U.S. Women’s Soccer team’s plan to win gold in the August Summer Olympic Games was hit with a severe blow during an exhibition game in San Diego last week. Starting forward Abby Wambach broke her left leg after a violent collision in the first half of a 1-0 win over Brazil. The team’s leading scorer is expected to be out for 12 weeks and will miss the Summer Games, which begin in three weeks.
The U.S. Women have dominated international soccer play since its inception by winning Olympic gold in 1996 and 2004. But other countries have caught up in international play with the Americans. No further proof than the U.S. third-place finish at the 2007 Women’s World Cup is necessary. The team lost a lopsided contest to Brazil in the semi-final round before salvaging a bronze medal by defeating Norway. Gone are the days of the U.S. Women’s domination of the opposition.
Out went head coach Ken Ryan, and in came Pia Sundhage, who revamped the mentality of how the team attacked the goal. Sundhage implemented a possession-based offense to create more opportunity for everyone to score. The team no longer relies on Wambach to be the squad’s lone goal scorer, which could ultimately help the Americans to claim a medal in Beijing.
Simply put, this team is not lost without their star on the pitch as it would have been prior to Sundhage becoming coach. By de-emphasizing the role of Wambach and revamping their offensive style, Sundhage has created a diverse look for opponents to try to defend.
Besides Wambach, injuries to defender Cat Whitehill and midfielder Leslie Osbourne have left the Olympic roster young and untested. The talent is there but their poise will be tested in Beijing. Sundhage’s plan is to keep possession of the ball and find the right moment to penetrate the defensive zone, while also forcing the majority of play to the middle of the field. Sundhage feels the team’s strength is that they can play very well against different styles, and this will be helpful in the Olympic tournament.
It is hard to imagine that the U.S. will be the gold medal favorites at the start of Olympic play in China. But one advantage on their side is Sundhage, as she is one of the more creative coaches in the game today. You have to like the team’s motto going in the Summer Games: “If one is fully prepared, you should not be nervous to play in any contest. Be mentally prepared to leave it all on the pitch.”
They might be down, but the U.S. Women’s Soccer team is certainly not out.
