Tag: 2019

Arsenal Blocks U.S. From Speaking with Montemurro

Posted on by Backline Soccer

The United States Women’s National Team is undergoing the unenviable task of replacing two-time World Cup winner Jill Ellis and are being blocked from speaking to one of their top candidates, Arsenal Women’s head coach Joe Montemurro, according to ESPN.

The 50-year-old Australian coach has elevated the North London club to the league title in the 2018-19 campaign and has expressed interest in taking over the top ranked national team in the world. However, the club are not willing to part with the coach as they look to solidify their dominance in the FA Women’s Super League.

Ellis, the U.S. national team’s current coach, is finishing up her tenure with a Victory Tour which has seen the club playing a series of friendlies around the country to capitalize on the success of the World Cup. US Soccer would love to have the vacant role filled before she departs and Montemurro is high on the list of possibilities. 

The other aspect is the current state of the FA Women’s Super League in England. Currently the league is the only fully professional women’s football league in Europe and has attempted to capitalize on the World Cup success in a similar fashion to the United States. With the promotion of Manchester United, most of the major men’s clubs are not represented on the women’s side and ready to make waves at the club level. Holding on to Montemurro is perhaps key to that success.

Arsenal won their first three games over Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United. They have also defeated Fiorentina in Champions League Round of 32 and are the favorite in nearly every competition they face this season.

19-Year-Old Jamaican Keeper Sydney Schneider Emerges on World Cup Stage

Posted on by RJ Allen

Brazil may have impressed the masses with their 3-0 win over the Jamaican women’s national team on Sunday morning but it was Jamaican 19-year-old goalkeeper Sydney Schneider that stole the imaginations of millions with a performance that boosted her side and gave many the idea that the Caribbean minnows can be dangerous in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“I started when I was 14 or 15,” said Schneider to the Jamaica Observer about her origins in goal. “We were at a tournament and the coach threw me in the goal probably because of my height and I ended up being pretty decent at it.”

Decent is an understatement as the current keeper of the UNC Wilmington Seahawks made four crucial saves, including a penalty stop that made the crowd believe there was a chance for a comeback in the first half. Standing at 5’10, Schneider has the reach to match her reaction time.

Currently a sophomore, Schneider played in all 19 games last year, making her only the second goalkeeper in team history to do such a thing as a freshman. 

What is even more impressive is that Schneider could have been a prospect for the US women’s national team having been born in South Brunswick, New Jersey. However, by age 16 she was already playing in Elite Club Nations League and earned a spot on the youth national sides as well.

Her connection to Jamaica comes from her grandparents on her mother’s side. Whether she anticipated a call-up to the United States isn’t know but she did turn down a call-up to the Jamaican U-17 team in 2015 before finally joining the team a year later. 

Schneider will look to continue her run of form and hopefully guide Jamaica passed the group stage when the team plays Italy on Friday. Group C, which was once thought to be easy for Brazil and Australia, has turned heads following the shocking 2-1 scoreline between Italy and Australia. Jamaica could possible throw even more chaos into the mix by taking points against Italy on Friday.

All Play and No Goals Makes Sky Blue an Exciting Team

Posted on by RJ Allen

Sky Blue FC may not have unlocked the key to scoring goals and winning games yet in 2019 but they have proven to be one of the more exciting teams after this weekends goalless draw to the North Carolina Courage.

Imani Dorsey provided the nail-biting moments for the team as she made incisive runs that broke the vaunted Courage defense. Good goalkeeping and luck kept her off the score sheet and Sky Blue of the win column after a well-played road game.

“I’m really proud of our effort,” said Dorsey after the game. “I think we are building each week and we are learning that we can weather the storms and also take it to teams.”

The team weather more than just an actual storm as North Carolina unleashed a barrage that nearly saw them take the lead. Had it not been for the lucky goal post, it could have been a very different game for Sky Blue.

“We bombarded Sky Blue for 25 minutes after the rain out,” said Courage couch Paul Riley. “I thought during that time we would get a goal, but the ball never really bounced our way at the end of the field.”

In the end it is a share of the points for both teams but feels like a major step forward for Sky Blue. The team traveled to the defending champions and were able to stitch together a performance that led to a result that may be far more impactful come the end of the campaign.

Now they will return home to play a Washington Spirit team that has not shown much since both sides met to start the season. It is a chance for Sky Blue to not just grab their first win, but maybe affirm that this year will not be a waste like 2018.

“I think we can diversify our attack a little bit more,” said Dorsey. “The chances we are getting on goal are quality and we are really creating opportunities for ourselves. I’m happy for us.”

Jill Ellis Names The USWNT 23: Which Players Made 
the Cut?

Posted on by RJ Allen

Defending World Cup Champion US Women’s National team has announced their 23-woman roster ahead of the World Cup in June. Many of the picks were expected but the rumored selection of Ali Krieger, which drew a bit of criticism, did in fact come to be.

Almost half of the selected players will be making their first World Cup appearance including Mallory Pugh, Lindsey Horan, Allie Long and Emily Sonnett. Those names will join veteran players like Carli Lloyd, Kelley O’Hara, Becky SauerBrunn, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan as those making three or more appearances in the highest women’s tournament in the world.

The inclusion of Krieger did initially raise some eyebrows. However it is in line with head coach Jill Ellis’ past decisions. In 2015 she selected 27-year-old Shannon Boxx who had only just rejoined the team months earlier before the World Cup. The veteran presence might have been something Ellis sought considering the experience of her selections for the competition in France.

The tournament begins on June 7th with the USA’s first game being in Reims against Thailand on June 11th.

2019 FIFA World Cup US Women’s National Team Selection:

Goalkeepers (3): Adrianna Franch, Ashlyn Harris, Alyssa Naeher

Defenders (7): Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Ali Krieger, Kelley O’Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett

Midfielders (6): Morgan Brian, Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Allie Long, Samantha Mewis

Forwards (7): Tobin Heath, Carli Lloyd, Jessica McDonald, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Mallory Pugh, Megan Rapinoe