The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) resumed their 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands. In this post, we’ll be providing our three biggest USA-Netherlands takeaways.
This was a rematch of the 2019 Final in France, but played out very differently. To be fair, it played out differently from most USA-Netherlands matches, a head-to-head contest that the USA was 8-1-1 in over their last ten meetings. Even without Vivianne Miedema up top, the Netherlands were able to strike first thanks to a well placed goal from Jill Roord. It was the first attack of the game for the Netherlands and was the first shot on target that goalie Alyssa Naeher has faced all tournament.
The rest of the first half was quite bleak for the USWNT, but optimism was in the air when Rose Lavelle stepped in at halftime. The USWNT were finally able to score from one of her corner deliveries in the second half, but were not able to grab the go-ahead goal. Now, they will have to wait until the final day to seal their fate in Group E. Nonetheless, let’s get into our USA-Netherlands takeaways and break down how the USWNT can grow from this stalemate.
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USWNT: USA-Netherlands Takeaways
USA-Netherlands Takeaway #1. The USWNT Are Struggling Against Physicality
To start, this is the second game in a row where the USWNT has experienced some rough play. So far, they have been fouled 28 times at the World Cup, with 15 coming against the Netherlands. From a spectator’s point of view, this tactic is working quite well for the opposition.
For one, this breaks up the American’s rhythm of play. Now they cannot build sustained pressure, and they are turning to set pieces for a lifeline on offense. Mentally, it felt like the Netherlands’ players were really digging underneath their skin, to the point where frustration was visually noticeable, even through the television. Lindsey Horan was able to channel that anger with her bulleted goal, but some of our other players just looked frazzled.
Finally, this level of physicality is also something that is making the USWNT commit more fouls. This match in particular felt as though we played into Dutch hands and followed their style of football. We foul, you foul; then we gamble on you not scoring from a set piece. While that plan was not perfect, a draw against the USWNT is basically a win for the Netherlands, in terms of qualification. This will be something they have to game plan for as this tournament goes deeper.
USA-Netherlands Takeaway #2. Vlatko Andonovski Needs to Trust His Bench
Another draw back for this American side is Vlatko Andonovski’s in-game management. Similar to his USMNT counterpart, Gregg Berhalter, Vlatko is getting quite a bit of slack for his lineup choices and substitution management. On Wednesday, the Macedonian-American manager only used one of his five subs, which was Rose Lavelle at halftime.
While Lavelle’s situation may be more confusing because of fitness, he still left his starting eleven unchanged despite a mediocre performance against Vietnam. Lynn Williams sat on the bench, along with Kelly O’Hara, Ashley Sanchez and Sofia Huerta. The game was calling for fresh legs, and he completely stood silent.
Even in a tournament like this, where more strategy is involved in substitutions and minute management, this was concerning. You simply cannot just throw players in the deep end when you need them and then not use them when you do not. If those depth players are needed in the knockouts, there is a very good chance they are rusty with so little game time. Truthfully, this could be the downfall of this team Down Under.
USA-Netherlands Takeaway #3. Get Rose Lavelle on All the Set Pieces
Horan’s header on Wednesday was the USWNT’s 14th set piece finish since the 2011 World Cup, which is a great return. However, they looked unlikely to convert on any of their set pieces against the Netherlands until Rose Lavelle came on. After that, they immediately began looking dangerous, specifically from the corner flag. Her placement was technically perfect and she obviously delivered the assist on the lone American goal. While our offense sort of sputters, if teams are going to continue to foul the USWNT, it is so paramount Lavelle plays and is able to put these kind of balls into threatening areas.
