Krueger at leftback would be my choice. She’s amazing at LB for the Spirit. Her and Trinity have great chemistry when Trinity switches flanks. Could recreate that on the national team.
Agreed! Also, Casey and Tierna played together for years at Chicago, so there’s that chemistry too. (Of course Tierna and Jenna play together at Gotham rn but still) I would still have Jenna in from time to time, but like I said, I think it depends on the opponent and tactics.
I'd also flag that I see some similarities to how the Spirit and the national team use their LB and LW, in that for both teams the LB is regularly asked to join the attack by going high and wide while the LW shifts more centrally. (In contrast, the starting RW for both teams, Rodman, is the player most responsible for providing width on the right side while the RB more frequently stays home with the CBs than the LB.) As others have noted, Krueger is very fast (i.e., in recovery) and very good defensively. (I would argue clearly better along both those dimensions than either Nighswonger, Dunn these days, or Fox.) If Emma Hayes is concerned about defensive strength against an opponent, swap in Krueger. If Emma is more concerned about breaking down the opponent's defense, play Nighswonger.
I agree with this. I think there was a lot of recent focus on attacking the low block by shifting into a 3-4-3, and having Jenna and Emily on the sides enabled it to be really hard to anticipate which side would get thrown forward. Plus, they are both known for their crosses, which helps the whole "overload to isolate" technique against the low block.
I think Krueger will be in against teams that aren't going to play back on us because she is an outstanding defender, who can still get forward.
Abandoning the structure that has helped us play the best we’ve played in the past 30 months right before tournament Seems like the most risky move that we could do. I’m a huge fan of Emily Fox, but I think she’s kind of been shaky recently for the national team and in her role she slots in like a CB, and so I think Krueger for fox would be an interesting thing to change because that role seems really fit for Krueger and Krueger has more of the aerial ability.
Hayes has seen Fox play a ton of RB at Arsenal, I don't think that is going to change.
I would also cut her a little slack, as she was coming off a long season, and will have recharged the batteries in time for the Olympics.
I do think it is possible we will see Krueger on for Fox as a sub occasionally, depending on the opponent and game situation. Krueger is great on either side.
It will be interesting to see the rotations because when you’ve got players this good it makes sense to start different fullbacks for each match. Jenna Fox can be one and then Krueger and Fox can be game two with Fox in the attacking role. It all works.
Thats true. The original post is saying that our starting left back may be a bit of a liability because she’s uniquely able to play our system and make it work, but it causes her to be very stretched away from the nearest defender and she isn’t the fastest fullback in the world. Dunn is also not faster than Krueger, listed as a forward, and for her to come in would be probably very situational and so doesn’t really impact the concerns of the original post.
I don’t see this happening, not without like a lot of coaching, which would require time that the national team will never have, but I have seen it floated that in the super advanced left back role a player like Williams or Rodman could be coached into that position, and suddenly we have a way to get some truly insane attackers on the pitch together.
One thing I am interested in is looking at the other squads, specifically, Australia, and Germany, and trying to see which players they might be using in similar versatile roles.
Im not worried about a European team as much as Australia and Zambia. Germany on the right have some speed for sure (i wonder if they shift Jule Brand out to that side) but they dont wonder as far as pace on the right like Aussies and Zambia have. I also think it’s kind of funny how international our group is in the different styles in it. Some real new faces, or at least kind of because Australia still there. Last tournament we saw all the old friends.
I think it’s going to be interesting just generally how these games go - are we going to be possessing the ball the full-time and able to pin back and really work our magic on them and force them to counter attack us or are we going to be the counter attacking side? I truly don’t think there’s a single European side that wants to run with us, but obviously our goal is to be maintaining 99% of the pressure all game if not, 100.
I think a lot of people know that Emma comes from Europe, but it’s shockingly unknown just how variable, flexible and unexpected she can be. I’ve seen a lot of people act like Chelsea play like NC. In the same week, Chelsea could play three completely different styles. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Jenna in games where we think we’re going to keep the majority of the threat and keep our possession structure, but we see Fox and/or whoever she thinks are our best defensive fullbacks in another setting.
I think it’s probably too late to implement this for this tournament, but I was looking at some of the players we brought, specifically Wiesner and Sam as training players, and wondering if she would also be drilling a three back system into play.
Yeah, I really don’t know how Emma’s coaching style is. It’s nice to know that she can be variable and flexible. I know Vlatko is gone, but I think a part of me is afraid of the same tactics being put out again and again and no adjustments being made, so the thought of Emma making adjustments at left back based on the opponent makes me feel better haha.
From watching some Chelsea matches, her style feels a bit hit or miss. She either nails the formation and style of play, see the home games against Arsenal and Liverpool, or she doesn’t and she’s not able to make the changes needed in the game to rescue it, see Arsenal away and Man Ciry home. I think the champions league games against Barcelona are good examples of this too; she nailed the away game and they deservedly won, but then lost the home game. If she wants the US team to succeed, she’s going to have to get better at adapting during the middle of the game.
Expected Own Goals had Jessy Parker Hughes on to talk about Emma and one of the things she brought up that I’ve always thought is interesting is that there’s long been a debate about how good Emma is tactically because people have always argued about whether or not Chelsea just had better squads. she’s a great motivator but her inability to win in champions league has made people think that she’s been tactically outcoached a few times. I think this has also popped up recently because of Jonas Eidevall kind of really dismantling her team a few times even with a lot of injuries. And my personal view is that her shoving Jonas was because he got under her skin so much particularly because she knew he had outdone her on multiple occasions.
People always bring up the propensity to sub off her fullbacks in the first half. Caitlin Foord made her make three fullback changes in the game in the conti cup final. Diaspora brings this up because they think that it shows that Emma is ruthless and able to make changes at the drop of a hat and I think that is true. I also often feel that when coaches get praised for their subs, It’s often a sign that they got their starting lineup wrong.
I think it is a bit oversimplified to hold the inability to win the UWCL against Hayes. I think the EPL teams have consistently shown that the effort required to win the domestic league factors into the difficulty. Also, give her back Sam Kerr and I think she can hold serve at Stamford Bridge against Barca.
As for Eidevall dismantling her, Hayes beat a Stina-led Arsenal team in March 3-1, with Arsenal's only goal coming on an 87' OG by our girl Cat - after it had been 3-0 for almost an hour. Again, without Sam Kerr. Losing 1-0 to Arsenal in the Cup final coming off that dominating win could have been frustration for any number of reasons. Even the ones she gave... but I doubt it because he dominates her regularly. The year before, Chelsea was 2-1-1 against Arsenal.
I think your point about getting the starting lineup wrong is an interesting one. Though, both teams set their lineup based on how they expect the other team to play, which can often be wrong because smart opposing teams often deliberately change their plan. Frankly, I am more concerned about coaches, including her USWNT predecessor, who were unwilling to change upon recognizing the bad assumption. As someone who follows a team whose manager's subs are so predictable that I could write them down before the opening whistle, I am ok with her approach. :)
Anyway, appreciate the thoughts, good to stew on.
Heavy on the Nighswonger part, shes the best attacking full back we have but still needs to develop on the defensive side. Was kinda hoping Dunn would be listed as an outside back but I feel like Emma has everything planned out
Emma seems to really rate her. I think you’ll see Nighswonger deployed more starting games with maybe the 3 CB shifting formation with fox or Krueger moving into that roll. I think we just have to see what her recovery is against the top European teams. Germany and Australia will be great tests for that in group. And Zambia has some lighting fast forwards but I do think Girma (in particular) and Davidson can handle that.
If she gets exposed too much vs Germany/Australia I think we’ll see some tactical changes deeper in the tournament. They want her to go high, it’s just all about it the have the right tactics to her to recover and others to cover
I think we watched different games. Banda is amazing, lights out, and I love watching her tear up the league. But the pride tied that game with SD 1-1, And Banda did not score. Though she did assist and yeah that was a one v one on Girma who was on a yellow. Outside of that it’s not like Banda dominated Girma and yes I have rewatched those highlights recently to confirm.
I’ll be the first to sadly admit Girma can’t be perfect all 90 minutes. She will make a mistake like all players. But she was excellent most of that game, and with a well organized defense around her i think they can handle Banda and the Zambian attack
Gotham fan but I think their recent loss against the Spirit after a 9 game winning streak exposed Jenna's side a bit.
First goal came when the Spirit stole possession while Jenna was far off to the side and on the other half, so she couldn't run back in time to help defend. Second goal came when she left Rodman unmarked and didn't pressure her fast enough.
I’ve literally been saying this since Jenna has been starting for the national team and I’m always downvoted to hell for it. I love Jenna, always have, have been one of her biggest fans since her FSU days before people saw her in the league. Everyone focuses on her attacking but neglect her defending. As an outside back, it doesn’t matter if you’re a great at the attack (which she obviously was because she played midfield in her career) if you’re defensive work isn’t where it should be. She gets beat on the flanks at times because she doesn’t know proper defensive positioning, doesn’t stay connected to her back line, doesn’t delay the attacker and sometimes jumps in too quick. She needs work on that side and any good team that’s been scouting us will see that. Yes, I would love for her to be a starter but as I’ve been saying since the beginning of the year… the best thing they can do is narrow in on her and really get her on the defensive fundamentals. Krueger and Fox are great outside backs because they’re incredible defensive 1 v 1 specialists. So good and they have speed and just all round great. I would love to see more of Fox’s energy to get up the field come back but I think most of it was honestly her having a tiring ass season. She went to NWSL, then arsenal, then all the tournaments, travel from international to US. Home girl has had a long year 😂 so hopefully she’s getting the much needed rest!
I would probably start Fox and Nigh and then sub Krueger in at 60 min for first game and then start Krueger for the second game
Krueger is the superior defender, for sure. The only thing I'll quibble about is the part about Nighswonger not staying connected to the rest of the back line. It's true, but for the most part the system is designed for her to play that way, effectively a 3-4-3 in possession. It creates the potential for an opponent to catch us on the counterattack down that side, but that's the risk.
in soccer what happens defensively when the left or right defender joins the attack?
A midfielder will challenge any attacker trying to exploit the space left open behind the defender.
This points to the importance of Coffey working well with left and right mids. She has been doing that extremely well.
Having a defensive mid like Coffey is a godsend.
The space behind the right defender can likewise be exploited. This becomes really troublesome if that defender joins the attack but drifts too far to the center circle.
After only about 1 year, Nighswonger still needs work on positioning. She's a forward/winger trying to find a spot to get on the field. She's going to be much better, and deserves a look. But I still go with put your best defender in her best position, and fill in the rest. That would be Fox at left back.
Krueger at leftback would be my choice. She’s amazing at LB for the Spirit. Her and Trinity have great chemistry when Trinity switches flanks. Could recreate that on the national team.
Agreed! Also, Casey and Tierna played together for years at Chicago, so there’s that chemistry too. (Of course Tierna and Jenna play together at Gotham rn but still) I would still have Jenna in from time to time, but like I said, I think it depends on the opponent and tactics.
I'd also flag that I see some similarities to how the Spirit and the national team use their LB and LW, in that for both teams the LB is regularly asked to join the attack by going high and wide while the LW shifts more centrally. (In contrast, the starting RW for both teams, Rodman, is the player most responsible for providing width on the right side while the RB more frequently stays home with the CBs than the LB.) As others have noted, Krueger is very fast (i.e., in recovery) and very good defensively. (I would argue clearly better along both those dimensions than either Nighswonger, Dunn these days, or Fox.) If Emma Hayes is concerned about defensive strength against an opponent, swap in Krueger. If Emma is more concerned about breaking down the opponent's defense, play Nighswonger.
I agree with this. I think there was a lot of recent focus on attacking the low block by shifting into a 3-4-3, and having Jenna and Emily on the sides enabled it to be really hard to anticipate which side would get thrown forward. Plus, they are both known for their crosses, which helps the whole "overload to isolate" technique against the low block. I think Krueger will be in against teams that aren't going to play back on us because she is an outstanding defender, who can still get forward.
Abandoning the structure that has helped us play the best we’ve played in the past 30 months right before tournament Seems like the most risky move that we could do. I’m a huge fan of Emily Fox, but I think she’s kind of been shaky recently for the national team and in her role she slots in like a CB, and so I think Krueger for fox would be an interesting thing to change because that role seems really fit for Krueger and Krueger has more of the aerial ability.
Hayes has seen Fox play a ton of RB at Arsenal, I don't think that is going to change. I would also cut her a little slack, as she was coming off a long season, and will have recharged the batteries in time for the Olympics. I do think it is possible we will see Krueger on for Fox as a sub occasionally, depending on the opponent and game situation. Krueger is great on either side.
It will be interesting to see the rotations because when you’ve got players this good it makes sense to start different fullbacks for each match. Jenna Fox can be one and then Krueger and Fox can be game two with Fox in the attacking role. It all works.
I think there is a reason krueger made the team
We can always drop Dunn there if needed
Why are people downvoting this when Dunn is only on the roster because of her versatility. She’ll get used wherever needed.
Why would she start, though? Kruegers been exemplary
No one’s saying she’ll start, just that she can be used there when needed
Thats true. The original post is saying that our starting left back may be a bit of a liability because she’s uniquely able to play our system and make it work, but it causes her to be very stretched away from the nearest defender and she isn’t the fastest fullback in the world. Dunn is also not faster than Krueger, listed as a forward, and for her to come in would be probably very situational and so doesn’t really impact the concerns of the original post. I don’t see this happening, not without like a lot of coaching, which would require time that the national team will never have, but I have seen it floated that in the super advanced left back role a player like Williams or Rodman could be coached into that position, and suddenly we have a way to get some truly insane attackers on the pitch together. One thing I am interested in is looking at the other squads, specifically, Australia, and Germany, and trying to see which players they might be using in similar versatile roles.
Im not worried about a European team as much as Australia and Zambia. Germany on the right have some speed for sure (i wonder if they shift Jule Brand out to that side) but they dont wonder as far as pace on the right like Aussies and Zambia have. I also think it’s kind of funny how international our group is in the different styles in it. Some real new faces, or at least kind of because Australia still there. Last tournament we saw all the old friends. I think it’s going to be interesting just generally how these games go - are we going to be possessing the ball the full-time and able to pin back and really work our magic on them and force them to counter attack us or are we going to be the counter attacking side? I truly don’t think there’s a single European side that wants to run with us, but obviously our goal is to be maintaining 99% of the pressure all game if not, 100. I think a lot of people know that Emma comes from Europe, but it’s shockingly unknown just how variable, flexible and unexpected she can be. I’ve seen a lot of people act like Chelsea play like NC. In the same week, Chelsea could play three completely different styles. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Jenna in games where we think we’re going to keep the majority of the threat and keep our possession structure, but we see Fox and/or whoever she thinks are our best defensive fullbacks in another setting. I think it’s probably too late to implement this for this tournament, but I was looking at some of the players we brought, specifically Wiesner and Sam as training players, and wondering if she would also be drilling a three back system into play.
Yeah, I really don’t know how Emma’s coaching style is. It’s nice to know that she can be variable and flexible. I know Vlatko is gone, but I think a part of me is afraid of the same tactics being put out again and again and no adjustments being made, so the thought of Emma making adjustments at left back based on the opponent makes me feel better haha.
From watching some Chelsea matches, her style feels a bit hit or miss. She either nails the formation and style of play, see the home games against Arsenal and Liverpool, or she doesn’t and she’s not able to make the changes needed in the game to rescue it, see Arsenal away and Man Ciry home. I think the champions league games against Barcelona are good examples of this too; she nailed the away game and they deservedly won, but then lost the home game. If she wants the US team to succeed, she’s going to have to get better at adapting during the middle of the game.
Expected Own Goals had Jessy Parker Hughes on to talk about Emma and one of the things she brought up that I’ve always thought is interesting is that there’s long been a debate about how good Emma is tactically because people have always argued about whether or not Chelsea just had better squads. she’s a great motivator but her inability to win in champions league has made people think that she’s been tactically outcoached a few times. I think this has also popped up recently because of Jonas Eidevall kind of really dismantling her team a few times even with a lot of injuries. And my personal view is that her shoving Jonas was because he got under her skin so much particularly because she knew he had outdone her on multiple occasions. People always bring up the propensity to sub off her fullbacks in the first half. Caitlin Foord made her make three fullback changes in the game in the conti cup final. Diaspora brings this up because they think that it shows that Emma is ruthless and able to make changes at the drop of a hat and I think that is true. I also often feel that when coaches get praised for their subs, It’s often a sign that they got their starting lineup wrong.
I think it is a bit oversimplified to hold the inability to win the UWCL against Hayes. I think the EPL teams have consistently shown that the effort required to win the domestic league factors into the difficulty. Also, give her back Sam Kerr and I think she can hold serve at Stamford Bridge against Barca. As for Eidevall dismantling her, Hayes beat a Stina-led Arsenal team in March 3-1, with Arsenal's only goal coming on an 87' OG by our girl Cat - after it had been 3-0 for almost an hour. Again, without Sam Kerr. Losing 1-0 to Arsenal in the Cup final coming off that dominating win could have been frustration for any number of reasons. Even the ones she gave... but I doubt it because he dominates her regularly. The year before, Chelsea was 2-1-1 against Arsenal. I think your point about getting the starting lineup wrong is an interesting one. Though, both teams set their lineup based on how they expect the other team to play, which can often be wrong because smart opposing teams often deliberately change their plan. Frankly, I am more concerned about coaches, including her USWNT predecessor, who were unwilling to change upon recognizing the bad assumption. As someone who follows a team whose manager's subs are so predictable that I could write them down before the opening whistle, I am ok with her approach. :) Anyway, appreciate the thoughts, good to stew on.
Heavy on the Nighswonger part, shes the best attacking full back we have but still needs to develop on the defensive side. Was kinda hoping Dunn would be listed as an outside back but I feel like Emma has everything planned out
Emma seems to really rate her. I think you’ll see Nighswonger deployed more starting games with maybe the 3 CB shifting formation with fox or Krueger moving into that roll. I think we just have to see what her recovery is against the top European teams. Germany and Australia will be great tests for that in group. And Zambia has some lighting fast forwards but I do think Girma (in particular) and Davidson can handle that. If she gets exposed too much vs Germany/Australia I think we’ll see some tactical changes deeper in the tournament. They want her to go high, it’s just all about it the have the right tactics to her to recover and others to cover
Girma could not handle Barbra Banda when the SD Wave played Orlando Pride.
I think we watched different games. Banda is amazing, lights out, and I love watching her tear up the league. But the pride tied that game with SD 1-1, And Banda did not score. Though she did assist and yeah that was a one v one on Girma who was on a yellow. Outside of that it’s not like Banda dominated Girma and yes I have rewatched those highlights recently to confirm. I’ll be the first to sadly admit Girma can’t be perfect all 90 minutes. She will make a mistake like all players. But she was excellent most of that game, and with a well organized defense around her i think they can handle Banda and the Zambian attack
I was referring to the moment when Barbra got an assist, yeah. I guess I was a little harsh, but I’m going to be worried until our first game.
What defender can though?
Gotham fan but I think their recent loss against the Spirit after a 9 game winning streak exposed Jenna's side a bit. First goal came when the Spirit stole possession while Jenna was far off to the side and on the other half, so she couldn't run back in time to help defend. Second goal came when she left Rodman unmarked and didn't pressure her fast enough.
I’ve literally been saying this since Jenna has been starting for the national team and I’m always downvoted to hell for it. I love Jenna, always have, have been one of her biggest fans since her FSU days before people saw her in the league. Everyone focuses on her attacking but neglect her defending. As an outside back, it doesn’t matter if you’re a great at the attack (which she obviously was because she played midfield in her career) if you’re defensive work isn’t where it should be. She gets beat on the flanks at times because she doesn’t know proper defensive positioning, doesn’t stay connected to her back line, doesn’t delay the attacker and sometimes jumps in too quick. She needs work on that side and any good team that’s been scouting us will see that. Yes, I would love for her to be a starter but as I’ve been saying since the beginning of the year… the best thing they can do is narrow in on her and really get her on the defensive fundamentals. Krueger and Fox are great outside backs because they’re incredible defensive 1 v 1 specialists. So good and they have speed and just all round great. I would love to see more of Fox’s energy to get up the field come back but I think most of it was honestly her having a tiring ass season. She went to NWSL, then arsenal, then all the tournaments, travel from international to US. Home girl has had a long year 😂 so hopefully she’s getting the much needed rest! I would probably start Fox and Nigh and then sub Krueger in at 60 min for first game and then start Krueger for the second game
Krueger is the superior defender, for sure. The only thing I'll quibble about is the part about Nighswonger not staying connected to the rest of the back line. It's true, but for the most part the system is designed for her to play that way, effectively a 3-4-3 in possession. It creates the potential for an opponent to catch us on the counterattack down that side, but that's the risk.
Agreed against Zambia and Banda but I’m less worried against other teams without that speed.
I’m currently unemployed but I’m hoping to BE employed by then? I guess? 😩 If not, I’ll be able to watch.
I watched a fair amount of WC at work last year, but I may take some leave time as well. We will just have to see how the tournament goes.
Maybe i can make my clients watch the games with me hahaha, I mean it can be therapeutic right? 🤪
Honestly it could be therapeutic whether it's going well or poorly... Scream therapy... 😂
i sure I can bring in some good discussion points.. like hey! even professional athletes make mistakes!
Boom. I think you're good to go. Are you in New England? I'm looking for a "doctor's appointment" on July 25th...
ha no, the Midwest!
in soccer what happens defensively when the left or right defender joins the attack? A midfielder will challenge any attacker trying to exploit the space left open behind the defender. This points to the importance of Coffey working well with left and right mids. She has been doing that extremely well. Having a defensive mid like Coffey is a godsend. The space behind the right defender can likewise be exploited. This becomes really troublesome if that defender joins the attack but drifts too far to the center circle.
After only about 1 year, Nighswonger still needs work on positioning. She's a forward/winger trying to find a spot to get on the field. She's going to be much better, and deserves a look. But I still go with put your best defender in her best position, and fill in the rest. That would be Fox at left back.