US Performance Shows Improvements but Midfield Still Their Biggest Weakness

It was never really in doubt, but on Tuesday night, the United States women’s national team secured their place in the last 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Against a spirited and combative Nigerian side, they had to battle for the 1-0 victory, but Abby Wambach’s superb left-foot volley sealed the three points and top spot in the group.

Advancing with seven out of nine points should be seen as a success for Jill Ellis’ side, but the performances have not been as impressive as they would have hoped. There were definite signs of improvement all over the pitch, but if the U.S. want to go all the way, they need to find a way to be stronger in midfield—which, with the options available to them, is easier said than done.

Changes were made from the side that were held to a goalless draw against Sweden. Alex Morgan started her first-ever World Cup match, and she was partnered by Wambach in USA’s 4-4-2 formation. In the midfield, Megan Rapinoe was pushed over to the right-hand side so that Tobin Heath could provide natural width on the left.

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Abby Wambach showed up to a World Cup rusty #fact

— HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) June 17, 2015"

The attack was hit-and-miss, and despite her goal, Wambach continues to look rusty. Her decision to forego her domestic season in order to be ready for the World Cup hasn’t exactly worked as she would have liked. Her hold-up play was good; the finish for the goal was excellent—Nigeria’s marking at corners has been terrible—but her overall play and sharpness still looks off.

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Abby Wambach's superb volley #USA 1-0 #NGA #fifawwc https://t.co/7bceoCCOVM

— Andrew Gibney (@Gibney_A) June 17, 2015"

Perhaps at 35 years old, in order to find her best form at this tournament, she needs more consecutive minutes on the field than her body will allow.

She still has the trust of her coach Jill Ellis, who, per ESPN, said: "She embodies a lot of the spirit of this team and our program. Her leadership is tremendous, her spirit is fantastic. So when I met with her [after accepting the coaching job last year], I said, 'Listen, I've not predetermined your role; your role will be as big as you can deliver.' That's exactly what I said to her.

"I just know Abby. I know big moments, I know she'll deliver. I was really pleased with the investment tonight."

Morgan, in contrast, will only get better as her minutes on the field increase. She made some good runs early on, she looked bright and her ability to find space in behind with her pace was clear to see. Just like they showed at the 2012 Olympic Games, Wambach is the perfect foil for Morgan, they just need more minutes together to find that level of understanding.

Behind the two strikers, it's clear to see that the midfield quartet is still causing Ellis a headache. Each game saw her make changes to the personnel, but the shape and issues remain the same.

Rich Lam/Getty Images

Megan Rapinoe is a player of great quality, and she showed again on Tuesday that she will bring that whether she is playing on the left or the right. When she plays well, she is the linchpin that makes the U.S. midfield tick.

Heath failed to impress on the left, as did Morgan Brian vs. Sweden and Christen Press on the right against Australia. It will be interesting to see who Ellis plays there in the knockout stage, as there is no clear candidate.

The main problem for the USWNT has come in the centre of the park. There is no doubting the quality of Carli Lloyd and Lauren Holiday, but as a central midfield duo, it leaves a lot to be desired. Both are much more comfortable going forward, and neither player is defensively minded enough to be a dominant holding midfield.

Tuesday was by far their best performance. Holiday was more vocal, showing her leadership qualities in constantly talking and leading her team. She and Lloyd played the role well, as they gave each other chances to push forward when the opportunities opened up. However, there were still moments when Nigeria’s power, pace and attacking intent cut through the middle of the park.

Without a proper defensive midfielder, other, more organised teams will be able to assert their dominance against the U.S. by playing three central midfielders. Australia showed the way in the opening game, and with more belief and perhaps the physical fitness to go 90 minutes against the American side, they could have pulled out a result.

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Odds Lloyd and Holiday just hear these numbers and *nod nod nod nod nod nod nod*? https://t.co/ZQWsVzUmNx

— Richard Farley (@richardfarley) June 17, 2015"

One easy solution for Ellis would be to play 4-3-3, with Lloyd and Holiday playing ahead of a sitting midfielder, except there doesn’t seem to be anyone in the squad that can fulfil that role, as mentioned by Kevin McCauley of SB Nation. Shannon Boxx played that position late in Tuesday’s game, but at 37 years old, she is not a viable long-term solution.

Finishing in first place, combined with the way the other groups will play out, should give the USWNT a fairly easy path to the semi-finals. They are unlikely to face a tougher test than they had to play in the group until possibly meeting Germany in the semi-finals. That is where this 4-4-2 system could be exposed with Lloyd and Holiday in the centre.

One bright point for Ellis has been her defence. When Nigeria did cause them problems on Tuesday, they couldn’t find a way past the excellent Julie Johnston. Good defenders can win you tournaments, and the U.S. has one of the best in Canada, as Grant Wahl mentioned on the Sports Illustrated website.

Ellis now has two games to work out the best way to tighten up the centre of the park; failure to do this could see USA’s path to glory cut short one game before the final.