Depth is key for U.S. women's Olympic soccer team
United States coach Jill Ellis' biggest challenge at the Olympics is making the best use of the team's unparalleled depth in the Olympics' short time span.
United States coach Jill Ellis' biggest challenge at the Olympics is making the best use of the team's unparalleled depth in the Olympics' short time span.
If the month-long World Cup is a marathon, the two-and-a-half-week Summer Games are a sprint. And this time, the roster is just 18 players instead of the World Cup's 23.
So the odds are high that you'll see every one of those 18 players in Brazil, from Alex Morgan to Whitney Engen.
You might even see backup goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher spell Hope Solo for a time, especially if passage to the quarterfinals is secured before the group stage finale against Colombia.
Tobin Heath and Crystal Dunn will be the wingers at some times; Mallory Pugh and Christen Press will at others. Press doubles as Morgan's backup, and Pugh as Carli Lloyd's in central midfield.
Kelley O'Hara and Meghan Klingenberg are the starting outside backs, but Ali Krieger will play plenty, too. Engen will step in at centerback if Becky Sauerbrunn or Julie Johnston needs to rest.
Then there's the most important bench player of all, Megan Rapinoe. She hasn't played a second since tearing an ACL last December and likely won't play in the tournament opener against New Zealand.
The U.S. team can beat New Zealand without Rapinoe, though. She will play when it really matters.
Many fans have criticized Ellis' inclusion of a player who won't be available from the start. Be ready to be proven wrong. Rapinoe's great creativity is fortified by a ferocious inner drive. She has a long history of delivering big performances in big moments.
Yes, Ellis gambled. But don't bet against Rapinoe being the Americans' ace in the hole.