Analyzing the USWNT’s complicated relationship with inverted fullbacks – Equalizer Soccer

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports activities

Inverted fullbacks are in vogue. They’re the tactical idea of the time, nevertheless it’s not all the time clear why. The function of the fullback has advanced all through historical past, and continues to take action as we speak. Whether or not the most recent evolution is an effective or a nasty factor, nonetheless, relies on its use. Are groups making an attempt new concepts for the sake of it, to look up to date on as we speak’s tendencies? Or as a result of it really works for them and their gamers? For the United States women’s national team, at this second, the inverted fullback appears like pure idea.

There have been positives within the crew’s newest show, a 2-1 win over China on Tuesday. The U.S. pressed properly, their depth disrupting Chinese language rhythm, creating panic, to not point out useful attacking alternatives. Then there was the progress of the younger gamers. China took the lead on a free kick, however Sam Coffey — successful her seventh cap — scored the equalizing objective, a splendidly improvised, no-backlift, curling effort into the top-right nook. Then Jaedyn Shaw, in some way nonetheless solely 19 years outdated, scored the winner with a well-taken right-footed drive, her second objective in 4 nationwide crew appearances. Jenna Nighswonger additionally began, successful her second cap and impressing in a task that continues to be comparatively novel to her.

The best praise that may be paid to this new crop of gamers is that it was unattainable to tell apart between them and the extra skilled technology of teammates they shared a area with. Whether or not it was a delicate Coffey shift into house, a pointy Shaw flip, or an correct Nighswonger cross, these gamers settled into the sport as if that they had completed all of it numerous instances earlier than. That is thrilling, and the bluntest potential riposte to any suggestion of American girls’s soccer decline after one disappointing World Cup.

And but, there’s an ‘and but’. The dearth of width — the place has this come from, and why is it right here?

In 2019, the USA dominated the flanks. Traditionally, they’ve all the time been efficient when attacking down the perimeters. Now, one would pay good cash merely to witness an assault originating from the wings. And that is the place we circle again to that concept: the inverted fullback.