U.S. women’s soccer notes: Costa Rica awaits in Group A finale - Houston Chronicle

U.S. women’s soccer notes: Costa Rica awaits in Group A finale - Houston Chronicle

Ahead of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying, U.S. women’s national team coach Vlatko Andonovski lauded his team for its competitive spirit in camp and practices. But on Sunday, ahead of the Americans’ final group stage game against Costa Rica, things were a bit more laid back.

U.S. women’s national team coach Vlatko Andonovski was in the center of a circle of team staffers, laughing and lunging for the ball as they tried to kick it past him.

The USWNT defeated Haiti 4-0 on Tuesday and topped Panama 8-0 on Friday to take the Group A lead with a five-goal advantage over Costa Rica, which also is 2-0. The U.S. needs only a draw against Costa Rica at BBVA Stadium on Monday to win Group A .

“I think we’ve definitely built from the first game to the second game,” midfielder Julie Ertz said. “We played (Costa Rica) in November and they’re a good team, great technical team, a couple of the players we know pretty well. I think for us, it’s just it’s about building each game, not looking past anything.”

A group A win for the the U.S. would set up a Friday semifinal matchup with Mexico. In order to qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo, the U.S. must advance past that semifinal in Carson, Calif.

Horan shines with hat trick

U.S. midfielder Lindsey Horan dominated in her first start of the tournament Friday. She scored the first of her three goals just three minutes into the match and added a pair of assists. She’s tied for second in scoring (four goals) in the competition.

“I think we improved a lot from our first game,” Horan said.

Coach Vlatko Andonovski sought greater urgency and precision in front of the net. But it wasn’t just Horan who provided that in an 8-0 victory in which the U.S. outshot Panama 38-1, improving on a 23-3 margin in the previous game, a 4-0 win over Haiti.

“All of our forwards are very fast,” Horan said. “It makes it easier on me and the other midfielders to know the ability that they have and the balls that they can get to and just how incredible they are.

“Everyone wants a hat trick, but to be fair, I think it was more just about how our team was playing and to not get lackadaisical throughout the rest of the game.”

Krieger praises Harris, Sonnet

On Friday, defender Ali Krieger and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris made their first start together since getting married in late December.

Both play for the National Women’s Soccer League’s Orlando Pride, with whom another of Friday’s starters (defender Emily Sonnett) will join them this season.

“Obviously, I think she’s one of the best in the world,” Krieger said of Harris. “Having her back there with that confidence, her leadership, just her presence on the field … I know I get that every day in Orlando, but here you can see that she’s really wanting to be there, wanting the respect of the team. And she’s earned it, and she deserves it, and I’m really proud of her.

“I don’t know if she had a lot to do (on Friday), but she kept us really organized, and that’s what you want.”

Friday’s game offered a preview of the communication and chemistry Sonnett will provide with the Pride..

“I’m so excited that I can work together with her in Orlando, and we can hopefully have a really solid backline,” Krieger said. “She’s going to be a tremendous player for this team (and) our club team now. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her.”

2020-02-02 23:30:00Z
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/dynamo/article/U-S-women-s-soccer-notes-Costa-Rica-awaits-in-15024827.php

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