What is that trite saying about the definition of insanity? Something about doing things over and over again but expecting to get a different result? Being slightly insane myself, I tend not to remember the details of such saying. I'm too busy trying to remember my manifesto and the tactical read-outs of the first Death Star. But when I saw Pia Sundhage's lineup for today's first leg in Italy, I wished I'd written that pithy insanity phrase into my manifesto.
United States Women Vs. Italy: Unfortunately, USWNT Lineup Portends To A Close Match
The United States has gone with the expected lineup, which means Carli Lloyd, Amy Rodriguez, and Heather Mitts will play prominent roles. While Carli Lloyd has not been terrible, her selection over other options (Lindsay Tarpley, Lori Lindssy) is a bit brow furrowing. Amy Rodriguez has had one good six week span in the last two years, yet she continues to be a mainstay in Sundhage's XI. Heather Mitts, at this point of her career, should not be starting over Ali Krieger.
None of these critiques are new. Throughout the small community of people who cover women's soccer in this country, these choices have been highly scrutinized some the failures in CONCACAF qualifying. During these discussions there was no unanimous opinion on any of these choices, but there was a sense that the team seemed stagnant. No changes were going to be made, no matter how much they were rationalized, which begged a question: What would have to happen in order for Sundhage to make changes? If losing to Mexico and being thrown into a playoff wasn't enough, what would be? Missing the World Cup?
It's not just the Mexico result. It's been about six months since the national team last put in a convincing shift. While it's conceivable that the U.S. can get to Germany without finding that convincing shift, today's lineup is still a letdown. Something needs to happen before next summer, but at this rate, that something's going to have to be something other than a lineup change. If one comes, it will be unexpected, and given the choices we've seen during the team's recent doldrums, we might not see a productive choice.
I’m not the coach, and Sundhage knows these players better than anybody. But I can see things aren’t working. I can see no changes are being made, and as the States play out the first 23 minutes in Italy scoreless, I can only hope the players being selected take it upon themselves to make something happen.
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