FOX Sports analyst and 1999 World Cup-winning US coach Tony DiCicco talks about the concerns he has over the American squad with The Post’s Justin Terranova. The US starts this year’s World Cup against Australia on Monday after the tournament kicks off on Saturday.
Q: Do you think the US team is the favorites?
A: I am picking the US, although that’s probably more with my heart than with how they played recently. They certainly have the tools to win, but they’ve been unconvincing in their recent form, which doesn’t mean much if they put it together against Australia here and get off and running.
Q: What’s worrying you about their recent form?
A: I thought they were very strong against Mexico, but I don’t think [US coach] Jill Ellis fully understood why they were so good. She kept talking about how they were moving the ball, but they were special against Mexico because of their defense. They were active, they pressured high, they double-teamed and when they do that it creates opportunities. Against South Korea they played passively in my opinion.
Q: Do you have any concerns over Hope Solo’s focus given her off-the-field issues?
A: Right now I think Hope is focused and playing well. I think that suspension worked and she got herself in a good place and now has the confidence she needed. The midfield is where the questions are for me. I haven’t seen Lauren Holiday and Carli Lloyd dominate the center of the field. When they come up against teams like Germany and Japan, they are going to lose the mid-field.
Q: Why haven’t they been dominant?
A: When the US is playing its best, Lloyd is a threat and she’s scoring goals, same with Megan Rapinoe. Lloyd hasn’t scored in a number of games and she’s a streak player. We saw that in the Olympics. When she’s on and she has her confidence, she’s the best scoring mid-fielder in the world. Right now, she’s not at that level, but she’s one play away from getting there.
Q: Is Australia a threat in the opening game?
A: Australia is going to be tougher than the teams they’ve been playing recently. Australia’s attack is dangerous and they are confident right now against the USA. That could work against them if they think they are just going to step in there and take it to them. The Australia defense is the weakest part of their game and their goalkeeping is suspect. The US shouldn’t be in panic mode or anything … But I am not sure, even though they are saying all the right things, the US is as confident as you want them to be heading into this tournament.