USA head coach Vlatko Andonovski has once again spoken out against criticisms concerning the dropping standards and mindset of his team.
After extremely poor performances in their three group stage games, the players have been called out for looking detached and unmotivated on the pitch.
Former USWNT captain Carli Lloyd was especially damning of their attitude, explaining that she felt there had been “a shift within this team, within the federation, within the culture, the mentality” and that even “the meaning of winning has changed”.
Andonovski strongly disagreed with Lloyd’s remarks, refuting the idea that standards had dropped, even labelling them as ‘insane’.
It was a message he reiterated during Saturday’s press conference in Melbourne, just 24 hours before his side’s round 16 clash against Sweden. He clearly felt frustrated that so much doubt had been cast over his team’s mentality.
“In terms of the standards, I’m pretty sure that the public wants to set the standards for this team, but I can assure you those standards are not higher than the ones that they set for themselves. I mean, I see these players on a daily basis and no matter how good or bad they play, they always ask ‘how can we get better?'” explained Andonovski.
He continued to reassure the packed-out press room that whatever happens on the pitch, the USA is constantly striving to improve.
“From game to game, the first thing that that we start looking at are the things that we can get better at… things that we can improve. That’s just the mentality of this team- always trying to get better and give the best version of themselves every time they step out at this environment.”
The final part of his answer was perhaps the most eye-catching: “For someone again to question the standards or mindset of this team after everything they do is… well firstly, I don’t think it’s the right time for that and second, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do either.”
I don’t think it’s the right time for that and second, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do either
“I’m very happy with where they’re at, very happy with how they hold themselves accountable and how they keep breaking the standards,” concluded the Macedonian American coach.
Despite insisting that he and his players won’t rest in their constant pursuit of improvement, there’s no denying that both on a footballing and mental level, the team have looked a shadow of their former selves at this World Cup. The standards must be raised against Sweden on Sunday.
If the United States do manage to get a result against their European rivals, they would face Japan in the quarterfinals in Auckland on August 11.
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