Watch enough soccer, and you’re likely to go through at least some version of this thought process in the middle of a game: “This team is not playing as well as they were expected to,” you may think. “They should make some changes to see if that causes them to play better.”
It’s the first, most obvious solution to that particular problem, and therefore extremely frustrating for fans to watch their team perform below their expectations while the coach makes no adjustments.
During the United States’ 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, Vlatko Andonovski opted to not make any additional substitutions following Rose Lavelle’s introduction at halftime. The U.S. was well on top throughout the second half, but lacked punch in the box. The Netherlands defense looked tired. Extremely qualified fresh legs in the form of forwards Lynn Williams, Megan Rapinoe and Alyssa Thompson stayed glued to the bench. So did the flicks and tricks of Ashley Sanchez, the through balls of Kristie Mewis, and the crossing of Sofia Huerta.
Andonovski had so many ways to change the game, and he chose none of them.
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