CBS SPORTS - In preparation for two upcoming friendlies against Russia, the U.S. women’s national team played the FC Dallas U-15 boys academy team on Sunday and fell 5-2, according to FC Dallas’ official website.
This friendly came as the U.S. looked to tune up before taking on Russia on Thursday night in a friendly.
Just last month the U.S. lost the SheBelieves Cup, winning the first game over Germany 1-0 before losing to England (1-0) and France (3-0).
Of course, this match against the academy team was very informal and should not be a major cause for alarm. The U.S. surely wasn’t going all out, with the main goal being to get some minutes on the pitch, build chemistry when it comes to moving the ball around, improve defensive shape and get ready for Russia.
Let me bring you in on a little soccer secret. These scrimmages can go horribly wrong quickly, and because no one really cares about the result they just continue to go that way. They aren't played for reactionary articles and analyzing. The players just want a knock-about and might be in positions unfamiliar to them.
It's an ugly headline, sure, but this isn't indicative of the USWNT as a whole nor does it tell the entire story.
Are the U15 kids better players? Probably not, but they aren't very far off stature-wise (look at the image above) and athletically comparative.
This isn't a crazy story. Just wanted to clarify here. Hope you clicked and read this.