At this late stage of her marvelous career, Abby Wambach no longer is the centerpiece of the U.S. women’s national soccer team. The headers are not as powerful and accurate as they once were and the days of 90-minute battles
At this late stage of her marvelous career, Abby Wambach no longer is the centerpiece of the U.S. women’s national soccer team. The headers are not as powerful and accurate as they once were and the days of 90-minute battles every match are over. But Wambach’s value remains unquestioned, and amid an unproductive spell in the World Cup group stage, she added to her record goal haul and clinched first place for the Americans.
Untidy with her headers, Wambach turned to her left foot for a volley on the brink of halftime Tuesday, shattering a scoreless deadlock and lifting the United States to a 1-0 victory over Nigeria before 52,193 at sold-out BC Place in Vancouver.
The second-ranked Americans (2-0-1) secured passage to the round of 16 next Monday in Edmonton against a third-place team to be determined Wednesday.
After a promising start to the tournament, coming from two goals down to tie Sweden, Nigeria (0-2-1) finished last in Group D.
The United States has beaten Nigeria in all five encounters, four coming in World Cups.
Coach Jill Ellis had promised to make use of her deep World Cup squad and, after two sluggish performances, she again made significant changes to the starting lineup.
Wambach, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath were in. Sydney Leroux, Christen Press and Morgan Brian were out.
Leroux and Press had started the previous matches, partnering on the frontline for the 0-0 draw with Sweden. Brian started on the right wing in that second game.
While Wambach received her second nod, Morgan and Heath were in the lineup for the first time. Wambach’s presence was predictable because of Nigeria’s trouble defending free kicks and corner kicks; she is the best in the world winning headers. Returning from a bruised knee, Morgan played 12 minutes as a substitute in each of the first two matches, while Heath, a dynamic midfielder with quick and clever feet, had only a 22-minute spell in the opener.
Morgan made not only her first 2015 World Cup start, but her first World Cup start; in 2011, she was a super sub before roaring into the stardom ahead of the 2012 Olympics.
The Morgan-Wambach combination promised to provide the best chemistry after Leroux-Wambach and Leroux-Press did not produce.
The effectiveness of the new forward duo hinged in large part on the effectiveness of central midfielders Lauren Holiday and Carli Lloyd, who had not met expectations through two matches.
Changes weren’t necessary in the back: Hope Solo was sensational against Australia and the backline, anchored by Julie Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn, had conceded few opportunities.
Nigeria’s defensive challenges deepened with the absence of Ugo Njoku, who was suspended three games for elbowing Australia’s Samantha Kerr in the face Friday.
