Angelina Anderson was sure that the call would never come.
After playing every minute in the United States in the U17 Women's World Cup in 2018, she thought that maybe the senior national team could call. This is not the case.
After launching a laundering during its beginnings at the NWSL, helping Angel City FC has her sole appearance in the playoffs in 2023, she thought that maybe the national team would call. This is not the case.
So, when the phone rang this month with an invitation to a week -long training camp In Florida, Anderson had stopped waiting.
“Yeah, I guess you could say that I was a little surprised,” she said.
Mark Wilson, Angel City's technical director, was not. Although Anderson played only 10 times all the competitions in two seasons in the NwslWilson had seen enough of her in training so that the quality shines.
“She has everything to be a world-class goalkeeper,” he said. “I watch Angelina every day and I think” the American women's team n ° 1 “. She has all the attributes to be one of the best in the world. »»
The time of the call could not be better. Alyssa NaeherThe long -standing starter of the national team in order, withdrew from the international game three weeks before being appointed goalkeeper of the year of FIFA last month. This leaves it WE. Looking for a new n ° 1 for the first time since Naeher replaced Solo Hope After the 2016 Olympic Games.
“It is really an exciting period to be a young goalkeeper in the United States and have this kind of opportunity,” said Anderson, 23. “My motto has recently been” life is fun “. It's super cool that I can enter and do that.
The January camp, which opened its doors last Friday, was transferred from Carson to Ft. Lauderdale in the middle of forest fires in southern California. It was the first winter camp under the coach Emma Hayes, who took over last May and brought the United States to the top of the Olympic podium last summer in Paris.
Angel City's goalkeeper Angelina Anderson made a stop in a playoff match against Seattle in October 2023.
(Lindsey Wasson / Associated Press)
Because the camp falls in front of an international FIFA window, none of the European players on the American team will participate, and it will not end with a friend. For the most part, it is to audition for the new coach. Thus, in addition to invoking 26 women in the senior team camp, Hayes also called 24 U23 players for a simultaneous “future camp, giving it a chance to see 50 players – 12 of which played at least 13 times for the senior national team.
“I plan for the future,” said Hayes. “This is an opportunity to see Angelina among others. And I'm really, you know, I can't wait to see a deep and talented goalkeeper swimming pool. ”
Deep, perhaps, but also inexperienced with only two of the seven goalkeepers called at the senior level. Only one – Casey Murphy of the courage of Caroline du Nord – has more than one international ceiling. Murphy recorded clean sheets in 15 of her 20 appearances with the senior team, and if that makes her the favorite to succeed Naeher, it also means that there will be an animated battle to fulfill his role as better backup.
Anderson says she doesn't think of any of this. Her main objective, she said, is to learn and then take this acquaintance with her when she returns to Angel City, where she has already received the departure post.
“Angelina is going to be our n ° 1,” said Wilson. “We have a lot of confidence in Angelina and we have examined the data and we have examined qualitative cultural documents and we simply believe that it can be not only our n ° 1 for many years but also a future national female team n ° 1.
“But, like any player, you have to prove it.”
Anderson has spent the last two NWSL seasons playing behind Didi Haraciquewhose contract expired at the end of last season. Wilson said Haracic, Angel City's leader of all time in NWSL's appearances, was invited to return under a new agreement, but he was told the team to start Anderson.
“We made a clear position and a direction on Angelina and we moved in this direction,” said Wilson.
However, although the team showed Anderson confidence in Anderson, it was not able to offer it a lot of stability. When she finished with the national team this week and will return to the pre-season training camp at Angel California and Angel City, she will play for her third trainer in two seasons.
“I had a lot of chance of starting again and starting again,” she said. “It is certainly a challenge to be a young goalkeeper and have so many new coaches in such a short time, especially because there is one aspect for me and my game which must still be molded and developed.
“Having a bunch of coaches does this kind of challenge.”
But, she added: “When you put your head and continue to do the right thing, ultimately good things will come. It's a bit of my state of mind in difficult times, good times, bad times.
“I think it helped me.”
He finally sounded the phone.
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