USA players prepare to let loose ‘much different team’ for second World Cup game

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This article was published 09/06/2015 (4082 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Only about half of Team USA particpated in a training session today as it gears up for the next chapter of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup — Friday’s evening contest against Sweden at Investors Group Field.

Most of the U.S. regulars were absent today at Waverley Soccer Complex after Monday night’s 3-1 triumph over Australia.

“I think that now that we’ve had our first game under our belt and got all of that out of the way, I think you’ll see a much different team from the start,” midfielder Tobin Heath said after today’s session. “I think we’ll try to be more in control, feel good on the ball and feel comfortable on the ball.

“This will be our second time in the same stadium. It’s phenomenal that it basically feels like we’re playing at home with the crowd that we have here, the support that we have. It’s really, really incredible.”

The Swedes drew 3-3 in their opener with Nigeria.

Monday, the Americans were in a tooth-and-nail battle with Australia throughout the first half but pulled away in the second half on a goal by Christen Press and then Megan Rapinoe’s second of the game.

Heath called the first 45 minutes on Monday “combative.”

“Both teams were going, going, going in the first half and I think you eventually were going to see the game slow down,” she said. “And those two goals by Christen (Press) and Pino (Megan Rapinoe) are what really allowed us to breathe.

“(Rapinoe) is a game-changer and that’s precisely what she did last night. We have tremendous depth and so much talent on this team that we’re incredibly dangerous.”

USA’s youngest player, 22-year-old midflielder Morgan Brian, entered the game in the closing minutes for Rapinoe. It was Brian’s first World Cup game and appearance.

“As a young player I’ve learned a lot from (Rapinoe),” Brian said today. “She’s very skillful and creative and the fact she can bring that to the field and express herself like that makes me want to be able to do that.

“I think she showed the world what she’s capable of. We needed that from her.”

Friday’s match with Sweden comes with a fascinating storyline — Swedish coach Pia Sundhage coached the U.S. at the last World Cup and in the 2012 Olympics.

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Heath, the 27-year-old from New Jersey, indicated Friday’s match won’t be just like any other.

“She has a really unique coaching style,” Heath said. “She really brings out the best in her players because she’s so positive and so encouraging. She really gives you that freedom to express yourself. I think a lot of us players learned that under Pia and have taken that into this new step in our journey. I think Pia’s a phenomenal coach.

“I love Pia; I loved my time with her. We had a good run and we were really successful with her and I think we’re really familiar with here. Obviously this is a new team. She’s going to be super familiar with us and I think in that way there’s not going to be many surprises, which is why we’re going to have to be so good.

“I don’t think we’re going to be able to have a first half like we did the first game.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca