The U.S. women’s national team said goodbye to Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz, and in doing so, began a transition period. This month’s friendlies against South Africa, which ended in a 3-0 win on Thursday and a 2-0 win on Sunday, allowed new head coach Twila Kilgore to experiment with the team and give hints about what we can expect at the Olympics next summer. Young players were introduced, and their performances shed light on the team’s strengths and areas that need improvement after a disappointing exit in the round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup.
Here are some takeaways from the friendlies:
Refreshing the front line
The USWNT struggled to score goals in the World Cup, but they showcased a more familiar attacking style against South Africa in these friendlies. Trinity Rodman was the standout performer, scoring in both matches and proving to be a promising young talent. Lynn Williams and Alex Morgan, veteran players, also impressed with their performances.
The competition for a spot in the USWNT’s forward line for the Olympics will be fierce, and other young talents like Mia Fishel and Jaedyn Shaw could also make a difference.
Replacing Ertz
Julie Ertz’s retirement leaves a void in the team’s midfield. During Ertz’s absence between the Tokyo Olympics and the World Cup, Andonovski experimented with various players in midfield. The team performed well defensively, but Ertz’s ability to connect the defense and the attack is difficult to replicate. Emily Sonnett and Andi Sullivan were tried in midfield, and the return of Sam Mewis from injury will add to the competition for midfield spots.
Remembering the good things
Despite the disappointing World Cup campaign, there were positives to take away. The team’s defense was solid, conceding only two shots on target and one goal in the tournament. This defensive strength was evident in the friendlies against South Africa, where the opposition struggled to create scoring opportunities. Naomi Girma stood out as a reliable center back, but the team still needs to decide on a long-term partner for her.
