The USWNT has found a formula that works | The Late Sub with Claire Watkins

Subscribe: pod.link/1563105123
Claire Watkins reacts to the USWNT’s 3-0 win over Colombia, highlighting the team’s mentality, as well as the veteran performances of Alex Morgan and Alyssa Naeher. Claire also praises Jaedyn Shaw while discussing how the win highlighted the USWNT’s ability to thread the needle with their roster. Claire then turns to college basketball to explain why Caitlin Clark made the right move in going pro (and why Cameron Brink should as well). Finally, Claire looks ahead to the tournament, before ending with a note on the importance of referees.
Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode. Follow Claire on Twitter/X (@scoutripley) and sign up for the Just Women’s Sports newsletter at justwomenssports.com/newsletter/
The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.
Just Women’s Sports is the leading digital media platform dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. In a world where women’s sports have been historically underfunded and under-promoted, Just Women’s Sports exists to shine a light on all the stories, athletes and moments that define and fuel the space. Through original podcasts, premium video programming, social media, editorial content, a newsletter, and exclusive merchandise and live events, Just Women’s Sports is committed to making it both easy and fun to be a women’s sports fan.
Listen to The Late Sub with Claire Watkins here:
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4n4ZxsV...
iHeart: www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-t...
Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/podcasts/c45...
Add us on:
Instagram: / justwomenssports
Twitter: / justwsports
Tik Tok: / justwomenssports

[@FunkyOldMedina]

Naeher’s composure and leadership are top notch on the NT. When she can trust her back line, she’s #1. Sat right behind her for this game and was able to listen to her direct and call out positioning. Master class. (Also got a front row seat to the Chaos After Dark!!)

[@julianpeavy303]

Issue with Naeher is that she is bad with her feet, the biggest issue being that her CBs treat her as if they know that fact, which makes them hesitate in how they deal with difficult balls. Its why Becky didnt go back to Alyssa vs Mexico. Its the issue Man United had with De Gea for years. or Arsenal with leno

[@skibrat]

Looking forward to the upcoming game vs Canada. Also the Mexico/Brazil game. After watching the World Cup and the NWSL it's fun to know more players on all these teams. The USA/Canada game should be great. A great rivalry. Hopefully folks show up in San Diego to watch.

[@nataliasilva8836]

Seats are sold out for the semi final and the final match as well. I’m lucky to have gotten a ticket myself for both. Super excited. I know the energy there will be insane. Mexican fans go all out. Love to see it.

[@julianpeavy303]

as a long time fan i love seeing ppl really happy and learning more things about the league

[@gbin99]

Thank you , very knowledgeable analysis of what was an extremely difficult game to break down.

[@kendallherbst1754]

Terrific analysis! Big shoes to fill after Snacks, but I'm sold!

[@bruford911]

Spot on analysis!

[@duck9993]

great analysis!

[@johnweeden1954]

Team to build around in my opinion. GK Emily Fox Niomi Girma Tierna Davidson Jenna Nighsworthy Sam Coffey Korbin Albert Rose Lavelle Lindsey Horan Trinity Rodman Jayden Shaw Sophia Smith Oliver Moultry. 12 players without including a goalkeeper, out of the current squad. Which would suit a diamond formation or 4-2-3-1.

[@EmDe69]

Your analysis is smart and interesting and funny. I learn LOTS; Lindsey Horan would be pleased. Thanks! REALLY a pleasure to READ your work and now to LISTEN to your work. Kudos! 😃⚽ 🏆

[@davidwalling9081]

i really enjoy women's sports competitive and dramatic, good review. I don't understand the nuances of women's soccer , but it is fun!!

[@julianpeavy303]

Bringing up the 2022 Alex game is funny bc the issue is that 2022 Alex was MVP level and 2023 wasnt one of the 5 best players on Wave. She just lost a step, its fine to say, and she doesnt finish as strongly. However, 80% of MVP Alex is still a very very good player, and while I wish it was Mia in camp rn (and Mal and Cat for She Believes), no one can complain about Alex Morgan

[@julianpeavy303]

the point about converted players just being players who have technical ability is a good one, so good to the point that i think ppl need to stop acting surprised that players move. thats why coaches coach

[@alansmithee8831]

Hello Claire. Another good assessment of US in women's Gold Cup. Not being American, I could not help but think of how many goals Barcelona women would score against either team. Also my county has five million people but the attack would include Beth Mead, Beth England and Rachel Daly, which you could argue is better than US. My hope is that Emma Hayes will not just find a balance for these squad players, but find players who will naturally adjust to any system she decides to ask them to play. I really hope the US gives her chance to showcase the game to all kids in US, not to dominate other sports, but to add to the joy, belonging and achievement football ⚽️ could give them, which should then help all sports. England have Grace Clinton, Jess Park and Aggie Beever-Jones already pushing for senior places, but in US they might just have come through the college system. What was a strength for US looks like it could hold it back in future? What works for basketball and NFL is not necessarily right for a sport that is global and has a different successful professional structure outside US. Previously US women's teams were playing amateurs and semi professional teams. Perhaps as well they missed Brazil so far?

[@julianpeavy303]

this has to be bait lol. England barely got past Colombia on pens in the world cup. Beth England? dont make me laugh

[@alansmithee8831]

@@julianpeavy303 Columbia had a full team in World Cup and scored first. England came back to beat them in normal time. Come on, US has 70 times that population, but when I was there kids did not play football seriously. It was just for a laugh.

[@christophermeister3706]

I don’t know if it will work against european teams but who knows

[@westhoff-]

Good win, but it's only 1 game.I hope the USWNT does not have to go with a double pivot every game.

[@julianpeavy303]

Double 6 is a great system, many elite teams have run it before.

[@theodoremorehouse6460]

As you point out, USWNT does not have the fitness to play the same 11 tomorrow v Canada. The question I have is : does Canada? If we basically play the line-up we used v Mexico, we have to assume a loss. For a team that is supposedly deep, we really are not deep.

[@julianpeavy303]

I think the US does have the fitness. These sames players do so for club for multiple weeks in a row. Coffey plays 200 minutes in a week if she has to, Albert has done so, jenna has done so, Fox too.

[@RJ420NL]

Unless the USWNT has players up front who can score goals, Canada will win the game. The U.S. is good on defense, but Leon is a top scorer and when you include Huitema et. al. Canada knows how to score. They will find the back of the net in spite of how good Naeher is in goal. The U.S. MUST score goals if they want to win. That means leaving Rodman on the bench; Rodman never was and never will be an international caliber player. Start Shaw instead.

[@RhondelishaParker]

Couldn’t disagree more. Rodman creates multiple chances for her teammates to score and she will score herself. She is very important for the international team

[@danmeyer3934]

I agree with you about US players needing to play their game, stop falling down and looking for the ref. to make a call that's for teams l8ke Colombia and the mens game. I love how their are some players who you never see them laying on the ground rolling around. Rodman would be a great example of someone how is there to play!

[@AlexJaneson]

Lmao Canada’s offense is anemic. They have a horrible offense.

[@dennisnguyen8105]

Hmm. to win a team must score. Thank you for that insight. I wouldn't have been able to figured it out by myself.

[@j.f1692]

Actually the issue is the midfield. It’s weak , not great at possession and can’t make plays. If you have 10-15 minutes, go watch the Spain midfield . Light years ahead