Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
It’s funny how soccer works sometimes. Had the United States women’s national team been able to hold off a late surge from Brazil to escape PayPal Park with a draw Tuesday night, it may have been viewed as a gutsy result. If Yazmeen Ryan’s service from the right side had been sharper, perhaps Emma Hayes’ side could have eked out a win. Then again, had Brazil had their finishing boots on, it may well have been a lopsided win for the guests.
As it was, Amanda Gutierres tapped in a soft but well-measured cross from Luany in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil the 2-1 victory. Here are three quick thoughts from the match.
This is a proper cycle of development
Any discussion about prior youth movements within the U.S. team pale in comparison to the overhaul head coach Emma Hayes is undertaking. With the World Cup still more than two years away, and several key contributors injured or pregnant, Hayes is rewriting the book on how to handle a full cycle as U.S. head…
