by Martin Townley, Impetus‘ Cymru correspondent (9/7/23)
Above: Cymru head coach Gemma Grainger speaking to the media ahead of today’s game with the World Champions. Photo: FAW
Gemma Grainger and her Cymru squad are in California as they prepare to face the USA as part of the World Champions’ preparations to defend their trophy.
The match will be the first time that two sides have met. The US beat the Netherlands in the 2019 World Cup final with a 2-0 win in Paris.
Cymru will be without captain Sophie Ingle, who is suspended but the experienced Angharad James will stand in as skipper for Grainger’s side. James was quick to praise the quality of the US team saying: “They have experience and youngsters, and when you watch them play it’s exciting.
“It’s fast and it’s fun. To play against that will be great for us, to see where we are at and maybe how far we still have to go. “They are quick, they are athletic, they are technically good. The blend they have is phenomenal.”
James, who had spells playing in America for Orlando City and North Carolina Courage also said, “I think they’re in a transitional phase, quite similar to us, where they are trying to bring younger players through. We know whatever team they put out; they are going to be strong.”
Cymru could also be without star midfielder Jess Fishlock who is carrying a hamstring injury that recently saw her come off for club side OL Reign. Cymru manager Grainger did not rule the player out of the match, but is prepared for a reshuffle is necessary.
“We’ve had a plan with Jess for the last couple of weeks in terms of taking it day by day and we’re still at that stage. We’re pretty comfortable with that as well because that’s what we talked about in terms of what is best for her.
“I’ve not seen her as yet, she’s flown in this morning, I’m going to meet with her at lunchtime and assess that situation.”
The invite to play the double World Champions will see the continuation of the Cymru manager’s plan of testing her side against higher-ranked nations.
“It’s about players taking that challenge. It’s about taking opportunities, and that’s what every player on his team wants to do. You know, we want to qualify for European Championships. This game for us is a part of our journey in taking us to qualify for that European Championships.
“So if that gives another player an opportunity. That’s exactly you know what will happen. And I’m really pleased for that opportunity for the team. This is like I said, to play the back-to-back World Champions exactly the game that I want to be in. When we got asked to play this game, the answer was yes, quickly.”
Despite the challenge of playing one of the best sides in the world Cymru also have the issue that most of the squad have finished their domestic seasons while much of the US team are in the middle of the NWSL.
“We’re out of season. There are challenges for us. “We’re missing players, we’re out of season, but they’re not challenges that we’re not ready to face,” said Grainger.
The match will take place at PayPal Stadium in San Jose at 9pm UK time.
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