USA, England on collision course for Tuesday
The U.S. and England are on a collision course to meet Tuesday in the semifinals of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. So, how did both teams get here?
USA vs. France
When Megan Rapinoe plays for the USWNT, it is like knowing that Wonder Woman would be by your side. Even when the USWNT had another game full of doubts, withdrawing their lines to hold the French rush, Rapinoe took out the magic wand, and the show began. The conversion of an early free kick and an offensive run in the second half took Rapinoe to the top of Women’s World Cup goal-scorers list. She’s a co-leader with Alex Morgan and English striker Ellen White.
The U.S. surpassed the quarterfinals, but with another match that leaves concerns in the functioning of the team. The squad managed by Jill Ellis completed less than 200 passes during the game, lost the ball possession and suffered 20 attempts of the French side. Rose Lavelle was lost for the second consecutive game and Alex Morgan was secluded; nevertheless, they achieved danger into the European terrain with counterattacks lead by Rapinoe and Tobin Heath.
Vulnerable for moments, the USWNT advanced again. They are not the perfect team that they used to be. But winning is the more significant task; there are no small victories in a World Cup tournament, and so far, that suffering has been worth it.
England vs. Norway
“Bring it home” has been the nostalgic motto of every English soccer fan during World Cups, and the disappointment has been real. Since the generation of the ’90s lead by coach Bobby Robson, England hasn’t had a team that could compete for a World Cup championship. Names like Beckham, Owen, Scholes, Shearer, Ferdinand and Campbell failed every time they got a chance to bring the most glorious title to the country of its origin. Fifty-three years later, there’s real hope to bring a trophy home, and the ladies might be on their way to doing it after the men came up just short at the 2018 World Cup.
In less than 60 minutes, the Lionesses sealed their ticket to the Women’s World Cup semifinals in a match that seemed challenging. But the English ladies erased Norway from the pitch; they found a quick goal and imposed their conditions. England makes it look smoother when they face demanding rivals. The Lionesses are gaining momentum with elegant football.
If there was immense morbidity for the match between France and the USA, we need to start thinking that the semifinal between England and the U.S. is going to give us a better spectacle. The two best rosters in the world advanced through different means: the Americans after eliminating the host nation, and England by inflicting so much damage to every rival they faced. The 2019 edition could be the most exciting of all World Cups ever played.
Follow Luis on Twitter: @LFulloa.
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