HARRISON, N.J. — The U.S. women’s national team’s identity has almost always been latched to an attacking philosophy and in the year since they disappointed in that respect at the Women’s World Cup, the offensive effort remains a work in progress.
Their 1-0 win over Mexico on Saturday offered signs of optimism but was imperfect as the team put just six of their 17 shots on target, scoring just once thanks to Sophia Smith’s 64th minute strike. The team was happy to collect another win as they build toward the Olympics, which for them begins July 25 against Zambia. But even as they showed glimpses of their potential at Red Bull Arena, the group admitted that the finishing touches of their attacking game plan need to be added.
“I think we lost a little patience in the final third,” Smith said after the game. “I think we get excited when we get in there, but maybe one touch too many, one pass too many and me personally, I should have finished a few more chances to put it away to begin with, but that stuff, it’s just fine-tuning it. We have another game against Costa Rica and I have no doubt that that stuff will come, but I’m really happy with how we played.”
New coach Emma Hayes, who took charge of just her…
