According to manager Vlatko Andonovski, the USA has not yet delivered their top performance at the Women’s World Cup.
This statement came after their second match against the Netherlands, which ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw.
Lindsey Horan, the co-captain, managed to salvage the game with an impressive header in the second half, preventing the four-time champions from facing complete humiliation after a lackluster start.
This was the first time the United States witnessed a World Cup draw since they played a 0-0 match against Sweden in the 2015 tournament.
“(In) the first half, we allowed them to take control of the tempo and slow down the tempo a lot more than we wanted,” Andonovski told reporters, days after the United States beat Vietnam 3-0 in their opener.
“The early performances were below the level the Americans can achieve due in part to the relative lack of experience the starters have with one another,” he added.
“This team has not had time together. I mean, the first time we see this team together is in game one and now we saw them again in game two. So in game three, we expect it to grow from there,” he told reporters.
“As hopefully, we move forward, we’re going to see better and better.”
Despite the team’s lack of experience, with 14 players participating in their first World Cup, coach Andonovski had to make adjustments to the starting lineup due to numerous injuries.
Julie Ertz shifted to centre-back when Becky Sauerbrunn was unable to play, and Savannah DeMelo has taken on a larger role in midfield since Rose Lavelle’s playing time has been limited.
“(The young players) grew throughout the game individually, but also as a team, we grew throughout the game as well. I’ve said this before, this team is not just young, this team is also a fresh team,” said Andonovski.
“We’re just going to get better from game to game and we’re going to be a lot more efficient as well.”
The United States will finish their Group E matches against Portugal on Tuesday.
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