USWNT: SheBelieves Cup Recap vs. France

The USWNT closed out the 2017 SheBelieves Cup with a match against France. A look at the highlights and what is up next for the team.

Well that didn’t go as planned. The US Women’s National Team needed a win to leave the SheBelieves Cup with the trophy. Instead they got a 3-0 loss to France and leave with a whole lot of questions.

As expected, the lineup was almost the same as against Germany, with Jill Ellis including Rose Lavelle on the right wing this match. It opened with a nervy couple of minutes where France was flying all over the field and putting the US under pressure.

In the 8th minute, a perfect through ball from Alem Majri found Eugenie Le Sommer in the box and she was taken down by Alyssa Naeher. Camile Abily slotted home the following penalty.

Less than a minute later things got worse. France captain Wendie Renard’s picture perfect long ball sent Le Sommer blowing by Allie Long and crossing over Becky Sauerbrunn before finishing.

After just 10 minutes the USWNT was down 2-0 on home soil and desperately searching for answers. As the match went on they improved, finding more opportunities. Amandine Henry made a goal line clearance after a misplayed free kick nearly resulted in a goal. T

obin Heath was the US’ most dangerous player for most of the night. She had the ball with several dangerous 1-on-1 situations, but just couldn’t find that final ball in the back of the net. As the US were improving and looking more dangerous, a defensive breakdown made it 3-0.

The USWNT finished the SheBelieves Cup in last place while France took home the trophy. Jill Ellis now needs to answer questions as the team continues to prepare for the next World Cup. Can three in the back continue to work?

France was very effective pulling players away and taking advantage of the spaces behind them. It’s also concerning that in 270 minutes of play, the US only was able to manage one goal.

If you ask 10 fans what the best combination up top is, you might get 10 different answers. Ellis has plenty of talented options in attack, but what are her go two options, and which players work best together because no combinations are seeming to pick up a rhythm.

Next: Top 10 Goals of the Week

Whats Next?

In April, right before the NWSL season begins, the USWNT has a pair of friendlies against Russia in Texas. They wont mount as strong of a challenge as the SheBelieves Cup opponents, so it is a chance for the US to tweak and fix the issues that presented themselves.