USWNT updates, World Cup highlights
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The U.S. girls are nonetheless alive on the World Cup.
Barely.
Needing a win or tie to keep away from being eradicated within the group stage for the primary time ever at a World Cup or Olympics, the four-time World Cup champions squeaked by means of with a scoreless draw towards Portugal, a crew it had overwhelmed in every of its earlier 10 conferences. It was a far nearer recreation than it ought to have been, however the tie was sufficient for the USWNT to complete second in Group E and undergo.
That’s the excellent news. The dangerous information is the USWNT is more likely to face outdated nemesis Sweden within the spherical of 16.
They usually’re not enjoying like a crew constructed for a deep run. In actual fact, if not for the close to publish, they’d be going house. Portugal’s Ana Capeta unleashed a corker early in second-half stoppage time and it ricocheted off the publish, saving the USWNT to play one other day.
WORLD CUP CENTRAL: 2023 Women’s World Cup Live Scores, Schedules, Standings, Bracket and More
Regardless of Rose Lavelle beginning for the primary time and Lynn Williams changing Trinity Rodman, the USWNT had barely any spark. As a substitute, they have been as lackluster as they’d been within the first two video games, turning the ball over, making passes into empty areas and never ending the possibilities they did have.
When a hearth alarm sounded early within the second half at Eden Park, it appeared like a metaphor for this USWNT squad.
— Nancy Armour
When does the USWNT play subsequent?
Get the espresso prepared, as a result of by ending second in Group E, the USWNT is due for extra middle-of-the-night video games. With its 7-0 shellacking of Vietnam, the Netherlands completed first in Group E. (Additionally of observe: that 7-0 win for the Dutch is probably the most lopsided results of the match up to now.)
The Individuals advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup with their 0-0 draw vs. Portugal, which suggests they’ll take the second seed out of Group E. Which means their subsequent recreation — possible towards Sweden, a well-recognized foe — will kickoff at 5 a.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 6.
Who does the USWNT play subsequent in Spherical of 16?
The USWNT’s subsequent opponent gained’t be set in stone for an additional 24 hours, nevertheless it’s more likely to be a crew the Individuals have loads of historical past with: Sweden.
Because the runner-up for Group E, the USWNT will play the winner of Group G at 5 a.m. ET Sunday. Sweden presently leads group G and can shut out group play Wednesday towards Italy, which is second within the group.
Sweden is a frequent opponent of the USWNT. On the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the groups met within the opening recreation, the ninth time they’d performed one another in a significant world championship. The USWNT was embarrassed that match, shedding 3-0.
Carli Lloyd calls USWNT’s play ‘disappointing, uninspiring’
Two-time World Cup winner Carli Lloyd had some harsh phrases for the USWNT after the Individuals’ 0-0 draw towards Portugal. The tie permits the USWNT to maneuver on to the knockout rounds, although the U.S. will achieve this because the No. 2 seed, which is a a lot more durable path to the ultimate.
However in accordance with Lloyd, her former crew isn’t headed for the championship recreation anyway.
“As we speak was uninspiring. Disappointing. They don’t look match. They’re enjoying as people and the ways are too predictable,” Lloyd stated on FOX Sports activities postgame present.
She reiterated some criticism she’s leveled at U.S. soccer since retiring in 2021, saying “the successful doesn’t matter as a lot anymore” as a lot as “loads of the off the sphere issues which might be taking place.”
“It began to shift publish 2020,” Lloyd stated. “You by no means wish to take something without any consideration. You place that jersey on for everybody who got here earlier than you and everybody who got here after, and provides it every little thing you might have. I’m simply not seeing the fervour. It was lackluster, it was uninspiring.”
She added the U.S. is “enjoying to not lose versus enjoying to win — Portugal performed to win, and so they virtually did.”
Pushed for specifics about what off-field occasions she was referencing, Lloyd talked about the USWNT’s pregame dancing.
“Successful and coaching and doing all that you are able to do to be the very best particular person participant, that’s not taking place. We noticed the dancing,” she stated. “There’s a distinction between assured and conceitedness. The place is the route going?”
Tuesday was hardly the first time Lloyd has been critical of the USWNT this World Cup. She ripped into the Individuals at halftime of their Netherlands recreation, which led to a 1-1 draw, and earlier than kickoff towards Portugal, she stated star ahead Alex Morgan ought to be benched.
— Lindsay Schnell
World Cup bracket
You possibly can sustain with all of the World Cup video games, stats and standings at USA TODAY’s Sports activities World Cup hub, and track who’s in and who’s out of the knockout spherical, too.
Extra late subs for USWNT, together with Alyssa Thompson
The youngest participant on the roster, Alyssa Thompson, and one of many USWNT’s veterans, Kelley O’Hara, subbed in for the USWNT throughout stoppage time, changing Crystal Dunn and Alex Morgan. It’s Thompson’s first World Cup, and O’Hara’s fourth.
Trinity Rodman, Emily Sonnett sub in late for USWNT
Within the 84th minute, the USWNT lastly used some subs.
Trinity Rodman and Emily Sonnett subbed in for the U.S. as Lindsey Horan and Lynn Williams went out.
Naomi Girma hit with yellow card
A tough recreation for the USWNT received rougher within the 81st minute as defender Naomi Girma was given a yellow card. The U.S. stays tied 0-0 with Portugal.
Megan Rapinoe subs in for USWNT
Megan Rapinoe, some of the beloved gamers in U.S. soccer historical past and the star of the 2019 World Cup, subbed in for the USWNT within the 61st minute, changing Sophia Smith.
Rapinoe, who plans to retire on the finish of this season, is in a different role for the U.S. this World Cup, however she’s harmful off of set items and skilled. That is her 201st look for the USWNT.
Yellow card for Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith received hit with a yellow card within the 52nd minute, after a excessive knee from the ahead bonked the pinnacle of a Portugal participant. It’s her first yellow card of the match.
False alarm on the 2023 World Cup
Early within the second half, an alarm began sounding in Eden Park stadium — nevertheless it seems, it was a false fireplace alarm. Play continued, everybody within the stadium ignored the sound and after a couple of minutes, it stopped.
USAWNT 0, Portugal 0: Prompt halftime evaluation
Vlatko Andonovski made the 2 modifications followers have been screaming for, beginning midfielder Rose Lavelle and inserting Lynn Williams over Trinity Rodman at ahead. However other than a spark firstly, it did little good.
The USWNT was as lackluster as they have been the opposite two video games, turning the ball over, making passes to empty areas and unable to complete the possibilities they did have.
As if that wasn’t dangerous sufficient, Lavelle picked up her second yellow card, which means she’ll miss the USWNT’s round-of-16 recreation. If the USWNT has a round-of-16 recreation.
— Nancy Armour
What occurs if USA loses to Portugal?
If the USWNT loses to Portugal Tuesday, its World Cup is finished. The Stars and Stripes is not going to advance to the knockout spherical with a loss. A tie would get them there, albeit because the second seed from Group E, which is a significantly more durable path.
If Portugal upsets the USWNT, it might be historic — and never in a great way for the U.S. The USWNT has by no means, for the reason that girls’s World Cup began in 1991 and Olympic play started in 1996, not made it by means of the group stage and to the knockout spherical. Apart from 2016 Olympics, the Individuals have reached semifinals or closing at every of these tournaments.
Rose Lavelle will get yellow card — once more
Rose Lavelle was given a yellow card within the thirty ninth minute for tripping Portugal’s Dolores Silva. That is brutal for the USWNT. In the event that they make it by means of to the knockout rounds — no certain factor, with a 0-0 tie late within the first half — Lavelle will miss the spherical of 16 recreation for yellow card accumulation. She additionally received a yellow towards the Netherlands.
Netherlands vs. Vietnam rating erases USWNT objective differential
With the Netherlands up 5-0 on Vietnam halfway by means of the primary half of the opposite Group E match (sure, you learn that accurately), the benefit the USWNT crew had in objective differential — a important stat on the subject of determining seeding for the knockout spherical — has evaporated. That can make it very tough for the U.S. to win the group even when they defeat Portugal.
USWNT beginning lineup vs. Portugal
We have the beginning lineup for the USWNT’s third and closing group recreation of the 2023 World Cup vs. Portugal, and there are some modifications. Most notably, Rose Lavelle, the breakout star of the 2019 World Cup, will begin within the midfield. Lavelle has been hampered by a knee harm the final couple months however her play towards the Netherlands in Sport 2 final week was essential.
Additionally, Lynn Williams will begin at ahead as an alternative of Trinity Rodman. It is going to be Williams’ first look on the World Cup.
Here is the total lineup:
Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Crystal Dunn, Julie Ertz, Naomi Girma, Emily Fox
Midfielders: Lindsey Horan, Andi Sullivan, Rose Lavelle
Forwards: Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan, Lynn Williams
USWNT recreation tonight
The Individuals play their closing group stage recreation Tuesday at 3 a.m. ET. They face Portugal.
The place to look at USA vs. Portugal
All 2023 World Cup video games will be broadcast within the U.S. by Fox, on each its important channel and FS1. It’s additionally out there to stream on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports activities app. Spanish-language protection shall be on Telemundo.
USA girls World Cup schedule
This would be the closing group stage match for the Individuals. In the event that they advance to the Spherical of 16 they might play Saturday (in the event that they win Group E) or Sunday (if they arrive in second). Listed here are the sport instances and potential opponents:
- Saturday, Aug. 5: Winner Group E vs. Runner-up Group G, 10 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Aug. 6: Runner-up Group E vs. Winner Group G, 5 a.m. ET
Group G is currently led by Sweden and Italy, who end group play Wednesday.
USA vs. Portugal predictions
Nancy Armour, columnist: I feel the USWNT comes out flying, very like Australia did towards Canada on Monday night time, and tags Portugal for a few fast, simple objectives. Portugal pulls one again within the second half, however the USWNT wins 3-1.
Lindsay Schnell, reporter: The USWNT is mad — largely about how they performed vs. the Netherlands. They’ll be on a mission to squash any speak about if the World Cup is simply an excessive amount of for them, and use their anger to gas a livid begin. I anticipate a 4-1 closing, and possibly a 2-0 — perhaps 3-0 — lead at halftime. They’re out to a ship a message.
USWNT situations
How can the USWNT advance within the knockout spherical with a win or draw vs. Portugal? We break down every scenario you possibly can consider.
USWNT must be Portugal. It is no ‘gimme’ opponent.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — America girls’s third group-stage recreation is often for type factors, not survival.
Not at this World Cup.
For the primary time since 2007, the USWNT goes into the ultimate group recreation nonetheless needing to lock up its spot within the knockout rounds. As simple because the USWNT’s path to advance is – win or tie and so they’re in – so, too, is what can be a catastrophic state of affairs for a crew that’s some of the profitable on the planet. In any sport. Males’s or girls’s.
Lose to Portugal on Tuesday night time, and the four-time World Cup champions will virtually definitely be headed house. By no means has the USWNT failed to succeed in the semifinals at a World Cup. By no means have they bowed out within the group stage, at both the World Cup or the Olympics.
Read Nancy Armour’s full column here
USWNT followers take over New Zealand
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Did anybody keep behind within the States?
Auckland was awash with USWNT followers forward of the sport, which kicks at 7 p.m. in Auckland. They have been throughout downtown, with faces painted and in gear that left little question about their allegiances. The trains to the stadium have been full of them. The concourses at Eden Park earlier than the sport, too.
And when the USWNT gamers took the sphere for warmups, the cheer that went up would have blown the roof off at Eden Park — if it had a roof.
— Nancy Armour
Meet the USWNT youngsters: Charlie, Marcel and Madden steal the highlight
For as popular as the USWNT is, there is likely to be a subset of the crew that’s much more widespread: the kids of the USWNT.
The 2023 World Cup roster has three moms, probably the most the USWNT has ever taken to a significant occasion. And whereas Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz and Crystal Dunn have been incredibly successful on the pitch – mix all their accolades and so they’ve received six World Cup titles, six Olympic medals and 4 U.S. Soccer participant of the 12 months awards – their youngsters typically get extra consideration and generate extra headlines.
Read Lindsay Schnell’s full story here.
Megan Rapinoe, USWNT are ‘precisely the place we wish to be’
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Megan Rapinoe lives for these types of moments.
The USWNT can advance to the knockout rounds with a win or a tie over Portugal on Tuesday. Lose, however, and the four-time World Cup champions would almost certainly be knocked out within the group stage for the primary time ever at a World Cup or an Olympics.
The stress of that, the nervousness, the conclusion that shedding would without end change the way in which folks see this crew − it might make most individuals wish to puke.
For Rapinoe, it’s rocket gas.
“It’s a stress second, and that’s what the match is now. Each single recreation from right here on out is that stress second and that’s the very best a part of being on the World Cup,” Rapinoe stated Sunday, her eyes gleaming.
Read Nancy Armour’s full column here.
What time is it in New Zealand?
Auckland is 16 hours forward of the East Coast of the US. Which means the sport vs. Portugal will kick at 7 p.m. New Zealand time.
How outdated is Sophia Smith?
The USWNT forward is 22 years outdated and turns 23 on Aug. 10. In her World Cup debut vs. Vietnam, Smith scored two objectives and tallied an help.
What number of World Cups has Alex Morgan performed in?
4. Alex Morgan has been a staple of the USWNT since her debut on a snowy day in 2010.
She scored her first objective that fall and since then, she’s scored 121 instances for the Stars and Stripes and gained back-to-back World Cups. The Southern California native was named a captain for this year’s tournament the place the crew will try to make historical past with their third straight title. — Victoria Hernandez
USWNT World Cup wins
The USWNT has gained 4 World Cups total and are going for his or her third straight and fifth total.
Is Alex Morgan enjoying tonight?
Sure, the forward is within the USWNT’s beginning lineup, and searching so as to add to her 121-goal whole. Morgan missed a penalty kick within the opener vs. Vietnam.
USWNT jerseys and merch
In search of official the World Cup kits worn by Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and others? We’d advocate visiting the official U.S. soccer online merch store. Our favourite merchandise is certainly the player bag clip — gather all of them and be the envy of all your folks.
USWNT fits
The Individuals wore their customized menswear-inspired “enterprise” fits once more as they headed to Sport 3 of group play vs. Portugal — although Julie Ertz styled hers within the method of Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, with a hoodie beneath her blazer.
USWNT watch events close to me
In search of a watch celebration for the U.S. girls’s nationwide crew recreation towards Portugal? U.S. Soccer created a handy dandy map that lets you discover one close to wherever you’re situated. Check it out.
USWNT World Cup roster
The 2023 World Cup roster is one among, if not the, most diverse in U.S. girls’s soccer historical past. This 12 months marks a passing of the torch, as a brand new era of soccer expertise makes its World Cup debut and tries to proceed the Individuals’ win streak. Of the 23-player roster, 14 shall be enjoying in their first World Cup. You possibly can be taught extra about each player from the U.S., in addition to among the standout worldwide stars.
- Goalkeepers:Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Crimson Stars); Casey Murphy (North Carolina Braveness); Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit).
- Defenders: Alana Prepare dinner (OL Reign); Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns); Emily Fox (North Carolina Braveness); Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave); Sofia Huerta (OL Reign); Kelley O’Hara (NJ/NY Gotham); Emily Sonnett (OL Reign).
- Midfielders: Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville); Julie Ertz (Angel Metropolis); Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon); Rose Lavelle (OL Reign); Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham); Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit); Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit).
- Forwards: Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave); Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign); Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit); Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns); Alyssa Thompson (Angel Metropolis); Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham).
World Cup bracket
Here’s how the 2023 World Cup bracket is set up.
What number of teams are within the Girls’s World Cup?
There are eight teams, 4 groups per group, with the highest two seeds from every group advancing to the knockout spherical. The teams are as follows:
- Group A: New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland
- Group B: Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Rep. of Eire
- Group C: Costa Rica, Japan, Spain, Zambia
- Group D: China, Denmark, England, Haiti
- Group E: Netherlands, Portugal, United States, Vietnam
- Group F: Brazil, France, Jamaica, Panama
- Group G: Argentina, Italy, South Africa, Sweden
- Group H: Colombia, Germany, Morocco, South Korea
The place is the 2023 World Cup being performed?
For the primary time in girls’s World Cup historical past, the match shall be hosted by two international locations, Australia and New Zealand. (The 2022 males’s World Cup was hosted by Japan and South Korea and in 2026, it will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.)
Many individuals affiliate Australia and New Zealand with browsing, sandy seashores and gorgeous swimming spots, all taking place in sunny climate. Nevertheless it’s winter within the southern hemisphere, which suggests temperatures will be anything but scorching.