Great champions have an enormous sense of pride. The people who excel are those who are driven to show the world and prove to themselves just how good they are.
Nancy Lopez, three-time Ladies PGA Champion.
Golf is a solitary sport. To make an impression on a game so imbued with, unfortunately, aspects of the male, chauvinistic, capitalist tendencies, by oneself, is quite the achievement. Without getting into a Marxist-critique of sporting political capital, we can say that Lopez’ eleven-year spell of success redefined the game along feminist lines.
There is a point to this; it isnt just an anger-take inspired by Rory McIlroys poor performance at the British Open. I promise.
In the case of football and the United States Women’s Team, the battle for equality will hopefully soon be won. The equal pay debate is reaching fever pitch and rising interest in the game domestically is only tipping the scales on one side. The USWNT bears the fruits of the excellence of the American domestic game. It’s quality best seen through individuals.
In this tactical analysis, we shall see how the Utah Royals and the Portland Thorns relied on their key players, a few of those who returned the World Cup trophy, to see themselves to a 2-2 draw in the NWSL. Tactical flaws were exploited by individual talent and both sides defined their best attacking plays on similar lines. This was not a game for team spectacles but a welcome return for the USA’s independent heroes.
Lineups and selection
For at least the third match in a row, Mark Parsons went for a three-at-the-back formation. Whilst there is an argument to be made that he has been more consistent with this tactical shape, as we shall discover, Parsons’ side shows a notable distinction between playing three-at-the-back and having three central defenders in a five-player backline.
With regard to personnel changes, unsurprisingly the USWNT returning heroes forced changes to the starting XI. The most notable of these was Lindsey Horan, who replaced Dagný Brynjarsdóttir in the middle of midfield. Yet, we also saw Adrianna Franch, Alyssa Naeher’s national team deputy return to the Thorns goal and Tobin Heath make a cameo appearance from the subs bench.
Laura Ha
