In a rare move Sunday, U.S. national team coach Pia Sundhage changed her starting lineup for the Women's World Cup final against Japan. In fact, Sundhage replaced two players in the starting lineup for the match in Frankfurt, Germany, Sporting News' Brian Straus noted in his live blod on the title match.Rachel Buehler returned to the lineup after missing the semifinals because of a red card. Sundhage also decided to start sparkplug Megan Rapinoe in left midfield with Lauren Cheney moving up and take the place of the struggling Amy Rodriguez.
This marks only the third time in Women's World Cup history that a finalist has changed its starting 11 from the semifinals.
Buehler returned to central defense, a move likely to bolster the team after its 3-1 semifinal victory over France.
Rodriguez started 22 of the U.S. women's past 26 games, but she had been a bit of a liability during this tournament.
"Sure, she's fast and can stretch a defense," Straus wrote. "But she's not a threat near goal and struggles to hold the ball up for her teammates. Putting her on the bench is the right move."
0 comments:
Post a Comment