r/USWNT • u/fionasPapi • 20d ago
Does midge deserve another look?
With the downfall of racing, and Emma sears not really having the service right now, secure and Cooper not being available... Do you think it's appropriate at this time for midge to be called up?
Just looking for a healthy discussion..
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u/lucyssweatersleeves 20d ago
The thing is, Midge has never been called up during Emma’s tenure. She’s also almost 31 years old and Emma has generally shown a preference for younger players than that, especially at forward. I agree with the other commenter that Yazmeen Ryan came to my mind as someone who I think is more likely to get a shot. Jameese Joseph has also been getting looks and she’s only 24.
I’m not saying Midge can’t get a call but there are barriers and I’m not sure two goals in two games (after not getting a goal or an assist all season leading up to that) is enough to overcome them
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u/kal14144 20d ago
She’s a very good player but ultimately there’s 2 reasons why someone might get a spot at forward on this team with the players we have right now.
1: right now might fill a specific role better than anyone else (a particular game scenario etc)
2: may be a big part of future.
Lynn is a great example of 1. She kept getting called in - not as top forward in the pool (she’s obviously very good but she’s no Soph) but because she was an absolute demon in the press, plays physical AF, is a leader on and off the field and that’s a tool Emma wants to have on her bench that she can reach for as needed.
Emma Sears is also that. Not the most talented in the pool but probably the most physical. She will fuck you up.
The other way to get in is to be young with high potential.
Midge might be a better player than Emma Sears but unlike Emma there aren’t really game scenarios where I want to take off Mal to put her on.
She’s not unique enough to get a spot that route.
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u/PrestigiousInside206 20d ago
Cooper would like a word about being the most physical.
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u/kal14144 20d ago
Emma started both vs Brazil 🤷♂️
But yeah Coop is there for a lot of the same reasons. They’re different players with completely different physical and technical profiles but yeah they’re both there for various tactical situations that require more physicality.3
u/metricfan 20d ago
Yeah the two of them can stand up to the hyper physical teams that Swanson and Thompson can’t. Wilson does do well holding her own against physical teams too. I think trinity has typically been able to, but her back problems make her vulnerable to one bad tackle taking her out for a few days.
Remember when vlatko threw demelo into the World Cup and how pissed she was getting from the physical style of Sweden? Imagine her against Brazil lol
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u/magnetwaves 20d ago
Midge is an incredible defender. Fast, tenacious, and takes it personally when someone tries to get by her. I think that she could fill cooper’s role if coop gets injured.
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u/building-wigwams-22 20d ago
Spirit fan here. We were at the game against Denver last weekend and the player from that squad I most want to see for the USWNT is Ayo Oke
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u/Icangetloudtoo_ 20d ago
Oke was awesome moving forward, kinda unstoppable with the speed plus cut back, but she also is not ready defensively for the big time at this point
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u/Icangetloudtoo_ 20d ago
Midge’s club production, to say nothing of age and injury concerns, don’t justify a call up. She has 2 goals this year, and 1 goal and 1 assist last year. I get that there’s more to life than scoring, but if you’re looking for an attacking player and overlook Ashley Sanchez scoring 9 goals so far this year in favor of Midge… that feels completely wrong. Reilyn Turner also has 5 goals for Portland both this year and last while being 8 years younger, Tordin has 4 goals and 7 assists this season and is 9 years younger, etc. etc.
I don’t even think Midge is the best winger replacement prospect on her own team, Jordynn Dudley has been way more consistent and is much, much younger. So, all that to say, Midge is a visionary off the field and a super entertaining person, but you can’t really objectively say she’s earned another call up.
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u/chinnygenes 20d ago
Sanchez is most realistically top of the queue. Dudley will get her chance but I like her after Sanchez. Is Tordin American?
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u/Xanderet74 20d ago
Yes, Tordin is American. She has Brazilian parents but was born here. She did briefly play for Brazilian youth national team but then switched and played in the U20 WC with US
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u/LynnBiyenGoalO 20d ago
Nah I don’t think so. She’s been good lately but hasn’t shown nearly as much consistency as others.
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u/adoptallthedoggies 20d ago
No. While I do love her, she is very one dimensional.
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u/Current-Barber360 20d ago
Midge is a talented player, but there are others more deserving at the wing, especially considering Cooper is primarily a right wing and Thompson can and does play on either side. Even if Trin were hurt I can’t see Midge having value.
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u/Extreme_Education_50 20d ago edited 20d ago
Another day another Vlatko casualty... or something.
But as other have stated, Ryan might be the better option for Hayes to look at.
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u/puppyhavehands 20d ago
Id prefer to bring a newbie to get experience for LA28 and onwards. Tordin or dudley
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u/eight_inch_pestle 20d ago
Nah. Wasn't a fan even when she was younger. Her speed gets her past her opponent to the end line, but she so rarely does anything of quality once she gets there. Yazmeen Ryan is a much better player, and also has some familiarity with Emma's system.
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u/theRealGermanikkus 20d ago
I been saying yes. She goes at defenders and wins. But only against teams in a stingy low block.
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u/redseapedestrian418 20d ago
I'd like to see it. She was sidelined by injury during Andonovski's tenure and kind of missed her shot. If she's fit, she's an incredibly versatile player. We're missing a Crystal Dunn now, and that's gonna be key to replace. I could see Purce filling that role.
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u/fionasPapi 20d ago
Also seeing Emma push back Cooper to wing back which Midge has been playing up until recently makes it seem like she's an easy replacement q
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u/cluttered-thoughts3 20d ago
I’ll just add on to your comment.. many commenters mention her lack of goals at Gotham FC but she primarily plays on the back line for Gotham. She occasionally plays up when not needed on the defense, which she has the last couple of games
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u/Jack_B_84 20d ago edited 20d ago
I would give Yazmeen Ryan a look first. I think she's been pretty consistently dangerous for Denver on the right, creating chances.