SAN DIEGO — One thing's for sure about this year's Women's World Cup:
For Jill Ellis, it'll be far less stressful than the previous two. The first coach to win two Women's World Cups, Ellis will sit this one out, having stepped down in October 2019 to become an ambassador with U.S. Soccer before co-founding the San Diego Wave Futbol Club in June 2021.
The Wave's team president, who will attend matches as a FIFA analyst, previewed a Cup that will see the No. 1-ranked Americans begin their title defense Friday in New Zealand against No. 32 Vietnam:
— Union-Tribune: What most excites you about this World Cup?
— Jill Ellis: I'm excited to see high level soccer and the largest participation in the World Cup. You're now at 32 teams. It's a major statement for our sport globally that we've gone to 32 (from 24). With that there'll be some teething pains, some lopsided score lines.
— U-T: Can you pick out a memorable moment or two from your Cups?
— Ellis: Two very memorable experiences. In '15, it was being able to get Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone, who were on the bench, on the pitch for the Final to finish their careers as World Cup champions. Especially for Abby. Because Abby, as iconic a player and great as she was, she didn't have a World Cup title. And she was incredibly helpful in helping us win in '15, but she wasn't starting. For her to come on and play in that Final, it still kind of moves me. Because it was so deserving.
And 2019, playing France in France, for the quarterfinals in Paris — it was a stadium that was as electric as one I've ever been in, for any soccer event, men or women's. It was two heavyweights going at it. It was iconic. It just showcased where our sport was in terms of excitement, drama, visibility profile. A "remember when" moment. (The U.S. won, 2-1.)
— U-T: How has the sport changed, in tactics and talent, since the '19 Cup?
— Ellis: Every iteration of the World Cup, the game is played at a faster rate. You're seeing better levels of athleticism. Better sports science. Younger players. The technical growth of the game. The sophistication of players. These are things that as your sport grows and you get more and more people participating, you see more and more special characters and qualities.
Now, we've got players like Alyssa Thompson (an 18-year-old, high-speed forward with the U.S. team). You've got players like Sophia Smith (the 2022 NWSL MVP and U.S. forward). There are so many special players out there — more so than there were in the past.
With the growth of the game, you're getting higher-level coaching. Which then will, in turn, manifest itself in just more sophistication in teams. How they organize. How they defend. How they attack.
Set pieces have always been a massive part of World Cups. Now you're getting even more. Megan Rapinoe is arguably the best dead ball specialist in the world. And that's a huge advantage. And now you're seeing around the world, more players who have the proficiency to deliver the ball wherever they want.
Teams are going to be harder to break down. But with that comes even more attacking personalities that are exciting to watch.
— U-T: In the past two World Cups, the United States never lost and outscored opponents 40-6 across 14 matches. Will the competition prove tougher this year?
— Ellis: Listen, it wasn't easy. Most of those games, especially the knockout games, there was only one goal in it. But, yes, having said that, the rest of the world is four years on. As are we. You're seeing the investments. We've got eight debutantes in this World Cup. There are going to be some surprises.
Will the goals be there? It's hard to say. I just know when you get into the knockout rounds, you're going to see very close games, very tight games.
The U.S. has an attacking group that is probably unrivaled in terms of the group of forwards that were taken to the World Cup.
I don't think you win your World Cups with everybody there for their first one. And, you don't win with no new players. But the U.S. has struck this balance of bringing the experience and also the youth — a Sophia Smith, a Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson. You add that to Alex (Morgan) and to Megan (Rapinoe), you've got just an incredible amount of experience and excitement.
When teams are very, very organized defensively and the game is tight, it sometimes comes down to an individual amount of brilliance. And, we've got a lot of players who are capable of it.
— U-T: What match would you most like to see?
— Ellis: Probably the U.S.-England game. You've got European champions versus defending world champions. That would be an iconic matchup. And, of course, it's a star-studded lineup on both sides. It would be an exciting match.
I will say, at this World Cup, injuries have had an impact. But I also see that as being an opportunity for countries including ourselves — for players to step in and shine.
— U-T: What's your scouting report on England?
— Ellis: They've lost a couple of key players to injuries. Their midfield group is very strong. They've got an experience of winning.
To win a major world championship, you need three things: technical expertise, athleticism and mentality. The U.S. has for many, many years had all three of those. Now, you're seeing more countries add that. England, because of the experience of winning in the Euros, they also have that trifecta.
— U-T: Which teams are more dangerous that what others might say?
— Ellis: I know the Portuguese coach. I have a lot of respect for him. I actually think Portugal could be an interesting team. They're a tough team to beat in my experience.
Haiti is a team that people can't underestimate. They've got technical players, they've got athleticism.
Norway is always an interesting team. The last iteration didn't have arguably one of the best players in the world in Ada Hegerberg. She went on strike. Now she's back.
Spain, they've had a lot of internal challenges. Some of the players have refused to play. Some have come back. If they can gel, they will be a very challenging team to play. Because they have so much of the ball.
You know France has got phenomenal technical players, athleticism. It's been questioned at times whether, when they get in big tournaments, mentally can they push through? France has a new coach. They can be a force.
— U-T: Can you mention a few players soccer fans here will enjoy watching who aren't with the U.S. team?
— Ellis: France have some incredible players. There's a player named Diani. There's a midfield player with England — Keira Walsh. She's a very creative, dynamic midfielder for England. She kind of pulls the strings for England.
Samantha Kerr, who plays for Chelsea, she's on Australia ... One of the top strikers in the world. Now, she's gonna have her country behind her.
Marta — this will be her last World. I don't know how much playing time she'll (get). She'll be a sentimental favorite. When she's on ball, magic happens for Brazil. She's been the face of Brazilian soccer for many, many years. It would be a shame to miss her is what I'd say to fans in San Diego.
— U-T: Alex Morgan will be joined atop the U.S. attack by newcomers to the World Cup in Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson and perhaps Lynn Williams. How do you think that will play out under coach Vlatko Andonovski?
— Ellis: Alex will play central and then Sophie and Trinity probably on either side of her on the flanks.
Sometimes you've got to have balance in how you play. You go into a World Cup, those players' nerves in the first game, they're going to be off the charts. Naturally, it's a big game.
In 2015, I purposely started Abby Wambach because I needed someone on that field who had done it and been there in terms of that opening game. That's where Alex will be so valuable to the coach and to the team, to have that level of experience that's been there before. Because it's settling nerves, it's stepping into the big moment. She and Lindsey Horan are the co-captains. It's a good balance of experience and new talent.
Not only will (the forwards) be dangerous in the attack, they'll be the first line of defense. They're going to be hunting the ball. They're going to be putting back lines under pressure. Being disruptive. Creating turnovers. That's a group that can play equally well on both sides of the ball.
— U-T: What's your forecast for the Final?
— Ellis: It's going to be a very hard tournament to predict who ends up in the Final because the margins are so narrow. There's the potential for France and Germany to meet in a quarterfinal. I do think if the U.S. finishes tops in their group, they play a much friendlier route. Meaning, they don't have to travel as much, and some of the top European teams will be on the other side of the bracket.
