New USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski begins his reign tonight with a friendly against Sweden at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, and I’ve got to say, he’s already impressed me with his training methods.
Let me show you Exhibit A and then I rest my case.
At the end of last night’s session at the home of the Columbus Crew, USWNT stars were met by the good boys and girls of 4 Paws For Ability. This is “a nonprofit whose mission is to place quality service dogs with children with disabilities and veterans who have lost use of limbs or hearing,” and part of the doggos training regimen is to become socialized by going to new places, meeting new people and doing new things.
Enter the USWNT.
BEST. TRAINING. EVER. @4pawsforability came to visit us and LOOK at all the good boys and good girls they brought!!!!!
[a thread] pic.twitter.com/NuHIGLgRc7— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 7, 2019
we've ʟɪᴛᴇʀᴀʟʟʏ never been happier
world cup win? what's that? pic.twitter.com/VwKPKPZGBG— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 7, 2019
More importantly, enter Ballon d’Or finalist Rose Lavelle, whose own English Bulldog, Wilma Jean Wrinkles, brings joy to thousands on Instagram.
Today was the kind of day @roselavelle LIVES for.
This is her kind of love story. pic.twitter.com/3CMTBEK901— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 7, 2019
Look at the chill on this Goldendoodle which is being matched by Tobin Heath.
.@CaseyShort3 had the tricks, @TobinHeath the hard chill. pic.twitter.com/iMu06jOJuV
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 7, 2019
Sweden’s not ready for this level of feel-good preparation.
When Lizzie McGuire stood on that stage in Rome and sang 'this is what dreams are made of' this is what she meant.
We get it now.Thanks for coming, @4pawsforability! pic.twitter.com/fP62j42C5n
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 7, 2019
omg
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) November 7, 2019
The match tonight kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1. While the USWNT is missing regulars due to injury (Megan Rapinoe, Crystal Dunn, Tierna Davidson, Kelley O’Hara, Ali Krieger) and pregnancy (Alex Morgan), there’s still plenty of star power on show, as well as a quartet of players looking for their first caps (Aubrey Bledsoe, Alana Cook, Imani Dorsey, Margaret Purce).