Two-time World Cup winner and Fox Sports studio analyst Christie Pearce Rampone talks with The Post’s Justin Terranova about the U.S. women’s team as it heads to the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup.
Q: As someone who played into her 40s, what has impressed you most about Carli Lloyd’s performance?
A: She’s done a tremendous job of coming off the bench and having that energy because it’s not easy to come into the 𒐪game and get going so quickly. Carli just has the “it” factor. It’s something you can’t really coach, you just have to have that mentality. You can tell by the way she plays, she just has that passion and that’s 🥃why she’s playing at the age of 36.
Q: With the scrutiny over the goal celebrations, how is the attention on this team different than it was even in 2015?
A: They have to deal with a lot off the field. Those goals were world class and something to celebrate. And we work so much on our imagery and mentality on the U.S. side, planning celebrations before you go on the field is putting yourself in a positiඣve mindset. The attention is amazing. So much hard work and time, and now the pressure is all on them. They were expected to win this. Every time the U.S. walks on the field they are exꦰpected to win.
Q: Were you disappointed Hope Solo joined the chorus of critics against the U.S. team?
A: ♊She is on the other side now✃ as an analyst. She is going to have her opinions and that’s OK. That comes from the outside and that’s her.
Q: How does the pressure change going into the knockout round?
A: One bad game and you’re out. You have to have everything tied down. That’s why you see through these first three games, teams are rotating players, changing tactics and trying to figure out what system is best for them. … But the U.S. just has a strong mentality. The hardest thing for an opposing coach is as you are fatiguing in that 60th minute, we are bringing on fresh legs that a෴re go▨od enough to be starting for your team. The chemistry and unity looks very strong for the U.S. team in this tournament.
Q: Who do you think is the biggest threat to the U.S.?
A: France is a complete team, has an organized back line that I think could challenge our attacking three. Germany is a very good team, a mix of young players with experience and a new coach. They are just trying to figure out who they are through this tourna🐻ment and while they are doing that you have to give them credit because they haven’t given up 𒈔a goal.