Midfielder Rose Lavelle emphasizes the importance of teamwork for the United States as they prepare to face Italy in two friendly matches. She highlights their 2-1 defeat to Portugal in October as a wake-up call.
The US will host Italy in Orlando, Florida, on November 28, with a second match scheduled in Fort Lauderdale on December 1.
“In our first match against Portugal, we needed to get back on the same page and function as a unit,” Lavelle explained. “It wasn’t about lack of effort; we were working hard, but it was crucial to act collectively. We spent the remainder of the camp returning to our core principles.”
“As we head into this first match against Italy, we recognize that the performance against Portugal was below the standard we hold ourselves to. We left that game feeling disappointed, but also with the understanding that we have the chance to learn from it and face the same opponent shortly thereafter.”
“So, as we come together now, the goal is to quickly adapt, align our play, and ensure we don’t repeat a performance like that.”
The USWNT initially lost 2-1 to Portugal in the first friendly of their October camp but rebounded with a 3-1 victory in the rematch just three days later. Head coach Emma Hayes stressed the importance of entering the upcoming matches ready and focused to avoid a repeat of their earlier struggles.
“Our players are aware of major tournaments and know who Italy is,” Hayes noted. “Many of them compete in the Champions League against teams like Juventus and Roma. They fully understand the caliber of their opponents.”
“Italy has been developing their game for a while, and their style is well-structured. While we are prepared for their approach, it’s essential to remember that this team is among the best in global football. We can’t afford to start this match as we did in the last camp’s opener; we must ensure our performance meets the high standards required against such a formidable side.”
Hayes confirmed that all players from Gotham FC will be available for selection on Friday, following their 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in the NWSL championship on November 22.
“That game had a thrilling finish, filled with adrenaline,” Hayes said. “I’ve been managing their workloads, but they are available for Friday’s match, and I won’t hesitate to include them in the squad. Having played last Saturday, they are ready for this challenge.”
“Every player is eager to represent our country, which means I’ll have some tough decisions to make.”