By The US women’s national team emerged from a four-game series against Hungary undefeated in California earlier this summer helping to generate confidence among fans that the squad was well positioned to win gold in London. TWp spoke with a coach very familiar with the US women’s team and Olympic-level competition to get his assessment of the squad as the tournament approaches. (The coach preferred to remain unnamed for this interview). He has deep knowledge of American personnel and the overall competitive landscape. His outlook? Very favorable toward US victory.
The four friendlies versus Hungary weren’t necessarily impressive, though. But there shouldn’t be much concern about an overconfident US squad. “The Americans are just better. [Hungary] had to reduce the games to a brawl to win,” but was unsuccessful. Team depth is an enormous problem for opponents of the US, something vividly demonstrated in the matches against Hungary, whose back up goalkeeper “may not even attract the attention of US colleges.”
Meanwhile, “the US has a ton of talent, great players at every position. Individually, the US players are the best” in the world.
With such a rich pool of talent, then who was left off the squad? “Lolo [Silver, the team alternate] is fearless in any setting,” a phenomenal outside shooter and deadly in advantage situations. “But who do you take off? A year ago some were saying that Courtney [Mathewson] shouldn’t be on the team. But now they might not even be in London without her,” and her four goals in the 2011 Pan American Games gold medal match versus Canada.
But an all-star cast doesn’t mean there aren’t individual vulnerabilities. “Sometimes the best players are a detriment. [Goalkeeper] Betsey Armstrong is considered the best in the world. But sometimes she’s not. It’s unpredictable.” For example, “she had trouble finding the ball coming off the lefty against the Dutch” in the 2008 Beijing gold medal match. “Sometimes she’s not seeing the ball. Other times, her eyes are huge.”
And tactically the team can tend to be “compartmentalized” and “role-restrained.” Players are very good at what they’re assigned, but haven’t often deviated from the plan. This can be a liability “when things aren’t going well,” like when the team is shooting poorly, or getting no production from its center-forwards.
But there are signs of emerging creativity too. “I think [Melissa] Seidemann has opened their eyes about doing more posting up. [Former coach Guy Baker] didn’t do that. But Adam [Krikorian, current head coach] is more open to it. It used to be a gimmick but now it’s much more useful and creative.”
“Keeping things simple is great, but having had this much time to train together does allow for more creativity too.”
In general coaching gets high marks. “Results are what matters, and they have been phenomenal.” And some of the staff’s greatest accomplishments could be with overall preparation. “The team is ready and seems to be in great spirits. The whole group seems relaxed, which is fun.” In contrast, “the Aussies seem to be debating whether to participate in opening ceremonies. That shows determination, which could suit them. But they also might be ready to play the finals on the 30th when it’s not until August 9th.” The US “may have up and down games, but are ready to arrive at freeway speed for the finals.”
And what about the Aussies? And the Russians? What can the US look forward to from the other main contenders? It’s no secret. They will “try to force Brenda [Villa], [Kelly] Rulon, and Courtney to guard them. The Russians [in particular] can stretch a defense forcing everyone to play good defense. But the US is well prepared and skilled. But they will be pressured.”
“Russia is the most fun team” in the tournament with that wide open, highly creative style. “The crowd will love them. They have a great attitude about the whole thing. They will be the surprise team of the tournament, in fact. “Spain has been surprising some people lately, but the Russians will likely make it to the finals.”
But no team will get more from the crowd than the hosts, who have had some impressive results in Europe within a very short period of development? “I’d love to say that the British will do well; they’ll struggle to get results. But they will drive teams crazy. Teams that haven’t been practicing together as much will have trouble with all the noise, and even the whistles” in the spacious and likely-to-be packed venue. Playing Great Britain will be “chaotic.”
“They will get a tie and win seventh place.”
And that same crowd will buoy the chances of the Americans this year, as opposed to 2008 when the audience was “dead” and the team came out so “flat” against Holland in the finals. For any squad, the key to winning a gold medal is “finding the balance between focus and fun, the ability to engage the outside world while bringing enthusiasm and energy in to the pool. Those who can strike that balance and can engage the crowd will win…which is why the US will win the gold medal.”
Team USA will begin that effort with their opening match against the well-scouted Hungarians on the 30th at 19:40 GMT.
