2023-07-14 10:40:07
With the presence of 14 new faces in the World Cup out of 23 among the list of Americans who will compete in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, starting from July 20, Andonovski rules out any concerns regarding the lack of experience in his team, as Rapinoe and Morgan prepare for the fourth edition of the global event.
“In fact, I am excited regarding the energy and passion of the young players, and the power of the bit as well,” said North Macedonian-American Andonovski during the national team’s gathering in California in preparation for the World Cup.
“I think it will be one of our strengths,” he added.
The “Stars and Stripes” squad suffered successive slaps, following the injury of captain Becky Sauerbrun, Mallory Swanson and Sam Mewes, but it opened the door for young girls to shine.
Among the upcoming arrivals is the 22-year-old Sophia Smith, 22, the best player in the American League with her Portland team, and has 12 goals in 29 matches with her country’s national team.
Also among the arrivals, Trinity Rodman, the best rookie (Rocky) in the 2021 season and the daughter of the former NBA star, riotous Dennis Rodman, and Alyssa Thompson (18 years), attacking Angel City FC, who became the second youngest player in the history of formations USA participating in the World Cup.
And the Americans seeking a fifth world title following 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019 can also rely on midfielders Rose Lavelle, Lindsay Horan and Crystal Dunn, veterans from the 2019 edition when they won the title in France at the expense of the Netherlands (2-0), in parallel with their battle with the American Football Association with a goal Achieving equal pay with men.
Their efforts resulted in a pioneering contract with the US Federation, while Morgan believes that improving conditions for female soccer players around the world has helped other countries bridge the gap with the United States.
The gap narrowed to the point that the team ranked first in the world, once morest Germany, Sweden, England, France and Spain, was described by its players as “one of the best” in the world.
Since defeating the Netherlands in the final of the 2019 edition, the United States has failed to reach the final of the football competition at the Tokyo Olympics, and for the first time since 1993, it has lost three matches in a row once morest Germany, England and Spain.
The main goal
And while he acknowledged that his job requires restoring the aura of the American team, not only in the next World Cup, but following the finals, Andonovsky made it clear with his players that nothing would satisfy them less than winning the title.
He said, “Would I be happy with less than a third title in a row? No, of course not… Our goal is to win the World Cup. I don’t think anyone in this team thinks differently.”
The challenge will start early in a group that includes the Netherlands, Vietnam and Portugal.
“Obviously it’s one of the toughest groups, if not the toughest in the World Cup,” Andonovski added. “We have to dissect three different styles, three different approaches. But I think we have the right time to prepare, to be ready for each match.”
And the 46-year-old coach, who has been supervising the American women since October 2019, added, “We must top the group, before we move on to the main goal.”
Rapinoe, who made headlines and infuriated former US President Donald Trump with her support for social justice causes, noted that success on the field provided her and her teammates with a solid platform to make their voices heard on issues other than sports.
And the 2019 Ballon d’Or holder is still hungry for more success.
And the 37-year-old, who won the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, added, “For us, it’s regarding continuing to give our best and continuing to dominate to be the best team in the world.”
1689335114
#United #States #title #row #confirms #dominance