20 hours ago
Ohio heat a concern for both Ireland and USA
Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward says the expected heat in Cincinatti, Ohio on Sunday will be a major concern for her and USA counterpart Emma Hayes' teams as they prepare to face off again in a second friendly international.
The Girls in Green lost 4-0 to the world number one side in Denver, Colorado in the first friendly on Thursday where the heat and altitude proved a major challenge.
Temperatues are expected to be at least in the high 20s Celsius on Sunday in Cincinatti for the second encounter (8pm kick off Irish time, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player) which will again make things difficult for Ireland.
"If I sat here and said I wasn't concerned, I'd be lying. I'm obviously very concerned, I think, not just myself, but I think Emma (Hayes) is as well," Ward told RTÉ soccer correspondent Tony O'Donoghue.
"We both understand that this is a difficult time to play. It's a difficult heat to play in. I think you've seen in the Champions Club World Cup even that you know Atletico players have come out, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) has come out, everyone's come out talking about how tough it can be and we have to really, really be careful and look after players.
"We have to manage it, we have to make sure there are water breaks, we have to do the best we can to look after players because, look, I'm walking around and we're setting up and you can feel it here, right?
"Even in the shade, its's unbearable. So me being me on players first, and we have to do everything we possibly can to make sure they're hydrated. Do we look after them and if that means the good old, send the goalkeeper down just to breathe and get them some water? We absolutely will."
Ward had already indicated that Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Campbell would unlikely to be fit for the Cincinatti leg of the friendly double-header, having missed the first game, and the manager said Shamrock Rovers' veteran midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn had also emerged as a doubt.
"Ruesha, after the other night, is a huge doubt and probably unlikely to play too many minutes," said Ward.
"Erin Healy we're assessing because she had limited minutes the other night, but should be okay for some minutes and then there are a few others that (we) will just have to really carefully manage."
As for the benefits of the two games against the USA - with October's Nations League play-off tie versus Belgium to come in October as a consideration - Ward said the squad and coaching staff had plenty of takeaways to learn from.
"I think the trip's been so valuable. It really has," she said.
"From a culture point of view, from a learning point of view, you know, really deep diving into it, adding the layers what we want to do for October.
"That's been really important. I think the first game added a lot of value. Look, I'm not sure about tomorrow, obviously, because it's a completely different kettle of fish. I'll have to answer you that after the game. My priority is getting the players through safely."
