Rising stars up the energy as US chase third straight World Cup title

LOS ANGELES – The United States believe that young talent combined with the savvy of veterans such as Megan Rapinoe will make a lethal combination as they seek an unprecedented third straight Women’s World Cup title.

Coach Vlatko Andonovski named 14 World Cup newcomers in his 23-player squad for the tournament.

The holders and favourites still also have the likes of Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Kelley O’Hara – all headed for a fourth World Cup – and Andonovski is doing nothing to dampen expectations.

“I’m excited about the energy and the enthusiasm that the young players bring, the intensity and the drive as well,” said the 46-year-old.

“I think that will be one of our advantages.”

Injuries to captain Becky Sauerbrunn, striker Mallory Swanson and the talented midfielder Catarina Macario have been a blow to the Americans, but the stage is set for their youngsters to shine.

They include the 22-year-old Sophia Smith, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Most Valuable Player with the Portland Thorns in 2022. She has scored 12 goals in 30 appearances for the US.

Another newcomer is Trinity Rodman, the 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year and daughter of former National Basketball Association star Dennis Rodman.

There is also the 18-year-old Angel City forward Alyssa Thompson, the second-youngest player ever named in a US World Cup squad.

The Americans, chasing a fifth World Cup crown overall, will also be able to count on Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan and Crystal Dunn from their triumphant 2019 campaign.

Morgan said that improved conditions for women players around the world have helped other countries close the gap on the top-ranked US.

So much so that despite their No. 1 Fifa ranking, the US players were careful throughout their send-off media day to refer to themselves as only “one of the best” teams in the world.

They are right to be cautious.

Since beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the 2019 final, the US missed out on the gold-medal match at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics and had to settle for bronze.

In 2022, they lost to England, Spain and Germany in quick succession – the first time they had lost three in a row since 1993.

Andonovski considers it his job to shepherd a dynasty not only through this World Cup but also beyond.

But he and his players made it clear that amid all the changes, nothing less than the title in New Zealand and Australia will satisfy them.

“Would I be happy with anything short of a third straight win? No, absolutely not,” Andonovski said.

“Our goal is to win the World Cup. I don’t think anyone in our team thinks anything different.”

The challenge will start early in a group that features the Netherlands in a rerun of the 2019 final, as well as Vietnam and Portugal.

“It’s obviously one of the hardest groups if not the hardest group in the World Cup,” Andonovski said.

“We had to dissect the three different styles, have three different approaches. The goal is to win the group before we move on to the ultimate goal.”

Besides the rising European sides, there are also their North American rivals Canada, the reigning Olympic champions, who will be hoping to derail the US in their title bid.

“It’s a great mix of veterans, experienced and new players who can all bring something different this summer,” said coach Bev Priestman of her squad.

Canada are headlined by 40-year-old Christine Sinclair, who will travel to her sixth Women’s World Cup.

Sinclair, who holds the international scoring record (190), is already a Canadian great with 323 international appearances.

She hopes to become the first player to score in six different World Cups.

“She’s humble on the top and then below is this competitive high performer,” said Priestman. “I’m 37 and I’m thinking, ‘She’s three years older than me and she’s putting this out’. And we did fitness testing, she’s come out brilliantly in that area.

“I’m in awe as many Canadians are as to what Christine is doing.” AFP, REUTERS