US Dominates Rival in Buckeye State

Fierce rivals met Wednesday night in the Buckeye State, but not the usual suspects. The US Women’s National team took down Canada in dominating fashion despite what the 1-0 scoreline suggests. The lone goal came from 22-year-old Ally Sentnor, who performed impressively in the 9th position. This was her third goal in four appearances this year, and she has scored in every start of her early US career. Her recent form makes the decision even harder for Head Coach Emma Hayes when selecting the coveted 2027 World Cup lineup.

Hayes makes drastic changes to the starting lineup for this game as defender Gisele Thompson is the only player to retain her starting spot from the previous game. The US dominated with 64% possession in a 4-4-2 formation.

This formation was highly effective, as it maintained a strong and solid midfield presence, allowing the forwards to press and roam. This gave forwards like Rose Lavelle a lot of freedom to create in play as a striker but also slide back into a 10 and be a playmaker. This game plan from Hayes was successful, as it helped the US apply pressure to the Canadians, who spent most of the game in their own half. The Americans won on corners by a commanding 11 to 2 margin. Despite all the attacks coming from the US, it only netted them one goal as finishing in the final third looked to be the biggest problem. Midfielder Sam Coffey echoed the same sentiment during the halftime interview stating, “I think we’re rushing our shots, myself included, so just really being methodical and patient and just knowing that it’s gonna come.” (TNT)

Coffey was right; they were patient, and eventually the breakthrough came for the US. It just took until the second half, but they got the idea from the first half. Canada runs a zone scheme for corners, which means not every player is covered, just the most dangerous spots. In the 34th minute, Lavelle sends in a corner to the penalty spot after defender Emily Sonnett makes a dash through the middle like a decoy, leaving space open behind her, and it falls to Sentnor, who takes a touch and a shot, but it deflects out, and the US can not convert on one of their biggest chances in the first half. Just like I noticed it, I know it was something that Hayes and the coaching staff noticed, and it looks like they were ready for it when it came up again, and it did. In the 55th minute the US ran a similar play on the corner that they did in the 34th minute but this time they brought a lot more decoys and commotion to the front post to occupy Canada’s eyes and it falls to Sentnor this time with less people in front of her and she takes a touch and fires it into the top corner with pace putting the US in front. Sentnor says at her postgame interview, “We’ve been working on set pieces, so I was happy to factor into that and get it back in the second half.” (TNT)

Ohio native Rose Lavelle, who assisted the goal, earned her fifth straight appearance with a goal or assist. The US secured its sixth straight win over Canada. The rivalry now looks less competitive as the Americans continue to rise in form. They leave the Buckeye State with three points and focus on their 8th SheBelieves Cup. Their final match is Saturday, needing only a draw to win the cup. However, a dangerous Colombian team stands in their way. Colombia is led by 21-year-old Linda Caicedo, who is very dangerous in the final third. The US will have its hands full trying to contain her.