The reality that we still have to trust only Ji So-yeon Regrettable 2-match series between women’s soccer teams in the US

The reality that we still have to trust only Ji So-yeon Regrettable 2-match series between women’s soccer teams in the US

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The Korean women's national soccer team, which went on an expedition to the United States to reclaim its stronghold as

the 'world's strongest', finished the two-game series with disappointment in both content and results.

The women's national soccer team, led by coach Colin Bell, suffered a crushing defeat 0-3 against the United States in a

friendly match held at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA on the 5th (Korean time).

After losing 0-4 in the first game in Commerce City, Colorado on the 2nd, Velho finished the two-game series against the

United States without scoring a goal, allowing seven goals in the second game.

Although the United States, the undisputed powerhouse of women's soccer, has fallen to 4th place in the FIFA rankings

after being eliminated in the round of 16 in the Australia-New Zealand Women's World Cup last year, the wall is still high.

The United States, which is starting anew under coach Emma Hayes, has gained confidence with two complete victories

ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

As shown by the FIFA rankings of 4th and 20th, and the record of 4 draws and 13 losses in 17 A matches, the 'weight

difference' between the US and Korea in women's soccer is clear, but it was a match that left even more regret for our

national team in that it was difficult to even show a challenging attitude.

In particular, the fact that most of the flashy scenes that left an impression on fans that day came from veteran Ji So-yeon

(Seattle Reign) makes us realize the still-stable reality of Korean women's soccer.

The closest Korea came to scoring that day was Ji So-yeon's free kick in the 30th minute of the first half.

Ji So-yeon's right-footed free kick from the left side of the penalty arc flew towards the goal with an exquisite trajectory,

but was blocked by American goalkeeper Casey Murphy, preventing a goal from being scored.

Ji So-yeon, who has played in Japan, England, and the domestic WK League and is challenging the American stage for the

first time this year, showed off her 'class' with occasional kicks in set-piece situations and sensational passes that troubled

the American 안전 defense.

Ji So-yeon, who has played in 160 A matches since 2006, holds the record for the most appearances by a Korean player,

often complains, saying, "I know that I am 'dead water' and that I should leave the national team quickly."

But even now that she is in her mid-30s, Korean women's soccer is still represented by Ji So-yeon, and she cannot easily

give up the Taegeuk mark. This situation was revealed in this match as well.

Kim Jung-mi (Hyundai Steel), who started as the starting goalkeeper in both of these matches, was born in 1984 and

played in her 150th A match. Most of the existing key players, including Ji So-yeon and Kim Jung-mi, were named in the

starting lineup today as well.

The women's national team, which was eliminated in the group stage of last year's Women's World Cup and failed to

advance to the Paris Olympics, has announced that it is aiming for generational change in preparation for the 2026 Asian

Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup and the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup from a long-term perspective.

For this US expedition, striker Hong Seo-yoon (Gwangyang Girls' High School), who had not even played for the national

team by age group, was surprisingly selected, and defender Lee So-hee (Hyundai Steel) was also named for the first time.

Won Ju-eun and Kwon Da-eun, born in 2007 (both from Ulsan Hyundai High School), and Kim Gyeong-hee (Suwon FC),

born in 2003, were also included, but coach Bell did not use them boldly. It was not until the 45th minute of the second

half that Won Ju-eun and Lee So-hee stepped onto the field and made their A-match debuts.

Although it is said that young players can learn from training with their seniors or sitting on the bench during big games, it

is hard to shake the impression that the emphasis was on familiar choices that focused on immediate results rather than

generational change.

Among the so-called 'young blood', the only one who is currently receiving consistent opportunities on the senior national

team is Casey Eugene Fair (Angel City), born in 2007 to a Korean mother and an American father.

Coach Bell's contract, which was renewed in April last year before the Paris Olympic qualifiers, runs until the end of this

year.

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