USWNT: Match Preview and Predicted Starting XI vs Russia
By Eric Harris
On the heals of a new CBA, the USWNT Looks to Rebound From the SheBelieves Cup in the First of Two Against Russia Tonight.
Who: USWNT vs. Russia
Where: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
When: Thursday, April 7th, 8:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: FS1
Between the SheBelieves Cup, the CBA Agreement and the Upcoming NWSL season, these friendlies against Russia can easily be forgotten. It isn’t against a marquee opponent and there are no truly meaningful games for a while, but these matches are important to get into a rhythm.
In the past three matches, the USWNT have only managed one goal. A couple games against Russia will give them a chance to get some confidence going. Kealia Ohai joins the squad after missing out on the SheBelieves Cup and could provide a spark. 16-year-old Sophia Smith could also get her first cap in the next two matches.
Her teammate and 17-year-old Jaelin Howell is also part of the squad in midfield. It’s also a chance to see more of Rose Lavelle and what she can do. Megan Rapinoe also returns to the squad after her absence in the SheBelieves cup.
It will be interesting to see if three in the backline continues. Julie Johnston is not in camp due to her wedding, so there will be some shuffling in defense.
The key to look for in these two games is what players develop some sort of rhythm. There will be a lot players getting experience either in new positions or are just in camp for the first time. These games aren’t the most important in terms of wins and losses, but they can help solidify players’ spots in future camps.
Projected Lineup
With the nature of this camp, this lineup will undoubtedly be wrong, but this is the best guess at the moment. Allie Long has been on the back line in recent matches, but with the lack of defensive midfielders she looks likely slot in there.
Guessing who will be up top is anyone’s guess at this point. Jill Ellis seems to like the Christen Press and Lynn Williams combo. Plenty of others will get minutes though, including the possible return of Amy Rodriguez who missed last year due to pregnancy. The usual suspects of Crystal Dunn and Alex Morgan will also feature at some point.
It will be interesting to see what Ellis does with Meghan Klingenberg. She was not part of the SheBelieves Cup roster and hasn’t gotten much time in the new 3-4-1-2 formation. The move could suit her well though, her tendency to get forward would make for fewer holes in the defense in this formation.
Next: What the new CBA means for the USWNT and the NWSL
Overall, these are games the USWNT should win comfortably. This will be a chance to gain some confidence, and get some new combinations of players minutes together.