No one can accuse American of relaxing.
Having played a competitive adjustment since early March, and with the COVID-19 pandemic that interrupted the NWSL season, the Americans returned to action on Friday opposite the Netherlands. fourth name of the World Cup and lately it is number 4 in the world.
Oh, it’s also an away game.
“We know we’re the best,” U. S. coach Vlatko Andonovski said Wednesday. “We are from a tactical point of view, from physical preparation and even from our intellectual preparation. We’ve been gone for so many months.
“I’m so glad to see where this is, ” he said. “We can see in training
It’s not just an existential exercise. The Tokyo Olympics are 8 months away and matches opposed to the most productive groups are a component of the preparation. Andonovski is also new to the profession, as he replaced Jill Ellis after retiring from the World Cup, and wants time to compare the players. whether veterans and newcomers will be part of the next generation.
But COVID prevented Americans from collecting even for an educational camp until the end of October. And while players can count on time with their club groups to stay in shape, even that has been random. NwSL was the first league to return, with a bubble tournament in June and a six-week fall series that ended on October 17.
That means that with the exception of Tobin Heath, Christen Press, Rose Lavelle, Sam Mewis and Alex Morgan, who play in England, and Jaelin Howell, who was a member of the Florida state team that won the ACC championship 10 days ago, the Americans probably wouldn’t look like the flawless giant waiting for the world.
Especially opposed to a team like Holland. In addition to European qualifying matches in September and October, Dutch players are constantly working out with teams of European clubs.
“The biggest impediment we’ll have with this game is a 90-minute foreign game, which is a pretty intense burden,” said veteran defender Kelley O’Hara. “As many other people have mentioned, other people are elsewhere, in other education Environments. The most vital thing will be to spend 90 minutes of foreign competition, whether friendly or not.
“We all knew this game was going to happen,” he added, “and we prepared accordingly, no matter where we came from here. “
But what has made Americans so dominant for three decades is that their criteria remain the same, whether it’s a World Cup game or a friendly game, whether veteran players or beginners. Andonovski pointed to the example set by Morgan, who had his daughter Charlie in early May.
Although she is one of the most productive players in the world and can easily argue for a safe break, Morgan decided in September to move to England, where she plays for Tottenham. She made her Spurs debut on November 7 and played 3 games. before joining American women.
“It’s a world we all live in and times are tough, and for her to make up her mind in the middle of a pandemic and bring her son to (England).
Andonovski said he was inspired by what he had noticed from Morgan so far and that he would probably play the Netherlands. However, he does not know how much.
“We’re sure he won’t be in a position for 90 minutes, but we’re going to check to get the most out of it,” he said.
No World Cup champion has won the upcoming Olympics. While immediate recovery certainly played a role, O’Hara said intellectual fatigue is an even more vital factor.
The postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games – to be held precisely a year later – mitigates in part, but cases of robbery carry their own demanding situations for Americans.
“I think we looked pretty good. But to get to the Olympics from here, we still have a lot to do,” O’Hara said. “No matter where we are now, we have to make progress. And we have to. “pass upstairs.
That’s why the simple solution is an option, at least not for American women.
Follow USA TODAY sports columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.