Megan Rapinoe, celebrating her goal: “I don’t know why everyone is so hesitant to hack someone down.”(Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – What’s wrong with the U.S. women’s national team?
The Americans just can’t get on the winning track, having gone 1-1-2 in their first four matches as they prepare for the Women’s World Cup.
Their latest under-performing performance was in a 2-2 draw with England in the squad’s second of three games at the SheBelieves Cup Saturday.
“Obviously we need to fix things from the last two games,” said captain Megan Rapinoe, who scored her second goal in as many games in the competition. “We have to get better. We can’t make the same mistakes over and over again. Too many technical errors. Too many lapses. We are getting exposed because of it.”
The U.S. must me more aggressive, the veteran midfielder said.
“We can’t show up,” Rapinoe said. “We have to make it happen.
“I don’t know why everyone is so hesitant to hack someone down.”
The Americans started the year with a 3-1 defeat at France Jan. 19. Three days later they recorded their lone victory, in a 1-0 result at Spain.
Then came the SheBelieves Cup as the U.S. could not finish off its opener with Japan Wednesday, allowing the equalizing goal in stoppage time in a 2-2 deadlock. And then Saturday’s result.
