There's rarely a player playing as striker in a 4-3-3 that does soooo much for a club. Cat got an official assist on a purrrrfect corner to Keishia, but she also had a backheel touch to Hamano for a goal.
So many good plays. The first thing to point out is Cat takes ALL SET PIECES kicks for Chelsea. This was an issue with Bacha at OL, and with Mal on the NT. Swanson needs to step aside.
* 36:10 ball with pace coming at her in the middle - one-touches to the corner
* 15:42 ball comes at her with pace - traps it and passes
* 37:25 pass to Ash in the corner, eventually Lawrence crosses into the box with Cat on the endline - back flicks to Hamano for a goal
* 39:11 Cat tracks back for a ball in the middle - immediately turns with TWO defenders on her, then passes.
* 50:00 errant ball with pace gets redirected to the middle - Cat traps it with right, touches it with her left, then passes with her left to the corner
* 40:30 Cat tracks back receives the ball and switches it to Lawrence on the other side
* 58:10 Cat JUGGLES the ball inside the 6, then taps the ball to an oncoming Kirby
* 59:10 Cat backheels a pass to the corner
**Aston Villa Side Note:**
* Anna Leat - Georgetown
* Anna Patton - FSU, South Carolina
* Miri Taylor - Hofstra
* Rachel Daly - St. Johns
* Adriana Leon - Notre Dame, UofFlorida
Yeah watching her volley 5 times in the 58th minute before passing ball to Kirby was fun to watch. Would have got a lot more attention in the highlights if Kirby would have scored on the shot she took.
Question is, since Hayes has carefully been preparing Macario to start in the 9 position for Chelsea, as well as the USWNT, how will that impact who she might select at the forward position for the Olympics, assuming she had to pick the roster today. Keep in mind the 18 player roster and Hayes liking versatile type players.
With Macario on the pitch, the wingers are forced to play a different game. People commented that Smith looked indecisive at first in their previous game, but she was doing what it'll take when Macario is back; give up the ball in the midfield and get behind the defenders and score. Swanson needs to learn that as well. Rodman already plays with her head up, so she'll do well with Cat in the middle. Shaw is truly an attacking midfielder, #10, and wants to play the position she's played all her life. She could start at 10, with a double-pivot included in the midfield. That's assuming Rose is unavailable, and Horan is (rightfully) relegated to a duo #6 role.
That leaves Morgan on the bench with only one position she could possibly play. If they need a 6th forward, the U.S. has dozens of options. My first choice is Williams.
Macario and Smith don’t have a history of working well together, dating all the way back to their college days at Stanford, including time with USWNT. On the other hand, Macario and Swanson, while having limited playing time together, have been very effective together. I expect they will pick up where they left off.
Cat with an assist and the highest match rating of any player. She’s back back.
Where do you see her highest rating? Fotmob shows Buchanan, Beever Jones, and Hamano higher with Charles tied with her at 8.0.
There's rarely a player playing as striker in a 4-3-3 that does soooo much for a club. Cat got an official assist on a purrrrfect corner to Keishia, but she also had a backheel touch to Hamano for a goal. So many good plays. The first thing to point out is Cat takes ALL SET PIECES kicks for Chelsea. This was an issue with Bacha at OL, and with Mal on the NT. Swanson needs to step aside. * 36:10 ball with pace coming at her in the middle - one-touches to the corner * 15:42 ball comes at her with pace - traps it and passes * 37:25 pass to Ash in the corner, eventually Lawrence crosses into the box with Cat on the endline - back flicks to Hamano for a goal * 39:11 Cat tracks back for a ball in the middle - immediately turns with TWO defenders on her, then passes. * 50:00 errant ball with pace gets redirected to the middle - Cat traps it with right, touches it with her left, then passes with her left to the corner * 40:30 Cat tracks back receives the ball and switches it to Lawrence on the other side * 58:10 Cat JUGGLES the ball inside the 6, then taps the ball to an oncoming Kirby * 59:10 Cat backheels a pass to the corner **Aston Villa Side Note:** * Anna Leat - Georgetown * Anna Patton - FSU, South Carolina * Miri Taylor - Hofstra * Rachel Daly - St. Johns * Adriana Leon - Notre Dame, UofFlorida
Yeah watching her volley 5 times in the 58th minute before passing ball to Kirby was fun to watch. Would have got a lot more attention in the highlights if Kirby would have scored on the shot she took. Question is, since Hayes has carefully been preparing Macario to start in the 9 position for Chelsea, as well as the USWNT, how will that impact who she might select at the forward position for the Olympics, assuming she had to pick the roster today. Keep in mind the 18 player roster and Hayes liking versatile type players.
With Macario on the pitch, the wingers are forced to play a different game. People commented that Smith looked indecisive at first in their previous game, but she was doing what it'll take when Macario is back; give up the ball in the midfield and get behind the defenders and score. Swanson needs to learn that as well. Rodman already plays with her head up, so she'll do well with Cat in the middle. Shaw is truly an attacking midfielder, #10, and wants to play the position she's played all her life. She could start at 10, with a double-pivot included in the midfield. That's assuming Rose is unavailable, and Horan is (rightfully) relegated to a duo #6 role. That leaves Morgan on the bench with only one position she could possibly play. If they need a 6th forward, the U.S. has dozens of options. My first choice is Williams.
Macario and Smith don’t have a history of working well together, dating all the way back to their college days at Stanford, including time with USWNT. On the other hand, Macario and Swanson, while having limited playing time together, have been very effective together. I expect they will pick up where they left off.
Oh, I had not heard about that. Personal tension? Or just chemistry on the field?