There's also the issue of who would replace Ertz in the back if she moves into midfield. A strong argument can be made that manager Vlakto Andonovski shouldn't mess with a defense that is performing so well. The Americans are conceding an average of 2.5 shots per 90 minutes, the lowest such mark in the tournament so far, and have a xG allowed per game of 0.18, which ranks second behind Japan's 0.10. There is an argument to be made that Ertz isn't the same player she was in 2019, but she's shown so far in this tournament that she's pretty darn close.īut while the decision to replace Sullivan with Ertz seems obvious, there is a ripple effect on the rest of the lineup that needs to be considered. Defensively, Ertz has the edge in tackle percentage/duels won and percentage/aerials won (36.4%/55.9%/52.9% to Sullivan's 33.3%/50%/50%). She also carries the ball further on the dribble when those opportunities present themselves. Comparing the numbers from Ertz's performance as a midfielder in the 2019 World Cup to Sullivan's in the current tournament - granted, the latter is just two games so far - bear this out as well.Īccording to TruMedia, Ertz plays a higher percentage of her passes forward (44.9% to Sullivan's 37.5%) which would have the effect of allowing other midfielders to deploy themselves further up field. She certainly wouldn't have allowed Martens to spin away so easily, even if it meant delivering a tactical foul. The eye test indicates that Ertz is the preferred option in that spot. She also had immense difficulty dealing with a Netherlands midfield that dominated possession in the first half and imposed its will physically on the Americans. While she was solid enough in the 3-0 win over Vietnam, Sullivan was badly beaten on the turn by Dutch forward Lieke Martens in the sequence that led to Jill Roord's 17th-minute opener. Meanwhile, Sullivan's play in midfield has been uneven and at times, she's been a liability. In Thursday's match with the Netherlands, Ertz's vital block of Esmee Brugts' shot in the 80th minute helped preserve a 1-1 draw. Ertz has been her usual steely self in the back, dominant in the air (winning 60% of those encounters) and in her ground duels (to the tune of 64.3%). The domino effect then left Andi Sullivan to replicate Ertz's rather outsized role in midfield. claim the 2019 World Cup, has been deployed in Sauerbrunn's old central defensive spot alongside Naomi Girma. Julie Ertz, brought back to assume the holding midfield spot she filled with distinction in helping the U.S. How teams can qualify for the round of 16 Women's World Cup: Schedule | Rosters | News has been feeling the aftereffects ever since. She made it back on the field in a June 3 encounter against OL Reign, but a setback meant that she was ultimately left off the U.S. captain and Portland Thorns defender Becky Sauerbrunn first injured her foot against Racing Louisville. women's national team, especially when it comes to its lineup choices in midfield and defense. Such a path may still get a team to its ultimate destination, just not in the way that was originally planned. US must solve Julie Ertz dilemma if they're to win World CupĪUCKLAND, New Zealand - The road to a World Cup title is riddled with detours and alternate routes. You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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