Editor's Note: On the eve of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada, Thorns FC head coach Paul Riley is writing a special column for PortlandThornsFC.com. In this first piece in the series, Riley examines each of the tournament groups, who should advance and some of the players to watch.
The Women's World Cup begins Saturday with Portland's own Christine Sinclair leading host country Canada in taking on China (3pm PT, FOX Sports 1).
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It's only once every four years but never has there been so much hype, intrigue and passion for a women's soccer event as this year’s 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
As eight Portland Thorns represent their countries at the World Cup it is truly an amazing time for our sport and proof that slowly but surely women's soccer is becoming embedded in the global sports landscape.
For the first time 24 teams will compete for the ultimate honor and here are some insights into who might deliver dreams and who might return home empty handed.
Group A is a tough one to predict and offers a wide assortment of talented teams. You have to assume Canada, under the leadership of Thorn FC superstar Christine Sinclair, has the upper hand with emotions and aspirations running high north of the border. Absence of a fully healthy Diana Matheson is a huge blow, but Sophie Schmidt, Thorns FC newcomers Kaylyn Kyle and Rhian Wilkinson and crew have home-field advantage. Canadian Desiree Scott is one of the best, proven defensive midfielders in the business and will provide formidable cover for the backline. New Zealand, Netherlands and China provide the tests and could challenge any team if they perform. China was once the powerhouse but now they are a doting apprentice with little star power but a neat, technical, efficient style. New Zealand has two bona fide goal poachers in Amber Hearn and Hannah Wilkinson but lack substance to go deep into tournament. Netherlands, led by one of top prospects in the World Cup Vivianne Miedema, are ranked 12th and that is fair reflection of their overall quality.
Group B looks straight forward as Germany's young but powerful squad looks to make amends from their disappointment of four years ago. An easy draw will allow them to rotate their squad and keep big names fresh. Key injuries to Nadine Kessler and Luisa Wensig will hurt, but their culture of winning will see them advance deep as Thorns FC goalkeeper Nadine Angerer looks to finish her international career with the biggest prize of all. The biggest challenger in group is Norway, whose experienced, bevy of international stars such as Solveig Gulbrandsen will see them through to knockout stage. The winner of Thailand and Ivory Coast might just steal an unlikely spot in final 16. Ivory Coast’s potential star Ida Guehai will be a hit but depth will take its toll and Thailand's lack of athleticism puts them at a major disadvantage.
Group C brings us Japan, the reigning champs, who are pleasing on the eye with mercurial talents such as Homare Sawa and Aya Miyama. It's an aged team but represents a genuine opportunity of lifting the cup on July 5. Major roadblocks are artificial turf and their lack of physicality which Germany and USA have in abundance. Switzerland is one of the dark horses. Young star Ramona Bachmann is pure class and played in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) for the Atlanta Beat. She can change any game in an instant. Cameroon offer an outside chance of knockout stage with their leading marksman Madeleine Mani. Ecuador was the final qualifier for this year’s event and will be taking an early bath.
Group D for "death" brings together three of the world’s top teams: the United States, Australia and Sweden. A Fantastic array of tactics, technical ability and physical presence. Have to love Australia with Thorns FC standout Steph Catley and captain Clare Polkinghorne leading their athletic defense. There is speed to burn in attacking areas as well with Sam Kerr, who plays in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for Sky Blue FC, and Lisa De Vanna. If De Vanna catches fire this could be a team to watch.
Sweden provides the World Cup with a steady, physical brand of football. Caroline Seger is world class and they have weapons in Kosovare Asslani and Lotta Schelin. Not enough creative juices to go deep into tournament. Former U.S. coach Pia Sundhage will have her work cut out to beat any of the true contenders .
The U.S. has goals, speed, physical ability, defensive acumen, a deep bench and major experience on artificial turf. Becky Sauerbrunn is the best defender in world soccer and will provide a vital backbone for the U.S. team. Lauren Holiday and Carli Lloyd are massive components and must click to ensure teams success. The midfield is talented but lacks the cohesiveness of France, Germany and Japan, but nobody has the attacking jewels the U.S. have at their disposal: Thorns FC superstar Alex Morgan, Amy Rodriguez, Christen Press, Sydney Leroux, Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe and Thorns FC creative genius Tobin Heath. They are simply irresistible up front whether starting or coming off the bench. Coach Jill Ellis can change the game at any point. A major weapon as the tournament progresses. Press will emerge as one of the best forwards in the world and Morgan will become key if the U.S. can navigate the early knockout rounds. Too much depth and physical ability to be a disappointment but all might come down to whether the midfield can hold its own against Japan, Germany and France. Nigeria got a raw deal but have some exciting talent. Early flight home, I'm afraid.
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Group E provides the technical extravaganza of the group stage. Vero, our former Thorns FC maestro, will lead a talented Spanish team. Vero is a game changer with a genius soccer IQ and a relentless thirst for winning. She is special, and the supporting cast is good enough to land them in the knockout stages.
Brazil has decided to get serious about women's soccer with their residency program, so world beware. No question about the talent but if they win their group they will face ominous knockout stage opponent from the U.S. group and that might be just enough send them home early from Canada. Aging Brazilian superstars will have to deal with the turf component despite many of them playing in the U.S. during previous professional leagues: Cristiane, Rosana and Marta, who remains an icon in the sport. Not convinced squad has enough resilience to hang around, but look out for Formiga, who is a tough, tenacious anchor in the midfield. Costa Rica and South Korea provide solid opposition in the group. Costa Rican Shirley Cruz in full flight is a joy to watch and South Korean Ji Soyun, who ripped apart the Women’s Super League in England with Chelsea, will be a handful for opponents, but lack of depth and experience will be a tough of a hurdle to overcome.
Group F looks relatively straight forward. France plays a fantastic style of football with pace, skill and intellect. Excellent coach who believes in the beautiful game. Love the attacking attributes of Louisa Necib, Gaetane Thiney and Elodie Thomis. Bank on this team, they have enough to go all the way.
England provide one of the most interesting teams in the tourney. Good forward line with Thorns FC’s own Jodie Taylor providing goals, speed, and dynamic ability to change the game. Lianne Sanderson will be pulling the strings underneath and belief is they will score goals. Worrying is their defensive tactics and team speed particularly in central defense and central midfield. If they can lull their opponents to sleep they might just do some damage. Colombia is a young team that lacks key components to get out of group stage. Progressing nicely but not yet ready for the golden ticket. Mexico have utilized the NWSL to showcase some of their top players like Arianna Romero. They might get to knockout rounds but they lack fire in the front line to do any serious damage.
The city of Portland represents ground zero in the world of club soccer and for the next month we all get to watch our eight superstars play against the world’s best. Fasten your seatbelts as the world’s best compete for the ultimate prize. The world is about to witness how the female game has improved, grown and evolved.
Special shout out to our Thorns competing. We are extremely proud to call them our own and we look forward to getting them home safe in front of the best fans on the planet.
