There they were, in the belly of the beast. The defending champions faced off against the host country, roughly 30,000 screaming Parisians (lots of Americans were there, too) and 90 degree heat. The Americans came off an unconvincing win against Spain. Pressure? What pressure? Spain gave France the game plan - play rough with the Americans. But France had a different plan - kill the Americans with speed.
The French have some very fast players - winger Kadidiatou Diani, left-back Amel Majri (whose natural position is midfield), and center-forward Valérie Gauvin (Diani's favorite target). Opposing Diani would be Crystal Dunn, who would like to forget the game she had against Spain. On the other side of the field was Kelley O'Hara. The American defenders were slower than the French attackers, but both Dunn and O'Hara bent but did not break. The Americans didn't deliberately play an offside trap, but it sure seemed that way as the French were caught offside several times.
Megan Rapinoe had other ideas. She ran the French right flank ragged. Her play on the left flank opened up opportunities for the Americans in the middle. Alex Morgan was a non- factor against Spain. Having a fullback draped all over you for an entire match will do that. But today was a different story. French defender Griedge Mbock Bathy, who saved an all but certain goal against Brazil, got caught in a footrace with Alex Morgan early in the first half and lost. Knowing she was beaten, she dragged Morgan to the turf, resulting in an American free kick. Rapinoe took the free kick, which went through a lot of legs (both French and American) and found the back of the net. The Americans led after only five minutes, 1-0.
The rest of the first half was entertaining to watch. It was end-to-end until halftime. One would think given the intense heat and the physical game against Spain would put the Americans at a disadvantage. But several American players play their club football in places like Orlando and Houston. They're used to oppressive heat.
Both teams got off to a fast start in the second half. Exactly an hour after her first goal, Megan Rapinoe scored her second. Alex Morgan once again was a factor. After an unforced error by France and the resulting throw in, Morgan found a streaking Tobin Heath sprinting down the French left side. Heath got deep into the French penalty area and made a cross to Megan Rapinoe, who buried it. The Americans led 2-0.
At the 80th minute Kelley O'Hara committed a hard foul on French team captain Amadine Henry, the heroine in France's victory over Brazil. O'Hara's foul resulted in a French free kick. French defender Wendi Renard, at 6'2" the tallest player in the tournament, head the ball home and drew France to within one goal (2-1). But it wasn't enough. While the French tried to make it all the way back, the Americans were effective at killing the clock. One of the match commentators made a very telling comment she attributed to US coach Jill Ellis - “France doesn’t want the ball”. Accordingly, after the US took the 2-0 lead they switched to a 5-4-1 formation. They packed in the defense and they let France have the ball. I was critical of Ellis after not making any tactical switches in the game against Spain, but her switch to the 5-4-1 was very smart. France had no answers, although they controlled possession 60-40.
Megan Rapinoe was the star of the game (again), but credit must be given to the American defenders. Their defense was exceptional. Take a bow, Crystal Dunn.
Megan Rapinoe is brash, she's outspoken, but like a good team captain her play has been sterling. She has been the American offense, scoring four goals in the last two games. Rapinoe is the first woman to ever score two goals in two consecutive knockout games. Right now it's Megan's world and we're just living in it. Color me "impressed".
Up next on Tuesday in Lyon - England.
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