Jill Ellis: “It’s like every element of the game, whether its set pieces, whether its transition. We prepare for every moment.” (Michael Chow/USA Today Sports)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

REIMS, France — Jill Ellis says she has all the details just in case U.S. winds up in a shootout in their Round of 16 encounter in the Women’s World Cup Monday.

It’s that the head coach wouldn’t share any of the details or the team’s preparation for penalty kicks.

“I think it will be real succinct,” she said during a press conference Sunday. “We’re prepared.

“It’s like every element of the game, whether its set pieces, whether its transition. We prepare for every moment. That’s what gives us confidence to be prepared for certain situations. And that’s what we do.”

The last time the U.S. participated in a shootout came during the 2016 Rio Olympics when Sweden eliminated the Americans, 4-3 in the tie-breaker after playing to a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of regulation and extratime. It was the first time the defending world champions failed to reach the semifinals of a FIFA-sponsored tournament.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.