One reason why the U.S. women’s national soccer team has been so good is that, in a young woman’s game (see the likes of Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Caterina Macario, Trinity Rodman, and Alex Morgan, who broke into the lineup as teenagers), the U.S. team is unafraid to keep veteran players on their rosters.
At the 2003 Women’s World Cup, for example, April Henrichs was criticized when her 20-player roster was down to 16 by the middle of the preliminary round, having kept a number of players who were just coming off injury, then Brandi Chastain broke her foot in the opening contest.
In 2015, the U.S. kept Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone on the main roster even through they didn’t play a lot during the course of the competition, but they were subbed on late in the grand final and helped raise the trophy.
In 2019, the American team kept veterans Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe on the roster, and Rapinoe wound up with the Golden Ball as best player. Two years later at the Olympics, however, the team failed to medal.
In 2023, it looks as though Vlatko Andonovski is taking a gamble on the veteran leadership and knowledge of Rapinoe and Julie Ertz. Ertz is an unattached professional player, having left the game to have a baby. But all reports have Ertz playing with a fire and confidence that can only help a the U.S. defense.
The veteran defense will be a counterpoint to an attack which could be led by Rodman (20 years of age), Sophia Smith (22) and Macario (23). This “kiddie korps” could, by itself win a World Cup this summer.
But with Ertz in defense? The U.S. team could have the makings of its best all-around team ever.
And that should have every other nation quaking in their shooting boots.
