Pugh could be the difference for USA

Most experienced caped player Mallory Pugh will bring much experience and confidence to the USA U20 Womens team.

BY FIDELIS SUKINA

Three times U20 Womens World Cup Champions United States of America arrived yesterday afternoon. They are the final team to arrive but one of the favorites to win the FIFA U20 Womens World Cup.

On arrival at the Jacksons International airport in Port Moresby USA coach Michelle French said they had a changed side from the team that went down to Japan in the tri nations matches between Japan, PNG and USA.

 They have acquired the services US Womens International Mallory Diane "Mal" Pugh at only 18years of age, after playing extensively with the U–17 and U–20 teams, Pugh first appeared for the United States senior national team on January 23, 2016 in an international friendly against Ireland. At 17, she was the youngest player to debut for the national team.

“We have Mallory Pugh, who is the most experienced player in the team at the moment; the team itself is different from the team that came for the tri nations early this year,” French said.

A bit of an understatement from Coach French, she said they haven’t had the experience of a World Cup tournament, but they boast good players in the likes of Mallory Pugh, Ashley Sanchez and Jessie Scarpa.

USA U20 Womens Goal Keeper Brooke Heinsohn (Left) with local
Avila Nobe of Tokarara during the USA teams arrival on Friday

“The tree previous World Cups were won by three different teams from the USA and this team haven’t even experienced the World Cup even at the U17 level,” French said.

They have their first game against France on Monday and USA Coach French could not go further to give away their strategies, but only stated that they would take one game at a time.

They have done well to improve their chances of beating the humidity in Port Moresby staying at Cairns for an extended 10 days before reaching PNG.

“There are a lot of good teams in the tournament, but we have our first game against France and we are looking forward to that.

“We have been fortunate to be in cairns for 10 days to get associated with the weather and that is good for us,” French said