Lindsey Horan, center, is one of the players that will be counted on to lead the USWNT in the future.
The United States Women’s National Team got it done in the Women’s World Cup, and it ws the usual stars that got them that fourth star.
Whether it was Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd, scoring goals, or Megan Rapinoe scoring goals from the penalty spot, on set pieces or just the run of play, or other players, one way or another, the USWNT’s main stars shined the brightest when the biggest moments demanded it, but while the USWNT’s present was on full display, this World Cup also gave a glimpse of the future, as the rest of the world got to see the exploits of young up-and-comers like Rose Lavelle, Mallory Pugh, Crystal Dunn, Samantha Mewis and Lindsey Horan.
Lavelle’s start shined the brightest in France back in June. Lavelle, a midfielder for the Washington Spirit, was heralded for her pace and creativity, and she showed all of that in the final against the Netherlands with a goal that would rival any Sportscenter highlight. In the 69th minute, Lavelle took a ball from Mewis, dribbled unmarked towards the penalty area, dribbled one direction that drew the attention of Dutch defender Stefanie van der Gragt, Lavelle however made a cutting move inside that turned van der Gragt as she got inside the penalty area, then granted a sightline, immediately fired the ball that beat keeper Sari van Veenendaal far post that gave the US a two-goal cushion.
“You can see what Rose’s special qualities are,” USWNT head coach Jill Ellis said. “Whoever comes after me is going to be a Rose fan. One of her focus points is she want’s to get better, she asks questions, she seeks out information.”
Pugh is another player that the USWNT will look to carry the team into the future. At Age 21, Pugh has accomplished quite a lot, winning all sorts of awards while playing in high school in Colorado, rising through the ranks of the USWNT youth teams and making the senior squad for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Pugh had made headlines when she decided to forgo playing in college and join the NWSL, and signed with the Washington Spirit, where she scored six goals and was runner up for rookie of the year in the 2017 season.
“Mal is a young player that has accomplished a lot,” Ellis said. “Part of Mal’s growth is her in terms of continuing to gain confidence in who she is and what she is about. When Mal is at her best is when she’s got a little swagger to her.”
Other players who are not as young as Lavelle and Pugh, but also made their World Cup debuts this year and contributed mightily to the USWNT’s World Cup run are Lindsey Horan, Crystal Dunn and Samantha Mewis. Like Pugh, the 25-year old Horan, also from Colorado, chose to turn pro straight out of high, though she took a different path, going to Europe with France’s Paris Saint Germain. Horan made an impact, scoring 46 goals in 58 appearances for PSG before returning stateside in 2016 with the Portland Thorns. Horan has picked up right where she left off, scoring 26 goals in 70 appearances and winning MVP honors in 2018. Horan provided the USWNT with versatility in France, as she has the ability to play as a forward, or any of the attacking midfield spots.
After barely missing out on the 2015 World Cup, Dunn finally prove her worth for the USWNT this year. Like Horan, the 27-year old Dunn showed to be versatile, but in a different way. Dunn, and attacking player in NWSL, was asked to play as a Left Back for the team, and she thrived, as her runs from the back kept opposing teams honest. Mewis was another key contributor for the USWNT in France, scoring two goals in the team’s opening match and playing in six of seven matches, including the final. Mewis also showed off her passing ability in the team’s friendly match against Ireland at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, as she sent a forward pass into the penalty area that with a little help from Christen Press, found Horan in the box, and Horan scored the team’s second goal in the match.
As the rest of the world continues to catch up the USWNT in talent and technical ability, it is important that the United States continues to rely not only on its present stars, but also turn more to the players that will look to keep the program on top in the coming years. Fortunately for the US, it looks like there is a nucleus that has the ability to maintain the USWNT’s status as a contender in the near future. While the road to future trophies and medals may be tougher in future years due to the rapid improvement of the competition, players like Lavelle, Pugh, Horan, Dunn and Mewis have shown that they have what it takes to take the challenge head on in the coming years.
