Content Courtesy of Diana Pugliese, Lancaster Online Sports Writer
Walking off the field in The Netherlands four years ago, the members of the U.S. Women's National Team had reason to hold their heads high.
Yes, the squad had lost to Argentina in the bronze medal game, but the fact that the Americans had even reached that round of the World Cup surprised many. It marked the highest finish for Team USA since a bronze medal win in 1994, and gave the squad an extra incentive over the next four years of training.
Winning tournaments and finishing fifth at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games helped the United States boost its reputation and rise in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings, but the time has come to see what the Americans can do on the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup stage as they open pool play Saturday against FIH Hero World Ranked No. 16 Ireland.
The seventh-ranked Team USA that takes the field in London's Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be a little different this time around, however, and that's something the squad feels could be an advantage.
“What's important is just kind of going off of that was last time,” said Melissa Gonzalez, USWNT Captain. “For us, it's really not resting on our laurels, on our past performances, really just focusing in and honing in on the moment and the opportunities that present themselves. We put in the work, we've done what we could and we really pushed ourselves. Now it's the fun part, tournament time.”
Gonzalez is one of just six Americans on the 18-player roster with previous World Cup experience, including former Penn Manor standout Jill (Witmer) Funk. That kind of youth movement could prove problematic while trying to keep pace with the top teams in the world, but, so far, it's worked pretty well for Team USA.
The USWNT announced the roster for the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup two weeks ago.
For proof, look no further than the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals. At this time last year, Team USA was in South Africa facing off against Germany in the championship game. A shootout goal from Erin Matson broke the 1-1 tie and clinched the Americans' first gold medal at the tournament – and their spot at the World Cup.
When Matson buried that shot in the back of the net, she was just 17-years-old, and playing in only her second tournament with the national team.
From there, Team USA went on to win bronze at the Pan American Cup at Spooky Nook Sports last August and finish seventh in their first Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final appearance. This year, the USA took advantage of a flexible schedule to take on a pair of world powers in No. 1 The Netherlands and No. 3 Argentina.
Team USA dropped all nine games, but picked up some valuable experience.
“We want to be the best - we've stated that - so we have to play the best,” said Gonzalez. “In terms of world hockey, they have the record to prove it and they've got great players and great styles of play, so it's really good for us to get that kind of exposure.”
“I think those teams give us the opportunity to see what we need to improve because they will show us our weak spots,” said Janneke Schopman, USWNT Head Coach, about playing The Netherlands and Argentina. “If you don't do it 100 percent all the time, they will find a way and that's what they showed us. Throughout those games, there was tremendous growth, from Holland and being in Argentina, was just needed for us to see and we worked on those details in the last two to three weeks."
Team USA could face The Netherlands again in the World Cup, but that rematch would have to wait until crossover play, while the squad wouldn't see Argentina until the semifinals. Instead, the United States will open the 16-day, 16-team tournament in Pool B with Ireland, No. 10 India and No. 2 and the defending Olympic Games champion England.
It all starts on Saturday as USA and Ireland meet for the first time since a 2-2 tie in the final match of a three-game test series at Spooky Nook Sports last May. Team USA took the first two games of that series.
“We've played them a lot — they're a hard-working team and now one of their star players is back after a long injury,” Schopman said of Ireland. “I think we'll play to our strengths, whether it's Holland of Ireland, and we'll see where it gets us. I know it's going to be a fight, but we're ready for that. If we can focus, if we can work hard as a team, we're a tough team to beat.”