You kind of need a wild card players like Lynn. She’s scrappy, physical, she disrupts, she plays defense. We need a wrecking ball.

@johnl6855

22 күн бұрын

A wild card player is someone like Tyler Lussi, able to shoot ball well and set pieces.

@dallasgrimes9901

22 күн бұрын

The scrappiest player I’ve seen is Emily Sonnett, she’s able to disrupt opponents pretty well

@AlexJaneson

22 күн бұрын

Rodman does all of that too. We don’t need both..

@candacelong7643

22 күн бұрын

Enter Trinity Rodman

It's very simple. Lynn is a perfect Vlatko-style defensive, pressing, direct ball forward. She, however, is not a Hayes-style forward, capable of sustained possession, combination, linking, or taking on defenders 1v1. She was never going to make an 18-person roster ahead of Smith, Swanson, Macario, Shaw, or Rodman.

@glarris1

23 күн бұрын

Nailed it.

@LittlePeculiar13

23 күн бұрын

Exactly this

@AlexJaneson

22 күн бұрын

Also Rodman is a similar player but is younger and does everything a bit better imo.

@candacelong7643

22 күн бұрын

@@AlexJanesonWanted Lynn to make the roster but this is true in regards to Rodman. Younger, the far better playmaker and has chemistry with the other forwards

@nataliatmontano2708

21 күн бұрын

Oh wow, quite succinct.

I can visualize Sam Stabb starting next to Naomi Girma, regularly.

Lynn Williams has always been a track star on a team of footballers. That was never more true than when she racked up the goals in North Carolina opposite Jess McDonald. And she is willing to do that for 90 minutes. But then again, I've seen her sky a ball over the cross bar and I shrugged my shoulders because I'd seen it before. Lynn Williams will never be Christen Press.

Your commentary and knowledge is very professional

It will be so interesting to see how Emma Hayes builds this roster and manages the lineup. Right now we can only speculate, but by the end of the summer we'll know so much more. I agree with you that versatility will be hugely important. Not necessarily so much because of Hayes' preferences, but just because of the silly Olympics 18 person roster limitations. This makes it look like, yes, Crystal Dunn is nearly a lock in this lineup. It also speaks to why I think Sonnett will go again. Also, for Sonnett, aside from her versatility, I think one can read between the lines on past roster decisions that she is a huge bonus on the training pitch. If she's not on the normal roster, she's an alternate for sure. I love Lynn Williams as a player, and on the one hand, it's hard to see her not make the roster. But look at those forwards! Who comes off to make space for her? Certainly not Swanson, Smith or Shaw as they've been playing. Not Dunn if that's where they put her (see versatility above). Macario? Not if she's healthy. I think Lynn suffers the most in comparison to Rodman. Not that she's worse than Rodman, but they bring many of the same attributes, and presumably Hayes is looking to Trin as a crucial part of this roster into the '27 WWC and beyond. That brings us to Morgan. I see a lot of comments about her only being on the roster for marketing reasons, but I don't think that's fair and also, considering the sacrifices US Soccer has made to bring Hayes on, if Hayes decides she's not on the roster I think they'll back her up. But she does bring some unique skills that aren't quite shown by any of the other forwards. I think she does something others don't. I don't see her starting every game, but depending on the opponent, I could see her starting some of them to give a certain look that otherwise isn't quite there. And to come on as a sub and change the attacking structure late in a game? That could be hard for opponents. (Again, assuming she's healthy.) The midfield is going to be really interesting to watch. If Hayes is broadcasting interest in the double pivot with the choice of HH, where does that put Horan vs. Lavelle? Considering the good things she wrote about Lavelle back in 2023, this will be an interesting one to watch. My biggest questions are around how she's going to structure the midfield. Maybe we'll understand better after these two friendlies (but it could also stay a mystery into the Olympics). Finally, defense. I don't have much to say here, but I'm very happy that they're giving Staab a chance to show what she can do. If Girma is healthy she's a lock. But who will play beside her? Staab? Davidson? We'll definitely have a better idea of the backline in a few short weeks.

@JohnDuarte-dx8kx

23 күн бұрын

Good commentary.⚽

I think Horan should play in the same position she plays at Lyon and let Shaw/Lavelle compete for the 10 position. Macario could also compete for this position but I hope she plays as a false 9.

@AlexJaneson

22 күн бұрын

I like Shaw on the wing better

@candacelong7643

22 күн бұрын

@@AlexJanesonThe wing is stacked. She’s best at the 10 and is the 10 of the future. Her and LaVelle will likely compete

liked the breakdown. no issues with anything. no issues with the squad either except for Morgan. not against Morgan, shes a US legend, but, if we arent using her as a target anymore, whats the point? shes been bad linking play, turning the ball over alot prior to her recent injury troubles. i just dont see the need for what she has left to bring. if we pass on Morgan for a dynamic play making 9, thats Macario, ez. ive said many times, the biggest problem Hayes is going to have is what to do with Morgan. its hard to cut a legend, a fan favorite. snubs. Lynn of course, and it pains me. love her tenacity box to box. while Lynn can play wing, ive always wanted to see her at the 9 where i thought she was more dangerous. never seemed to get that chance though. Sanchez and DeMelo, who are both the same player, and a slight step behind Rose skill wise, so i get why Rose is still the leader in that trio, regardless of her injury history. im a bit bummed about Dahl and Becky, but, we all knew it was coming sooner or later. good to see Staab get a look. she brings consistency, the ability to take corners and those long throw ins like you said. shes not perfect though. Tierna is worrying me. she just isnt the same confident player she was prior to the major injury. shes been slow to react and see the play coming and thats going to bite us eventually. hope she regains her true form. really like Hershfelt getting a look. shes been owning midfield for the Spirit, has some grit, some play making ability. excited about her. Bethune getting some practice time is welcomed as well. would be much better for everybody, players, fans, teams, if they expanded the Olympics roster size. its too constricting. leaving a lot of talent home because theyre too good at one thing, and not great at everything. sucks.

Casey Krueger is ESSENTIAL. While we like how Jenna gets forward, she always gets beaten back there a lot. Casey and Jenna could share duties.

@julianpeavy303

23 күн бұрын

having watched Gotham this year and obvs the us this isnt true about jenna, its accepted as truth tho.

@MKelly-pm1np

23 күн бұрын

@@julianpeavy303 Don’t know why anyone would make this up. We like Jenna. You can rewatch the Gold Cup match vs Canada and note when/why twila subbed her out. Also, in most recent history vs Japan (see goal #1).

@candacelong7643

22 күн бұрын

@@MKelly-pm1np She’s not fast and small, though is feisty. She has to be coupled with a defensive forward on her side like Rodman to help her out

@MKelly-pm1np

21 күн бұрын

@@candacelong7643I love her feistiness back there. But you’re right, ive seen Trin have to track back on help defense.

Also she’s super versatile, specially now under JCA where they play a high consistent press. We saw her at wingback against Brazil at the end and I think she could play both. Many players play out of position with the national team and I think Lynn is a vet who can do that. Also she had Olympic experience. I think she should get another look !

thanks for the breakdown and insights! great job!

Great Pod

Thank you for this well thought out information and analysis. My biggest snub is Taylor Flint. The difference between her play this year and last year is like night and day. She has been moved to the double pivot, and she is simply destroying opposing teams attacks. She also plays remarkably well on offense with her passing, and is great on set pieces where she can use her height to great effect. I know that she looked out of position last year as a 6 for Vlatko, but she has blossomed in the double pivot. If Emma wants to use a double pivot, I can't think of a better player.

Alex Morgan is 34 years old now... her time is up, she had her chances and shouldn't deny the youngsters theirs, thank you for your service but the bench is too short

Might play on Tuesday ..

Hello Claire. All this was well thought through. Remember though that the start is not the finish. Imagine a cycling pelaton and a following group. Not everyone in the pelaton necessarily crosses the line in the leading bunch. No point worrying too soon in the race, but let it unfold. Hayes will be testing the players. Some may not be at the stage she wants them, but would not talk about it and give anything away with opponents studying the US team. Quite right about the development for the future. If something seems out of balance, it may be a distraction. Emma seems a good parent, so will be practiced at using that to get things how she wants.

My hot take is I want to see an 11 on the field that doesn’t include Horan. She has moments of greatness but part of me thinks she’s gotten too comfortable w/ this team.

@jaredjohnson8553

23 күн бұрын

I don't think that's likely to happen. Horan demonstrates precisely the characteristics I think Hayes wants to see on the ball: top notch positioning and the ability to hold onto the ball in the face of hard opposition. Her turnovers have mostly been on passing the ball, or she hasn't progressed the ball forward enough. I think Hayes plans to "fix" that with better positioning and movement of teammates off the ball. Whether that is successful or not is something we'll have to see. Lastly, her lack of speed is not seen as a detriment in what I believe will be Hayes' preferred structure/style of play.

@AlexJaneson

22 күн бұрын

Whenever Horan is off the field, the team loses control of the game.

@wsl3836

19 күн бұрын

I'd like to see it too just to see, but I think it's unfair to say that she's gotten "too comfortable". From what Dawn Scott shared on CP and Tobin's podcast, Horan was one of the top players with the most travel and overall play time for the past two seasons leading up to the WC. Yet Vladko made her play full 90min, among a long list of bad decisions cause he was out of his depth with the NT. She's back from yet another huge tournament and I'm hoping to not see her do a full 90min just for a gd friendly's.

Could not agree more with your opening comments about Lynn Williams. If it came down to Morgan/Williams, I'd say "Morgan no" "Williams yes". Morgan is good at one thing, and there are at least 4 on the roster currently better at that thing. Williams is versatile and adjustable, and she brings an element of muscle and physicality, never mind a "play to the whistle" level of fitness.

She is such a talented sports analyst and reporter

I think compared to the other forwards on the current roster, Lynn has a better overall work rate that contributes to the overall team goal. You're not going to see that with the others.

Have to disagree: Morgan as a scorer at the international level (against better teams) is like your comment about Williams. Morgan is valuable in other ways.

@transmatized

10 сағат бұрын

she has not scored consistently at the international level for a very long time

Alec Morgan a team player she has been the WorldCup before And experience.Good forward

There's quite a few not quite strong enough yet players on this roster. Cat, Rose, Alex etc....My prediction is that in the run up to the olympics there'll be injuries and Lynn will be called in...

@mracer8

23 күн бұрын

Lynn never measure up in international play, she is great playing in US pond

Lenny Williams is good for nwsl but in some reason she is not fitting with uswnt she missed a lot of GOL the finshing part is not there but she is better than Alex or Dunn and all over she deserve call back the olympic rosters.

People complain about Lynn not making the roster and then you wonder why the US can't play good soccer. Look at all the players from the mexico national team. Most of them are US players that were passed up by the USNT and they handed the US a 2:0 in the last game. There has to be more emphasis on ball retention and less counter attacks.

I think its crazy how she doesn't make the roster

In addition to the NWSL record, Williams has a goals/caps ratio of .285 while Rodman has a ratio of .194. It’s absurd that Williams isn’t on the roster instead of Rodman.

@Pumpkin-vg1ur

23 күн бұрын

I agree and think Williams is more versatile and makes less errors.

@wsl3836

23 күн бұрын

It's really vs Morgan that's truly absurd, but if we're talking vs Rodman it's simple: she's the present and future of the NT with a high ceiling that a coach like Hayes can do wonders with and will want to test asap. Congratulations to Lynn on her record after over 8 years of being pro and in the NWSL, but unfortunately her time with the NT is about the officially end as they enter the new cycle.

@justafan323

22 күн бұрын

Rodman is the future..not Lynn

@johnl6855

22 күн бұрын

Rodman is a solid right wing passer. Should check her assist record

@AlexJaneson

22 күн бұрын

Rodman is a lot younger

She’s a disrupter-she makes things happen when pressure is applied. I don’t understand how she has been left off of rosters over the last few years. She could be great if they would give her her turn.

@AlexJaneson

22 күн бұрын

She’s been given a lot of chances

@michaelmorris1486

19 күн бұрын

@@AlexJaneson maybe but I think she is still waiting for her turn fully. I’m all for Alex Morgan and Rodman and Shaw and Swanson but Williams brings an energy that I feel gets overlooked. She’s hungry and I’m surprised she’s been left off the list.

I've never liked Lynn W in the USWNT. she is not a bad player it's just about the type of player that she is. She's your typical early 2000s US player. Big, fast aggressive forward that doesn't have a good tactical grip of the game. She plays only at one speed and only in one direction. She doesn't make good supporting runs and never tries to slow the game down. She doesn't have good ball control. We need more dynamic forwards than contribute to the game and don't just put their head down when they get the ball and forget about the rest of the team.

@tylarson2241

18 күн бұрын

Crazy

@erinriley2059

13 күн бұрын

Morgan is even more tactically limited than Williams and a worse finisher if that’s possible

@didier_777

13 күн бұрын

​@@erinriley2059I totally agree Morgan should not be on the roster. When was the last time she scored a meaningful goal for the US.

@erinriley2059

13 күн бұрын

@@didier_777 2019 v England i guess. She’s never been a productive striker in tournaments though. Her best year by far was 2012.

@didier_777

13 күн бұрын

My point exactly.

Lynn has 5 speeds everyone else 4 SPEED KILLS

I think Lynn is a great player, but does not have qualities Emma looking from forwards (playing with a ball on their feet, 1 on 1).

@erinriley2059

13 күн бұрын

Then why is Morgan there? She’s worse on the ball than Lynn

@PandaPanda-cn7yn

13 күн бұрын

@@erinriley2059 because she's a big name, leader

Lynn Williams is just not good with the ball. She is a one-track speed pony with average finishes. She also lacks composure, under pressure she falls apart woefully. She is genetically athletic and has great height/fitness so there is development potential if she puts in the smart work. I know she works hard already but smart work to up her skill level is whats needed.

Lynn Williams don't have technical skills. Emma is used to players with a combination of skills and speed not just one..

@erinriley2059

13 күн бұрын

Morgan has neither