The U.S. ladies’s soccer group will take time to handle their worst-ever efficiency at a Women’s World Cup earlier than shifting focus to subsequent yr’s Paris Olympics, interim head coach Twila Kilgore mentioned on Tuesday.
When the group gathers for a camp forward of Sept. 21 and Sept. 24 friendlies towards South Africa, Kilgore mentioned they may spend time addressing gamers’ disappointment and feelings from their Round of 16 exit to Sweden on the World Cup final month.
“It’s something that we’ve talked a lot about within the programme, player to player, coach to player, amongst the staff,” Kilgore informed reporters on a convention name after the coaching camp roster for the 2 friendlies was introduced.
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“And it’s really important that we do have a conversation and address what’s happened but also quickly take the learnings from that, close the door and start looking forward toward the Olympics.”
Vlatko Andonovski stepped down as coach of the nationwide group 11 days after their early World Cup exit and Kilgore, who had served as his assistant for 1-1/2 years, has stepped in whereas a seek for a everlasting coach is performed.
The friendlies will mark the top of an period for the USWNT given the September 21 sport in Cincinnati might be Julie Ertz’s final with the nationwide group whereas Megan Rapinoe will characteristic for the ultimate time within the Chicago sport three days later.
“Both have been part of multiple World Cups and Olympics and have helped drive the game forward. But also off the field they have contributed to making sure that the whole soccer landscape is progressing forward, especially for women,” mentioned Kilgore.
“We’ll feel a hole from them on the field, we’ll feel that, but their legacy will continue off the field in many, many ways.”
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com