MONTREAL – For the first time this World Cup, Jill Ellis has changed the formation of her lineup.
Sticking with a traditional 4-4-2, with four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards through five games, Ellis has decided to spice things up for the semifinal against Germany with a 4-5-1.
Alex Morgan will play the lone striker, with Carli Lloyd sitting in front of Lauren Holiday and Morgan Brian in the central midfield. This change gives Lloyd more freedom than she had against China to roam and attack, playing even more forward than she did in the quarterfinal.