SEE AMAZON.COM DEALS FOR TODAY
The U.S. women’s national team is fighting to keep their 2023 World Cup campaign alive as they face Portugal. The team is aiming for a third consecutive World Cup victory and fifth overall. However, they are facing a generational shift and injuries have affected the roster. USA TODAY Sports will provide updates, highlights, and analysis throughout the Group E finale match. The USWNT’s performance in the game has been lackluster, with turnovers, empty passes, and missed chances. Additionally, midfielder Rose Lavelle received a yellow card, meaning she will miss the round-of-16 game. The USWNT needs a win or draw against Portugal to advance to the knockout rounds. Alicia DelGallo,Lindsay Schnell,Nancy Armour reported
The U.S. women’s national team is facing a crucial match against Portugal on Tuesday as they fight to keep their 2023 World Cup campaign alive. The team is aiming for a third consecutive World Cup victory, which would be a record, and their fifth overall. However, they are also dealing with a generational shift, with more than half of the roster playing in their first major international tournament and several players being sidelined with injuries.
USA TODAY Sports, with columnist Nancy Armour on the ground, will provide the latest updates, highlights, analysis, and more throughout the USWNT’s Group E finale match. The game started with high hopes as Vlatko Andonovski made two changes that fans had been calling for, starting midfielder Rose Lavelle and inserting Lynn Williams over Trinity Rodman at forward. However, despite an initial spark, the team’s performance was lackluster, with turnovers, misplaced passes, and missed opportunities.
To make matters worse, Lavelle received her second yellow card, meaning she will miss the USWNT’s round-of-16 game if they advance. The team’s goal differential advantage also took a hit as the Netherlands scored five goals against Vietnam in the other Group E match. This makes it challenging for the U.S. to win the group even if they defeat Portugal.
The starting lineup for the USWNT’s final group game against Portugal includes Rose Lavelle in midfield and Lynn Williams at forward. Lavelle, who has been dealing with a knee injury, played a crucial role in the team’s previous game against the Netherlands. The full lineup consists of Alyssa Naeher as goalkeeper, Crystal Dunn, Julie Ertz, Naomi Girma, and Emily Fox as defenders, Lindsey Horan, Andi Sullivan, and Rose Lavelle as midfielders, and Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan, and Lynn Williams as forwards.
The game against Portugal will be broadcast in the U.S. by Fox on its main channel and FS1. It can also be streamed on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo.
This is the final group stage match for the USWNT, and if they advance to the Round of 16, they could play on either Saturday or Sunday, depending on their group standing and opponent. Group G, currently led by Sweden and Italy, will finish group play on Wednesday.
Columnist Nancy Armour predicts a 3-1 victory for the USWNT, while reporter Lindsay Schnell expects a 4-1 win with a strong start from the team.
The USWNT’s path to the knockout round is straightforward – win or tie against Portugal. However, a loss would be catastrophic, as it would likely result in the team’s elimination in the group stage, something that has never happened before.
USWNT fans have taken over New Zealand, with a significant presence in Auckland for the game. The support for the team is evident, with fans wearing gear and painting their faces to show their allegiance. The players received a warm welcome during warmups, with cheers that could have blown the roof off if the stadium had one.
The USWNT roster for the 2023 World Cup includes three moms, Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz, and Crystal Dunn, who have achieved great success on the field. However, their children often steal the spotlight and generate headlines.
Megan Rapinoe, one of the team’s star players, thrives in pressure moments like the one the USWNT is facing. The team’s fate hangs in the balance, and a loss would have a lasting impact on how they are perceived. Rapinoe sees this as an opportunity and embraces the pressure that comes with it.
The game against Portugal will kick off at 7 p.m. local time in New Zealand, which is 16 hours ahead of the East Coast of the United States. USWNT forward Sophia Smith is 22 years old and will turn 23 on August 10. Alex Morgan has played in four World Cups and has been a key player for the USWNT since her debut in 2010. The team has won four World Cups overall and is aiming for their fifth title..
