It wasn’t the outcome the United States wanted in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup, but there were still some standout American performances over the four games in Germany.
Crystal Dunn: The back line was never a problem for the United States, allowing only two goals on shots for which the opponents deserve more praise than the defenders deserve blame. And though not exactly imposing in stature, Dunn was the biggest reason why the back line held its own. She was composed in organization, quick to the ball in support and one-on-one situations and strong in her tackles. Replacing Whitney Engen in the middle of Anson Dorrance’s three-back is asking a lot of anyone, let alone a freshman, but Dunn appears up for that kind of challenge.
Bianca Henninger: Was she moving early on the penalty saves? It’s hard to argue otherwise, especially on the first shot. Whether she was breaking the speed limit by enough to get the state trooper moving, to borrow a metaphor, is debatable. But the ending aside, Henninger was outstanding throughout the tournament. From the distance of a television screen, she never appeared rattled but was frequently audible — a good combination in a keeper. Santa Clara lost a lot, most notably Jordan Angeli and Kiki Bosio, but it still has Henninger.
Kristie Mewis: She was the team’s most consistently creative midfield presence. Sometimes the chances might not have come with the greatest odds of success, but American soccer at every level isn’t overflowing with midfielders willing to take risks in pursuit of brilliance — and with the skill to do it in the air or on the ground. It will be interesting to see where she plays for Boston College this season. Her long-term future might be as an outside back with attacking flair in the Sergio Ramos mold.
Captain Christine Nairn still seems the most likely member of the U-20 team to make the return trip to Germany for the senior World Cup next year, if any make that trip, but Dunn, Henninger and Mewis are three I’ll be looking for in 2015.
Graham Hays 