Four years ago, when the U.S. women’s national team claimed its second straight gold medal and seventh overall, coach Ricky Fried described defender Jen Russell as the “Lindsey Munday on defense.”
Munday, captain of the 2013 squad and two-time gold medalist, was known for her “innate ability to put the team’s needs ahead of her own. … She has no interest in getting her due. She has interest in winning gold medals.”
It’s that mentality, playing as one, that showcased itself in Russell, a veteran of the 2017 U.S. World Cup team defense, in Friday’s 15-8 win over Australia, which advanced Team USA to 2-0 in the FIL Women’s World Cup in Guildford, England. Russell was named the Player of the Match.
“She’s smart. She’s a constant voice. She makes very few mistakes,” Fried said. “I didn’t have any choice in it, but I totally agree with the selection and am excited that other people see what we see in her.”
When asked about the honor, Russell was quick to point to her teammates, referencing “we” instead of “I.” After a 10-4 first half in favor of the Americans, the U.S. defense had to hold longer sets in the close 5-4 second period.
“That’s what’s important – playing as a unit and playing as one,” Russell said. “We have each other’s backs. … Constant communication and trusting one another, we really have that. It showed today and I hope it shows the rest of the tournament as well.”
In front of goalies Devon Wills or Gussie Johns will stand defenders Becca Block, Kristen Carr, Megan Douty, Alice Mercer and Russell. They make up a defense that play great individually, but are even better together, said Fried.
According to their coach, Block has “speed,” Carr is “strong,” Douty is “smooth,” Mercer is “tenacious” and Russell is “smart.”
Russell agreed that Block is “fast,” Carr is “scrappy,” Douty is “strong and consistent,” while Mercer is a “force on the field.”
Carr, also a 2013 gold medalist, “sets the tone of ‘Don’t mess with me,” Munday said during her time as captain.
In Friday's victory, Wills, confident in her defenders, witnessed their quick footwork and purposeful angles to keep the game in the hands of the U.S.
“Mix all of those together and you’ve got a superhero,” Fried said.
While Fried attributed the defense playing so much to a lower shooting percentage on offense and less control of the ball, he was proud of its performance, “still being able to play that high pressure, not worrying about how much they’re playing and not slowing down.”
In Fried’s tenure as head coach since being appointed in 2009 shortly after serving as an assistant the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s team at the 2009 FIL World Cup – with this year being his last – a high-pressure defense, as well as a signature ride, has continued to be a staple of the U.S. program.
Double teams fly from every direction and include their goalies, which are touted as some of the most athletic in the game. Their defensive strategy centers around dictating the pace of the game and playing with discipline, both on ball and off it. Rivals have to raise their game to match the effort put forth by Team USA.
“It makes everyone think when they’re playing us – that all you can talk about is the pressure – pressure in the midfield, through the ride and in the defense with obviously higher pressure,” Wills said. “It makes a lot of teams out there pause and [realize] they’re in for 60 minutes of a lot of endurance.”
Australia coach Trish Adams, whose team is the only other country than the U.S. to win gold at this event, explained after the game that their word of the day was tough. Be gritty and make it hard for the opposition to trudge forward, she said.
While the Aussies improved in the second half and handled what the U.S. defense threw at them fairly well, according to Wills, Adams still did not doubt the American’s ability to consistently pressure.
“We were ready and waiting,” Adams said. “Obviously, we were expecting that and they’re always great at applying pressure.”
If its opponent has the ball, Team USA will do everything it can to get it back. Each member of the defense understands what she brings to the table to create one strong unit that ultimately allows their offense to score as many goals as they have in the first two games – 34 total against Australia and Wales.
“Individually, we’re all strong and fast and are unique in our way,” said Douty. “We couldn’t be our defense without each other.”