USWNT: USA to come out in 4-4-2 in Final Tune up

Abby Wambach
photo credit: Catalina Fragoso – DoubleGsports
Abby Wambach gets her 242nd cap today vs. Korea

Is Jill Ellis tipping her hand early, or is this no indication of the USA’s tactics as the World Cup approaches?

Much was made of the “diamond” formation that Jurgen Klinsmaan was tinkering with prior to the men’s World Cup last summer and in the final tune up for the WNT, Jill Ellis has her squad coming out in a very standard plain vanilla, 4-4-2.  The lineup features veteran striker Abby Wambach making gaining her 242nd cap for the United States and Carli Lloyd getting the start behind the strike duo in her home state.

I do believe with the many closed-door matches against top sides and with all due respect to Korea, the US could come out in just about any formation and most likely win the match by 3+ goals.

The goal for the US today is to stay healthy, keep possession, and finish.

The United States in this cycle has struggled to finish when Carli Lloyd and Wambach aren’t in the lineup and I believe Ellis is thinking that she wants to get off to a good start and a nice lead so that the backups can come in relaxed and hopefully see some balls go in the net.

But, I wouldn’t read anything into this starting lineup and formation today.