The United States Women’s National Team is ending their 2015 Victory Tour and an era on Wednesday against China PR at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La.
After the USWNT won the 2015 Women’s World Cup, U.S. Soccer set up a ten game tour to showcase the champions around the country. Besides the game on December 6th against Trinidad and Tobago being cancelled due to poor field conditions, the tour has been nothing but success.
The Americans have not lost a game yet, achieving a record of (W-L-D) 7-0-1. The United States have outscored their opponents 40 to four. However, U.S. head coach Jill Ellis has one eye focused on the 2016 Women’s CONCACAF Olympic Qualifications. That will be the first big test for the U.S. since the World Cup and the tournament begins on February 10th for the USWNT.
However, Ellis has to first take care of business against China on Wednesday. Plus she will have the honor of coaching Abby Wambach in her finale for the USWNT. Wambach will most likely get the start against the Steel Roses which will give her 255 caps for the national team.
Wambach will finish her international career in fifth place in caps. However, in the goal department she is in first place by more than 20 goals. USWNT legend Mia Hamm-Garciaparra is in second with 158 and Wambach is safely in first with a 184 for now.
Once the referee ends the game on Wednesday it will be the first time since 2001 that Wambach will not be a part of the national team. However, including Shannon Box, Lori Chalupny and Lauren Holiday the USWNT will lose 688 caps in just a matter of months since celebrating their third World Cup title. It is safe to say that the United States is heading towards a new direction.
Ellis will need the likes of: Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Morgan Brian, Crystal Dunn, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan and other to lead the United States into the future.
Clearly the USWNT will want to send Wambach riding into the sunset with a victory and with a couple of goals in the bag. However, the leaders of the team have to make sure that it does not become a distraction.
For example, Landon Donovan’s last game for the USMNT against Ecuador on October 10th, 2014.
Donovan started the game and played for 41 minutes. Before he left the game the USMNT were attacking and it appeared they were going to double their 1-0 lead. That all changed once he got subbed off.
Ecuador started to attack and the U.S. offense fell asleep without him there. It almost seemed like the game plan left with him, the South Americans ended up tying the match 1-1 late in the game. If it was not for Brad Guzan making six saves the USMNT might have lost the match.
How do the USWNT avoid that result against the Steel Roses? By keeping possession of the ball and forcing China to open up defensively. If Wambach starts the match, the United States will have an option in the middle of the box waiting to pounce on every cross.
By doing that the midfield will open up for Lloyd, Brian, Heath and Horan and the pace of the match will increase.