blue” Team, which primarily consisted of the available first-choice players, capped off the event with a 2:1 victory over France.  The performances of both USA teams were much improved from their losses on Wednesday.

In this article:

  • Embedded full-match replay videos (YouTube)
  • Highlights of the USA’s goals
  • USA’s starting line-ups (with shirt numbers)
  • USA’s starting formations
  • USA’s substitutions
  • Detailed scoring summaries

Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: 2019 Nike International Friendlies – Match Day 3 Recap”

U-20 USWNT: 2019 Nike International Friendlies – Match Day 2 Recap

On Wednesday, the Under-20 United States Women’s National Team, in split squads, faced the U-20 WNTs of France and Brazil as part of the 2019 Nike International Friendlies, losing both matches.

In this article:

  • Embedded full-match replay videos (YouTube)
  • Highlights of the USA’s goals
  • USA’s starting line-ups (with shirt numbers)
  • USA’s starting formations (corrected)
  • USA’s substitutions (updated)
  • Detailed scoring summaries

Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: 2019 Nike International Friendlies – Match Day 2 Recap”

USWNT: Another Addition for the 2019 Identification Camp

On Tuesday, U.S. Soccer announced that Penn State center back Kaleigh Riehl will be attending this year’s United States Women’s National Team identification camp, which officially began on Sunday, December 9th.

Riehl was a member of two FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cups, playing every minute of the USA’s six matches in 2016 while being an unused substitute during the 2014 tournament.

She recently wrapped up her NCAA career, logging a record 8847 minutes over her 101 matches, besting the record that had been held by current USWNT center back Becky Sauerbrunn (Virginia, 2003-2007; 8523 minutes, 91 matches). Continue reading “USWNT: Another Addition for the 2019 Identification Camp”

USWNT: The 2019 Identification Camp – Additions and Subtractions

Update #3 (11-Dec-2019):  Center back Kaleigh Riehl was added to the roster on Tuesday.  For more about her, see the next article.

On Monday, U.S. Soccer announced that two players from the Washington State women’s soccer team, Morgan Weaver and Makamae Gomera-Stevens, have been added to the roster for this week’s United States Women’s National Team identification camp, while three players, Danielle Colaprico of the Chicago Red Stars, plus Madison Haley and Naomi Girma of Stanford, all due to unspecified injuries.

These changes are in addition to the previously announced replacement of North Carolina’s Emily Fox, due to an ACL injury, by Jaelin Howell of Florida State.

Summary capsules for the three additional players – Howell, Weaver, and Gomera-Stevens – are included at the bottom of this article. Continue reading “USWNT: The 2019 Identification Camp – Additions and Subtractions”

2019 NCAA College Cup: Stanford Wins Third National Title

Just a quick compilation of highlights from the final and semifinals:

  • Stanford bests North Carolina on spot kicks (5:4, 6 rounds) after first scoreless draw in Women’s College Cup history
  • USWNT call-up Sophia Smith nets a hat trick versus UCLA in Stanford’s 4:1 semifinal win over the team from Westwood
  • North Carolina survives Washington State after 2:1 comeback victory

Continue reading “2019 NCAA College Cup: Stanford Wins Third National Title”

2020 SheBelieves Cup: England Confirmed, But Germany, France, and Brazil Have Other Plans

Update (13-Jan-2020):  U.S. Soccer has finally published the schedule for this year’s SheBelieves Cup.  The fourth team will be Spain Full details, here.

Update (05-Jan-2020):  On December 20th, the JFA published preliminary calendars for their national teams, confirming Japan‘s participation in this year’s tournament.  The identity of the final team has yet-to-be officially confirmed.

Although the teams for the 2020 edition of the SheBelieves Cup have yet to be officially announced, we do have a very good idea of which teams will not be competing against the host, the United States Women’s National Team.

That is because the fields for two other friendly tournaments which will be held during the same international window, the Algarve Cup, as well as a new four-team tournament hosted by France, were both officially confirmed last week.

Also, earlier in November, the FA confirmed that England (#5T) will once again be participating in the SheBelieves Cup.  That nugget was buried in the FA’s press release about their hiring of former USWNT high performance coach Dawn Scott.

Continue reading “2020 SheBelieves Cup: England Confirmed, But Germany, France, and Brazil Have Other Plans”

USWNT: December 2019 Identification Camp Roster Announced (Overview)

Update  #1 (09-Dec-2019):  Emily Fox has been replaced by Florida State junior Jaelin Howell, who is primarily a holding midfielder. (U.S. Soccer)  Also, per Jenn Hildreth (during the College Cup final broadcast), Catarina Macario had been invited to this camp, but declined due to a family commitment in Brazil.  The camp also overlaps with finals week at Stanford. (stanford.edu)

Update #2 (09-Dec-2019):  Naomi Girma, Madison Haley, and Danielle Colaprico will not attend due to injuries.  Two NCAA players, both from Washington State, forward Morgan Weaver and midfielder Makamae Gomera-Stevens, have been added to the roster. (U.S. Soccer)

Update #3 (11-Dec-2019):  Center back Kaleigh Riehl was added to the roster on Tuesday.  For more about her, go here.

Last Wednesday, U.S. Soccer officially announced that the United States Women’s National Team will hold an identification camp during the second week of December (Monday, the 9th, to Saturday, the 14th) in Bradenton, Florida.  New head coach Vlatko Andonovski has called in 24 players, including 10 current collegiate players.  Of the remaining 14 players, all but one, UCLA alumna Hailie Mace, played in the NWSL during the 2019 season.  Of the ten collegiate players, four are age-eligible for next year’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup:  Maycee Bell, Naomi Girma, Brianna Pinto, and Sophia Smith.

External Link:  Andonovski Names 24-Player Roster For U.S. Women’s National Team December Identification Training Camp In Florida (USSoccer.com)

Among the 24 players, 14 players have attended at least one prior USWNT camp, while 7 of those players have at least one senior USWNT cap.  The most capped player called up is the Houston Dash’s Kristie Mewis, who has 15 senior USWNT caps and 1 senior USWNT goal, with her last cap coming back in March 2014.

Not yet Now confirmed by U.S. Soccer:  North Carolina junior Emily Fox is apparently a scratch due to an ACL tear suffered during UNC’s NCAA Championship quarterfinal match versus USC .

Continue reading “USWNT: December 2019 Identification Camp Roster Announced (Overview)”

USWNT: 2019 ID Camp Player Capsules – Forwards and Midfielders

For the USWNT’s December 2019 identification camp, head coach Vlatko Andonovski has called up six forwards and seven midfielders:

Forwards:

  • Bethany Balcer
  • Madison Haley
  • Ashley Hatch
  • Paige Monaghan
  • Sophia Smith
  • Ally Watt

Midfielders:

  • Danielle Colaprico
  • Vanessa DiBernardo
  • Jordan DiBiasi
  • Sarah Killion
  • Kristie Mewis
  • Brianna Pinto
  • Ashley Sanchez

This article includes basic summary capsules for each of these players, along with highlights and other useful videos, if available. Continue reading “USWNT: 2019 ID Camp Player Capsules – Forwards and Midfielders”

USWNT: 2019 ID Camp Player Capsules – Defenders and Goalkeepers

For the USWNT’s December 2019 identification camp, head coach Vlatko Andonovski has called up nine defenders and two goalkeepers:

Defenders:

  • Maycee Bell (center back)
  • Malia Berkely (center back or outside back)
  • Imani Dorsey (outside back)
  • Emily Fox (outside back) – probably a scratch
  • Naomi Girma (center back)
  • Sarah Gorden (outside back or center back)
  • Kiara “Kiki” Pickett (outside back)
  • Margaret “Midge” Purce (outside back)

Goalkeepers:

  • Jane Campbell
  • Casey Murphy

This article includes basic summary capsules for each of these players, along with highlights and other useful videos, if available. Continue reading “USWNT: 2019 ID Camp Player Capsules – Defenders and Goalkeepers”

USWNT: High Performance Coach Dawn Scott Returns to England FA

On Wednesday, U.S. Soccer and the Football Association (FA) confirmed that Dawn Scott, who was the United States Women’s National Team’s High Performance Coach, is leaving U.S. Soccer for a similar position with the FA as the Physical Performance Manager for England’s senior women’s national team.  Scott’s sudden departure was surprising as newly installed USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski had said that he was “retaining” Scott (SI.com).  The news was broken over the previous weekend by Simon Austin at Training Ground Guru and confirmed by Jeff Kassouf of Equalizer Soccer.

Details about the circumstances of Scott’s departure and hiring are limited, although her departure was described as “amicable.” (The Athletic article, subscription required) Continue reading “USWNT: High Performance Coach Dawn Scott Returns to England FA”