SINSHEIM, Germany DRESDEN, Germany LEVERKUSEN, Germany — When the two-time World Cup champion United States plays Colombia today, fans will see a possession-based offense. Instead of relying on the forwards to begin the attack, coach Pia Sundhage wants the offense to develop in the midfield.
Think the fluid, pretty style of Barcelona, and you get an idea of what Sundhage is going for.
“Really knowing how to break down teams with many passes and much possession, truthfully that’s the best way of defending — holding the ball,” Abby Wambach said. “That’s why Barcelona is so good. They literally force their opponents into submission because they always have the ball. It’s demoralizing when you don’t even get much chance.”
Opponents used to know exactly what was coming when they played the U.S., regardless of who was in the lineup or where on the field the Americans took possession. But they were powerless to do anything about it. The skilled U.S. forwards were either bigger or quicker — or both.
“Yes, I love playing on a team that they’re sending balls up to me. It’s my style,” Wambach said.
England 2, New Zealand 1 Jill Scott rallied England with a second-half goal and assisted on another for a win over New Zealand on Friday.
Tall midfielder Scott turned things around with a 63rd-minute header and a low pass to Jess Clarke for an 81st-minute winner.
England moved into second place behind Japan in Group B with four points. England will play Japan in the last group game Tuesday.
“We had most of the play, and sheer determination got us the goals and three points,” England coach Hope Powell said.
Japan 4, Mexico 0 Japan routed Mexico on a hat trick by Homare Sawa to reach the quarterfinals for the second time.
Sawa, playing in her fifth World Cup, opened the scoring in the 13th minute before a crowd of 22,291 at Bay Arena.
Sawa, the 32-year-old captain, added her second goal in the 39th after Shinobu Ohno had made it 2-0 in the 15th. Sawa had room in the 80th minute when she was set up by Yukari Kinga for her last score.
“I didn’t dare imagine that I would score three goals,” said Sawa, who became her country’s top scorer — male or female — with 78.
“I’m really, really surprised,” she added. “I would like to continue to contribute as much as possible to Japanese football.”
