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USWNT Vs New Zealand: 3 things we learned – Carli Lloyd bosses it… again

By Drew Hubbard

ALICANTE, SPAIN - JANUARY 22: Christen Press of The United States celebrates after scoring her sides first goal with her teammates Rose Lavelle and Alex Morgan during the Women's International Friendly match between Spain and The United States at Estadio Jose Rico Perez on January 22, 2019 in Alicante, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
ALICANTE, SPAIN - JANUARY 22: Christen Press of The United States celebrates after scoring her sides first goal with her teammates Rose Lavelle and Alex Morgan during the Women's International Friendly match between Spain and The United States at Estadio Jose Rico Perez on January 22, 2019 in Alicante, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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CHESTER, PA – FEBRUARY 27: US Forward Tobin Heath (17) chases the ball in the first half during the She Believes Cup game between Japan and the United States on February 27, 2019 at Talen Energy Field in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHESTER, PA – FEBRUARY 27: US Forward Tobin Heath (17) chases the ball in the first half during the She Believes Cup game between Japan and the United States on February 27, 2019 at Talen Energy Field in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Crosses, crosses, and more crosses

The USWNT does it better than anyone in the world, and it was more than obvious against New Zealand: crossing the ball with accuracy, speed and frequency make them one of the most dangerous attacks in this upcoming World Cup.

Four of the five goals against New Zealand came from wide positions crossing it into the middle with Rapinoe, Horan, Heath, and Press all earning assists from the wings. And this strategy has paid dividends for the Americans in the last two matches, eventually breaking teams down and finding the net.

The worry is how Jill Ellis and company will be able to adjust when a team prepares and defends the wide areas well. With South Africa playing a bunker type defense and New Zealand somewhat incorporating that same style in Thursday’s game, the USWNT has seen a good example of what is to come this summer.

Teams are going to force the champions out and hope to strike on the counter-attack or on a set piece. Better sides like Sweden and France could wreak havoc against the U.S. if they have space to drive into on the break. We’ve seen this happen before, most notably in the 2016 Olympics when Sweden knocked out the USWNT in the quarter-finals. The Americans sent in 38 crosses in that match. The Swedish side was prepared for it and kept the USWNT at bay, conceding just the once and winning on penalties.

Next. USWNT Vs South Africa: 3 things we learned. dark

Crossing the ball has worked in the last two matches for the world champions, but with players like Sam Mewis being able to take shots from distance, there is more than one way for the ball to find the back of the net. And that is something that the USWNT will have to find if they want to defend their crown.

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