Gemma Grainger Praises Gritty Wales Who Hold USA At Bay Until Late On

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - JULY 09: Sophia Smith #11 of the USA Women's National Team dribbles the ball against the Wales National Team in the first half of the Send Off Match at PayPal Park on July 09, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Gemma Grainger Praises Gritty Wales Who Hold USA At Bay Until Late On

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By Hannah Blackwell

Gemma Grainger insisted she was pleased with the progress her Wales team are making, but disappointed with the result after they lost 2-0 to the USA on Sunday night.

Rising star Trinity Rodman scored in the 76th minute and again in the 88th, as the Americans finally capitalised on their many offensive chances in their a final friendly warm-up for the Women’s World Cup.

It was gritty display from Wales in San Jose, who looked defensively sound for most of the contest, although they created little to trouble the world champions.

Rodman broke the deadlock when she one-touched a pass from Sophia Smith, then later emphatically delivered again to provide a glimpse of Americans’ youth movement headed Down Under this month.

But Grainger – who will lead Wales into their first Nations League campaign in the autumn – said: “I think for us as a team, particularly with different factors, the different players we had on the pitch today, the time of the season that it is for us, these players are in the off-season, so to be able to raise their game to that level and do it over the game is a real positive.

“We’ve got so much to take forward and that was the most important thing about this fixture.

“A lot of positives, but I’m disappointed also with the defeat. In terms of our mindset and mentality, the preparation we put into the game, we wanted this game to go in a certain way for us and to help us progress in the Nations League and ‘m pleased with that.”

Without captain Sophie Ingle and the inspirational Jess Fishlock, Wales looked comfortable until their final 15 minutes when fatigue started to set in.

They were made to pay for two lapses as Rodman, the 21-year-old daughter of former NBA basketball legend Dennis Rodman, showed her prowess.

Until late on, Wales were organised and determined throughout they didn’t manage their first shot until the 74th minute and an attempt by Hannah Cain.

A day after Megan Rapinoe announced she will retire after her fourth World Cup and finish the National Women’s Soccer League season with the OL Reign, the 38-year-old forward didn’t get on the field.

She received huge cheers when she came outside for the warm-up and again running through the tunnel after going through her pre-game routine.

She will have to wait for the World Cup to make her 200th career national team appearance over a 17-year career with the Americans – and will become the 14th US player to reach the mark.

Grainger added: “For us as a team, this couldn’t have been a better game for us.The depth is something we’ve been striving for.

“We’re focused on qualifying for a major tournament and this felt like playing at a major tournament.”

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