Both Dominican Republic and Guatemala were outmatched. Both matches were easy. They were easy physically, technically and tactically for the US.
Both Dominican Republic and Guatemala have 3-4 technically very good players, on par or even above the US players. However, the differences in strength, acceleration, change of speed, and general match fitness were as visible as they were expected.
In contrast, though, the US’s opponent’s tactical naiveté was surprising.
When facing the US, it is not just about playing well; teams have to play smarter. When facing superior opponents and unable to play attacking football, teams can compress space, and fight hard in their third. They can demonstrate tactical discipline all day long even against the number 1 team in the world.
There was no fight nor discipline in the Dominicans and Guatemalans.
Today, top level women’s football is a physical, intellectual and organizational challenge. The strategy and tactics required are dependent on fitness, technique, imagination and discipline (both mental and physical).
Developing and implementing successful strategy and tactics is the domain of head coaches and comes with experience. And coaching is where we find the biggest gap between the US and Dominican Republic, Guatemala and other CONCACAF nations.
Lacking the financial resources to have residency programs or long training camps, national federations must compensate by employing experienced coaches capable of getting their teams organized and instilling professional attitude in a short time.
Belief, the professional attitude, is about determination and not giving up in the face of adversity. Inexperienced teams and players, if their team goes a goal or two down, or they aren’t seeing much of the ball, will switch off. They don’t press as hard as they should. They don’t track back. Their concentration level dips and results in giveaways, poor positioning and slow reactions. They will, essentially, bow out of the fight.
Committed teams and players thrive in the face of such adversity. Going a goal or two down and being dominated, will just spur them on to at least work harder defensively. They relish the challenge. They close down space quicker and tackle a bit harder. It brings out the best of them in terms of putting in a performance.
Teams don’t have to be at the level of the US or Germany to have the collective professional attitude required to be competitive against them.
