Introduction—“We’re all living in America”
(USA, Sweden, Thailand, Chile)
Till Lindeman wrote the epic ballad after which this final preview post is named.
All these years later it serves as an apt introduction to the U.S. Preview Section. The U.S. Women, as Alexi Lalas will remind you no fewer than 40,000 times over the next few weeks, enter this competition with the incontestable best women’s footballing squad ever assembled. Few can hope to dare stop them. A more appropriate Rammstein song to introduce this section might as well be “Bückt dich”.
Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Tobin Heath form the strongest attacking trident in women’s footballing history. Julie Ertz, Lindsay Horan, Sam Mewis, and Rose Lavelle augment from not far behind. The fullbacks are brilliant. The centerbacks and keeper are practically impenetrable. The bench could easily beat the snot out of any other team’s first-string on their best day.
No one will trouble the USWNT team in this group. No one shall even come close; not even the Swedes. For the love of St. Carli Lloyd don’t wait until the knockouts to tune into this tournament. The American Women get set to blowout all three of these teams in the group phase. Mark the bookie’s words: They’ll win these games by 5-10 goal margins. That’s no hyperbole. That’s what’s about to happen.
Will they win the overall tournament and capture their fourth star? Bookie says no only because the girls will have to face the Group B Runners up in the Round of 16. That will be either the Germans, Spaniards, or Chinese. Recall that bookie picked the English as the surprise overall favorites in the Group D preview. Tournament prognostications are based on the speculative bracket path.
Though the USWNT will surely emerge victorious from the Round of 16, they’ll face another tough test in the Quarters; likely the hosts. Though the French won’t beat them, it’s possible that the Americans may play two back-to-back 120 minute matches. Fatigue will become a factor heading into a game against a very good England side.
Should they attain the Final, even an ostensibly super-human side can run out of ideas at a certain point. Tournament football remains tough in that regard. Winning-back-to-back championships persists in being extremely hard and this FWM will have fewer off-days than any previous competition. I don’t think the U.S. wins. No one tell Alexi Lalas. His head will explode.
All that being said, the depth of this team may cancel out all of these assumed variables. Ellis can rotate her lineups easily with all the talent she has at her disposal. Bookie shall have zero problem eating his words if looks like they’ll pull it off. Even if they don’t win, the USWNT will put one of the best shows even football diehards have ever seen.
Kick back, relax, and enjoy your girls. We’re all living in America. Amerika ist wunderbar!
“Nach Afrika kommt Santa Klaus, und vor Paris steht Mickey Maus” ; )
USA—“Sam’s Angels”
Ellis clearly doesn’t care who’s watching as she finalizes her squad. She’s done very little tinkering in the tournaments and friendlies leading up to the tournament. If this bookkeeper can figure out her plan, so can the rest of the world. Who cares? Everyone knows what’s coming. No one, including this tactic-head, can come up with even a basic blueprint to stop it.
The attacking trident appears set in stone. The “Magical Trio” you see below will start on June 11th against Thailand. Heath, Rapinoe, and Morgan operate without any special instruction. They’re completely free to seize any space they want. Ertz practically has free reign too. She doesn't need to engage in any defensive work she doesn’t feel requisite.
The back four also won’t deviate from the projection. That project got sorted out quite some time ago. Dunn has a little more license to roam than O’Hara. Sauerbrunn can largely avoid the responsibility of keeping the defensive shape. Only Dahlkemper shall be kept under strict parameters. One of the midfielders receives a bit of instruction as well.
The midfield happens to be the one area where we do see some experimentation. Mewis, Pugh, or even Press might start initially. It’s also possible that Horan and Lavelle might appear on opposite fields. As you’ll see below, the placement of those two comes from the bookie’s own copious notes taken over the course of the last several months. No guarantee he has the right idea there.
Without any further ado, we’re pleased to present the girls themselves. Just as we did with the bookie’s home country in the Group B Preview Section, we’ll cover the ENTIRE squad excluding the two backup keepers.
Off we go into the best women’s footballing squad ever assembled.
Projecting the American Lineup (4-3-3)
Megan Rapinoe Alex Morgan Tobin Heath
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Julie Ertz
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Lindsey Horan Rose Lavelle
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Crystal Dunn Kelley O’Hara
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Becky Sauerbrunn Abby Dahlkemper
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Alyssa Naeher
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The Talisman—Julie Ertz 
Selecting a talisman on a team so stacked obviously proved challenging. For the record, bookie also considers Heath, O’Hara, and Becky Sauerbrunn indispensables. In the final analysis, however, we’ve got to go with the central midfield operator. She handles most of the distribution, draws essential coverage to free up the strikers, and scores frequently with deadly precise headers. Yeah, there’s an entendre for you, brothers. Julie gives flawless head. Bah ha.
When we first met centerback Julie Johnston she was Becky Sauerbrunn’s rather reticent partner on the fifth field axis. She wasn’t even that exceptional of a defender. Recall that it was her who executed the professional foul on Alexandra Pop in the 2015 Semi-finals that should have killed the U.S. tournament.
Clearly beaten, she engaged in a dirty trick, then proceeded to cry about it.
Clearly beaten, she engaged in a dirty trick, then proceeded to cry about it.
A year or so later Ellis began experimenting with her in defensive midfield. It seemed about as unnatural a move as any, considering she didn’t have the mental fortitude to tackle such an assignment. She completely upped her game to pass the test, quickly beginning to thrive as sort of a pseudo-number-ten striker. We witnessed the complete evolution of a player.
Centerback Julie Johnston is no more. Welcome talismanic fourth-striker Julie Ertz. Perhaps drawing on her new married name—she’s now the wife of Philadelphia Eagles tight-end Zach Ertz—her whole style has been re-invented. The past two years have been sensational. Nine headed goals, countless telegraphed assists, and enough attention from the markers to leave the rest of field unperturbed most of the time.
All hail the team’s new talisman. The only way she can potentially kill the tournament now is by getting sidelined.
The Remaining Cast Becky Sauerbrunn 
Another player who’s has evolved and matured by leaps and bounds. Becky’s been with us since 2011. For much of her professional career her role was limited to that of a traditional diamond-box sweeper. It was such that she was dubbed “Becky the Broom” by her teammates. Bookie began closely scouting the USWNT games last Summer and couldn’t believe he was watching the same player. She comes out to drive the attack much more often, reminding one a little bit of Jerome Boateng. Though she still hasn’t scored for the national side in 158 caps, she will likely tally in this tournament should her current trajectory continue. She brought a whole new dynamic to her game at the age of 34. This shall most certainly be her last tournament. Watch her go out with a bang.
Kelley O’Hara 
Yes, yes. Syndicate Members know that we’re dealing with one of the bookie’s longtime footballing crushes. He falls hopeless in love with women wingbacks. This particular one has been garnering long passages of praise in this Sportsbook since 2011. My obsession with her notwithstanding, it was never clear what sort of role she was meant to actually play on the starting side. At least that was the case until, in a moment of “crushing crush irony”, she scored the second goal that sunk my German girls in the 2015 Semis. Though she technically relieved Tobin Heath in that match, she was actually playing right back to cover for the inward-sliding Ali Krieger. Since then she’s inherited the aging Krieger’s position. She still fulfills an attacking role for her club teams. On this team she’s simply a fucking phenomenal right fullback; even slightly better than Krieger at the position. Yes, I’m still in love with her.
Ali Krieger 
She's still here in a supporting role. The 34-year-old is here to get a well-deserved curtain call after an incredible career. For those interested, her German last name translates to “fighter” or “warrior”. German Frauenbundesliga fans know her well as she spent five years playing for FFC Frankfurt. In television and press interviews, she always impressed everyone with her fluent, almost accent-less German. Big-time bookie crush here. Comb back through the pages if you’d care to learn more. I suppose it was inevitable that one of the women game’s most feminine players—she was always known for wearing jewelry on the pitch—would turn out to be gay. One of her proximate teammates would snatch her up eventually. Oh well. So it goes.
Abby Dahlkemper 
“Becky the Broom’s” spiritual successor. The 26-year-old centerback inherits the space directly in front of the keeper once occupied by Christine Rampone and later Julie Johnston. Overall a very effective defender who engages in sweeping duties slightly less than Sauerbrunn used to. You’ll rarely see her subbed off. Great stamina.
Tierna Davidson 
Will eventually take Suaerbrunn’s space after the tournament. The 20-year-old received her first call-up in early 2018 after putting in her time with the U-20 side. If she can remain healthy she’ll be fixture on this side for years to come. Flexible in her defensive position, but best suited to play centerback given her tall and lanky frame.
Crystal Dunn 
The new starting left-back unexpectedly displaced Meghan Klingenberg approximately one year after the 2015 FWM. Bookie’s been keeping a close eye on her when scouting the team in the 2018 Continental Champions, 2019’s SheBelieves, and the USWNT’s send-off tour….and he’s very much bedazzled. An incredible athlete capable of tearing up the left flank. Rapinoe’s resurgence owes much to her hard work. Somehow I doubt she’ll be deployed so far back for much longer. Deployed at different positions in experimental friendly matches, the 26-year-old has racked up 24 goals in 86 caps. Maybe the most athletically explosive presence on this team. She’s about to break into global stardom.
Emily Sonnett 
The Portland Thorns midfielder may not get much playing time during this tournament as there’s little room for her on the third and fourth axes. Ellis has tested her out in defense as well. Hasn’t really found her place in the system. The 25-year-old always serves as an alternate option in all the major tournaments. Could be a long-term prospect, or just a backup that we never encounter again.
Sam Mewis 
Bookie projects Lavelle and Horan to start on the central third axis, but Mewis isn’t far off on the depth chart. The 26-year-old has been really flourishing as of late, scoring in the 2018 CONCACF Championship and tallying four times since the start of the New Year. If you missed the USWNT’s recent friendly against South Africa on Mother’s Day, you missed a helluva match. You also missed a splendid Mewis brace. She’s in scorching form and has definitely made a case for a spot in the starting eleven.
Morgan Brian 
Once touted by the bookie as the next Alex Morgan, she’s largely been unable to thrive at the club level. Injuries, contract issues, and her commitments to the national team have all played a role. It appeared her career was set to take off when she signed for Olympique Lyon on New Year’s Day 2018. For some reason it fell through and the contract got terminated after only a few months. Bookie isn’t entirely sure what’s going on with her. She rarely starts for the national squad and hasn’t been much of a factor since the 2016 Olympic tournament. The 26-year-old who appeared in all but one of the 2015 FWM matches still has plenty of time to resurrect her career whatever the case may be.
Lindsey Horan 
Really a terrific all-around player who served as lead striker for PSG and the Portland Thorns. On a team featuring Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Tobin Heath, she somewhat unfairly gets buried deeper in midfield. Rapinoe in particular knows how to feed her. Those two work marvelously together. When playing for PSG she was an absolute goal factory, finding the back of the net forty-six times in fifty-eight appearances. She’s tallied twenty-two times an equal amount of appearances since returning home to the NWSL. Again, it’s a matter of her being on a team that features too many other über-talented members.
Rose Lavelle 
A new crush for the bookie. Spellbound since I first saw her score two magnificent unassisted goals in the 2018 CONCACAF Championship. That being said, it’s my tactical judgement that she looked a little out of sorts on the right. The bookie’s notebook from last Autumn contains more than a few lines advocating switching her to the left and letting Horan take over her space. Ellis appears to be of the same mind, particularly after she had to make do without Lavelle in the 2019 SheBelieves. With the correct placement, the 24-year-old can do excellent work paired with Horan on the same horizontal axis. Should be set for a fantastic tournament.
Allie Long 
The 31-year-old striker, who could easily serve as a Doppelgänger for Heather Mitts, will make for a great late-game sub in the unlikely event that the team needs to claim an extra-time victory. Good to see her finally selected after she missed out on the 2011 and 2014 tournaments. A very-late bloomer, she only began getting regular call-ups to the national side in the run up to the 2016 Olympics. Ellis trialed her at various positions, including centerback in a Löw-like 3-4-3, but nothing came of it. Unclear whether she’ll get any playing time.
Mallory Pugh 
Plenty of ultra-young phenoms in the women’s game, but one rarely beholds a sure-fire prospect like this one. Bookie confidently asserts that she’ll be the next Alex Morgan. Absolutely no way she’ll go the Freddy Adu, Sydney Leroux, or Morgan Brian route. Nothing can sink this girl’s prospects, not even over-commercialization. Already the star of the U-17 squad when she was only 15, she got drafted into the pros before she even finished her junior year of High School. The now 21-year-old blossomed directly in line with her potential. She’s really heating up now with seven goals for the national side in the last twelve months, nearly all of them coming in late-game relief. She doesn’t have a starting spot locked down just yet, but invariably always scores immediately after being subbed in. Keep an eye on this marvel. She slices her way through everything.
Christen Press 
As the bookie augured four years ago, she’s completely come into her own. The now 30-year-old striker’s peak unfortunately commences inbetween tournaments. She netted a fabulous twelve international goals in 2016, capping a three-year-run of double digit scoring for the USWNT. She’s been down quite a bit since then, but still constitutes a dangerous threat. This is why one must follow Women’s football in the non-tournament years. She supplied us with an amazing streak. The preferred half-time replacement for Rapinoe still strikes home from the left. She’s tallied on four occasions in the last calendar year, bringing her national team total to 47 goals in 113 caps. Really hope she doesn’t retire after this tournament as I’d love to see another four years from her.
Jessica McDonald 
A very-late bloomer who got her first call up in 2016 at the age of 28. She’s been capped six times since then, scoring in two competitive friendlies. Kind of a female Mario Gomez who can come on to play center forward in a serious emergency. Doubtful we’ll see her.
Alyssa Naeher 
Here’s your new keeper. Syndicate Rule: We are never, EVER, EVER discussing Hope Solo again. Are we clear on that gentlemen? Never, EVER, EVER. She was nothing more than an average keeper with a big mouth. Bookie never could stand her. Brianna Scurry was the American women’s best keeper and an all-around wonderful person. That 0-4 defeat in the 2007 semis wasn’t her fault. Shannon Boxx deserves the blame. I opted to hate Solo the moment she….wait a second…I do believe I’m supposed to be covering the new keeper here. What am I doing breaking my own rule? Naeher’s great. Love her. A Turbine Potsdam Alumn who should have started in place of Solo in the 2016 Olympics. It was the…er…“wrong decision”.
Carli Lloyd 
Legend. Period. The female Miroslav Klose is here to bid us farewell. Bookie doesn’t want to say goodbye. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Don’t leave us, Carli! I never want to see you take that uniform off. Actually, considering how wicked hot I’ve always found you, I wouldn’t mind watching you take the uniform off in a different context, but you get my drift. The 36-year-old goddess with the possibly the sexiest Jersey Jewess Schnauzer ever propelled the women’s game to heights never before dreamed of with her hat trick and midfield blast in the 2015 Final.
All of us remembered where we were. Your friendly bookie studied all of the female faces surrounding him in the bar when it happened. The expressions were unforgettable. When they saw Carli blaze home from the middle of the park, every last capillary burst with hopes, dreams, and pride. Now I’m getting misty-eyed. I can’t write about this sacred deity anymore. Let’s end with the stats: 108 goals in 272 caps since 2005. Legend. Period. LEGEND!! PLEASE DON’T GO, LEGEND!!
Tobin Heath 
Bookie counted among the many skeptics when she first moved up to the first attacking axis on the right. I thought she belonged in her customary sport in central midfield Shows you how much I know. She’s only gone ahead and scored twelve goals in her last fourteen matches. The 22-year-old we first encountered during FWM 2011 has grown up in a big way. The first part of the “Magical Attack Trio” is an unstoppable behemoth in the prime of her career. She’ll score early and often in this competition.
Megan Rapinoe 
Bookie finally has it figured out. She’s a bionic cyborg. That’s the only explanation. I’ve lost count of how many potentially career-ending ACL tears it’s been at this point. Four? Six? Twelve? At the age of 33, she’s playing the best football of her life, no matter how many pins, screws, and rods they’ve inserted into her. The relentless left-flank component of the “Magical Attack Trio” has blasted home ten international goals in the last twelve months. She also continues to light it up with her club team, Seattle Reign. Bookie fell in love with her when she sang “Born in the USA” into an on-field boom mike after scoring against the Columbians in the 2011 FWM. An entire paragraph was devoted to how she wasn’t necessarily gay, even though she was. Another sendoff I’m not fully prepared for yet.
Alex Morgan 
The year was 1989. “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” was in the theaters. In the movie, two garage band slackers from San Dimas, CA are working on their high school history report at the Circle K when a phone booth suddenly descends from the heavens. Meanwhile, in the real-life San Dimas, CA, a real-life Angel descended from the heavens. I’d say that Alex Morgan began honing her kicking skills in the womb, but that would imply that this divine celestial nymph was somehow birthed naturally. Impossible. She’s not of earthly original. Congratulations to this heavenspawn on her 100th (and 101st ) goal for the Stars and Stripes. Mortals do no produce such numbers. We throw ourselves at your feet.
Sweden—“The Blaugults”
Purge your friendly bookie’s dire assessment of the men’s team last Summer from your mind. I’ll admit to have royally fucked up that prediction worse than Princess Anna fucked up her film career. No contest. I underestimated them. Here we most assuredly confront a team in decline. The Swedish Steamroller has been stuck ever since Lotta Schelin’s retirement. Their qualifying round and recent friendlies have been rather mediocre.
Should I have this one wrong too, all of you remain welcome to lambast me for falsely belittling the Swedes for two consecutive Summers. A writer of a gambling column deserves an extra serving of draconian criticism. It’s entirely possible that one of the players will deliver the bookie what 55-M describes as a “Gustav Svensson Bookie Breach”. Bookie stands ready.
I’ve elected to hate new head coach Peter Gerhardsson’s exceedingly narrow 4-1-2-3 even more than I disdained Pia Sundhage’s inflexible 4-4-2. I’d go so far as to declare it a disgrace to the game. Formations that keep third axis midfielders in some sort of a neutral zone trap leave viewers thumbing through the Chadwick’s catalog as the match isn’t worth focusing on.
Neither one of the strikers does much beyond getting disposed on lame lane runs into the box or getting caught offside. The number ten runs around in a semi-circle like one of those new floor-cleaning zoombas. The so-called “wingers” collapse inward like a prolapsing…
Tell you what. Before getting too vulgar, we’ll simply let these girls play. I’m confident you’ll see what I mean soon enough. Submit a wager should you think my assessment stems from spite rather than scouting.
Projecting the Swedish Lineup (4-1-2-3)
Fridolina Rolfö Stina Blackstenius
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Sofia Jakobsson
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Kosovare Asllani Lina Hurtig
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Caroline Seger
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J. Andersson N. Fischer L. Sembrant M. Eriksson
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Hedvig Lindahl
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The Talisman—Kosovare Asllani 
The ethnic rockstar of the bunch, she’s put together serviceable campaigns for Man City Ladies and her original club of Linkopings FC. Played a fairly significant role for the Silver Medal Olympic winning side of 2016 as well. The 29-year-old midfield general determines most of the traffic distribution for this narrowly shaped Swedish side.
As you can easily infer from her name, she is in fact an Albanian Kosovar just like German heroine Fatmire Bajramaj. Lazy journalists have tried to draw upon Zlatan’s Balkan roots to label her the “Female Ibrahimovic”. Albin Ekdal or Jakob Johansson might be a more appropriate comparison.
Pia Sundhage benched her rather quickly in the last tournament for what appeared to be real failures in getting lateral plays going. She’s improved in that area somewhat. It remains to be seen whether she’s improved enough to get this team anywhere. Bookie emphasizes their very narrow shape once more.
The Pillars Caroline Seger 
Lotta Schelin’s former co-captain now has the leadership duties all to herself. The 34-year-old sports 193 caps for her country in which she’s tallied 27 times. Her form peaked long ago in that great FEM 2013 tournament. Unfortunately, she missed out of the 2017 Euros. Essentially handles traffic right ahead of the defensive line these days, effectively assuming Therese Sjörgan’s old role.
Nilla Fischer 
Another player who conjures up fond memories from FEM 2013. Slowly she’s moved back from the attacking role she played in that tournament, to a more defensive midfield position under Pia, and finally to an almost completely stationary role at centerback. The 34-year-old VfL She-Wolf still scores from set pieces on occasion.
Linda Sembrant 
The wide-eyed 32-year-old Montpelier girl completes the veteran back line. She continues to supply consistently good play on the club level. Some will remember her two goals in the 2015 tournament. Held the line reasonably well in FEM 2017.
Sofia Jakobsson 
Sembrandt’s 29-year-old Montpelier teammate also thrives for club and less for country. The target striker has only tallied a handful of times over the last four years. Bookie still sees a starting role for her, but only as a pocket-ten. Might be the case that Olivia Schough gets that assignment
Hedvig Lindahl 
No one’s displacing “Big Momma Hedvig”. She bounced back from major hip surgery in 2015 to tend net for Chelsea Ladies and reprise her role as the team’s #1 keeper. The 36-year-old joins races out to meet attacks less these days, but still makes daring sprawl saves.
The Phenoms Nathalie Björn 
A 22-year-old fullback who’s grabbed some surprising pre-tournament goals. Gerhardsson looks to have his rearward flanks set with Eriksson and Andersson, so don’t expect a surprise start. Could inject some much needed pace into this side.
Lina Hurtig 
A welcome fresh face picked by the bookie to start on Asllani’s axis. The 23-year-old has earned intermittent call ups since Pia’s reign in 2014. It appears she’s finally clicking with two tallies in the last year.
Stina Blackstenius 
The 23-year-old striker broke out with two goals in the 2016 Olympics and two tallies during the 2017 Euro Group Phase. She’s now knocked in ten for the Blaugults in 43 caps. Following three successful years at Montpelier, she heads back to the Damallsvenskan to play for Linkopings. Yawn. I suppose this is what passes for a promising young prospect on this team. Definitely a starter.
Fridolina Rolfö 
Four other young strikers contest the spot next to Blackstenius. Mimi Larsson, Anna Anvegard, and Julia Olme have all been given turns. Ellen Rubensson can play forward in a pinch too. Batern’s Rolfö seems the best bet after the Olympics and Euros. The 25-year-old, one of Pia’s former pets, has garnered eight national team goals.
Thailand—“The War Elephantresses”
Are you all set, 135-M? You had better damn well be as the bookie didn’t skimp on his studying. Don’t you dare try to out-Thai me this time, brother! I’ve got Phetwiset and Sungngoen, and Nidhamrong right where they belong. I don't want to hear you trying to talk me into this Thongsombut or Kanjanaporn bullshit! Get ready, cuz it’s about to be on like Srangthaisong!
Er…perhaps some explanation is in order for those who sat out AFC 2019. Here at the Syndicate we don't allow minor nuisances get in the way of nuanced tactical debates. Nothing fucks with our passion; not even the negligible fact that we don’t know what the hell we’re talking about. To illustrate what I mean, we’ll head back to a Mailbag segment from this past January:
From AFC 2019—Round Three:
Reader: How can you say Adisak Kraisorn pairs well with Siroch Chattong when you’ve never seen it? Chanathip, Tanaboon, and Pokklaw have more experience.
Vicey: Dammit, 135-M. Club teammates always pair better. I don’t care how they line up against the Hong Kong Reluctant Communist All Stars or the Children of the Brunei Harem team. Fucking Pokklaw? I’d take take Wiriyaudomsiri over fucking Pokklaw. Next you’ll be advocating Weerawatnodom or maybe even Chalermpong. Shiiit. While we’re at it, let’s open up a wormhole and bring back Jatutapattarpong, Kitpongsrithada, and Senamuang. Fucking Pokklaw.
(Note: This is how we roll over at the Syndicate. A typical conversation. One day we’ll know what we’re talking about. It’s essentially a bunch of guys who failed grade school math arguing over Analytic Combinatorics….and it’s beautiful ; )
Alles klar? No riff is too technical, brothers. We waste our lives together. You’ll never watch alone.
Let’s discuss the women. The Thai Federation has done an admirable job building upon the success from 2015. More investment in the youth squads, training facilities, and test fixtures produced plenty of tangible dividends. The girls placed fourth in the 2018 AFC Women’s Continental Championship, second in the 2018 Four Nations Tournament, and even won their third consecutive 2018 AFF Cup.
Most of the players from that entertaining 3-2 win over the Ivorians in the previous competition’s group phase return. There are some exciting new faces to introduce as well. Bookie predicted they’d return in four-years-time with an even stronger side and he’s ecstatic to welcome them back.
Another great team for all Thai fans whether they happen to be “red”, “yellow”, “rural”, “urban” or “commie”. The Round of 16 isn’t out of their reach!
Projecting the Thai Lineup (4-4-2)
Orathai Srimanee Suchawadee Nidhamrong
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Taneekarn Dangda Kanjana Sungngoen
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Silawan Intamee Pikul Khueanpet
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Sunisa Sranthaisong Warunee Phetwiset
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Natthakarn Chinwong Duangnapa Sritala
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Waraporn Boonsing
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The Talisman—Suchawadee Nidhamrong 
The 22-year-old American-born “ringer”. Growing up in California, all of her friends knew her by a modified western name. I think I read somewhere that it was “Mirabel” or “Miranda”. That’s not her real name of course. She reverted back to the Lao once it was time to represent her country. You go, girl.
She made an impact as soon as she was inserted into the side, grabbing a brace against Jordan and completely demolishing the Lady Azkals in the 2018 AFC Women’s Group Phase. She demonstrated her defensive prowess in a hard-fought match against the Aussies in the Semis. Six goals for the young prodigy in the 2018 AFF, including a Super Hat Trick against Cambodia.
It seemed like the Elephantresses were really missing a second strong striker to complement Srimanee in the previous tournament. They’ve got one here. Looking forward to watching her play.
The Pillars Tannekarn Dangda 
Name sound familiar? Allow me to confirm your suspicions. It’s Teerasil Dangda’s sister! She’s every bit as strong and spunky as he is. Twenty-two national team goals for the 26-year-old since 2011, including many clutch ones in major tournaments. Great to have her back.
Orathai Srimanee 
Scorer of that memorable brace against the African Elephants in 2015. A diminutive speedster who throws every last kilo of her tiny frame into goal scoring chances. Unbelievable to watch a player well under five feet contest and win aerial duels. It’s all in the timing.
Kanjana Sungngoen 
A very effective 32-year-old winger who can switch fields rapidly. Bookie has her on the right, but has also seen her succeed on the opposite side of the pitch. She’s scored almost as many times as she’s been capped.
Warunee Phetwiset 
A veteran hustler who caught the bookie’s eye in the last FWM. The 28-year-old heavily capped fullback does fantastic work up the right flank. A creative presence who draws coverage and carves out space.
Waraporn Boonsing 
The brave 29-year-old keeper possesses good instincts and agility. Won’t be able to withstand the U.S. attack, but will keep this team in their other group stage matches.
The Phenoms Silawan Intamee 
Actually a veteran from 2015, we list her as a developing phenom based on her relatively young age. She’s also evolved from a defensive midfielder to a scoring threat. Worth a look.
Kanjanaporn Saengkoon 
The 22-year-old defender gained some traction recently in friendlies. Might be a new starter on the back line.
Sudarat Chucheun 
Don’t know much about the 21-year-old midfielder, other than the fact that she’s been pushing Khueanpet for a starting position. We shall see.
Chile—“La Roja Americana Feminino”
Ugh. So bad. Abhorrently awful. Frighteningly dreadful. A horrible team that has no business in this tournament. Bookie thought he could at least talk up the defensive line a bit, but then came the appalling spate of pre-tournament friendlies. They’ve not yet won a match in 2019. Even the Jamaicans beat them twice. They couldn’t even do better than a draw against the un-official Catalan side.
Their only wins after the 2018 Copa America Feminina came against reserve squads. They’re only here because they overachieved as hosts in that most recent continental championship and they drew the Colombians in a goofy system in which the final round is played out as a second group phase. These poor girls are about to get walloped.
Generally not the way your friendly bookie wishes to welcome Syndicate debutantes. A reasonable amount of research time was allocated in the hopes that something promising about this team would be unearthed.
Trainer Jose Leteiler did win ten consecutive Chilean Women’s league championships with the Colo-Colo Club….but that’s sort of like being the Poet Laureate of a small Neanderthal tribe. Moreover, such streaks are common in Latin America as they often use the Apertura and Clausura System. He’s a sufficiently competent coach with very little to work with.
Your friendly bookie’s fascination with the “Chi-chi-chi le-le-le” chant wanes. I’d struggle to stay interested in this team even if Mario Sepulveda was coaching and Don Francisco was calling their matches.
Enjoy your stay in Europe, ladies.
Projecting the Chilean Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Maria Jose Rojas
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Yanara Aedo Francisca Lara Karen Araya
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Yessenia Huenteo Yessenia Lopez
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Su Helen Galaz Rocio Soto
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Carla Guerrero Camilia Saez
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Christiane Endler
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The Talisman—Francisca Lara 
The 28-year-old central midfielder plays regularly for Sevilla in the Spanish Primera. She also had a successful stint with Sporting de Huelva. A fairly decent midfield organizer, her goals have come in fits and starts for the national team in scattered call-ups since 2010.
Fair to augur that she’ll give fans something to cheer about as she often tallies in competitions. Two goals in as many shots during the 2018 Copa America Feminina and three in the 2014 edition.
Lively in enough in possession, but not nearly enough to get this team out of the cellar.
The Pillars Christiane Endler 
Chile’s very own Neuer-style “Sweeper Keeper”, clocking in at just under six feet. If you find yourself wondering why she wears a stolid face sometimes, chalk it up to her German father. Actually has a rather strong CV that includes stints at Chelsea, Everton, Valencia, and PSG. Kept three clean sheets in the most recent continental championship. A big reason why they’re here.
Karen Araya 
The 28-year-old captain who often shone for Chile’s big domestic club, Colo-Colo Feminino. Also plays for Sevilla. Might start in Lara’s spot and have an even greater impact.
Maria Jose Rojas 
The 31-year-old lead striker has tallied at least twelve times for country. (Difficult to locate updated statistics). She’s had a long and illustrious career that included spells with teams in the States, Japan, Australia, and the Czech Republic. Scored a crucial goal against Uruguay in the 2018 Continental Championship.
Yessenia Lopez 
At least building this team’s lineup carried with it some humorous twists. The 28-year-old Colo-Colo girl gets paired with a phenom on what the bookie terms the “Yessenia Spindle”. Three tallies in the last calendar year for the late-bloomer.
Carla Guerrero 
A 31-year-old centerback who holds down the last defensive fort together with Rayo Vallecano teammate Camila Saez. Attempting a comeback after re-aggravating an old injury last November.
Su Helen Galaz 
A very late 28-year-old developer who began getting regular call-ups after Zaragoza teammate Rocio Soto took over the right-back position. Mobile enough on the left to set up a few of her forward-deployed colleagues.
The Phenoms Yanara Aedo 
A 25-year-old regular at Valencia with a knack for scoring late goals like the crucial equalizer against Paraguay in the 2018 CA. Has tallied at least ten times for the national side she’s represented since the age of 17.
Javiera Grez 
An 18-year-old striker recently promoted from the U-20 side after some prime performances. Bookie doesn’t have her starting, but who the hell knows?
Ana Gutierrez 
A 22-year-old prospect from the Colo-Colo Academy. Recently signed a professional contract in Spain. She earned her first cap only in the most recent round of friendlies. Has been capped four times over the last couple of months.
Vicey’s Fearless Group Prediction (3 to 1 Odds for bookie)
1) USA 2) Sweden 3) Thailand 4) Chile
Overall Championship Odds
USA (Straight Up) Sweden (6 to 1) Thailand (12 to 1) Chile (15 to 1)
Round of 16 Odds
USA (NO BETS) Sweden (NO BETS) Thailand (2 to 1) Chile (4 to 1)
Quarterfinal Odds
USA (NO BETS) Sweden (Straight Up) Thailand (6 to 1) Chile (8 to 1)
Semifinal Odds
USA (NO BETS) Sweden (4 to 1) Thailand (8 to 1) Chile (12 to 1)
