FR
EN
16 May 2018
United States, to end on a high note
Less than a month before the start of the first edition of the Sud Ladies Cup, from 5th to 10th June, the four teams are trying to prepare in the best way. After a successful year, United States wish to end on a high note with a World Cup they fail to win since 2012.
Will they clinch the title again ? Three months before the U20 women World Cup in France, Americans are dreaming to reconquest a world title that they can't win since six years. World champions on 2012 in Japan, they gave up their title on 2014 to Germany after they were eliminated in quarter finals, before to sit on the fourth spot on 2016.
After these failures, it is with desire and determination that they will take on the World Cup next summer. Before that, United States are preparing in the best way the competition.
Jitka Klimkova's players are in a good dynamics, as they beat Italy (3-1) and Sweden (4-1) in friendlies in April, after two nice displays against France in March (1-0 and 2-2). These results were on the momentum of the U20 CONCACAF at the beggining of the year.
Confronted to Nicaragua (2-0), Jamaica (2-1) and Mexico (2-1), American squad perfectly handled their group round in mid-January by serenely clinching three wins. It is only from the semi-finals that things get more complicated. Firstly against Haiti, that they will face during the Sud Ladies Cup. USA are pushed and forced to the penalty shootout by some brave Haitians, who will collapse face to the American goalkeeper (1-1, 3-0 ps).
The CONCACAF final against Mexico also ended to the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. This time, USA were less lucky and lost four penalties to two. However, the Americans get their ticket for the World Cup.
So, it is a team in the maximum of its abilities that will come in Provence in June. After this good path and thanks to an increasing shape, USA will count on a fire attack, as their impressive victories over Finland (10-1), Norway (8-2) or France (2-0) on 2017 in friendlies showed. These displays will have to be confirmed during the Sud Ladies Cup, and the World Cup...
Mathieu Lauricella
READ ALSO :
