Get yer kicks!
U.S. women will face a tougher test today against Chile
PARIS – Five days after crushing Thailand 13-0, and a few days after the fallout of showing too much exuberance in doing so, the United States is looking for something new to celebrate on Sunday: defeating Chile and earning a spot into the knockout stage.
The No. 1-ranked Americans have handily defeated the South Americans before – 3-0 and 4-0 in back-to-back friendlies last September – and feature the strongest attack of the 24 teams competing at this Women’s World Cup.
“We just want to play a very good brand of football and move past the group stage,” said U.S. coach Jill Ellis.
Also working in the Americans’ favor will be the atmosphere inside the stadium, where a largely pro-U.S. crowd is expected to make it feel like a home game. A sellout crowd of 45,000 is expected as American fans have been flooding into the French capital for the last three days.
“I’m sure they’re going to get their money’s worth,” Ellis said.
The Americans are first in Group F, tied at three points with Sweden. The U.S. (obviously) has a better goal differential, the first tiebreaker to determine which teams advance to the knockout stage. Sweden play on Sunday against Thailand in Nice with an eye towards running up the score in an effort to win the group.
A win and the U.S. would clinch an early spot into the round of 16. While an achievement, it’s expected for a program that has won three World Cups and reached at least the semifinals in all seven prior editions stretching back to 1991.
Chile was defeated 2-0 by Sweden in its opening match.
The Americans are coming off a ruthless offensive display against Thailand this past Tuesday to kick off their title defense, breaking the previous tournament record of 11-0 set by Germany in 2007 against Argentina.
The outcome polarized public opinion and sparked criticism for the players’ continued celebrations – even after the score was long out of reach. Ellis and the players have been unapologetic, but have had to spend the past few days defending their behavior.
“The night was about celebrating people,” Ellis said.
The criticism that got the most internet traction came from former Canadian star Kaylyn Kyle. While working as an analyst for TSN, the former midfielder called the U.S. players “disgraceful” and “classless” for celebrating each goal with such gusto. The debate became so toxic that Kyle said she had received death threats.
The French lauded the U.S. for its impressive start. The sports daily l’Equipe ran the headline “Soccer Champagne” the day after the win in reference to the amount of goals that bubbled over.
“I don’t really think we as a team are super involved in watching and reading a lot of media about ourselves, to be honest,” said midfielder Sam Mewis, who scored two goals against Thailand in her World Cup debut. “We had heard there were some things going on and I think we’re really trying to focus on the next game and on Chile.”
The 26-year-old Mewis is a newcomer who’s made a name for herself on this veteran-laden squad. The team, which has been training in the Parisian suburb of Colombes since Wednesday, is the oldest at the tournament with an average age of 29. While the U.S. offense is strong, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and the defense went largely untested in their first game.
Alex Morgan, following her five-goal performance in the opening game, is currently the tournament’s top scorer. She is expected to spearhead the attack alongside captain Megan Rapinoe and Tobin Heath. Carli Lloyd and Mallory Pugh, who came off the bench against Thailand, could also see playing time.
“I think on the bench we have a lot of fire in us,” Pugh said. “We’re ready to take on anything. We can put anyone in and they’re going to get the job done.”
Ellis would not reveal her starting lineup on Saturday when asked during a news conference.
“You’ll know when the lineup comes out,” she said.
The South Americans, meanwhile, will look to striker Yanara Aedo, who has nine goals in 20 appearances for her country, to muster some offensive firepower.
“The advantage we have is that we played two friendlies against them and we know what precautions to take,” said defender Rocio Soto. “We’re going to go out with everything we have.”
Everything Chile has may not be enough. Playing in its first-ever Women’s World Cup, the team is currently 39th in the FIFA rankings. By comparison, Thailand is No. 34.
In goal, team captain Christiane Endler plays her club soccer with local club PSG and attended the University of South Florida. She will be the last line of defense should the U.S. unleash another offensive barrage.
“They are a very fast and very direct team,” she said.