Live from Manga: Wheddon and Team USA Win Game One
2/28/2012 9:49:26 AM | Women's Soccer
Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon is serving as an assistant coach for the United States' Under-23 women's soccer national team for the Four Nations Competition being held in La Manga, Spain. The USA captured a 2-0 victory in the first game of the tournament, led by goals by Amber Brooks and Zakiya Bywaters. His account of the game and his experience across the pond so far follows:
“We beat Sweden yesterday, 2-0, in the first game of the tournament. Sweden is well-known for being a dynamic team with quality players. In fact, every one of their players was on a professional contract in Sweden.
“Sweden played a 4-2-3-1, much like their full national team and was very dangerous. The game was a fast-paced affair with good chances for each team in the early-going. Once the tempo of the game settled down, we managed to keep possession a little more and also created some great chances to score.
“We scored the first goal off of a set piece. It was a great ball into the box by Lauren Barnes and Amber Brooks, who had a great game, finished the ball. Our second goal was a great piece of skill and a superb finish by Zakiya Bywaters. She received a ball from Lindsey Taylor on the left flank and created space to finish on the top of the box. She sent a well-textured, bending ball into the top right corner of the goal.
“The game opened up as Sweden started to press for a goal. They almost ended up playing a 4-2-4 as they committed numbers forward. The USA made five changes in the game, as seven are allowed by the tournament rules. The substitutions included a change in goal after our goalkeeper suffered an injury on a collision with a Swedish forward.
“We were dynamic in attack and steady at the back. Head Coach Randy Waldrum seemed pleased with the progress of the group after only a short time together.
“At SU, we often talk about set pieces deciding games and our first goal was exceptionally important. On another note, Norway beat England 2-1, after coming back from 1-0 down. Both Norwegian goals were from corner kicks.
“Things have been great here in Spain. The place where we are staying is a destination spot for a lot of Scandinavian teams during their off season (see photo above). We have seen nine men's pro teams arrive and some departing. Most of the teams are Norwegian, but there have been Swedish and Danish squads as well. It's a great environment for the players to be in.
More later.”
The United States' Under-23 women's soccer national team is slated to return to the pitch against England on February 28.
“We beat Sweden yesterday, 2-0, in the first game of the tournament. Sweden is well-known for being a dynamic team with quality players. In fact, every one of their players was on a professional contract in Sweden.
“Sweden played a 4-2-3-1, much like their full national team and was very dangerous. The game was a fast-paced affair with good chances for each team in the early-going. Once the tempo of the game settled down, we managed to keep possession a little more and also created some great chances to score.
“We scored the first goal off of a set piece. It was a great ball into the box by Lauren Barnes and Amber Brooks, who had a great game, finished the ball. Our second goal was a great piece of skill and a superb finish by Zakiya Bywaters. She received a ball from Lindsey Taylor on the left flank and created space to finish on the top of the box. She sent a well-textured, bending ball into the top right corner of the goal.
“The game opened up as Sweden started to press for a goal. They almost ended up playing a 4-2-4 as they committed numbers forward. The USA made five changes in the game, as seven are allowed by the tournament rules. The substitutions included a change in goal after our goalkeeper suffered an injury on a collision with a Swedish forward.
“We were dynamic in attack and steady at the back. Head Coach Randy Waldrum seemed pleased with the progress of the group after only a short time together.
“At SU, we often talk about set pieces deciding games and our first goal was exceptionally important. On another note, Norway beat England 2-1, after coming back from 1-0 down. Both Norwegian goals were from corner kicks.
“Things have been great here in Spain. The place where we are staying is a destination spot for a lot of Scandinavian teams during their off season (see photo above). We have seen nine men's pro teams arrive and some departing. Most of the teams are Norwegian, but there have been Swedish and Danish squads as well. It's a great environment for the players to be in.
More later.”
The United States' Under-23 women's soccer national team is slated to return to the pitch against England on February 28.
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