US coach admits 'not good enough' as World Cup holders scrape through
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Vlatko Andonovski says it would be «insane» to question the mentality of his United States team but admitted their 0-0 draw with Portugal to scrape into the Women's World Cuplast 16 on Tuesday was «not good enough».
The holders only needed a point against the WorldCup debutants at Eden Park to advance but they produced a lacklustre performance and almost lost in injury time when Ana Capeta hit the post.
Defeat would have led to the USA being eliminated from the World Cup in the group stage for the first time and their displays throughout the first round have been nowhere near the levels expected.
Having beaten Vietnam 3-0 and come from behind to draw 1-1 with the Netherlands, the USA finish second in Group E behind the Dutch and will most likely meet Sweden next.
US legend Carli Lloyd was shocked by what she saw.
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Football«I am not seeing that passion. I am just seeing a very lacklustre, uninspiring, taking it for granted,» said Lloyd, now a pundit for Fox Sports.
Andonovski, who replaced Jill Ellis as coach after the 2019 triumph and has brought a squad to New Zealand featuring 14 World Cup debutants, staunchly defended his players.
«This team wanted to win this game more than anything else,» he said.
«They put everything they could into preparation for this tournament. To question the mentality and willingness of this team to win and compete I think is insane.
»Everyone is entitled to their opinion and they can say whatever they want, but I just know how this team feels.
«It is not like we played well by any means. We owned it, we know it's not good enough, we are not happy with our
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