Match preview and how to watch: USA vs Scotland

EDITED with departure of Lindsey Horan from camp for a personal commitment

The United States women’s national team will take on Scotland for their last game of 2018, the second in their pair of away friendlies. After a lackluster 1-0 win against Portugal, what could be in store against Scotland?

First item of note: Scotland will not have iconic midfielder Kim Little available, as her leg was broken in a bad challenge in October during an Arsenal-Chelsea game. But Little is certainly not the end of Scotland’s talent. They have experienced forward Jane Ross, and 20-year-old forward Erin Cuthbert can quickly cover space into the final third, has some decent technical skills, and can face up and shoot from an angle in the box. Scotland also has some options on set plays, although delivery may have taken a hit with Little out.

Will the United States try to come out of the gate at full speed? Will they be content to keep going at a somewhat slower pace, particularly if it means once again starting Danny Colaprico and/or Jess McDonald? Colaprico was a noted improvement over starter Andi Sullivan in the last game, even if a lot of her ball movement was simply finding Lindsey Horan in open space. But given Horan’s form of late (admittedly not her best against Portugal) it was a valid tactic that did open up more options in the run of play against Portugal.

Probably we’ll see some roster rotation; Allie Long, Merritt Mathias, and Casey Short were the field players who did not dress for the last friendly. Mathias and Short may get a half each, while it’s less certain Long will get rotated in. If Ellis is still wanting to play a 4-3-3, Long’s most likely role as a holding mid still has to contend with at least Julie Ertz and Sam Mewis being options.

The most interesting thing here is that Horan will not be available for this game, as she has departed camp for a personal commitment. That opens up a lot of possibilities in the midfield - we saw in the last game Ellis subbed in Julie Ertz for Rose Lavelle while leaving Colaprico in her holding spot. Will Ellis move Dunn up from fullback? Will she ask Mewis to step in? Will Lloyd drop back from her higher attacking role? Horan has become such a lynchpin of the midfield that her absence now has a lot of knock-on effects.

Possible and somewhat optimistic starting XI

Time, TV schedule, and livestream option

Tuesday, November 13
2 PM ET / 11 AM PT
FS1, UDN
Available streaming: Fubo, Fox Soccer Match Pass