Fishel scores, Shaw scores, Kilgore explains her logic
The US defeated Colombia in a 3-0 redemptive second friendly Sunday, powered by goals from the next gen (plus Horan). Some notes on the game, and input from Twila Kilgore on this slow process.
When it comes to addressing the matrix of reasons why the US fell flat down under, this program is far from out of the woods. And in regard to the limbo hanging lethally about the place, well, the gelatinous stagnation still remains.
That said, the US came out for a second test with Colombia last evening in San Diego looking far more prepared, dominant, effective, and perhaps most notably, they played (some) of the next generation names the public has been clamoring to see.
And what’s more, they scored. Both Mia Fishel (22) and Jaedyn Shaw (18) collected their first international goals in just their second appearance for the US. Shaw’s goal makes her the youngest player to score for the US since Mallory Swanson did at the Olympics in 2016. Served by an Alyssa Thompson assist, it also marked the first time two teenagers combined for a goal since at least 2001.
Let the potential behind those milestones settle.
Fishel (22 years old with two caps), Shaw (18 years old with two caps), and Thompson (18 years old with eight caps), combined for two of the decisive goals in yesterday’s 3-0 redemptive run.
And let us not forget the young stars already embedded in the squad, like Girma (23), Smith (23) and Rodman (21). The next generation has all the talent a World Cup-winning team would need.
The Starting XI only had three changes, though.
Alex Morgan started again last night in the city she calls home, despite a dry spell of goalless games for the national team stretching back to February that continued through 112 minutes this window (though she tallied a team high four shots in the first friendly, and unfortunately sent Colombia’s starting keeper, Natalia Giraldo, off with a hand injury after stopping a high-powered hit from Morgan at the top of the box).
Morgan is tied with Lindsey Horan for the most starts (15) of any player in 2023.
Sophia Smith made her first start since the World Cup, replacing Lynn Williams from last Thursday’s XI, as she returns to full fitness from a mild MCL sprain. Smith was the USA’s top-scorer in 2022 (Mallory Swanson is still the top-scorer in 2023) and is the 2023 NWSL Golden Boot winner.
Casey Murphy hopped into net in place of Alyssa Naeher. And Kilgore made changes in the midfield, starting with Savannah DeMelo, who replaced Andi Sullivan in the XI, and excelled in her role as a 10 by igniting the press and setting up the attack.
Fishel, Shaw, Kilgore
The goals came in the second half but change was evident from the start. It was far from perfect but it was drastically improved. Kilgore’s squad refined their press, controlled the tempo, were effective getting quickly toward goal, and held the game primarily in Colombia’s defensive half. They just missed the final piece.
Kilgore, on the first forty-five:
“I was actually really pleased with the first half. I thought it took a lot of patience to continue to try and increase the tempo. I think that was a big theme that we walked away from the last game, is just knowing this is a team that really wants to slow the game down. And that we needed to increase the tempo at all times. So through hard defending, transition moments, and then when we were on the ball, to keep the ball moving.”
Two changes at the half brought Mia Fishel in for Alex Morgan and Jaedyn Shaw in for Sophia Smith. The chance for a longer runout on both their parts came as a welcome sign. Though some opined the wait, and wondered, why not start them?
Kilgore confirmed in the post-match that the substitutions were pre-planned, and based on a number of factors. They had hoped, she said, to end with that particular group of young, exciting players:
“... Going into friendlies with the goal of accomplishing a lot of different things and seeing different combinations of players together, this was pre-scripted prior to coming into camp, and there was a hope that we would get this opportunity to play this particular ending group together. And we were able to do that. I'm really excited about that.”
In regard to the factors considered when sketching out the scripts:
“... But these are things that we take in to consideration: minute recommendations, the health of players, who we want to see play together, what types of combinations we can play together at the same time in terms of, you know, there's all sorts of things that go into it, making sure you're set for set pieces and, and a lot of little details.”
From the first drop of the roster to the final whistle in San Diego last night, Kilgore has fielded a barrage of requests to explain the above and the following: where are the kids, when will you play them? And, why are we waiting to move on?
Kilgore has been consistent in her insistence that the federation had a system for bringing new players in, getting them acclimated, then ready to play.
On that onboarding process:
“I think kind of what we talk about as a staff, as a federation, and what the players and I have been talking about, is exactly what's happening. They've had an onboarding process. We've introduced them to the environment with little pressure. They then dressed, had an opportunity to learn specific things, and then got their first caps, and then got extended playing time and made the most of it.”
In the two windows that Kilgore has led this interim ship, there has been a sense that running out the same lineups and match plans that did not work at the World Cup has been a waste of time. But last evening, in what could be her final press conference should a new manager indeed be imminently installed, Kilgore laid out her logic:
“I really feel like we needed to be strategic with this to get the best out of everybody and ensure that all the players have the opportunity to move towards the Olympics. So when I took over this position, I knew there were a few things that we needed to do. I talked about this a little bit yesterday, the last press conference, whenever that was. You know, when we were returning from the World Cup, the whole group needed to regroup, that was a very important thing. We have some players that didn't play enough minutes in the World Cup, to get a type of look that the next coach is going to need towards the Olympics. They needed to play more. We needed to send off two really special legends in the game for us. And we needed to onboard these players and get minutes. And it may not happen as fast as the public wants. But it happens with a strategy. There's a reason behind it. And now this team, I truly believe is in a good place to move forward with lots of different types of selections that could take place for the next head coach, and an opportunity to evaluate different types of players while growing the players towards the direction that they need to go to be prepared for the Olympics. And… enjoying playing.”
There was a weighty pause in her last sentence- perhaps the last sentence she’ll send out toward the media as interim gaffer- that added emphasis to the importance of these elite athletes finding a way to actually enjoy themselves again.
It’s been emphasized at places throughout the past year: at Wembley last October, ahead of the Sweden game, just last night. These players clearly want to focus on finding joy in their sport, and play well through that.
Those creative combinations in the second half, the delight on Fishel’s face as she scored in her hometown, the elation from Shaw as she notched one too in the cradle of her club team, or captain Lindsey Horan volleying home an elite goal of her own, then running directly into eighteen year old Alyssa Thompson’s arms to celebrate, looked a lot like joy to me.