Behind Macario, Alyssa Thompson and Michelle Cooper, the USWNT attack was at its best in an easy 3-0 win
Let the U.S. women's national team's 3-0 blowout win over China on Saturday serve as a reminder to the rest of the world: don't play a high line against the Americans.
Not a good idea. It certainly didn't work out well for China. The USWNT, at its core, are a team that can eat up any space you give them, and they did so time and time against China.
Catarina Macario, Sam Coffey and Lindsey Heaps got the goals in the 3-0 win and, in truth, it didn't even feel that close. China's insistence on pressing the USWNT proved their undoing, as the U.S. front line of Macario, Alyssa Thompson and Michelle Cooper ran circles around them from the opening whistle.
It began with Macario's goal, a scrappy close-range finish kick-started by a Cooper cross in the 28th minute. Macario then turned helper for the USWNT's second just minutes later, laying it off to Coffey – just her second international goal, coincidentally both against China – to make it 2-0. Heaps then sealed it at 3-0 in the second half, as Cooper played in yet another picture-perfect cross to find the head of the USWNT captain.
Those were just the goals, though. Particularly in the first half, the USWNT were machine-like in their efficiency. Thompson threatened defenders. Cooper routinely ran into wide-open grass. Macario had the touch and poise to outsmart everyone in her path. The U.S. could have easily had more goals if a few other bounces had gone their way.
"We were just talking in our huddle about how we want to be ruthless," said Cooper, who only recently returned from injury. "I mean, 3-0 is a good win, we put in a good performance, but we can always be better. And our next step is that we’re ruthless, that we do exactly what we need to do and keep executing in 90 minutes."
In the end, it was a comprehensive win for a team that, even if not a finished product, is still pretty damn good in the attacking end. And considering Emma Hayes' side had lost two of its last three matches – to Japan, and then Brazil – it was a clear statement. Even without Triple Espresso – Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson – this USWNT attack is high-octane, a fact that China learned in Saturday's blowout.
GOAL rates the USWNT's players from Allianz Stadium.
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defense
Phallon Tullis-Joyce (6/10):
Had one shaky moment early, but had little else to do the rest of the way. Did play a part in springing the USWNT's third goal, though.
Crystal Dunn (6/10):
Not too much to report. With the U.S. generally bombing forward quickly, there were fewer moments for Dunn to get forward herself, leading to a quiet-ish game.
Naomi Girma (7/10):
So nice to see her back, even if we saw very little of her doing what she does best – because it simply wasn't needed. Was good on the ball, though, as she was always available as a passing option when the USWNT wasn't moving forward.
Emily Sonnett (7/10):
Was able to play high up and was aggressive in winning the ball back when China did get forward. Also, as with Girma, completed plenty of passes throughout the game. We know who Sonnett and Girma are, though, so it's fine that they weren't ever challenged.
Avery Patterson (6/10):
Certainly looked the part as she was given the start ahead of Champions League winner Emily Fox, who is no doubt exhausted from Arsenal's celebrations. No one in this pool is quite like Fox, but performances such as this could allow Patterson to seal a spot as her understudy.
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Sam Coffey (8/10):
Put her at striker if she's going to finish like that! Jokes aside, one heck of a goal from Coffey, whose finish shouldn't overshadow the good work she did defensively, as usual.
Lily Yohannes (7/10):
That vision? From a teenager? Still not fair. Yohannes played the U.S. out of China's press several times, showing her trademark poise and passing touch. Despite her age, she continues to make this all look so effortless.
Lindsey Heaps (8/10):
Pushed very high as the most attacking of the three midfielders. And it paid off early in the second half with a trademark Heaps header, putting an exclamation point on a trademark Heaps performance.
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Michelle Cooper (7/10):
Found herself in all sorts of space out wide and generally made the most of it. Unlocked China's defense with crosses throughout the first half, providing both the speed and precision needed from that spot out wide.
Catarina Macario (9/10):
Her goal was about as easy as it gets, although her own intelligence helped create it thanks to her decoy run. Her assist, meanwhile, was so classy, from the touch to the lay-off to Coffey. Overall, a fantastic game from a fantastic player.
Alyssa Thompson (8/10):
China had no answer for her pace, which allowed Thompson to get loose time and time again. Was unlucky not to score the USWNT's first, but she'll take the assist.
AFPSubs & Manager
Ally Sentnor (6/10):
Wasn't able to score a now-trademark golazo, but the U.S. had already done the damage and was largely cruising by the time she came on.
Emma Sears (7/10):
Looked just a little bit antsy initially, but settled down and should have had an assist after putting one on a platter for Moultrie.
Emily Sams (6/10):
Replaced Sonnett in the heart of defense, and somehow had even less to do as China struggled to get forward.
Lo'eau LaBonta (6/10):
A feel-good story if there ever was one. She'll have dreamed of this debut for a while now, and it'll be even sweeter getting it in a big win.
Lynn Biyendolo (6/10):
Almost got loose for a chance late on, but it didn't come together.
Olivia Moultrie (5/10):
Got close to a goal, but put her chance just wide. She'll want that back, although, to be fair, the chance came just after she entered the fray.
Emma Hayes (8/10):
A bunch of goals, a clean sheet and some big minutes for some younger players – this was about as satisfying of an outcome as a coach can hope for. Overall, Hayes got just about everything right, even if China played into her hands with their high line.
