Will Pia Sundhages possession model work?
Under new coach Sundhage’s direction, the team is in the midst of phasing out the “boot-and-run” strategy, but quality 90-minute possession is still a ways off. Exchanges in the center of the park can be forced at times, and the turnover rate in the midfield and attacking third is still higher than Sundhage would like. Nonetheless the midfield earns the most improved award, thanks to the sharpened playmaking abilities and improved vision of Carli Lloyd and Shannon Boxx. The defensive half is also getting goalkeeper Hope Solo more involved, opting to pass back and get the restart, rather than dispatching the long ball under pressure. If Boxx and Lloyd find a way to get Lindsay Tarpley and Heather O’Reilly more involved on the flanks earlier in the transition, they’ll have a lot more space to maneuver up the field. Lloyd makes her share of impressive runs up the center, but her speed sometimes leaves her vulnerable to getting stripped from behind. The first-time Olympian could really tur
