OT: USWNT She Believes Cup

[eebmg]

Here we go. Something to do in the time Gap

U.S. faces difficult task against World Cup rivals in SheBelieves Cup

After securing an Olympics berth, the U.S. faces No. 6 England, No. 10 Japan and No. 13 Spain with the hopes of determining a roster for Tokyo.

www.espn.com

After the qualifying tournament last month against mostly overmatched regional opponents, the top-ranked U.S. now faces three of the better teams in the world -- No. 6 England, No. 10 Japan and No. 13 Spain -- in the span of eight days.

The games against England and Spain are World Cup rematches; the U.S. defeated Spain 2-1 in the round of 16 and England in a semifinal. England and Spain also were the only teams in the tournament to, at least temporarily, erase deficits after the U.S. opened the scoring.

 

[ucbart]

I know England is ranked #6, but IMO, they're the second best team in the world and Spain is probably in the top-10. This is a very stiff test for the Americans.

 

[Bigboote]

I’m curious to see how they play without Alex Morgan — actually, how they play knowing that Morgan isn’t available. I think Christen Press is every bit as good a player as Morgan, but not as consistent. That said, she’s been on an incredible roll, and I hope she is given the starting position and grows into the bigger role.

 

[stamfordhusky]

I’m curious to see how they play without Alex Morgan — actually, how they play knowing that Morgan isn’t available.

It will be interesting to see if Alex is able to make the Olympic team (assuming there is one). She trained with the National Team a few weeks ago while seven months pregnant. Her current plan is to return to National Team training in May, a month after giving birth. It will be interesting to see how this story develops.

 

[Bigboote]

It will be interesting to see if Alex is able to make the Olympic team (assuming there is one). She trained with the National Team a few weeks ago while seven months pregnant. Her current plan is to return to National Team training in May, a month after giving birth. It will be interesting to see how this story develops.

I think your last sentence sums it up pretty well. Her plan is aggressive and admirable. But it’s also full of unknowns, many of which are beyond her control.