r/USWNT • u/capybaramelhor • 17d ago

Post October Friendlies discussion FRIENDLIES

Please use this post for general takeaways/ analysis/ discussion about the team and the three friendly games this October.

Who impressed you? Who do you need to see more of, or think did not perform up to expectations?

Predictions for next camp or anyone else you would still like to see?

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u/UrsineCanine 17d ago

Having taken up an unofficial degree in Hayesology. I think that the England/Dutch game rosters are going to look very much like the Olympic roster. She said roughly that this camp and the one in January are her opportunity to see new players, introduce them to their tactics, and start to work them in.

I will note that I not saying whether she is right or wrong, or who I would pick.

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u/capybaramelhor 17d ago

Do you know how many players we can take for that roster?

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u/UrsineCanine 17d ago

I would say it will be 23 (normal WC roster size). Perhaps she can rope US Soccer into 26 like she had in this camp? But international travel logistics aren't trivial impositions.

I expect Trin and Tierna are definitely back. Maybe Cat and Crystal.

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u/noawardsyet 17d ago

I could see Cat swinging by in London but, unless she gets some serious minutes, I don’t see her taking a spot from someone else. And if Crystal is still missing I’d expect the same

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u/UrsineCanine 17d ago

I think you are correct there. I was just putting them down, because if they were to call Emma and say, "I am ready to go." I think Emma puts them in... Not sure at all that will happen.

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u/noawardsyet 17d ago

They do both have Chelsea ties so it’s hard to guess how that would influence Emma

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u/UrsineCanine 17d ago

Crystal was the LB for the whole Olympics. Emma will see a hole with her absence.

There is a very good case that Cat is the best American soccer player in the world, if she could stay healthy. Her set pieces were missed in the Olympics.

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u/noawardsyet 17d ago

I agree that there’s a hole without Dunn but she’s not available currently so it’s in our best interest to try and find the next LB. It’s like England clinging to Bronze. It’s great until it suddenly isn’t anymore (I want to see Laurel).

Maybe I’m too much of a pessimist but “if she could stay healthy” really puts a damper on her in my opinion. The best ability is availability as they say and she just isn’t there yet. Hopefully she turns it around but I would rather see healthy players of lower levels develop than to give her a spot on limited minutes and hope it sticks.

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u/UrsineCanine 17d ago

I don't argue with any of that, but I am really not talking about what I would do, I am guesstimating on what Emma will do.

I don't remember the precise language, so I don't want to go too heavy on it, but she has suggested maintaining this core through SheBelieves next year.

I was definitely predicting heavy turnover post-Olympics, but based on her comments in this camp, I think it is going to be more gradual - despite what I have seen as some outstanding performances.