USWNT: Preview of Saturday's Friendly Against Costa Rica

In the first match of their three-game celebration tour, the United States Women’s National Team will take on Costa Rica this Saturday. The game, being held in Rochester, New York, kicks off at 2:30 ET and will be televised on NBC.

Here are some thoughts and questions as the team heads into the game.

Sit Back and Enjoy the Match

Unlike most international games, which are either in competitive tournaments and qualifiers, or friendlies set up to try out different formations, tactics and personnel, the purpose of this game is simply to celebrate the USWNT’s recent gold-medal performance at the Olympics.

Don’t expect USWNT head coach Pia Sundhage to do too much tinkering with the lineup or with formations. This game will be geared towards creating an atmosphere for the fans to enjoy and playing the stars from the Olympics that the fans want to see.

The Game Could Be More Competitive Than U.S. Fans Expect

Costa Rica is by no means a world power. In the world of women’s football, they are a minnow.

But, as the Canadians proved against the U.S. in the Olympic semifinal, the thought of taking down the world’s best team can be a powerful motivation.

The last time the U.S. and Costa Rica met was in January in a match the USWNT won 3-0. However, in the match, Las Ticas put up a good fight and tested USWNT goalkeeper Hope Solo on a number of occasions.

To be fair, that was when the USWNT was still tinkering with a 4-2-3-1 and Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, as crazy as it might seem, were not regular starters.

The USWNT needs to be ready to play to avoid what would be an embarrassing upset in front of its home fans.

What Does the Future Hold for Pia Sundhage?

Sundhage’s contract with U.S. Soccer runs out on November 30. While it may seem a lock that she will stay on as coach, having led the team to Olympic gold in both 2008 and 2012 and a runner-up finish at the 2011 World Cup, that is not necessarily the case.

Both Pia and U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati have said that a renewal of her contract is not a given, and Pia has even expressed a desire to go back to her native Sweden to coach their national team. 

While it’s hard to question Pia’s “man-management” skills, as the USWNT always seems to have a great spirit surrounding it, there has certainly been room to criticize some of Pia’s tactical, personnel and formation decisions.

Is the Celebration Tour the Last Time in a USWNT Kit For…

A number of USWNT stalwarts are nearing, or are at, the end of their careers.

Heather Mitts, at 34, would be 37 by the next time the USWNT plays in a major tournament. And while Mitts has provided some great service to the team over the last 13 years and through her 127 caps, over the past year she has looked well past her best.

Shannon Boxx, at 35 years of age, is beginning to show the wear and tear associated with being the U.S.’ midfield cog over the last decade.

One would have to believe that Christie Rampone, at 37, is at the end of her career. Although Rampone is still playing at a very high level, it seems a reach to expect her on the roster at the next World Cup at the age of 40.

Abby Wambach has been battling tendinitis in her Achilles for the past two years and is 32. However, Wambach is still playing at a very high level, and it is doubtful she retires.

Amy LePeilbet is 30 years old and is going to face very stiff competition from a cadre of young American defenders to maintain her roster spot.

Amy Rodriguez is only 25 years old, but in the last two years, she has gone from a regular starter to a rarely used substitute. In front of Rodriguez on the depth chart lie Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux, Tobin Heath, Lauren Cheney, Megan Rapinoe and Heather O’Reilly.

In addition, a new generation of youngsters, led by Christen Press, will make the competition for roster spots even more challenging.

Will the USWNT Stars Have an American Professional League to Play in Next Year?

Shortly before the Olympic gold-medal match kicked off this summer, reports emerged that a new professional soccer league was forming with the intention of kicking off in 2013.

However, details about the league since then have been scarce, and with the history of two failed professional leagues already (the WUSA and the WPS), it is reasonable to ask whether this proposed new league can find financial viability.

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