U.S. returns to action
Americans advance with win Sunday
Americans shake off critics, face Chile Sunday in World Cup.
PARIS — The United States gets back on the field Sunday at the Women’s World Cup , just as the uproar following its opening 130 win is quieting down.
Criticized for both running up the score against Thailand and celebrating each of its record-breaking 13 goals, the Americans have dismissed the scrutiny and focused only on their bid to win a fourth World Cup title. The next challenge is against Chile in a Group F match at Parc des Princes.
A win for the United States would move the squad into the Round of 16, and Chile understands the challenge it is facing against the top team in the world.
“We don’t go on to the pitch thinking of losing by a small margin,” Chile forward Yanara Aedo said. “We go out to get something, at least a point. It’s not a victory to lose by a small margin against the USA. A victory for us is to play well, to the best of our capabilities, and playing the way we know to play.”
Chile lost to Sweden, 2-0, in its opener and coach Jose Letelier is not looking back at that match, or the United States’ game against Thailand.
“Even if the results had gone another way, we’re not going to compare any other way. We’re not going to be focusing on a match that’s gone by, someone else’s match. We’re going to focus on our own match,” he said. “I think for our national team, it’s an experience in itself even to play at this elite level.
“We’re very clear what we’re up against and we’re going to take all the necessary precautions and we’re just going to basically try to show what we can do on the pitch.”
The United States is on cruise control and coach Jill Ellis has the ability to make tweaks to her lineup if she wants to rest some of her players.
There are only three days of rest between matches for the rest of the tournament, and the Americans have a deep and talented bench of some of the best players in the world.