Notes

Are you kidding me – Messi Magic – Messi Scores 2 and a PK in 4-4 Miami OT win on PKs @ Dallas in the Leagues Cup Sunday night – seriously Messi games are MUST WATCH TV RIGHT NOW. Yes I went to bed Miami down 4-2 with 20 minutes to play – I am sorry Messi – I will never question you or Miami again.  Must Watch TV is back Friday night 8:30 pm Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC   on Apple TV – MLS Season Pass! Along with 3 other great games with 6 MLS and 2 Liga MX teams in the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals. Great to see USMNT GK Matt Turner on his way to Nottingham Forest – hopefully heading to a place where he has a chance to battle for a #1 spot with fellow US GK Ethan Horvath and maybe Dean Henderson (on loan to Man U last year) and of course last year’s savior Keylor Navas also on loan. Love this story from Gregg Doyle of the Indy Star on the “Interesting AMERICANS” Rooting against our US Women – stories like that make me proud to have gone to the same University of Florida Journalism School as him. 

US Women Lose on PKs to Sweden  – Earliest World Cup Exit Ever

Well I told you 2-1 loss and of course I was wrong. Who could have assumed the US Would ONCE again NOT SCORE A GOAL?   How about zero goals in 238 minutes of play this World Cup.  How about a 1-3 record in knockout games all time for the SOON to be FIRED Coach Vlatko?  US high-lights vs Sweden

I think you can look at this 2 ways – 1) we hired a horrific coach in Vlatko who had little to no tactical ideas and was clueless not only about how to sub, on proper formations, and how to adjust to who should be on the team.  Or  2) The 20 year Head Start the US Women had on the Rest of the World has been obliterated and the Rest of the World has caught up. Now that club teams are present in Europe with proper academy training and Champions League providing ladies teams like Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea, Arsenal with similar advantages the men have – the US has been surpassed and will never catch back up.  The old US pay to play and poor player identification that has plagued the men for so long is now showing its ugly head in the women’s game.  Couple that with the U17/U19/U20 ladies not even getting out of group play in recent World Cup’s and the reality is the US WILL NEVER AGAIN Win a Women’s World Cup?

I think it’s a little of both.  I thought Vlatko should have been canned after the worst ever Olympic showing for the US Women in the last Olympics – then we get blasted at England and Spain last winter – the handwriting was on the wall that the US was in for trouble with this foreign coach in charge.  So we play more soft BS home games against No one – then wonder why we should have been sent home in the group stage.  Make no mistakes about it Portugal should have sent us home last game with Vlatko’s continued stupidity in formation. Player selection and substitutions.  Bottomline Andonovski combed through one of the world’s deepest player pools to pick 20 US field players. He then let nine of those 20 selections stay on the field for over 87% of all possible minutes, gave fewer than 20 minutes to four players and ended up not letting two see the field at all. This after leaving two of the best forwards in the NWSL Ashley Hatch and at home.   This tournament wasn’t lost to Sweden on Sunday – it was lost in the other 3 games – especially the Netherlands game when the win was there for the taking along with 1^st place in the group – but he left 3 stud players on the bench and refused to sub in fresh legs, this after not playing the double 6 we should have been playing since last year.  In my mind Coach Vlatko Andonovski was over his head – and should be SHOWN THE DOOR AS SOON AS HE GETS HOME.  Maybe It’s time to blow it up and start over ladies. 

As for this year’s team – it all started with the stupid Fox Commercials poking fun at the rest of the World with how do you beat the mighty US. Then tons of commercials with US ladies everywhere – even those like Rodman and Sophie Smith who lets be real HAVE WON NOTHING YET.  The US ladies showed up and strutted around in their little Armani Jackets – dancing on the fields pregame and and postgame after ties to teams we should have NEVER Tied.  Carli Lloyd was right when she said the best player on the field vs Portugal was the Post and the US had no business dancing around and taking pics when they should have been throwing lockers around after they LOST the WORLD CUP when they tied the Dutch. 

The real shame is the US actually played well in the final game vs Sweden.  Honestly Vlatko was forced to make a change for Lavelle and he finally instituted a double 6 – with Sullivan and Kristie Mewis in the game as defensive mids allowing Horan to move to her more natural attacking mid position.  It worked as the US had their most shots on goal all tourney long.  We had 21 shots to Sweden’s 9, 11-1 on goal. We out-possessed them 60%  to 40% and we completed more passes and had more corner kicks 9-3.  The US Simply hit a hot goalkeeper in Zecira Musovic who was player of the Game and GK of the Tournament so far with this performance.  (Great GK discussion –see more below) The shame is Naeher after some shaky moments the last 2 games and was an absolute rock.  Hey we should have won the shootout when she made the first save.  Then she becomes the first GK in a World Cup to Ever make her own PK before nearly stopping another one.  Nauher and her D did not lose this game. It was 100% the offense under Vlatko – that was to blame. Hopefully he bows out gracefully and we find the right coach to carry us into next Summer’s Olympic games.  The turn around is quick – but we have good enough players – will we hire the right coach to help put us back in contention?  Wth our US Soccer Federation’s Track record – I doubt it – but let’s hope.   Classy Julie Ertz, Megan Rapino on missing the PK,  Watershed moment says Taylor Twellman

WORLD CUP CONTINUES WITH ENGLAND, Spain/Japan WINNER AS FAVORITES

England has to go to penalties vs Nigeria (England vs Nigeria hi-lights) as another African team pushed their European counterparts to the brink before losing.  I really think the African teams are the surprise of this tourney – I sure do hope the ladies get paid properly and African ladies soccer continues to grow the way it has in Jamaica with their showing this World Cup.  This team that had to beg for $ on crowd sourcing just to afford to come has made quite the splash sad to see them bow out 1-0 today.   

Huge Congrats to the Carmel High Soccer Programs – Carmel Girls & Boys Ranked #1 in Pre-Season.  Also huge congrats to all our Carmel FC players who tried out and made high school teams at Carmel, Guerin, Noblesville, HSE, Zionsville and more – especially our 6 Carmel FC and 4 former CFC Goalkeepers on squads – CFC GKU! Hope to see you while reffing some highschool games this fall.

Speaking of Goalkeeping checkout saves below and Carmel FC GK Training starts Monday, Aug 14

Mondays – Shelbourne Field 2 U11/U12 5-5:45 pm U13+ 5:45 -6:30 pm w/Coach Shane Best

GAMES ON TV

Weds, Aug 9

7 pm ESPN+                Indy 11 host Birmingham Legion

Thurs, Aug 10

9 pm  FOX                            Spain vs Netherlands WC QFs

Fri, Aug 11

3:30 am FOX                       Japan @ Sweden WC QFs

3 pm USA                            Burnley vs Man City EPL starts

Sat, Aug 12

3:am FOX                             Australia vs ?? QF3 WC

6:30 am Fox                        England vs ?? QF3 WC

7:30 am Peacock               Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest (Horvath, Turner)

10 am USA?                        Everton vs Fulham (Ream,  Jedi)

12:30 pm NBC                    New Castle United vs Aston Villa

2:45 pm ESPN+                  Bayern Munich vs RB Liepzig Super Cup

3:30 pm ESPN +                 Athletic Club vs Real Madrid 

7 pm ESPN+                        Miami FC vs Indy 11

Sun, Aug 13

9 am USA                             Brentford vs Tottenham 

11:30 am Peacock            Chelsea vs Liverpool  

3:30 pm ESPN+                  Getafe vs Barcelona

Mon, Aug 14

9 am USA                             Man United vs Wolverhampton

Tues Aug 15

4 am FOX                             Semi Final #1 WC 

Weds Aug 16

6 am FOX                             Semi Final #2 WC 

3 pm CBSSN                        Man City vs Sevilla (UEFA Super Cup)

Fir, Aug 18

2:30 pm  ESPN+                 Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich

2:45 pm USA                      Nottingham Forest vs Shelfield United  

Sat, Aug 19

4 am FOX                             WORLD CUP 3^rd place Game

9 am ESPN+                        Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig

10 am USA                          Fulham (Ream, Jedi) vs Brentford  

10 am Peacock                  Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth

12:30 pm NBC                    Tottenham vs Man United  

3 pm USA                            Man City vs New Castle United

9::30 pm ESPN2                 San Diego Loyal vs New Mexico United USL

Sun, Aug 20

6 am FOX                             WORLD CUP FINALS   

9 am USA                             Aston Villa vs Everton

9:30 am ESPN +                 Union Berlin vs Mainz

11:30 am USA                    West Ham United vs Chelsea

1:30 pm ESPN+                  Barcelona vs Cadiz

2:45 pm Para+                   Udinese vs Juventus (Mckinney)

3:30 pm ESPND                 Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid

7:30 pm Apple TV             Columbus Crew vs Cincy

7:30 pm MLS Pass            Inter Miami (no MESSI) vs Charlotte       

Mon, Aug 21

2:45 pm Para+                   Bologna vs AC Milan (Pulisic, Musah)

3 pm USA                            Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

Wed, Aug 23

7 pm Para +                Cincy (Vasquez) vs Inter Miami (MESSI. Busquets, Alba)

8 pm ESPN+                        Memphis vs Indy 11

US Women + World Cup

The US is Out Now What  – Washington post

Taylor Twelman tears up USWNT

Column: U.S. women’s World Cup loss proves ‘Barbie’s’ point: Women are not allowed to fail -LA Times

Game of inches? USWNT’s World Cup dream ends by millimeter

Naeher: USWNT’s World Cup over by a millimeter Caitlin Murray

Lack of goals bounces USWNT from World Cup earlier than ever Caitlin Murray

USWNT player ratings: Defensive spine shines in gut-punch penalty kick defeat

USWNT ratings vs. Sweden: Rapinoe, Smith, Morgan struggle in exit Jeff Carlisle

Four reasons the USWNT had their worst World Cup ever

US Elimination Gives Time to Reflect

Julie Ertz appears to announce retirement
The Megan Myth: what critics and fans get wrong about Rapinoe

Time to Stand Up for Rapinoe
Fact Check: Was Megan Rapinoe Released by US Olympic Team After Women’s World Cup ‘Blunder’?
The USWNT’s worst World Cup ever is both anomaly and wake-up call

Politics and US Soccer Shouldn’t Mix
After 2023 World Cup loss, self-proclaimed patriots show hate for an American team

 WORLD

Who will win the World Cup? Japan is the favorite, but others may surprise

Women’s World Cup Power Rankings: Who are the favorites to advance from the quarterfinals?
Sweden’s Kosovare Asllani defends legacy of USWNT ‘pioneers’ after early World Cup exit
Women’s World Cup: England ride luck and stumble to victory after Lauren James sees red
The Sam Kerr mystery is over and Australia are World Cup contenders again
Australia reaches Women’s World Cup quarterfinals with win over Denmark as Sam Kerr makes tournament debut
England survive penalty drama to reveal mental resolve in Women’s World Cup dream
Chloe Kelly: England’s woman for the biggest occasion strikes again
England’s Lauren James apologizes for stepping on opponent’s back, red card at World Cup

MLS

Leagues Cup chaos: Nashville SC outlast Club América in match for the ages

How to See Inter Miami vs Charlotte

Messi Scores 2 and a PK in 4-4 Miami OT win on PKs @ Dallas

League Cup Next Round

Leagues Cup beware: Rested LAFC await “top team” in Rose Bowl clash vs. Monterrey

Leagues Cup Bracket

Goalkeeping

USMNT GK Matt Turner to Nottingham Forest in EPL

Musovich Saves vs USA

US GK Alyssa Naeher becomes the first GK in a World Cup to Ever make her own PK

Great World Cup GK discussion

Top Boys HS Goalkeepers Pre Season in Indy

Top Girls HS Goalkeepers Pre Season in Indy

====================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ====================== 

Heading over to the Badger Field for Training?  Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ

Save 20% on your order 

(mention the ole ballcoach) 

Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more.  Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/ Call ahead at 317-688-7290  M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday.  Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!  

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ====================== 

USWNT’s historic World Cup exit was decided by millimeters — now comes the fallout

By Meg LinehanAug 6, 2023

---

The U.S. fans had already largely trickled out of the stands, as Sweden did their victory lap around Melbourne Rectangular Stadium after beating the reigning champions 5-4 on penalties and ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” began to blast over the sound system. Right inside the circle on the pitch, there was a mass of red and white. U.S. technical and communications staff in red jackets fanned out, finding stunned American players in need of comfort after a devastating shootout that included three U.S. misses. The players, though, mostly found each other. Sophia Smith, one of those who missed their penalty, sobbed into her hands, while Lindsey Horan and Trinity Rodman encircled her. Megan Rapinoe, who also missed, found her family on the sidelines eventually, looking for solace.Sweden’s long march around the stadium finally took them back across the center of the field, directly behind where U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski stood, wrapping up his postgame comments for TV, and a fleeting but apt image of a blue and yellow divide between U.S. manager and team.And for one long, long moment Alyssa Naeher — who had done everything humanly possible to send her team through to the quarterfinals, including converting a penalty herself — stood alone, staring out into the distance.

Below, the Swedish fans kept dancing. Above, the seagulls circled, again and again and again, finally finding joy as section after section emptied leaving behind delicious treasures, happily oblivious to the fine line between agony and ecstasy for the opposing humans.It only took a millimeter for Sweden to advance on Sunday night, with Lina Hurtig’s penalty requiring goal-line technology to confirm it had fully crossed, but the USWNT won’t just be rueing that single sliver of air, barely visible in the official images. They’ll be thinking about their three missed penalties, the unthinkable one from Megan Rapinoe. They’ll be thinking about the Portugal game, the Netherlands game, how so much went wrong in this tournament — not a single goal in the last 248 consecutive minutes! — despite a comprehensive defensive performance led by Naomi Girma.As Sunday night turns to Monday here in Australia, the sting is still too fresh to fully consider the fallout that awaits — the improved performance, the tactical adjustments, the fight in the team all somehow making this early exit worse. This was the best the U.S. had played this World Cup, and to let it slip through their hands at the final moment through a fraction’s fraction feels like the most heartbreaking option.There will be fallout, though the who and when and how is still to be determined. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski refused to address his future with the team in the press conference after the match — not out of fear for his job, but because he felt the moment was not about him.“Someone just pointed out how the players are going through the mixed zone (visibly emotional) and I see that,” he said when asked yet again about his future with the team. “I think it’s selfish to think about me, my future, what I’m gonna do, when we have a 20-year-old going through this moment, this situation.”It is almost certainly the end of his time with the national team, but it goes beyond Andonovski. That was already clear by the end of the group stage. There are implications for the program as a whole, for the NWSL, for the youth national teams, for the role of NCAA and elite club soccer in player development. This World Cup has raised massive existential questions about America’s ability to keep up moving forward. As much as U.S. Soccer has always said it’s set the bar for international women’s soccer, the bar has been raised on them — and while that state of affairs is something they have acknowledged in the past, there’s a big difference between acknowledgement and the harsh reality of their World Cup campaign ending in the round of 16 for the first time ever.“This year’s Women’s World Cup is a testament to the growth of women’s soccer on a global scale and we are excited to see increased investment in these incredible players,” U.S. Soccer said in a post on Sunday night. “Our goal remains the same, to win. We are committed to surpassing the standard we helped to create and we will rise to meet the challenge.”To actually rise to meet that challenge means a lot of big, difficult conversations back at federation headquarters in Chicago in the days and weeks to come. The tournament has proven, time and time again, that rankings mean nothing, that favorites can and will be toppled and that sentimentality counts for little. For now though, the ride comes to an end. There’s no team flight home, no final public debrief before departing Australia. For all the criticism, at least Sunday night showed that this was never a question of if they wanted it enough. The mentality was always there, and they were a millimeter away from showing that it might just be enough, at least for one more match, to keep the ride going.

It’s worth remembering though, that this one was for a three-peat. Everyone is rightfully fixated on this moment and the team’s earliest exit from the World Cup, but it’s still an exit that comes after winning the previous two tournaments. There are some positives to take away from the past few weeks, with the team’s young talent getting their first taste of the World Cup stage. The next cycle isn’t already a lost cause.“This team has a bright future,” Andonovski said on Sunday. A promise, and one that can be kept — but only with painful introspection.

Vlatko Andonovski failed to get the most out of USWNT players in the World Cup – here’s why

 Jeff Rueter and Kimberly McCauley Aug 7, 2023

---

The United States women’s national team is out of the World Cup, and head coach Vlatko Andonovski is taking his fair share of criticism.Throughout the tournament, the U.S. manager made questionable decisions regarding squad selection, substitutions (or lack thereof) and the team’s tactical approach to games. Those decisions will be magnified now that the U.S. is out of the tournament, dispatched by the thinnest of margins on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw with Sweden in the round of 16. It was the earliest-ever exit for the U.S. at a Women’s World Cup.The Athletic’s Jeff Rueter and Kim McCauley have analyzed Andonovski’s approach throughout the World Cup cycle. Here, they discuss what the manager got wrong, where the blame should lie and what comes next.

---

Rueter: Well, I’ve had something like two hours of sleep. I fed the pigeons, looked over the plains and worked through my entire “lo-fi hip-hop beats to process goal-line software” playlist. That’s enough preparation to look back on four years of an international coaching tenure, right?

McCauley: I don’t think a week of sleep and meditation could prepare me for this, but I’ll do my best.

Rueter: On Sunday the United States clearly had the advantage over Sweden in several zones. The center back partnership between Naomi Girma and Julie Ertz was exceptional, as it has been all tournament. Even as they worked to keep up with Sweden’s movement on the break, they seemed to be operating in sync well enough to avoid creating truly dangerous open terrain. Seeing Emily Sonnett in the lineup surprised almost everyone, but her presence alongside Andi Sullivan deeper in midfield helped unlock more of Lindsey Horan’s progressive instincts — which, in turn, helped find an easy route to Trinity Rodman on the right wing whenever right back Emily Fox’s passing lanes were blocked. It truly, finally, looked like a team capable of winning a World Cup. It just didn’t come soon enough to work out the best way to turn that quality into goals.

McCauley: This is a good place to start talking about some of Andonovski’s decision-making, and how much we put the U.S.’s lack of goals on his decision-making vs. bad luck or unpredictable bad player form. Alex Morgan was the most notable disappointment among the U.S. forwards, failing to score a goal despite leading the Americans in shots with 17, and expected goals (xG) with 3.05. But Sophia Smith also disappointed following a solid opener against Vietnam, and despite looking dangerous at various points, neither Rodman nor Lynn Williams contributed to a goal. Morgan didn’t look confident in her role, and her shots were constantly weak or poorly placed. I still think she can be an excellent contributor to the USWNT, but it was clear after the Netherlands game that she was not the right center forward for this team, and Andonovski shouldn’t have persisted with her as the starter.

Rueter: I can’t blame Andonovski for backing Morgan against the Netherlands despite her missed penalty in the opener. She still had some good interplay going with Smith in particular (see: the assist vs. Vietnam, her sole goal contribution of the tournament) and came close to scoring from the run of play when that game was still 1-0.

At a certain point, though, you have to recognize when a player is failing to make a major impact toward winning games. By halftime against Portugal, it was hard to see what role Morgan was fulfilling toward that end.

Six of her 17 shots went on target, each resulting in a save; that placement rate of 35.3% rates 30th among the 37 strikers who put at least two shots on goal in the tournament’s first three or four games. The quartet down to the goalkeepers’ right knees makes sense, especially for a left-footed finisher and glancing-header director. Nevertheless, these are all fairly low, close to the goalkeeper or both. None of them really tested a goalkeeper’s range or reflexes.

It isn’t as though Morgan has been in steep decline as a goalscorer since 2019. She won the NWSL Golden Boot last year. Still, I can’t help but wonder how this team would have looked with Smith playing centrally and one of Williams or Alyssa Thompson helping tire the backline on the left to allow Morgan to come in against tired defenders to read space and capitalize late. We never got to see it.

McCauley: Andonovski could argue that his selection of Morgan was justified due to the high volume of shots she got, and that she just didn’t finish them in a small sample size. But I don’t think he could argue against the criticism that Smith was ineffective. She was the team’s best attacking player on club form by a mile coming into this tournament and was expected to be the USWNT’s star. Did Andonovski put her in a position to succeed?

Rueter: I don’t think so, and I think this smoothly transitions into one possible defense of the 390 minutes we just witnessed. There’s a case to be made that expectations should have been reset after it was clear that Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario wouldn’t be available for the tournament. The argument would have to be that Morgan was tougher to drop when Swanson’s goalscoring was off the table, and Smith was a better option than Morgan (see: more dynamic and right-footed) to shunt to the left wing.

I don’t completely agree with that – there were potentially better options available among the depth and quality of the players who were selected. But I also don’t know if the six forwards brought in for this World Cup were the ones who were most needed to do the job.

McCauley: The elephant in the room here is Megan Rapinoe, who clearly wasn’t one of them. Rapinoe’s a legend, but she was way off the pace, and her set piece deliveries were extremely poor. Andonovski might argue that her leadership was required, but she got on the field more than Thompson, despite being a less effective player at this point in her career. Putting her into games was a clear tactical error on Andonovski’s part. We have the benefit of hindsight, but I don’t think there’s any question that one of Ashley Hatch or Jaedyn Shaw needed to come to this tournament. Those are two extremely different players who would have occupied different roles, but they are notably both at peak fitness, in good form and therefore actually effective at playing soccer.

Rueter: I’ll make my one and only cross-World Cup comparison of the tournament to say that it may have been better if Rapinoe’s role was more like David Beckham’s was for England in 2010 as a pseudo-coach. That level-headedness seemed particularly vital once Becky Sauerbrunn joined the injury list, but I’m not sure if that required using a roster slot that could have been used on an in-form striker or another winger who would allow Williams and/or Smith to primarily play centrally.

McCauley: Andonovski also could have brought another forward instead of three No. 10s (Rose Lavelle, Savannah DeMelo, Ashley Sanchez), if he knew he had no intention of giving Sanchez any minutes.

Rueter: Yeah, it’s hard to keep this dialogue going without talking about subs. We made it further in than I would’ve expected, honestly.

I will never be able to understand the squad management at play throughout these four games. If the expectation was to build players up to begin peaking in the knockouts, why was Lavelle seemingly the only player whose playing time was monitored so meticulously? If you spent most of the last year building the partnership between Girma and Alana Cook, why didn’t the latter play a minute of the tournament? If Kristie Mewis was seen as a big-moment specialist, why didn’t you give her a single chance to touch the ball during a game before a shootout? Andonovski combed through one of the world’s deepest player pools to pick 20 field players. He then let nine of those 20 selections stay on for over 87% of all possible minutes, gave fewer than 20 minutes to four players and ended up not letting two see the field at all. It doesn’t make any sense to me.

McCauley: And then there’s the case of DeMelo not getting a look while turning in dominant performances in NWSL for a year, then coming out of nowhere to jump ahead of several players who had been part of Vlatko’s plans consistently since 2019.For someone who’s so defiant in press conferences about believing in his system and game model, he seems extremely fickle, changing his opinions at a moment’s notice. He talks so much about sticking to the plan and then takes actions suggesting he doesn’t believe in it himself.

Rueter: So much of what we saw was a culmination of several players doing their best in a position they don’t play often enough to prepare for this level of competition. There’s a midfielder at left back (Dunn), another at center back (Ertz) and a left back on the right (Fox). You have central midfielders being asked to play like central wingers running the half-space and a striker playing left wing. That’s half a lineup of players remembering their secondary training!

McCauley: The USWNT’s roster construction and lineups felt like a comedy sketch where someone scrambles to fix a small problem, makes it worse, scrambles to fix that problem, makes it worse again and the situation snowballs out of control. At some point Andonovski needed to take a deep breath, start from zero with no preconceptions and piece together the best team he could based on what he had available. Instead, it felt like he was always trying to fill the missing pieces from his ideal setup. I don’t think that Andonovski is a bad coach, but he was hindered by his long-standing ideas about who several of these players were and the team he wanted to construct. A player pool has never needed fresh eyes quite like this one.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rueter: At this stage, I’d be truly shocked if there isn’t someone with a fresh set of eyes taking over the position. Andonovski brought a somewhat polar opposite approach from his predecessor, Jill Ellis. At times, Ellis seemed to be overly reliant on players’ individual brilliance carrying the team in spite of few cohesive tactics, which often led to opponents growing into games as they gradually neutralized each USWNT star. Andonovski seemed hellbent on running this team like a club despite a generational change.

McCauley: Let’s just get the “Will Andonovski be fired” question out of the way. I find it difficult to envision any other scenario besides Andonovski being told “We’re not renewing your contract but thank you for your service,” he says “Thank you for the opportunity,” they part ways amicably and a coaching search begins.

Tactically, I think that the search has to be for something halfway between the Ellis and Andonovski approaches you mentioned. I think it’s possible to find this since it’s how good international managers operate in general. Peter Gerhardsson of Sweden is an excellent example. His team’s tactics make sense and play to his players’ strengths, but he keeps it pretty simple so people can rotate in and out based on form and fitness. But culturally, the next manager needs to be willing to start from zero in terms of player status on the team. No one’s name in permanent ink, no guaranteed places. Everyone evaluated on club form and early camps under that manager as if a new national team is being founded. That is a more important starting point than tactics for me.

Rueter: The ol’ “great unknown” approach might be worrisome, but I think you’re right. It isn’t as though this team doesn’t have the players available to win a World Cup. We can list off players who would likely feature regardless of the next coach, but that feels counterproductive after what we just saw. Key players missed the tournament. Other key players underperformed or weren’t set up on the field to play at their best. You have to turn the page at some point. We’re left with what amounts to arguably the least inspiring four-year cycle in the program’s history. Time to see what else is out there.

McCauley: There are a lot of ways Andonovski had the deck stacked against him. I think the criticism of him has been too harsh at times. We can say he didn’t get the job done and it’s time to move on without branding him a bad coach, but he was very clearly not the right coach for this team. As the rest of the women’s soccer world improves around the USWNT, it’s very important to find the correct successor.

The USWNT’s long era of success is over, but a new one could be on the horizon

JONATHAN TANNENWALD I’m the Inquirer’s soccer reporter, covering the Union, MLS, the NWSL, the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams,

Vlatko Andonovski’s time as manager is undoubtedly over. But there’s a long line of young U.S. rising stars ready to step up for next year’s Olympics and the 2027 World Cup.

MELBOURNE, Australia — The rest of the women’s soccer world threw a dance party at the graveyard on Sunday night when the United States crashed out of the World Cup in the round of 16 for the first time.

It was hosted by the thousands of Aussies who cheered for Sweden, with table settings for their Matildas, England, France, Japan, Spain, and more. And oh, how they reveled, from the stadium stands to every social media platform imaginable.There was just one problem, though. While a tombstone for the United States stood front and center, there was no coffin beneath it.For they all knew deep down that the most decorated program in women’s soccer history is far from dead. The Americans’ earliest-ever exit from a major tournament was fully deserved. Manager Vlatko Andonovski blew it repeatedly, and his players didn’t measure up in the big moments that are beyond any coach’s control. His tenure is surely over, and he made it clear after the game that he knew it. “Now it’s time for criticism,” he said in what was almost certainly his last postgame news conference on the job. “Now you can say whatever you want.”

» READ MORE: U.S. women’s national team shocked in penalty shootout elimination from World Cup

An opening for a house-cleaning

Andonovski’s boss, U.S. women’s team general manager Kate Markgraf, might have to go too. That will be a big call, but new U.S. Soccer Federation sporting director Matt Crocker could be invited to make it.Crocker was hired because his background includes a lot of work in women’s soccer, not just men’s soccer. He helped build the England youth teams that produced the reigning European champions, with unprecedented talents in players like Keira Walsh, Lauren James, and Alessia Russo.

Now he has an opening to clean house if he wants to and reshape the U.S. program into one that focuses much more on young players than it traditionally has. That’s how all good national teams do their business, even ones that carry the world’s biggest-name stars. Crocker knows that the U.S. youth pipeline needs serious repairs. The under-20 team hasn’t won its age group World Cup since 2012, the under-17s have never won it, and pre-college player development is mostly run by local youth teams that are in it for themselves, not the bigger picture.

» READ MORE: After Sweden eliminates U.S., England and Spain are World Cup favorites

The NWSL desperately needs a homegrown player system like MLS has, even if NWSL teams don’t yet have the money for full-fledged youth academies. Players like the San Diego Wave’s 18-year-old phenom Jaedyn Shaw, who was allowed to bypass the draft because of her young age, should be the rule rather than the exception.The sooner elite young talents are able to work with top-level pro coaches, the better. If it means getting them out of the college ranks — and more importantly, out of youth clubs that care more about their own results (and bank accounts) than player development — so be it.The evolution has already happened on the men’s side, and the results are clear. Look no further than the Union’s incredible track record for proof.

What the future could hold

Crocker doesn’t have all the power to force such a change, but he’s got plenty, and he’s got a big bullhorn. He should be encouraged to use it.e also should be encouraged to remind the public of what the U.S. team has now, and will have in the next World Cup cycle that begins now. Naomi Girma, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, Ashley Sanchez, Trinity Rodman, and Savannah DeMelo have now stood on the biggest stage of all (though Sanchez frustratingly didn’t play).They have seen what it takes and surely will be fired up to make a statement as soon as next year’s Olympics in Paris.

» READ MORE: Sophia Smith’s family reveled in watching the USWNT’s World Cup breakout star

“I think anyone who would say the U.S. is done is very mistaken,” Girma said Sunday night. “There’s a lot of us coming up who are going to learn from this, a lot of us who are going to be motivated to get better and get better results. So yeah, I think there’s a lot more ahead of us, and that’s exciting.”Then add in Shaw, Catarina Macario, Mallory Swanson, Tierna Davidson, Mia Fishel, and Sam Coffey, all 25 years or younger. They are talent for the present and future. Girma, 23, was the best U.S. player at this World Cup, and it’s been decades since that’s been said of any U.S. player near that age.

Sweden knows it too

“Now it’s time for us to move on, and time for the new ones to cement themselves — and we’re seeing that in this tournament for sure,” Megan Rapinoe said after her last World Cup game ended with her shockingly shooting a penalty kick over the crossbar.She spoke for herself and many other veterans such as Julie Ertz, who admitted after the game that her national team career is likely over; Kelly O’Hara; Alyssa Naeher; and Becky Sauerbrunn, who missed her last World Cup due to injury.

ADVERTISEMENT

If you don’t want to hear it from Rapinoe — and yes, I know how many Inquirer readers don’t want to hear from her, because you’ve barraged me with emails for years — then take it from some of Sweden’s stars. Veteran playmaker Kosovare Asllani was as blunt as an Eagles fan calling WIP when I asked her if she thinks the U.S. is done for good.“I’ve heard there’s been a lot of talk about it, but they will come back for sure,” she said. “They have so much quality in their team, and this defeat will not take them down. I expect them to be ready for the next World Cup. … I wouldn’t say that they’re out of the game at all. So don’t talk [expletive] about the U.S. women.”Magdalena Eriksson concurred, highlighting Girma and Smith’s play and Macario and Swanson’s absences.“The future is still bright for the U.S.,” she said. “They’re still a massive powerhouse in women’s football, and they will be for a long time.”

Andonovski’s end

The next era won’t have Andonovski involved, obviously. But while criticism of his tactics is well-earned, any criticism of him personally is not. He has deep integrity, and signed off Sunday night with remarks that were honorably selfless.“I’ve never even thought of what was for me,” he said, “because I never step on the field, never come in the locker room or into training thinking what is for me, or where I stand. I never coached to save my job — I always came in to do my job, to prepare this team to represent the country in the best possible manner.”That way of doing things, he later added, “will never change, and no matter what happens in the future, that’s how I will approach this job or any other job.”

» READ MORE: Women’s World Cup TV schedule, live streaming, kickoff times on Fox and Telemundo

It’s not just bluster. Andonovski failed at this job, but he really is that good of a person. He’ll no doubt get another marquee coaching job soon enough, whether in the NWSL or abroad. If it’s in the club realm, it should surprise no one if he finds a way to keep contributing to the overhaul of the U.S. women’s team that he launched, by coaching new young talents to the level the U.S. program demands. Those players might even play on home soil in 2027 if the U.S. bid to host that tournament is successful. It could be an almighty revenge tour, with that World Cup preceded by the Paris Olympics and followed by the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. So let the party roll on for now in Australia, a country that knows a lot about throwing big bashes. But when the drinks are done and the music stops, don’t be surprised if some familiar faces are waiting outside the graveyard’s gates.

Published Aug. 6, 2023

• Jonathan Tannenwald
• I’m the Inquirer’s soccer reporter, covering the Union, MLS, the NWSL, the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams, and Philadelphia’s place in the world’s game. I also pitch in with coverage of college basketball and the WNBA.

US Women’s World Cup exit review: Andonovski, injuries, more

• Jeff Carlisle Caitlin Murray ESPNFC
• Aug 7, 2023, 12:11 PM ET
• MELBOURNE, Australia — The reign of the U.S. women’s national team as Women’s World Cup champions is officially over, as a millimeter was all that separated a Lina Hurtig penalty shootout tally for Sweden from an Alyssa Naeher save. You have to go back 12 years, when Japan defeated the U.S. in the 2011 Women’s World Cup final, to find the last time the U.S. was eliminated from a World Cup. This time, it marked the earliest exit from a World Cup in the program’s history.In some ways, the end of the U.S. team’s two-tournament run as World Cup winners was a shock, coming as it did on the night when the Americans delivered by far their best performance of the tournament. But in other ways, the defeat was a long time coming, with cracks in the U.S. team’s dominance evident even before the Women’s World Cup.Here are the factors that contributed to the USWNT’s demise.

---

The USWNT had too many injuries

The U.S. wasn’t the only country to encounter injuries — England was without four key players, and France had several out — so the U.S. can’t cite injuries alone for its exit. But the USWNT would have had a stronger team if its players had been healthier.

Mal Swanson, Catarina Macario, Becky Sauerbrunn and Samantha Mewis all were missed as probable starters. Before Swanson’s injury, she had accounted for most of the USWNT’s goals on her own. Had she been at the World Cup, she could’ve made a difference for this team, which collectively struggled to put balls in the back of the net. — Carlisle

Andonovski picked the wrong roster and lineups

The injuries and roster issues are intertwined to a degree. While the defense performed well despite Sauerbrunn’s absence, the ripple effect meant that Julie Ertz wasn’t available in midfield. From there, Vlatko Andonovski had limited options, though some of his decisions were perplexing, even without the injury impact.The front line seemed filled with redundant parts, as Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Lynn Williams possessed a lot of the same traits, namely a desire to run at defenses. Megan Rapinoe‘s presence as a pure crosser of the ball made sense, but there were no other options when it became clear she was out of form.Probably the biggest lineup-decision problem was the construction of the midfield. Once Ertz moved to the back line, Andonovski decided to play Andi Sullivan as a lone holding midfielder despite having doubts about Sullivan’s suitability for the role, and having experimented with a double pivot earlier in the year. The U.S. midfield struggled mightily against the Netherlands and Portugal, and the performance against Sweden was the best of the tournament in large part because of the double pivot.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• Naeher: USWNT’s World Cup over by a millimeter Caitlin Murray
• Lack of goals bounces USWNT from World Cup earlier than ever Caitlin Murray
• USWNT ratings vs. Sweden: Rapinoe, Smith, Morgan struggle in exit Jeff Carlisle

It more or less confirmed that this setup should have been used earlier in the tournament, and that Andonovski should have called in the personnel to do it reliably. — Carlisle

Poor in-game management from Andonovski

The USWNT could’ve given itself an easier path than Sweden in the round of 16. All the Americans needed to do was beat the Netherlands, but Andonovski’s subs (or lack thereof) seemed to help ensure the draw.

After Lindsey Horan‘s second-half equalizer, the USWNT had momentum and the Netherlands players were losing steam. A sub could’ve sealed it. But Andonovski opted to bring in none, a decision that was widely criticized.

Against Sweden in the round of 16, a tight game that went into extra time, the only sub he brought on to make an impact was Rapinoe, whose touch was off all night. As the Swedes struggled to keep chasing the very direct Americans, Andonovski opted not to go to his bench, which could have taken advantage of all the running Sweden had to do and the physical toll that took. — Murray

The youth pipeline isn’t producing the right players

Anyone who has followed the youth national teams knew this day would come. The USWNT’s under-20 team did not get out of the group stage at both the 2022 and 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cups. The U-17 USWNT did get out of the group in 2022, only to be eliminated in its first knockout game, and previously crashed out of its groups in 2018 and 2014.If the U.S. isn’t producing the best young players, it won’t produce the best senior players. The young players who made this World Cup roster — the likes of Smith and Rodman — are potent, but one-dimensional, forwards. Injured forward Macario, who brings flair and creativity, developed her game in Brazil before moving to the United States.You also have to question the role of scouting when it comes to which players break through. Injured forward Swanson, a player known for her pace and athleticism, first caught the attention of the youth national team at 13. Rose Lavelle — arguably the most creative player the USWNT has other than the injured Macario — didn’t earn her first youth call-up until she was almost 18.For U.S. Soccer to have the best, most technically gifted and creative players available at the senior level, it needs to find these players at the youth level and bring them all the way through to the senior side. — Murray

Alex Morgan ‘not planning’ retirement after World Cup exit

Alex Morgan says she has no immediate plans to retire after the USWNT was eliminated from the World Cup by Sweden.

USWNT lacked chemistry and couldn’t finish

Before the 2019 Women’s World Cup began, some of the players took to calling their teammates their “22 best friends.” During the tournament, the players said they spent tons of time together, and still chose to hang out even when they didn’t have to. They went to cat cafés and made the most of their downtime.

This USWNT in 2023 was all business — perhaps to a fault. Lindsey Horan and Lynn Williams said before their round-of-16 match that the players agreed they wanted to play with more joy, but it’s hard to force that. In New Zealand, the American players didn’t seem to do much fun or bonding. When asked how they spent their downtime, they said recovery and meals were their main activities when not training.

On the field, they looked tight and as though they were trying to force something to happen. Despite an expected goals (xG) through four games of around nine goals, they managed four. They created chances, but the individual chances were mostly not good enough, and when they were good enough, the players couldn’t finish.

STREAM ESPN FC DAILY ON ESPN+

Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and others to bring you the latest highlights and debate the biggest storylines. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only).It’s hard to say how or why a team gets the yips in front of goal, but this version of the USWNT certainly lacked the sauciness and the fun-loving flair of past teams. The players desperately wanted to score and to put in good performances, but that approach might have been their undoing. — Murray

The USWNT was too overconfident

There’s no reason to believe the USWNT players showed up expecting to cruise through the beginning stages of the World Cup — but if they had, could you blame them?Fresh off winning back-to-back World Cups against a backdrop of global dominance since the USWNT launched in 1985, the thought of the team struggling through the group stage seemed almost inconceivable. The optics of players doing podcasts and sponsored content during the tournament, or wearing designer suits to their matches, probably didn’t help the perception that they expected a leisurely start to the tournament.While this could have been a factor — did players prepare the way they needed to? Did they have the right mentality in games? — we’ll never know. The players worked and ran relentlessly during games, trying their hardest to score and either getting unlucky or lacking quality.The goals never came, nor did the possession play, passing or the other elements needed to win a World Cup, but it certainly wasn’t for a lack of effort. — Murray

The team was caught between two generations

The influx of youth into the national team was a factor, but it had to be done. The team’s poor performances at the Tokyo Olympics demanded change, with injuries accelerating this trend. But this is also something that happens within every cycle and shouldn’t cause a team to implode — certainly not a team with such potential and history as the U.S. women.After the 2015 Women’s World Cup triumph, we witnessed the retirements of Lauren Holiday, Christie Rampone and Abby Wambach, while Carli Lloyd took on a reduced role. Granted, Rampone and Wambach were no longer full-time starters, but it points to the fact that ushering players out is a constant for a national team program.An argument can be made that Andonovski should have done this sooner, but the impulse to give the 2019 World Cup winners the chance to repeat their feat at the Olympics was powerful. — Carlisle

The global gap has closed

This is a factor that has been impacting U.S. performances for a while. The rest of the world is catching up in terms of the caliber of player, as well as their fitness. The question posed by Netherlands manager Andries Jonker about “What is left of [the USWNT’s] superiority” beyond fitness proved prophetic — the answer was “not much.”Up and down the competition, we saw established sides struggle against up-and-coming opponents. One need look no further than Portugal for an example of a country whose clubs have invested more in their women’s teams and then seen a corresponding increase in performance at international level. In a 0-0 draw to close the group stage, Portugal was the better team on the ball.Then consider the group-stage exits of women’s soccer powerhouses Germany, Brazil and Canada because these teams all failed to beat lower-ranked teams. Whatever you’re feeling about the U.S., it’s indisputable that the gap has well and truly closed. — Carlisle

After painful World Cup finish, Megan Rapinoe ‘feels like it’s the right time’ to walk away

By Steph Yang ug 6, 2023

---

On Sunday night in Melbourne, as the seagulls of AAMI Park wheeled freely overhead, the United States lost to their old frenemy Sweden in the round of 16 at the World Cup. Despite the Swedes dominating their group while the U.S. scraped out of theirs, it began as a match of uncertainty. But everyone took to heart the lesson that this World Cup is about confounding expectations. Megan Rapinoe felt that perhaps most acutely of all. What happened was what you should have predicted with both sides feeling so uncertain: scoreless in regulation, scoreless in extra time, and then to penalties to decide who moves on. But the unexpected element of it finally came into play as Rapinoe stepped up to take her penalty, the fourth in line after three confident penalties from her teammate. Sweden’s Nathalie Björn had just missed, giving the U.S. an advantage. Rapinoe has, in the past, been as reliable a penalty taker as there is. In fact she had only ever missed one before, a save by Aubrey Kingsbury in NWSL play back in 2018. In this moment — a moment so familiar to Rapinoe — cradling the future of 22 teammates in her hands, she skied the ball over the goal. It was the first time she had ever missed the goal entirely with a penalty in her 23 career attempts.

Maybe there’s a metaphor in there about the ways that careers end in this game; that sometimes you don’t get a satisfying end to the chapter. Sometimes you have to live with what you get, even if it’s sad and frustrating and a giant what-if that you just carry around, until the weight gets familiar and you can hold it without thinking about how heavy it is.Rapinoe herself seemed to understand that the best. She smiled a wry smile in the mixed zone, red-rimmed eyes in a wan face, having just gone through a line of video cameras and now patiently answering questions from even more press even though she’d been in tears minutes earlier. “Well, now that I’m in therapy, and I’m you know, 38, that’s like — this is life,” she said. “I wish we were moving on and I could guarantee a championship and do all that, but I feel like it doesn’t take away anything from this experience.”

Not that she was totally zen about it at all. She was clearly still wrapping her head around the miss as she was guided to a stop by the USWNT staffer in front of the assembled American press. She gave an almost bewildered chuckle, a little bit shellshocked, scoffing at herself. “There’s some dark humor, me missing a f—ing penalty at the end of this game,” she said. “I feel like you know, I joke too often — always in the wrong places and inappropriately. So maybe this is ‘ha ha’ at the end. I don’t know.“ Nobody’s gonna laugh because you guys feel bad,” she added to the scrum, which of course had the effect of making everyone laugh. She rambled somewhat, almost processing it out loud in real time, her voice wavering slightly with restrained grief. “But it’s kind of funny. I mean, you guys thought I was gonna make it. I was like Jesus Christ, skying it?”It was consummate Megan Rapinoe: charming, direct, not shying away from the events of the night. Maybe after a few days of getting her head around it she might have had a more sober assessment but what else is there to be said? “Jesus Christ, skying it” indeed. Rapinoe also gave her attention to the younger players on the team, the ones who would be carrying on the legacy of the United States from now on. “The kids are taking over,” she said, her smile turning warm for just a second. “This is, I think whatever — 13 or 14 players’ first World Cup? So they’ll all be back and better and in just four short years. You know, it is sad. We’ve had some of the best players on and off the field that the game has ever seen. Marta, Sinc (Christine Sinclair), obviously Becky (Sauerbrunn)’s not here. Being able to be in the atmosphere with all those players at the same time was really special. And now it’s time for us to move on and time for the new ones to cement themselves.”Lindsey Horan’s voice broke as she talked about that generation leaving the World Cup behind. “it’s emotional. Now those are some of the greatest football players of all time. Players that I’ve looked up to. Pinoe, you know, Sinc. Both of them I got to play with. Marta. literally one of the GOATs. It’s hard as a women’s football player, (to) see these guys exiting like this. But look at how much they did for women’s football, them on the field, their character, everything. They’re the reason that we’re all here today.”Certainly these players all deserve to be discussed together, but Rapinoe’s exit does stand in contrast to the departures of other legends of the game. Christine Sinclair and Marta both called time on their World Cup careers with their respective teams having done so much for their countries but never counting a star above the crest. Rapinoe helped the U.S. win two World Cups, and an Olympic gold medal. 

So there is, perhaps, less melancholy and more a sense of sweet sadness at Rapinoe’s departure from the World Cup. This is a player who has seen and done it all, hoisted trophy after trophy while rising to cultural icon status in the United States. At the individual level, she won the 2019 World Cup golden boot and golden ball, and was named The Best FIFA women’s player that year, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022. She was on the cover of Time magazine. Her repeated advocacy for issues such as pay equity and racial equality has been a major contribution for other athletes who want to address the intersection of politics and sports. Truly, hers has been a fulfilling career.

At the end, Rapinoe went to her family in the stands. She hugged her fiance, Sue Bird, for long, long moments, searching for some solace in a time of such bruising public heartbreak. Even a giant needs a hug and the reminder that they are loved for who they are. 

Rapinoe’s nephew, Austin, consoles her after the loss. (Photo: Alex Grimm – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

“I’ve been sort of reflecting from time to time, even during the tournament. It’s hard not to,” Rapinoe said. “I’m trying to stay in the moment but things sort of crop up. But, I mean, I feel pretty good about my World Cup resume. You know, three finals, two championships, four World Cups. To be able to play this long and still be impactful. I mean, obviously, you want to win everything all the time and that’s the goal. But I feel really proud of it and really proud of this team and really proud of all the players that I’ve played with, and I’ve just loved every bit of my career and I’ll just miss it to death. But yeah, it also feels like the right time and that’s okay.”

What Went Wrong for the USWNT?

Goals have been hard to come by in the Vlatko Andonovski era, and this Women’s World Cup was no different. SI

• CLARE BRENNAN AUG 6, 2023 SI

The casual cruelty of the game of soccer was on full display as the U.S. women’s national team was eliminated from the 2023 Women’s World Cup by the smallest of margins. Sweden handed Vlatko Andonovksi’s team its earliest exit in the World Cup, defeating the reigning champions 5–4 on penalty kicks, with Alyssa Naeher unable to keep out a tricky rebound after making a thrilling, potentially game-saving stop. Many were skeptical of the USWNT’s chances against the Swedes after a disappointing showing in the group stage, but a savvy tactical adjustment buoyed the squad—the U.S. that opponents had come to know and fear was back. In an unexpected move, the typically conservative Andonovski called Emily Sonnett into the midfield, creating a double pivot with No. 6 Andi Sullivan. The shift allowed Lindsey Horan to charge into the attack, while providing outside backs Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox the ability to spring forward on the flanks. Connecting in the midfield and building up through the lines, the USWNT’s attack was humming, with the squad creating plenty of dangerous chances. Still, one thing eluded to the U.S., the thing that’s plagued the team all tournament: finishing. For that reason, the adjustment was simply too little too late. Goals have been hard to come by in the Andonovski era, and this World Cup was no different. The team notched just four goals through four games, three of those coming against Vietnam. It’s tough, if not impossible, to capture a third straight World Cup with that pervasive of a scoring drought. Logging 22 shots and 11 on target, the USWNT squandered a frustrating amount of opportunities in the final third against Sweden—and it didn’t help that goalkeeper Zecira Musovic had the game of her life, registering 11 saves.

The 0–0 scoreline through regulation was especially disheartening given the improvements the group made following its abysmal outing against Portugal, with the U.S. maintaining 58% of possession, dictating pace and tempo with 77% accurate passing on 583 attempts. For comparison, against Portugal, the USWNT only held 44% of the possession, connecting on 63% of just 300 passes. The midfield was primarily to thank for the upgrade. Sullivan and Sonnett anchored the center of the pitch, with an accurate pass rate of 78% and 89%, respectively. Finally, the USWNT looked in command, able to stay on the ball and maintain possession in the center of the park. For all their efforts in the build-up, though, things broke down in the box. The final touch was simply—as it has been for some time—off. While it’s true that players who could have risen to the occasion didn’t, and a moment of individual brilliance may have saved the USWNT from its soul-crushing fate, the scoring dry spell falls at the feet of Andonovski. Lethal talents like Sophia Smith, who is leading the NWSL Golden Boot Race with 10 goals, and Alex Morgan, who won the award in 2022 with 16 goals, were neutralized. Failing to cement a concrete attacking identity, the U.S. under Andonovski has often looked aimless and without any sort of chemistry. For that reason, the Andonovski experiment is likely over, with the World Cup loss almost certainly sealing his fate. Winning only four of 10 major tournament games through the Tokyo Olympics and 2023 World Cup, Andonovski’s spotty track record has put him on the hottest of hot seats. Much of his USWNT tenure has been spent struggling with how to address the defensive midfield position in the absence of Julie Ertz. It’s a cruel irony that in what will likely be his last consequential game with the USWNT, he finally got the decision right. The standard for this team is winning, though, not marginal improvement game-to-game, which means he is presumably on the way out. It never all came together under the coach (this World Cup a microcosm of that truth), and now the young players Andonovski brought into the fold, like Trinity Rodman, Naomi Girma, Alyssa Thompson and Emily Fox, will carry the torch for a team that will look a lot different. Hopefully that team can put the ball in the back of the net. 

Netherlands’ Beerensteyn on USWNT: ‘From start of Women’s World Cup, they had really big mouth’

By Laia Cervelló Herrero6h ago74

---

Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn has taken aim at the eliminated USWNT, saying the two-times reigning champions had a “really big mouth” ahead of the Women’s World Cup.

The Dutch drew 1-1 with the U.S. to finish ahead ahead of them in Group E during the first stage of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Americans were then eliminated by Sweden in the last 16 after a dramatic penalty shootout — the first time in history they had gone out before the tournament semi-finals.

Beerensteyn, who scored in a last-16 win over South Africa that booked a quarter-final date with Spain, said: “The first moment when I heard that they were out, I was just thinking, ‘Yes,’ because from the start of this tournament they have already a really big mouth, they were talking already about the final and stuff.

“I was just thinking, you first have to show it on the pitch before you’re talking. And I’m not being rude in that way. I have still a lot of respect for them. But now they are out of the tournament.”

Beerensteyn was part of the Netherlands side beaten by the U.S. 2-0 in the final four years ago.

“For me, yeah, it’s a relief and for them, it’s a thing that they have to take with them in the future,” the Juventus striker added. “Don’t start to talk about something that’s far away, and I hope that they will learn from that.”

The USWNT were the World Cup favourites but had faced criticism during and after the tournament, from former players in Carli Lloyd to former presidents in Donald Trump.

Megan Rapinoe, who said her penalty miss and the defeat was like a “sick joke,” will now bow out after announcing her retirement before the tournament, but the future of head coach Vlatko Andonovski remains unclear.

The winner of the Netherlands vs Spain tie will play Japan or Sweden in the semi-finals.

What is goalline technology? How Sweden penalty against USWNT was allowed

By Ben Burrows Aug 6, 2023

---

The USWNT are out of the Women’s World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Sweden.It was Lina Hurtig, via goalline technology, who netted the winning penalty with her kick adjudged to have crossed the line when Alyssa Naeher thought she had kept it out.Nathalie Bjorn and Rebecka Blomqvist of Sweden and Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith all missed in regulation before Kelley O’Hara missed the seventh kick for the U.S.Hurtig then stepped up to score, by millimetres, to send the defending champions home.Sweden are now through to face Japan in the last eight.Here’s what happened and how goalline technology works…

What happened in the USWNT vs Sweden game?

With scores still level in the shootout, O’Hara’s miss via the right-hand post gave Hurtig the opportunity to send Sweden through with Sweden’s second sudden-death kick.She struck her kick at goal only for goalkeeper Naeher to get a hand to the ball before it spun back towards goal.Naeher grasped to keep it out at the second attempt, but goalline technology showed that the ball — by a matter of millimetres — had indeed crossed the line, sparking jubilant scenes for Sweden and despair for the U.S.

The USWNT are out of the tournament (Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

What is goalline technology?

Goalline technology (GLT) has been a staple of football ever since it was introduced back in 2014. It is now used routinely across the world game, including at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.GLT determines whether the whole of the ball has crossed the line to confirm whether a goal should stand or not.

How does it work?

The technology uses a number of cameras positioned around the stadium to produce an image of where the ball was at the time of the incident and, crucially, whether it crossed the line entirely and therefore whether a goal should be awarded or not.The information is “transmitted within one second”, according to FIFA, before it is relayed to the match referee, who receives the information via a watch on their wrist.After a decision is made, the data from the cameras is used to create a 3D animation for the screens inside the stadium and for television viewers watching from home.

How does extra time work?

---

Follow the Women’s World Cup with The Athletic

• Women’s World Cup live news and updates
• Scores, fixtures and results
• Knockout stage — who’s through and who needs what?
• World Cup bracket — plot route to the final

---

Does GLT use the same technology as semi-automated offside?

Semi-automated offside is being used at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.However, GLT cameras are purely focused on the two goal areas and do not cover the entire field of play. Therefore, they are not used for semi-automated offside technology.

Sweden coach: Mušović saves psyched out U.S. stars in shootout

• Joey Lynch, Australia Correspondent

MELBOURNE, Australia — Sweden women’s national team coach Peter Gerhardsson said goalkeeper Zećira Mušović‘s performance was so impressive that it could have psyched out the United States‘ stars in the penalty shootout of Sunday’s Women’s World Cup round-of-16 match.Mušović was crucial in her side’s victory at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, pulling off a series of stunning saves to deny the USWNT, which dominated much of the game but couldn’t score in regulation or extra time as it finished 0-0.In the penalty shootout, which Sweden won 5-4, Mušović didn’t need to make a single save. Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith both saw their attempts sail over the bar — the latter of which would have won the game for the U.S. had it found the net. When Kelley O’Hara‘s penalty hit the post, it allowed Sweden’s Lina Hurtig to kick her side into the quarterfinals, with the ball crossing the line by a razor-thin margin.https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=ESP6860507164″ When you come to a penalty shootout, it’s the goalkeeper’s game,” Gerhardsson said. “[Mušović] likes when it comes to penalties, she knows it’s her game. I don’t know what she did, what mental thing that she did to make them put them over the bar and things like that. But I think goalkeepers like these kinds of penalties, they’re mentally prepared, that’s their game.”She was good in the game. Even if she didn’t save any penalties, I think for the other team, maybe they put it outside because they know that if it’s not a good penalty, maybe she takes it.”Mušović, who plays for WSL giants Chelsea, made a total of 11 saves across the evening, a single-game World Cup record for a goalkeeper who kept a clean sheet.In doing so, Musovic ensured the USWNT would end its World Cup before the semifinals for the first time. The Americans also ended their tournament on a 238-minute scoring drought, their longest in Women’s World Cup history.”To be able to perform in that way, it’s a lot of hard work that’s been put in over a lot of years that nobody sees,” Mušović said. “The main reason why I’m a goalkeeper is because I give my team the opportunity to win the game. I can only do my best and you can only love the feeling of when you’re in the zone and stuff is happening in a way that you’re just doing it.”I had a really good feeling before the game. I know we were facing a really good opponent in the U.S., ranked No. 1 in the world. We had a good feeling in the squad, we know what we are capable of. It was the game style, just go out and do your best, have each other’s backs and stay humble throughout the whole game.”Mušović was named player of the match, and teammate Magdalena Eriksson said there’s little doubt her performance will be long remembered. Among the highlights were a block of a Trinity Rodman shot in the 27th minute, a split-second reaction to deny a Lindsey Horan effort in the 53rd and a last-gasp deflection of an Alex Morgan header in the 89th.”It’s gonna be historical,” Eriksson said. “Finally she gets to prove what she can do on the world’s biggest stage. We all know she had this in her and now she could finally prove it.”I’m just so happy at the moment. Happy and confused because I feel like I don’t know what’s happened. I can’t believe that we managed to do that. It was such a difficult game for us. We relied a lot on [Mušović] having an amazing game and we managed to pull through to penalties and then we knew anything could happen.”

In the case that two teams cannot be separated in normal time, there will be a period of extra time.As is usually the case, extra time will be 30 minutes long in total; split into two 15-minute halves. If a winning team still cannot be determined, a penalty shootout will follow.

What has been said?

U.S. captain Lindsey Horan said: “I’m so proud of the team. A lot went into this performance and it was changing gears, playing like us and playing our style.“We were confident and patient and we played beautiful football today. We entertained, we created chances but we didn’t score and that’s part of the game.“Penalties, to be frank, they suck! They’re cruel, I’ve gone through too many in my career. I’m proud of every player who stepped up to take a penalty today. Score or miss, it shows courage to take a penalty, so I’m proud of the team.”Head coach Vlatko Andonovski added: “So proud of the team, so proud of the girls, of the women on the field. I know they were criticized — or we were criticized for the way we played, I know we were criticized for different moments in the group stage — I think we came out today and showed what we were all about. We showed the grit, the resilience, the fight, the bravery, showed everything that we could to win the game and, unfortunately, soccer can be cruel sometimes.“The message (post-game) is that this is something we’ve worked on, this is something we’re ready for, we’ve been working on penalties for the last nine months, last 10 months, something like that, and it’s just sometimes you’re not going to hit the right one.”

Women’s World Cup quarter-finals: A guide to the questions facing each team

By Michael CoxAug 10, 20234

---

The Women’s World Cup quarter-finals on Friday and Saturday feature four genuinely exciting fixtures between sides who seem very well matched. The four games all have a very different tactical feel, too. Here’s a guide to the main questions for each side.

---

The Netherlands v Spain

Andries Jonker has broadly used the same system throughout this tournament, always with three defenders and attack-minded wing-backs. The precise shape has changed, though — sometimes Lieke Martens has played between the lines to form a box midfield and on other occasions she’s seemed like a second striker. There is an intelligence and an understated flexibility about this Dutch approach.

GO DEEPER

Lieke Martens: My game in my words

Their big problem is the absence of Danielle van de Donk through suspension. Her fellow Lyon midfielder Damaris Egurrola, a more defensive option, will probably come into the side and change the shape, sitting deep alongside Jackie Groenen as the Netherlands spend longer without the ball than they’ve been accustomed to in this tournament. The speed of Martens and, in particular, Lineth Beerensteyn, will provide their main threat.

Jorge Vilda, meanwhile, sprang several surprises for Spain’s 5-1 win over Switzerland, including changing his goalkeeper and leaving out Alexia Putellas. After such a positive performance, it’s difficult to see him making significant changes.

That will mean Jenni Hermoso playing from midfield rather than as a centre-forward, with the exciting wing duo of Alba Redondo and Salma Paralluelo out wide. They’ll have big defensive responsibility against the Netherlands’ wing-backs.Maybe the biggest beneficiary of the changes, though, was Aitana Bonmati, who thrived without Putellas last season for Barcelona and the same was obvious against Switzerland. Continuing to omit Putellas is a big call, but it’s surely the right one.

---

Japan v Sweden

Japan have, by common consent, been the tournament’s best side so far. In fact, they’ve been the best side by a distance, particularly in possession. World Cup 2023 has been dominated by an inability to play through the centre and a lack of cohesion in the final third, but there’s been no sign of that from Futoshi Ikeda’s side.

Ikeda switched to a 3-4-3 formation last year and has maintained it ever since. Japan have the cohesion of a club side in the way their wing-backs overlap to allow the inside-forwards to drift inside. In turn, those two players have the ability to run in behind because striker Mina Tanaka drops deep to become a playmaker as much as a goalscorer. It works excellently.So far, opponents have struggled to work out how to play against Japan’s front five. Spain broadly played their usual game and were thrashed 4-0, perhaps surprised by Japan’s ability to transform from a possession-based side to a counter-attacking powerhouse. Norway manager Hege Riise tried something unusual, asking holding midfielder Ingrid Engen to drop into the back five without possession. Japan responded brilliantly to this, with Tanaka and the inside-forwards darting into the space Engen had left between the lines. Engen’s struggles were summed up by her own goal.Neither Spain nor Norway attempted to match Japan’s 3-4-3. They probably didn’t have the squads to do so. But Sweden do and manager Peter Gerhardsson used that formation in their opening game of last year’s Euros, a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.He could, in theory, use the same XI. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, an energetic runner down the right, may drop back to wing-back with Kosovare Asllani playing from the right. Alternatively, he could bring in a proper defender, probably Linda Sembrant, to be more solid. But the main task here is matching the energy of Japan’s wing-backs.

Maybe Gerhardsson will stick with the 4-2-3-1, although there’s a sense Sweden have become too predictable in that shape and they offered little in attack against the USWNT. If he does maintain the current system, at least both Rytting Kaneryd and Fridolina Rolfo, now accustomed to a left-back role for Barcelona, are comfortable tracking back. The danger is Sweden end up with a back six, though, and struggle to push forward into attack.

---

Australia v France

Yet again, the main question for Australia is simple: is Sam Kerr fit enough to start? Tony Gustavsson will continue to keep his cards close to his chest, but if the answer is ‘yes’, the next question is about who drops out.After using three different forward duos in his three group games, Gutavsson had finally settled on Mary Fowler as the No 9 and Emily van Egmond behind. Fowler led the line excellently against Denmark and deserves to keep her place, but Van Egmond is playing a crucial link role as the No 10. If Kerr returns, Fowler could be redeployed in that deeper role but she struggled to find space when used there against the Republic of Ireland. There’s no easy answer — unless Kerr is not fit enough to start.

GO DEEPER

The moment a country craved: Kerr – Australia’s ‘heart and soul’ – returns

This is likely to be the simplest tactical battle, at least on paper, with both sides lining up roughly in a 4-4-2. Maybe the most interesting zone will be down France’s left and Australia’s right.

Herve Renard is using two attacking left-backs, Selma Bacha and Sakina Karchaoui, down the same flank and they have an excellent partnership, interchanging and creating space for one another.

GO DEEPER

France’s setup on their left flank is unorthodox – but it works brilliantly

Meanwhile, Australia’s right flank has been excellent so far. Ellie Carpenter knows Bacha from Lyon, while Hayley Raso has been energetic without possession and calm in front of goal. In a tournament where the main action has been happening out wide rather than in midfield, the battle down that wing could decide the game.

---

England v Colombia

England probably start their quarter-final clash against Colombia as favourites, but there are many more question marks about the approach of Sarina Wiegman than that of Nelson Abadia.

Colombia’s shape and line-up seem fairly predictable, with the caveat that their front four are often given license to roam around and interchange positions. Linda Caicedo pops up on either flank, while the powerful Mayra Ramirez is sometimes seen leading the line and sometimes drifts in from wide.

Tactically, though, the ball is in England’s court. For the match against Nigeria, Wiegman stuck with the 3-4-1-2 system that worked so effectively in the 6-1 victory over China. But against a more organised and more dynamic side, England were poor. In particular, they struggled with the Nigerian wingers breaking into space on the outside of England’s back three. It was a surprise Wiegman didn’t change shape to correct the issue and it was particularly striking how much more solid England looked after Lauren James’ dismissal and an enforced switch to a back four.

James’ suspension also means the 3-4-1-2 seems less workable, with no obvious candidate for the No 10 role. Ella Toone is out of form, so basing the side around her would be inadvisable and Georgia Stanway could play there but that would rob England of her partnership with the fit-again Keira Walsh.

Therefore, it would be a surprise if England didn’t return to a back four. But this prompts many questions in terms of selection. There would be an issue at left-back, where Rachel Daly has performed well going forward but is suspect defensively. Jess Carter, the other candidate to drop out, did well against Nigeria and is England’s best one-against-one defender. This is surely a game for her against the trickery of Colombia’s wide players.

ADVERTISEMENT

The third midfield slot, alongside Walsh and Stanway, would also be up for grabs. Toone is the obvious choice, but Laura Coombs would provide a more solid option. Lauren Hemp would presumably return to the wing, although she’s looked more comfortable through the middle, while the other wing slot might invite a recall for Chloe Kelly — although Daly, as a full-back-turned-striker, could also be an option in that role.There is no simple solution for Wiegman. This is probably her most difficult XI to predict yet.

(Top photos: Getty Images)

Michael Cox concentrates on tactical analysis. He is the author of two books – The Mixer, about the tactical evolution of the Premier League, and Zonal Marking, about footballing philosophies across Europe. Follow Michael on Twitter @Zonal_Marking

Nottingham Forest reach agreement to sign Matt Turner from Arsenal

By David OrnsteinAug 7, 2023

---

Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner.The USMNT international is scheduled to undergo a medical later today (Monday).Forest’s interest in Turner was revealed by The Athletic and talks over the 29-year-old have now led to a compromise between the clubs.Arsenal are working to finalise the acquisition of Brentford’s David Raya to replace Turner and compete with existing No 1 Aaron Ramsdale. An opening offer for the 27-year-old Spaniard was turned down but discussions have continued as both clubs look to strike a deal, with Raya into the final year of his contract in west London.Turner, who joined Arsenal from MLS side New England Revolution, is one of several players targeted by Forest as they look to fill a void left between by the end of Dean Henderson and Keylor Navas’ loan spells.Forest remain determined to bring Henderson back to the City Ground and discussions are held with Manchester United. An appearance clause in a loan-to-buy agreement has been at the crux of negotiations.

---

Henderson, the 26-year-old England international, is still working to regain match fitness following the thigh injury that ended his season after 18 appearances for Forest. He has yet to appear for United during their pre-season. Forest have also held an interest in Wolves’ Jose Sa and New England Revolution’s current keeper, Djordie Petrovic. Both Forest and Ligue 1 side Nantes have had $8million (£6.3m) offers for the 23-year-old rejected. Wayne Hennessey and Ethan Horvath remain as goalkeeping options on Forest’s books. With Hennessey carrying a slight injury, Horvath, another USMNT international, has featured regularly in pre-season following his loan spell at Luton Town last season.Turner is the USMNT’s No 1, but has struggled for minutes since moving to Arsenal last summer.

Why ambitious Premier League clubs want USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams

By Greg O’Keeffe and Thom Harrisug 4, 2023154

---

His initial move to the Premier League may have resulted in relegation and injury, but Tyler Adams remains a player in demand, his star firmly on the ascent.For now, the 24-year-old USMNT midfielder is continuing his rehabilitation from the hamstring injury that ended his season in March and made Leeds United’s struggle to avoid relegation even harder.But even with his return date uncertain — the earliest he will be fit is estimated at the September international break — there is serious interest in quickly bringing him back to England’s top flight. The Athletic reported last week that he has a relegation release clause in his Leeds contract, thought to be in the region of £20million.Chelsea are considering bidding for Adams as they remain deadlocked in talks with Brighton & Hove Albion over Moises Caicedo. The Ecuador international is their top midfield target but they have been unwilling to meet Brighton’s £100million ($127m) valuation. Their fourth offer, worth £80million, was rejected last week.A source with knowledge of the situation, speaking anonymously to protect their job, said they believe Chelsea could try to sign both midfielders.Fellow Premier League club Aston Villa are also interested in Adams, who made 24 Premier League appearances last season, with manager Unai Emery continuing his squad rebuild.

Adams at the World Cup last season playing for USMNT (Photo: Tim Nwachukwu via Getty Images)

Some publications have also reported interest from Brighton, Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

Leeds are desperate to keep him, though. The club’s new American owners, 49ers Enterprises, have made retaining Adams a priority and manager Daniel Farke would ideally like to build a team around him.

But what makes clubs like big-spending Chelsea, who want to challenge for honours again under U.S. ownership, and upwardly mobile Villa so keen?

---

Adams’ strengths are primarily defensive, with some impressive metrics provided by Opta.

The chart below illustrates his ‘true’ tackles, a combination of tackles won, challenges lost and fouls committed while attempting a tackle, giving us a measure of how often he “sticks a foot in” and attempts to win the ball; and his ‘true’ interceptions, a combination of interceptions and blocked passes, to give us a better idea of the frequency of attempted interceptions.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://0ec8e352027f5875c0b9d18ac1ed7541.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

We can possession-adjust these metrics to per 1,000 opposition touches, which means defenders in high-possession teams who don’t have to do as much defending are judged for how often they attempt to win the ball relative to opposition possession rather than minutes played.

The fact Adams ranks so highly in both true tackles and true interceptions tells us he is a very tenacious, aggressive ball-winner who will always look to make the tackle if he can.

He also ranks highly in tackle and aerial duel success rate, making a reasonable argument that he was one of the best ball-winning midfielders in the Premier League last season.

Looking at the location of these defensive actions, the majority were in wide areas, as shown by the second chart — on both sides of the pitch, too, emphasising his versatility. Reinforcing that is how he has previously shone playing as a wing-back, never more so than with his goal for Leipzig against Atletico Madrid in their 2020 Champions League quarter-final tie, which saw the Germans progress to the last four.

These days he is established as a midfielder, but his multi-positional experience and intelligence is particularly valuable if he is to play as one of the holding midfielders in a team that inverts their wingers – being able to defend wide spaces really well while a full-back presses on.In his ‘My Game in My Words’ feature with The Athletic’s John Muller last year, Adams elaborated on the mindset that makes him such a formidable defensive midfielder, honed while in Germany at RB Leipzig, where he spent two and a half seasons before moving to England.

GO DEEPER

My game in my words. By Tyler Adams

“You have to weigh the percentages of your chances to win the ball,” he explained. “I alwys err on the side that I’m going to win every single ball, so I tend to be aggressive and go for it.“In the Red Bull DNA, counter-pressing is such an important thing. We try to win the ball as quickly as possible and aren’t afraid to make mistakes because we’re confident in our pressing as a team.”Away from his tackling, Adams isn’t the most expansive on the ball, as his smarterscout pizza chart below shows. Smarterscout gives players’ games a series of ratings from zero and 99, a bit like the player ratings in the FIFA video games but powered by real data and advanced analytics.It highlights a facet of his game he can perhaps improve. Adams’ score for progressive passing is slightly above average, but his ball retention isn’t, especially considering he isn’t very adventurous when dribbling and passing forward.

Nonetheless, it is clear that Adams’ performances and stylistic fit in the Premier League will make him an attractive option for any club that can afford him. Interest from Bundesliga is inevitable, too, but German sides might find it difficult to compete with Premier League clubs’ offers in terms of transfer fees and wages. Once he is fully fit again, Adams and his representatives will have no shortage of options for the next phase of his European career.(Top photo: Naomi Baker via Getty Images)

Cata Coll: Barca back-up and no game for 90 days but now she looks like Spain’s No 1

By Laia Cervelló HerreroAug 8, 20233

---

It was 5am when a phone rang in a house near Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The time did not bode well, but Cata Coll’s father picked up.

“Dad, today I’m starting,” said his daughter, calling from almost 12,000 miles (19,000km) away in Auckland, New Zealand.

Spain’s best game of the 2023 Women’s World Cup so far, a 5-1 win against Switzerland in the round of 16, was preceded by some big surprises. Head coach Jorge Vilda decided to make changes to his starting line-up — a lot of them. And the most striking one was in goal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Coll, 22, would make her international debut — in the knockout stages of a World Cup. It was an unexpected gift for the second-choice ‘keeper given that 24-year-old Misa Rodriguez, Spain’s No 1 at this tournament, was also fit and ready to play.

A gift, but also a double-edged sword. Against Japan in their final group match, Spain had just suffered their worst defeat in 11 years and going into the Switzerland game they knew only too well that their country had never won a knockout tie at a Women’s World Cup.

Coll was not alerted in advance by Vilda and found out she would be starting when her name was written on the board during the pre-match talk. It would be her first competitive match in 90 days.

GO DEEPER

Vilda’s gamble paid off, helped by Spain showing a mental strength we didn’t know they had

“I didn’t care that it was so late,” Coll said of her call to her father. “I was a starter. I saw it and I said, ‘Wow, let’s play’.

“At the beginning, I was nervous. (But as a footballer) When you put on your boots, it’s like putting on your overalls. You know you’re good at it, that you’re going to enjoy it.”

Coll is not even first-choice for her club, Barcelona. That position is held by Sandra Panos, who was also Spain’s starting goalkeeper until recently. Panos, 30, was one of the 15 players who sent a letter to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) last September asking not to be called up until changes to the setup were made. She did ask to return just before the World Cup, but Vilda left her out due to a “technical decision”.But Coll starting was also remarkable because it had been so long since she last played a competitive match. She is known as the “life of the party”, but has gone through tough times, particularly in the past year.In 2019, she signed for Barcelona at age 18, having been tracked by the club for years. She had won the golden glove award as part of Spain’s Under-17 World Cup-winning team a year earlier and was also their starting goalkeeper in that year’s Under-20 World Cup, when she saved a penalty in the semi-final against France before Spain lost to Japan in the final.ADVERTISEMENT

Barca signed Coll from Collerense, one of Spain’s biggest football academies in the women’s game, based in Palma de Mallorca. With Panos at her peak, Coll was sent on loan to Sevilla in her first season.She soon developed a reputation as a penalty specialist. In her second year at Barca, they played fierce rivals Atletico Madrid in November 2020. Panos was out injured. Atletico were awarded a penalty in the opening minutes. Toni Duggan stepped up to take it and Coll made a fine save, then got up as if nothing had happened, playing on and helping Barcelona claim a 3-0 win.Those who know Coll describe her as a very confident person who never hesitates. Moments that affect most players — an injury, having to settle for a place on the bench for a while, making a great save — do not seem to impact on her in the same way. She uses pressure to her advantage and is determined to prove doubters wrong.That comes across in her style of play. She is a goalkeeper who is adept at using her feet and comes off her line a lot, often making life easier for her centre-backs. You could see that against Switzerland, where Irene Paredes did not have to cover as much distance at the back and finished the 90 minutes more rested as a result.Coll’s penalty save against Atletico seemed to signal her time had come. But then came the worst news: a knee injury the following month which would keep her out until March 2021.It was the beginning of a long road of misfortune when it came to injuries.Having returned from that knee problem, Coll was hit with a worse one — tearing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a training session in February 2022. That would mean more than a year out, during which she worked hard on her mental state. Her family were her big supporters and she eventually returned to the pitch this March.

ADVERTISEMENT

Coll played half an hour against Valencia on March 17, and started against Alhama two weeks later. The last official match she played before the World Cup came against Huelva on April 30 — the day of club and country team-mate Alexia Putellas’ return from an ACL injury.The lack of playing time meant Coll’s chances of making the World Cup squad looked slim. But Vilda called her up, citing her character.“Cata is striking because of her personality, what the team feels with her with few others,” the coach said. “She’s never going to give in.”With Panos not selected for this tournament, it seemed Misa was certain to be first-choice throughout, especially after Real Sociedad’s Elene Lete was ruled out (Atletico’s Lola Gallardo was one of the players who asked not to be selected).Misa did indeed start the three group games and, while she had little to do with most of the goals conceded against Japan, when it came to facing Switzerland, Vilda thought of a player whose personality exuded a confidence that, in general, he felt the team had lacked.It was Coll’s moment.Her debut began poorly. A bizarre backpass from Laia Codina to Coll resulted in an own goal in the opening minutes of the game. It was surely the most absurd goal of this World Cup.But Coll did not appear affected and went on to have an excellent game.Now, she seems the best bet for the future of the national team. She only turned 22 in April and has the trust of her coaches.Even when she was injured at Barca, the club did not sign another goalkeeper. In fact, they wanted to renew her contract.“It’s been a tough road for her,” said a source close to the player, who preferred to remain anonymous to protect their relationship, “but football is starting to give her back what she has given.”

Lieke Martens: My game in my words

Katie WhyattJun 8, 20231

https://3f73fed889ce6f2539d0f37c69c977ac.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

In this My Game In My Words series, The Athletic builds towards the Women’s World Cup by talking to leading players around the world to find out how they think about football, why they play the way they do and to reflect — through looking back at their key career moments — on their achievements so far. 

Paris Saint-Germain’s Lieke Martens knows what it means to set a tournament on fire.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://3f73fed889ce6f2539d0f37c69c977ac.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

With a Champions League winner’s medal to her name, Martens has earned a reputation for the spectacular and is certain to be a key player for the Netherlands in next month’s Women’s World Cup in Australia, starting on July 20. The winger’s international record speaks for itself; 58 goals for the Netherlands in 144 appearances.

But it is hard to forget one of Martens’ most spectacular years — 2017.  She spent it ripping through defences and destroying rivals’ European Championship dreams.

She won the Player of the Tournament award at the 2017 Euros, a winners’ medal and a flurry of individual prizes the same year, including FIFA Best Women’s Player and the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year. A Cruyff turn in a group game against Belgium saw the two defenders tracking her left so disorientated that they ran into each other and clashed heads.

Martens celebrating with her UEFA Women’s Euros Player of the Tournament trophy in August 2017 (Photo: John Thys/AFP via Getty Images)

She built a tournament on such moments, each movement pivotal and brimming with flair. More than five million in the Netherlands watched on TV as Martens and her team-mates, managed by Sarina Wiegman, lifted the trophy. Later that year she made her Barcelona debut and became part of the attacking trident, along with Caroline Graham Hansen and Jenni Hermoso, which proved a nightmare for Chelsea in their 4-0 2021 Champions League final defeat.

“After 2017, everything changed,” 30-year-old Martens said. “We’re the first generation who are getting so much attention and getting to know how it is to be a public person. Those things are totally different than the generation before us.”

Lieke Marten’s Club History

	SEASONS	APPEARANCES	GOALS
Rosengard	2015 – 2017	29	20
Barcelona	2017-2022	110	54
Paris Saint Germain	2022- 2023	16	3

What was the biggest surprise about finding herself a public figure? “Your freedom is different. People are watching you without you having any idea that people are watching you. They’re asking things on the street. The most important thing is that little kids, little girls have a dream they can accomplish now.”

ADVERTISEMENT

https://3f73fed889ce6f2539d0f37c69c977ac.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

We want to know how she manages the on and off-field pressures. We cannot do so fully without understanding the laser focus, on display as young as 10, that has guided her thus far. From PSG’s training base, she conducted the interview in perfect English. She speaks five languages — Dutch, English, Spanish, German and Swedish — and said modestly that she understands French but finds it tougher to speak, even if she can get by without a translator. “To add a sixth one — it’s impossible almost,” she said, half-joking.

Fruitlessly, I had looked earlier in the day for that Cruyff turn on YouTube, but the consolation is that there is no shortage of clips of her doing other things that have amazed fans. One has 3.4 million views; another has 2.1 million. The one I settle on — titled “Lieke Martens is the Queen of Football” — is eight minutes of Martens in motion, ripping down the left wing, her runs full of the deceptions that are the hallmark of all the most magical players. It takes a few viewings to unscramble each clip to see the deft sleights of hand, the featherlight touches which leave tumbling defenders in her wake.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=WFBmx13wRSE%3Fstart%3D45%26feature%3Doembed

Martens and I watch the clip. In those instances, what is she thinking?

“I’m a player who does a lot on feelings,” she said. “You have your few tricks or movements you feel really comfortable with, that you can count on. I’m a player who waits for the defender to do something. If a defender just wants to go forward, I will react. And if I’m at dribbling at speed, then I’m the one deciding. It’s impossible for a defender to catch (you) if you’re moving at the right moment.”

She is right-footed but found a home on the left wing in her early days with the Dutch national team, having played as a No 9 and a 10 before. “I wasn’t a real winger in the beginning, I was coming more inside (to find) a shooting position. The last years, I have been working to drive with speed. I don’t do that many technical skills: my technique in general is just dribbling at speed. If I see that I want to go inside, I try and pull my defender inside. Then I want to go with the opposite side because then it’s really hard to change (direction) quickly.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Some people like to watch clips before the game if they are playing against a good full-back. I don’t like to analyse them that much. I only like to analyse how they will play when they have the ball because then I have to defend against them. I don’t want to think too much about how I’m going to play because if I have the ball, it’s me who is deciding, not the defender.”

Martens won the Golden Woman Player 2021 during her time with Barcelona (Photo: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)Wiegman, under whom the Netherlands reached the 2019 World Cup final, turned out to be a good fit for her. “She always gave me a lot of freedom to play on my feelings,” Martens recalled. “She always said to enjoy and have fun, instead of saying: ‘Hey — if you get the ball over there, I want you to do this’. There’s some instructions but in many things she let me be free.”She credits her touch to the work she put in as a youngster. Aged 10, she would reject kickabouts with the local kids in favour of more technical training. She would line cones across the football field directly behind her parents’ house in Bergen to practise her dribbling or slam the ball against the wall to work on her first touch and close control.“I did a lot on my own because when I was younger I only had practice twice a week with the boys,” she said. “I didn’t have that much time to get better. After school, often I didn’t even want to play with other kids. They couldn’t understand why I was often doing things by myself. It was so satisfying if you had a good touch when you kick the ball as high as possible in the air. Controlling the ball was a big achievement. From that I have this touch I can still count on.”As a child, she tried to copy Ronaldinho, watching YouTube videos of his dribbling and skills. Her role for the Netherlands can be likened to Arjen Robben, the men’s international winger. She has analysed clips of him “doing little touches because I know if you do this quick enough no one can catch you.”During her five seasons with Barcelona beginning in 2017, her versatility was evident — the club played her more like a No 10 and a No 9. Sometimes she played between the lines and sometimes as a winger.Martens moved to PSG in 2022 and in her debut year she won the Division 1 Feminine goal of the season for her volley in their 3-1 win over Dijon.This goal is another great example of her instinctiveness. Martens says that she had glanced where she wanted to shoot before the ball came to her. “If you don’t know before your first touch, it’s impossible to shoot (accurately)” she explained. “With your first touch you turn your body to goal. I moved to the left, (adjusted my) body shape and scanned where the goal was.”

“These situations don’t come that often. Seriously — I’m not practising volleys that much.” The volley, she conceded, is “one of the most amazing goals I’ve scored.”

I pull up another example of brilliance from her spell at Barcelona — the Women’s Clasico in December 2021. Barcelona won 3-1: Martens scored twice and set up the other. We watch the build-up to Barcelona’s third. Striker Mariona Caldentey spins the ball between two defenders. Martens races onto it, her first touch controlling the ball and her second lifting it over the goalkeeper into the far corner.

Explaining the build-up to the goal, Martens said: “(At) Barcelona, we worked a lot on the first movement and dragging your defender with you.

“I’m not the fastest in football, but I’m giving myself two or three metres’ space. You have a quick look where the goalkeeper is. It doesn’t make any sense to go for the far corner if she stays on the line. I’d keep dribbling then. But now she’s out five metres, it’s easier to shoot than dribbling; if we come closer to her, it’s a difficult angle to score. The goalkeeper makes it easier because she moves forward.”

That goal required two touches. We move on to one that takes her four — from the Netherlands’ 2-0 win over Belarus in a World Cup qualifier in 2021. On the edge of the area, defender Merel van Dongen lays the ball onto Martens’ right foot. She pushes it onto her left, cuts past the defender with her right, then shoots. 

What is she thinking as the defender closes her down? “She is really close,” Martens said. “It was impossible to go outside her because the only thing I could do is play to my teammate on the left. But to be honest, I didn’t look for this. The first touch that sets me up to shoot is really important: it is a quick movement to make myself free in front of goal. There are maybe 10 people in front of me. It’s not easy to not hit anyone.”

I told her that I spoke to one full-back for this series who said that time slowed down when she was on the ball. Is it the same for Martens? “We’re in a totally different position,” she said. “She has the whole game in front of her. I’m in smaller spaces, with a lot of people around. You have to make quick decisions, think in a split second.”

Martens joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2022 (Photo: Armando Babani/Getty Images)

Martens is always scanning for space, always orienting herself. “My teammates, especially from the national team, will make space for me to shoot on the go,” she said. “The ball you get is so important: the right speed and the right foot and you know you can turn. I’m just scanning before if I have space to turn. That’s really important to make a quick decision — if you can take your touch forward or not.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Martens was named in the Netherlands’ squad for the World Cup in Australia. Her Euros ended early last summer with a hamstring injury that began to plague her towards the end of her final season in Spain. But she’s fully fit again and remembers how it felt to set a tournament alight. This summer offers her another chance to do so.

The My Game In My Words series is part of a partnership with Google Pixel. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Rent this Beautiful 4 BR Beach house at Myrtle Beach for as low at $250 a night.

Proud Member of the American Outlaws  https://www.facebook.com/IndyAOUnite, Brick Yard Battalion – http://brickyardbattalion.com, Sam’s Army-http://sams-army.com 

Earn Your College Degree at ½ the Cost and Time of Traditional Schools  www.achievetestprep.com/shane

World Cup Woes

So as bad as the US has looked – I have to admit at least they advanced to the knockout stages – who would have dreamed #2 Germany, #5 Canada, Brazil and everyone’s early round darling Colombia would be going home while 3 African nations Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco have moved on. They said this Women’s World Cup was going to be the most attended, most watched and most competitive ever – and they were right. Love this from Brazil’s Marta in 2019 sad to see the Samba Queens go out early.  Former USWNT players Tobino Heath and Christen Press are worth the listen on their post game podcasts.  Fastastic saves in the MLS/Liga MX Leagues Cup by Charlotte’s GK with 3 PK saves for the win.  See all the saves in the GK section below.

US Looks Horrific in tie with Portugal – must face favored Sweden on Sun 5 am

As bad as the US looked last game they looked even worse this time.  Three inches – that’s what separated the “ “ #1 team in the world from going home as Portugal’s breakaway shot hit a beaten US keeper Alyssa Naeher’s post and kicked out in the 93^rd minute.  Yes the US outshot Portugal – but they had 75% possession and absolutely bossed us all over the field.  Full highlights The thing is Portugal like EVERY Other European team in this Tourney is not scared of the US anymore.  They know they are better than the US right now – and no amount of posturing and looking all fancy by the once dominant US ladies in their Armani like Jackets as they strut around all over New Zealand is going to change that.  At this point throw the tactics out the door COACH Vlatko couldn’t  coach our U8 Girls team right now – not sure what he can do to fix all that is wrong with this US team.  Most alarming for me is I don’t see the grit, the want to or just downright boss-ness that past US teams had.  We have been on the ropes before but usually while dominating play.  I am not sure we strung 4 passes together vs Portugal while they maintained for 10 and 15 pass segments. 

Carli Lloyd has been criticized for calling the US out after they frolicked on the field after the Portugal loss – ah tie.  I had no issues with it! Truth hurts.  I hope the US ladies take all this negative press and it rally’s them to actually play like they give a shit / leave the pretty suits on the bus / put on sweats and bust out. Win Despite the coaches ineptitude- win despite his stupidity- that’s what they did last World Cup.  Just not sure this entitled collection of stars (you’ll note I DIDN’T say team) has that in them.  I would start by inputting some more veterans in the starting line-up. Kelly O’hare at right back, Ertz into the #6 slot in a double pivot with Horan and an adjusted 4-4-2 with Morgan and Smith up top.  Start Rapinoe (who had the best passes to score for Morgan in her 25 minutes last game) and insert Sanchez for her long passing and scoring ability. We CANNOT be bossed around in the middle of the park like we have the last 2 games – Sweden will demolish us 3-1 if he sticks to the current plan.  Switch things up and we could be looking at a 2-1 result – not sure who comes out on top though? 

INDY 11 hosts Memphis Sat on Star Wars Night on TV23

Traveling to Kentucky for the second game of a two-game road trip, Indy Eleven played at Louisville City FC for the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. A 28th-minute goal by Elijah Wynder would prove to be the difference as Louisville City FC would go on to earn all three points at home. For the match, Indy controlled the possession battle (68%-32%) but was outshot by Louisville City 14-7 and 5-0 in shots on goal.  Next up, the Boys in Blue head home to host Memphis 901 FC for a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday, August 5 on Star Wars Night.  

MLS –Leagues Cup Round of 16 Continues

The Messi magic continues as Miami knocked off rival Orlando 3-1 as Messi scored 2 and got into a spat with many of the dirty Orlando players. I think Miami is too far back in MLS league play to make the playoffs but they are 3-0 after not winning a game in 11 tries before “the Goat” arrived.  Sure would be nice to see Miami make a Leagues Cup or US Open Cup run however.  Miami travels to Dallas Sat 7 pm ?  on Apple TV.  Full Leagues Cup Schedule and bracket below.

Good luck and congrats to those who made High School Teams this week – for those who didn’t – those of you in Carmel go to the biggest high school in the state – its VERY hard to play sports at a school with 6,000+ kids – welcome to college 4 years early. 

GAMES ON TV

Fri, Aug 4

8 pm FS1                              Chicago Fire vs America  Leagues Cup Rd 32

8 pm Apple TV                   Cincy vs Nashville  Leagues Cup

8 pm Apple TV                   Columbus vs Min United Leagues Cup

9 pm ESPN +                       FC Tulsa vs Louisville City  USL

10 pm FS1                            Monterrey vs Portland Timbers

Sat, Aug 5

1 am FS1                              Switzerland vs Spain –  Round of 16 WC

4 am FS1                              Japan vs Norway  Round of 16 WC

7 pm TV23?                         Indy 11 vs Memphis- Star Wars Night

10 pm Fox                           Netherlands vs South Africa Round of 16

10 pm ESPN2                      Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid

Sun, Aug 6

5 am Fox                     Sweden vs USA Round of 16 WC

11 am ESPN+                      Man City vs Arsenal  Community Shield

11 am ESPN                        Man United vs Athletico Bilbao friendly

TBD Apple TV                    Dallas vs Miami (Messi) Leagues Cup Rd of 16

Mon, Aug 7

3:30 am FS1                        England vs Nigeria  Round of 16 WC

5:30 am FS1??                    Australia vs Denmark Round of 16 WC

11 am CBSSN                      Liverpool vs Darmstadt 98 

7 pm?  Apple TV?             Charlotte vs Houston Leagues cup

8 pm Apple TV?                Philly vs NY RB League Cup

Tues, Aug 8

4 am FS1                              Colombia vs Japan Round of 16 WC

7 am FS1                              France vs Morocco  Round of 16 WC

Weds, Aug 9

7 pm ESPN+                Indy 11 host Birmingham Legion

Thurs, Aug 10

9 pm  FOX                            QF1 WC

Fri, Aug 11

3:30 am FOX                       QF2 WC

3 pm USA                            Burnley vs Man City EPL starts

Sat, Aug 12

3:am FOX                             QF3 WC

6:30 am Fox                        QF3 WC

7:30 am USA                       Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

10 am USA?                        Everton vs Fulham (Ream,  Jedi)

12:30 pm NBC                    New Castle United vs Aston Villa

2:45 pm ESPN+                  Bayern Munich vs RB Liepzig Super Cup

3:30 pm ESPN +                 Athletic Club vs Real Madrid 

7 pm ESPN+                        Miami FC vs Indy 11

Sun, Aug 13

9 am USA                             Brentford vs Tottenham 

11:30 am USA? Chelsea vs Liverpool  

3:30 pm ESPN+                  Getafe vs Barcelona

Tues Aug 15

4 am FOX                             Semi Final #1 WC 

Weds Aug 16

6 am FOX                             Semi Final #2 WC 

3 pm CBSSN                        Man City vs Sevilla (UEFA Super Cup)

Sun, Aug 20

6 am FOX                             WORLD CUP FINALS   

9 am USA                             Aston Villa vs Everton

11:30 am USA                    West Ham United vs Chelsea

2:45 pm Para+                   Udinese vs Juventus (Mckinney)

7:30 pm Apple TV             Columbus Crew vs Cincy

7:30 pm MLS Pass            Inter Miami (MESSI) vs Charlotte          

US Women + World Cup

 USWNT is no longer the World Cup favorite, faces uphill battle against Sweden
The one glaring (but simple) fix the USWNT needs to make before knockout round
Mentality or tactics: What is the key to saving the USWNT’s World Cup campaign? Caitlin Murray ESPNFC

Reviewing the U.S.’s World Cup so far: Can it still win? What’s going wrong?  ESPNFC Jeff Carlisle, Caitlin Murray

With this form, the U.S. doesn’t look like a World Cup champion ESPNFC – Jeff Carlisle

This is not the swaggering USWNT we’re used to

Where are U.S. soccer’s creative playmakers?

Why Vlatko Andonovski’s defense gamble is stifling USWNT attack

Heather O’Reilly doesn’t think coach will make ‘big changes’ USWNT needs

Lindsey Horan: USWNT rediscovering ‘joy’ at the World Cup

Lindsey Horan claps back at Carli Lloyd: ‘To question our mentality hurts’

USWNT not panicking: ‘That’s the outside world, not us’

Midge Purce slams Alexi Lalas for ‘trivializing women’s sports’

WORLD CUP

Scouting Sweden – Stars and Stripes

Portugal star whose shot hit goalpost: ‘We were far superior’ to USWNT

 USA TODAY Brazil’s Marta has changed the game of football forever
How the Women’s World Cup delivered its greatest ever group stage — against all the odds
‘One of the saddest moments of my life’: Germany crashes out of Women’s World Cup as Morocco reaches knockout stage in tournament debut
The 10 best players of the Women’s World Cup group stage
Days of Women’s World Cup ‘total predictability’ over, says Ellis
‘We’re used to scraps’: How $30,000 guarantees will change World Cup players’ lives

MLS

League Cup Standings – MLS vs Liga MX

Leagues Cup tiers: Which Knockout Round teams are favorites?

Lionel Messi mania! The GOAT scores second-straight brace for Inter Miami

Messi, Busquets, Alba: How Miami accomplished a historic MLS transfer window

Stock up, stock down: MLS Secondary Transfer Window risers and fallers  National Writer: Charles Boehm

 Everything MLS. Half the price.

Your Thursday Kickoff: Dominant night for MLS as Miami, LAFC, Dallas & Houston cruise into Round of 16
Tickets for Lionel Messi’s first road MLS match reaching $20,000 on resale market
With each game Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami, we’re reminded of his greatness
FC Cincinnati, Nashville SC square off in Leagues Cup at TQL Stadium

Knockout rounds

Round of 32

Wednesday, August 2, 2023  
Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City
DRV PNK Stadium – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Mazatlán FC 1-2 FC Dallas 
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX

CF Pachuca 0-0 Houston Dynamo (Houston Dynamo advance 5-3 on penalties)
Shell Energy Stadium – Houston, TX

LAFC 7-1 FC Juárez 
BMO Stadium – Los Angeles, CA

Thursday, August 3, 2023 
Atlas FC 2-2 New England Revolution (New England Revolution advance 8-7 on penalty kicks)
Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, MA

Philadelphia Union 0-0 D.C. United (Philadelphia Union advance 5-4 on penalty kicks)
Subaru Park – Chester, PA

Pumas UNAM 0-1 Querétaro 
Audi Field – Washington, DC

New York Red Bulls 1-0 NYCFC 
Red Bull Arena – Harrison, NJ

Charlotte FC 0-0 Cruz Azul (Charlotte FC advances 4-3 on penalty kicks)
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX

Friday, August 4, 2023  
8:00 p.m. ET: Columbus Crew vs. Minnesota United 
Lower.com Field – Columbus, OH

8:00 p.m. ET: FC Cincinnati vs. Nashville SC  
TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH

7:00 p.m. CT (8:00 p.m. ET): Chicago Fire vs. Club América 
SeatGeek Stadium – Bridgeview, IL

8:00 p.m CT (9:00 p.m ET) Toluca vs. Sporting Kansas City 
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS

7:00 p.m. PT (10:00 p.m. ET): CF Monterrey vs. Portland Timbers 
Providence Park – Portland, OR

7:00 p.m. MT (10:30 p.m. ET): Club León vs. Real Salt Lake 
America First Field – Sandy, UT

7:30 p.m. PT (10:30 p.m. ET): Tigres vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 
BC Place – Vancouver, Canada

Round of 16

Games will be played August 6-8, match-ups and the schedule will be announced after the conclusion of the group stage.

Quarterfinals

Games will be played August 11-12, match-ups and the schedule will be announced after the conclusion of the group stage.

Semifinal schedule

Tue, Sept. 15: Semifinal No. 1, teams and kickoff time TBD
Tue, Sept. 15: Semifinal No. 2, teams and kickoff time TBD

Third-place game

Sat, Aug. 19: Teams and kickoff time TBD

Final

Sat, Aug. 19: Teams and kickoff time TBD

Indy 11

Star Wars Night Aug 5

Indy Eleven Lead USL W League with Four All-League Selections

Recap – LOU 2:0 IND

Indy Eleven Wins USL W League Final in Front of Record-Setting Crowd

EPL

Man City brace for Arsenal assault in Community Shield
NFL great Tom Brady becomes minority owner of second-tier British soccer team Birmingham City
Willian could leave Fulham for Saudi Arabia… two weeks after signing new deal
European Soccer Clubs’ Summer Tours Heat Up U.S. Fans’ Interest

Reffing

Fans convinced Women’s World Cup is ‘rigged’ after …

Women’s World Cup referee causes chaos after …

US Refs at the Women’s World Cup

Chicago Fire FC fined for Mass Confrontation Policy violation
10-year-old soccer referee rules the pitch in Bolivia

Become a Licensed High School Ref

Become a Licensed Ref with Indiana Soccer – must be over 13

Goalkeeping

Charlotte’s GK with 3 PK saves for the win. 

Leagues Cup GKs steal Spotlight

Best MLS Saves in July

Washing Gloves

Distance on Goal Kicks Training 

Tape or Brace after an Ankle Sprain?  YourVeryOwnAthleticTrainer.com

Return to Play after an Ankle Sprain  YourVeryOwnAthleticTrainer.com

====================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ====================== 

Heading over to the Badger Field for Training?  Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ

Save 20% on your order 

(mention the ole ballcoach) 

Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more.  Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/ Call ahead at 317-688-7290  M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday.  Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!  

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ====================== 

2023 Women’s World Cup knockout stage – who’s qualified and who will USWNT, England face?

By The Athletic UK Staff Jul 27, 2023 The Athletic

---

The Women’s World Cup group stage reached a dramatic conclusion on Thursday and the knockout line-up is complete.Germany followed Brazil and Canada in making a high-profile exit, but holders the USWNT and European champions England are through to the last 16.

---

Knockout qualification at a glance

Qualified: Spain, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Nigeria, Netherlands, United States, England, Denmark, Sweden, South Africa, France, Jamaica, Colombia, Morocco

ADVERTISEMENT

Eliminated: Costa Rica, Zambia, Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, Panama, New Zealand, Philippines, Canada, Portugal, Vietnam, Haiti, China, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Germany, South Korea

---

Last-16 fixtures

Saturday, August 5

Switzerland vs Spain — Eden Park (6am BST)
Japan vs Norway — Wellington Regional Stadium (9am BST)

Sunday, August 6

Netherlands vs South Africa — Sydney Football Stadium (3am BST)
Sweden vs USA — Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (10am BST, 5am ET)

Monday, August 7

England vs Nigeria — Brisbane Stadium (8.30am)
Australia vs Denmark — Stadium Australia (11.30am)

Tuesday, August 8

Colombia vs Japan — Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (9am BST)
France vs Morocco — Hindmarsh Stadium (12pm BST)

---

Group A

Norway produced their best performance to advance (Photo: SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Switzerland	3	1	2	0	2	0	2	5
Norway	3	1	1	1	6	1	5	4
New Zealand	3	1	1	1	1	1	0	3
Philippines	3	0	1	2	1	8	-7	1

Norway were at risk of failing to reach the knockout stages but produced their best performance of the tournament to beat Philippines by the required margin to progress.

Sophie Roman Haug scored a hat-trick in a 6-0 win which saw them go through in second place — meaning a tough test against Japan.

Switzerland had to grind out but their 0-0 draw with New Zealand saw them advance as group winners, with Spain their next opponents.

New Zealand and Philippines went out.

---

Group B

Sam Kerr roars on Australia (Getty Images)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Australia	3	2	0	1	7	3	4	6
Nigeria	3	1	2	0	3	2	1	5
Canada	3	1	1	1	2	5	-3	4
Ireland	3	0	1	2	1	3	-2	1

Australia’s qualification was in the balance after a shock 3-2 loss against Nigeria, but the co-hosts avoided New Zealand’s fate as they roared back to rout Canada 4-0 and seal top spot.

A first-half Hayley Raso double and second-half goals from Mary Fowler and Steph Catley saw Australia — with Sam Kerr back on the bench — book a last-16 date with Denmark.

Defeat for Canada means it is the first time in Women’s World Cup history that the reigning Olympic champions have been eliminated at the group stage.

Nigeria failed to beat already-eliminated Ireland, but a goalless draw saw them progress as runners-up, with England next in wait.

Group C

Japan topped their group without conceding a goal (Getty Images)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Japan	3	3	0	0	11	0	11	9
Spain	3	2	0	1	8	4	4	6
Zambia	3	1	0	2	3	11	-8	3
Costa Rica	3	0	0	3	1	8	-7	0

High-scoring Spain and Japan booked their spots in the knockout round with a game to spare.

ADVERTISEMENT

But Japan wrapped up top spot in style after routing their closest rivals 4-0, with Hinata Miyazawa scoring twice for the former champions.

Japan, winners of the 2011 World Cup and runners-up in 2015, will face Norway in the last 16 on Saturday, while Spain will take on Switzerland earlier on the same day.

Costa Rica and Zambia knew they were heading home early ahead of their final-round meeting, but Zambia avoided bottom spot after a 3-1 win.

Barbra Banda scored the 1,000th goal in Women’s World Cup history with her penalty kick in the 31st minute.

Group D

Lauren James starred against China (Getty Images)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
England	3	3	0	0	8	1	7	9
Denmark	3	2	0	1	3	1	2	3
China	3	1	0	2	2	7	-5	3
Haiti	3	0	0	3	0	4	-4	0

England needed just a point after beating closest challengers Denmark 1-0 — but they turned on the style to seal top spot, routing China 6-1.

The Euro 2022 winners will now face Group B runners-up Nigeria.

Denmark beat Haiti 2-0 to seal second spot and will face co-hosts Australia next.

Group E

The USWNT scraped through after being held by Portugal (Getty Images)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Netherlands	3	2	1	0	9	1	8	7
USA	3	1	2	0	4	1	3	5
Portugal	3	1	1	1	2	1	1	4
Vietnam	3	0	0	3	0	12	-12	0

The USWNT have qualified — but had to settle for second place in Group E after a goalless draw against Portugal.

They will now face the winner of Group G — Sweden — in Melbourne on Sunday, with the Netherlands facing South Africa in the last 16.

The USWNT’s route is now potentially trickier; get through their last-16 tie and they are likely to face former champions Japan — The Athletic’s team of the tournament so far — in the quarter-finals rather than semi-finals.

The Netherlands claimed top spot in style after beating bottom-placed Vietnam 7-0.

Group F

Jamaica players celebrate advancing to the knockout stage after the scoreless draw. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
France	3	2	1	0	8	4	4	7
Jamaica	3	1	2	0	1	0	1	5
Brazil	3	1	1	1	5	2	3	4
Panama	3	0	0	3	3	11	-8	0

France needed only a draw against Panama to secure qualification but their 6-3 victory over the already-eliminated South American side meant that they topped Group F with seven points.

Despite being pegged behind two minutes into the game by a wonderous long-range free-kick from Panama’s Martha Cox, France walked out comfortable winners, thanks largely to a 24-minute hat-trick from forward Kadidiatou Diani.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jamaica needed a draw from their final group game to qualify from the group and managed to do exactly that.

A 0-0 draw against Brazil meant that the Caribbean side finished second in Group F and qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Another shock exit, as Brazil become the second top-ten ranked team to be eliminated from the competition after Canada’s elimination on Monday.

Group G

Sweden topped the group with a perfect record (Getty Images)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Sweden	3	3	0	0	9	1	8	9
South Africa	3	1	1	1	6	6	0	4
Italy	3	1	0	2	3	8	-5	3
Argentina	3	0	1	2	2	5	-3	1

Sweden needed just a point to win the group, but a much-changed side maintained their perfect record with a 2-0 win over Argentina.

They will next face holders United States in a blockbuster clash in Melbourne — a rematch of the Olympic quarter-finals in 2021 when the Europeans won 3-0 en route to the final.

Italy seemed set for the runners-up spot but South Africa instead reached the knockout round of a Women’s World Cup for the first time after a dramatic finale in that game.

Thembi Kgatlana scored a stoppage-time winner to seal a 3-2 victory and prompt wild South Africa celebrations.

Group H

Two-time winners Germany are out (Getty Images)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Colombia	3	2	0	1	4	2	2	6
Morocco	3	2	0	1	2	6	-4	6
Germany	3	1	1	1	8	3	5	4
South Korea	3	0	1	2	1	4	-3	1

Twice former winners Germany crashed out in the opening phase of the Women’s World Cup for the first time after a 1-1 draw with South Korea in their final Group H match on Thursday.The Germans, champions in 2003 and 2007 and ranked second in the world, had needed a win to be sure of progressing.But Morocco’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the other group match in Perth sent both teams through to the last 16.

USWNT problems run bone deep as they hope to find next level in World Cup knockouts

By Meg Linehan Aug 1, 2023 The Athletic

---

Since the tournament’s inception in 1991, the USWNT has never finished lower than third place in a World Cup, despite previous dips in the program. The goal in Australia and New Zealand was to achieve an unprecedented three-peat after winning the competition in 2015 and 2019. But right now, the U.S. looks utterly toothless in front of goal and lost in the woods tactically.ADVERTISEMENT

Even though the U.S. barely avoided the unthinkable — exiting the World Cup at the conclusion of the group stage — it would have been deserved, honestly. Instead, the team survived and advanced into the round of 16 via a 0-0 draw with Portugal, finishing second in Group E behind the Netherlands with a win and two draws. For those who stayed up late to watch back home, it will do little to inspire hopes of another deep World Cup run.Just about everything that could have gone wrong did. As the Netherlands cruised to a 7-0 victory over Vietnam in Dunedin, scoring beautiful goal after beautiful goal, every touch for the U.S. was a struggle. They looked hesitant and uninspired. Avert your eyes from their passing network. Captain Lindsey Horan’s every move was designed to avoid a second yellow card that would result in a suspension for the round of 16, but despite the painful caution, it was Rose Lavelle who picked up her second yellow of the tournament in the 39th minute.Lavelle still looked dismayed in the mixed zone after the match. “’I’m just disappointed in myself that I picked up that yellow,” she said. “Disappointed I can’t help the team out on the field next game. I think there’s still a lot of ways that I can help the team off the field, so I guess that’s where my energy will be.”

Vlatko Andonovski: ‘Insane’ to question USWNT mentality after Carli Lloyd ‘dancing and smiling’ criticism

---

By that point in the game, every single writer up in the media tribune at the stadium was already hedging their bets as they sent out their updates: it would be a problem for the USWNT if they reached the knockout stages. If. Over the past decade, that word hasn’t seen a lot of use in the group stage. The “if” at least turned to “when,” but only by the grace of the post that prevented a late winner from Portugal’s Ana Capeta in the second minute of extra time.

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s not to say that there haven’t been moments like this in the USWNT’s history, but every single time before, the team managed to pull off some last-gasp heroics. Still, you’d have to go back to 2011, and how they were forced into a playoff home-and-away series against Italy to qualify for that World Cup. The U.S. won each of those matches 1-0, though. It wasn’t pretty, but they advanced.

That same World Cup, they also finished second in their group, behind Sweden. There are still a handful of current players who remember that. Alex Morgan is one of them. 

“We’re not happy with the performance we put out there,” she said in the postgame press conference. “But at the same time, we’re moving on. This isn’t the first time in my career we’ve moved on second in the group. So now, it’s coming back together (as a team), knowing that we have all the pieces to make it all the way, but putting that all together.”

Only moments before in the mixed zone, Morgan had gotten a question positing that Sweden would be favorites in the round of 16 (while still not yet finalized, an almost certain conclusion considering how these two teams’ tournaments histories have been interwoven). Morgan paused for the briefest of moments, before simply replying, “No,” and moving on to the next interview down the line.

The team has that level of confidence in themselves, and they must. They also must balance immediately putting this match behind them emotionally, while learning from it at the same time. 

Can that level of confidence in themselves improve though, as they reset for the knockout stages?

“I just have blind confidence in everything around us, and in myself and in the group,” Megan Rapinoe said. “So it has to. It just has to.”

It feels like we’re counting the days down until it all ends, and the work of trying to understand full sense of everything that’s gone wrong for the team at this tournament begins. 

There’s a lot, to be fair. It goes beyond a head coach, beyond a dismal performance on a Tuesday night, beyond the lack of substitutes in the Netherlands match or the lack of finishing against Vietnam in the opener. Or Andonovski’s reluctance to see if the 4-2-3-1 might work better, and to shift away from the 4-3-3, when it hasn’t just been shut down, but exploited fairly easily by opponents. Or the number of injuries the team carried into this tournament. (One could argue that the quality of refereeing had at least some impact on all three matches, too, if one were so inclined.) 

These are all symptoms, not the illness. The problem’s much deeper, reaching through the youth national teams and into the core of the program itself. We saw some of the warning signs in the last Olympics, where they lost to Canada in the semifinals, but with the strange nature of that tournament and the bounce back for bronze, followed by the project of the roster transition beginning in earnest, it was easier to overlook. There was a window for improvement, and the team looked like it was shaping up through qualification last summer. The USWNT’s lackluster group stage feels like that problem finally bubbling up to the highest levels.

ADVERTISEMENT

Consider the track record of the two U.S. women’s youth national teams who also participate in World Cups, the U-20s and the U-17s. Every single player on the field for the U.S. comes up through this system, and it’s been a long, long time since either one of these teams has been successful.

The last time the U-20s won their World Cup was in 2012. Over the next three tournaments, their final placement got worse with each successive tournament: fourth place in Papua New Guinea in 2016 (losing to Japan), ninth in France 2018, 11th in Costa Rica 2022. The last two times, the U.S. failed to advance from their group.

It’s even rougher for the U-17s. Their best performance in the World Cup was in the inaugural one for the age group, in 2008 — held in New Zealand. The U-17s finished second there, but failed to advance from their group in 2016 and 2018 (finishing 10th and 13th place, respectively), and in the most recent U-17 World Cup, they lost to Nigeria in the quarterfinal for a sixth place finish.

It’s only going to get harder, at every level moving forward — not just in whatever match-up they face on August 6 in Melbourne. Andonovski reminded everyone on Monday that rankings mean absolutely nothing at the World Cup, but it’s more than that, and it’s more than the rest of the world catching up to the USWNT, or their lack of fear playing against the U.S. It was a lot more than stray passes or a lack of chemistry or unsophisticated tactics. 

There are bone-deep problems in the program that will need long-term solutions — not just whatever may come down the line if the USWNT goes out any earlier than the final, whether that means the departure of Andonovksi or USWNT general manager Kate Markgraf, or both. None of that is happening at this moment, though. 

There was no magical solution on Tuesday night. Rapinoe was a few inches away from playing her final minutes in a World Cup, but she could not make the difference after she entered the game around the hour mark. There was no joy from Morgan’s left foot either, despite multiple opportunities. The USWNT had their chances, as always (six shots on target to Portugal’s zero), but as is more than normal over the past year-plus, they had nothing to show for them.

Every World Cup match is a test and on Tuesday, the USWNT was lucky that it’s graded as pass/fail: Pass, you move on, fail, you go home. But was tonight the gut punch that might finally jolt the team into reaching its full potential?

ADVERTISEMENT

“It’s definitely a reminder that every game needs to be our best game, even in the group stage,” defender Naomi Girma said, unwilling to go that far. “Now, going into knockouts, it’s win or go home. We’re still in it. We are capable of raising our level so much and playing a lot better, creating more chances, putting our chances away, being clear in the back. I think there is a higher level for this team, and going into the next round, we’re gonna need to tap into that.”

Meg Linehan is a senior writer for The Athletic who covers the U.S. women’s national team, the National Women’s Soccer League and more. She also hosts the weekly podcast “Full Time with Meg Linehan.” Follow Meg on Twitter @itsmeglinehan

The USWNT look aimless – they don’t really know what they are

Michael Cox Aug. 4, 2023

Close followers of the USWNT were generally pessimistic about their chances at this Women’s World Cup, but the scale of their underperformance in the group stage was quite striking. The 3-0 win over Vietnam wasn’t as easy as anticipated, while the games against the Netherlands and Portugal have brought two draws, 1-1 and 0-0. Slip-ups happen, even for the serious contenders to win this competition. Germany lost to Colombia, France couldn’t beat Jamaica. Australia and England needed a penalty to defeat Ireland and Haiti respectively. But the U.S. performances have been more troubling than the results. It’s partly about individuals. But it’s also about identity.

The first issue is the U.S. no longer have a dominant collection of individuals, unlike when they won the previous two tournaments. Coming into this World Cup, it felt probable that western Europe had caught up in that respect, but on the strength of the group stage, it seems nations from across the globe have too.The U.S. are (probably) between two generations of great players. This can happen. The 2015/2019 generation was genuinely special. Of that group, some dependable players have retired. Some are injured. Some weren’t selected. Some are still around, but are evidently past their best. There is no questioning the talent of Naomi Girma, Alyssa Thompson, Sophia Smith or Trinity Rodman, all 23 or under and the start of the next U.S. generation. But these players are all competing at their first World Cup, have little experience playing outside their home country and simply aren’t at the age where footballers usually peak. At the moment, you can reasonably put together a World Best XI without a single USWNT player, for probably the first time since the Women’s World Cup was created in 1991. That doesn’t mean the U.S. can’t win the tournament, but it does mean they have to play more collectively. That brings us to the second issue: the absence of tactical intelligence from Vlatko Andonovski’s side. There is simply no cohesion in what the U.S. are attempting, with or without possession. Leaving aside the win over Vietnam, where anything other than a comfortable victory would have been an astonishing shock, they have been ill-equipped to cope with the opposition’s system. In fairness, the Netherlands opened the scoring against the run of play, but thereafter they kept the ball expertly, moving it patiently around the defence while the U.S. looked utterly confused about how they might go about pressing the opposition back three.Portugal, meanwhile, used a diamond midfield, which allowed them to cut through the U.S. lines smoothly. One particular move, which put in Jessica Silva for a good goalscoring opportunity, was particularly rare at this World Cup as an example of a team progressing the ball directly through the centre.

It’s not that other teams don’t want to do that, of course, more that their opponents have defended in a compact block, forcing attacks down the flanks. Not the U.S.; there are simply too many gaps between the lines.Their attacking game has been largely based around getting the ball out wide to Smith and Rodman or Thompson, and expecting them to thrive in one-against-one situations. It worked against Vietnam but, to be frank, it hasn’t worked against defenders who are actually professional footballers.There is a lack of genuine creativity and incision in this side. The best moments of interplay have come when Alex Morgan has dropped deep and flicked the ball around the corner to the wingers. But against Portugal, Morgan — probably troubled by her lack of goals in this competition — was too individualistic and shot in situations when she could have passed, like this difficult attempt when Rose Lavelle was screaming for the ball on the edge of the box.

Morgan has no goals from 13 attempts at World Cup 2023. Damningly, just one has been on target. Even more damningly, that was a penalty, which was saved.The third issue is something deeper: it’s about philosophy. In truth, despite their previous successes, this has never been an area of strength for the USWNT; there’s always been a question mark about precisely what type of football they offer. The strengths of previous U.S. sides have been mental resilience, fitness levels and belief. These are all general concepts which could apply to any sport.But what is the footballing identity of a U.S. side? Are they about long, patient spells of possession? No. Are they astute counter-pressers who set up traps and then pounce quickly? To a certain extent, because of fitness levels, but this has generally been about energy rather than intelligence. Do they rotate positions to drag opponents apart? Not noticeably. Do they switch formation to exploit opposition weaknesses? Probably to a lesser extent than other contenders to win World Cups.The man who coached the U.S. to their first Women’s World Cup triumph, Anson Dorrance in 1991, once explained the footballing style of the side. “What we had an opportunity to do, which was unique, was developing our game within the sort of cultural and athletic mores of the United States,” he said, quoted in Kieran Theivam and Jeff Kassouf’s book, The Making of the Women’s World Cup. “I was coaching entirely within the parameters of our own culture. Because we had no (footballing) culture, we couldn’t pride ourselves on our sophistication or our creativity. But we had this relentless, irrepressible American spirit with a confidence that belied our capability.”That approach persists today. In footballing terms, that approach comes down to a couple of concepts: one-against-one dribbling out wide, and hard running from midfield. This works when you are superior individually and in terms of fitness, but without those two advantages, there’s nothing to fall back on. Subsequent managers have focused on winning, and have largely been very successful, but haven’t implemented much of a philosophy.

“The intensity in European football really has grown the last couple of years, as well as the fitness,” said Netherlands manager Andries Jonker, speaking before the 1-1 draw between the sides in the group phase. “In the past, the American women were a lot fitter than the rest of the world, but I really think those days are over. If you look at the Champions League nowadays, you see the same level of intensity. So the big question is now, what is left of their superiority?”

Their most impressive performer here has been Lavelle, a willing runner from midfield but not the most incisive footballer you’ll ever see. She is suspended for the round-of-16 game against Sweden. Even with Lavelle, this side lacks footballing guile and players who can play clever passes. The introduction of Megan Rapinoe for the final half-hour against Portugal was interesting, because while she initially looked dangerous by attempting to thread passes in behind, a welcome development, she was ultimately too ambitious in possession and conceded the ball cheaply.Rapinoe found a team-mate with just seven of her 22 passes, a 32 per cent completion rate, and at one point bafflingly booted the ball up in the air towards no one in particular, allowing Portugal to break. Passing numbers in isolation can be misleading, but it’s worth noting Morgan’s completion rate was only slightly better: 33 per cent. Lynn Williams’ was 47 per cent and Smith’s 54 per cent. All four of those figures are below each of the 10 Portugal outfielders who started the game.The U.S. weren’t really playing football and they weren’t able to control the game. The most curious aspect of their performance against Portugal was in the final 15 minutes, when they made the game a back-and-forth counter-attack contest at a time when the prospect of a 0-0 was underwhelming but, in terms of progression to the next round, fine. That played into the hands of Portugal, who were two inches away from finding a winner and eliminating their opponents.

ADVERTISEMENT

Despite all this, it’s far from impossible that the USWNT still win this tournament. In fact, bookmakers still consider them the favourites.The strongest section of the side has been Girma and Julie Ertz’s centre-back partnership, and for all the struggles going forward, this team has conceded only once. If you keep clean sheets, you can progress through tournaments. For all the surprise about Canada being eliminated from this competition early, considering they’re the reigning Olympic champions, they were completely uninspiring in Tokyo two years ago too. They won only one of their three group games, and their three knockout scorelines were 0-0, 1-0 and 1-1, with both the goals they scored coming from the penalty spot. They had no attacking identity. But they didn’t concede many, so they won the tournament.Maybe the U.S. will do something similar. Maybe the dribbling skill of their wingers and bursts from their midfielders will prove more decisive against opponents who attack and leave space in behind.But there’s an emptiness, an aimlessness and a lack of intelligence about this U.S. side. Despite high-profile individuals, they’ve been less convincing as a unit than the likes of Portugal and Haiti, sides who have been eliminated. You can blame Andonovski, who is almost certainly out of his depth, but in wider footballing terms, the U.S. don’t really know what they are.

The USWNT’s ‘Prayer Circle Formation’ is tough to watch, but winning isn’t impossible

Kimberly McCauley Aug. 3, 2023

The United States women’s national team will head into its World Cup round of 16 game against Sweden with a majority of its fan base doubting the team for perhaps the first time in their history. During the U.S.’s last group-stage match, a 0-0 draw against Portugal, they turned in the ugliest and sloppiest performance of the Vlatko Andonovski era, prompting questions about whether the team has what it takes to win a World Cup knockout stage game.

ADVERTISEMENT

Criticism of Andonovski and his team are warranted after they failed to beat first-time qualifiers Portugal, but it’s worth pointing out that this game was very close to going a lot differently.If Alex Morgan heads in the cross that Rose Lavelle delivered a couple inches away from perfect, only 18 seconds into the match, or if the U.S. scores any of their 17 relatively high-quality shots — good for 2.13 expected goals — we are probably not having an exhaustive conversation about everything wrong with their coach and tactics. A game with this shot profile is one the USWNT wins more often than not.

The U.S. had six shots inside the box and seven of 0.1 xG or better. The things that happened in between those shots were ugly and difficult to watch, but the USWNT did, ultimately, get enough high-quality shots to win the game. It’s probably good for the team’s long-term prospects that none of those shots resulted in a goal, though. Instead of having a 2-0 win to paper over all of the cracks in the U.S.’s tactical setup, all of those cracks were clear for everyone to see in a 0-0 draw, in which the Americans were an inch from elimination.m

htthe

USWNT’s attack is supposed to look like

I’ve spent three years not liking the way the U.S. is playing, giving Andonovski the benefit of the doubt because he is a qualified coach who has won NWSL championships, and giving games a second look to see if I missed anything. This game had fewer positives to find on second look than any other one I can remember, but you could at least see what his team was trying to accomplish on this third-minute move, probably the best of the game. Julie Ertz starts the attack with an excellent outlet ball to Crystal Dunn, who runs into wide space that’s available due to Portugal’s narrow 4-4-2 diamond formation.

Sophia Smith gets into a good position to receive a pass ahead of Dunn, who finds her with an early ball, getting Smith isolated in a one-on-one in a lot of space against Portugal left back Ana Borges. This is the kind of situation the U.S. would like to find Smith in frequently, and she makes a good decision to cut inside, then try a diagonal ball toward the top of the box. 

Smith’s ball isn’t great, but the U.S. attackers are in good positions to keep Portugal under pressure, compete for the second ball after Smith’s diagonal pass is intercepted, and continue the attack with a numerical advantage on the right side. They’re able to work it to Lynn Williams, who beats her defender and squares to the top of the six-yard box for Alex Morgan.

Portugal defender Diana Gomes does a solid job of reacting and putting Morgan off balance just enough to alter the shot and prevent a goal. But this was a good move resulting in a high-quality chance, and if the U.S. were able to do this repeatedly, they’d have won the game.

What’s actually happening 95% of the time they have the ball

Unfortunately for the U.S., Portugal settled into their shape and started defending much better around the 10-minute mark. From then on, the U.S. looked sloppy, and struggled with their passing. Midfield shape and movement is the most glaring issue with the U.S. at the moment. The team is regularly taking up a stance I’ll call the “Prayer Circle Formation,” in which everyone’s occupying a space on the perimeter of the pitch and no one’s in the middle. Intelligent and technically adept players who regularly show the ability to combine in tight spaces at the club level are being made to appear inept, as they look up for passing options and find no one Also, this is exactly what happened when the USWNT lost to Canada in the Olympics in 2021. The Prayer Circle has to be considered a feature, not a bug, of Andonovsi’s tactics at this point. He wants to create overloads in wide areas and get numbers into the box so badly that he is willing to sacrifice having a midfield to do so. Personally, I think this sucks and leads to very bad soccer.  There are — and I swear to god I am not exaggerating one bit — at least 15 instances of the Prayer Circle popping up in the Portugal match, but we’re going to stick to three examples.  During the English-language broadcast of the game, Fox analyst Alexi Lalas lobbed a harsh criticism at Crystal Dunn, stating that she looked like she’d never played soccer before. I would like to know where Dunn is supposed to pass the ball in this instance.

Dunn chose a lofted pass over the top of the defense toward Lindsey Horan, who was making a vertical run in the channel between the right center back and right fullback. Here’s another move where the U.S. tries to build down its left flank through Dunn, who is then tasked with advancing the ball to… who, exactly? 

Horan is lagging back on this play while Lavelle stays in the right half space, neither winger cuts inside, and Morgan tries to stretch the back line. Dunn is left with only one passing option: Smith on the left side. Because Portugal knows that Dunn only has one passing option, they can cheat to their right and set up to trap her against the sideline. Holding midfielder Andi Sullivan has also caught a lot of criticism for her lack of contribution to build-up play and inability to play passes quickly. I am not going to argue that Sullivan has played well during this World Cup, but I would like to know what quick and/or progressive pass she is supposed to play here.

Horan is not offering herself as an option and Lavelle is literally out of frame. This is another instance of the two more advanced central midfielders trying to make a run into the box during early build-up. This isn’t a bad thing; it’s great to have midfielders who are a threat to make runs into the box and score goals. But Horan and Lavelle regularly made this run at the exact same time, meaning neither of them was making themselves a passing option in midfield.

ADVERTISEMENT

This was the most recognizable repeated pattern of play for the U.S. in this game: Dunn, Sullivan or Emily Fox gets on the ball roughly 60 yards from goal. Horan and/or Lavelle (usually “and”) make a vertical run toward the box. The player on the ball thinks Portugal has the run covered, so they don’t try to play in their midfielder, and look for their second option.  There is no second option. The central midfielders have run forward, and no one from the front line is moving into midfield to replace them. The ball carrier’s only options are to play long or backwards. The USWNT has faced constant criticism for not playing fast enough, and I’m not sure how they’re meant to do that without hoofing it long up the pitch. The players are having to stop to think because there aren’t available teammates to pass to. Teams that play fast with short passes on the ground are able to do so because their teammates make themselves available for passes. This problem does not originate with the player on the ball, but with the players off the ball.

I hate the left side bias

The USWNT’s build-up leans extremely heavily to its left side. Dunn had a team-leading 72 touches in the match, while Fox, her counterpart on the right side, had just 42. The desire to build through Dunn makes sense — she’s a technically adept central midfielder being tasked with playing left back, and she has a lot of existing chemistry with Horan, the left-sided central midfielder. Using the skills of those players to beat the first line of pressure and advance the ball into midfield makes sense.

But then they don’t go anywhere. They just keep advancing the ball down the left by passing to Smith, or a run by Morgan or Horan toward that side of the pitch.

The USWNT’s inability or unwillingness to work the ball into midfield or play a switch to the right side after early build-up makes them predictable and easy to defend against. It also means fewer touches and less time on the ball for Lavelle, the team’s most impactful creative playmaker. I would try to engineer a system that gets Lavelle on the ball as often as possible instead.

Directness is fine but this is a little extreme

I like watching teams that play forward early. There’s such a thing as pointless circular passing, and Japan’s demolition of Spain is an excellent example of why possession and high passing percentages don’t necessarily mean you’re the better team. But you need the ability to keep the ball situationally, and the USWNT extremely does not have that at the moment. As Carr points out down the thread a bit, 2.6 passes per sequence is average for an NWSL match, and the USWNT has not hit that number once in its three group games. They’re just going for the home run ball over the top constantly. Andonovski alluded to this being a genuine tactic in the post-match press conference. When he was asked about his team’s low pass completion percentage, he said, “If we have a lower pass completion (percentage), it could be because of the technique of the pass, or the area where the pass was attempted.” In other words: We were trying low-percentage, high-risk passes on purpose.Horan and Lavelle finished the game with 63% and 57% passing accuracy respectively, which looks pretty bad on the surface, but I don’t think it’s the problem. Asking your best passers to play lots of high-risk passes in the hopes that they hit one and unlock the defense is a legit tactic, and in this particular instance, one that came off… OK? Horan created two chances with 0.24 expected assists, and Lavelle had three with 0.64 xA.Where the problems arise is that the way Horan and Lavelle have been asked to play, where they’re either passing or running at the box all the time and rarely supporting others, makes life pretty much impossible for everyone else on the pitch when they have the ball. You can really see the problem in the forwards’ passing stats: Smith and Morgan completed just two passes each in the final third, and Williams completed zero. 

What’s the solution?

I don’t think this team can learn how to play nice combinations in midfield and attack in a balanced fashion right now. If they haven’t fixed those problems in the two years since the Olympics, I’m not sure how they’re meant to fix them in five days. I don’t think that a formation change or swapping out personnel fixes these problems. Andonovski’s USWNT does not have the foundational building blocks in place to dominate midfield and play good passing soccer.The solution, sadly, is “what they’re doing, but better.” Defend and play fast, direct counter-attacks. Get Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Lynn Williams on the pitch at the same time and run them onto the ball over and over and over again while most of the team sits deep in shape. With apologies to Alex Morgan, who could be an excellent deep-lying forward in a team that worked combinations through the center, this is not her team. I am not a “get back to what made the USWNT great” ideologue. I hope that the program aspires to develop a more modern passing approach in the future, but those aspirations will not help them win a game against Sweden, right now. I believe the players are capable of executing a more technical and stylish style of soccer, but I do not believe they’re capable of it this month, under this coach.Despite all the negativity, the players’ individual talents are still good enough to carry the USWNT to a win over anyone. In their worst attacking performance in recent memory, they put up 17 shots and 2.13 xG, because the players are good enough to create chances even when they’re confused and the tactics don’t make any sense. This team is not well coached, and they stink to watch, but they can still win the World Cup.Sign up for the Full Time newsletter to get the biggest World Cup storylines delivered directly to your inbox daily.(Photo: Jose Breton / Pics Action / NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Carli Lloyd was wrong in her criticism of the USWNT – this is why

Steph Yang Aug 3, 2023 The Athletic

There is a refrain that I have been using in this tournament: teams are icebergs. We get maybe 10%, if that, from observing them. The other 90% is a mystery; not known to us, nor meant for us. And so it’s frustrating that yet again, a thread of criticism has started to unravel around the U.S. women’s national team, essentially, being too happy.After the U.S. held on to a scoreless draw to squeak past Portugal and into the round of 16 as the second-place team in the group — a position they hadn’t been in since 2011 — FOX Sports cameras cut to players dancing, smiling and taking pictures with fans. In the postgame coverage, Carli Lloyd, a two-time World Cup winner herself, was quick to criticize the players.“I’m just seeing these images for the first time right now, at the desk,” Lloyd said. “I have never witnessed something like that. There’s a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family, but to be dancing? To be smiling?… You’re lucky to not be going home right now.”

The public and social-media debate was instant and vociferous. On Thursday in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, USWNT captain Lindsey Horan addressed what she called “noise.”

“For me, I always want to defend my team and say like, ‘You have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes, you have no idea every single training, what we’re doing individually, collectively, et cetera’,” Horan said. “So for anyone to question our mentality hurts a little bit, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. I don’t really care. It’s (about) what’s going on inside of here.”There are two primary assumptions going on with the outside commentary. First, that the players actually are happy. One would certainly hope they are: they’re at a World Cup, the pinnacle of any soccer player’s career. And second, that there’s something wrong with being happy even if everything isn’t exactly going to plan.This is not a new phenomenon; finding something to dislike about the way players are handling a tournament is an old refrain for this team. We’ve gone from worrying that they’re celebrating too much during their 13-0 win over Thailand in 2019 to asking why the players are smiling and dancing and implying they’re being too soft with each other’s feelings, that there isn’t enough grim Trunchbullian motivation in that camp. Don’t the players know how close they came to elimination?

ADVERTISEMENT

Every single U.S. player who went through the mixed zone after their 0-0 draw against Portugal was clearly aware of the situation.“We know that we can be better,” said Crystal Dunn. “It’s not like everyone’s sitting there like, ‘Wow, that was the most amazing performance put together’.”“We need to play better and we know that,” said Megan Rapinoe.Alex Morgan, team co-captain, missed multiple shots late in the game and was quick to say she needed to do better.“We expect so much of ourselves,” Morgan said. “We hold the high standard and we wanted to go through first in the group, but this World Cup is crazy. Every World Cup is crazy, but this one especially.”Defender Kelley O’Hara, who came on in the last minute of second-half stoppage time, perhaps summed up her feelings on the issue best with a long, aggravated sigh when asked what she thought the team needed to do to spark a better performance in knockouts.

“Just have to do a couple of Kumbayas and we’ll be good,” she said sarcastically, possibly referencing a remark from Fox Soccer’s commentary team about the U.S. singing “Kumbaya” while being a team that is struggling and not going into the round of 16 with confidence.The players might talk about being in a bubble, walled off from things like pundits and social media, but they know. They’re not unaware that they are at the most high-profile event of their profession or that they didn’t score on Portugal or that it’s now the number one talking point about the team.

“It is kind of frustrating for me to hear, especially knowing this team and how much we put into every single game,” Horan said. “How much preparation we put into every single game. Seeing our training, seeing how hard we work. In this game, you can’t question that we didn’t want to win the game. You can’t question we weren’t working as hard as we possibly could. We know we could have done better.”

Photo by Ulrik Pedersen, Getty Images.

No player at the World Cup is walking around unaware of the group standings. And no player or coach is going to fully give away what is going on within camp. Reporters might get to go to open practice, but after the first 15 minutes, everyone gets kicked out so the team can prepare in earnest. Why, then, would anyone assume that what we see is representative of the total picture?

Not only are practices a momentary glimpse, no one is privy to team meetings with and without coaching staff, strategy sessions, recovery, private conversations between players, calls to family members, sessions with team psychs or the hours of downtime. We don’t know if they’re actually having a chill time in camp or if players are sobbing in their rooms, nor are we entitled to know any of that.Not even the people who used to be on the team know. They have their own valid experiences, true. But personnel change, dynamics change, and players know better than anyone that the people commenting from the outside can only guess at the feelings inside.Criticizing players for appearing to be having a good time also implies the corollary: would it make you feel better to see them look miserable? Do you want them to look like they’ve just had to take the beaches of Normandy? If so, why?When U.S. midfielder Rose Lavelle spoke to the media the day before the Netherlands game, she said, “I think watching the World Cup is always really fun.” Head coach Vlatko Andonovski said that team mealtimes are usually scheduled such that at least one other game is on. It was a reminder that players don’t usually go into soccer because they want to live out years of misery and dour, grim grind for its own sake. They do it because they love it, and to begrudge the players the parts of this job that make them love it is churlish at best and cruel at worst.“We want this so badly that sometimes I think we lose track of why we started to play and why we’re here,” forward Lynn Williams said. “It’s because we love the game and we love absolutely playing and we love these moments on the world stage.“That’s why we’ve put our bodies through so much and sacrificed so much. And I think that it’s a lot of people’s first tournament, mine included, so you just want to go out there and perform so badly that sometimes you forget about all the joy and the reason why you started.”Motivation isn’t the problem either.“If you have to get up for quarter-final match work or a knockout round match in a World Cup, you know, I don’t think anybody needs that kind of motivation,” Rapinoe said after the Portugal game, also addressing questions about how to get everyone looking sharper.“I think there (were) things that we could do better from the last couple of games,” she said. “But like, I’m not gonna dwell on it. It is what it is.”

That ability to turn the page and look forward instead of back has always been a crucial component of tournament mentality. So if the criticism is the players aren’t upset enough, then consider that there are many ways to motivate, and negative emotion isn’t always the answer.In an interview with SB Nation, two players who have also been there, Christen Press and Tobin Heath, laughed that they were even bothering to do commentary on games because they both knew from experience that external opinions were ultimately so much noise.“Nobody cares,” Heath told SBN. “It’s so funny because we’re all here giving our opinions and think we matter… Honestly, it’s the biggest BS that anybody notices because all these players are fully focused on getting the job done.”After that Portugal game, first-time World Cup player Trinity Rodman lingered on the field. She signed autographs and took selfies long after the rest of the stadium had emptied out.If the lasting image of that game against Portugal is instead Rodman trying to make it a special moment for every single fan who had come so far to support the team, and maybe feel some positivity herself, then perhaps that’s a lesson everyone watching can internalize that playing a game and joy should go hand in hand.

---

Sign up for the Full Time newsletter to get the biggest World Cup storylines delivered directly to your inbox daily.

---

Steph Yang is a staff writer for The Athletic covering women’s soccer in the United States. Before joining The Athletic, she was a managing editor at All for XI and Stars & Stripes FC and a staff writer for The Bent Musket, as well as doing freelance work for other soccer sites. She has covered women’s soccer for over seven years and is based out of Boston, Mass.

USWNT’s coaching blunders make 2023 World Cup path murkier

Claire Watkins August 1, 2023 Just Women’s Sports

In his first World Cup as USWNT coach, Vlatko Andonovski has overseen the lowest group-stage points total in team history. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. women’s national team advanced to the Round of 16 in auspicious fashion on Tuesday, finishing second in Group E following a 0-0 draw with tournament debutantes Portugal. The USWNT made it through the group stage undefeated, but scored only four goals in three games and compiled their lowest World Cup points total in team history after two consecutive draws.

The message after the match from head coach Vlatko Andonvoski and his players was about the importance of surviving and advancing, but the reigning World Champions now have a more difficult path to the World Cup final. They’ll likely face longtime rivals Sweden in their first knockout-round match, with more than a few adjustments needing to be made.

The good news for the U.S. is that they have yet to lose a match while underperforming, but they’re running out of time to fix glaring issues. Here are a few main takeaways from a sloppy, scoreless draw that nonetheless set the stage for the rest of the tournament.

Formational regression hangs players out to dry

No individual players for the USWNT looked sharp against Portugal, but they also were not aided by formational issues that have plagued the U.S. since the start of 2022. Since the Tokyo Olympics, Vlatko Andonovski has been trying to figure out the best combination of formation and personnel to round out the team’s midfield, especially during Julie Ertz’s prolonged absence.

In the middle stages of that key development year, the U.S. tried to slot Andi Sullivan into Ertz’s role in a 4-3-3 formation that prioritized pushing two midfielders forward to aid the attack. Against Concacaf competition in World Cup qualifying, there was logic behind this approach, as the U.S. was tasked with breaking down low-block defenses. Ultimately, the approach worked, even if the USWNT didn’t look like their best selves for much of that tournament.

But the lesson the USWNT should have learned from their tough slate of friendlies against England, Spain and Germany in the latter half of 2022 is that Sullivan needs a defensive partner against similarly balanced midfields. The U.S. adjusted into a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lindsey Horan and sometimes Rose Lavelle helping occupy defensive space and distribute the ball through the spine of the midfield.

Strangely, in the World Cup group stage, the USWNT lined up in the former setup rather than the latter, despite in-game data showing that two of their opponents were unlikely to sit and wait for the U.S. to attack. The approach might have made some sense against Vietnam, but the Netherlands were clearly coming into the second match with a packed midfield as part of their three-back system. Portugal, likewise, had defensive players step forward to neutralize the U.S. midfield with relative ease.

Scouting abnormalities can be forgiven; it’s the other team’s job to surprise and create problems that the USWNT isn’t anticipating. But Andonovski’s reluctance to adjust to losing the numbers and possession battle in the midfield has placed more strain on individual players than necessary. Against the Netherlands, the U.S. found a second gear to make the system work for them. But against Portugal, the mental fatigue of holding an uneasy shape began to show as players tired.

The shape does not suit Sullivan, who has continued to start in the defensive midfield despite the team’s struggle to move the ball. On Tuesday, the USWNT was relegated to moving the ball in a horseshoe motion from the backline out to the wings, where defensive overloads quickly shifted possession back in Portugal’s favor. Players were so locked into the system that they couldn’t find their open teammates.

Andonovski might be saving a surprise shift to a 4-2-3-1 for the knockout rounds, but more deft adjustments in the group stage might have given the USWNT a better chance at finishing on top. He might also slot Ertz back into the defensive midfield, but with Alana Cook failing to see the field in the team’s first three games, the team’s cohesion is at risk.

Lynn Williams started in place of Trinity Rodman against Portugal, but the USWNT still lacked finishing ability. (Robin Alam/USSF/Getty Images)

Continued lack of trust in the bench

After calling for only one substitute against the Netherlands, Andonovski made two changes to his starting XI against Portugal, starting Lynn Williams in the frontline and Lavelle in the midfield. Williams made an immediate impact, but her relative freshness compared to Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan’s fatigue actually added to the lack of cohesion on the frontline, rather than alleviating it.

Lavelle similarly provided a spark but also paid for trying to bring an edge to the midfield, picking up her second yellow card of the tournament that will require her to sit out the USWNT’s Round of 16 match. The rest of the squad appeared to suffer for lack of rest, with both physical and mental fatigue playing a role in the team’s tepid approach to ball progression and chance creation.

When Andonovski compiled this World Cup roster, he had a clear idea of his starters, his depth players and his specialists. After three games, it seems clear his trust mostly lies with his set starters, as those on the bench continue to fight for minutes. Megan Rapinoe made a substitution appearance against Portugal, but her defensive limitations at this stage in her career makes it difficult to start her and relieve some of the pressure on Smith. Sofia Huerta has not gotten much time on the field either, despite being called in to unlock tight, low-scoring games with her service — something the U.S. has struggled with in all three matches.

Instead, Andonovski brought on Emily Sonnett in a 5-4-1 formational shift that saw the U.S. concede more chances in second-half stoppage time than in the rest of the match. He has now locked the USWNT into a process of their own making, with starters who are tiring and substitutes who have not gotten enough World Cup minutes to step in and feel comfortable. It’s the same dilemma that led to Savannah DeMelo getting two quick World Cup starts after just her first cap with the team.

The approach may have been forgiven if the team had gotten all three points against the Netherlands, allowing for heavy rotation in their third match. But in a tournament decided by the finest of margins, the U.S. has now perhaps pushed too hard for results that never came, making the climb ahead of them even steeper.

Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

Mentality or tactics: What can save USWNT’s World Cup quest?

• Caitlin Murray, ESPNAug 3, 2023, 08:03 AM ET

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — If it has looked to you as if the players on the United States women’s national team aren’t having as much fun as they could be during this Women’s World Cup, they’d be the first to agree.Asked what’s been missing from this World Cup campaign so far, captain Lindsey Horan on Thursday highlighted a lack of joy on the field.”It’s that confidence, that belief in ourselves to do what we are most special at — each of us individually, but also as a team — and also finding the joy in it,” Horan said, then promised: “Once we get a little bit more of that joy back and that feeling, things are going to move a bit better.”

– Women’s World Cup: Landing page | Schedule | Rosters | News
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

But a lack of the swagger and fun that has defined the USWNT over the years — including its rollicking campaign to win the previous World Cup in 2019 — is hardly the only problem you could identify within this U.S. team.The USWNT is struggling with the fundamentals: Players aren’t stringing together passes, putting shots on target or maintaining possession. That has played out with the USWNT’s worst World Cup group stage ever: the American women won just a single game for the first time since the Women’s World Cup began in 1991.This No. 1-ranked USWNT side hardly resembles the reigning Women’s World Cup champions, and although some pundits and former players have raised questions about the players’ mentality, others have called out a failure of tactics and structure, which are the purview of coach Vlatko Andonovski.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• Reviewing the U.S.’s World Cup so far: Can it still win? What’s going wrong?1dJeff Carlisle, Caitlin Murray
• With this form, the U.S. doesn’t look like a World Cup champion3dJeff Carlisle
• World Cup last 16: Why every remaining team (including the U.S.) will, won’t win it all12hBill Connelly

It’s a chicken-or-egg question: Is the USWNT not executing tactics well because the players lack the right mentality? Or are the players not showing the right mentality because the tactics are holding them back?

After a listless 0-0 draw with No. 21-ranked Portugal to close out the group stage, and facing a win-or-go-home game Sunday against Sweden in the round of 16, it becomes all the more imperative to figure out the answer.

‘How can we expect growth in seven days?’

Midfielders Tobin Heath and Christen Press, who played for the USWNT under Andonovski at the Olympics in 2021 but are not on the 2023 World Cup squad, placed their criticism squarely on their former coach, albeit without saying his name.”In every soccer match, you need to make tactical adjustments to exploit spaces, get numerical advantages, yada yada,” Press said on “The RE-CAP Show,” the podcast she hosts with Heath. “And we haven’t seen, in a game, any of those tactical adjustments.”But it points to the larger point: Have we seen any tactical adjustments in the last year? Have we seen any different formations tried? Have we seen any adjustments to the way that we’re pressing?” Press added: “We’ve seen the team come out for the last year in the same general shape, in the same general pressing structure. The question I have is: now we’re in this tournament and we’re saying, ‘OK, we’re not super happy with the first three games, but we’re going to grow’ — but if we haven’t seen growth in the last year, how can we expect growth in seven days?” That’s the problem: If the USWNT’s tactics are all wrong and they’ve been going down the wrong path ever since they qualified for the World Cup last year, it will be difficult to try to change course now. That’s especially true if Andonovski hasn’t shown the ability to adjust and fix vulnerabilities in the USWNT’s tactics over that time — he won’t suddenly become a better coach anytime soon, either.In that sense, perhaps the focus must shift to player mentality because that’s reasonably the only thing that can change before a must-win game against Sweden. Certainly, that’s where Carli Lloyd, another player from that 2021 Olympics team, has stirred the pot, accusing her former teammates of not caring enough about winning.Whatever the reason, the individual performances from USWNT players at this World Cup have been below par. In the span of a few minutes against Portugal, for instance, three U.S. players passed the ball out of bounds without any pressure, and it’s jarring to see some of the best players in the world looking this disjointed.In some ways, it’s reminiscent of how the USWNT looked in Tokyo two years ago. Winger Megan Rapinoe‘s assessment after the USWNT’s Olympic opener, a 3-0 loss to Sweden, was blunt: “There’s a lot of stuff we can clean up — trap the ball, pass the ball to your own team is probably the first one.” After the USWNT got knocked out by Canada in the semifinal, Rapinoe’s reaction was similar: “We don’t have juice because the ball’s banging off our shins and we’re not finding open passes and doing the simple things.”Rapinoe could have been talking about this World Cup. As former USWNT player Julie Foudy said on her podcast, “Laughter Permitted,” the USWNT looked all out of sorts against Portugal: “They can’t even connect four or five passes. They were connecting nothing.” Fellow USWNT legend Kristine Lilly agreed: “They couldn’t keep the ball.”How could a team that played such ruthless, clinical and spellbinding soccer at the 2019 Women’s World Cup turn into the same team that has struggled with the basics at the 2021 Olympics or this ongoing 2023 World Cup? Perhaps the answer is in the chicken-or-egg question of tactics vs. mentality.”If you want to look at the feeling the players have, the errant passes on the field — I felt the exact same way at the Olympics,” Heath said. “[Fox pundit, and former USMNT defender] Alexi Lalas made a comment that was really harsh about Crystal Dunn looking like she never played soccer. This is one of the best players in the world. To even think there could be a comment about a player like that, for me, it’s: ‘What is happening?’

“That’s the feeling I had in the Olympics. You [Press] were one of the best players going into the Olympics. Sam Mewis was one of the best players in the world going into the Olympics. How do you take a player that is going into a world championship with the tag of a Ballon d’Or winner [Rapinoe] that’s going to use that platform to win something — how do they become nothing? That’s what I’m seeing.”

‘There are going to be times we need to problem-solve on the field’

Per ESPN Stats & Information, the USWNT has struggled to string together passes at this World Cup. In 2015, the team averaged 4.57 sequences of 10-plus passes per 90 minutes. In 2019, its average was 9.14. At this World Cup? It’s 2.00 so far.Meanwhile, the number of 1-on-1s — when players take on defenders alone, with the ball at their feet — has skyrocketed. In 2015, the USWNT attempted 15.6 1-on-1s per 90 minutes. In 2019, it was 20.1. At this World Cup? It’s 31.7 through three games.

Williams: The USWNT will be a scary thought when team clicks

Lynn Williams says the USWNT is embracing the pressure it faces at the World Cup.

It shows that the USWNT has resorted to a very direct style of play, sending more balls forward and pumping in more crosses per 90 minutes than in the previous two World Cups, too. That has led to more chances and more shots than the two prior tournaments, but the rate of shots on target has plummeted, going from 44% in the two recent World Cups to just 27% so far here in New Zealand.

The players need to play better, and the coaching staff is there to help them do that.

ESPN asked forward Lynn Williams and Horan on Thursday whether they are getting the necessary feedback from their coaches to solve problems on the field.

“I think we are,” Williams said as she sat next to Horan, who didn’t chime in. “We have this high standard and we want to do X, Y and Z, but these teams are good. They’re good, technical teams. So, there are going to be times we need to problem-solve on the field and take that responsibility on ourselves.”But I think that, even though there are times we didn’t get it right, we were able to rectify that and fix it on the field ourselves. So yeah, I do think we’re getting the necessary feedback and ways to fix it moving forward.”

Krieger’s keys to USWNT improvement before Sweden clash

Former USWNT World Cup winner Ali Krieger explains the areas the side needs to address before its knockout clash with Sweden.It’s easy to understand why Williams might have a different take from those of the likes of Heath and Press. The latter two might not necessarily have an ax to grind, but Andonovski is the one who cut both of them from his team — even before Press tore her ACL last year, Andonovski said publicly that he hadn’t been planning to call her into USWNT camp anyway. Williams, meanwhile, is in camp with Andonovski right now.But Lloyd, who has ripped into her former teammates and decried what she sees as a lack of passion within the team, has also been willing to criticize her former coach, notably over his reluctance to use his bench to bring on game-changing substitutes.Ultimately, it might be impossible to pinpoint what’s going wrong — the Olympics happened two years ago, and clearly all the lessons weren’t learned from that tournament — but before a tough knockout match against Sweden, the USWNT must get better. Whether the players improve their mentality or the coach improves his tactics — or both — something’s got to give, or the USWNT might find itself making history with its earliest exit ever in a major tournament.

Lindsey Horan, Lynn Williams and the USWNT try to fix what’s wrong before it’s too late

“We want to win as much as possible, and we want to play better,” Horan said ahead of the U.S. team’s round of 16 game vs. Sweden. “You guys know that; our team knows that.”

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — You don’t have to be a former player, a current player, a coach, a diehard fan, a journalist, a tactics savant or an eye-test devotee to know something is wrong with the U.S. women’s soccer team.It’s obvious, and captain Lindsey Horan is not trying to hide it.“Obviously we want to play better; we want to perform better — we want to entertain our U.S. fans more, and for ourselves as well,” she said as the team prepares for its round of 16 clash with Sweden on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia (5 a.m. ET, Fox29, Telemundo 62, Peacock).“But the expectations are always going to be there for this national team, and they’re always going to be great, and we’re always going to be in the pressure-cooker, and we love that,” Horan continued. “So we just need to raise our standards, which we always do. And we move forward, and we go out and we do everything in our power to prepare ourselves for this next game.”

The cacophony of complaints has been justified, even if it overlooks two things that shouldn’t be totally ignored. The U.S. hasn’t lost a game yet, even if it feels it has; and it conceded just one goal in its three group stage contests.Along with the tangible end product missing, some intangibles have been missing too. The joy that the U.S. has so often played with isn’t there, and it is palpable. Horan said the team has spent the days since the group stage-ending scoreless tie with Portugal trying to rebuild that side of its mentality.“We love this game so much; we’re so passionate about this game; we want to win as much as possible, and we want to play better,” she said. “We all know that. You guys know that; our team knows that. We want to play better and find those little pieces of joy in the game as well.”If that can happen, Horan said, “once we get a little bit more of that joy back and that feeling, things are going to move a little bit better on the field. We’re going to have more rhythm; we’re going to have more confidence, and things will come — more and more chances will come.”

» READ MORE: The USWNT’s failure over its last two World Cup games could make its next one its last

Veteran forward Lynn Williams, who had some of the U.S.’ best scoring chances in the group stage-ending scoreless tie with Portugal, also took a turn in the psychologist’s chair.

“We want this so badly that sometimes I think we lose track of why we started to play and why we’re here,” she said. “It’s because we love the game, and we love absolutely playing, and we love these moments on the world stage — that’s why we’ve put our bodies through so much and sacrificed so much … You just want to go out there and perform so badly that sometimes you forget about all the joy and the reason why you started.”Though the rest of the world has caught up to the Americans on the field, the World Cup’s bright lights can still trap the world’s greats. Star-studded Brazil and Germany, among the pre-tournament favorites to win it all, shockingly failed to get out of the group stage. Spain was routed by Japan. Canada collapsed in its group finale vs. Australia — which itself was under heaving pressure from the huge crowds and media spotlight surrounding the cohosts.

» READ MORE: The USWNT is no longer a World Cup favorite after a disappointing group stage performance

But as Horan has embraced the captain’s armband, she has also embraced one of the U.S. team’s eternal mantras. As former manager Jill Ellis famously put it at the last World Cup: “Some teams will visit pressure, but I think we live there.”Right now, Horan has the deed to the house.“We’re playing for these big matches; we’re playing for these big moments, these pressure-cookers, and that’s what we want to be a part of,” she said. “And us being the U.S. national team, we’re always going to have that. You guys always want to talk about us, and we’re going to take that.”The test in front of the Americans now is daunting, but familiar. The clash with Sweden in Melbourne, Australia will mark the fifth straight major tournament (World Cups and Olympics) in which the longtime rivals have met, and the 10th in major tournaments overall. And the U.S. will be without one of its most important weapons, playmaker Rose Lavelle, because of yellow card accumulation.

» READ MORE: Covering a World Cup is a privilege, but it’s also a month-long grind

Sweden, meanwhile, just finished off a sweep of its group with a 2-0 win over Argentina, after a 2-1 win over South Africa and a 5-0 rout of Italy.It bears saying, even if you don’t want to hear it, that the U.S. has beaten Sweden just once in a major tournament in the last 16 years — the 2019 World Cup group stage finale. The U.S. also failed to beat Sweden in its last two meetings, a 3-0 Swedish rout at the 2021 Olympics and a 1-1 tie in Stockholm three months earlier.The last American win in the matchup was a 2019 friendly in Columbus, Ohio, that coincidentally was Vlatko Andonovski’s first game as U.S. manager.If the U.S. loses this one, Sweden will have been both the first opponent of his tenure, as well as the last.

The USWNT is no longer a World Cup favorite after a disappointing group stage performance

A difficult round of 16 game vs. Sweden awaits Sunday.

The U.S. women’s national team is in the World Cup’s knockout stage … just barely … after drawing with Portugal to finish second in Group E.

The Americans, two-time defending World Cup champions, were a few inches away from a premature flight home from New Zealand after Portugal hit the post in stoppage time.

» READ MORE: The USWNT’s failure over its last two World Cup games could make its next one its last

Their play has been far from great. And their celebratory response to getting through to the knockout stage was enough for USWNT legend and South Jersey native Carli Lloyd, working as a broadcaster, to question the level of passion on the team.

While there should be a collective exhale for USWNT fans, there’s reason for concern. Finishing second in the group means the path to a third consecutive World Cup victory is now a lot more difficult.The U.S., which entered as a favorite to win the competition, is barely favored to get out of the round of 16, where a showdown Sunday morning with Sweden awaits.Here’s a look at where the U.S. stands in World Cup futures markets as the group stage nears its ending.

World Cup odds: USWNT is no longer the favorite

The U.S. entered the Australia-New Zealand World Cup as a +225 (2.25/1) favorite to win the trophy.

On Wednesday morning, the U.S. was tied for second on the BetMGM odds board with Spain at +400. The new favorite? England at +333. Over at FanDuel, England was +340, the U.S. was +430, and Spain was at +470.

Six teams had odds of 10/1 or shorter at BetMGM: England (+333), United States (+400), Spain (+400), Japan (+800), Germany (+900), and Australia (+1000).

Sweden, Sunday’s round of 16 opponent for the USWNT that dominated Group G, is down the board at +1800.

USWNT vs. Sweden odds

Soccer odds offer multiple ways to wager, and the simplest one, “to qualify,” allows you to pick which team gets through to the next round. The U.S. was -185 Wednesday morning to get past Sweden (+130).

That’s a pretty short round of 16 favorite for a team that was expected to win the competition.

As for the three-way money line for Sunday (90-minute result):

1. USWNT: +110
2. Sweden: +240
3. Draw: +225

It’s a pretty tight matchup between two of the better women’s soccer teams in the world. The goal total was at 2.5 goals (+120 to the over, -165 to the under), so oddsmakers are expecting a low-scoring game.

Sunday vs. Sweden is likely a much earlier major test than U.S. soccer fans predicted and would have hoped for. But it beats the alternative.

Published Aug. 2, 2023

World Cup last 16: Why every team left will, won’t win it all

• Bill Connelly, ESPN Staff WriterAug 3, 2023, 10:46 AM ET

The first 32-team edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has had a little bit of everything: exciting underdogs, star turns and some heavyweights looking utterly spectacular. As is always the case, however, the group stage is just a table-setter. The tournament really begins when the knockout rounds start.

Said tournament won’t feature some of the heavyweights. Germany, the three-time World Cup finalists and two-time champs, had their spot in the round-of-16 yoinked away by Morocco‘s win over Colombia on the final day of the group stage. (Germany had beaten Morocco 6-0 in the first group game, too. Ouch.) Brazil, the 2007 runners-up and four-time World Cup semifinalists, were knocked out in favor of Jamaica. For all of the hand-wringing about the current form of the U.S. women, they did advance! That’s no longer a given, no matter who you are. You can’t just win on talent alone anymore; you’ve got to have good ideas, and you’ve got to execute them.

ADVERTISING

With the dance card filled in and the matchups set, it’s time to take a breath and preview what’s coming. Let’s talk about each qualifying team’s biggest strengths and weaknesses: basically, the reasons they advanced, the reasons they could make a run and the fatal flaws that will probably trip them up at some point. Only one team can win the title, after all.

Editor’s note: As teams officially qualify for the round of 16, we will add them to the file in alphabetical order. Betting odds below are from Caesars Sportsbook. If you add up all the equivalent odds, they will have a total above 100% because, well, that’s why the casino always wins in the long run.

---

Australia (First place, Group B)

Title odds, per Caesars: +1200 (equivalent to 8%)
How they got here: Defeated Ireland 1-0, lost to Nigeria 3-2, defeated Canada 4-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group D (Denmark), Monday

Why they will win it all: They’ve been winning without their star. With Sam Kerr playing zero minutes as she worked her way back from injury, Australia was forced to grind and manufacture points. It worked. They aren’t the most intense pressing team in the field, but they picked their spots perfectly, scoring all seven of their goals from high turnovers, most in the tournament. And at the other end, they allowed just a 53% completion rate into the attacking third and a tiny 17% completion rate on crosses.

They also took their chances, unlike many in this tournament. Their seven goals came from shots worth just 6.4 expected goals (xG) — including two each from Arsenal‘s Steph Catley on the left and Manchester City‘s Hayley Raso on the right — and with everything on the line against Canada in the group stage finale, they were brilliant, seizing an early lead and cruising.

Recapping Australia’s incredible night vs. Canada

Marissa Lordanic looks back on a huge night for Australia as they beat Canada 4-0 to advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Why they won’t: That Nigeria match was alarming, wasn’t it? For all of their sturdy play and major-club talent, Nigeria tore up their otherwise solid transition defense, attempting four shots worth 0.15 xG or more and putting three of them in the net to take a shocking 3-1 lead. The Matildas obviously responded, scoring late to cut Nigeria’s lead to one then destroying Canada. But for a team that has never really broken through at a major tournament — they’ve been to three World Cup quarterfinals but no semis, and their one semifinal trip at the Olympics still resulted in no medal — Nigeria felt like a warning sign. So does the fact that they haven’t generated any scoring without high turnovers. Kerr’s (assumed) return will help immensely. But Australia still has plenty to prove.

---

Colombia (First place, Group H)

Title odds, per Caesars: +3000 (equivalent to 3%)
How they got here: Defeated South Korea 2-0, defeated Germany 2-1, lost to Morocco 1-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group F (Jamaica), Tuesday

Why they will win it all: They never stop taking the fight to you. Colombia never stops attacking either you or the ball. They rank second in the tournament in total defensive interventions (463) and first in ball recoveries (247). Only 34% of their passes have traveled under 10 meters (second-lowest).

They’re also fifth in average carry distance and fourth in 1v1s per carry, and those numbers have come about in a fascinating way. While your centre-backs typically lead the team in carries (because of how buildup play usually works), it’s the exact opposite for Colombia. Centre-backs Jorelyn Carabali and Daniela Arias have only 125 carries between them, while attackers Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid) and Mayra Ramirez (Levante) have 101 each and are averaging a robust 6.8 meters per carry between them. Caicedo has made 29 ball recoveries, too, third-most in the tournament for an attacker.

Caicedo never stops charging. And sometimes, she does this:

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1685643910004289536&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fsoccer%2F&sessionId=fc83b7e48ac6af176bcdfbeecb813abb3b0cad28&siteScreenName=espn&theme=light&widgetsVersion=aaf4084522e3a%3A1674595607486&width=550px

Why they won’t: They rely on moments of magic. Caicedo’s match winner against Germany was unreal. It defined Group H, too — without it, Germany finishes first in the group and Colombia finishes second. But it was a shot worth 0.05 xG. Aside from a penalty against South Korea, all three goals were low-probability strikes, as were all of their attempts in the loss to Morocco.

We’ll remember Caicedo’s goal for a long while, but it’s hard to win four knockout matches via magical goals.

---

Denmark (Second place, Group D)

Title odds, per Caesars: +8000 (equivalent to 1%)
How they got here: Defeated China 1-0, lost to England 1-0, defeated Haiti 2-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group B (Australia), Monday

Why they will win it all: They’re relentless on defense. The Danes have advanced to the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time since 1995, and they’ve done so primarily with length and disruption. Led by Everton defensive midfielder Karen Holmgaard and Hammarby centre-back Simone Boye, they’ve won 67% of their aerial duels in the defensive half (third-best). They’ve blocked the third-most crosses, made the fifth-most ball recoveries and allowed the fifth-fewest possessions of 9+ passes.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• Women’s World Cup Daily: Jamaica send Brazil crashing out; South Africa stun Italy1dESPN
• Reviewing the U.S.’s World Cup so far: Can it still win? What’s going wrong?1dJeff Carlisle, Caitlin Murray
• Jamaica’s struggle for equality and respect at World Cup2dTom Hamilton

They fight you for every inch with a defense featuring not only Holmgaard and Boye but also Everton fullbacks Katrine Veje and Rikke Sevecke. Combine that with a willing and deep midfield led by Holmgaard and Arsenal‘s Kathrine Moller Kuhl and you’ve got a very frustrating team to play against. Only England were able to score against them during the group stage, but they still managed only 13 shots worth 1.2 xG.

Why they won’t: They’re passive in attack. They don’t attempt 1v1s (only 2.7% of carries feature one), and they don’t win the ones they attempt (29% in the attacking third, fourth-worst in the tournament). They’ve completed just 73% of their passes (17th) and scored three goals (12th) from 28 shots (16th) worth 3.5 xG (15th). Against England, they attempted just six shots and finished only 24% of their possessions in the attacking third. They’ve got storied veteran Pernille Harder up front, but she has found space for only six shots and one goal.

They make life difficult for opponents’ attack, but life is equally difficult for them.

Lordanic: We’re running out of words for James’ brilliance

Marissa Lordanic and Mark Ogden react to England’s emphatic win over China in their final group stage game.

---

England (First place, Group D)

Title odds, per Caesars: +300 (equivalent to 25%)
How they got here: Defeated Haiti 1-0, defeated Denmark 1-0, defeated China 6-1
Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group B (Nigeria), Monday

Why they will win it all: They’re the most well-rounded team left. They outshot Haiti 21-7 in what would have been a blowout if not for brilliance from Haitian goalkeeper Kerly Theus. Their attack didn’t really click against hard-working Denmark, so they leaned on a suffocating defense that allowed just a 54% completion rate in the defensive third and 53% in the attacking third. And against China — the No. 14 team in the world, per the FIFA rankings! — they made a statement with a nearly perfect 6-1 walloping.

Basically, England is playing like a team that has lost one match in 27 months.

They’ve scored the third-most goals (eight) and allowed only one. They build slowly from the back (second in average possession time and length), they create a steady stream of shots (sixth-most), and they put them on target (43%, second-best). They press the length of the pitch, forcing turnovers 19% of the time (best) and forcing 53 high turnovers per match (fourth-best). They’re getting nearly flawless performances from veteran defenders Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Millie Bright (Chelsea) and Lucy Bronze (Barcelona).

Throw in a star turn from Chelsea’s 21-year old Lauren James (three goals and three assists in just 200 minutes) and you’ve got an absolute wrecking ball on your hands.

Explaining why VAR denied James another stunning goal vs. China

Dale Johnson explains why Lauren James was denied an excellent goal vs. China after Lucy Bronze was controversially deemed to be offside.

Why they won’t: Injuries are still a concern. Keira Walsh might be the best midfielder in the world, but she also might be out for the rest of the tournament with a knee injury. Leah Williamson is world-class at centre-back or defensive midfield. She’s out. Beth Mead and Fran Kirby are among the most relentless wingers around. They’re out too.

At some point, you might actually need your best XI on the pitch, and that won’t be an option for England.

---

France (First place, Group F)

Title odds, per Caesars: +750 (equivalent to 12%)
How they got here: Drew Jamaica 0-0, defeated Brazil 2-1, defeated Panama 6-3
Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group H (Morocco), Tuesday

Why they will win it all: They have the talent to exploit whatever weakness you’ve got. In all three group-stage matches, France tilted the pitch and swallowed up counter-attacking opportunities. Jamaica didn’t have the midfield to advance the ball in a threatening manner, so France never let them. Panama didn’t have the defense to stop an onslaught of attacks, so France attempted 26 shots and scored six times.

This squad also features 11 players from French heavyweights Lyon and PSG, plus two for Manchester United, two for Real Madrid, one for Chelsea and one for Juventus. Manager Herve Renard has enjoyed a successful career by crafting simple plans around whatever superiorities exist on a national team roster, and he has plenty of superiorities to work with here, from PSG’s Kadidiatou Diani (3 goals, 1 assist) up front to PSG’s Grace Geyoro (26 ball recoveries, 86% pass completion) in midfield to Lyon’s ever-present Wendie Renard at the back. And despite a past predilection for drama, they advanced to the knockout rounds with almost none.

‘Confident’ France score 6 against Panama to win group

Julien Laurens recaps an evenftul night in Sydney as France score six goals as well as concede three vs. Panama to top group F.

Why they won’t: The only shots they allow are great ones. Brazil attempted only 11 shots, but three were worth at least 0.2 xG (all taken within 10 meters), and one, scored by Debinha, was worth 0.5. Panama attempted only six shots, but one was a penalty and one was a tap-in worth 0.6 xG. (In fairness, Renard sat this match out.)

France’s defense has suffered very few defensive breakdowns, but almost all of them were catastrophes. That volatility will make winning four straight matches awfully difficult.

---

Jamaica (Second place, Group F)

Title odds, per Caesars: +15000 (equivalent to 1%)
How they got here: Drew France 0-0, defeated Panama 1-0, drew Brazil 0-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group H (Colombia), Tuesday

Why they will win it all: Rebecca Spencer is standing on her head. In eight World Cup qualification matches, the 32-year-old Tottenham Hotspur keeper faced 33 shots on goal, worth 11.8 xGOT (post-shot xG for shots on target) and allowed only nine goals. In three World Cup matches, she has faced 17 shots on goal worth 2.4 xGOT … and allowed none.

‘Determined’ Jamaica reach WC knockout stage for first time ever

Joey Lynch recaps a “momentous” goalless draw between Jamaica and Brazil that sends the Caribbean nation to its first-ever World Cup knockout match.

Despite having Manchester City‘s world-class Khadija “Bunny” Shaw up front, Jamaica haven’t been able to create many threats; they’ve attempted just 29 shots in three matches, none within 7 meters of goal and none worth more than 0.14 xG. But with a defense driven by players such as centre-back Allyson Swaby (PSG) and right back Tiernny Wiltshire (Houston Dash), they also have allowed only a couple of particularly high-quality chances. And Spencer has cleaned up everything that has come her way.

It’s hard to lose if your opponent never scores.

Why they won’t: You do probably have to score at some point. Saying Jamaica have attempted 29 shots oversells it a bit, as 20 of those shots came in a 1-0 win over Panama. Against France and Brazil, they managed just nine shots worth 0.4 xG. Shaw has tried her best — and considering she had 20 goals and seven assists in the Women’s Super League last year, her best is awesome — but of her five shot attempts, only one came within 19 meters of goal.

Her supporting cast has not been able to help her enough and probably won’t in the knockout rounds either.

---

Japan (First place, Group C)

How ‘achingly clinical’ Japan dismantled Spain in Wellington

Sophie Lawson reacts to Japan’s stunning 4-0 win over Spain at the Women’s World Cup.

Title odds, per Caesars: +800 (equivalent to 11%)
How they got here: Defeated Zambia 5-0, defeated Costa Rica 2-0, defeated Spain 4-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group A (Norway), Saturday

Why they will win it all: They are spectacular front-runners. Over the last two years, in all matches logged by Stats Perform, Japan has scored 23 goals and allowed one when they were ahead. If you give this team a lead, it’s probably lights out. Just ask Spain.

Now granted, it took them 43 minutes to score their first goal against Zambia in their World Cup opener, but they scored four more from there. They took the lead on Spain, then played some of the most unbelievable transition ball you’ll ever see, scoring three more times.

They’ve also played almost perfect defense whether tied or ahead: They allowed 16 total shots worth a combined 0.9 xG in three group stage matches, and have proven almost flawless in buildup play. While more than 54% of their passes have come in their own half of the pitch, opponents have started only eight combined possessions in the attacking third.

The ball primarily goes through Roma defender Moeka Minami and Manchester City midfielder Yui Hasegawa (who came off the bench vs. Spain), two of their most talented players, and they’ve been brilliant.

Why they won’t: What happens when they’re behind? Japan’s roster has plenty of major-club talent — four of their 23 players play in England‘s Women’s Super League, captain Saki Kumagai plays for German champ Bayern Munich, Minami plays for Italian champ Roma, and two more play in the NWSL. But they’re all midfielders and defenders. Almost all of their shot attempts come from players who are still plying their trade in Japan’s domestic league.

There’s nothing automatically wrong with that! And “we don’t know how they’ll play when behind because they haven’t been behind yet” is a luxury problem. But if they fall behind and have to force the issue, it’s hard to see where attacking prowess might come from.

Should USWNT and other World Cup favourites fear Japan?

Sophie Lawson believes Japan should be considered one of the top contenders to win the World Cup after a “relaxed” 2-0 win over Costa Rica.

---

Morocco (Second place, Group H)

Title odds, per Caesars: +35000 (equivalent to <1%)
How they got here: Lost to Germany 6-0, defeated South Korea 1-0, defeated Colombia 1-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group F (France), Tuesday

Why they will win it all: They shoot like Steph Curry. Morocco attempted just 24 shots in the group stage (seventh-fewest) but put 50% of them on target, tied for first with Japan. In a tournament in which so many teams are struggling in this department — Germany and Canada both bowed out in part because only 29.5% of their shots were on target (tied for 20th), and the U.S. put itself in serious danger by managing only 27.0% (25th) — Morocco advanced with accuracy. Their two goal scorers, Ibtissam Jraidi (Al Ahli) and Anissa Lahmari (Guingamp), attempted just six shots but put five of them on goal and two of them in the goal.

And they’ve made history because of it. They were already the first Arab nation to qualify for the World Cup; now they’re the first Arab nation to advance and one of three African nations to do so. They’re 72nd in the FIFA rankings, with no players on a club that played in last year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League. What a damn story.

Why they won’t: They’re the worst team remaining. It’s mean, but it’s true. They’re 72nd in the FIFA rankings! They’ve played five top-20 teams over the past two years, and they’ve been outscored 13-0. Granted, that includes a pair of 0-0 draws against Italy and Switzerland in the run-up to this tournament — this defense can undoubtedly be very stingy — but they also got blown out by Germany to start the World Cup.It will take quite an infinite load of magic for Morocco to advance past France, much less anyone else.How Morocco secured a historic spot in the World Cup knockoutsSophie Lawson reacts to Morocco’s progression to the round of 16 on their Women’s World Cup debut.

---

Netherlands (First place, Group E)

Title odds, per Caesars: +1200 (equivalent to 8%)
How they got here: Defeated Portugal 1-0, drew USA 0-0, defeated Vietnam 7-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group G (South Africa), Sunday

Why they will win it all: They are organized and confident. The defending World Cup runners-up endured a frustrating spell of late, bowing out in the quarterfinals in the 2021 Olympics and the 2022 Euros. But the defense has been solid for a while, and it’s been nearly impenetrable in New Zealand.

Through three matches, the Dutch have allowed opponents to average just 0.06 xG per shot; only Germany, Brazil and Japan have allowed a better average, and none of those teams had to play the U.S., which averaged just 0.05 xG per shot and scored only on a set piece.

They do not allow long possessions or carries, and the midfield — 19-year old Esmee Brugts (PSV Eindhoven), Jackie Groenen (PSG), Victoria Pelova (Arsenal), plus elite attacking midfielders Jill Roord (Wolfsburg) and Danielle van de Donk (Lyon) — might be the best in the tournament. They control the center of the pitch and steer you away from anything dangerous.

Why they won’t: They’re … too calm? Granted, they unleashed hell in their final group stage match against Vietnam, attempting 42 shots and scoring seven goals. But against more talented opponents, they are languid in possession. They attempted 12 shots with an average possession length of just 13.7 meters against Portugal, then attempted just five shots, with only 12% of possessions ending in the attacking third, against the U.S. in their meeting.

Poise is good, and the Dutch have it in droves, but you need urgency sometimes. Can the Netherlands dial that up against great opponents?

---

Nigeria (Second place, Group B)

Title odds, per Caesars: +10000 (equivalent to 1%)
How they got here: Drew Canada 0-0, defeated Australia 3-2, drew Ireland 0-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group D (England), Monday

Why they will win it all: They force the issue for 90 minutes. They’ve both won and lost the second-most ground duels to date. Their attackers have made 71 ball recoveries (second most). Their defenders have made 401 interventions (third most). Their possessions have been the fourth longest (19.6 average meters) and sixth widest (35.7) in the tournament. They stretch the field as far as it will go, and they pressure you in one way or another in every inch of it. They are exhausting.

They’re also good. They’ve gotten stellar work from some of their bigger club stars — particularly defender Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash), defender Christy Ucheibe (Benfica) and forwards Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid) and Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville) — and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC) has been outstanding. And while Barcelona‘s Asisat Oshoala hasn’t touched the ball much, she is one of the most proven attackers on the planet. Advancing in a group with Australia and Canada required serious depth, with such an intense style, and tested Nigeria. They passed.

Why they won’t: Intensity doesn’t produce enough shots. Pulling four points from matches against Canada and Australia was a mammoth accomplishment, but they did so while getting outshot 44-22. They scored all three of their group stage goals in an inspired half-hour against Australia but otherwise came up blank, struggling to get Oshoala involved They’ve put a lot of pressure on Nnadozie to come up big, and while she has done so, she’ll have to play even better to win a likely matchup with England in the next round.

---

Norway (Second place, Group A)

Carlisle: Philippines will exit World Cup with good feelings

Jeff Carlisle reacts to Norway’s 6-0 thrashing of Philippines which saw them join Switzerland in the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup.

Title odds, per Caesars: +6500 (equivalent to 2%)
How they got here: Lost to New Zealand 1-0, drew against Switzerland 0-0, defeated Philippines 6-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group C (Japan), Saturday

Why they will win it all: They’re Norway. Few teams boast more high-level club talent, both of the “aging veteran” variety (Lyon‘s Ada Hegerberg, Barcelona‘s Caroline Graham Hansen, Chelsea‘s Guro Reiten and Maren Mjelde) and the “coming into their prime” variety (Arsenal‘s Frida Maanum, Barcelona’s Ingrid Syrstad Engen, Bayern’s Tuva Hansen). The 1995 World Cup champions remain dangerous, and when things come together, they’re terrifying.

Just ask the Philippines, which trailed Norway 2-0 after 17 minutes and lost 6-0 — without Hederberg even playing (she’s battling back from injury) — via a hat trick from Roma‘s Sophie Roman Haug.

Why they won’t: The slightest bump ruins everything. After a perfect, vertical, length-of-the-pitch attack led to a Hannah Wilkinson goal and a 1-0 New Zealand lead in the World Cup opener, Norway short-circuited. They played impossibly direct ball with no success, they pressed forward and opened themselves so badly in defense that they were lucky not to lose by more. Against Switzerland, they controlled the game, generating shots worth 1.4 xG to the Swiss’ 0.5 over the first 75 minutes. But when the breakthrough never came, they seemed to panic again, and Switzerland nearly stole the match with a fantastic scoring chance in stoppage time.

This team never seems to get along with its manager and never seems to be greater than the sum of its parts when things matter. The Philippines blowout was a reminder of their potential, but their results against Switzerland and New Zealand was an even stronger reminder of their floor.

How South Africa made history vs. Italy at the World Cup

Sam Marsden recaps South Africa’s first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup after their 3-2 victory against Italy sent them into the last 16.

---

South Africa (Second place, Group G)

Title odds, per Caesars: +25000 (equivalent to <1%)
How they got here: Lost to Sweden 2-1, drew Argentina 2-2, defeated Italy 3-2
Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group E (Netherlands), Sunday

Why they will win it all: They have a plan. Against Sweden, the Banyana Banyana snared an early lead, then played the “park the bus and stay super-organized” game well enough to nearly secure a draw. Against Argentina, they ripped up a disorganized opponent for a number of high-quality chances and took a 2-0 lead into the final 20 minutes before giving up a pair of well-struck, low-probability goals.

Against Italy, they had to come from behind and play a far more open game. They gave up a number of big scoring chances, but created plenty of their own and did this to advance to the knockouts.

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1686662156501106688&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fsoccer%2F&sessionId=fc83b7e48ac6af176bcdfbeecb813abb3b0cad28&siteScreenName=espn&theme=light&widgetsVersion=aaf4084522e3a%3A1674595607486&width=550px

With a high-chemistry squad built around domestic league talent (including six players from African heavyweight Mamelodi Sundowns) and an attack built around Racing Louisville’s Thembi Kgatlana (2 goals and 2 assists), Sejong Sportstoto’s Hildah Magaia (2 goals, 1 assist) and Monterrey‘s Jermaine Seoposenwe (1 assist from six chances created), South Africa does whatever is required at a given moment.

Why they won’t: The defense isn’t good enough. They were unlucky to give up two goals to Argentina, but both Sweden and Italy overwhelmed the South African back line, combining for four goals on 33 shots worth 5.7 xG. The Banyana attack is an absolute delight, but they’ll probably need to score at least two goals in any match to have a chance moving forward. That seems like a lot to ask.

---

Spain (Second place, Group C)

Marsden: Big worrying signs for Spain after Japan demolition

Sam Marsden reacts to Spain’s disastrous performance in their 4-0 loss to Japan at the World Cup.

Title odds, per Caesars: +450 (equivalent to 18%)
How they got here: Defeated Costa Rica 3-0, defeated Zambia 5-0, lost to Japan 4-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Winner, Group A (Switzerland), Saturday

Why they will win it all: They have the strongest identity. Against Costa Rica, Spain enjoyed 80% possession and 6.2 passes per possession. Against Zambia: 74% possession, 5.8 passes per possession. While behind against Japan, they hit 77%. They have forced 257 high turnovers in three matches. They deploy the most fully-formed version of the modern possession game, they complete 87% of their (mostly short) passes, and when they lose the ball they counter-press with abandon.

This isn’t the most talented Spain team possible, but the players who came to New Zealand have dominated. Barcelona legend Jenni Hermoso, 33, has two goals and an assist. Real Madrid midfielder Teresa Abelleira has combined 28 ball recoveries with 14 chances created.

Simply put, you cannot take the ball off of this team. They force you into a counter-attacking game, and while plenty of other favorites are good at that (particularly the U.S.) — Japan was spectacular at it, scoring all four goals in transition — you will have no Plan B.

Why they won’t: Will the important shots be on target? In the 2022 Women’s Euros, they lost matches to Germany in the group stage and England in the knockout rounds, scoring one total goal from shots worth 3.2 xG. In three World Cup group stage matches, they’ve scored eight goals from shots worth 10.5. When you don’t make the most of your chances, it’s really difficult to survive four single-elimination matches without a costly hiccup.

---

Sweden (First place, Group G)

How far can Sweden go at the World Cup?

Sam Marsden reacts to Sweden advancing to the last 16 after beating Italy 5-0 at Wellington.

Title odds, per Caesars: +1800 (equivalent to 5%)
How they got here: Defeated South Africa 2-1, defeated Italy 4-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group E (USA), Sunday

Why they will win it all: They’re unflappable. After a beautiful Thembi Kgatlana shot set up a Hildah Magala rebound goal to put Sweden 1-0 down in their opener against South Africa, a brief sense of foreboding set in. For all of Sweden’s accomplishments, they brought an aging team to New Zealand, one with a number of stars battling back from injury. South Africa was making them look slow. But Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfo tied the game with an into-the-mixer goal in the 65th minute, and a set piece goal put them ahead in the 90th.

On Saturday, Italy played them dead even for 38 minutes before a ferocious series of knockout punches — four goals in 12 minutes — turned a nip-and-tuck battle into a laugher.

An “aging team” can also be one loaded with unflappable experience. Rolfo, PSG’s Amanda Ilestedt, Wolfsburg’s Rebecka Blomqvist and the San Diego Wave’s Sofia Jakobsson have combined for nine goals in three matches, and a midfield of Manchester City’s Filippa Angeldahl, Hacken’s Elin Rubensson and Milan’s Kosovare Asllani has been excellent.

Why they won’t: It’s hard to trust the defense. Sweden has had to be unflappable because at times, they leave things unsettled. In last summer’s Euros, they needed a 79th minute goal to beat Switzerland, then a late stoppage-time goal to beat Belgium in the quarterfinals. And against better teams, their defense has been glitchy — they allowed four goals to England in the Euro semis and four to Australia and three to Norway in friendlies.

At this World Cup, they’ve only allowed one goal, but it’s come from 28 shots worth a combined 2.3 xG. And with the U.S. awaiting in the round of 16, the tests are just beginning.

---

Switzerland (First place, Group A)

Title odds, per Caesars: +10,000 (equivalent to 1%)
How they got here: Defeated Philippines 2-0, drew Norway 0-0, drew New Zealand 0-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Runner-up, Group C (Spain), Saturday

Why they will win it all: They’re in control. If you’re looking for exciting, pedal-to-the-metal action, look elsewhere. There hasn’t been a goal in a Switzerland match for 206 minutes and counting. But they still won Group A, beating the Philippines and nailing down back-to-back scoreless draws with Norway and New Zealand. Their secret weapon: They’re always calm. They averaged more passes per possession than each opponent to date, including Norway, and only ball hogs Spain, England and Germany have averaged more passes per possession in the tournament. They avoid high turnovers well, and they avoid damage from high turnovers brilliantly.

The centre-back pairing of Arsenal‘s Noelle Maritz and Zurich’s Julia Stierli has been almost mistake-free in both buildup play (Maritz has completed 88% of her passes) and fire-extinguishing (Stierli has won 82% of her duels, 67% in the air). And while Real Betis keeper Gaelle Thalmann has had to make only eight saves in three matches, she made them all. This team is almost impossible to break down.

Why they won’t: As with Jamaica, you do probably have to score at some point. Granted, it’s technically possible to win the World Cup with scoreless draws and penalty shootout victories, but that seems like a pretty tall ask. You’ll need to put the ball in the net.

Switzerland is not without talent in this regard. Their attack is led by Barcelona’s Ana Maria Crnogorcevic and PSG’s Ramona Bachmann, after all. But the duo has combined for just one goal from 11 shots worth 2.4 xG thus far. They won’t get many chances against the talented opponents on the knockout-round docket, so they have to be far more efficient with the chances they get.

What should be USWNT’s game plan for Sweden?

Sebastian Salazar and Ali Krieger look ahead to the USWNT’s next matchup vs. Sweden and react to Carli Lloyd’s criticism of the team.

---

United States (Second place, Group E)

Title odds, per Caesars: +400 (equivalent to 20%)
How they got here: Defeated Vietnam 3-0, drew Netherlands 1-1, drew Portugal 0-0
Round-of-16 opponent: Winner Group G (Sweden), Sunday

Why they will win it all: Opponents are creating almost nothing. When you’ve won the past two World Cups (and reached the final in the one before that), the best team to compare you to is yourself. And from a defensive standpoint, the Americans have looked as good as ever.

Through the group stage in 2011, 2015 and 2019, the U.S. allowed an average of 1.0 goals from 23.3 shots worth 3.8 xG. In 2023, despite a tough group featuring the Netherlands and Portugal, they’ve allowed one goal from just 11 shots worth 0.7 xG. The Netherlands managed just five shots worth 0.4 xG, Portugal just six worth 0.3.

Obviously, Portugal nearly stole victory — and a spot in the knockout rounds — with a dramatic late shot off the post, but that was still a low-probability shot (0.07 xG), as was Jill Roord‘s goal for Netherlands through traffic (0.05). This defense, led by centre backs Naomi Girma and Julie Ertz and fullbacks Emily Fox and Crystal Dunn, has given opponents almost nothing. And in a tournament in which almost no one is finishing well, defense will give the U.S. a chance to make it three straight titles.

Why they won’t: Absolutely horrific finishing. Shockingly bad. Again, comparing the U.S. to themselves, here’s the output from their four most recent group stages.

• 2011: 3 matches, 6 goals from 68 shots worth 6.9 xG (0.10 per shot)
• 2015: 3 matches, 4 goals from 39 shots worth 3.3 xG (0.08 per shot)
• 2019: 3 matches, 18 goals from 82 shots worth 13.0 xG (0.16 per shot)
• 2023: 3 matches, 4 goals from 63 shots worth 8.1 xG (0.13 per shot)

If you’re looking for encouragement, the U.S. won the 2015 World Cup with a group stage attack even less effective than what we just saw. They were lucky to score even four goals that year, but they eased into the knockout rounds, scoring twice against Colombia and Germany before erupting for five goals in the final.

Krieger’s keys to USWNT improvement before Sweden clash

Former USWNT World Cup winner Ali Krieger explains the areas the side needs to address before its knockout clash with Sweden.

Again, the U.S. squad is defending even better than it did in 2015, allowing half as many shots through three matches, so maybe it’s possible to win four straight 1-0 matches. But even the “1” in “1-0” seems optimistic because American attackers couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn at the moment.

The U.S. scored three goals from shots worth 4.8 xG against Vietnam in the opening match, then managed only one goal from shots worth 3.3 xG against Netherlands and Portugal. Vlatko Andonovski switched things up, starting Lynn Williams for Trinity Rodman against Portugal, and she was on the receiving end of a number of great opportunities (six shots worth 1.3 xG) but couldn’t put one in the net. Alex Morgan has attempted 14 shots worth 2.9 xG and has scored on none of them.

If you want a positive spin, you could easily note that progression to the mean could be on the horizon. They’re not going to continue shooting this poorly. But finishing was an issue heading into the tournament, and the path ahead for the U.S. — potential matches against Sweden (in which key midfielder Rose Lavelle will be suspended), Japan, and either Spain or the Netherlands just to reach the final — offers absolutely no margin for error.Either the U.S. can progress to the mean immediately or they’ll be going home this weekend.

Lionel Messi scores 2 for Miami again as he inspires team to victory over OrlandoBy Paul Tenorio and The Athletic Staff ug 2, 2023

---

Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi notched the second brace of his MLS career with two goals against Orlando City SC, leading his team to a 3-1 victory in the 2023 Leagues Cup game on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:

• Messi got a yellow card in the first half and was then involved in an altercation with an Orlando player at half-time in the tunnel.
• The seven-time Ballon d’Or now has five goals in three games for Inter Miami.
• His first MLS brace occurred against Atlanta United on July 25.
• Inter Miami is through to the last 16 of the Leagues Cup and will face Dallas on the road.

GO DEEPER

Everything you need to know about Messi and Miami’s next match

Messi’s continued brilliance

At this point can it even really be considered a surprise that Messi scored? Three games into his Inter Miami tenure and five goals. The early finish against Orlando City might have been his easiest yet.

Robert Taylor — who has become a star playing alongside Messi — chipped a beautiful pass into the box to an unmarked Messi, who took it off his chest and volleyed home from six yards out. Taylor, who scored three goals with three assists in 33 games last season and added another two goals and four assists in 19 appearances this season before Messi arrived, now has three goals and two assists in two-plus games playing alongside Messi.

Perhaps as notable as the goal, however, was that Messi picked up a yellow card in the 21st minute for a harsh foul on Orlando City’s Wilder Cartagena, who had been man-marking him closely in the lead up to the foul. The frustration clearly built up enough for Messi to take a hack at Cartagena’s legs near midfield that drew the caution. — Tenorio

Messi got kicked, kicked back, got angry and then delivered again

By Paul Tenorio6h ago The Athletic

---

When the halftime whistle sounded on Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi walked toward the tunnel next to Orlando City defender Cesar Araujo, his hand over his mouth as the two exchanged words.Through his first two games with Miami, Messi influenced the contests without much resistance from opponents. Last week against Atlanta United, he wasn’t fouled at all. That certainly wasn’t the case against Orlando City, which clearly entered with a plan to frustrate Messi and Sergio Busquets in this Florida derby.Just a couple minutes before the referee signaled for the half, Messi had checked to receive a pass, shoving his arm into Araujo’s back to send the defender flying. Araujo and Orlando City defender Kyle Smith immediately returned the favor seconds later, fouling Messi as he received the ball and turned upfield. Messi jumped to his feet and gestured at the referee to produce a yellow card. The official obliged, booking Smith. Inter Miami players flew in to defend Messi, pushing and shoving ensued.

Messi lies on the turf as the referee flashes a yellow card (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

“It was just like a derby game should be,” said Inter Miami winger Robert Taylor.

As the cameras followed Messi and Araujo walking off the field at halftime, it was clear the Argentine star was peeved. Inter Miami players eventually separated Messi from his foil, but the Argentine legend looked over his shoulder as he entered the tunnel and waited for Araujo to catch up. He had a few more words.Just before cameras cut away, Messi was seen shoving his arm out at the Orlando players next to him.Orlando City’s plan to pester Messi may not have worked in limiting his influence — he scored twice to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 win — but, if nothing else, Orlando City elicited the first real fight out of Messi in a Miami jersey.And Messi looked more than up for it.

The Argentine picked up a yellow card, was chirping at opponents throughout the game and arguably could have had a second yellow for the shove on Araujo. Oh, and he also scored his fourth and fifth goals in just three games with Miami.None of it surprised Inter Miami manager Tata Martino. Not the goals — and certainly not the intensity.“He said he was coming to compete, he said he was coming to win things and he showed it today,” Martino said. “It was a clasico, it got heated in some moments of the game and, well, he’s doing what he said he would do.”

Messi is booked in the first half (Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

It was clear from the very start that Orlando City was not going to make things easy on the night, and their players were definitely not going to shy away from Miami’s stars. That was very much to be expected. Orlando is known as a more physical team, and despite Miami being in just its fourth season, there have been some good moments between the intra-state rivals.Even in the lead up to the game, an Inter Miami fan mural was splattered with purple paint.The early foul on Busquets set a tone. Messi immediately seemed up for the intensity of the game. Three minutes after the foul on Busquets, Messi gave Miami the 1-0 lead with a volley from six yards out. He was left unmarked and alone in the box, more space around him than probably at any other point in the game. Fifteen minutes after the goal, he picked up a yellow for kicking out at Orlando City’s Wilder Cartagena. He nearly doubled the lead 10 minutes after that, with a left-footed shot caroming off the post.Then, the confrontation just before halftime.Orlando City felt the sequence that started it all should have been a second yellow for Messi and an ejection for his push on Araujo.“It doesn’t matter who it is — if it’s a second yellow it needs to be treated the same,” Orlando City manager Oscar Pareja said.

Messi battles for possession with Cesar Araujo and Kyle Smith (Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

The yellow went to one of the players in purple instead. And when the whistle sounded, Messi found Araujo as they walked toward the locker rooms. Araujo, for his part, played down the halftime incident when asked about it after the game.“Absolutely nothing,” Araujo said in the mixed zone. “Normal things in a game, but no, nothing happened.”But if your eyes were trained on Messi during the game — and most were — it felt like a true rivalry game. The second half provided a dose of controversy to go with it all.A penalty was called just three minutes in when Josef Martinez looked to have been shoved down as he ran onto a pass. Replays showed Martinez went down easily. The referee did not go to video review. Messi told Martinez to take the penalty, and the 2018 MLS MVP buried it to the lower left corner.For Pareja, that call changed the tone and outcome of the entire game.

“Today was a circus,” Pareja said. “The PK is unbelievable. Unbelievable. I don’t know if the VAR came today.”The intensity in the game didn’t drop. Messi drew another yellow card on an Orlando player in the 57th minute when Mauricio Pereyra clattered into him. He stayed on the ground for two minutes holding his face before popping up to keep playing. In the 72nd minute, Messi essentially ended the game. This time, it was a clever flick from Martinez to Messi for an easy right-footed finish that made it 3-1.Ten minutes later, Messi was seen again on camera verbally sparring with an Orlando City player — this time Felipe Martins. In the end, there were 27 fouls in the game and seven yellow cards.

Inter Miami celebrates Messi’s first half goal (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

For Martino, it’s all a part of what will likely come with the territory this season for Miami. Playing against Inter’s trio of former Barcelona stars is probably going to bring out the best — and most intense — performances from other MLS teams.“It is just like in Spain playing Barcelona and Real Madrid — the opponents up their level,” Martino said. “In Argentina, if you are playing Boca vs River, the same thing happens. Talking about the individuals, ‘I’m going to play against Messi. I’m going to play against Busquets. I am going to play against Jordi.’ Of course this is additional motivation. Yes, I expect much more of these matches. No doubt this is going to be the case. But I know how they compete — they’ve been competing at the highest level for years.“So there is no reason to believe that even if the match is harsh and physical, that they won’t be able to play.”Wednesday night definitely demonstrated as much. Messi has entertained plenty in his first three games. He has provided the goals, as he has through his whole career. On this night, however, it was his intensity that stood out.He didn’t shy away from the fight. And it most certainly set up an intriguing storyline for when Messi and Miami head to Orlando on Septemeber 24.“I think it’s clear that the rivalry is going to be wilder and better,” Pareja said. “And we are ready to do it.”

Leagues Cup tiers: Which Knockout Round teams are favorites?

Matthew Doyle Tuesday, Aug 1, 2023, 11:35 AM

The Leagues Cup group stage is now, officially, in the books. That process brought us about two weeks of games fueled by a solid dose of unpleasantries almost every time out as the wheat was thoroughly separated from the chaff (and, somehow, Santos Laguna). Now, with a day to catch our breath and the knockout rounds just 24 hours away, it feels like a good time to take a look at the remaining 32 teams and, yes, break them into tiers.As always these teams are roughly in order of how good I think they are, but what really matters is the tier designation.And remember: Everyone’s chasing that shiny trophy, one of three 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup spots, some hefty prize money and bragging rights.

Tier 1: The Heavyweights

• CF Monterrey (Liga MX)
• Tigres UANL (Liga MX)
• Club América (Liga MX)

When MLS folks – fans, front-office types, players, league officials – talk about needing to compete with the best in the region, they’re talking about these three giants. MLS sides actually have a winning record and positive goal differential against Liga MX sides in CCL play since 2016 if you remove the series against this triumvirate. Add those series back into the mix, however, and it gets grim.

And that’s because this trio basically owns the region. They’ve won eight of 13 CCL titles since 2010, and are the favorites to win every competition they enter. Having the biggest checkbook helps: In the past five years these teams have paid $10 million or more for 13 different players. MLS, as a whole over the entirety of the league’s history, has paid that much for just seven (four of those by Atlanta United).

Right now, based on form and past international precedent, it feels like Monterrey are probably the favorite here. They did their typical thing in game one and counterattacked Real Salt Lake to death, then had to play on the front foot after spotting the Seattle Sounders an early 2-0 lead but still cruised to a 4-2 win.

Los Rayados, led by Argentinian forward Germán Berterame, were just ruthless.

Tigres – who are the oldest team in the tournament in terms of age-weighted minutes – were less impressive in the group stage and seemed to be putting out just enough effort to win. They beat Portland and then San Jose by a goal each, never really getting out of third gear. That also describes the slow start to their Apertura season, which most (including me) are chalking up to a championship hangover after their Clausura win.

Then there’s Las Aguilas. After their 4-0 win over St. Louis in game 1, it looked like they were the best team in the tournament. Then they got clobbered 4-1 in the second game vs. the Crew, and that scoreline was not a mistake: Columbus utterly dominated the final 70 minutes.

Without taking anything away from Wilfried Nancy & Co. (you’ll see the Crew near the top of the next tier), I’m going to chalk much of América’s performance on Monday night up to complacency given the ease of their first group game. And I won’t be at all shocked if the blowout loss serves as a wake-up call.

Bear in mind América’s front three of Julián Quiñones, Henry Martín and Leo Suárez is maybe the best in the region, and is certainly the most well-balanced. Columbus only had to deal with all three of them for about 10 minutes in the middle of the second half. The Fire will have to handle that trio from the start (#PrayForChicago).

Anyway, give me the choice of these three vs. the field and it’s pretty easy: I’m taking these three.

Tier 2: Legit Contenders

Just because the triumvirate are favorites doesn’t mean it’s a fait accompli (ask Toronto, who beat both Tigres and América in the 2018 CCL before losing in the final to a much worse Chivas side). They can be beaten, though even in Liga MX they are dominant, winning 11 of 24 titles since the 2010 Apertura.

Here’s the group of teams that could win this thing without sending me into a state of shock-induced catatonia:

• Club León (Liga MX)
• Philadelphia Union (MLS)
• FC Cincinnati (MLS)
• Columbus Crew (MLS)
• LAFC (MLS)
• New England Revolution (MLS)
• Deportivo Toluca (Liga MX)
• Atlas FC (Liga MX)
• Nashville SC (MLS)

This is the mix of smaller but dangerous Liga MX sides (including the current CCL champs in León) and the best in MLS.

A lot of folks seem to think of León as an older side, but other than their ageless wingers (Ángel Mena is 35 and still great), they’re mostly composed of guys smack in the primes of their careers. They will not be overawed by anything they come up against in this tournament.

Philly and Cincy are probably the two best MLS teams at the moment, and I don’t think anyone would be shocked if either of them got on a run that ended with a trophy. Philly are a little more dynamic in their ability to change shapes this year, which gives them a built-in tactical advantage Jim Curtin hasn’t been afraid to use, and that we saw in group stage wins over Querétaro and Tijuana. Cincy, meanwhile, picked up probably the best win of the group stage for any MLS club when they smashed a very good Chivas side (coached by former Fire manager Veljko Paunovic) 3-1 behind a Brandon Vazquez hattie.

As I said above: Club América were probably victims of a bit of complacency and overconfidence. But no matter the circumstances you have to be really, really good to hang four on the biggest team in the region. Nobody in any competition had done it since 2020, a span of 136 games.

So yeah, the Crew just sold their No. 10 in Lucas Zelarayán, and their defense is kind of questionable, and young Patrick Schulte is prone to the occasional gaffe. And it feels a year too soon for them to lift a trophy.They belong in this tier anyway. They know who they are, they know how they want to play (it’s the prettiest soccer in MLS) and they showed they can impose that style on giants.

LAFC are not remotely the same LAFC side that won the Supporters’ Shield/MLS Cup double last year, and they don’t look like the same side that made it all the way to the CCL final this spring. They have been poor since then, but they’ve made some additions this window that could (should?) lead to better balance. And in terms of overall talent, they check the boxes.

Same goes for the Revs, though I worry their propensity to throw both fullbacks forward at the same time leaves them wildly vulnerable to being countered to death. Still, they can hang three on anybody in this tournament, and that’s a pretty good foundation to build from even if it’s high-risk, high-reward.

The same goes for Toluca with their super-dynamic wingbacks, as we saw in their 4-3 win over Nashville. They were able to make the field huge and put fractures in that Coyotes’ diamond, then pull it apart. They followed that up with a comfortable 4-1 win over Colorado.Atlas have had to rebuild after their back-to-back league titles 18 months ago, and I’m not quite sure they belong at this level, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.I would maybe have Nashville higher on this list if I didn’t have the sneaking suspicion Gary Smith was slightly more interested in squad rotation and rest than he was in a deep run.

Tier 3: They Can’t Possibly Pull it Off, Can They?

• Inter Miami CF (MLS)

They’ll have the best player on the field by a mile in every single game they play. I also think they’ll have the second-best player, and they’ve managed to create instant balance all over the field under Tata Martino. Of course, a 4-3-3 with Lionel Messi inverted on the right, two running 8s in front of Sergio Busquets and a field-stretching left winger would look perfect from the jump. Of course!

But 1) this team was a disaster as recently as two weeks ago, and 2) Atlanta and Cruz Azul are not good right now. Both are disorganized through midfield, which gave Messi and Busquets time and space – more than any of the remaining teams would give them – to have an outsized impact even by their own lofty standards.till, though… it’s Messi. He’s the greatest athlete I’ve ever seen, and the pieces around him fit. For the past two decades that’s been a trophy-winning blueprint.

Tier 4: An Uphill Climb

These are teams that, frankly, I do not think can win this thing:

• Orlando City SC (MLS)
• New York City FC (MLS)
• Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
• Querétaro FC (Liga MX)
• Real Salt Lake (MLS)
• CF Pachuca (Liga MX)
• Pumas UNAM (Liga MX)
• FC Dallas (MLS)
• Minnesota United FC (MLS)
• New York Red Bulls (MLS)
• Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
• Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
• Mazatlán FC (Liga MX)
• FC Juárez (Liga MX)
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)
• Portland Timbers (MLS)
• Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
• Charlotte FC (MLS)
• D.C. United (MLS)

Orlando City gave Tigres hell in the CCL Round of 16 this spring and have only gotten better since then. I am maybe underrating their chances here, especially since Duncan McGuire is in match-winning form as a No. 9.

NYCFC have been desperately in need of one of those since Taty Castellanos left this time last year, and hope they’ve found one in new signing Mounsef Bakrar. The Algerian got his first Pigeons goal in his first start, though take it with a grain of salt since it came against a Toronto side that’s going to go down as the most disappointing team in recent MLS history.

Cruz Azul and Querétaro looked helpless against good teams. I don’t think they have it. RSL looked helpless against Monterrey specifically – again, I think that’s the best team in the region right now, so I might be over-indexing that loss. But it was emphatic and the West region is a blender.

Pachuca are actually the most successful Liga MX side of the past 25 years: seven league titles, five Champions League/Cup titles, and a Copa Sudamericana title, which makes them the only Concacaf team to have won a Conmebol tournament. And it’s not like they’ve disappeared since then – they got a bye directly into the knockout rounds here by topping the Liga MX aggregate table in 2022.

But unlike the three giants in Tier 1, Los Tuzos develop and sell (they have the best academy in Mexico), which means there are more ups and downs in their year-to-year performances. They’re in a down period now after raking in nearly $35 million in sales over the past three windows and reinvesting less than a third of it into the roster. Writing Pachuca off makes me itch, but this just isn’t the same group they were a year ago.

Pumas have had a good start to the Apertura and have a good No. 9 and a good CB pairing, but I think the best teams will run right through their midfield. Dallas are still a goalscorer short, as are Minnesota, RBNY and Houston (one of those teams should maybe make Pumas an offer they can’t refuse for Juan Dinenno).

Sporting were excellent against Cincinnati before Alan Pulido got his red, and looked so comfortable pulling Chivas apart and controlling the tempo in their 1-0 win on Monday night. I don’t think they have enough to do that five more times, but we’ll see.

Mazatlán and Juárez are fun stories, but no threat. Vancouver have had lots of good moments this year, including their late comeback to knock the Galaxy out, but just traded their most influential player and aren’t the kind of lock-down defensive team that can 1-0 their way through a bracket. The same goes for Portland, Chicago, Charlotte and D.C., each of whom did well just to get out of the group.

Matthew Doyle –

@MattDoyle76

USWNT’s Megan Rapinoe: My Game in My Words

Meg Linehan Jul 19, 2023 tps://e6984ef691a86101eea9feaf128d16fb.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

The Athletic has live coverage of USWNT vs. Vietnam at the Women’s World Cup 

In this My Game In My Words series, The Athletic builds towards the Women’s World Cup by talking to leading players around the world to find out how they think about football, why they play the way they do and to reflect — through looking back at their key career moments — on their achievements so far. 

Megan Rapinoe emerges from the locker room at OL Reign’s training facility and sits at one of the tables dotting the upper level of the building, overlooking an indoor field. There’s a banner featuring an action shot of Rapinoe directly behind her from the early days, when the team was still Seattle Reign FC. It’s a subtle reminder that she’s been here since the beginning, a decade ago.

ADVERTISEMENT

Her teammates trickle out in ones and twos, head coach Laura Harvey is floating around too. Some, when they realize Rapinoe’s watching back old clips of herself, wander over to figure out which one she’s looking at, offer up their own commentary or knock her on the shoulder.

It’s May 26 in Seattle, and Rapinoe’s retirement announcement is still almost two months away. Though in many ways, the announcement is expected. Rapinoe’s one of few Reign players left from day one of the team, along with Jess Fishlock and Lu Barnes — it’s not unheard of in the NWSL, which is just over a decade old, but you can count those players on a single hand. It can only last for so long.

Rapinoe’s ready to watch and talk soccer. But not just the typical highlights. The stuff players don’t usually talk about, too. The little things that can win matches and grate on opponents.

---

Rapinoe watching moments from throughout her career. (Photo: Meg Linehan, photographed on Google Pixel)

‘Just epic s—housery’

We start with the end: the art of protecting a slim lead and killing off a match by any means necessary — something Rapinoe deems “a brutal reality” before shrugging a little.

“I would love to play the beautiful game and do all the things and pass and score goals and all of it, but the whole point is winning. That is fun. That’s the most fun part,” she says.

If you can win and do it with great play? Amazing. But it’s not the point.

“Teams are throwing every single thing they possibly can,” Rapinoe says. “They’re going to be overly aggressive. I know how to use my body really well to put myself in between (a defender and the ball), to draw fouls or bait people into fouls. That’s your responsibility not to foul. It’s not my responsibility to have you not foul me, and I’m not going to do you any favors by using any of my might to stay up.”

This is especially true in a World Cup, which, for Rapinoe and the U.S. women’s national team, starts Friday at 9 p.m. ET against Vietnam.

ADVERTISEMENT

“You’re trying to get to the next game, period. The only thing that matters is winning. It doesn’t really matter how you do it,” Rapinoe says, gesturing to the tail end of the 2019 match against Spain that’s playing silently on the laptop before her. This game, she says, is a good example. A better one? The quarterfinal against France. “The last 30 minutes of that game was just epic s—housery.”

She finds this skill easier in the NWSL, not that she wants to insult other players in the league, but Rapinoe says play in the league can be more aggressive. “At the end of the game, they’re just kind of stabbing at (the ball),” she says.

“I understand which players are doing that and when you just have to step in front and fall down. I am getting fouled, but it’s just like, could I stay on my feet? Yeah, probably, but why would I do that? I’m going to use what I know you’re trying to do against you.”

But sometimes, she really is doing things just to do them.

Take the infamous eavesdropping incident in a 2018 Tournament of Nations match against Brazil. Marta and two other players are huddled around a free kick, hands on their hips. Rapinoe stands, silently, not even smiling, just off Marta’s shoulder.

Rapinoe watches the clip. “What’s going on?” she says, doing a little innocent voice, as Marta on-screen finally looks up and does a double take for Rapinoe’s enormous, sh—eating grin in response.

“I also just really enjoy it, it’s fun and part of the game to have a personality within the game. Sometimes it’s with referees. Sometimes it’s with players, sometimes it’s with fans. I always just want to be talking and yakking and seeing what’s going on — not even to get an advantage, sometimes it’s just funny to do it.”

She has a hint of that same smile on her face as she watches it back.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I can’t resist any joke whatsoever, no matter how inappropriate the timing is,” she says. “So anytime I can find a way to get a laugh, even just for myself, or get a joke in, I will.”

As amusing as it can be, for Rapinoe there is a serious element to this part of the game — a skill level, an art. She still doesn’t understand why more teams and players don’t embrace it, even as officials are now taking a different approach to stoppage time in matches. FIFA has already said to expect lengthier added time in both halves to fully account for stoppages in play, just like what happened in the men’s World Cup.

Rapinoe’s in favor of the change, but she also thinks it just means everyone has to be more clever. It’s more than just dribbling to the corner, it’s knowing when to draw fouls, when to stay on your feet.

“I tell Rose (Lavelle) all the time, ‘They did hit your ankle, and you’re in their half. You could just fall. You’re actually doing us a disservice because they’re doing everything they can, they’ll hit you five times without you falling, and then you do too much and now we’ve lost the ball.’”

And Rapinoe certainly thinks that it suits the USWNT to earn dead balls, especially late in a game.

“We can be very disciplined and very organized and very cutthroat about what we’re doing. There’s no need to do anything stupid,” she says. “You can boot the ball further, leave the ball on the ground, walk over, stand over it, talk, that’s gonna kill the game.”

There is a balance though. You have to be smart, she says, and not annoy the referee too much by lollygagging, only to end up with more time on the clock.

“If you can kill the game, win the game and move on, who cares what anybody says about how you did it?”

---

Rapinoe announced that she will retire after the 2023 NWSL season (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

‘I literally do like five things over and over and over again’

In this final year of her career, it’s no secret that Rapinoe’s role has changed on the national team. It’s one of the bigger narratives heading into the tournament. The personnel has changed from the U.S.’s 2019 World Cup win and the younger generation is taking more and more minutes, with that’s the introduction of Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman, the resurgence of Mal Swanson (then her loss via injury) and the retirement of Carli Lloyd.

ADVERTISEMENT

With chemistry to build on this summer, Rapinoe jokes first about players entering the USWNT environment needing to learn her tendencies.

“So wild because I’ve been here for 1,000 years, I literally do like five things over and over and over again,” she says in her usual deadpan delivery, before she answers the question for real: it’s on her. Since she’s the one who’s been around, she feels she can adjust better and more quickly.

The lessons for her are by example. “This is actually how you get on the field,” she says, laughing, “and build peoples’ trust. Showing this is how you open up space, that’s how you get people open. The defense can’t cover everything at one time, so you have to make it difficult, make their choices difficult. Whatever you want to give us? We’ll kill you with that.”

It has been difficult at times. She knows how to play with Crystal Dunn and Lindsey Horan, playing with Alex Morgan is “super easy and second nature.” As new people have entered, it’s gotten “clunky” at times, she admits, but the solution is consistency and communication around her runs, her movement and her expectation of other players.

Rapinoe’s ability to read space has paid off for the USWNT plenty over the years, but take, for instance, her goal against Germany last fall. Watching the clip, Rapinoe murmurs to herself, “Just hanging out over there,” as Morgan’s first attempt at a central pass is intercepted by Felicitas Rauch, before Ashley Sanchez applies pressure and forces a turnover back to Morgan.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=e2BlMiYdMq0%3Ffeature%3Doembed

This time, Morgan’s cross from the endline finds a wide-open Rapinoe, who threads the needle past a diving defender and the goalkeeper.

“I try not to do any unnecessary running whatsoever,” Rapinoe says, much to nearby OL Reign head coach Harvey’s amusement.

“Being in the right place at the right time is the most important thing,” Rapinoe continues. “The best players are always in the right spot, and that’s why they’re the best. That’s why they have assists and goals and are impactful, so the positioning of yourself in the right place is the movement. Sometimes you need to move and run and make the sacrificial run, but sometimes you just need to stand there.”

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s an ongoing discussion she’s been having with 21-year-old Rodman. Rapinoe thinks Rodman’s instincts are good, but she also thinks sometimes Rodman does too much work on her defensive recoveries.

“She can recover everywhere,” Rapinoe says, “but I’m like, ‘You don’t have to.’”

The entire approach can be simplified down to one defining concept: “I’m constantly trying to position myself in a dangerous place.”

Next, a clip from a Reign game against the Orlando Pride in October 2022, during the team’s run to the NWSL Shield. (The official NWSL highlight clip somehow misses out on her crucial first and second touch, but it’s in the replay, beginning at the :37 mark.)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3JjtjuxB8%3Ffeature%3Doembed

“That honestly might be one of the best things I’ve ever done in my career, individual skill-wise. Yeah, that second touch was,” she doesn’t bother finishing the sentence. We just know. She says she didn’t realize in the moment how good that second touch was until she watched it back after the game.

“Just getting it out of my feet like that and getting away from any kind of pressure and being able to set me up to do that,” she says, referring to her assist to forward Bethany Balcer. But did she see the run from Balcer that quickly?

“I’m just putting it into a dangerous spot and you need to be there,” she says. That knowledge is something Balcer has, thanks to years of playing alongside Rapinoe now. It’s something Rapinoe says everyone who plays with her knows. “Sometimes if we have to have a look about it, it’s already a little bit too late. But Boats (Balcer) is so good running across the near post like that.”

For this clip, Rapinoe has a secret. “I probably didn’t mean the (nut)meg, if I have to say it. I want to be a liar here.”

Rapinoe nutmegs the defender, putting the ball right through her legs.

The key, according to Rapinoe, is the ability to take little touches like this in order to deceive. Her defender is in charge of reading her, and making it harder to do that is a difference-maker. Ensuring that the teammate on the other end of that pass knows what she’s about to do is also key, but Rapinoe says there’s a little extra give on a play like this.

“For players who are smart like me and play like that — Kristie (Mewis) is one of them, Lindsey (Horan) is one of them, Crystal (Dunn)’s one of them — who use that deception a lot, it’s really easy for them to understand where I’m going. Then it doesn’t have to be perfect because there’s so much deception,” she says. “That’s the other part of it, sometimes even with the balls like the one to Bethany, if you’re putting it in a dangerous position early like that and it’s unexpected, it doesn’t have to be perfect, it doesn’t have to be pinpoint. You have a bit more leeway, but you’ve given yourself that leeway by doing it in a way that people weren’t expecting.”

That clip reveals Rapinoe’s favorite: passing. She swoons a little when she starts to talk about it, she loves passing. She loves the assist that sets up the assist. The pass that can cut a team open like Meredith Grey with a scalpel — but it’s also something she struggles to explain precisely.

“I just feel where space is, and feel where I am in the space,” she says. “Passing is the best, I love it, maybe even more than scoring goals. So much fun when you know you’ve unlocked somebody.”

Rapinoe points to a clip she’d already watched, a tidy sequence of wing interplay between herself, Horan and Emily Sonnett, which starts practically at their corner flag and results in Rapinoe right-footing it through two Brazilian players ahead to Lynn Williams.

Rapinoe receives a pass with some space to operate.

“The little pass to Lindsey, that just opens everything up. Now we can play…”

“The really simple, against-the-grain or diagonal balls are so deadly. You really can’t do anything about it. Your team is set up to keep you on one side and when you can slip it out the other side? The best,” she says, a giant grin on her face.

Rapinoe laces a long pass ahead to Williams, past all of Brazil’s defenders.

“I’m like, ‘Got ‘em!’”

---

‘I feel like I’m in therapy right now’

The bronze medal match against Australia during the 2021 Olympics came after a long, strange, uncharacteristic tournament for the USWNT. The day before the match, she told head coach Vlatko Andonovski, “Maybe I’ll just shoot it!”It wasn’t the first time she had scored an Olimpico (a goal scored straight from a corner kick) in the Olympics either, which is a rare goal to begin with, but pulling off two in two different Games is Rapinoe-levels of absurd and elite. In fact, Rapinoe’s first, which came at London 2012, was the first ever Olimpico in the Olympics.“Sometimes it’s like, I’m not totally shooting it but I’m not not shooting it, but I’m thinking about it, and I’m trying to put it in the most dangerous place. But I did know that it was going to be a little bit more open, so I tried to just—” she gestures in the direction of the laptop.Maybe less important than the technique on this one is that she very much has evidence that it was intentional. “I was claiming that one, because I said it the day before.”We watch again, this time focusing less on her and more on what’s happening in front of goal.“Not exactly prowess at the back post, lovey, Pressy,” she says with fondness for Christen Press. “I just felt it was a little exposed, and I don’t trust most goalkeepers — except ours. Lys (Alyssa Naeher) would never let something like this happen, way too cautious.”If there’s something that Rapinoe can truly hang her hat on, though, it’s the penalty kick.And for Rapinoe, routine is queen.“I don’t think I could overstate that enough because you cannot control what it’s going to feel like in this moment, in a bigger moment, in the biggest moment.” The routine gives her a process, a script — comfort despite the uncertainty of every different time she’s taken one.She relies on that routine, detouring from the selected clips and telling the story of a penalty she had recently taken in Louisville (notably during the NWSL’s 1,000th game) — and one that she found herself nervous to take.“I haven’t taken one in a while, my season is just getting going, I feel like I haven’t quite really found the form that I want to get into still,” she says. But the routine allowed her to distance herself from that emotion and find it interesting rather than disruptive. The emotion didn’t take over. Still, she found herself touching her shirt more. Her shorts, too.“Because I have such a routine, I notice when something’s different,” she says.“I feel like I’m in therapy right now. But I am,” she laughs, “so it’s helping.”

There’s a story she’s told before, such as on an episode of the “Snacks” podcast with Sam Mewis and Lynn Williams.

“I always encourage people to say out loud the thing that they’re scared of,” Rapinoe says. “Literally, you could lose the World Cup, and what are you going to do?”Rapinoe detours a little further with the storytelling, recounting how Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning said he wasn’t embarrassed after a lopsided Super Bowl defeat — they didn’t purposefully lose, they had gone out and done their best. That’s stuck with her.“I would bet on myself taking it, I would bet on my teammates taking it. I always want to take one and do my best. This is literally all you can do, right?”There’s one thing about penalties people always ask her about, and she doesn’t know how to answer: When does she decide where she’s placing the ball?

“I don’t really know. It’s somewhere in the lead-up,” she finally says with a shrug and a laugh.

“I don’t really watch the goalkeepers, either. I feel what they’re doing, but ultimately, if you can smack it hard and in a good enough place, I don’t think they can save it.”

There’s one final clip for her to watch, one that might sum up the different elements of her game that we’ve been discussing for the better part of an hour. Harvey’s still floating around behind us, and she walks over for this one because it’s another Reign clip — Rapinoe’s late, stoppage time winner against the Pride in August 2022.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=4Uam02CKeVY%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Rapinoe watches it through once and starts laughing when she hits her celebration, whipping off her shirt.

“I just love the end of a game,” she sighs.

Rapinoe watches it again, talking to her past self on the screen. “Get in the box, get in the box,” she says.

“Sometimes I do have a tendency to hang out too far back, and I was like, ‘You gotta get in there.’ It’s good, (Sofia Huerta) balls are ridiculous, she’s so special at that.”

Harvey interjects: “We were weather-delayed, as well.” The stands are nearly empty, to say a thousand people were there to see her score this goal would be generous.

“Rose doing something crazy at the top of the box, but it worked out,” Rapinoe says slowly, before everyone breaks into laughter.

“Oh, this is such a good ball. Outside of my foot, I just booted it. These games, literally anything can happen. There’s so much faking it until I make it, all the time. But you just have to do that, I’ve learned that from my years on the national team. It could happen, there’s two minutes left, you could score two goals. You have to believe that because otherwise, if you never try you’re never gonna do it.”

---

“I always feel like I have a really good spatial awareness of where I am, and where other players are,” Rapinoe says.

Maybe that’s the secret. It’s been a theme the whole conversation: that Spidey sense, of sorts. Rapinoe can’t always capture it in words, but it’s always there. It works for passing, scoring goals, movement, every facet of her game. She just knows when people are moving, even if she doesn’t know exactly where they are on the field.

Watching one penalty kick clip, she says, “I couldn’t have told you that she was going to dive right, I just have that feel a little bit. That’s probably my biggest talent, to be honest.”

Rapinoe confirms it to herself.

“That’s why I’m so good and why I’ve been able to be good, that’s my talent. I’m not an exceptional dribbler, I’m not faster. That’s how I’ve been able to unlock the game for myself, being able to find pockets, be in those pockets and find space and work off my teammates.”

It’s about time to go. This is the longest the two of us have ever talked about the actual soccer on the field, but there’s a game the next day. Rapinoe will go on to provide three assists in a 4-1 win for the Reign against Angel City FC, making her only the fifth player in the NWSL to do so. She loves passing.

Before she goes though, just one final question: any closing thoughts on your games in your words?

Rapinoe laughs.

“I mean, you just never know what’s going to happen, because I don’t. That’s what I always say.”

The My Game In My Words series is part of a partnership with Google Pixel. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

(Photo illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photos: Bob Drebin / ISI Photos, Brad Smith / USSF, Ira L. Black / Corbis)

Recap – LOU 2:0 IND

Final Stats

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, July 29) – Traveling to Kentucky for the second game of a two-game road trip, Indy Eleven played at Louisville City FC for the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. A 28th-minute goal by Elijah Wynder would prove to be the difference as Louisville City FC would go on to earn all three points at home.

In the 28th minute, a pass from Oscar Jimenez found an open Elijah Wynder who dribbled it just under the glove of Yannik Oettl, giving Louisville a 1-0 lead. 

Indy had the chance to equalize in the 37th minute, when a shot by Sebastian Velasquez just inside the box steered left of the net in what was Indy’s first shot of the half. 

Despite Indy dominating the possession battle (71%-29%), Louisville outshot the Boys in Blue 7-1 in the first half. 

In the 65th minute, a Jimenez corner kick found Cameron Lancaster in the box, who delivered a header that found the back of the net, giving Louisville a 2-0 lead. 

Yannik Oettl made an impressive save on a Sean Totsch header in the 71st minute to keep the deficit to two. 

For the match, Indy controlled the possession battle (68%-32%) but was outshot by Louisville City 14-7 and 5-0 in shots on goal.

Next up, the Boys in Blue head home to host Memphis 901 FC for a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday, August 5. Single-game tickets for all home games at IUPUI Carroll Stadium and specially-priced group tickets and an increased portfolio of hospitality options are available for purchase now via indyeleven.com/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100 during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.).

USL Championship Regular Season
Louisville City FC 2:0 Indy Eleven 
Saturday, July 29
Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, Ky.

Louisville City FC: 9W-7L-5D, 32 pts.
Indy Eleven: 6W-8L-7D, 25 pts. 

Scoring Summary
LOU – Elijah Wynder (Oscar Jimenez) 28’
LOU – Cameron Lancaster (Oscar Jimenez) 65’ 

Discipline Summary
IND – Robby Dambrot (caution) 61’
IND – Aodhan Quinn (caution) 67’
IND – Adrian Diz Pe (caution) 86’
IND – Younes Boudadi (caution) 90+4’ 

Louisville City FC line-up (3-4-3): Oliver Semmle, Sean Totsch, Rasmus Thellufsen (Niall McCabe 90’), Wes Charpie, Brian Ownby (Ray Serrano 90’), Tyler Gibson, Amadou Dia, Cameron Lancaster (Wilson Harris 85’), Oscar Jimenez (Manny Perez 85’), Elijah Wynder, Kyle Adams

Louisville Subs: Carlos Moguel Jr., Danny Faundez, Maarten Pouwels

 Indy Eleven line-up (3-4-3): Yannik Oettl, Macaulay King, Callum Chapman-Page (Mechack Jerome 59’), Adrian Diz Pe, Robby Dambrot (Harrison Robledo 70’), Aodhan Quinn, Jack Blake (Roberto Molina 85’), Sebastian Velasquez (Solomon Asante 70’), Douglas Martinez, Sebastian Guenzatti (captain), Stefano Pinho (Younes Boudadi 59’)

Rent this Beautiful 4 BR Beach house at Myrtle Beach for as low at $250 a night.

Proud Member of the American Outlaws  https://www.facebook.com/IndyAOUnite, Brick Yard Battalion – http://brickyardbattalion.com, Sam’s Army-http://sams-army.com 

Earn Your College Degree at ½ the Cost and Time of Traditional Schools  www.achievetestprep.com/shane

Notes

Messi continues to be must watch TV  – he scored a brace and added an assist in the 4-0 demolishing of Atlanta United Thursday night – as they moved to a perfect 2-0 in the Leagues Cup.  Feeling bad for France star Mbappe what is he to do? Play at PSG 1 more year making over $100 million or make $700 million to play 1 season in Saudi Arabia before going to Real Madrid in Aug of 2024?  Sad to see this story about a local team and issues at the Butler ladies program.  

US Loses 1-1 – Faces Portugal Tues 3 am on Fox

As bad as the US looked in the first half – they looked that good or better in the 2^nd half. Honestly they absolutely dominated the Dutch in the 2^nd half after Rose came in.  Horan finally scored on this header to even things up. At the final whistle, the U.S. had 18 shots to the Netherlands’ five, but the Dutch had 56% of the possession and completed 386 passes to the Americans’ 248.  Mainly they couldn’t find the goal.  I can’t believe Vlatko didn’t sub Lynn Williams in the 2^nd half.  I said she should start bringing Rodman’s fresh legs into the game in the last 25- but no subs in the last 20 minutes of a game you HAVE TO WIN? Are you serious? Listen if this guy can’t get us to at least the Semi-Finals – IT IS ALL ON HIM.  The talent though young is there.  This team CAN NOT SCORE.  And its all on Vlatko right now!!  How could he not have this team ready for the 3 man match up in the back by the Dutch – they have been doing that all year.  Its like they had never seen it much less practiced against it  The flow is just not there – the passing is just ok – the finishing is Crap.  This team is a shadow of the teams we have had pre Vlatko.  First and foremost – this coach can’t seem to set them up tactically.  He left the 2nd leading scorer in the NWSL another #9 Hatch was left at home, #3Williams can’t get off the bench.  What is this guy watching?  He makes Berhalter look like a genius. Book him a ride on a slow boat to China if he can’t turn this around – I still don’t understand why the #1 Team in Ladies Soccer for 2 decades has a foreign coach?  I just don’t get it?  But that’s another story – there are so many things he needs to change – do you have a month?   Lets start with when you are behind – you have to get Julie Ertz in the middle controlling the midfield as the Dmid #6.  I am ok when we are ahead – she made this fantastic save in the ( box ) but when behind we need her controlling that midfield.  We have to use our subs – I would sit Rodman (WHO DID NOTHING in Game 2) and put in Williams – Lynn Williams starts vs Portugal or we might just lose that one. Rose has to start –  I know she has been hurt – but we need her in early to set the tempo and deliver decent set pieces.  I still wonder why Sanchez has gotten no time – but he refuses to sub his mids.  Listen this next game is a must win – by more than 3 goals or we will finish 2^nd in the group and have a MUCH tougher go to the Finals.  In Fact  — I will state now if we go thru 2^nd we will not make the Finals – heck we may not make the Semi’s which would dictate immediate dismal for Vlatko. Hopefully he figures it out.  US Hi-Lights  AO Indy at Union Jack   American Outlaws in New Zealand

Shane’s Starters for Portugal 3 am Tues on Fox – Coverage starts 1 am

INDY 11 @ Louisville on ESPN+

The Boys in Blue return to action Saturday at rival Louisville City FC. This is the second of two matches between the clubs this season, with Louisville earning the 1-0 victory in Indianapolis on May 27.The Eleven are coming off a 3-1 win over USL Eastern Conference leader Pittsburgh and are 1-1-3 in their last five games. With a 6-7-7 record, Indy is eighth in the USLC Eastern Conference. Louisville is 1-3-1 in its last five matches and is coming off a 2-1 loss to Birmingham Legion FC. Louisville is sixth in the Eastern Conference at 8-7-5. Saturday marks the 19th meeting between the two teams, with Louisville holding the 8-4-6 all-time advantage in USL Championship action. The is the second meeting of two this season. Read all about the Indy 11 Ladies win it all- Cue the Smoke.

MLS – Is Winning vs Liga MX in Leagues Cup

Cool to see Cincy and Brandon Vasquez score vs Chivas.  Overall MLS has fared well vs Liga MX and has won or tied many of the games vs them. Complete Standings  – Cool concept – I would love to see Messi and Miami make a run to the Leagues Cup title amazing what he has done for the worse team in MLS in just 2 games.  Here’s Messi’s first goal vs Atlanta United, Messi with the Assist in the 4-0 win. 

Good luck to all our Carmel FC players trying out for High School soccer next week, especially our Goalkeepers.

GAMES ON TV

Sat, July 29

3 am FS1                              Sweden vs Italy 

6 am Fox                              France vs Brazil

8:30 am Fox                        Panama vs Jamaica 

5 pm ESPN+                        Real Madrid vs Barcelona

7 pm Univision                  Cruz Azul vs Atlanta United

7″30 pm Apple TV Atletico vs New England Leagues Cup

8:30 pm Univision            Pumas UNAM vs DC United

10:30 pm Apple TV La Galaxy vs Leon

Sun, July 30

12:30 am Fox                      Korea vs Morocco

3 am Fox                              Switzerland vs New Zealand

3 am FS1                              Norway vs Phillipines 

5:30 am FS1                        Germany vs Colombia

2:45 pm NBC                      Chelsea vs Fulham

7 pm FS1                              Pumas vs DC United Leagues Cup

9 pm FS1                              Monterrey vs Seattle Sounders Leagues Cup

9 pm ESPN2                        Dortmund vs Manchester United

Mon, July 31

3 am Fox                              Japan vs Spain

3 am FS1                              Costa Rica vs Zambia

6 am Fox                              Canada vs Australia 

6 am FS1                              Ireland vs Nigeria

8 pm ? ?                               America vs Columbus Crew

8 pm ESPN+                        Louisville City vs Indy 11

Tues, Aug 1

3 am Fox                     United States Women vs Portugal

3 am FS1                              Vietnam vs Netherlands

7 am Fox                              England vs China

7 am FS1                              Haiti vs Denmark

11 pm ESPN                        AC Milan (Pulisic) vs Barcelona

Weds, Aug 2

3 am Fox                     Argentina vs Sweden

3 am FS1                              South Africa vs Italy

7 am Fox                              Panama vs France

7 am FS1                              Jamaica vs Brazil  

7:30 am CBSSN                  Liverpool vs Bayern Munich

7:30 pm ESPN+                  Juventus (McKinney) vs Real Madrid

8:30 pm ESPNU                 Chelsea vs Dortmund (Reyna)

9 pm ESPN2                        Atletico Madrid vvs Real Sociadad

11 pm ESPN2                      Sevilla vs Real Bettis

Thurs, Aug 3

6 am Fox                     Korea vs Germany  

6 am FS1                              Morocco vs Colombia

Sat, Aug 5

1 am FS1                              1A vs 2C Round of 16 WC

4 am FS1                              1C vs 2A Round of 16 WC

10 pm Fox                           1E (USA?) vs 2G  Round of 16 WC

7 pm TV 23                          Indy 11 vs Memphis- Star Wars Night

10 pm ESPN2                      Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid

Sun, Aug 6

5 am Fox                              1G vs 2E USA?? Round of 16 WC

11 am ESPN+                      Man City vs Arsenal  Community Shield

11 am ESPN                        Man United vs Athletico Bilbao friendly

Mon, Aug 7

3:30 am FS1                        1D vs 2B Round of 16 WC

5 am FS1                              1B vs 2D Round of 16 WC

11 am CBSSN                      Liverpool vs Darmstadt 98  

Tues, Aug 8

4 am FS1                              1H vs 2F QF1

7 am FS1                              1F vs 2H Round of 16 WC

Thurs, Aug 10

9 pm  FOX                            USA?  QF WC

Fri, Aug 11

3:30 am FOX                       QF2 WC

3 pm USA                            Burnley vs Man City EPL starts

Sat, Aug 12

3:am FOX                             QF3 WC

6:30 am Fox                        QF3 WC

7:30 am USA                       Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

10 am USA?                        Everton vs Fulham (Ream,  Jedi)

12:30 pm NBC                    New Castle United vs Aston Villa

2:45 pm ESPN+                  Bayern Munich vs RB Liepzig Super Cup

3:30 pm ESPN +                 Athletic Club vs Real Madrid 

7 pm ESPN+                        Miami FC vs Indy 11

Sun, Aug 13

9 am USA                             Brentford vs Tottenham  

11:30 am USA? Chelsea vs Liverpool  

3:30 pm ESPN+                  Getafe vs Barcelona

Tues Aug 15

4 am FOX                             Semi Final #1 WC  

Weds Aug 16

6 am FOX                             Semi Final #2 WC  

3 pm CBSSN                        Man City vs Sevilla (UEFA Super Cup)

Sun, Aug 20

6 am FOX                             WORLD CUP FINALS   

9 am USA                             Aston Villa vs Everton

11:30 am USA                    West Ham United vs Chelsea

2:45 pm Para+                   Udinese vs Juventus (Mckinney)

7:30 pm Apple TV             Columbus Crew vs Cincy

7:30 pm MLS Pass            Inter Miami (MESSI) vs Charlotte                             

Indy 11 Schedule

NWSL Schedule

 World Cup Schedule

Soccer Saturday’s are every Sat 9-10 am on 93.5 and 107.5 FM with Greg Rakestraw

US Women + World Cup

Playing it safe won’t get USWNT another World Cup title | Opinion

Draw with Dutch may be just what USWNT needed

USWNT scores highest Women’s World Cup group stage ratings ever vs. Netherlands
USWNT’s World Cup draw against Netherlands leads to record number of viewers
U.S. shows fighting spirit vs. Netherlands, but attacking issues remain Jeff Carlisle

USWNT player ratings vs. Netherlands: Horan, Lavelle, Ertz impress in gritty 1-1 draw

Horan’s equalizer helps USWNT rescue big point

Andonovski explains why Lynn Williams has not played at World Cup

USWNT left with plenty of questions after frustrating Netherlands draw

Horan: ‘I got a little pissed’ before scoring Netherlands equalizer

USWNT player ratings: Disappointing showing vs. Netherlands ends in draw
The US at this World Cup are young, talented … and running out of time to peak
Netherlands finds out the hard way not to mess with Lindsey Horan

2023 Women’s World Cup – USA 1-1 Netherlands: The Stars and Stripes grind out a hard fought draw

Inside the USWNT’s official base camp: ‘We are treated like Queens’
How are USWNT players spending their downtime?
What it’s like to feed a World Cup team

Report: Atlanta leading candidate to serve as new U.S. Soccer headquarters

WORLD CUP 
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: England battle to victory, Argentina fight back
In Keira Walsh, England lose the one player who is impossible to replace
Wiegman praises ‘fighting’ England after Walsh injury shock
England find World Cup balance but more adversity leaves one defining question
Keira Walsh: England’s midfield star who broke the world transfer record for a female player
France sweat on Renard fitness for World Cup clash with Brazil
Brazil gunning for World Cup revenge against France
Sweden won’t back down against ‘physical’ Italy at Women’s World Cup
Women’s World Cup Day 9 recap: Argentina comes back to deny South Africa its first World Cup win
Argentina completes dramatic comeback to earn draw against South Africa at Women’s World Cup
China was once a women’s soccer superpower. This year’s World Cup is a first step in reclaiming that status
Coach faces questions with Australia ‘teetering’ at World Cup

MLS

Leagues Cup Overview

League Cup Standings – MLS vs Liga MX
Lionel Messi ushers in new era for Inter Miami, MLS as Messi mania sweeps across South Florida
FC Cincinnati, Chivas match suspended due to severe weather, to resume Friday afternoon
Leagues Cup notebook: Austin FC and Juárez to battle for second spot in tournament

Messi mania sweeping across South Florida

Indy 11

Indy Ladies win it all- Cue the Smoke

Preview #LOUvIND

Recap – PIT 1:3 IND

Star Wars Night Aug 5

Indy Eleven Acquires Callum Chapman-Page on Loan from Miami FC

Dewey Named USL W League Divisional Player of the Year

Indy Eleven Wins USL W League Final in Front of Record-Setting Crowd

EPL

If Harry Kane leaves Tottenham, how will he perform at a club such as Bayern Munich or Man United? Ryan O’Hanlon

Declan Rice ready to return Arsenal to Premier League summit  James Olley

Reffing

VAR Controversy at the World Cup

Announcing VAR the first time at the Women’s World Cup

Become a Licensed High School Ref

Become a Licensed Ref with Indiana Soccer – must be over 13

Goalkeeping

Great Saves World Cup

Chiamaka Nnadozie of Nigeria PK Save vs Canada

Goal Keeper Warm-up

Washing Gloves

=====================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ====================== 

Heading over to the Badger Field for Training?  Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ

Save 20% on your order 

(mention the ole ballcoach) 

Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more.  Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/ Call ahead at 317-688-7290  M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday.  Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!  

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ====================== 

HOW CAN THE US & AUSTRALIA ADVANCE

By The Athletic UK Staff h ago1 The Athletic

---

The Women’s World Cup group stage is heading towards its conclusion with the fates of several sides — including the USWNT and co-hosts Australia — still in the balance heading into the final fixtures. A draw against the Netherlands on Wednesday means top spot, which would impact the USWNT’s potential route through the knockout stage, is still up for grabs in Group E, while a shock Australia defeat by Nigeria on Thursday has thrown open Group B.The final games in each group will kick off at the same time and you can keep track of the permutations below as the tournament continues, with the final showdown in Sydney on August 20.

This article will be updated as games are played and scenarios become clearer.

• Women’s World Cup live news and updates
• Full Women’s World Cup schedule
• All the group standings
• World Cup bracket — plot route to the final

---

Knockout qualification at a glance

Qualified: Spain, Japan

Eliminated: Costa Rica, Zambia, Republic of Ireland, Vietnam

---

How the groups are decided

The straightforward bit?

The two teams in each group with the most points advance to the round of 16, while the sides finishing third and fourth are eliminated.

What if teams are tied on points after three rounds of matches?

Goal difference — goals scored minus goals conceded — is the first tiebreaker; whoever’s is greatest finishes highest.

If teams cannot be separated by goal difference, the nation that has scored more goals will finish higher.

In the unique event that points, goal difference and goals scored are all the same, head-to-head record is the next defining factor. If that (as may well be the case if just two teams are tied) is academic because the sides in question drew, then ‘fair play’ comes into force, defined by the number of cards the teams have accumulated during the group stage.

The fair play total is worked out as below, and if that fails to yield a conclusion, then there’s only one thing left to do: draw lots.

• Yellow card: -1 point
• Indirect red card (two yellow cards): -3 points
• Direct red card: -4 points
• Yellow card then direct red card: -5 points

---

Group A

New Zealand are still in the qualification hunt (Getty Images)

Remaining fixtures

Sunday, July 30: Switzerland vs New Zealand (8am BST), Norway vs Philippines (8am BST)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Switzerland	2	1	1	0	2	0	2	4
New Zealand	2	1	0	1	1	1	0	3
Philippines	2	1	0	1	1	2	-1	3
Norway	2	0	1	1	0	1	-1	1

Who needs what to qualify

Switzerland are in control of Group A — victory over New Zealand will see them through as group winners while a draw will also see them through.

New Zealand need to win to guarantee qualification; given the Philippines and Norway play each other, the co-hosts will be eliminated if they lose to Switzerland. If New Zealand draw, they will have to hope the other game is tied or that Norway only win 1-0.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://e4e190a5accd58a65dffbf7699431c0f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

The Philippines could spring a shock; they will qualify with a win over Norway — and win the group if Switzerland and New Zealand cannot be separated.

Norway must beat them to stand any chance of progressing after a turbulent start to the tournament. They need Switzerland to win, too; if they don’t then goal difference comes into play in a complicated group heading into the final fixtures.

---

Group B

Australia are in peril of exiting their tournament early (Getty Images)

Remaining fixtures

Monday, July 31: Canada vs Australia (11am BST, 6am ET, 3am PT), Republic of Ireland vs Nigeria (11am BST, 6am ET, 3am PT)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Nigeria	2	1	1	0	3	2	1	4
Canada	2	1	1	0	2	1	1	4
Australia	2	1	0	1	3	3	0	3
Ireland	2	0	0	2	1	3	-2	0

Who needs what to qualify

Australia could have secured progress to the last 16 with a game to spare — but the co-hosts’ qualification is instead in the balance after a shock 3-2 loss against Nigeria.

The Matildas, without injured Sam Kerr, must now beat Canada in their last match to guarantee passage to the last 16. Such are the ample permutations, Australia could still top the group if they beat Canada and Nigeria draw.

If Australia draw, they will need the eliminated Republic of Ireland to do them a favour and beat Nigeria.

Canada and Nigeria each just need a draw to qualify — but a defeat would put their participation in jeopardy.

Group C

Spain have scored eight goals without reply so far (Getty Images)

Remaining fixtures

Monday, July 31: Japan vs Spain (8am BST), Costa Rica vs Zambia (8am BST)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Spain	2	2	0	0	8	0	8	6
Japan	2	2	0	0	7	0	7	6
Costa Rica	2	0	0	2	0	5	-5	0
Zambia	2	0	0	2	0	10	-10	0

Who needs what to qualify

High-scoring Spain and Japan have booked their spots in the knockout round with a game to spare, without yet conceding a goal.

Monday’s showdown will decide who tops the group — and avoids the winner of Group A in the round of 16. Spain’s extra goal as it stands means they only need a draw to finish top.

Costa Rica and Zambia will be going home early, and will face each other hoping to avoid finishing bottom.

Group D

England only narrowly beat Haiti in their opener (Getty Images)

Remaining fixtures

Friday, July 28: England vs Denmark (9.30am BST), China vs Haiti (12pm BST)
Tuesday, August 1: Haiti vs Denmark (12pm BST), China vs England (12pm BST)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Denmark	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	3
England	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	3
China	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0
Haiti	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0

Who needs what to qualify

England and Denmark face off after winning their opening games and can progress with a game to spare with victory.

ADVERTISEMENT

England will advance if they win and China do not later beat Haiti. Denmark will be through if they win and, given who plays whom in the final round, Haiti do not beat China.

China and Haiti are both seeking victory to keep their chances alive heading into the last game.

Group E

USWNT’s Lindsay Horan earned a draw against the Netherlands (Getty Images)

Remaining fixtures

Tuesday, August 1: Vietnam vs Netherlands (8am BST, 3am ET, 1am PT), Portugal vs United States (8am BST, 3am ET, 1am PT)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
USA	2	1	1	0	4	1	3	4
Netherlands	2	1	1	0	2	1	1	4
Portugal	2	1	0	1	2	1	1	3
Vietnam	2	0	0	2	0	5	-5	0

Who needs what to qualify

The draw between former World Cup finalists USWNT and the Netherlands means qualification — and top spot — is still in the balance.

Both heavyweights are tied at the top of the standings, but the U.S. have the edge as it stands in terms of goal difference and goals scored and need only a point to qualify.

The USWNT will top the group with a win against Portugal, unless the Netherlands beat their margin of victory by at least two goals.

If the U.S. and the Netherlands both win and finish level on goal difference and goals scored, top spot will be decided on Fair Play (given their meeting was a draw) and then by drawing lots.

If the U.S. draw and the Netherlands win, the U.S. will qualify in second spot.

If the U.S. draw and the Netherlands lose or draw, the U.S. will win the group.

But if the U.S. lose and the Netherlands win or draw, the U.S. will be out.

Portugal head into Tuesday’s finale with the qualification in their hands after ousting Vietnam from the tournament; beat the U.S. and they will progress.

If both the U.S. and the Netherlands were to lose, Portugal would top the group and tiebreakers of goal difference, goals scored, Fair Play and drawing of lots could come into play to decide second spot.

Whoever wins this group will book a date with the Group G runners-up — currently Italy — in Sydney on Sunday, August 6.

Simple, eh?

Group F

Brazil are on the brink of qualification (Getty Images)

Remaining fixtures

Saturday, July 29: France vs Brazil (11am BST), Panama vs Jamaica (1.30pm BST)
Wednesday, August 2: Panama vs France (11am BST), Jamaica vs Brazil (11am BST)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Brazil	1	1	0	0	4	0	4	3
France	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Jamaica	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Panama	1	0	0	1	0	4	-4	0

Who needs what to qualify

Brazil will qualify for the round of 16 with a game to spare if they beat France.

Panama will be eliminated if they lose to Jamaica.

Group G

Remaining fixtures

Friday, July 28: Argentina vs South Africa (1pm BST)
Saturday, July 29: Sweden vs Italy (8.30am BST)
Wednesday, August 2: Argentina vs Sweden (8am BST), South Africa vs Italy (8am BST)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Sweden	1	1	0	0	2	1	1	3
Italy	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	3
South Africa	1	0	0	1	1	2	-1	0
Argentina	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0

Who needs what to qualify

Sweden and Italy won their opening games and meet on Saturday, with any victor the likely group winners.

If South Africa fail to beat Argentina on Friday, Italy will qualify with a win. If Argentina fail to beat South Africa, Sweden will qualify with a win.

Argentina and South Africa could be eliminated early if they lose.

Group H

Germany are among the tournament favourites (Getty Images)

Remaining fixtures

Sunday, July 30: South Korea vs Morocco (5.30am BST), Germany vs Colombia (10.30am BST)
Thursday, August 3: Morocco vs Colombia (11am), South Korea vs Germany (11am)

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Germany	1	1	0	0	6	0	6	3
Colombia	1	1	0	0	2	0	2	3
South Korea	1	0	0	1	0	2	-2	0
Morocco	1	0	0	1	0	6	-6	0

Who needs what to qualify

Germany and Colombia meet next in a potential top-of-the-table decider.

If South Korea fail to beat Morocco in the first match, Germany will qualify with a win. If Morocco fail to beat South Korea, Colombia will qualify if they win.

South Korea and Morocco could be eliminated if they lose.

Relax! Don’t panic about the USWNT at this World Cup

• Ryan O’Hanlon, ESPN.com writerJul 28, 2023, 09:36 AM ET

Whenever an international soccer tournament starts up and some big team with lots of great players loses or draws or wins by only a goal, my mind immediately goes back to 2018.

France’s men’s team were a game away from winning the World Cup for the first time in 20 years. They’d comfortably beaten Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the first three knockout rounds. Teenage Kylian Mbappe was capturing the world’s attention for the first time. Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante were the perfect midfield duo.

ADVERTISING

They were heavy favorites to beat Croatia — and a ton of people in France were still completely miserable.

For the Wall Street Journal, Stacy Meichtry and Joshua Robinson wrote a piece: “France, on the Brink of a World Cup Win, Has the Bleus.” The sub-headline: “Fans are disappointed by the team’s non-French, workmanlike approach; ‘We had to be pragmatic.'” In the piece, they quote a nurse who had called into a local radio station before the final and summed up a large chunk of the nation’s frustration with the way the team had been managed, “[Didier] Deschamps has a Ferrari in his hands and never breaks the speed limit!”

France, then, won the World Cup and scored four goals in the final.

The natural state of being for an international soccer fan is misery. You fall into one of two camps: You root for a team whose players aren’t good enough, but you convince yourself that the players are only not good enough because the manager isn’t selecting the right players. Or, you root for a team whose players are good enough but whose potential is severely limited by the structure of international soccer — short tournaments prone to randomness, limited practice time that makes it incredibly difficult to play a free-flowing attacking style — but you convince yourself that the team isn’t achieving both your aesthetic and results-based goals because the manager isn’t selecting the right players.

All of which is to say: Do not panic. Take a deep breath. The United States women’s national team is going to be fine.

Let’s start with the basics: You can’t win every game

The USWNT’s worst enemy is, well, themselves. Before Wednesday’s draw with the Netherlands, the Americans had won 13 consecutive World Cup matches. That is, to use an obscure statistical term, absolutely freaking absurd. It’s a record in the tournament, because of course it is.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• U.S. shows fighting spirit vs. Netherlands, but attacking issues remain2dJeff Carlisle
• Inside USWNT’s World Cup base camp: ‘Everyone got their own little touch of home’3dJeff Carlisle
• USWNT’s secret sauce at the World Cup? An endless menu of chef-prepared meals5dCaitlin Murray

To reiterate, this means that the USWNT outscored their opponents in regulation in 13 consecutive matches — at the highest possible level of competitive women’s soccer, at a time when the rest of the world has rapidly improved at playing the sport. By doing that, the likes of Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz created a completely false illusion of control.

You cannot control soccer. The bounce of the ball and the low-scoring nature of the sport is what makes us love it; it’s also what makes us hate it. Compared to favorites in other sports, soccer teams usually have a lower implied win percentage in a given game because there are so few goals, ties exist and you’re trying to use your feet to get the ball past the only person on the field who’s allowed to use her hands.

– Women’s World Cup: Schedule | Rosters | News
– How teams can qualify for the round of 16

After a couple of disappointing tournaments dotting the aughts, the USWNT then reached three consecutive World Cup finals and won two in a row. At the last tournament, they won all seven matches they played in regulation. While I don’t think there’s any real doubt over whether the USWNT were the best team in either of the past two tournaments, they weren’t 13-wins-in-a-row good because no team at any reasonable level of competition can ever be that good. Even if you literally have 100% of the possession, you still might not win the game.

Over the 13-game winning streak, the U.S. won five of those matches by a single goal. There’s no special skill to winning a one-goal game; one different bounce, and it’s a draw. Two different bounces, and the win streak never even happens. So, while not winning a match might feel like some massively disappointing shift in the global pecking order or whatever neuroses you want to bring into watching these matches, it’s worth taking a step back for a second.

Despite the draw against the Netherlands, the USWNT haven’t lost a World Cup match in regulation in more than 12 years. That’s three full presidential terms! It would be another nine years before anyone had even heard of COVID-19. Alyssa Thompson was six years old the last time the team she currently plays for lost a game at the tournament she is currently playing in.

Plus, it’s not like you have to run the table to win the whole thing. The Argentinian men lost to Saudi Arabia in their opening game — remember that? — before lifting the trophy last December in Qatar. In fact, it’s likely that the winner of the World Cup drops points in the group stages. Here are the previous five winners of the women’s World Cup, with their point totals from the opening round:

– 2003: Germany, 9 points
– 2007: Germany, 7 points
– 2011: Japan, 6 points
– 2015: United States, 7 points
– 2019: United States, 9 points

Oh, and one other thing: The USWNT are still leading their group.

Okay, but I don’t like how it looked!

We’ll start with the Vietnam match. Yes, the U.S. only won 3-0. If you take the last tournament’s first match as a measuring stick — a 13-0 win against Thailand — then obviously this year’s team is terrible. They’ve declined by 10 goals over four years. Pathetic! But, well, three goals is close to the minimum number of goals we’d expect the USWNT to score from the chances they created against Vietnam.

With slightly better finishing, this game ends 4-0 or 5-0 or 6-0, and everything is fine. Getting stuck on the number of goals scored also ignores the barely believable aspect of this game: The USWNT allowed zero shots and zero touches inside their own penalty area.

While most games have a vast array of potential outcomes based on the chances created by both teams, this one actually didn’t. There was essentially no world — outside of Naomi Girma deciding to rip a couple of shots at Alyssa Naeher — where the USWNT could have lost this game. Considering Vietnam didn’t attempt a shot, they could not have scored. And considering they never even touched the ball inside the penalty area, it’s not like they could’ve drawn a penalty, either.

Obviously the USWNT have a massive talent advantage over Vietnam, but if it were easy to create that many chances without conceding anything on the defensive end, more teams would do it. In fact, in all the World Cup matches since 2011 (which is as far back as the data goes), no team has ever done it. Against Vietnam, the U.S. had 100% of the shots and 100% of the penalty-area touches.

Now, if that wasn’t enough to convince you, then Wednesday night certainly didn’t do anything to change your mind. I don’t even think the USWNT played particularly well. Their press was a mess in the first half, they struggled to control the ball for long stretches, manager Vlatko Andonovski strangely only used one sub despite having the deepest roster in the tournament … and yet they completely dominated the balance of chances and should’ve beaten the defending World Cup runners-up and the ninth-ranked team in the world.

The main story of the match with the Netherlands is incredibly annoying and simple, but it’s true: The Netherlands scored with their first shot of the game. Or, the USWNT conceded a goal from the first shot they allowed in the tournament. Once that happens, the team with the lead no longer has to be as aggressive with the ball and the dynamic of the match totally shifts. In a club season, we have enough games that these score effects come out in the wash, but at an international tournament, there are so few games and therefore early goals can completely skew our perception of a team’s performance.

Against the Dutch, the U.S. attempted 18 shots and only conceded five. The shots they attempted weren’t particularly high quality, but that’s not because they weren’t working the ball into dangerous areas. No, they took 33 touches inside the penalty area (tournament average is 22) and conceded just 12. Play this exact game with these exact same chances for both teams 100 times, and the U.S. wins more often than not. Play this exact game with the exact same possession patterns 100 times, and the U.S. likely generates even better chances from all those touches in the box. The Dutch, meanwhile, pretty much maxed out the reasonable number of goals they could’ve scored from their limited number of attempts and dangerous possessions.

Women’s Soccer Challenge

Play for FREE and compete for a chance to win $10,000! Create Your Entry

Now, this isn’t to say that the USWNT are a perfect team. I really don’t understand the lack of subs. An older and much more stagnant Morgan has, at times, looked out of place within a lineup that is otherwise incredibly dynamic. And they’ve only completed 71% of their passes, which is just the 15th-highest mark in the tournament so far. Despite lots of turnovers, they haven’t had an issue controlling games, but what might happen when they come up against a savvy passing team like Spain that won’t give you the ball back once you lose it?

Ultimately, though, the story of the USWNT’s World Cup so far is that they’ve scored with 8.7% of the shots they’ve attempted and conceded from 20% of the shots they’ve allowed. The average conversion rate at the last World Cup was 11%. Unless you think that the most successful nation in women’s soccer history has suddenly produced a new generation of players that are good at everything else but terrible at converting and saving shots, then we should expect the USWNT to regress toward the average rates on both ends.

The U.S. still has Lindsey Horan, who might be the best player in the world. At least, I’ve never seen a more complete midfielder while in possession — at any level. Sophia Smith is as good as it gets on the wing. Crystal Dunn completed nearly as many progressive passes as the entire Dutch team on Wednesday. Rose Lavelle is still coming off the bench. And the big question mark coming into the tournament — the defense — has been fantastic through two games, with Girma and Ertz somewhat unexpectedly partnering at center-back.

And so all the consternation just leads back to here. The USWNT remain the betting favorites to win the World Cup. Their odds haven’t really budged; they’re significantly less likely than 50-50 to take home their third straight trophy. And so nothing has really changed. They’re the most likely team to win the World Cup, but it’s more likely that someone else wins. Despite what’s happened in each of the past two tournaments, it’s always been that way.

Vlatko’s no-subs call for USWNT in a World Cup is concerning

• Caitlin Murray, ESPNJul 28, 2023, 10:20 AM ET

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — As the clock ticked on for the U.S. women’s national team in its biggest fixture of the Women’s World Cup group stage, the game seemed to be crying out for an American substitute or two.

With the USWNT level with Netherlands 1-1, wingers Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith started to look tired. They were pushing hard for a winning goal — in fact, three of Rodman’s four missed shots of the match came in the final 15 minutes. But the players’ passing accuracy started to drop, and their tendency to lose the ball went up, particularly after Lindsey Horan‘s 60th-minute equalizer. In the period from the opening minute of the second half to the 75th, Rodman completed zero of the nine passes she attempted, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

But USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski stood pat, opting not to bring in a player with fresh legs as a second-half substitute. It was a controversial decision, and after the U.S. settled for a draw, it’s one that will continue to be scrutinized if the Americans fail to win Group E and are forced to take a much tougher path through the knockout stage of this tournament.

– Women’s World Cup: Landing page | Schedule | Rosters | News
– How teams can qualify for the round of 16

Former USWNT defender Ali Krieger, who played major roles in the USWNT’s 2015 and 2019 World Cup wins, said she thought substitutes could’ve put the game away for the Americans.

“They started to get tired — the Dutch really showed that — and that was the moment I was thinking Vlatko would sub one or two extra players in,” Krieger said on “Futbol Americas” on ESPN+. “That decision was a bit surprising to me. In a moment like that, experience could’ve been key.”

Former USWNT midfielder Tobin Heath, also a member of the 2015 and 2019 squads, said she expected a substitute after Horan’s goal. “The U.S. got momentum from that goal,” Heath said during her podcast, The Re-Cap Show. “I think you insert — you inject — a Lynn Williams into the game, and all the sudden, the couple instances you saw Trinity break through, I think if you have a fresh Lynn Williams breaking through, there’s a different result at the end of that play.”After the match, Andonovski was asked repeatedly about his decision, and he defended it by arguing that the USWNT didn’t need reinforcements — and bringing on a substitute might’ve backfired.”I just didn’t want to disrupt the rhythm at that point because sometimes a substitute comes in and it might take a minute or two to get into a rhythm,” he said. “We just didn’t want to jeopardize anything because I thought all three of our forwards were very good today, dangerous, created opportunities and were a handful.”Salazar: USWNT showed ‘promising signs’ in 2nd half vs. NetherlandsSebastián Salazar explains how the USWNT improved their game in the second half vs. the Netherlands.In the end, Andonovski made one substitution against Netherlands, swapping in Rose Lavelle at center midfield for Savannah DeMelo at halftime. That switch undoubtedly changed the game, but why stop there?”I do think there was a missed opportunity when the Dutch were tiring down,” Krieger said. “Especially in the last few opportunities we had at the end of the game, we could’ve made some changes to try to win the game. So, I don’t know what the ‘rhythm’ was all about, because I do think adding those substitutes could’ve actually created more rhythm than I saw.”

Group E

	GP	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1 – United States	2	1	1	0	+3	4
2 – Netherlands	2	1	1	0	+1	4
3 – Portugal	2	1	0	1	+1	3
4 – Vietnam	2	0	0	2	-3	0
Top two countries qualify for round of 16

If Andonovski’s view were shared by other coaches — his notion that bringing on substitutes might make the team play worse — then we probably wouldn’t see subs happen with such frequency. But we do see subs most of the time later in games, regardless of whether teams are ahead or chasing the game.

The USWNT’s 1-1 draw with Netherlands was the first time since 2007 that the team used one or fewer substitutes in a World Cup game, per Stats Perform. The USWNT has used at least one substitute during every World Cup match, but the team used just one substitute six previous times, with three of those instances coming in the first Women’s World Cup in 1991.Making it even more head-scratching that Andonovski declined to use late subs: In previous cycles, three substitutes was the maximum number a coach could use. In this World Cup, Andonovski could use up to five.Carli Lloyd, who also won two World Cups with the USWNT in 2015 and 2019, agreed with Krieger and Heath: A sub could’ve turned the draw into a win, she said. “I would’ve liked to see Lynn Williams come in — I think she’s been having a really great NWSL run this season,” Lloyd told Fox Sports. “And sometimes making subs puts the other players on their toes a little bit — you’re coming off, the next person’s coming in and they’ve got to perform.”Indeed, Williams seemed like the most obvious choice to push the USWNT toward a win.While Smith and Rodman play more like strikers — they like to dribble inside and take shots themselves — Williams can play as a true winger, which would have given the USWNT added width after they were playing in a very narrow shape against the Dutch team. Striker Alex Morgan had some decent service but could’ve used more of it, which Williams could’ve offered.

Williams is also defensively a much stronger option than the players who were left in the game. No USWNT forward is as good at tracking back and winning balls as she is — going into the World Cup, her 14.01 defensive interventions per 90 minutes in international play was the highest among all USWNT forwards since 2022. She could’ve pressed the Dutch side, forced turnovers for counterattacks, and then helped protect a lead.

“I think Trinity should’ve come out in the 60th and Lynn Williams should’ve come in,” Heath said. “Vlatko raved about Lynn Williams being the best 15-minute player he could put on this roster, and in that moment we needed a 15-minute player to come in.”

Former USWNT coach Jill Ellis, who won back-to-back World Cups with the team in 2015 and 2019, said she thought Megan Rapinoe or Lynn Williams would’ve been good late additions.

“I thought the last 15 minutes of the game would have been perfect for Rapinoe because it was one-way traffic, we had them pinned in, and Megan is arguably one of the best set-piece takers in the world,” Ellis told the After the Whistle podcast. “She’s one of the best deliverers of the ball from wide areas. So when you’ve got a team on their back foot, you want that quality world-class service coming from the flanks.

“Lynn, she’s in form, she’s playing well — maybe bring her in for Rodman and give her some time out there on the right side.”

Are the USWNT still favorites to win the World Cup?

Marissa Lordanic and Tom Hamilton give an early prediction for the winner of the Women’s World Cup.

Andonovski was asked pointedly about Williams after the match and offered a noncommittal response: “Yes, we of course talked about substitutes, and Lynn was probably one of the first that would’ve been on the field if we needed to change something.”

The USWNT didn’t secure a win, so it’s hard to argue they didn’t need to change anything.

Julie Foudy, who won World Cups with the USWNT in 1991 and 1999, said she thought Alyssa Thompson‘s speed could’ve helped as a substitute.

“Why didn’t we bring Alyssa Thompson in?” Foudy said on her “Laughter Permitted” podcast. “I don’t agree with the one sub. … I kept looking over saying, ‘C’mon, man, let’s get some fresh legs on!'”

So, if Andonovski’s public reasoning doesn’t seem to make much sense, the possibility exists that maybe there is another reason he didn’t use any substitutes — a reason he didn’t want to state publicly.

Could it be that he simply doesn’t trust his bench? Does he not feel confident that the USWNT has game-changers beyond his core starting group? That would be a major concern if so.

After all, Krieger stirred outrage outside the U.S. in 2019 when she said the USWNT had “the best team in the world, and the second-best team in the world.” But Krieger was right. The USWNT has always had extraordinary depth, and Ellis used it in 2015 and 2019. It is arguably how the USWNT won those tournaments.

For instance, Ellis made seven changes from the USWNT’s opener in 2019 to their second group game — that decision gave the starters valuable rest while also giving reserve players the chance to get into the tournament and feel like they had a role to play. Eventually every non-goalkeeper on the team got minutes. At the 2019 World Cup, the USWNT never used fewer than three subs, which was the maximum at the time, in a game.

Ellis said after the USA-Netherlands game that regardless of whom Andonovski put in, substitutions could’ve helped keep his core group of starters fresh by preventing them from having to play a full 90 minutes again.

“You’re also managing minutes,” Ellis said of the choice not to rotate. “You’ve got players in there right now that have done back-to-back 90s. It’s a long tournament. I always say you want to try to take at least one game off your legs if possible — once you hit the knockout rounds, it’s just not possible.”

For now, though, Andonovski has been sticking with his starting XI that no one would’ve predicted before this tournament began, and that means he’s sticking with them largely until the final whistle. If they aren’t winning and could use some extra help, for whatever reason, it seems bringing on a substitute is a risk that Andonovski might not be willing to take.

USWNT vs. Netherlands takeaways: Horan’s goal, Andonovski’s approach in 1-1 draw

By Jeff Rueter and Kudzi Musarurwa Jul 26, 2023

---

The U.S. women’s national team fought back from a goal down for a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in its second game of the World Cup on Thursday afternoon local time. Jill Roord opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the 17th minute as the U.S. struggled to keep up with the Netherlands’ passing and tempo in possession and their defensive cover out of it. Lindsey Horan scored the equalizer in the second half off a corner kick, just moments after coming to blows with her Lyon club teammate Danielle van de Donk.The result leaves the U.S. on top of Group E on goal difference, with both the U.S. and Netherlands sitting on four points. Neither team can secure a spot in the knockout round before their third and final group stage games.Kudzi Musarurwa and Jeff Rueter were watching, and have some instant analysis.

---

How the Netherlands opened the scoring

Against Vietnam, the United States could afford to prioritize its attacking intentions over team shape in transition and defensive moments. Most often, that meant sending fullbacks Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox forward and dropping Andi Sullivan deeper to compensate with little need to worry about counterattacks.

Given the Netherlands’ increased quality, running a similar gambit wasn’t sustainable. Still, head coach Vlatko Andonovski did little to change the team’s initial approach, giving the Dutch plenty of space to exploit beyond Fox and Dunn to stretch the U.S. center backs wide and open space near the box. It did a trick in the 17th minute, as an initial sequence beyond a back-tracking Dunn recirculated to Jill Roord at the top of the box for a clean finish beyond Alyssa Naeher. It was the first shot the United States had incurred in the tournament to date — and the first time they trailed in any World Cup game since 2011 against Brazil.Given Portugal’s tactical approach and the quality of teams that the U.S. would face in the knockout stage, the USWNT’s approach figures to be unsustainable without tweaks and adjustments. Perhaps it requires a change in team shape to push a midfielder further up to take creative pressure off of the fullbacks. Whatever the change, simply running it back for a third consecutive match could be ill-advised.

— Jeff Rueter

---

Horan gets an aggressive assist from a club teammate

For a full hour, the Netherlands did well to contain the United States. They clearly studied the tape from the Americans’ 3-0 win over Vietnam: shut down passing lanes to Sophia Smith, exploit the space beyond fullbacks Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox on the break, and contain the game in midfield. The latter focus was particularly stifling for Lindsey Horan, who was limited to just 22 touches in the first half after making 100 in the group opener.It all boiled over in the 60th minute as Daniëlle van de Donk made an aggressive tackle on Horan as she attempted a squaring pass near the endline. After having her knee examined by the trainers for a couple of minutes, Horan returned to the pitch for a corner kick and immediately confronted her fellow Lyon midfielder with a shoving match and exchange of words.

The center official brought the two together to attempt to restore decorum — but from a Dutch perspective, the damage was done. As the United States has done for much of the tournament to date, Rose Lavelle directed the corner kick toward the near post. Horan rose to meet it for a thunderous header to level the match, a sorely needed breakthrough after a frustrating hour of play.

It didn’t end the fracas between the teammates-turned-rivals; within a couple of minutes, Horan was whistled for a foul after pulling van de Donk down on a midfield possession. However, it was a pivotal moment that woke up one of the United States’ best players just in time to claw back into the game. And luckily for Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor: the two made up after the final whistle.

– Rueter

Weather plays a role

The wind was a factor throughout this game. With the harbor so close by, the stadium almost acts like a wind tunnel with no barriers in place to stop the gusts coming in off the south coast of New Zealand’s north island. All game, any time the ball hit a certain height, the wind carried it away from the players and toward the sidelines. Both teams had to adapt to that and played crosses that were lower or flatter than usual to make sure they got to their intended target.By the time the second half rolled around, both teams had adjusted. Both teams kept the ball on the grass, making for better passing sequences and better movement from all involved as the wind continued to swirl around the Wellington Regional Stadium.

— Kudzi Musarurwa

I don’t want no subs

The U.S. lineup went unchanged from the opening match against Vietnam to the clash against the Netherlands, with Andonovski electing to build consistency and back the players who notched a 3-0 win to step up against a more competitive rival. The Dutch came prepared in the first half (more on that in a bit), forcing a substitution at the break to bring Rose Lavelle in for Savannah DeMelo. With many other players having logged 135 high-stakes minutes in the span of five days, it seemed inevitable that a few other lineup holdovers would cycle out as the game progressed.

And yet, that did not happen. Even after Horan headed home an equalizer to wrestle back momentum, the team remained unchanged. Players were caught waiting for the pass to arrive as the Netherlands forced turnovers. Veterans Horan and Crystal Dunn were repeatedly seen begging teammates to step up their intensity. Despite obvious signs of needing personnel changes, the U.S. saw out the rest of (the) second half (regulation) without bringing on any other substitutions, while the Dutch made a total of four changes in the second half.It seemed clear that Lynn Williams would have helped against tired legs given her strong goalscoring form and capable pressing acumen. So, too, could have Alyssa Thompson or Megan Rapinoe given the Netherlands’ low block and willingness to concede set pieces (respective to each player). Even Ashley Sanchez could have provided another shooting option as the U.S. searched for an additional two points. Instead, six players have been on the pitch for all 180 minutes in the tournament’s early stages. Tired legs are seldom going to wake up with that kind of workload in a tournament’s early stages.

— Rueter

What the Netherlands did right in the first half

The Netherlands were brilliant in the first half at containing Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman in particular. They didn’t let any of their back three be isolated against either Smith or Rodman and it made it difficult for them to do what they do best. The Dutch also limited Alex Morgan, as she had no one to play the ball to and was surrounded every time she picked it up.In midfield, Jill Roord, Danielle van de Donk and Jackie Groenen made sure that Savannah DeMelo could not influence things going forward, and kept playing the ball around Lindsey Horan and Andi Sullivan. The second half was a different ball game altogether, with Lavelle coming on at halftime and Horan coming alive after her run-in with Van de Donk, but the Dutch had the lead going into halftime because of how well they contained the USWNT’s creative players.

— Musarurwa

What comes next

Portugal and Vietnam finish Group E’s second matchday as much of the U.S. sleeps; if either team wins instead of drawing, it’ll create a very nervy final day. If Portugal wins, a U.S. loss and Dutch win would knock the four-time champions out at the group stage. If Vietnam wins, however, it would ensure that a draw or win would be enough to breach the round of 16.It isn’t a comfortable position for one of the tournament favorites. However, it isn’t a crisis situation just yet… so long as there’s some evolution in the plans for the next match. — Rueter (Photo: MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)

Netherlands revealed the blueprint to stop USWNT with a near-perfect game plan

By Kudzi Musarurwa The Athletic

---

Going into halftime, the Netherlands had shown that it possessed the intelligence, tactical acumen and speed to back the U.S. women’s national team into a corner. The first half, despite a few partial chances by the U.S., was all about the Netherlands and how its game plan was working with almost pinpoint precision.With so many potent USWNT players starting in the attack, the Dutch knew the best way to win this game was to ensure the likes of Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Savannah DeMelo were not at their creative best, while also limiting what Lindsey Horan and Andi Sullivan could do with the ball at their feet. Of the 400 passes the USWNT attempted, only 292 were completed, while the Netherlands completed 403 of their 509 passes.“We knew exactly what they were doing so I think in the first half we showed exactly what our plan was today,” Dutch defender Dominique Janssen said. “The second half I think they just pressed a bit better, gave us a little less space and for us, it was a bit harder to play. I think we got impatient but at the end of the day, 1-1, I think it’s a good score.“We analyzed them and we saw that there were a few spaces available to play in. We know we can play a possession game very well, I think it’s one of the characteristics of the Netherlands. So that was one of the things we could do and that we could show in the first half especially.”Against Vietnam, the USWNT showed it was looking for Alex Morgan to draw defenders to allow Smith and Rodman to exploit the space in behind. The Netherlands negated that by playing with a back three and then making sure that neither Smith nor Rodman could be isolated against any of their central defenders during the first 45 minutes. With that plan in place, the Netherlands could also limit Morgan’s hold-up play by making sure no one was around to receive the ball, surrounding her quickly to win the ball back before the USWNT could build an attack.Teams looking to hold off the reigning World Cup champions should look for weak points with how head coach Vlatko Andonovski has asked his team to play. For 60 minutes, that’s exactly what the Netherlands did. Not only were they looking to shut down the front three of the USWNT, but they also made sure they took the midfield away from their opponents as well.The midfield three of Jill Roord, Jackie Groenen and Danielle van de Donk were matched up against DeMelo, Horan and Sullivan. The Dutch didn’t mark any of them one-to-one; instead, they looked to limit spaces and force the USWNT to chase after them as they kept the ball.“This is our quality to play the ball from ‘Oranje to Oranje’.” Netherlands head coach Andries Jonker said. “If anybody gives us the space to play, we will develop it. What you need is conviction within the group of players. We can do this against the No. 1 team in the world or the previous No. 1, or one of the top teams in the world.Part of what changed the game for the Netherlands, and what let the USWNT back into the match, was the injury in the first half to Stefanie van der Gragt. She was replaced by Aniek Nouwen at the start of the second half. Losing van der Gragt’s leadership was the first domino to fall in what had been a brilliantly executed plan by the Dutch.“(Van der Gragt) is, defensive-wise, our best defender and I think still one of the best in the world,” Jonker said. “And if somebody goes out at halftime, and that’s because the doctor asked me or tells me to do that, then it’s a shame. The replacement of Anieke Nouwen, it was OK, but yeah, Stefanie van der Gragt is another level.”In the second half, USWNT raised its urgency and physicality to counter how well the Netherlands had moved the ball during the first half. By the end of the match, the USWNT had broken through the lines of defense 51 times and increased their overall possession to 45 percent, having only had 33 percent possession in the first half.Although the Netherlands weren’t happy with the physicality, they understood that it was something they would need to learn from as they evolve as a team.

Lindsey Horan clashes with Danielle Van de Donk (Photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

A big part of USWNT’s improvement in the second half was the introduction of Rose Lavelle.Lavelle helped move the ball faster in midfield, something DeMelo couldn’t quite do. She also raised the intensity of the press from those around her as she looked to steal the ball as often as possible.Right after the USWNT had scored their equalizer, the momentum was fully on their side and with Lavelle finding pockets of space, the team started to push the Netherlands further and further back.

ADVERTISEMENT

The combination of Lavelle coming off the bench and van der Gragt’s injury forced the Netherlands to “have less guts” as their manager said. It made them less willing to keep the ball and instead forced the Dutch team to play longer, which made the job easier for the USWNT midfield to pick up the second ball and for Julie Ertz and Naomi Girma to shut down anything the Netherlands threw at them.

“I think (the U.S.) have done everything to win the game,” Jonker said. “And I think the lineup, those were the best players available. The one substitution I guess, (Lavelle) came in because the team needed her badly. And I think after that the Americans have played with the best players to have in the eyes of the coach.”The Netherlands were disappointed to concede but content to walk away with only giving up one goal.“I’m just happy we didn’t concede too many chances, so overall we’re pretty content with our performance,” Janssen said.The draw gives them a chance to finish ahead of the USWNT on the final day of Group E games, but more importantly it increased their chance to qualify for the knockout stages. Today, though, was about figuring out how to stop the USWNT and, for a long time, they managed to do just that.Other teams watching this game now have a blueprint of how to hurt the USWNT and, if they can last longer than the Dutch, they could knock the USWNT out of the World Cup.(Top photo: Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

U.S. shows fighting spirit vs. Netherlands but issues remain

• Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondentJul 27, 2023, 07:00 AM ET
• WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Some of the big questions surrounding the U.S. women’s national team heading into this World Cup revolved around its relative inexperience. Could the team, with 14 players performing in their first World Cup, deal with the pressure cooker environment? Could they handle moments when things weren’t going their way, especially against the best teams in the world?The final answers to those queries won’t come until later, but one question was answered in the affirmative in the 1-1 draw with Netherlands. Can the U.S. take a punch? You betcha. Shoulder charges, too.For much of the opening 60 minutes, the U.S. was losing the battle in all manners of ways. The Dutch possession game was humming with metronome-like efficiency. This was reflected on the scoreboard, with Netherlands ahead 1-0 following Jill Roord‘s 17th-minute goal.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• Horan bails out USWNT in tie with Netherlands1dAssociated Press
• USWNT player ratings vs. Netherlands: Horan, Lavelle, Ertz impress in gritty 1-1 draw22hCaitlin Murray
• Watching the USWNT, Women’s World Cup at America’s first all-women’s-sports bar2dJamie Goldberg

The physical encounters taking place on the field were going Netherlands’ way as well. It certainly didn’t help that referee Yoshimi Yamashita was taking the lightest of hands when it came to meting out discipline. Dutch midfielder Jackie Groenen committed six first-half fouls while somehow avoiding a yellow card, while U.S. midfielder Savannah DeMelo probably deserved to go into the book as well. It seemed the height of absurdity when, in the 51st minute, U.S. midfielder Rose Lavelle was booked for a foul after seemingly being impeded by Groenen — the only caution of the match.And then, in the 59th minute, the U.S. got mad. Danielle van de Donk barged into U.S. midfielder and Olympique Lyon club teammate Lindsey Horan, sending her sprawling. When the U.S. won a corner at the end of the sequence, Horan let Van de Donk know what she thought about the challenge, and Yamashita came over to make sure temperatures didn’t rise further.A yellow card to Horan at that moment would have been her second of the tournament, resulting in a one-game suspension.”I got a little heated and [van de Donk] got to hear it,” Horan said after the game. “Julie [Ertz] came up to me in the box and she was like ‘Linds, please, just don’t get another yellow card. Just score this goal to shut everyone up.'”That’s precisely what happened. Horan powerfully headed home Lavelle’s corner to even the score, letting out a cathartic roar in the process. The U.S. was running downhill after that, piling on the pressure and creating some clear chances. Yet, it couldn’t find the breakthrough to give it all three points.After final whistle, Horan and Van de Donk hugged it out on the field and the pair shared a laugh as Horan walked past her rival in the mixed zone. Horan spoke of how she loves Van de Donk’s fighting spirit — when they’re on the same team. But she also noted how the tackle changed the game for her.”I don’t think you ever want to get me mad because I don’t react in a good way usually [for the opponent] and I want something more,” she said. “I want to win more. I want to score more. I want to do more for my team. That moment — that little tackle, big tackle — changed the shift in my head. I want to do everything for my team, and let’s win this game.”Alex Morgan not happy with USA’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands

Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan give their thoughts following USA’s 1-1 draw at the Women’s World Cup.

That the U.S. managed to get a draw on a day when it played well short of its best in some ways can be viewed as a good sign. After all, this was the U.S. team’s first real test of the tournament. Netherlands are clearly a quality side and it is hoped that the calluses formed in terms of experience will come in handy for this group of American players later in the tournament.

Group E

	GP	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1 – United States	2	1	1	0	+3	4
2 – Netherlands	2	1	1	0	+1	4
3 – Portugal	2	1	0	1	+1	3
4 – Vietnam	2	0	0	2	-3	0
Top two countries qualify for round of 16

The U.S. also showed that by ratcheting up its press, it could disrupt Netherlands’ possession game. It certainly helped that Dutch defender Stefanie van der Gragt had to leave the game at half-time due to injury. After that, Netherlands manager Andries Jonker said his team “needed the guts to play through the midfield from the back” and that when Van der Gragt went out, “the guts were less,” resulting in more long balls. But some of that was down to the U.S. doing more to impose itself on the game.”No one was happy with our first-half performance, letting them have the ball a little bit too much,” Horan said. “But then we changed things and I’m proud of our team and how we responded and getting that goal.”What is the USWNT’s outlook moving forward in the World Cup?Marissa Lordanic breaks down why the USWNT should not be underestimated in the World Cup.

But there are still plenty of issues that the U.S. needs to address. The drop-off from the team with Lavelle on the field to the one without is steep. DeMelo seemed to wilt under the physical attention she was given by Groenen & Co., and the U.S. attack looked disjointed until Lavelle’s introduction. At that point, and much like the game against Vietnam, the tempo was raised, and the U.S. looked more dangerous as a result.As for why Lavelle didn’t start, U.S. manager Vlatko Andonovski said she was on a time limit of about 45 minutes, but are there really no other alternatives at this point? Apparently not, meaning the U.S. will be praying to the soccer gods that Lavelle continues to build her fitness.Then there’s the issue of the effectiveness and chemistry of the Americans’ front three of Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan and Trinity Rodman. Andonovski said he believed his front three were “dangerous, created opportunities and were a handful,” but it seems more obvious with each game that Smith is much more comfortable as a central striker. When given the ball out wide, Smith’s deliveries are too often off target and when she goes at defenses, she has a tendency to dribble into trouble.

USWNT camp reports:
– Inside the USWNT’s official base camp: ‘We are treated like Queens’
– How are USWNT players spending their downtime?
– What it’s like to feed a World Cup team

Rodman is also a winger, who is less provider and more goal scorer. Nothing wrong with that, but on this day, she struggled to make an impact, losing the ball a team-high 36 times. And when presented with a clear look at goal in the 82nd minute, she pulled her shot wide. While Smith did set up Rodman for that chance, both players were guilty of taking too much time on the ball, with an extra touch resulting in the delivery window for a cross or pass closing. All of this contributes to Morgan not getting quality service.

Andonovski said that these days Morgan is more of a playmaker than she’s been in the past. That is all well and good, but the U.S. needs a few more clubs in its attacking bag than set pieces and Morgan as playmaker.Looking to his bench might have solved this problem. Lavelle was the only sub used by Andonovski and he explained that, with the U.S. on the front foot in the second half, he didn’t want to upset the team’s rhythm. But this match seemed to be crying out for a wild card like Lynn Williams or Alyssa Thompson, especially as Rodman was looking gassed late on. The knockout stages may very well require more risk-taking — and faith in the U.S. bench — late in matches.The U.S. manager insists that chemistry among the front three will develop. That will have to be the case, as the U.S.’ World Cup hopes depend on it.

Vlatko Andonovski liked how the U.S. played vs. the Netherlands, but not many other people did

“I thought we had control of the game, and I thought that we were knocking on the door,” Andonovski said. But his team didn’t force the door open, and it easily could have.

https://buy.tinypass.com/checkout/template/cacheableShow?aid=HtZYnkXBmA&templateId=OTB550AD8IZF&offerId=fakeOfferId&experienceId=EX39Z83I7IV3&iframeId=offer_a2c3aa23388cfbf5d1ec-0&displayMode=inline&widget=template&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inquirer.com

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — To a certain kind of trained ear, Vlatko Andonovski’s assessment of the U.S. women’s soccer teams’ 1-1 tie with the Netherlands sounded familiar. In fact, it sounded a little too familiar.

“Even though it didn’t finish the way we wanted to finish, I thought it was a very good match for our team, especially for a group of young players,” Andonovski said after a game in which his team had a 18-5 advantage in shots, but was out-possessed 56% to 44%, completed 138 fewer passes than its opponent (386-248), and flat-out didn’t pass the eye test for too much of the afternoon.

Have you heard words like that before? If you’re reading this back home in Philadelphia, you probably have, and not just from Union manager Jim Curtin.

Does it help to know that Andonovski is a longtime Kansas City resident and a diehard Chiefs fan?

ADVERTISEMENT

At the end of a news-conference grilling from the American media horde, it was hard to avoid wondering if Andy Reid had watched the game back in the heartland. The two coaches know each other, and Andonovski has been a guest of honor at Arrowhead Stadium many times.

» READ MORE: Lindsey Horan’s header saves a 1-1 tie for the U.S. vs. the Netherlands at the World Cup

A reporter from abroad joined the fray by asking Andonovski if he thought we haven’t seen the best of the U.S. yet at this World Cup. There was only one possible answer to that, and, this time, Andonovski gave it.

“I think that’s a fair statement.” he said. “This team has not had time together. The first time we saw this team together was in Game 1 [of the tournament], and now we saw them again in Game 2. So in Game 3, we expect to grow from there. … The baseline is the second half of this game, and then hopefully as we move forward, we’re going to see a better and better U.S. team.”

Lack of substitutes glaring

Though the U.S. did play much better in the second half than the first, Andonovski affected things in a big way by not making more than one substitution. No team on the planet has a deeper bench than the U.S., but Lynn Williams, Megan Rapinoe, Ashley Sanchez, and six other outfield players watched Rose Lavelle’s entry at halftime be the Americans’ only swap.

Williams’ absence was particularly glaring, since Trinity Rodman too often looked overmatched against the Netherlands’ veterans. Williams’ proficiency at pressing, cutting in from wide, and shooting seemed tailor-made for the moment, but she could only watch from behind the goal, where Rodman shot a big late chance wide of the far post.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Of course we thought about substitutes, and Lynn was probably one of the first that would have been on the field if we needed to change something,” Andonovski said. “But I thought we had control of the game, and I thought that we were knocking on the door of scoring a goal. The players played well; we were around the goal the whole time, and I just didn’t want to disrupt the rhythm at that point.”

» READ MORE: Rose Lavelle recalls her goal of a lifetime ahead of another U.S.-Netherlands showdown

Doesn’t that also sound a little too familiar, knocking on the door without busting it open the way it could have been?

“We just didn’t want to jeopardize anything,” Andonovski said as he finished his thought. “I thought all three of our forwards were very good today: dangerous, created opportunities, and were a handful.”

Veterans stepped up

As for the U.S. players, this wasn’t a moment to hear from the youngsters. It was a moment to hear from the veterans who didn’t just know how much of a missed opportunity the tie was, but must now lead the locker room’s preparations for Tuesday’s group stage finale against Portugal (3 a.m., Fox29, Telemundo 62, Peacock).

“Going into the locker room, coming back out and having the fight that this USA team is about, it was a little bit different than the first half, and I think we were unlucky not to get a second goal,” Alex Morgan said. “The fact that this team fought back is a little bit of that mentality that we needed [going] into this tournament. And I think it’s just a little unfortunate that now first place in this group is up for grabs, but we’re going to do everything we can this next game.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The fire the U.S. needed to come from behind came not from any shots taken with the ball, but from a shot taken by Lindsey Horan in a crunching challenge with Daniëlle van de Donk. The teammates at French club Lyon then exchanged some heated words, and got stern talkings-to from referee Yoshimi Yamashita.

» READ MORE: Sophia Smith’s family revels in watching the USWNT’s World Cup breakout star

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=PhillyInquirer&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1684390664614580225&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inquirer.com%2Fsoccer%2Fvlatko-andonovski-uswnt-netherlands-world-cup-lindsey-horan-20230727.html&sessionId=ff0c88bbbe7f66ef0caad9d9b16eded9e2e7943e&siteScreenName=PhillyInquirer&theme=light&widgetsVersion=aaf4084522e3a%3A1674595607486&width=550px

“Unfortunately I did not take it in a good way — I got a little heated, and she got to hear it,” Horan said. “Julie [Ertz] came up to me in the box and she was like, ‘Linds, please just don’t get another yellow card. Just score this goal to shut everyone up.’ And that’s what happened.”

Horan was steaming mad, and she took out her anger a few minutes later in the best way possible: by rising high for a superb header of a Lavelle corner kick.

Don’t get them mad

“That’s where you get the best football from [me],” Horan said. “I don’t think you ever want to get me mad, because I don’t react in a good way. Usually, I just go and I want something more — I want to win more, want to score more, I want to do more for my team.”

Van de Donk wasn’t surprised.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I already knew when she came up to me, and I was like, ‘You’re going to be smiling at me in 20 minutes after the game,’” she said, and, right on cue, Horan walked by and offered a teasing nudge.

That closed the book on that. But the book on the Americans’ group stage finale Tuesday against Portugal is now wide open. Though the U.S advances out of the group with a win, draw, or even any loss of five goals or fewer, in order to secure first place and an easier knockout-round path, the team has to not just win, but keep a plus-2 goal difference edge over the Netherlands.

“Absolutely, that’s in the back of our minds, not closing out this game,” Morgan said. “Now we have to work even harder to get the goals and make sure that we secure that first place.”

Those are the words U.S. fans, whether the thousands in Wellington or the millions back home, want to hear. Soon it will be time to live up to them.

» READ MORE: All of our 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup coverage in one place, from how to watch to who to watch

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=PhillyInquirer&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1684389688096997376&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inquirer.com%2Fsoccer%2Fvlatko-andonovski-uswnt-netherlands-world-cup-lindsey-horan-20230727.html&sessionId=ff0c88bbbe7f66ef0caad9d9b16eded9e2e7943e&siteScreenName=PhillyInquirer&theme=light&widgetsVersion=aaf4084522e3a%3A1674595607486&width=550px

Your subscription powers our newsroom and journalism like this. Support our work by visiting inquirer.com/tannenwald and receive unlimited access to Inquirer.com, The Inquirer App, and e-Edition at a special price: $1 for three months.

Published July 27, 2023

Physicality in Women’s World Cup matches shows how quickly the game has moved on

By Michael Cox ul 27, 2023

---

Ahead of the most anticipated game of the Women’s World Cup 2023 group stage — a repeat of the 2019 final between the U.S. and the Netherlands — came perhaps the most significant pre-match press conference statement, courtesy of Dutch manager Andries Jonker.

“The intensity in European football really has grown the last couple of years, as well as the fitness,” he began. “In the past, the American women were a lot fitter than the rest of the world, but I really think those days are over. If you look at the Champions League nowadays, you see the same level of intensity.”

ADVERTISEMENT

https://1a29e991c551db69cefb9bd405823877.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

It was a bold statement, the classic ‘pin this up on the dressing room wall’ kind of thing that might have fired up the USWNT. But the game itself didn’t disprove the theory. For a start, it was often very physical — and shortly before her goal, Lindsey Horan seemed to think her Lyon team-mate Danielle van de Donk had been overly physical. Clearly, it wasn’t too much for the Netherlands. They coped well with Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith, the reigning champions’ explosive wide duo.But this isn’t about that individual game; the physicality has been the main theme of the World Cup so far. Watching the matches, it’s been obvious the women’s game has changed significantly, even from four years ago. Previously, the matches were slow, featuring few genuinely powerful footballers. And the players from the more established nations sometimes found it simple to brush aside the weaker sides.But things are changing. In the aftermath of South Korea’s 2-0 loss to Colombia on Tuesday, for example, manager Colin Bell was frank about where his side lost the game — they just weren’t physical enough. “I think (these days) every team has players with power with a real physical strength, and speed, and speed of thought. And I think, at times, we were just a little bit intimidated,” he said.“That’s the point I’m trying to make, and people need to start listening in South Korea. We need more intensity. We need more intensity in training and a higher intensity in matches. And the players need to be coming to the table with a much higher physicality and condition.”It was a biting assessment of his players’ physical capabilities. And it was interesting to hear Bell’s reasoning for handing a debut to 16-year-old Casey Phair, the youngest player in World Cup history, born in Korea but raised in New Jersey. “We need strong, fast players with physicality,” he said. We’re looking for those type of players. And Casey can give us that energy and that power.”The emphasis on physicality has been a common theme of players’ and managers’ impressions of the opening round of this World Cup. Intriguingly, lots of those asked suggested the increased level of physicality was more apparent from the underdogs, helping them to compete and to keep scorelines relatively close.“From what we’ve seen so far, it could be the most physical World Cup — and the one in which everything is most balanced physically,” said Spain manager Jorge Vilda. “Teams are working better and have more resources, which leads to closer results. That’s the future, more equality in physical terms. Football will be the winner.”This was a common theme. “The whole physical part of the game has improved,” said Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius, in the aftermath of Sweden’s nervy come-from-behind 2-1 win over South Africa.“I think it’s not just about the physical duels, but teams now have a lot of speed. It gives an extra dimension to the games. Teams are getting better at defending, which makes it difficult for teams to score against any opposition. There have been a couple of games where there have been a lot of goals, like the Germany game (against Morocco, a 6-0 win), for example. But aside from that, numbers have been kept down.”Her team-mate Filippa Angeldahl said something similar. “It has become more physical, and you can see how (women’s) football has developed, and how these smaller nations also perform well. There are many factors — in some cases it’s about attitude.”England, like the USWNT, were another side who, once upon a time, might have had a physical advantage over opponents with little experience at this level. But Haiti, as well as boasting skilful individuals in attack, were also more than ready for the physical challenge. Their centre-backs weren’t intimidated by Alessia Russo. Their full-backs weren’t outmuscled in one-against-one duels. Their power on the break was hugely impressive.

Alessia Russo feels the force of Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus (Photo: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

“It’s tough,” said midfielder Keira Walsh, who found herself up against the dangerous Melchie Dumornay, who both marked her and then charged past her at turnovers. “People are expecting teams like Haiti to be easy, and they are not. The games have been different, and it’s been 1-0 or 2-0. Haiti were probably one of the toughest teams I’ve played against in terms of speed on the counter-attack. You will see that more in the tournament as well. The teams that people are not expecting too much from, they have really improved.“If you look at the investment and facilities (compared to) what we had four or five years ago… the training that younger girls are having now, they are in the gym a lot more, which isn’t something we really had when we were younger. So naturally it is going to progress and you’re seeing that come to fruition in this tournament.”But the question is whether the physical component of the game might dominate too much. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but one enjoyable thing about women’s football, historically, is that the technical players have been afforded space to demonstrate their creative abilities. There’s a danger they might be pressed out of the game, especially because the officiating in women’s football is curiously lenient when it comes to penalising physical challenges.This isn’t just an issue for women’s football. At the start of the last Premier League campaign, the main focus was on ‘lighter-touch’ refereeing. In the long term, that means physical players enjoy it more, and technical players find it tougher. By the second half of the campaign, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola — who once seemed to think his sole mission in football was to promote technical play — was loading up on centre-backs like he was Tony Pulis. That’s probably not a coincidence, and nor is it a coincidence that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is spending pre-season promising that “when we want a game to become more physical, we have the options to be very, very physical”.But, back in the women’s game, maybe the balance between technical play and physical play has been maintained — it’s simply that the women’s game is progressing in every aspect. Ahead of England’s meeting with Denmark in Sydney, both managers were keen to point out that the physical improvement is just one component that has improved.“I think everything in women’s football has increased, in terms of the quality of football,” said Denmark manager Lars Sondergaard. “When you see the Euros last year, the high-intensity running, the sprinting, the one-against-one, the duels… it’s getting tougher. You also see the teams are getting more even, even those not ranked so high, they are also very good now. Which means it’s going to be more physical and the tempo is getting higher. There’s been an immense development in that part of the game.”England manager Sarina Wiegman said something similar. “I think the total game increases all the time. You can talk about it being physical, but we should say ‘football-physical’. I think the demands on the game are higher, that means the intensity of the game gets higher too, and when you’re in possession it’s about decision-making, doing the right thing, being tight on the ball, and that’s what you see in this tournament so far. It’s absolutely physical, that’s because players are fitter, but they’re more capable on the ball too.”That improved physical level in women’s football, though, bas been particularly striking at this tournament. Once upon a time, the big nations blasted the minnows off the park, and produced scorelines that invited ridicule. At World Cup 2023, they are finding it much tougher, in a very literal sense.

(Top photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Michael Cox concentrates on tactical analysis. He is the author of two books – The Mixer, about the tactical evolution of the Premier League, and Zonal Marking, about footballing philosophies across Europe. Follow Michael on Twitter @Zonal_Marking

USWNT player ratings: Disappointing showing vs. Netherlands ends in draw

Share this article  219 shares share tweet email

Jason Anderson  follow July 27, 2023 12:04 am ET

The U.S. women’s national team was far from its best against the Netherlands, struggling for a long spell in the middle of the match before recovering for a 1-1 draw. Jill Roord’s goal on the first shot conceded all tournament by the USWNT deflated the group, and until Dutch star Daniëlle van de Donk clattered into club teammate Lindsey Horan, it was starting to get hard to see a way back in for the favored Americans.However, Horan — after a fairly heated argument with van de Donk in the seconds that followed — powered home a header, and the U.S. took the game over for the final half-hour.The good news? Those final minutes were the “real” USWNT. The bad news? They arrived for a reason the team can’t control, and since a winner didn’t arrive (nor did any substitutions after Rose Lavelle’s entry at halftime), the flaws on the day aren’t going to be papered over by three points.

With all that in mind, let’s dig into who delivered, and who didn’t.As a reminder, here’s the Pro Soccer Wire player rating scale:

Our scale:

• 1: Abysmal. Literally any member of our staff would have been been able to play at this level.
• 6: Adequate. This is our base score.
• 10: Transcendent, era-defining performance. This is Carli Lloyd vs. Japan in the 2015 final.

GK: Alyssa Naeher – 6.5

Naeher has barely had to do any work in 180 minutes, but deserves some credit for navigating a really tricky environment. In the first half, the U.S. was defending a goal that seemed to be on the worse end of a driving wind at Wellington Regional Stadium. In the second half, the really strong sun/shade border was in her penalty area, a potential nightmare for any goalkeeper.Instead, Naeher claimed the occasional Dutch cross with confidence, and the only times the U.S. looked disorganized was in transition (i.e. when the breakdown came well up the field from where her voice might serve to organize the group).She did concede on the only shot she faced, but it’s hard to see what more she could have done on a shot through traffic that was tagged for the bottom corner.

RB: Emily Fox – 5

Fox was a clear focus of the Dutch high press, which seemed to kick into a high gear any time someone passed the ball her way in the first half. Normally confident and sure-footed, she made some iffy choices under that pressure as the U.S. structure unraveled after Jill Roord put the Netherlands ahead.Her second half was better as her recognition of where and when the press would be coming from increased, and frankly because Andries Jonker backed that pressure off significantly during the break. Still, not the best showing from a player who normally breaks the kind of pressure the Netherlands sent her way.

RCB: Julie Ertz – 7

On one hand, Ertz was a physical force in both boxes, and it’s hard to find too many complaints about a center back when the opponent takes just five shots all night. The Netherlands caused the U.S. some problems, but those problems translated to very little thanks to the center backs and some (mostly) good scrambling from the midfield.Ertz also came up with an enormous block on the one and only second-half chance for the Netherlands, which in and of itself got her score a bump here.The quibble here is that Ertz defaulted to long balls early and often. There’s a rationale for that: if a team wants to high-press you, and you have Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman, the ball over the top is the answer. However, Ertz wasn’t particularly accurate on these, and seemed to be forcing them a bit.

LCB: Naomi Girma – 6.5

The review for Girma is essentially exactly what was said above about Ertz. She won every single duel she was in, she had the speed to cover in behind — though it must be said, without Lineth Beerensteyn, the Dutch threat in those moments was reduced — and the U.S. held a good team to virtually no chances outside of one bad sequence.Again, though, the long ball accuracy wasn’t there. Girma went 3-for-10, in line with Ertz’s 4-for-12, and even the completed passes weren’t dangerous passes.

Still, all in all, solid stuff.

LB: Crystal Dunn – 5.5

There were a series of mistakes on the Dutch goal, but the biggest was also the least likely: Dunn, a player blessed with maybe the best balance of any player in women’s soccer, slipped. The attack was about to end with her making an easy interception, but her slip (followed by a rushed block attempt that could have been a clearance) turned into a goal.Now, that said, Dunn had a great response. She stepped her game up, particularly during the first half when the rest of the team wasn’t offering the kind of intensity in their reply. In the second half, the USWNT got to her level in a lot of ways.

RCM: Savannah DeMelo – 6

This was a very mixed bag performance from DeMelo.

On the plus side, she won six fouls and brought the sheer effort level to match and even exceed a Dutch team that seemed desperate to win the game through sheer high pressure. She also had the best U.S. look of the early stages, when they were in the ascendancy. The good aspects to her performance were legit positives.On the other hand, DeMelo’s normally reliable touch under pressure was absent on the day, and during the first half, no midfielder or forward lost possession more than she did. Additionally, she (and the entire USWNT front six, to be clear) struggled to offer the kind of early, urgent movement off the ball that was needed against an opponent that risked high-pressing.

DM: Andi Sullivan – 5.5

Sullivan’s step up without winning the ball is where the Dutch goal got started. It’s a moment where she has to get a touch, or take a yellow, or stay home. There are bigger mistakes that followed in the sequence, but the move forward wasn’t likely to amount to much if not for a step gone awry.This, incidentally, is the reason the U.S. eventually went to a 4-2-3-1 late last year: Sullivan’s game defensively is about protecting space, and in Andonovski’s approach to a 4-3-3, she can’t hold and take ownership of the zone in front of the center backs. The team builds this step into its gameplan, and going back to this formation is frankly a bit curious.Aside from that moment, though, the U.S. looked troubled, but not actually in danger, and that’s the scrambling work mentioned earlier. Sullivan played a big part in that, helping the USWNT stall Dutch counters long enough that the team could sort things out.

LCM: Lindsey Horan – 7

Horan looked ready to dominate early, but faded after the Dutch goal. It’s a play where she needs to be one or two steps closer to closing Roord down. Even if she doesn’t get a block, Roord has to adjust her shot, and an already low-caliber chance becomes even less likely to squeak into the bottom corner. She was on course for roughly a 5 rating here.However, Horan took van de Donk’s tackle to her bad knee, and had a choice to make once she got some treatment and carried on. The surface explanation is the accurate one: Horan got mad, and channeled that anger perfectly to equalize. From there, she drove the U.S. on, winning tackles, creating chances for others, and sensing that the tempo needed to go up as the Dutch lost their grip on the game.

RF: Trinity Rodman – 5.5

Rodman struggled with connections early, and ended the match completing just 43% of her passes. On the ball, she looked unusually far from her normally sharp self. Additionally, Rodman ended up dropping too deep on both sides of the ball in the bad first half, which instead of helping Fox under pressure ended up compounding the issue.Still, in moments Rodman was very good. Her shot immediately after the Dutch goal was inches from an instant equalizer, and her angled through ball for Alex Morgan would have been a signature assist if she weren’t caught a step offside.Rodman made a brilliant run late on to open up a passing lane that didn’t exist, but her finish after Sophia Smith met the opening with a smart pass was dragged wide.

ST: Alex Morgan – 5

Morgan really struggled to make a major impact on the game when the U.S. was in possession, with her runs coming too late or lacking the sort of incisive quality that would cause the Netherlands any issues. The USWNT’s attack slowed to a crawl after Roords goal, and a big part of the problem came from a lack of runs and availability up top.Morgan produced a good run and finish in the 68th minute that was correctly called offside, and was sneaky-good in winning her battles for 50/50 balls. However, the U.S. needs her to be more mobile and more insistent to make teams pay a tactical price for an aggressive pressing approach, and that element was missing on the day.

LF: Sophia Smith – 7

Like Rodman, Smith’s passing accuracy was too low, but she was also the fulcrum of most of the positive things the U.S. did going forward.Namely, even in the poor first half, Smith got into really promising pockets between the lines, got on the ball, and just needed one useful supporting run to give the Dutch defense too many problems to handle at once. Every single time, that run never came, and the Oranje escaped.Smith’s return pass to Rodman could have been a game-winning assist on another night, and while the data says she was merely fine, we’re giving her a higher rating because so many of the ideas she had were not met with the right choice from a teammate.

Coach: Vlatko Andonovski – 4

The U.S. came out flying, putting any worries about the unchanged lineup to one side for about 16 minutes and change. He even got the gift of Jonker for some reason deciding to question the fitness and quality of what so many USWNT players have called “a team of psychos” in the hours before the game.However, that group did lose its way following the Dutch goal, and while the bench offered some adjustments during stoppages, they were mostly just buying time rather than actually changing the game.

The fight in the second half is a credit to the team, but it’s hard to pay credit to the coach. If anything, in this case it’s an insane decision from van de Donk to bring heightened emotion into a game her team was controlling. The USWNT got back into this match mostly on that channeled anger than anything else.Most of all, though, Andonovski’s refusal to use his substitutes is a baffling one. Yes, the U.S. had regained control and were all over the Netherlands at times after Horan’s goal, but this was not the moment to say everything is fine and avoid making a change. Instead, what was needed — and crucially, what was available — was a move to take the good stuff going on up to the next level.In particular, the wide-open final 20 minutes that the USWNT created for themselves seemed to be crying out for Lynn Williams or Alyssa Thompson. Instead, Andonovski stood pat, and a chance to turn this into a stirring (if rocky) win went by the wayside.

Sub: Rose Lavelle – 7.5

Lavelle entered at halftime, replacing DeMelo as the USWNT’s No. 10, and was once again Rose friggin’ Lavelle.

You could even see it in the tackle that got her a quick booking: Lavelle wasn’t just trying to create and bring joy to the game, but also wanted to lead by example in adding some abrasiveness to a U.S. side that wasn’t fully charged up even after the halftime break.So in summary, she sharpened the team up technically, lifted them emotionally, and got the assist with the single best set-piece delivery the team has had in their two games thus far. It wasn’t perfect (she wasn’t always so sharp on the ball, and went for some challenges that were ill-advised), but it stands to reason that the U.S. will be looking to start her and hope she can get to the hour mark or longer provided they get to the knockout rounds.

Follow all of Pro Soccer Wire’s 2023 World Cup coverage

USWNT players honor memory of Katie Meyer with mental health initiative during the World Cup

By Meg Linehan Jul 19, 2023

---

(Content warning: This story addresses suicide and other mental health issues and may be difficult to read and emotionally upsetting.If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.)

ADVERTISEMENT

U.S. women’s national team players are using their World Cup platform for a new mental health initiative alongside Common Goal, a charity organization focused on helping global soccer players create social impacts. FOX Sports, the English-language broadcast rights holder in the United States for the tournament, has also promised to dedicate 1 percent of the tournament’s air time to mental health.

On Wednesday, USWNT defender Naomi Girma released a first-person essay via The Players’ Tribune dedicating this World Cup to her Stanford teammate Katie Meyer, who died by suicide in March 2022.

“This is personal for me, and for everyone who knew Katie,” Girma wrote. “I’ll be honest, it’s not easy to talk about this on the eve of a World Cup. It’s still very raw for me. I know what an honor it is to be a part of a World Cup team. I know all about the pressure and expectations.”

Girma said the project’s mission is to help people feel less alone. Ten USWNT players, including Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Sophia Smith, are featured in a video released this week to highlight the initiative.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=7wD5xo_E9NE%3Ffeature%3Doembed

In Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday, Smith addressed the campaign. She and defender Emily Fox discussed their approaches to protecting their mental health during a major tournament.

“Anytime I talk about Katie, it’s obviously emotional,” said Smith, who was also teammates with Meyer at Stanford. “Just with everything coming out today, it kind of brings all those feelings back to the surface. But I feel like I’m in a place where I can talk about it, and talk about Katie in a really positive light and it brings me more happiness. … Everything we do is now for Katie, so it means a lot.”Smith said Girma approached her a few months ago with the idea to work with Common Goal on the initiative. She was immediately interested.“It changed the whole way I view life. I now don’t take things too seriously,” Smith said “I realized that there’s so many more important things happening than the little things that stressed me out or took a toll on me. That’s a good thing, because it puts things into perspective and just makes you value life a lot more, and friendships and relationships.”Following the World Cup, Common Goal said its mental health campaign “will bring together coaches from more than 15 sports-based youth development organizations working in under-resourced communities across the United States. The immersive training will teach positive coping strategies and provide personal support in communities who historically do not have access to mental health resources.”The organization also plans to offer training for players from some NWSL teams on incorporating mental health and emotional well-being into their professional environments.“It’s long overdue that our soccer communities put mental health at the forefront when we discuss player care,” Lilli Barrett-O’Keefe, executive director of Common Goal USA, said in the official release. “We are determined to create a culture shift, at all levels of the game, following this summer’s World Cup. We are grateful for the players that are pushing this narrative forward and holding us all accountable to not only talk but act.”It’s a heavy topic for a major tournament, but there’s also immense pressure on many young players to pull off a third consecutive World Cup win for the USWNT.“For the team in general, we had a team talk about (mental health), about the pressure, the external pressures that happen,” Fox said. “And really, it was cool to hear from the veterans and how we can lean on them. They’ve been through every position, whether starter, non-starter, coming in (to a match), all those things.”As for Smith, she said with a laugh that deleting Twitter was “the best thing (she’d) ever done,” as she’s now less aware of that outside noise.“It’s a lot, and it’s something new every day, so just trying to push that aside and focus on what we are here to do,” Smith said. “That’s to play soccer and win a World Cup. Finding that balance is super important.”But members of the USWNT team are also deeply aware of the platform they have, especially during this tournament.“We know first-hand how many people, especially student athletes, are struggling in silence, and we want to use our platform in this huge moment for something bigger than soccer. It’s exactly what Katie would have done. But she never would have stopped there,” Girma wrote in her essay. “We don’t want this to end simply at awareness. We want to make sure that young people have the tools to cope with depression, anxiety, stress, and the very bad days, when it feels like the weight of the world is on their shoulders, and it can never get better. It can always get better.”(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Assessing the USMNT key players and contenders whose club futures have been in doubt

By Greg O’Keeffe and Tom Bogert Jul 27, 2023 The Athletic

---

Ahead of the summer transfer window, uncertainty swirled around the USMNT.

A sporting director had just been hired, but there was a vacancy still on the coaching staff and, soon, a second interim to take over the team. Then there was the reality that no fewer than a dozen key pool players based in Europe were facing uncertain futures at club level.Within a few months there was clarity surrounding most of those issues. Gregg Berhalter was confirmed to return as head coach, another Nations League title was safely secured in the cabinet and several key transfers — including that of star forward Christian Pulisic — were over the line.Yet more moves are still in the air. Here The Athletic looks at the latest on the busy summer in the world of the USMNT.

---

Moves that have already happened…

Christian Pulisic — AC Milan (from Chelsea)

After being pushed to the periphery at Chelsea, Christian Pulisic left the London club for AC Milan. Pulisic had just a year left on his contract, which helped facilitate the move (and make it affordable for Milan).Pulisic won a Champions League with Chelsea and enjoyed some special moments, but due to his own injury record and a revolving door of managers, consistency proved elusive. At Milan, he will seek to establish himself as a regular starter at a big club once again.The 24-year-old will either line up on the opposite flank to Portuguese star Rafael Leao or play through the middle behind a center forward. Milan qualified for the Champions League once again this season after advancing to the semifinals last time out, and is expected to be in the Serie A title chase. –Bogert

Pulisic takes on Aurelien Tchouameni in Milan’s friendly against Real Madrid in Pasadena (Photo: Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

Brenden Aaronson — Union Berlin (on loan from Leeds United)

Aaronson is trading the Championship for the Champions League and is going to a domestic league that may better suit him. All in all, his season-long loan to Union Berlin from Leeds United is a great move.

Aaronson, 22, appeared in 36 of Leeds’ 38 games last season as they were relegated from the Premier League while cycling through three managers. Included as part of his €25million (£21.4m; $27.7m) transfer last summer were two relegation release clauses — one of which permitted Aaronson to leave on a free loan to a top division. Outside of Berlin, Fulham was among the clubs who wanted to sign him.Berlin made it clear Aaronson would be a key signing and an important part of the starting XI. A return to the Champions League is critical as well — Aaronson excelled in the competition with RB Salzburg in 2021-22, when his performances convinced Leeds to make him a priority transfer target.When Aaronson left the Philadelphia Union for Salzburg, several Bundesliga clubs were interested in signing him. The general style of the league, and specifically that of Berlin’s transition-based pressing ethos, should suit him. –Bogert

Aaronson (right) battles with Rapid Vienna’s Roman Kerschbaum (Photo: Andreas Gora / picture alliance via Getty Images)

Tim Weah — Juventus (from Lille)

After a few seasons, including a surprise Ligue 1 title-winning campaign in 2020-21, Tim Weah left Lille this summer having been acquired by Juventus for €12 million (£10.3M; $13.3M).

Weah’s versatility created opportunities for him to secure minutes for Lille, but it meant he had little consistency. Signed as a forward, he played both fullback positions more than anywhere else, as well as making some appearances on either wing.

At Juventus, Weah will likely be used as a wingback. It’s not ideal considering he plays as a vertical winger for the USMNT, but he should be attacking plenty from that position. –Bogert

Weah in training with Juventus in Santa Clara, California (Photo: Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

Ricardo Pepi — PSV (from Augsburg)

Ricardo Pepi’s record transfer from FC Dallas to Augsburg turned out to be a disaster, with zero goals across 16 appearances (mostly from the bench). However, he was able to make a quick exit. Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven acquired Pepi this summer after the player made clear his desire not to return to Augsburg.

Pepi had an excellent season on loan at Groningen, with 12 goals in 29 appearances. He remains in the Dutch top flight but will be fighting for a title at PSV, not against relegation like at Groningen.

The 20-year-old has acclimated himself quickly in preseason — another welcome difference to this transfer than his initial move to Augsburg, coming mid-season in Germany. –Bogert

---

Potential moves still to come…

Tyler Adams — Leeds United

A stellar debut season in England for Tyler Adams was cut short by hamstring surgery in March, a crucial blow for Leeds United’s fight against relegation. The club’s demotion was confirmed on the final day of the season, as it finished 19th and will spend 2023-24 in the Championship.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://a1df259a5da6a7a09831771c88e5eb0a.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

The expectation is Adams will depart, but Leeds will not sit back and let one of their best players leave without a fight. The club’s new American owners, 49ers Enterprises, have made keeping the 24-year-old an absolute priority, and manager Daniel Farke would ideally like to build a team around him as he plots an instant return to the top flight.

Adams acknowledges the crowd after Leeds’ relegation in May (Photo: Oli Scarff / AFP via Getty Images)

Adams’ performance and stylistic fit in the Premier League will make him an attractive option for any club outside the top six that can afford him. He also spent two and a half seasons at RB Leipzig and his style fits well with the Bundesliga, but German clubs will find it difficult to compete with Premier League clubs’ offers both in terms of transfer fee and wages.

Once he is fully fit, Adams and his representatives will have a decision on their hands and no shortage of options, including another season in Yorkshire. –O’Keeffe

Weston McKennie — Juventus

There had been a belief McKennie was one of several players deemed surplus to requirement by manager Max Allegri, after the midfielder returned following his loan spell at Leeds. However, despite initial suggestions he would be left behind on Juventus’ U.S. tour, McKennie did fly out with the club to his homeland.

Juventus’ new Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli wanted to dispel the rumours, insisting McKennie was part of his and Allegri’s thinking. “McKennie out of the project?” he said. “That’s never been said.”

McKennie, back at Juventus, trains in Los Angeles, California (Photo: Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)

But he has plenty to do on tour if he is to impress Allegri after a disappointing second half to last season in the heat of an ultimately unsuccessful Premier League relegation battle.Those close to McKennie do not see a Juventus exit happening quickly this summer. His salary is considerable and could be an issue for interested clubs, meaning his focus remains on persuading Allegri to give him a chance despite the ambiguity.That does not mean he will sit tight and merely accept a fringe role. But any potential move is more likely to happen towards the end of the transfer window in September. –O’Keeffe

Folarin Balogun — Arsenal

With his international future resolved, the new USMNT international is facing a key period to decide where he will play club football in the coming season.Balogun trained separately from the Arsenal squad during Monday’s session in Los Angeles, where the Premier League club are on a pre-season tour, as he nursed a foot injury.It meant he missed the 5-3 victory over Barcelona having featured against MLS All-Stars in Washington last week and then sitting out the loss to Manchester United on Saturday in New York as an unused substitute.His future is uncertain, with Arsenal looking for £50 million ($64.4m) if they are to sell Balogun.

Balogun celebrates with Gabriel Martinelli at Audi Field in Washington (Photo: Stefani Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images)

Balogun returned to Arsenal following a productive loan spell at Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims, where he scored 21 goals in 37 matches. Asked whether Balogun has a future with Arsenal, having attracted transfer interest from clubs including Inter Milan, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta replied: “We will see. First of all, he needs to be fit and play minutes.”The Athletic’s David Ornstein has reported that Balogun wants to be a first-choice striker wherever he plays next season, which is unlikely at Arsenal with Gabriel Jesus and others in place. He also reported Balogun does not want to go on loan again, with a permanent transfer the preference. Inter’s rivals AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Marseille and Monaco are also interested. –O’Keeffe

Yunus Musah — Valencia

Musah had a low-key end to what was a disappointing season for Valencia, which finished 16th in La Liga. Musah was left out of the starting line-up for two of their final three games under new coach Ruben Baraja.He contributed no goals or assists during the campaign, but that has not diminished the memory of his impressive displays for the USMNT at the World Cup in Qatar, and he remains in demand.West Ham have monitored him and Chelsea were believed to be interested in January. If either returned to test Valencia with an offer it remains uncertain whether the Spanish club would resist, despite valuing Musah and believing he has plenty of room to flourish further.Musah has three years remaining on his deal at the Mestalla, so Valencia has a strong hand in any potential negotiations. The club had been asking €40 million (£34.3M; $44.2M), being aware of the commercial and marketing edge he offers in the North American market.However the club’s financial situation means they must bring money into the club this summer.

Musah is challenged by Carlos Clerc of Elche in April (Photo: Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

AC Milan has been in negotiations with Valencia, and Musah — who has an Italian passport having spent much of his childhood in Italy — is believed to be open to that move. The clubs have been unable to agree on a fee, however, although a bid of around €25 million (£21.4M; $27.6M) would most likely prove acceptable. –O’Keeffe

Sergiño Dest — Barcelona

The defender will be given every opportunity to impress Barcelona manager Xavi after his spell on loan at AC Milan last season.“I have to prove myself,” the 22-year-old told The Athletic earlier this month. “I’m fully focused on myself at the moment. It’s up to me. I feel like I can do it. My mindset is to stay here and to have a really nice season with Barca.”Spain’s champions are certainly in need of further strength at right back. Although the team’s defence was one of last season’s great successes, centre-back Jules Kounde played the position most regularly and has since expressed his desire to return to his natural spot.Without a pure right back, Dest knows that his return from a season-long loan at San Siro comes at a good time.“(Xavi) told me: ‘OK, I’ll give you a fair chance to prove yourself.’ So that’s what it is at the moment,” Dest said. “He told me: ‘I think you have qualities but it’s up to you, you have to show me.’ And I fully agree.”

Dest (left) in action against Arsenal in Inglewood, California (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dest was loaned to Milan on deadline day last September, but things did not go to plan. He made just eight Serie A appearances (only two of them as a starter) and by the halfway stage of the campaign, the Italian club had already decided not to exercise its option to make the move permanent.

There has been previously reported interest from several Premier League clubs but, for now, Dest will look to take full advantage of that clean slate at Camp Nou. –O’Keeffe

Zack Steffen — Manchester City

Steffen has been clear that he plans to leave Manchester City this summer, whether on a permanent deal or another loan.“I don’t think I’ll go back,” Steffen told the Philadelphia Inquirer in March. “No, I want to be playing. Although I had a great time at City and I love those guys, and it’s obviously an amazing club, but I don’t really have any plans to go back.”Steffen, 28, spent last season on loan with Middlesbrough in the Championship. They failed to win promotion, losing in the playoffs, and announced Steffen as one of the players who would be departing this summer. Steffen was acquired by Manchester City in January 2019 for around $7.5 million (£5.8M) up front, with add-ons potentially to take the fee up to $10 million.There are options for a loan or permanent deals elsewhere in England as well as Germany, where he spent 2019-20 on loan with Dusseldorf. Yet the fact he underwent knee surgery at the end of last season is a complicating factor in Steffen’s hopes for a move. –O’Keeffe

Malik Tillman — Bayern Munich

On loan at Rangers from Bayern Munich, Malik Tillman had an impressive season in Scotland.His deal included a purchase option that the Glasgow club attempted to trigger, only for Bayern to cancel the clause; a decision which reportedly cost them a £1 million compensation payment to Rangers.However, Tillman did not travel with Bayern’s squad for their pre-season tour of Japan, and Rangers remain keen to sign him permanently.It is little wonder that manager Michael Beale is a fan. Tillman scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 43 appearances across all competitions for the Scottish club, but a hamstring injury picked up in the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic ended his season and the loan spell in April.

Aberdeen players attempt to knock Tillman off the ball (Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

His contribution at Rangers has put him on the radar of other Bundesliga and English Premier League clubs after the German-born player was named the Scotland PFA Young Player of the Year and Rangers Young Player of the Year. –O’Keeffe

Ethan Horvath — Nottingham Forest

Horvath spent last season on loan at Luton Town and played a significant part in the club’s unlikely promotion to the Premier League. Horvath started 44 games for Luton with a rate of 0.84 goals against per 90 minutes. Luton had the option to make the loan permanent and, considering his influence, it was perhaps surprising that they decided against signing Horvath this summer. The 28-year-old has returned to pre-season training with Forest, whom he joined from Club Bruges in the summer of 2021.However, his long-term prospects for regular minutes at the City Ground are uncertain. Horvath only made six league appearances during his first season, with Brice Samba emerging as the club’s No. 1 as they won promotion to the English top flight.

Horvath leaps to claim during the Championship playoff final against Coventry (Photo: Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images)

This summer Forest wants to complete a permanent transfer for Dean Henderson, who impressed for them on loan from Manchester United last season.

But their failure to do so thus far has not resulted in opportunities for Horvath to play. He has not started any of Forest’s friendlies so far, with manager Steve Cooper preferring 22-year-old George Shelvey. –O’Keeffe

Auston Trusty — Arsenal

After an excellent loan to Birmingham City last season, in which he was named the Supporters’ Player of the Year, Auston Trusty remains with Arsenal during preseason.

The defender started 44 of Birmingham’s matches in the Championship last season, chipping in four goals. He is unlikely to be in Arsenal’s first-team plans.

Rangers have been linked with Trusty, but there has yet to be much noise around his future. If no permanent deal is found, Arsenal could facilitate another loan. After his performances last year, there is sure to be plenty of Championship clubs who would be interested in his services. Arsenal could keep him around as an emergency center-back as well if they so choose. –Bogert

Trusty played for Arsenal against Nurnberg earlier this month (Photo: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Bryan Reynolds — AS Roma

Bryan Reynolds remains in limbo as securing an exit from Roma proves complicated and slow.

Reynolds is close to a deal with Westerlo, where he would become the Belgian side’s club-record signing after a successful loan last year, but final agreements have yet to be reached on all fronts. The right back, who turned 22 this summer, had five assists in 27 league games for Westerlo last year. It was his first consistent run of playing time since his initial break into senior soccer at FC Dallas in 2020.

Roma agreed a deal with West Ham earlier this summer, which would have included a loan to Sparta Prague for the first season, but Reynolds wanted more stability. He has made only eight appearances in all competitions for the Italian club, playing just one Serie A minute under Jose Mourinho.

A permanent deal this summer is the priority. –Bogert

Reynolds playing for Roma in 2021 (Photo: Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Taylor Booth — Utrecht

Taylor Booth wrapped up a breakout season with FC Utrecht with two goals and four assists over 24 appearances, which earned him his USMNT debut in March. The versatile midfielder has returned to Utrecht for preseason, amid reported interest from Manchester United and PSV, where he would replace Xavi Simons and join Pepi. There are still five weeks left in the window to sort his future, if it is to lie outside of Utrecht.

Booth taking a penalty for Utrecht during the Eredivisie Conference League Playoffs in June (Photo: Hans van der Valk/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Booth, 22, came through Bayern Munich’s academy (after the early part of his youth at Real Salt Lake) before heading to the Netherlands last season. –Bogert

Teams match up for second time this season, LOU won first meeting 1-0

#LOUvIND Preview  
Indy Eleven vs Louisville City FC
Saturday, July 29, 2023 – 8:00 p.m. ET 
Lynn Family Stadium – Louisville, Kentucky

Follow Live
Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click to subscribe) 
In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed
Stats: #LOUvIND MatchCenter at USLChampionship.com

2023 USL Championship Records
Louisville City FC: 8W-7L-5D (-5), 29 pts; 6th in Eastern Conference
Indy Eleven: 6W-7L-7D (1), 25 pts; 8th in Eastern Conference

Community Health Network Sports Medicine Indy Eleven Injury Report
OUT: DF B. Rebellon (L adductor), DF J. Vazquez (leg)
QUESTIONABLE: None

SETTING THE SCENE
The Boys in Blue return to action Saturday at rival Louisville City FC. This is the second of two matches between the clubs this season, with Louisville earning the 1-0 victory in Indianapolis on May 27.

The Eleven are coming off a 3-1 win over USL Eastern Conference leader Pittsburgh and are 1-1-3 in their last five games. With a 6-7-7 record, Indy is eighth in the USLC Eastern Conference.

Louisville is 1-3-1 in its last five matches and is coming off a 2-1 loss to Birmingham Legion FC. Louisville is sixth in the Eastern Conference at 8-7-5.

LOU		IND
20	Games	20
18	Goals	23
23	Goals Conceded	22
13	Assists	13
66	SOT	63
73	Shots Faced	76
9	Clean Sheets	6

SERIES VS. LOUISVILLE
Saturday marks the 19th meeting between the two teams, with Louisville holding the 8-4-6 all-time advantage in USL Championship action. The is the second meeting of two this season.

LOU leads: 8-4-6
GF 19, GA 28

Recent Meetings
5.27.23 | home | L, 1-0
8.31.22 | home | W, 2-1
3.26.22 | at LOU | D, 1-1
10.12.21 | home | W, 1-0
9.18.21 | home | L, 2-0

USL Championship Regular Season
Indy Eleven 0:1 Louisville City FC
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Ind.

Scoring Summary
LOU – Wilson Harris (Serrano) 20’

PARTY CRASHERS
Indy is unbeaten in its last three matches, playing the top three teams in the USLC Eastern Conference. The Eleven’s 3-1 win over Pittsburgh put the first blemish on the home team’s record after coming into the match 7-0-3.

Current Place/Team	Current Record	Result
1. Pittsburgh (7.26)	10-4-8	W, 3-1
2. Charleston (7.12)	10-5-6	D, 1-1
3. Tampa Bay (7.22)	10-5-5	D, 0-0

20,000 AND COUNTING…
Aodhan Quinn became the USL Championship’s leader in regular-season minutes played at 20,096 after 90 against Tampa Bay on July 22.

20,000+ minutes | 20,186 | 1st
Appearances | 243 | 7th
Approaching… 50 assists | 49 | 3rd

Quinn has 52 goals after a SportsCenter-worthy strike against Pittsburgh (7.26). He is the 24th player in USL Championship history to hit 50 goals. He is one of only seven players to have a combined 100 career goals and assists with 52 goals and 49 assists.

Quinn has recorded 24 penalty kick goals in 27 attempts in his career in the league, the most of any individual player on record in league history.

SPORTSCENTER TOP 10 FOR THE 11
Indy Eleven midfielders Cam Lindley and Aodhan Quinn have been featured on SportCenter’s Top 10 for goals in 2023. Lindley’s match-winner at Hartford landed at No. 10, while Quinn’s opening strike against Pittsburgh took the No. 4 spot. The club saw a third selection, this time from the women’s side, as Sam Dewey came in at No. 4 for her goal in the USL W League Conference Semifinal.

LAST TIME OUT
PIT 1:3 IND
JULY 26, 2023
Indy Eleven earned a solid three points on the road, taking down USL Championship Eastern Conference leader Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, 3-1. The loss was the first at home for the Riverhounds in 2023 (7-1-3).

In a first half that was largely dominated by the Eleven in the possession column at 62%-38%, the Boys in Blue’s leading goal scorer Aodhan Quinn scored his first from beyond the spot in 2023 to give him seven this season. The midfielder collected a clearance by the Pittsburgh keeper nearly at half, played it down with his chest, and converted a volley from just past the center circle.

Indy doubled its lead in the 35th minute with a tally that goal scorer Sebastian Guenzatti started himself from half. By way of passes from Younes Boudadi and Solomon Asante, Cam Lindley found himself with the ball on the right flank and played it into Pittsburgh’s 18 to Guenzatti for the score.

The Eleven tacked on a second insurance goal compliments of Harrison Robledo’s first of the season off an assist from Indy assist leader Douglas Martinez.

USL Championship Regular Season
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1:3 Indy Eleven
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Highmark Stadium – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
IND – Aodhan Quinn 13’
IND – Sebastian Guenzatti (Cam Lindley) 35’
IND – Harrison Robledo (Douglas Martinez) 73’
PIT – Tola Showunmi (Marc Ybarra) 89’

Discipline Summary
IND – Cam Lindley (caution) 34’
PIT – Arturo Osuna (caution) 43’
PIT – Tola Showunmi (caution) 90+3’

Rent this Beautiful 4 BR Beach house at Myrtle Beach for as low at $250 a night.

Proud Member of the American Outlaws  https://www.facebook.com/IndyAOUnite, Brick Yard Battalion – http://brickyardbattalion.com, Sam’s Army-http://sams-army.com 

Earn Your College Degree at ½ the Cost and Time of Traditional Schools  www.achievetestprep.com/shane

NOTES

Ok if you missed it Friday night amongst the US ladies winning their first World Cup game – Lionel Messi – The World’s Number 10 and now MLS and Miami’s #10 Delivered the 2-1 win in the 94^th minute with this goalaso, the response, from behind the goal  this Is why Messi was brought to Miami – from Labron James & Serena Williams, & Kim Kardashian in the stands to kicks like this.  He can raise the level of Miami and MLS to new heights – this team is last in the league and won their first game since May- yes I am now buying the the Apple MLS package for just $49 because I don’t want to miss moments like this – and YES I am going to see Messi in Cincy in August!  Messi’s Every Touch in Game 1.   I nearly drove off the road when Zlattan made his debut for the LA Galaxy – but this is bigger. The GOAT is worth it.

US Women Win 3-0 face #9 Netherlands Wed 9 pm on FOX

The US ladies got the 3-0 win and along the way 23 year old debutant Sophia Smith got the player of the match trophy handed to her by her dad– brought tears to my eyes – to become a soccer star in the US – boys or girls takes huge commitment from family members – just great to see things like this celebrated by the US team.  I know a lot of my Fox News watching friends don’t watch this US Women’s soccer team because of Rapinoe but this team is the most diverse group of women truly representing all aspects of this great United States of America – from whites to blacks to Hispanics, gay, straight, moms, daughters – it’s a fun group to watch – don’t let the headlines jilt you on this hardworking team looking to become the first team to ever lift a World Cup trophy 3 times in a Row.  

Fine win for the US and no surprise to see Sophie Smith start so strong – as she was the favorite to pick up the scoring Goal #1, Full highlights .  We should have scored more yes –but their GK stood on her head. Loved Morgan and her assists from the 9 slot – she needed to connect on 1 of her 3 chances however. Great to see Lavelle healthy and in the game – did not expect to see her for another game or 2.  It certainly was interesting to see Ertz starting at centerback – but I love it.  Ertz is too good to leave off the field – and with her return to the game being slower – having Sullivan as the #6 with Ertz on the backline with Girma is fine with me.  I still don’t trust Cook back there with Girma – just not enough experience and when they did play together – England slaughtered us last winter.  I will take a chance that Ertz is a step slow and bet her experience will win out. I was surprised to not see Sanchez come on in the middle, and I had hoped would get the start over Nauher in goal. It will be interesting to see how we line up vs the Netherlands.  Here’s who I like

More to come –

Indy 11 Women Win the Championship Former Carmel star Alia Martin scored in the 99th minute to earn a 2-1 victory for Indy Eleven and secure the 2023 USL W League Championship. For her efforts, Martin was named the USL W League Final MVP. The game was played in front of record-setting fans as the USL W League Final drew a crowd of 5,419 to set the record for the most attended women’s soccer match in Indiana History. Martin’s match-winning goal, which was her second in consecutive games after scoring the late go-ahead goal in the 3-2 National Semifinal win over San Francisco, was her second of the season. The play started with Katie Soderstrom, who secured the corner kick for Indy. Grace Bahr’s service found Annika Creel who redirected the ball back into the center of the 18. Martin made the most of her second chance and connected on a bicycle over the top of the out-stretched Courage keeper.  Check out the Winning Bicycle Goal by Ali Martin 

It sure was fun reffing at the DeWayne Aken Memorial Showcase held by Carmel High School’s Women’s team and Coach Frank Dixon.  The event has the best teams in the state and it’s a privilege to get to ref the games.  Happy to see all our Carmel FC players and especially the goalkeeper’s former and current – as they look to make the high school teams again this season. Good luck in tryouts everyone !

GAMES ON TV

Tues, July 25

1:30 am FS1                        New Zealand vs Phillipines

4 am FS1                              Switzerland vs Norway 

12 noon ESPN+                 RB Leipzig vs Udinese

7:30 pm MLS Season pass  Atlanta  United @ Miami (Messi)

8 pm FS1, Univision         Santos Laguna vs Houston Leagues Cup

10:30 pm FS1, Uni            LA Galaxy vs Leon Leagues Cup

10:30 pm ESPN2                Man United vs Wrexham

Wed, July 26

1 am FS1                              Japan vs Costa Rica

3:30 am FS1                        Spain vs Zambia

7:20 am CBSSN Lion City vs Tottenham Preseason

8 am FS1                              Canada vs Ireland

7 pm ESPN+                        Indy 11 @ Pittsburgh Riverhounds

8:15 pm Peacock              Chelsea vs New Castle United

8:30 pm EPSN+                  Real Madrid vs Man United

9 pm Fox                     USWNT vs Netherlands

10 pn FS1                     Tigres vs Portland Timbers Leagues Cup

10:30 pm ESPN+         Arsenal vs Barcelona

Thur, July 27

3:30 am FS1                        Portugal vs Vietnam

6 am FS1                              Australia vs Nigeria 

8 pm FS1                              Argentina vs South Africa

8 pm ??                                Guadalajara vs Cincy Leagues Cup

10 pm FS1                            America vs St Louis City

Fri, July 28

4:30 am FS1                        England vs Denmark

7 am FS1                              China vs Haiti  

Sat, July 29

3 am FS1                              Sweden vs Italy 

6 am Fox                              France vs Brazil

8:30 am Fox                        Panama vs Jamaica 

Sun, July 30

12:30 am Fox                      Korea vs Morocco

3 am Fox                              Switzerland vs New Zealand

3 am FS1                              Norway vs Phillipines 

5:30 am FS1                        Germany vs Colombia

7 pm FS1                              Pumas vs DC United Leagues Cup

9 pm FS1                              Monterrey vs Seattle Sounders Leagues Cup

Mon, July 31

3 am Fox                              Japan vs Spain

3 am FS1                              Costa Rica vs Zambia

6 am Fox                              Canada vs Australia 

6 am FS1                              Ireland vs Nigeria

8 pm ? ?                               America vs Columbus Crew

8 pm ESPN+                        Louisville City vs Indy 11

Tues, Aug 1

3 am Fox                     United States Women vs Portugal

3 am FS1                              Vietnam vs Netherlands

7 am Fox                              England vs China

7 am FS1                              Haiti vs Denmark

Sat, Aug 5

7 pm TV 23                          Indy 11 vs Memphis- Star Wars Night

Indy 11 Schedule

NWSL Schedule

 World Cup Schedule

Soccer Saturday’s are every Sat 9-10 am on 93.5 and 107.5 FM with Greg Rakestraw

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ====================== 

Heading over to the Badger Field for Training?  Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ

Save 20% on your order 

(mention the ole ballcoach) 

Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more.  Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/ Call ahead at 317-688-7290  M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday.  Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!  

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ====================== 

US Women World Cup

Risky or shrewd? USWNT lineup could backfire at World Cup
U.S. flaws were exposed during its World Cup opener, but the team isn’t worried
An exploratory opening win shows the USA women are still a work in progress
USWNT dominated Vietnam in the opener, but still left room for improvement
Welcome to the World Cup of Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith stars as USWNT eases past Vietnam in its Women’s World Cup opener

Player Rating US Ladies
Horan may be USWNT’s MVP in World Cup of transition  3hAbdullah Abdullah

USWNT rookies, led by Sophia Smith, shook off nerves in World Cup opener

 Rose Lavelle Plays for First time in 3 in Opener

USWNT faces World Cup lineup questions after Vietnam game

Sophia Smith honors Katie Meyer with USWNT goal celebration

USWNT World Cup opener vs. Vietnam gets big TV ratings

USWNT beat Vietnam to open World Cup — but was it by enough?

Why Crystal Dunn has to play left back for the USWNT

Smith stars as USWNT ‘only’ beats Vietnam 3-0 in World Cup opener  

‘We’ve dealt with this too many times’ – USWNT reacts to Auckland shooting

‘Everything we do is for Katie’ – Smith, Girma lead USWNT mental health initiative to honor late teammate

USWNT’s secret sauce at the World Cup? An endless menu of chef-prepared meals

The sun will always shine for Andi Sullivan

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Day 4 Recap: Jamaica earns shocking draw vs France

WORLD CUP
England survive Women’s World Cup scare but Haiti highlight problems for Lionesses to solve
Mary Earps is an England superstar – even if fans can’t buy her shirt
Out-of-sorts Millie Bright indicative of England’s sloppiness
The areas England must improve after lowly Haiti expose flaws
Women’s World Cup 2023 Day 3: Georgia Stanway’s penalty gives England a 1-0 win over Haiti
Denmark stun China in 90th minute for winning World Cup return
Japan and its fans praised on social media for tidying dressing room and stands at Women’s World Cup
Women’s World Cup 2023: France boss Herve Renard’s journey from cleaner to coach

World Cup Title Contenders – Why they will Win and Why They Won’t – Just Women’s Sports

INDY 11

MLS

LeBron James and Serena Williams wowed, David Beckham close to tears, as stars watch Lionel Messi’s stunning debut winner
A happy Messi is good news for Miami – and Argentina

League Cup Standings – MLS vs Liga MX

The MLS All-Stars took on Arsenal, and it didn’t go well

Rooney on Premier League all-star game: I don’t think it would work

Messi on turf? MLS commissioner Don Garber sure hopes not

Cristiano Ronaldo: Saudi league is better than MLS

Arsenal blanks MLS All-Stars to begin United States tour

US Men

Pulisic impressing AC Milan manager Pioli, gets two assists in preseason match

Gio Reyna on Dortmund future: ‘I can’t think of a better club to play for’

Leeds boss Farke: Adams will be out past September FIFA break

U.S. Soccer to compete at upcoming Pan American Games Stars and Stripes By Brendan Joseph

Mikel Arteta on Matt Turner: “He’s on a great trajectory”

Report: AC Milan continuing chase for Yunus Musah

Reffing

Become a Licensed High School Ref

Become a Licensed Ref with Indiana Soccer – must be over 13

Goalkeeping

Chiamaka Nnadozie of Nigeria PK Save vs Canada

Great Saves World Cup

Great Save USL Miami’s Zendejas

Boss Save

Arenal’s Ramsdale – Keepers Are Weird and We LOVE IT

Washing Gloves

Distance on Goal Kicks Training 

PK Tips

SOURCE: RICHARD HEATHCOTE/GETTY IMAGES

The GIST: As expected, both the USWNT and the Netherlands won their opening matches against WWC debutantes No. 32 Vietnam and No. 21 Portugal, respectively. Tonight’s showdown will be the most difficult group stage game for these squads, as they battle for Group E’s top spot.

The history: This pair of powerhouses have faced off 10 times, with the Americans coming out on top in eight of those matches. In fact, the red, white, and blue haven’t lost to the Oranje Leeuwinnen since 1991 — but don’t mistake that stat for complete U.S. dominance.

• The last time these teams met was in 2021’s Tokyo Olympics’ quarter-finals in a dramatic back-and-forth game that went all the way to penalty kicks. Thanks to an out-of-this-world performance from goalie Alyssa Naeher, the U.S. ultimately prevailed.

The significance: The U.S. and the Netherlands are widely expected to lead Group E and advance to the knockout stage. That said, tonight’s all about winning the group, likely granting the victor a serious advantage in the upcoming Round of 16: a match against the Group G runners-up to open win-or-go-home play.

• TL;DR? This is a must-win match for the Americans to snag the easiest path to their fifth title.

 USWNT

SOURCE: LYNNE CAMERON/ISI PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES

Lessons from Game 1: To no one’s surprise, the USWNT dominated Vietnam 3–0 in their opening match, but the team was not satisfied with the scoreline. A deluge of wide attempts saw only eight of their 28 shots fly on target. Considering the Americans will almost certainly have fewer scoring opportunities against the Dutch, capitalizing on every chance is imperative.

• This squad certainly has more to give, but bear in mind that Vietnam was an altogether unknown opponent. With double-digit experience battling the Dutch, the U.S. not only knows the Netherlands — they know how to beat ’em.

Players to watch: Forward Sophia Smith’s already having a breakout tournament, notching a brace and an assist in her WWC debut on Friday. Not a shabby start, but the early Golden Boot contender will be hungry for more tonight. She’s that girl, after all.

• Speaking of, midfielder Rose Lavelle owned the moment in 2019, but she’s gradually adding minutes as she returns from injury this WWC. Her signature tricky footwork was on full display Friday, and her creativity could confuse the technically adept Netherlands.

Keys to success: Efficient shots on goal and an early lead will rattle the Netherlands, but there will be little room for American errors against the dangerous Dutch offense. Even without their nation-leading goal scorer, Vivianne Miedema, the still-jelling U.S. defense will be tested, whether Julie Ertz features at center back again or not. No pressure.

 The opponent: The Netherlands

SOURCE: LARS BARON/GETTY IMAGES

The team: In case it wasn’t clear, theOranje Leeuwinnen want WWC revenge on the USWNT, and with eight wins in their last 11 international games, they look strong. The Netherlands boast offensive depth all over the field, as evidenced by the fact that their lone goal so far this tourney came off defender Stefanie van der Gragt’s head.

Players to watch: With Miedema stuck at home, the pressure’s on forward Lieke Martens to lead the Dutch offense in her third WWC. Martens, this roster’s top scorer, is a seasoned vet, a former UEFA Player of the Year, and a Champions League winner. Missing from her trophy cabinet? A WWC, of course.

• But the midfield’s the space to watch in this match, as Dutch midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk will likely cause problems for USWNT co-captain Lindsay Horan through the center.

Keys to success: The Dutch scored early in their 1–0 dub over Portugal, then locked it down on defense without a Portugal shot on goal until the 82nd minute. It’s a proven strategy in general but could be particularly effective if the U.S. is struggling to put shots on target.

• But to pull off the upset, the Dutch must be aggressive. Head coach Andries Jonker is setting that tone early, telling reporters, “We’re not afraid of America.” Copy that.

USWNT vs. Netherlands preview: What to expect from the World Cup final rematch

By Kimberly McCauley 3h ago

---

Fans have been anticipating a rematch of the 2019 women’s World Cup final ever since the group stage draw was made, but the United States and the Netherlands won’t be playing out anything close to a copy of that match. The U.S. has undergone some notable changes, but the Oranje barely resemble the runners-up from four years ago, and will face the Americans with a completely different gameplan.Nevertheless, it’s still something of a grudge match with Group E supremacy on the line. “They are incredibly organized,” USWNT striker Alex Morgan said of the Netherlands this week. “They have a very expansive shape, in the attack. They don’t give you much space at all to receive and turn or get off the dribble. They’re very quick to close down space…Defenders are very physical, very aggressive and pressing what’s in front of them, so I know I’m going to have a lot of pressure on my back.”Here’s your crash course ahead of the headline match of the USWNT’s group stage slate.

---

Becky Sauerbrunn and Vivianne Miedema will miss the rematch due to injury (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

What’s changed for the Netherlands?

The biggest difference from the team we saw in the 2019 final comes from a change necessitated by injury — The Netherlands’ star attacker Vivianne Miedema has missed out on this World Cup due to an ACL injury. She’s usually a center forward, but in the 2019 final, Miedema was moved from center forward to central attacking midfield in an attempt to get her on the ball as often as possible.No matter which position Miedema plays, she’s been the focal point of the Netherlands attack since she was a teenager. In her absence, Dutch manager Andries Jonker has opted not to find a replacement at all, setting set up his team in a 3-5-2 formation with no true striker. Lieke Martens and Lineth Beerensteyn, two players who operate on the wings when Miedema is available and for their club teams, have been partnered together in a bit of a makeshift front 2. But late Wednesday local time, Jonker confirmed Beerensteyn will not be available against the U.S. due to an ankle injury.Jonker appears to be following a philosophy of finding a coherent way to get his best players on the field, but the jury’s still out on whether or not a move away from the 4-3-3 the Dutch are well-known for is going to produce positive results. The Netherlands got the job done in its opener against Portugal, securing all three points, but the Oranje scored just one lone goal (off a set piece), and generated only 12 shots in that game.

ADVERTISEMENT

The USWNT was a bit more convincing in its opener, a 3-0 win against Vietnam, but still has plenty of questions to answer.

---

Sophia Smith vs. Sherida Spitse

Dutch captain Sherida Spitse is the Netherlands’ all-time most-capped player with 213 appearances, and she’s still a key part of the team at 33 years old. But with Spitse perhaps having lost a step of pace, while younger players have improved over the past 4 years, the Netherlands now has some better options at her natural position in midfield. In response, Jonker has made the bold decision to shift Spitse to the right center back role in his back three, making her a bit less responsible for covering quick accelerations in space on counter-attacks as she would be in a defensive midfield role. Playing in this role also gets her more time and space on the ball to progress the ball from deep, which is arguably her best quality. Spitse completed 36 of 44 passes against Portugal, including a team-leading 11 completed passes into the final third.

Center backs do have to do some defending, though, and Spitse’s going to face a massive challenge in that area if she gets the start against the USWNT. She’ll likely end up in a lot of 1-v-1 battles with Sophia Smith, probably the last player on the planet that you want to face off against if you’re a player whose primary weakness is a lack of pace.Smith is an expert at running the channels between fullbacks and center backs, as she showed on the USWNT’s opening goal against Vietnam.Having someone with the pace and dribbling skills of Smith regularly running at Spitse is a complete nightmare for the Netherlands, so much so that I have to wonder if Jonker will change up his lineup for this game. It’s such an obvious matchup for the USWNT to exploit that it’s hard to stomach letting it happen, unless the Netherlands think they have a very good way to deny Smith the ball in the first place.

---

Will either team change midfield shape?

Against less-talented and more inexperienced opponents, both the USWNT and Netherlands have opted for setups featuring a single defensive midfielder with two midfielders pushed forward ahead of them. If neither team changes shape to deal with their opponents’ attacking midfield threat, we’re going to get an extremely entertaining match. If both teams shift to a double pivot, moving one of their midfielders into a deeper role, we might end up watching something that’s more of a staring contest than a soccer match. I don’t know how either team will start, but I wouldn’t be surprised if both teams change between single and double-pivot midfields throughout the match depending on how individual players are performing or the state of the game. This could be a continuous chess match that decides the match itself, and I’m not sure if these managers are closer to Magnus Carlsen or to me blundering my queen by move 10.The USWNT doesn’t need to make a personnel change to switch between formations — Lindsey Horan regularly shifts between a holding and box-to-box midfield role — but the Netherlands probably should. The team didn’t get punished defensively by Portugal for having attacking midfielders Jill Roord and Danielle van de Donk on the pitch at the same time ahead of Jackie Groenen at defensive midfield, but it’s easy to envision that group getting overrun by the Americans. The Oranje would probably be well served by dropping one of those more-attacking players for defensive midfielder Damaris Egurrola and moving Groenen into a more flexible midfield role. 

---

Can the USWNT get more from its fullbacks?

Left back Crystal Dunn and right back Emily Fox weren’t exactly needed to do any ball progression work against Vietnam. Center backs Julie Ertz and Naomi Girma were granted lanes to move the ball forward, and they took them, rarely involving their fullbacks in buildup play. This played out to the eye and in the stats; Ertz had twice as many progressive passes plus carries as Dunn and Fox combined.

The lanes available to the USWNT in buildup are likely to be quite a bit different in this game. Vietnam played with a lone center forward, but the Netherlands look likely to play with two up front, and should have regular 2-v-2 pressure on the American central defenders. Expect the Netherlands to filter the ball wide during the Americans’ build-up, then try to trap Dunn and Fox and force them to either go long or go backward.

This will put a lot of pressure on the American fullbacks to make difficult plays in tight spaces in order to advance the ball and start dangerous attacks. Dunn and Fox are undoubtedly capable of this, but they didn’t get a chance to show it in the opener, mostly because they weren’t asked to. 

If the USWNT are going to record a comfortable win against the Netherlands, the positions of its fullbacks and center backs on the above graph probably need to be flipped.

---

What else do I need to know?

The game is being played at Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand and kicks off at 1pm local time, making the game more accessible for USWNT fans at 9pm ET/6pm PT/2am BST.

FOX have the broadcasting rights in the U.S. while BBC will be showing the game in the UK.

SWNT’s Rose Lavelle ‘ready’ for match vs. Netherlands: Could she start after knee injury?

By Meg Linehan and The Athletic Staff Jul 26, 2023

---

U.S. women’s national team midfielder Rose Lavelle said she feels “good” Wednesday after working back into the team’s lineup following a knee injury that sidelined her leading into the Women’s World Cup. Here’s what you need to know:

• “I feel ready for the second match,” Lavelle said ahead of the UWSNT’s game against the Netherlands.
• Lavelle subbed on during the USWNT’s 3-0 win over Vietnam on Friday, marking the first time she featured in a competition since April’s international break.
• Lavelle was one of the Americans’ standout performers during the last World Cup cycle, scoring a goal in the 2019 final against the Netherlands in the USWNT’s 2-0 win.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

Could Lavelle start versus the Netherlands?

Lavelle’s message on Wednesday was that she was feeling fine ahead of the 2019 rematch against the Netherlands (with coach Vlatko Andonovski affirming that assessment briefly later on). U.S. Soccer will never give any advance warning on a starting XI, but the 30 minutes she played in the opener against Vietnam and her presence in today’s news conference are both really good signs she could start on Thursday here in Wellington.It’s doubtful she’s ready yet for a full 90-minute performance, but Lavelle being on the field immediately elevates the USWNT’s performance and creativity. With the Netherlands expected to use a 3-5-2 formation, having her on the field for even a half to find some pockets of space and unleash the forward line could help the team find another early goal and settle the match down early. We won’t know for sure until game time, but there are plenty of reasons to have hope this will be the way it plays out. — Linehan

What they’re saying

Lavelle addressed playing the Netherlands again, saying, “Both teams are completely different players and coaches (from 2019). So, I think it’s a fun memory, but we have a new mindset for this game. We know every time we play the Netherlands, it’s gonna be a great game.”

Regarding how she’s changed as a player since 2019, Lavelle said she has a lot more experience.

“My mentality is a bit different, I think,” Lavelle said. “Four years ago, I was one of the younger players on the team, one of the most inexperienced players on the team. Now I find myself in a different position, which just kind of gives me a little more confidence.

“Now, I have more experience under my belt. I feel like I’m a smarter player. I think I’ve grown in every realm, which is what I would hope, and hopefully, I can use that to help the team.”

On Wednesday, Andonovski also fielded questions about the USWNT and the Netherlands being considered the “favorites” in the tournament, but instead highlighted Nigeria, Jamaica, South Africa and the Philippines.

“These are the teams that actually show how much women’s soccer has grown,” he said. “It’s not the difference or the wins and losses between the top 10, 12, 15 teams. It’s the difference between 15-40 (ranked teams) that is a good mark or indication of how much the women’s soccer game has grown.”

Backstory

Prior to this year’s tournament, Andonovski confirmed that not all of his 23-player squad were ready to play the full 90 minutes but that there were no injury concerns ahead of the opening fixture.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://f7fdd8f90de647327664db9e3cd358b1.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Andonovski previously said that Lavelle was “really good” and trained the team for three weeks “off and on a little bit before that.”

“We’re not going to force a lot of minutes from the very beginning but we’ll ease everything up as we move on,” he said prior to the USWNT’s match against Vietnam.

USA vs. Netherlands: Start time, channel, how to watch and stream women’s World Cup

The U.S. could clinch a spot in the next round of the World Cup with a win tonight against the Netherlands. All eyes will be on young U.S. star Sophie Smith.

• The U.S. women’s national soccer team could punch their ticket to the next round of the World Cup as soon as tonight, when they take on the Netherlands in their most challenging matchup in the group stage.

If they defeat the Netherlands, all it would take for the U.S. to advance to the Round of 16 would be for Vietnam to either win or draw against Portugal. That game is scheduled to kickoff early Thursday morning at 3 a.m. Eastern.

The U.S. women’s team has a lot of history against the Netherlands. The Americans defeated the Dutch 2-0 in the 2019 World Cup final, earning their second straight trophy. The U.S. also defeated the Netherlands in a shootout in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Overall, the U.S. have defeated the Netherlands in nine of their 10 matches, only losing in their first contest in 1991.

ADVERTISEMENT

Like the U.S., which is coming off a 3-0 victory over Vietnam, the Netherlands also won their Group E opener, defeating Portugal 1-0. So tonight’s match could very well end up deciding who sits atop the Group E standings at the end of the first round of the World Cup.

All eyes will be on Sophia Smith, the young American forward who scored two goals and an assist last week in the win over Vietnam — becoming the youngest U.S. women’s player to score multiple goals in her World Cup debut.

“I was feeling all the emotions going into it, not really knowing what to expect,” Smith said after the game. “So to start off on a good note, it feels good, and it makes me just more excited for the next game.”

Here’s everything you need to know to watch today’s United States-Netherlands World Cup match:

What time is the U.S. women’s World Cup soccer game today?

The U.S. women’s team’s match against the Netherlands is scheduled to begin tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern on Fox. The game will be played at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, which known to some locals as “The Cake Tin.”Calling the game will be JP Dellacamera, the former Philadelphia Union TV voice who is broadcasting his 17th World Cup. Alongside him in the booth will be former U.S. star Aly Wagner. Reporting from Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand will be Jenny Taft and Tom Rinaldi.Jalen Hurts surprises high school players to honor teen killed earlier this yearUnited States-Netherlands will also air in Spanish on Telemundo, with play-by-play voice Andrés Cantor joined by analysts Natalia Astrain and Manul Sol.

Where can I stream the U.S.-Netherlands World Cup match?

United States-Netherlands and every other World Cup match is available to stream on the Fox Sports app, though it’s only available to those with a cable subscription.The game will also stream on any so-called skinny bundle that carries Fox, including fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream. Most offer a free trial.

ADVERTISEMENT

If you’re looking to stream the game for free and you live in or around Philadelphia, your best option is using a digital antenna, since all the U.S. games will air on broadcast television.Want to stream the game in Spanish? Telemundo’s live streaming is available on the network’s website if you have a cable subscription. Otherwise it’s available on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform, though you’ll have to pay for the premium tier to get all the games.While Philadelphia is not impacted (Fox Corporation owns Fox29), viewers in 42 markets aren’t able to watch the World Cup on Fox on DirecTV or DirecTV Stream due to a carriage dispute with Nexstar, which owns the local stations. It includes some major cities, including Denver, Cleveland, St. Louis, and Charlotte.

Where are 2023 World Cup games being played?

This year’s women’s World Cup is cohosted by New Zealand and Australia, becoming the seventh and eighth countries to host the event.The tournament will be played across 10 stadiums in nine cities. The United States is scheduled to play its remaining group matches in two New Zealand stadiums — Eden Park in Auckland and Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington.ADVERTISEMENTThis year’s World Cup final will be held in Stadium Australia (known locally as Accor Stadium) in Sydney, built to host the 2000 Summer Olympics, with a capacity of more than 80,000.

When does pregame coverage for U.S.-Netherlands start?

Pregame coverage ahead of U.S.-Netherlands will begin at 7 p.m. on Fox.Hosting Fox’s studio coverage will be Rob Stone. He is joined by a cast of analysts headlined by retired U.S. soccer star and Delran native Carli Lloyd, who is making her women’s World Cup debut.ADVERTISEMENTOther studio analysts include Alexi Lalas, former Philadelphia Independence and Canada goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, former U.S. star Heather O’Reilly, Kate Gill, Ariane Hingst, and Stu Holden.Over on ESPN2, the network will air ESPN FC: Women’s Soccer Special at 7 p.m. Dan Thomas and Kay Murray are sharing hosting duties, and a rotating casts of analysts includes former U.S. soccer star Ali Krieger, Alejandro Moreno, Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop, and Steve Nicol.

World Cup Group E standings

The U.S. women’s team is competing in Group E, which also includes Vietnam, Netherlands, and Portugal. Like Vietnam, Portugal is making its World Cup debut.The American women have been successful in the group stage, with an all-time record of 21 wins, three draws, and just one loss. Heading into tonight’s match against the Netherlands, the U.S. has won it’s last seven group stage games.The two teams with the most points will advance to the knockout stage. Teams receive three points for a win, one for a tie, and zero for a loss. Overall, it will take seven wins to take home the World Cup trophy.

U.S. women’s 2023 Wrld Cup schedule

Here’s the full U.S. women’s schedule for the 2023 World Cup:

1. Group play
   1. United States 3, Vietnam 0
   2. U.S.-Netherlands: Wednesday, July 26, 9. p.m. (Fox, Telemundo)
   3. U.S.-Portugal: Tuesday, Aug. 1, 3 a.m. (Fox, Telemundo)
2. Round of 16: Aug. 5 to Aug. 8
3. Quarterfinals: Aug. 10 to Aug. 12
4. Semifinals: Aug. 15 to Aug. 16
5. Third-place match: Aug. 19, 4 a.m. (Fox, Telemundo)
6. World Cup final: Aug. 20, 6 a.m. (Fox, Telemundo)

Sophia Smith’s parents and the verdic

Women’s World Cup favourites need cohesion and patience – Japan and Spain are showing the way

By Michael Cox 1h ago

---

Alex Morgan was talking about the USWNT’s opening performance of the tournament — a surprisingly low-key 3-0 win over Vietnam — but she could have been speaking about many of the World Cup favourites’ displays.

“I think we saw a lot of glimpses of our potential, but I feel like we weren’t always clicking on the field,” she said. “I feel like some of the plays we had were a little forced or rushed. So I think it’s having a little more patience, switching (play) a little bit more, having our movements a little more synchronised.”

ADVERTISEMENT

It was a good reading of the U.S.’s performance against Vietnam — a fixture many expected to produce a hatful of goals but only produced three. But the same could be said of England’s display against Haiti, a 1-0 win. Or Australia’s performance against Ireland, another 1-0 win.

The narrowness of the favourites’ victories, in general, has been a welcome surprise. It points to some of the underdogs performing well, but the other side of the coin is that the stronger sides have been too urgent, too direct and too focused on going wide and crossing. The favourites largely seem based around speed out wide, expecting wingers to beat opponents in one-versus-one duels. When that approach has failed, they’ve offered little else.

Alex Morgan’s penalty is saved against Vietnam (Photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Those three anglophone nations have been faced with deep defences and have looked ineffective. Australia were too focused on playing long diagonal balls for their wingers, which often drifted out of play or were dealt with comfortably by Ireland’s back five. They were fortunate to win a penalty from one of those instances and otherwise created little else. Wide players Cortnee Vine and Hayley Raso felt like up-and-down runners and looked more dangerous when full-backs Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter came inside, played combinations, forced Ireland’s defenders to make positional decisions and created gaps to play into.

Similarly, the U.S.’s much-hyped wingers were as dominant in individual battles as you might expect against a group of players almost entirely drawn from the Vietnamese league. Trinity Rodman was perhaps hampered by an early injury and did draw the foul for the penalty Morgan missed, but there was a lack of incision from midfield and a lack of interplay between the forwards, aside from a couple of moments when Morgan dropped deep to link play.

ADVERTISEMENT

England were little better, with their most creative midfielder Keira Walsh marked tightly and few examples of good passing through midfield. The most advanced midfielder, Ella Toone, was mainly charged with making off-the-ball runs into the channels and rarely received the ball between the lines. Wide duo Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp were quieter than usual, with the exception of when one crossed for the other.

Curiously, for all the hype about Lauren James’ electric dribbling, she deliberately calmed the pace of the game after her introduction. She put her foot on the ball, played sideways passes and switched the play. It helped to prevent Haiti from counter-attacking and demonstrated a level of footballing intelligence lacking beforehand.

Something similar could be said of Sweden, who laboured to a 2-1 win over South Africa, struggling to work the ball through the centre. Fridolina Rolfo felt peripheral on the left and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd didn’t get too much joy down the right until their equaliser — when the former finished from the latter’s cross, courtesy of a crucial touch from a defender. That felt a little like England’s approach of Kelly crossing for Hemp. It was something of a fortunate goal.

There was little in the way of combination play from France against Jamaica: a flat 4-4-2, too much reliance on the right flank for creativity, no incision and no goals.

Granted, there have been convincing wins for Germany, who went wide and crossed effectively for Alex Popp, and Brazil, who have offered more individual brilliance than anyone so far.

But the two best footballing sides have both been in Group C, which is already settled after two rounds of matches. Spain have won 3-0 and 5-0, while Japan have won 5-0 and 2-0. It’s clear neither Costa Rica nor Zambia are able to put up much of a challenge, but it hasn’t really been about the margin of victory, it’s been about interplay, cohesion and teamwork. And, given their footballing reputations, it hasn’t been much of a surprise. These are the two best tiki-taka exponents in the competition.

ADVERTISEMENT

On Wednesday, Japan made light work of Costa Rica. Playing in a 3-4-3, their two goals demonstrated great understanding between the attackers. Mina Tanaka, leading the line, dropped deep to link play and assisted both goals: the first for inside-left Hikaru Naomoto; the second for inside-right Aoba Fujino. Those players, at other times, drifted inside, pulled the Costa Rican full-backs inside and the wing-backs broke into space on the outside. Japan switched play and found space at the far post. It felt like watching a club side.

Mina Tanaka (No 11, second from left) was key in Japan picking apart Costa Rica (Photo: Sanka Vidanagama/AFP)

Similarly, Spain were rampant against Zambia, bamboozling their opponents with clever interplay, particularly down the left. OK, the first two goals were scored from a long-range thunderbolt from Teresa Abelleira, then a neat header from Jenni Hermoso, but both featured good build-up play down the left, leaving Zambia with fewer players to shut down Abelleira and no one to mark Hermoso.

The goals in the second half were neater. The third, scored by the impressive substitute Alba Redondo, was the first time in the tournament a goal had been assisted by a ball in behind the opposition. That speaks volumes about the lack of cohesion between attackers in this tournament and the fact the smaller sides are generally sitting deep.

Japan and Spain are both already through, and the meeting between them in the final round of games could be the best quality game of the group stage. That said, it depends on them seeing any incentive to finish top of the group. Considering they’ll face sides from Group A, who seem much of a muchness, perhaps they won’t take things too seriously.

The quality of combination football is likely to improve as the tournament progresses, for two reasons. First, there will be less rustiness and more time on the training ground should produce better combination play. Second, when the tournament pits strong sides against each other in the knockout phase, there will be fewer sides sitting deep, more space in behind and more incentive to try to play good passing football rather than simply crossing.

Japan and Spain, so far, are pointing the way.

GO DEEPER

The Radar – The Athletic’s 2023 Women’s World Cup scouting guide

 (Top photo: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images)

Michael Cox concentrates on tactical analysis. He is the author of two books – The Mixer, about the tactical evolution of the Premier League, and Zonal Marking, about footballing philosophies across Europe. Follow Michael on Twitter @Zonal_Marking

Full Time: Sophia Smith in the spotlight

By Emily Olsen, Meg Linehan, and Steph Yang Jul 22, 2023 The Athletic

---

Start every morning of the 2023 World Cup with Full Time passed directly to your inbox. Sign up here.

After walking a mile uphill to the match yesterday, my legs, like Rapinoe’s after her 200th cap, have earned a rest. I’m Emily Olsen, here with Meg Linehan and Steph Yang — welcome to Full Time!

---

USWNT Wins World Cup Opener

What we learned from the 3-0 win over Vietnam

When FIFA announced it would expand the Women’s World Cup to 32 teams, there were concerns that it would cause too many lopsided scores as developing soccer nations were added. The U.S.’s opener against Vietnam eased those worries – the rest of the world, not just France, England, or Japan, is catching up too. And that’s a good thing.he U.S. missed plenty of chances it should have converted in its 3-0 win Saturday, but Vietnam never looked like a team that was going to let the score run up against them. Goalkeeper Thi Kim Tran faced 28 shots with seven on target, and just three went in.The USWNT starting lineup featured six players making their World Cup debuts, with an average age of 27.8 years, making it the youngest lineup to start a World Cup match for the USWNT since 2007.

• Sophia Smith? Yeah, she’s good: If you’ve seen the Portland Thorns play in the last two years, you knew this. For the rest of the world, welcome. Nothing will ever be the same. Smith had a hand in all three goals for the U.S., scoring a brace and assisting Lindsey Horan on the third goal. Our Meg Linehan has more here (and later in this newsletter).
• What year is it?: Julie Ertz started at center back, giving serious 2015 World Cup vibes as she returned to the position where she first broke through. Don’t be shocked, head coach Vlatko Andonovski basically told us he was going to do this a month ago.
• Another standout debut: Trinity Rodman. After a nervy near-injury in the first minutes of play, she formed a harmonious frontline alongside Smith and Alex Morgan.
• Positive fitness news: Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe got on the field after dealing with injuries in the build-up to the tournament. “I’ve been feeling really good,” Lavelle said postgame. “I’ve been doing as much as I possibly can off the field to make sure I’m ready for the team.”

What else? See USWNT’s first World Cup match against Vietnam through our photographer Georgia Soares’ eyes.

Photo by Georgia Soares, The Athletic.

Megan Rapinoe hits another milestone

Yesterday we talked about how Megan Rapinoe uses the dark arts to defeat her opponents. And while she didn’t play a major role against Vietnam, the two-time World Cup champion still hit another milestone in her final international tournament.Rapinoe logged her 200th appearance for the U.S. when she entered the game in the 63rd minute alongside OL Reign teammate Lavelle.“God, it feels old to reach that,” Rapinoe said after the match. “(I) feel like my legs have earned it.”The veteran announced before the tournament that this World Cup will be her last, as she will retire at the end of the NWSL season in October. She is one of three active players to have reached 200 U.S. caps (alongside Alex Morgan and Becky Sauerbrunn) and the 13th overall player to do so. Rapinoe is a two-time World Cup champion and an Olympic gold medalist — and was the 2019 Ballon d’Or Féminin winner.Her 200th appearance came 16 years and 364 days after her first (July 23, 2006), marking the longest gap between her first and 200th appearance in the team’s history, per Opta. See all 200 caps here.

---

Meg’s Corner

Who’s that girl? It’s Soph

You don’t become the youngest-ever NWSL MVP without impressing someone. And Sophia Smith has been impressing quite a few people for much longer than the 90 minutes she played against Vietnam in the USWNT’s World Cup opener on Saturday.mith has been preparing for this moment for years. While observers of the NWSL have known the depth of her talent for the entirely of the two years she’s been in the league, on the biggest stage she officially introduced herself to the masses, less than three weeks from her 23rd birthday. She ended Saturday involved in every single USWNT goal: scoring two, and providing the assist on the third.

This is my Barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/IaTfFepvXT

— John Muller (@johnspacemuller) July 21, 2023

But what makes up “THAT girl,” as teammate Alex Morgan coined her? It’s much more than a nose for goal and a killer left foot. Behind her smile and shrug is an athlete that relishes one-on-one challenges, who can beat defenders from any forward position and read a defensive shift. She has the feet, the brains, and the stomach for the pressure of leading the USWNT. Smith is pure ruthlessness with a smile.

To celebrate her second goal, Smith drew her hand across her face as if to zip her lips, then threw away the key. For those who watched the 2019 NCAA College Cup, it was clear that Smith had copied Stanford goalkeeper Katie Meyer’s iconic celebration after saving a penalty en route to winning the title.

“That was for Katie,” Smith said in the mixed zone after the match. Smith, Naomi Girma and other USWNT players have teamed up with Common Goal for a mental health campaign, a project they did in honor of Meyer, who died by suicide in March 2022.

---

Elsewhere in the World Cup

Things get CONCACAF-y for England and Haiti

To some, CONCACAF is simply the confederation in which the United States plays its international soccer, comprising nations in North and Central America and the Caribbean. To those within it, it’s a whole way of being.

Without using this whole newsletter to explain the nuance, just know if something is described as CONCACAF-y or CONCACAF’d, it’s absolute chaos. And Haiti’s first-ever Women’s World Cup game against England was just that. After all, the lone goal of the game was a penalty first saved by goalkeeper Kerly Theus, but Georgia Stanway was allowed to retake it after the referee ruled encroachment occurred.

In fact, I think all of Group D might be CONCACAF-y as Denmark needed a 90th-minute stunner to bag three points 

Japan scores 5 against Zambia

Angel City fans will recognize a name on the scoresheet and the pink hair on the field in this one. Winger Jun Endo nearly assisted the first goal against Zambia in the 21st minute from a free-kick but in the chaos in the box, Mina Tanaka’s goal was ruled offside. Another goal by Tanaka would also be overturned by VAR 30 minutes later. Japan went on to score five anyway, including an assist and goal from Endo.

---

Fun Time World Cup Trivia

Test your knowledge

The World Cup is exciting, stressful, and heartbreaking. But also fun. And what’s more fun than trivia? If you don’t want the answer to yesterday’s question, stop scrolling now….

When Christine Sinclair, 40, was subbed off in the 0-0 draw with Nigeria, it was only the second time in her 22 World Cup appearances that she hadn’t gone all 90 minutes. I mean, come on! She’s a legend.

Today’s question…

Multiple players from yesterday’s games also play in NWSL. How many players in total from the league are representing their countries at the World Cup?

---

Away from Sydney’s bright lights, an indigenous football dream burns bright with a 14-year-old goalkeeping prospect.

Herve Renard offers France a fresh start after Corinne Diacre’s ugly demise.

Mary Earps’ Nike comments were fearless. The Athletic’s Chloe Morgan speaks about the moment as a former professional goalkeeper and why it matters.

(Top Photo: Georgia Soares/The Athletic)

Horan may be USWNT’s MVP in World Cup of transition

• Abdullah Abdullah Jul 23, 2023, 11:00 AM ET
• The U.S. women’s national team have begun the World Cup as the favorites to once again defend their crown after winning four years ago in France. The players who emerged victorious in that tournament will forever be acknowledged for their remarkable contributions, but as the summer competition unfolds, a transformation is taking place within the squad’s composition.Only nine players from the 2019 squad were retained and will feature in 2023. Although injuries played their part in preventing certain players from being selected, it is still a relatively inexperienced squad. Becky Sauerbrunn, Catarina Macario and Mallory Swanson will miss out because of long-term injuries; Carli Lloyd retired from international duty; others were simply not selected due to age or form, replaced by newer counterparts. This puts a bigger emphasis on the experience of the retained players to lead their younger teammates such as Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson and Sophia Smith, who are navigating their way through their first major tournament.

Few players capture the imagination on the pitch the way she does. The Lyon midfielder has entered this World Cup as the engine and leader of the midfield in what looks to be a new, era-defining time for the USWNT. Given the changes in the squad and the lack of stress testing, Horan must be a multifaceted player who can come up with solutions or any problem they face and counteract the variety of styles they will come up against.Horan might just be the most important player for the USWNT at the World Cup. Here’s why.

Midfield composition

The USWNT’s games in the lead-up to the World Cup saw coach Vlatko Andonovski rotate his midfield to find the best combination. Horan, Andi Sullivan, Rose Lavelle, Ashley Sanchez and Kristie Mewis are tried and tested. Julie Ertz‘s return to the team left her as the expected first-choice defensive midfielder, she started at center-back against Vietnam. Savannah DeMelo had never appeared for the senior national team before being selected to the World Cup squad.It’s notable that despite such tumult, Horan started every game but one.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• USWNT’s secret sauce at the World Cup? An endless menu of chef-prepared meals5hCaitlin Murray
• Watching the USWNT, Women’s World Cup at America’s first all-women’s sports bar1dJamie Goldberg
• Risky or shrewd? USWNT lineup could backfire at World Cup1dCaitlin Murray

The general approach from opposition teams will be to sit back, soak up pressure and play the U.S. on the counterattack. The major reason for this is to limit space to work in and force the U.S. into finding alternative solutions. Just looking at the USWNT’s group stage opponents, you can already see the stark difference in approaches they might take. The Netherlands will look to play a more aggressive style of football with intense pressing measures along with quick counterattacking methods, whereas Portugal will likely heavily defend their 18-yard box, an approach Vietnam used in the Americans’ 3-0 win on Friday night.Football, however, is not a linear sport — it’s an ever-evolving game that presents different scenarios that need to be dealt with in the moment to steer the team toward the game plan. The U.S. will encounter changing scenarios from the first minute of every game and will need to be at their tactical best to navigate such situations. This is where Horan becomes such an important contributor in making the midfield click.Her position is usually on the right of a midfield three, as Andonovski often plays with a flexible structure with the central midfielders given decisive roles in creating offensive opportunities. There’s one aggressive, attacking midfielder playing closer to the box and one deeper player anchoring the midfield and protecting the back four. The third player is the pendulum that balances the two by providing whatever is required in between. Considering the wide players are often inside forwards who prefer to play closer to the box and take on the opposition full-backs, it is the responsibility of the central midfielders to become the creators-in-chief and devise passing and ball-carrying chances for the forwards to latch on to.

Progression and creativity

Movement and spatial awareness are essential at a midfield position, especially one that requires you to control the game. Players who can think fast and react quicker than their opponents can often execute moves that others might not see immediately. Horan is able to constantly lose her markers and create space for herself, but she is also the only player who actively moves into deeper areas to unsettle disciplined defenses and push them out of position.It’s from here that Horan is able to open up passing lanes and play those progressive passes or carry the ball herself. This explains why she is both an elegant ball carrier and a passer. She’s able to get into positions early and not rely on just a single trait to complete a move.These combined skills appeal to this U.S. midfield. Against Vietnam, Sullivan was tasked with shielding the back four and retaining possession, while DeMelo was given license to get forward and engage the opposition central markers. Horan’s role from the right requires her to play as a deep-lying playmaker, controlling the tempo and providing the skills required for any given situation.The statistics reflect Horan’s profile. Her standout traits are progressive passes and carries, which shows that she loves to have the ball at her feet and does something meaningful with it. In the past year, Horan ranks in the 97th percentile for progressive passes at 8.10 per 90 minutes and in the 90th percentile for progressive carries at 1.92 per 90, according to FBref. The role not only requires immaculate technique but power and vision to find and create goal-scoring opportunities as well.Take this passage of play against Brazil in the SheBelieves Cup: Horan receives possession on the right flank, coming up against a well-drilled side. Although there are three Brazilians blocking her view, Horan spots a vacant area on the right side of the opposition box with Sanchez in space to receive and create a chance. Just before delivering the pass, Horan steps back and threads through a delicate pass, taking out the Brazilians on that side. Sanchez picks up possession with ample time before sending in a low cross towards the six-yard box.

Opponents will no doubt try to nullify the U.S.’s three forwards — Smith, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe — who each prefer to play closer to the penalty area, particularly Smith, who thrives on line-breaking passes in behind the defensive lines. With space at a premium and congestion in and around the central areas, Horan will be relied upon to create in these types of opportunities, eventually allowing Morgan & Co. to finish off better goal-scoring chances and ultimately breaking down defenses.Horan’s spatial awareness can be viewed from another angle too. She can leverage the strengths of her teammates while still influencing the game off the ball. When teams are looking to close down the central areas, Horan has to find alternative solutions if passing opportunities are unavailable. She’s quick on her feet and recognizes when things need to be changed and proactively takes up less obvious positions by making off-ball runs. The 29-year-old registered 6.18 progressive passes received, putting her in the 97th percentile, according to FBref. That marks her as someone who wants to be in aggressive positions to get the ball.There is another example from the game against Brazil that sees Lavelle dribble through midfield, attracting several players toward her position, leaving the wide spaces vacant. Horan ghosts through from the middle toward the right flank and it’s here the Lyon midfielder receives a pass in acres of space without any pressure from a Brazilian defender. Horan is able to send in a near-post cross to Morgan and although the striker fails to finish, Horan’s smart movement and timing creates a chance out of an improbable situation.The upcoming Netherlands match should prove decisive for the outcome of the group, and it’s where Horan could take advantage of the aggressive movements of the Dutch midfield, potentially exploiting the spaces left in and around to attack their back four.With a new generation of USWNT players coming through the system, Horan’s leadership and experience will be more important than ever. She has been a creative spark throughout her career, and will once again need to step up if the U.S. are to reach the final stages of the World Cup.

Risky or shrewd? USWNT lineup could backfire at World Cup

• Caitlin Murray, ESPNJul 22, 2023, 02:02 AM ET

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The task for U.S. women’s national team coach Vlatko Andonovski seemed simple: start the best possible lineup and begin the Women’s World Cup with a strong statement of intent.But once the squad to take on Vietnam in their tournament opener was announced, it became clear Andonovski was not playing it safe or simple.The question, which will be answered once this World Cup is said and done: is Andonovski overthinking it, or just being shrewd? The answer certainly didn’t come Saturday at Eden Park Stadium against Vietnam (a Friday night start for fans in the U.S.), nor was it expected to. The talent differential between the two sides is large enough that a fully second-choice U.S. squad would still have been expected to win.

ADVERTISING

The USWNT won 3-0, missing a slew of quality scoring chances in the process — 28 shots in all — and it almost didn’t matter who Andonovski put on the field.But the U.S. coach appeared to be setting the stage for a tournament where the USWNT will be difficult to predict, and the notion of the “best possible lineup” will be less straight-forward than it seems. In previous World Cup editions it was easy to predict who a coach might start and where, but Andonovski has put together a squad without easy answers.

Julie Ertz — a player who had seemingly made the roster at the last possible moment as the solution at defensive midfielder after not playing competitive soccer for two years — started at center-back.Ertz hasn’t started as a center-back since 2019, and hasn’t played the position with regularity since years before that. But when captain Becky Sauerbrunn was a late scratch for the World Cup because of a foot injury, Andonovski opted not to replace her with someone currently playing at the position.”When we knew that Becky is not going to be able to make it, that’s something we started looking into even deeper,” he said after the game. “We had a conversation with Julie before we even tried, did a lot of work before we got into (pre-World Cup) camp in terms of video analysis.”

– Women’s World Cup: Landing page | Schedule | Rosters | News

And yet, Andonovski didn’t necessarily have a better choice, in part because of how he constructed his World Cup roster. He could’ve instead opted to start Alana Cook alongside Naomi Girma, but then he would’ve been left with a very inexperienced central defense. Cook has 25 caps, and Girma — who is the better defender — has only 16.Having the experience of Ertz at more than 100 caps, especially to ease the nerves in the younger Girma, was logical. After all, the only other option on this World Cup roster is Emily Sonnett, a player who has spent more time for the USWNT at full-back than center-back.Ertz didn’t look completely comfortable in the back in her return to the role. Vietnam barely threatened, so she wasn’t exactly under pressure, but with the ball at her feet she looked unsettled at times and took unnecessary risks. She played into the game though, looking more comfortable as it went on.”I’m glad we made the decision and I know that the back line is just going to get better and better going forward,” Andonovski said, also declining to state whether Ertz would stay in that role.Sophia Smith talks 2-goal performance in World Cup debutSophia Smith discusses her 2-goal performance in the United States’ 3-0 win over Vietnam.Savannah DeMelo, a player who made the World Cup roster without having ever played for the U.S., was a surprise choice to start in the midfield, too. Before the match, Andonovski suggested the choice was based on her recent form, including a closed-door scrimmage against the Philippines here in New Zealand.DeMelo is a playmaker who is capable of unlocking defenses and creating chances for her teammates. However, what Andonovski has done is built a World Cup squad that hasn’t played together much — in the case of DeMelo, she got one cap in the USWNT’s send-off coming into the World Cup opener.That lack of time together showed. The Americans against Vietnam looked a version of what they’ve looked for much of the Andonovski era: static, sluggish and too reliant on individual flashes of brilliance.Andonovski, for his part, is well of aware of the gamble he has taken and seems confident in his decisions, telling reporters after the match: “If you look at this team, it’s the first time that this 11 has been on the field together. They’ve never been on the field together in a game scenario for one minute, so to see some of the connections and combinations they were able to make was very positive.”

EDITOR’S PICKS

• USWNT player ratings vs. Vietnam: Sophia Smith stands out in World Cup debut2dJeff Carlisle
• Smith: USWNT has lot more to give after 3-0 win2dJeff Carlisle
• Rapinoe wins 200th USWNT cap in WWC opener2dESPN

But he also admitted that this USWNT didn’t look like everything the group could be.”If there’s one thing we need to do better besides finishing, it’s how can we help the players that are in a position to finish, giving them a little bit of service,” he said. “Whether it’s finding them on the right step or the proper foot, the final touch — the service before the finish.”For a team as attack-oriented and eager to play on the front foot as the U.S., finishing and service are no small missing pieces.The USWNT had 297 touches in the final third compared to Vietnam’s 20, but it largely wasn’t the free-flowing and dynamic attack we’ve seen from the United States in the past — Sophia Smith’s first goal the lone exception. They underperformed their expected goals of 4.34 — including due to Alex Morgan’s missed penalty — and struggled to use the flanks, trying to push through a congested middle.And yet, everyone from the outside seemed to be expecting a redux of 2019, when the USWNT opened the World Cup with a 13-0 win over Thailand, the most lopsided result in Women’s World Cup history.The day before Saturday’s game, a Vietnamese reporter asked Andonovski: “Are you going to crush us like against Thailand four years ago?” After the game, another Vietnamese reporter asked: “Did you expect to score more?”It’s perhaps unfair to compare that match to this one — that Thailand team wasn’t as good or as disciplined as this Vietnam team. But this USWNT doesn’t seem to have the chemistry of that 2019 team, either.

“I definitely think it’s coming together,” said defender Emily Fox of the team cohesion. “In training, we can feel that it’s coming together and we’re just going to keep building off of that. It’s the first game of the tournament so we want to keep building off of this performance.”For a squad that has had few reps together, the chemistry needs to come together quickly. Vietnam wasn’t able to punish the U.S. for its inability to click, but the Netherlands — the runner-up from the last World Cup — is next up in group stage play. The knockout rounds will be tougher.As former USWNT coach April Heinrichs once said, “In coaching, you’re either a jackass or a genius.” The choices that Andonovski has made could be the ones that will be talked about for years to come — revered or mocked, depending on how the tournament goes.

USWNT faces World Cup lineup questions after Vietnam game

Claire WatkinsJuly 22, 2023

Julie Ertz surprisingly started at center-back in the USWNT’s World Cup opener against Vietnam. (Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images )The U.S. opened their 2023 World Cup campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Vietnam on Saturday afternoon in Auckland, keeping the game under control in a quality — if not perfect — performance.

Vietnam came into the match in a 5-4-1 formation, holding numbers in front of their own goal to deny the USWNT space to execute their attack. Vietnam’s fierce commitment to the approach kept the U.S. from nearing their 13-goal output against Thailand in 2019. The reigning World Champions’ lineup also featured a handful of players making their major tournament debuts.With a blockbuster matchup against the Netherlands coming into view, here are three takeaways from the USWNT’s opening World Cup victory.

The new kids can hang

Sophia Smith contributed to all three goals scored by the U.S. on the night, scoring two and assisting on one. She rightfully took Player of the Match honors, with her calm on the ball belying her relative major tournament inexperience. Smith and 21-year-old Trinity Rodman looked unafraid to play with freedom, often getting to the endline to try to find the feet of their teammates.Smith also handled the physicality of the game well, a skill that only comes with international experience. The game was officiated somewhat oddly, with long stoppages in play and a lack of consistency as to what constitutes a foul. Smith and Rodman took the challenge in stride, never losing their composure when the match got chippy or delayed.Other quieter debuts were nonetheless impressive. Emily Fox and Naomi Girma looked comfortable in defense, putting out fires and combining with the midfield when necessary (Vietnam did not register a shot or even enter the U.S. penalty area). Alyssa Thompson and Sofia Huerta added energy off the bench, threatening to add to the USWNT’s scoreline.Midfielder Savannah DeMelo looked fearless, starting her first World Cup game in just her second USWNT cap. She combined well with Rodman and Fox, and made runs that gave the U.S. extra attacking options as they tried to unlock the organized Vietnam defense. With so many players dealing with nerves on the pitch, the USWNT as a whole looked remarkably assured.

Finding room for Julie Ertz

When Julie Ertz returned to the USWNT for the first time in over two years, the natural assumption was that she’d be the answer to the team’s defensive midfield concerns. Ertz anchored the midfield that won the World Cup in 2019 and offered an emergency replacement while still coming back from injury at the Tokyo Olympics.So when Ertz lined up alongside Naomi Girma in the central defense against Vietnam, the thinking behind the move wasn’t entirely clear.

It’s possible that Ertz came in as an early rotational move, with the understanding that Alana Cook will return to the backline against the Netherlands. But it’s also possible that Ertz might partner with Girma throughout the tournament. U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski did not say after the game whether Ertz would remain in the role for upcoming games.If Ertz is performing anywhere near the level of the player she was before she took time away, she needs to be on the field for the U.S. — having her come in as a backup No. 6 behind Andi Sullivan isn’t a good use of her talent. And with veteran center-back Becky Sauerbrunn missing the tournament, Ertz’s calm head and ability to disrupt play and send piercing diagonal balls forward might lend themselves to a last-minute audible few expected.Ertz was excellent against Vietnam, working well with Girma and making her patented dangerous runs on set pieces. Where she lines up against the Netherlands will be The same old nagging problems persist

Some of the same issues that have plagued the U.S. in Andonovski’s tenure popped up in their first World Cup game. The team lacked a certain amount of patience in the final third, with a number of quality build-up sequences ending up in the stands or ricocheting off a defender. With goal differential at a premium in their group, opportunities left on the table could come back to haunt the U.S.The USWNT also struggled to bring urgency to the second half. After taking a 2-0 lead, they slowed the tempo down instead of pushing to extend a scoreline they should not have been satisfied with. Vietnam didn’t push numbers forward frequently, but when they did, the U.S. was not quick to counter, often resetting play to allow their opponent to regain their defensive shape and get numbers behind the ball. The U.S. has had trouble pushing tempo under Andonovski in the past, all too often relying on lofted crosses in the air to try to find separation.The rest of the team’s weaknesses occurred in the margins of a choppy game and against a tenacious defense. Many times, players’ passes forward rolled out of reach of their intended targets in the final third, and dribbling sequences lasted too long to deliver a quality ball to a teammate. With Megan Rapinoe’s minutes limited, Alex Morgan took a penalty attempt she’ll want back, showcasing how human the U.S. can look during dead-ball situations without their longtime PK taker.Despite a vast advantage in both fitness and depth, the U.S. could not turn their substitutes into effective scorers as they pushed for more goals late in the match. Winning Group E could define the USWNT’s World Cup, and they let an opportunity to set themselves up at a goal advantage slip through their hands.Andonovski’s U.S. has faced criticism of doing just enough to advance, rather than grabbing games and running away with them. A 3-0 result against an overmatched opponent won’t move them further away from that perception. The U.S. midfield looked more assured when Rose Lavelle entered for the final half hour of the match and gave them a sense of cohesion to build upon.Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

USWNT goalscorer Sophia Smith is that girl and more

By Meg LinehanJul 22, 2023 The Athletic

---

Enter, Sophia Smith, a talented U.S. women’s national team forward without a World Cup appearance, on a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon at Eden Park. Exit, Sophia Smith, the youngest USWNT player to score multiple goals in her World Cup debut. No longer a mere player on a world’s stage, instead she is “THAT girl,” as teammate Alex Morgan saidFrom Colorado to Stanford and the youth national team to the No. 1 overall draft pick for the Portland Thorns and 2022 NWSL most valuable player, Smith has been preparing for this moment for years. While observers of the NWSL have known the depth of her talent for two years, she officially introduced herself on the biggest stage yet — less than three weeks before her 23rd birthday. She ended Saturday involved in every USWNT goal in the 3-0 defeat of Vietnam: scoring two, and providing an assist.But what makes up “THAT girl”? It’s much more than a nose for goal and a killer left foot. Behind her smile and shrug is an athlete that relishes one-on-one challenges, beats defenders from anywhere, reads a defensive shift and breaks it down herself. She has the feet, the brains and the stomach for the pressure of leading the USWNT. Smith is pure ruthlessness with a smile.On Saturday, after the long wait to determine if her second goal stood, Smith celebrated. She drew her hand across her face as if to zip her lips, then threw away the key. For the casual observer, perhaps, it looked like a warning to people to stop running their mouths. But that would be stopping at “THAT girl” Sophia. For those who watched the 2019 NCAA College Cup, it was clear that Smith had in fact copied Stanford goalkeeper Katie Meyer’s iconic celebration after saving a penalty en route to winning the title.

“That was for Katie,” Smith said in the mixed zone. It was a planned celebration she worked out with center-back Naomi Girma. Led by Girma, Smith and some other USWNT teammates put out a campaign ahead of the World Cup opener promoting mental health — a project they did in honor of Meyer, who died by suicide in March 2022.“That was pretty iconic what she did in the College Cup, and we just want to honor her in every way,” Smith saidThe celebration also served as a reminder that there is another element to the sort of life-changing attention a World Cup can provide. The players face an extraordinary challenge of focusing on winning the games in front of them with protecting their own mental and emotional well-being. Only days ago, Smith had told reporters that her World Cup experience had felt surreal so far, and that the fact she was playing in the tournament might actually finally hit her during the first match.The nerves were there against Vietnam, she admitted afterwards, despite the fact that she usually doesn’t get nervous. But she was also ready to dance through the leading questions as swiftly and sure-footedly as she had danced through defenders only minutes before, shrugging aside inquiries on if the USWNT had scored enough goals on Saturday or if she was already thinking about winning the tournament’s golden boot.“I tell everyone: I want to win a World Cup and whatever comes with that comes with that,” she replied, simply.As much as Smith is insulating herself from outside pressure (she’s deleted Twitter from her phone, “best thing I’ve ever done”), she’s taking full advantage of her stage beyond the show on the field.Smith is aware of just how much she is being talked about, and that is only going to get more and more intense as the team progresses through this tournament.“I feel it, I definitely feel it,” she had said on Wednesday. “It means people believe in me. I say that all the time. But I try not to overthink it, and it means that I just need to keep being myself, doing what I’ve been doing, and not put too much pressure on myself.”The frenzy around her isn’t within her control. But she’s also not afraid to engage with it, to play with it a bit, either. Just take Nike’s campaign built around her for this World Cup, titled “Nice To Beat You”.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=kzXPcU2jJ4w%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Smith embraces being the villain on the field. She’ll pull that feeling out for anything, whether it’s the shrug celebration she went with at last year’s NWSL championship to silence her doubters, or even over her NWSL team’s divisive jersey design. “We love the haters,” she said. “Keep it coming, because that just makes winning feel even better.”The energy seems to power “THAT girl”, but maybe there’s some sort of magic around her debuts too.In her 2020 NWSL debut during the Fall Series, she scored 17 minutes after stepping onto the field. That same year, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski called her “the most comfortable rookie in the NWSL that we’ve seen”, in an interview with The Athletic.“It was almost like she walked onto the field like she had a hundred games under her belt,” he said. “That showed in her game, that showed in her movement, it showed in the way she composed herself in the game.”Three years later, Andonovski might well have said the same thing about her World Cup debut — though this was Smith’s 31st appearance for the USWNT. But the difficulty level between the NWSL Fall Series and the World Cup is like the difference between a round of putt-putt and playing in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.“Being on this team, it just comes with a big target on your back, it comes with pressure, it comes with a big platform. We all know this is nothing new, even the young players who haven’t played in the World Cup,” Smith said. “We know that — the veterans (in the squad) make sure we know that.”Luckily for everyone prepared to watch her at this World Cup, that combination was something she found exciting.“All we hope to do is continue on that legacy, and do things that teams have never done,” Smith continued, saying that her generation of players had accepted the pressure. “It’s what life has become now, and I think it’s fun. I love it.”Smith’s next stage awaits her on Wednesday, game two against the Netherlands in Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara. The spotlight does too. She’s ready to play many parts though — whatever this team needs from her.There’s a World Cup to win, after all, an eventful history still to write.(Photo: Robin Alam/USSF/Getty Images )

Julie Ertz at center back for the USWNT might have been a shock, but it makes sense

By Kudzi MusarurwaJul 22, 2023

---

Before the USWNT kicked off their World Cup 2023 adventure against Vietnam, Julie Ertz’s fitness was a constant topic of conversation. Between a knee injury and giving birth less than a year ago, before April of this year she hadn’t played since 2021. She had to quickly regain her match fitness and find a club to play for in order to have a shot at rejoining the national team.Given the improbable nature of her condensed comeback journey, few expected her to start the U.S.’s World Cup opener against Vietnam, let alone start the game as a center back alongside Naomi Girma. The need for an additional center back emerged last month, when captain Becky Sauerbrunn was left off the World Cup squad as she recovers from a foot injury. However, Girma and Alana Cook were the only full-time center backs included in the squad, and neither of the young defenders had any previous World Cup experience.“We’re very confident in the team that we have and we’re very confident in the abilities of the players that we have on our team that we’ll be able to overcome the deficiencies that may occur with Becky’s absence,” head coach Vlatko Andonovski said at the time. “Part of it is Julie Ertz. We know that she has the ability to play different positions. We saw her in the 2015 World Cup playing as a center back. We saw her winning a World Cup as well in the U-20s, so it is definitely something that is on our minds, and we will be exploring that option.”So, in hindsight, Andonovski did plant the seed for this eventuality. Still, Ertz hadn’t started at center back for the national team since a 2019 friendly against Belgium. She was a key figure in the U.S. midfield at that year’s World Cup, serving as the anchor alongside Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis. But before that, Ertz first broke through as a center back. She won a bronze ball award for her performance at the U-20 World Cup in 2012 and emerged as a pivotal member of the senior team’s backline at the 2015 World Cup.On Thursday afternoon in Auckland, Andonovski told the media that from a “minutes management, Julie is 100%” which many interpreted to mean she would see the field at some point, but probably not right away.Emily Fox confirmed the plan to play Ertz in the role in which she first rose to prominence had been in the works for a while.“We’ve been working at it the entire pre-camp.” Fox said when asked about the chemistry she was building with Ertz. “She’s amazing. She’s a leader, she communicates, she makes it so easy to do my job and she does a great job at hers.”For years after she debuted for the USWNT, those statements had followed Ertz. It’s what made her so successful as a young center back, it’s what made her transition to the midfield so seamless and it’s what made her absence such a loss when she was away from the team for so long.But at the start of her comeback, Andonovki wasted no time in bringing Ertz back into the fold as his primary defensive midfielder. While she was a little rusty in April against the Republic of Ireland, the difference she made in that midfield was clearly evident.

As the team headed to the World Cup, it was clear Andonovski was looking at Ertz to solve the midfield issues, which had been a problem area for team since the Olympics in the summer of 2021. But Sauerbrunn’s health created an even bigger problem for the team.Being a starter for the USWNT means that you have to be versatile and ready to be asked to do anything to help the team, and Ertz sets the example.Play as the starting center back despite more senior players on the roster (in 2015)? No problem. Switch back to defensive midfield in order for the team to win (in 2019)? Not an issue. Switch back again to central defense (in 2023)? Done, with barely a step missed. Never paired with Naomi Girma before, Ertz looked like she had been playing next to her for years — a poignant similarity with how Sauerbrunn effortlessly adapted to playing with Ertz back in 2015.

There definitely was a 2015 feel to Ertz’s performance as she patrolled the backline, commanding those around her to cover the spaces and striding forward to close down the gaps herself. While that version of Ertz was much younger, she was no less commanding, no less determined and no less an absolute pleasure to watch for anyone who enjoys good defending.All action, take no prisoners but still able to ping a cross-field pass when needed. Girma would stay behind while Ertz looked to take the game to Vietnam, and when the opposition managed to make their way past the midfield, Ertz was the first one there to meet them head on and preventany further danger.After the game, Ertz’s biggest takeaway from their performance was that they managed to not concede a goal.“It was good.” she said after being asked about the team’s performance. “A clean sheet, that’s what you want for sure. It was a good start.”That is a defender’s answer and one that epitomizes Ertz’s career to date.(Top photo: Jan Kruger – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

How Lionel Messi won Inter Miami debut with last-second free-kick goal vs Cruz Azul

Lionel Messi scores winning goal from free kick in 94th minute as Inter Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-1 in Leagues Cup opener.

Michael Dominski July 22, 2023 at 9:23 AM EDT The Athletic

(All photos by Getty Images)

Instant analysis of an instant classic

From Messi’s winning moment, to the celebrities on hand, to Miami’s tactics and hopes for a trophy this season, The Athletic has broken down everything you need to know from this wild night.

Lionel Messi and the perfect free kick

(Photo: Getty Images)

Lionel Messi was hunched over the ball, trying to catch his breath.It was the 93rd minute of his highly anticipated debut as a newly-minted Major League Soccer player. Messi, arguably the best player of all time, who just seven months ago led Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar, was preparing to take a potentially game-winning direct free kick in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.His new club, Inter Miami, were tied 1-1 with Mexican side Cruz Azul on the opening group stage matchday of the Leagues Cup, a competition that sees MLS teams playing Liga MX sides. Messi had been sandwiched by two opponents roughly 24 yards from the Cruz Azul goal. When Honduran referee Said Martínez blew his whistle and called the foul, everyone in the stadium, and the millions watching on screens around the world, wondered if a magical Messi moment was in store.ou know what happened next. Go Further below.

What’s next?ach of these teams will face Atlanta United in Leagues Cup group play. The top two teams of the three will then advance to the round of 32.

Tuesday, July 25: Inter Miami vs Atlanta United

• Saturday, July 29: Atlanta United vs Cruz Azul

Martinez: ‘What a special moment’

Josef Martinez was asked by Apple TV after the match if he ever thought someone like Lionel Messi would come to the MLS. His response: “Never. Just on PlayStation.”I’m just really, really happy because we won. What a special moment because we have the most important player in the world.”On whether he knew Messi would score: “For sure!”Messi coming is important not just for this club but for this city, for MLS.”

Like father, like son

Oh my god this is too cute, one of the kids – I think Messi’s – just placed the ball where his dad scored that free kick earlier and tried to do the same. We don’t need to talk about how it ended because, you know, he’s a kid. But very sweet to watch.

Inter Miami’s future

(All photos by Getty Images)

The stadium seats are empty but out on the pitch right now, down the end of the big stand where the ultras stood, the kids of the players are currently having a kickabout.Head to toe in Miami kit, of course. Looks like some mini Messis and Busquets out there.Earlier, after scoring his winning goal, Messi ran over to celebrate with his family.

The scene at Barcelona’s pre-season camp in Los Angeles

I watched Messi’s goal at the LA Memorial Coliseum stadium with local journalists tuning it in on their phones as they saw on Twitter there was a last-minute free kick. Two Barcelona staff members joined in. The first team was starting their gym work on the pitch prior to the training session.One of the Barcelona staff members, who’s been at the club since Messi joined the first team, joked: “I don’t think he’s gonna score, he’s not really used to deal with that pressure”. After Messi puts the ball into the net, both start cracking up laughing and left walking down the stands to join the rest of the team on the pitch.

conic moment for ML

(All photos by Getty Images)

When you think of iconic moments in MLS history and iconic debuts, the first thought is Zlatan Ibrahimovic changing the game in his debut for the LA Galaxy and scoring a volley from 45 yards.essi decided to match it tonight.These are the types of moments that reach beyond the normal MLS fans. It’s the benefits that come with superstar players joining MLS teams. Gareth Bale’s game-tying goal in MLS Cup, even Kaká’s deflected free kick in Orlando City’s MLS debut.Big-time players delivering in the moments in which they are expected to deliver. It’s that type of ability to deliver on which their stardom was built.Messi’s goal now goes right to the top with that Zlatan volley — a moment that will be shared and remembered forever in MLS history.

Messi’s shots vs Cruz Azul

(Jeff Rueter)

• Shots: 3Goals: 1
• Expected goals: 0.3
• Expected goals per shot: 0.1
• Average shot distance: 24.2 yards

Martinez with the jokes

Josef Martinez jokingly told Apple TV after the match: “I get mad with (Messi) because he never gave me the ball.”

Messi’s touches vs Cruz Azul

Messi follows Zlatan’s path

Lionel Messi’s wondergoal tonight brings to mind another massive MLS debut — Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 45-yard volley, one he hit just minutes after subbing into an LA Galaxy vs LAFC “El Trafico” match.

It was meant to be

(All photos by Getty Images)

This was the second time in his career that Lionel Messi scored a direct free-kick winner in stoppage time.The first was earlier this year, on February 19 for Paris Saint-Germain against Lille.

Beckham: ‘Such a moment for this country, for this league’

Beckham on what it’s like to view these games as an owner: “It’s terrible watching these games. As an ex-player, you get frustrated. As a player, you can do something about it if you’re losing, when you’re an owner, you can’t.”But tonight is about the people. It’s about this.”This is what we always saw as our vision, me and Jorge and Jose and the club, this is what we saw.”So this is such a special night for us, for our families, for everyone that’s in this stadium, for you guys.”It is such a moment for this country. It’s such a moment for this league.”And it’s a very proud moment for us.”

Beckham: ‘I thought, this is the way it’s meant to end’

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has also spoken to Apple TV about Messi’s last-second winner: “To be honest, as soon as I saw the free kick given, I thought this is the way it’s meant to end.”Especially when you’ve got players like Leo and Sergio on the pitch, that’s what they produce. And, it’s so exciting tonight for our fans, all of these people that have come down here to see Leo just step onto the pitch, let alone just do what he’s done, and obviously Sergio’s performance was incredible.”It’s a dream come true for everybody in this stadium to see and everybody around this country to see Leo step into the MLS and perform and I don’t have many words for that.”

Fireworks

(All photos by Getty Images)The aftermath of Messi’s winning goal.

Messi: ‘I knew I had to score’

Lionel Messi has spoken to Apple TV through a translator about his winning goal: “What I saw was the goal. I knew that I had to score with the last play of the game. It was very important to get this win. It gives us confidence moving forward.”

Shades of Beckham vs Greece

(All photos by Getty Images)That reminded me a lot of Beckham’s goal for England vs Greece.Yes that meant more as it sent his team to the World Cup but the sense of inevitability and brilliance were so similar.

Weston McKennie returns to the U.S. with Juventus and questions over his future

By Greg O’Keeffe and Paul Tenorio

Jul 23, 2023

82

---

In other circumstances it would be a moment to deliver a spring in his step, a burst of encouragement before training in the sweltering heat of a Turin morning.

Weston McKennie arrived at Juventus’ J medical centre last Monday to a throng of supporters calling his name and jostling behind metal barriers to take pictures.

ADVERTISEMENT

But in this case, the midfielder may not be feeling especially buoyant.

He was there for fitness tests and training along with the rest of the squad but, at that point, found himself among a group who seemed to have been sidelined by manager Max Allegri. Their number included Leonardo Bonucci, Luca Pellegrini, Denis Zakaria and Marko Pjaca.

In truth, the supporters who had gathered to see the players reserved their biggest cheers for Italy international and Euro 2020 hero Federico Chiesa, who happened to pull up at the same time as McKennie. But, as he signed shirts and posed for photographs, the USMNT midfielder could still have been forgiven for lingering on the warm sentiment amid rife speculation he would soon be left in the cold.

McKennie signs autographs after reporting back to Juventus (Photo: Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)

At that stage the feeling around Juventus was that the 24-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan in the Premier League with Leeds United, would be omitted from the group set to embark on the club’s pre-season U.S. tour.Instead of featuring in friendlies against Barcelona, AC Milan and Real Madrid in his homeland, the Texan was facing the prospect of staying behind to train with the other players Juventus want to sell this summer.In the end he was spared that ignominy. New Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli insisted McKennie was part of his and Allegri’s thinking. “McKennie out of the project?” he said. “That’s never been said.”But even as the midfielder took his seat on the 14-hour flight to San Francisco, doubts lingered over the extent to which his long-term future remains in Serie A.

---

McKennie joined Juventus from Schalke in March 2021 in an €18.5million (£16m; $22.3m) deal, payable over three years. He is contracted until June 2025 but it seems likely he will be gone long before that.It has not always been so uneasy.McKennie did so well at Juventus on an initial loan that an option to sign him on a permanent basis was taken up after a series of big-game performances under then-head coach Andrea Pirlo.His versatility was appreciated by Pirlo in his attempts to implement a hybrid system at Juventus. McKennie scored five goals and two assists, often supplied from a wide role that morphed into that of a shadow striker.There was silverware, too. He played the full 90 minutes in Juventus’s 2021 Supercoppa Italiana win over Napoli, lifting his first trophy as a professional.

McKennie lifts the Supercoppa Italiana trophy in January 2021 (Photo: Miguel Medina / AFP via Getty Images)

But his playing style did not have the same appeal to Allegri, and there was a feeling his better qualities were restricted under the new manager.Enter Leeds and their then manager, McKennie’s compatriot Jesse Marsch, in January with what seemed a compelling option for a reset. He joined a club which was stars and stripes in so many respects: with Americans as their head coach and primary assistant, future American owners and, after McKennie’s transfer from Juventus went through, a squad that included three USMNT internationals.There had been long-standing interest in his talents too; Leeds’ director of football at the time, Victor Orta, had been tracking McKennie since his breakthrough in the Bundesliga with Schalke. But it was not a move without risk, Leeds were in a tough spot with the threat of relegation — a grim prospect which would eventually come to pass.In hindsight, the switch did not work for either party.

There was initial promise in McKennie’s central midfield link-up with his USMNT team-mate Tyler Adams, dovetailing effectively with the latter deep lying and McKennie in the number eight role. But when a hamstring injury curtailed Adams’ season, the opportunity to build that dynamic further was stalled in its infancy.It was during the period when Marsch was succeeded by Javi Gracia as coach that the idea of a permanent transfer faded away. McKennie was simply not playing well enough to justify the significant investment it would take for the Elland Road club to sign him. He was one of the top earners in the Leeds dressing room, too. The club’s subsequent caretaker boss Sam Allardyce preferred McKennie to other midfielders, but that preference was based more on attributes such as his long throw-in than any of the qualities which, at his best, first attracted Orta and his recruitment analysts.

A dejected McKennie after Leeds concede to West Ham (Photo: John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)

With Leeds in turmoil as relegation loomed, and supporters venting their frustration, McKennie was booed and taunted about his physique when substituted towards the end of his time in Yorkshire.It will not have been the first time he has heard jibes about his weight, but McKennie was likely to have been more concerned about whether the failure of his loan move had damaged his overall reputation.

---

In the short-term it has, although it will not rule out interest from elsewhere if McKennie is unable to revive his Juventus prospects.Despite reports, though, it is unlikely that Borussia Dortmund will bid for him. Indeed, those close to him do not see a Juventus exit happening quickly this summer. McKennie’s salary is considerable and could be an issue for clubs interested in him, meaning his focus remains on persuading Allegri to give him a chance despite the ambiguity.That does not mean he will sit tight and merely accept a fringe role. But any potential move is more likely to happen towards the end of the transfer window in September.Publicly, Juventus are suggesting he has a future with them. Privately it remains to be seen whether his inclusion in the touring squad is more than just commercial common-sense; why would they leave one of the stars of the USMNT at home when trying to sell seats for games in that country?

McKennie during the USMNT’s game against Mexico at in Las Vegas last month (Photo: John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

In 2019, the half-Indonesian midfielder Radja Nainggolan was included in Inter Milan’s pre-season tour of South East Asia, only to be loaned back to former club Cagliari that August when Antonio Conte made it clear he did not want him. Whether there is an element of box office pragmatism behind McKennie’s eventual place on the tour or not, he has a place and, therefore at the very least, a chance to try and change Allegri’s mind. Failing that, all eyes will turn to September and the potential for his future to be resolved in that familiar late window flurry of movement when moves happen fast out of necessity. In the U.S. there will be more opportunities for McKennie to feel the love from supporters of both Juventus and the USMNT. Whether he is still being applauded by home supporters in Turin by the autumn is uncertain. What is clear, though, is that McKennie will crave stability and consistent minutes whatever comes next. (Top photo: Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)

Leagues Cup 2023: Standings, teams, schedule, TV and streaming MLS & Liga Mx

Pro Soccer Wire Staff  July 23, 2023 12:00 am ET

The first-ever Leagues Cup will see MLS and Liga MX clubs halt league play for a month-long tournament across the U.S. and Canada in July and AugustThe tournament begins on July 21, with 15 three-team groups based on geography featuring a mix of teams from both leagues. Each group will feature round-robin play, with the top two finishers advancing to a knockout stage featuring one-off matches running through to a final on August 19. The champion of the Leagues Cup will secure a place in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16, while the losing finalist and the third-place game winner will also gain a place in the CCC’s first round.The entire Leagues Cup will take place in the United States or in Canada, with matches between Liga MX sides picked based on geography in the group stage and at neutral sites in the knockout round.While standard rules will be in place for games that end with a winner and a loser (three points for the victors, none for their opponent), the Leagues Cup will discard draws. Games that are tied at full time will proceed to a penalty kick tiebreaker, with the winner of that shootout receiving two points while the loser gets one.All matches will air on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app, while select games are on Televisa, Univision, FOX Sports, TSN and RDS. Here is the 2023 Leagues Cup schedule.

West One

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Portland Timbers	1	0	0	0	2	0	+2	3
Tigres UANL	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
San Jose Earthquakes	0	0	0	0	0	2	-2	0

West One schedule

Sat, July 22: Portland Timbers 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Wed, July 26: Portland Timbers vs. Tigres UANL, 11:00 pm
Sun, July 30: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Tigres UANL, 11:00 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

West Two

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Real Salt Lake	1	0	0	0	3	0	+3	3
CF Monterrey	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Seattle Sounders	0	0	0	1	0	3	-3	0

West Two schedule

Sat, July 22: Real Salt Lake 3-0 Seattle Sounders
Wed, July 26: Real Salt Lake vs. CF Monterrey, 9:30 pm
Sun, July 30: Seattle Sounders vs. CF Monterrey, 9:00 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

West Three

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Club Léon	0	1	0	0	2	2	0	2
Vancouver Whitecaps	0	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
LA Galaxy	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

West Three schedule

Fri, July 21: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-2 Club Léon (Club Léon wins 16-15 on penalty kicks)
Tue, July 25: LA Galaxy vs. Club Léon, 10:30 pm
Sat, July 29: LA Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 10:30 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

Central One

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Columbus Crew	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Club América	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
St. Louis City SC	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Central One schedule

Sun, July 23: Columbus Crew vs. St. Louis City SC, 7:30 pm
Thu, July 27: St. Louis City SC vs. Club América, 10:00 pm
Mon, July 31: Columbus Crew vs. Club América, 8:00 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

Central Two

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Chicago Fire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Minnesota United	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Puebla	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Central Two schedule

Sun, July 23: Minnesota United vs. Puebla, 9:00 pm
Thu, July 27: Minnesota United vs. Chicago Fire, 8:30 pm
Mon, July 31: Chicago Fire vs. Puebla, 8:30 pm (played at SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, Ill.)

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

Central Three

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Chivas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FC Cincinnati	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sporting Kansas City	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Central Three schedule

Sun, July 23: FC Cincinnati vs. Sporting Kansas City, 7:30 pm
Thu, July 27: FC Cincinnati vs. Chivas, 8:00 pm
Mon, July 31: Sporting Kansas City vs. Chivas, 10:00 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

Central Four

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Colorado Rapids	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Nashville SC	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Toluca	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Central Four schedule

Sun, July 23: Nashville SC vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30 pm
Thu, July 27: Nashville SC vs. Toluca, 8:30 pm
Mon, July 31: Colorado Rapids vs. Toluca, 9:30 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

South One

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Mazatlán FC	1	0	0	0	3	1	+2	3
FC Juárez	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Austin FC	0	0	0	1	1	3	-2	0

South One schedule

Fri, July 21: Austin FC 1-3 Mazatlán FC
Tue, July 25: Mazatlán FC vs. FC Juárez, 9:30 pm (played at Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas)
Sat, July 29: Austin FC vs. FC Juárez, 9:30 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

South Two

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Orlando City	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	2
Houston Dynamo	0	0	1	0	1	1	0	1
Santos Laguna	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

South Two schedule

Fri, July 21: Orlando City 1-1 Houston Dynamo (Orlando City wins 5-4 on penalty kicks)
Tue, July 25: Houston Dynamo vs. Santos Laguna, 8:30 pm
Sat, July 29: Orlando City vs. Santos Laguna, 7:30 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

South Three

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Inter Miami	1	0	0	0	2	1	+1	3
Atlanta United	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Cruz Azul	0	0	0	1	1	2	-1	0

South Three schedule

Fri, July 21: Inter Miami 2-1 Cruz Azul
Tue, July 25: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 pm
Sat, July 29: Atlanta United vs. Cruz Azul, 7:00 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

South Four

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Charlotte FC	0	1	0	0	2	2	0	2
FC Dallas	0	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
Necaxa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

South Four schedule

Fri, July 21: FC Dallas 2-2 Charlotte FC (Charlotte FC wins 4-1 on penalty kicks)
Tue, July 25: FC Dallas vs. Necaxa, 9:30 pm
Sat, July 29: Charlotte FC vs. Necaxa, 7:30 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

East One

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Philadelphia Union	1	0	0	0	3	1	+2	3
Querétaro	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tijuana	0	0	0	1	1	3	-2	0

East One schedule

Sat, July 22: Philadelphia Union 3-1 Tijuana
Wed, July 26: Philadelphia Union vs. Querétaro, 7:30 pm
Sun, July 30: Tijuana vs. Querétaro, 7:30 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

East Two

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
CF Montréal	0	1	0	0	2	2	0	2
Pumas UNAM	0	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
D.C. United	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

East Two schedule

Sat, July 22: CF Montréal 2-2 Pumas UNAM (CF Montréal wins 4-2 on penalty kicks)
Wed, July 26: CF Montréal vs. D.C. United, 7:30 pm
Sat, July 29: D.C. United vs. Pumas UNAM, 8:30 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

East Three

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
Atlas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
New York City FC	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Toronto FC	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

East Three schedule

Sun July 23: New York City FC vs. Atlas, 7:00 pm (played at Citi Field, Queens, N.Y.)
Wed, July 26: New York City FC vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 pm (played at Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.)
Sun, July 30: Toronto FC vs. Atlas, 7:30 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

East Four

Team	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Points
New York Red Bulls	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2
New England Revolution	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Atlético San Luis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

East Four schedule

Sat, July 22: New York Red Bulls 0-0 New England Revolution (New York Red Bulls win 4-2 on penalty kicks)
Wed, July 26: New England Revolution vs. Atlético San Luis, 7:30 pm
Sun, July 30: New York Red Bulls vs. Atlético San Luis, 7:30 pm

(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern)

Knockout rounds

Round of 32

Games will be played August 2-4, match-ups and the schedule will be announced after the conclusion of the group stage. Los Angeles FC (MLS) and Pachuca (Liga MX) have received byes to this stage based on finishing atop each league’s regular season standings in 2022.

Round of 16

Games will be played August 6-8, match-ups and the schedule will be announced after the conclusion of the group stage.

Quarterfinals

Games will be played August 11-12, match-ups and the schedule will be announced after the conclusion of the group stage.

Semifinal schedule

Tue, Sept. 15: Semifinal No. 1, teams and kickoff time TBD
Tue, Sept. 15: Semifinal No. 2, teams and kickoff time TBD

Third-place game

Sat, Aug. 19: Teams and kickoff time TBD

Final

Sat, Aug. 19: Teams and kickoff time TBD

USWNT players honor memory of Katie Meyer with mental health initiative during the World Cup

By Meg Linehan Jul 19, 2023 The Athletic

---

(Content warning: This story addresses suicide and other mental health issues and may be difficult to read and emotionally upsetting.If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.)

U.S. women’s national team players are using their World Cup platform for a new mental health initiative alongside Common Goal, a charity organization focused on helping global soccer players create social impacts. FOX Sports, the English-language broadcast rights holder in the United States for the tournament, has also promised to dedicate 1 percent of the tournament’s air time to mental health.

On Wednesday, USWNT defender Naomi Girma released a first-person essay via The Players’ Tribune dedicating this World Cup to her Stanford teammate Katie Meyer, who died by suicide in March 2022.“This is personal for me, and for everyone who knew Katie,” Girma wrote. “I’ll be honest, it’s not easy to talk about this on the eve of a World Cup. It’s still very raw for me. I know what an honor it is to be a part of a World Cup team. I know all about the pressure and expectations.”Girma said the project’s mission is to help people feel less alone. Ten USWNT players, including Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Sophia Smith, are featured in a video released this week to highlight the initiative.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=7wD5xo_E9NE%3Ffeature%3Doembed

In Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday, Smith addressed the campaign. She and defender Emily Fox discussed their approaches to protecting their mental health during a major tournament.“Anytime I talk about Katie, it’s obviously emotional,” said Smith, who was also teammates with Meyer at Stanford. “Just with everything coming out today, it kind of brings all those feelings back to the surface. But I feel like I’m in a place where I can talk about it, and talk about Katie in a really positive light and it brings me more happiness. … Everything we do is now for Katie, so it means a lot.”Smith said Girma approached her a few months ago with the idea to work with Common Goal on the initiative. She was immediately interested.“It changed the whole way I view life. I now don’t take things too seriously,” Smith said “I realized that there’s so many more important things happening than the little things that stressed me out or took a toll on me. That’s a good thing, because it puts things into perspective and just makes you value life a lot more, and friendships and relationships.”Following the World Cup, Common Goal said its mental health campaign “will bring together coaches from more than 15 sports-based youth development organizations working in under-resourced communities across the United States. The immersive training will teach positive coping strategies and provide personal support in communities who historically do not have access to mental health resources.”The organization also plans to offer training for players from some NWSL teams on incorporating mental health and emotional well-being into their professional environments.“It’s long overdue that our soccer communities put mental health at the forefront when we discuss player care,” Lilli Barrett-O’Keefe, executive director of Common Goal USA, said in the official release. “We are determined to create a culture shift, at all levels of the game, following this summer’s World Cup. We are grateful for the players that are pushing this narrative forward and holding us all accountable to not only talk but act.”It’s a heavy topic for a major tournament, but there’s also immense pressure on many young players to pull off a third consecutive World Cup win for the USWNT.“For the team in general, we had a team talk about (mental health), about the pressure, the external pressures that happen,” Fox said. “And really, it was cool to hear from the veterans and how we can lean on them. They’ve been through every position, whether starter, non-starter, coming in (to a match), all those things.”As for Smith, she said with a laugh that deleting Twitter was “the best thing (she’d) ever done,” as she’s now less aware of that outside noise.“It’s a lot, and it’s something new every day, so just trying to push that aside and focus on what we are here to do,” Smith said. “That’s to play soccer and win a World Cup. Finding that balance is super important.”But members of the USWNT team are also deply aware of the platform they have, especially during this tournament.“We know first-hand how many people, especially student athletes, are struggling in silence, and we want to use our platform in this huge moment for something bigger than soccer. It’s exactly what Katie would have done. But she never would have stopped there,” Girma wrote in her essay. “We don’t want this to end simply at awareness. We want to make sure that young people have the tools to cope with depression, anxiety, stress, and the very bad days, when it feels like the weight of the world is on their shoulders, and it can never get better. It can always get better.”

(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

World Cup title contenders: Why they’ll win and why they won’t

Claire WatkinsJuly 20, 2023

The USWNT is vying for a third straight World Cup title in 2023. (Maciek Gudrymowicz/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind: The 2023 Women’s World Cup is going to be the most competitive the world has ever seen. With an expanded 32-team field, expect twists and turns as the exponential growth of the game in the last four years culminates in a tournament where any one of the top teams could hoist the trophy.

Let’s take a look at a few perennial contenders in alphabetical order, all of whom have the ability to win it all. One of the exciting aspects of the 2023 event is that no team is perfect, with strengths and weaknesses that should make for instant classics.

Australia

Players to watch

Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Mary Fowler

Why they could win the World Cup

The Matildas have arguably never looked more comfortable going into a major tournament as they have in 2023. Manager Tony Gustavsson has the team firing on almost all cylinders, with wins over Spain, England and France in friendlies just this calendar year. Australia as a group has the creative instincts and forward-facing talent that allow them to score at will against even the most seasoned backlines. They’ve integrated younger players into the squad to shore up positions of need, and have played with a more complete style than in 2019 or even the Tokyo Olympics, with a vastly improved defensive performance in recent months. Even without star forward Sam Kerr, who strained her calf in training this week, Australia grabbed a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup opener on Thursday.

Why they won’t win the World Cup

Heavy is the head that wears the host’s crown at a World Cup, with no host country winning the event on the women’s side since the U.S. achieved the feat in 1999. While the Matildas will have home-crowd advantage throughout the tournament, they’ll face an extra amount of pressure that even the steadiest teams can struggle with — the kind that also saw them falter in the 2022 Asian Cup. Australia has historically been a team that can be goaded into a shootout, with the ability to concede goals as well as score them.

Brazil forward Marta announced the 2023 World Cup will be her last. (James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

Brazil

Players to watch

Kerolin, Geyse, Rafaelle, Debinha

Why they could win the World Cup

Four years after Marta’s impassioned speech encouraging the next generation of Brazilian stars to commit to the hard work of playing for the crest, the Brazil roster looks as balanced as ever. Marta actually encouraged a number of her protégés to join her in the physical, highly transitional NWSL, where stars like Kerolin and Debinha have thrived. Passion for an elder is a galvanizing force, and Brazil will do everything in its power to win one for its legendary leader, who has announced this World Cup will be her last.

Why they won’t win the World Cup

Brazil’s weaknesses are almost baked into the team’s identity as much as their overwhelming strengths. They’re a creative team whose poise on the ball and tenacity in quick transition puts opponents on their heels. But they also can fall victim to their own approach, conceding more goals than they can score. It will take organization in the back combined with attacking fireworks to win a World Cup.

Canada

Players to watch

Kailen Sheridan, Vanessa Gilles, Ashley Lawrence, Jordyn Huitema

Why they could win the World Cup

Canada is a contender for World Cup gold for the same reason they are reigning Olympic champions: Their defensive spine is very hard to penetrate, and they have enough attacking discipline to grind out results. Coach Bev Priestman has done a very impressive job infusing the squad with a balance of youth and experience, with players from top clubs across the globe coming together to form a tight unit.

Why they won’t win the World Cup

The way Canada won Olympic gold isn’t foolproof, as the team used a defensive clampdown and penalty opportunities to keep games close and grit out wins. They’ve also had their fair share of injuries, giving them less time to gel on the pitch as in former years. They also haven’t had sufficient federation support to show up as their best selves, with few camps and friendlies in 2023 due to Canada Soccer’s financial distress. The team greatly struggled through the 2023 SheBelieves Cup tournament while playing under similar duress.

Rachel Daly and England are considered one of the favorites to win it all. (Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

England

Players to watch

Lauren James, Kiera Walsh, Alessia Russo, Millie Bright

Why they could win the World Cup

England, the reigning European champions, still appear to be the most balanced and deepest team in the world despite suffering injuries to both their defense and their frontline. Lauren James and Alessia Russo are ready for significant roles in the attack, and the Lionesses’ midfield is second to none as orchestrated by maestro Kiera Walsh. They also have one of the most consistent managers in all of women’s international football in Sarina Wiegman, whose trademark as England’s coach has been a team playing with singular purpose.

Why they won’t win the World Cup

There are two main barriers between the Lionesses and their first World Cup title, and they go hand in hand. With a grueling 2022 schedule that included the fall-to-spring club seasons running alongside their Euros campaign, England suffered injuries to key players, namely captain Leah Williamson and star forward Beth Mead. Outside of obvious absences, the downside of great success is the fatigue that can follow. The postponed Euros were held only one year before this year’s World Cup, and top teams have always struggled with calendar back-to-back tournaments. England has had trouble scoring in recent friendlies, perhaps indicating that the gas tank is beginning to empty.

France

Players to watch

Wendie Renard, Grace Geyoro, Kadidiatou Diani, Selma Bacha

Why they could win the World Cup

France at times this year has looked like a squad with a new lease on life. After the effective ouster of longtime manager Corinne Diacre, once-alienated leaders have been brought back into the fold under new head coach Hervé Renard, who is well respected in both the men’s and the women’s game. France has long had the ability to dominate through possession and force tempo when necessary, and under Renard, they’ve introduced an urgency that can steamroll opponents.

Why they won’t win the World Cup

The FFF should have made the coaching change long before their hand was forced. Now, the roster has had less time to gel under new management than is ideal. France has also dealt with their share of injuries, most notably to Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Amandine Henry. If France has trouble unlocking their opponent’s defense for long stretches of play, they’ll need to avoid falling into bad patterns that have led to early exits in the past.

Lena Oberdorf, Germany’s midfield anchor, will miss the World Cup opener. (Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

Germany

Players to watch

Lena Oberdorf, Alexandra Popp, Sara Däbritz, Jule Brand

Why they could win the World Cup

In 2022, Germany turned what was supposed to be a learning experience for a young group into a run that almost ended in Euros glory. A balanced team with both rising and experienced talent, Germany has seemed to address what ailed them in 2019 by developing a much stronger spine. Lena Oberdorf is arguably the most dominant No. 6 in the world who can disrupt opposing play while resetting her team’s attack.

Why they won’t win the World Cup

When Oberdorf is not on the pitch, some of Germany’s old defensive issues persist. The center-backs can be stretched out of position, particularly in a fast-paced, highly transitional game. The team’s recent 3-2 loss to Zambia in a tune-up game is a good example of what can go wrong for the squad when Oberdorf needs to rest her legs (the midfielder will miss the tournament opener with muscle tightness). Their belief and attacking firepower never waver, but they can’t let their defensive discipline rely too much on one player who won’t play every single minute of the tournament.

Japan

Players to watch

Maika Hamano, Jun Endo, Hina Sugita, Yui Hasegawa

Why they could win the World Cup

Aesthetically, Japan has been one of the most enjoyable squads to watch in 2023. A young, hungry group with tactical flair and an impeccable ability to exploit space, Japan can progress the ball through build-up play as well as any other contender on this list. After losing ground following their 2011 World Cup win and 2015 World Cup final appearance, the roster has been completely refreshed under new management after a disappointing Tokyo Olympic campaign. Japan’s approach has been to lean into what is already working on the youth levels, and they’re beginning to see results.

Why they won’t win the World Cup

This World Cup may have simply come a little too soon for a project that needs more time. Currently, Japan is a team that makes the hard parts look easy and the easy parts look difficult, as they try to convert their dominance in between the penalty areas into comfortable wins. Japan has a few lethal attackers, particularly on the wings, but it would take a big step forward in real time for the team to overcome opponents who have had more time to prepare.

Spain star Alexia Putellas returned to the roster from an ACL injury just in time for the World Cup. (Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Spain

Players to watch

Alexia Putellas, Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmati, Salma Paralluelo

Why they could win the World Cup

If you’ve been following the domestic game in Europe over the last four years, Spain’s ascendency into the upper echelon of international soccer has been all but guaranteed. Spain’s roster pulls heavily from domestic talent developed through the country’s two main powerhouses, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, who have been the premier clubs in the world in recent years. They can move the ball with ease and control games well after taking leads through passing combinations.

Why they won’t win the World Cup

Unlike France, Spain’s federation has stuck with embattled manager Jorge Vilda after a number of stars refused call-ups to the team over their unhappiness with the direction of the squad. RFEF’s refusal to concede to player concerns has already had quantifiable impact, with sure starters Patricia Guijarro and Mapi Leon choosing to sit the tournament out in protest. In short, Spain might still be talented enough to fight through adversity, but the federation’s refusal to get out of their own way greatly hampers the team’s potential.

Sweden

Players to watch

Fridolina Rolfö, Stina Blackstenius, Magdalena Eriksson, Kosovare Asllani

Why they could win the World Cup

The USWNT’s longtime adversary, Sweden has shown their blueprint for success at a number of international tournaments. In their silver-medal performance at the Tokyo Olympics, they humbled the U.S. 3-0 in their first match of the tournament. Sweden’s willingness as a group to do the dirty work defensively to disrupt opponents and send the ball the other way has been an attribute that puts them on even footing with any opponent.

Why they won’t win the World Cup

Sweden has been another team dealing with injury: Olympic star Hanna Glas is out indefinitely as she recovers from a knee injury, and fellow defender Hanna Lundkvist recently went down in the team’s final closed-door friendly. Sweden’s dependable core of elite players are also aging, which could pose problems for the team in a difficult group-stage draw.

United States

Players to watch

Sophia Smith, Naomi Girma, Trinity Rodman, Rose Lavelle

Why they could win the World Cup

The U.S. still has one of the deepest player pools in international soccer, bringing a number of strengths to their quest for a third straight World Cup title. Their attacking firepower will be difficult to match, especially on the wings. They also had room to bring creative midfielders and specialists who can beat their opponents in a number of different ways.

Why they won’t win the World Cup

Frankly, there is a reason why no team has won three straight titles before. The U.S. will be up against their own roster rotation, injuries to key contributors, positional imbalances and the challenge of forcing tempo for a full 90 minutes. There’s also the fact that the rest of the field has grown in talent with every passing year. Unwilling to commit fully to 2023 as a development year, the U.S. under Vlatko Andonovski is trying to do many things at once, sometimes without executing those things well. It could simply take one day where the mental discipline slips, and the U.S. has to go back to the drawing board.

Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

San Diego Wave to host 2023 NWSL championship on Nov. 11

By The Athletic StaffJul 19, 202311

---

The San Diego Wave will host the 2023 NWSL championship at Snapdragon Stadium in November, the league announced Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:

• This marks the first time the NWSL’s final game will be held on the west coast since 2018.
• The championship game is scheduled for Nov. 11 and will air on CBS Sports and Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET.
• Last year’s championship was played at Audi Field in Washington D.C., where the Portland Thorns beat the Kansas City Current for their third title.

What they’re saying

“We’re thrilled to have San Diego Wave FC as our host for this season’s championship match,” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement. “With top-notch facilities, a passionate soccer community and a favorable coastal climate, San Diego sets the perfect stage for our marquee event. Many thanks to everyone at Wave FC and Snapdragon Stadium for their efforts in making this celebration of our league a reality. We look forward to welcoming fans in November for another exciting season finale.”

When are the playoffs?

The 2023 playoffs will feature the top six teams at the end of the regular season, with the top two seeds earning a first-round bye to the semifinals. The quarterfinals will begin on Oct. 22, and the semifinals will take place on Nov. 4.

Rent this Beautiful 4 BR Beach house at Myrtle Beach for as low at $250 a night.

Proud Member of the American Outlaws  https://www.facebook.com/IndyAOUnite, Brick Yard Battalion – http://brickyardbattalion.com, Sam’s Army-http://sams-army.com 

Earn Your College Degree at ½ the Cost and Time of Traditional Schools  www.achievetestprep.com/shane

NOTES

Cool to see Messi’s introduction to MLS in Miami Sunday night – even if Apple TV and Fox blew it. Here’s the full 20 minute revised very spanish heavy video in the rain .  I have to admit I am pretty excited to see Messi and his increasing # of Barcelona teammates wearing the pink & black of Miami. Indy’s own Lauren Cheney/Holiday and Jrue Holiday accept Ali Award at last week’s ESPYs.  US Ladies won Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY’s.  

Some cool commercials for the Women’s World Cup which starts Thursday are coming here’s a few What’s it gonna take to stop the US,  Frito Lays,  The World Cup, The Wait is Over ,  Alyssa Naeher Saves the day, Messi Women’s World Cup Commercial.  Lioness from England, Australia Lets Play, Austrailia/NZ.  France WC Commercial

US Women Quest for 3 Straight Starts Fri 9 pm on Fox vs Vietnam

The US Ladies will start their quest for an unprecedented 3^rd straight World Cup title down under this Friday night, at 9 pm vs Vietnam. No other team men’s or women have ever won 3 in a row – the US ladies have won back-to-back twice.  Tons of stories below about the team and the entire World Cup along with a full preview.  The US will play Fri, Wed July 27 9 pm vs Netherlands and Tues Aug 1 vs Portugal as 3 am?  So all the talk is about the world having caught up with the US in women’s soccer.  Yes all of Europe’s big leagues now have teams and Women’s Champions League is becoming a thing overseas and salaries are going up big time especially in Europe, but as I look at the top competition for the US this World Cup – I don’t see a lot of teams that worry me this summer. England and Spain both took the US behind the woodshed last summer – and beat us pretty good in friendlies.  But since then England has lost superstar Beth Mead and I saw them in person vs Brazil when they needed a last second goal to pull out a win over a Brazil team missing its 2 best players.  England is simply not the same team they were even last summer. Spain – half the team isn’t coming however a healthy Alexia Putellas, the 2021 Ballon D Or winner, should lift them to the final 4 at least. France – heck half the team quit then came back when they got their coach back – is this enough to carry the French thru to that elusive final they so desperately want .  Germany – another team that has looked just ok – they lost to Zambia in their going away game in Germany last week?   Wake up call?  Canada – still fighting with their federation over money and staying at the Day’s Inn because they’re soccer federation has no money and an aging star in Sinclair who is back for her swan song?  Brazil? They still  have Marta yes – and the defense has improved under former US coach Pia Sunhage – I do think they make a decent run into the round of 8 – but beat the US?  I know this is a young US team – with a number of first time tourney players – but I just feel like the US will absolutely make the Semi-Finals –(The US has made every Semi-Final in each WC) and should make the final.  

Shane’s Starters vs Vietnam

MLS All Star Game Tonight vs Arsenal 8 pm on Apple TV, Messi plays Fri, Leagues Cup vs Liga MX starts Friday night

The MLS All Star game kicks off tonight as the Allstars will face Arsenal.  Expect new US #9 Balogen to play if not Matt Turner in goal for Arsenal as well.  Tues night Arsenal won the All Star’s vs Arsenal Skills Challenge when American Aaron Trusty now a Gunner hit the crossbar to win it.  Of course my favorite was the Goalie Wars won by Charlotte FC’s Isaaac Walker. Oh by the way Columbus will host the next MLS Allstar game – I for 1 will plan to be there.  MLS Welcomes Messi Friday night as Miami hosts Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup action at 7 pm on Apple MLS Season Pass. Tickets range from $750 to over $10K each as the who’s who of Miami is expected to show up. Not sure why more Miami games are not being moved to FS1 – but it appears MLS is gonna ride with Apple TV MLS Season Pass it is just $39 now I think for the rest of the season.  Leagues Cup is a month long tourney pitting all club teams from MLS & Liga MX  in Group Stage games that that will lead to a round of 32 Champions League like playoff. There will be no ties as shootouts will follow each tie game.  I am decently excited to see how this turns out. 

Indy 11 Women Host W League Final @ the Mike Sat @ 2 pm

The Girls in Blue advance to the USL W League Final and have earned the right to host the North Carolina Courage U23 this Saturday, July 22 at 2 p.m. at the Mike. A stoppage time goal in the 91^st minute from former Carmel High star Alia Martin proved to be the match winner as Indy Eleven earned a 3-2 win over San Francisco Glens SC, giving the Girls in Blue their first trip to the USL W League National Final.  a great way to root on our local players like Carmel High former stars Katie and Susie Sodestrom, Casidy Lindley, Alia Martin, and Quincy McMahon along with Noblesville High’s Maddie Fancher, Sara Kile, Nona Reason, and Jenna Chatterton and other local former high school stars like Annika Creel, Rachel & Sam Dewey and more now playing college ball in the fall and summers for the Indy 11.  Full ladies Roster  Pics   Tix are just $20 for the Indy 11 Women’s game at 2 pm followed by the 7 pm game with Tampa Bay and are avail as a double header > LOL < for $20 – click here to order.

GAMES ON TV

Wed, July 19

9 am ESPN2 Man United vs Olympique Lyon

7 pm ESPN2                        Detroit City vs Louisville City USL 

7:30 pm ESPN Wrexham vs Chelsea

8 pm Apple TV                  MLS All-Stars vs Arsenal

10 pm ESPN+ World Cup Preview

Thur, July 20               Women’s World Cup Starts

3 am Fox                              New Zealand vs Norway

6 am Fox                              Australia vs Ireland

10:30 pm Fox                     Nigeria vs Canada

Fri, July 21                          

1 am FS1                              Philipines vs Switzerland

3:30 am FS1                        Spain vs Costa Rica

6 pm ESPN2 ESPNFC Women’s Soccer Special

9 pm Fox                     USWNT vs Vietnam

Sat, July 22

3 am FS1                              Zambia vs Japan

5:30 am Fox                        England vs Haiti

8 am Fox                              Denmark vs China

2 pm ??                                Indy 11 Playoff Final @ the Mike

4:30 pm ESPN Man United vs Arsenal

7 pm WRTV, ESPN+         Indy 11 vs Tampa Bay Rowdies

8 pm FS1, Univision        Philly vs Tijuana Leagues Cup                   

Sun July 23

1 am FS1                              Sweden vs South Africa

3:30 am FS1                        Netherlands vs Portugal

6 am Fox                              France vs Jamaica

7 pm FS1, Univision        NY City vs Atlas  Leagues Cup

Mon July 24

2 am FS1                              Italy vs Argentina 

4:30 am FS1                        Germany vs Morroco 

7 am FS1                              Brazil vs Panama

10 pm FS1                            Colombia vs Korea

Tues, July 25

1:30 am FS1                        New Zealand vs Phillipines

4 am FS1                              Switzerland vs Norway 

8 pm FS1, Univision         Santos Laguna vs Houston Leagues Cup

10:30 pm FS1, Uni            LA Galaxy vs Leon Leagues Cup

Wed, July 26

1 am FS1                              Japan vs Costa Rica

3:30 am FS1                        Spain vs Zambia

8 am FS1                              Canada vs Ireland

9 pm Fox                     USWNT vs Netherlands

Thur, July 27

3:30 am FS1                        Portugal vs Vietnam

6 am FS1                              Australia vs Nigeria 

8 pm FS1                              Argentina vs South Africa

8 pm ??                                Guadalajara vs Cincy Leagues Cup

10 pm FS1                            America vs St Louis City

Fri, July 28

4:30 am FS1                        England vs Denmark

7 am FS1                              China vs Haiti  

Sat, July 29

3 am FS1                              Sweden vs Italy 

6 am Fox                              France vs Brazil

8:30 am Fox                        Panama vs Jamaica 

Sun, July 30

12:30 am Fox                      Korea vs Morocco

3 am Fox                              Switzerland vs New Zealand

3 am FS1                              Norway vs Phillipines 

5:30 am FS1                        Germany vs Colombia

7 pm FS1                              Pumas vs DC United Leagues Cup

9 pm FS1                              Monterrey vs Seattle Sounders Leagues Cup

Mon, July 31

3 am Fox                              Japan vs Spain

3 am FS1                              Costa Rica vs Zambia

6 am Fox                              Canada vs Australia 

6 am FS1                              Ireland vs Nigeria

8 pm ? ?                               America vs Columbus Crew

8 pm ESPN+                        Louisville City vs Indy 11

Tues, Aug 1

3 am Fox                     United States Women vs Portugal

3 am FS1                              Vietnam vs Netherlands

7 am Fox                              England vs China

7 am FS1                              Haiti vs Denmark

Sat, Aug 5

7 pm TV 23                          Indy 11 vs Memphis- Star Wars Night

Indy 11 Schedule

NWSL Schedule

 World Cup Schedule

Soccer Saturday’s are every Sat 9-10 am on 93.5 and 107.5 FM with Greg Rakestraw

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ====================== 

Heading over to the Badger Field for Training?  Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ

Save 20% on your order 

(mention the ole ballcoach) 

Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more.  Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/ Call ahead at 317-688-7290  M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday.  Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!  

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ====================== 

US Women & World Cup

 Who should start for the USWNT? You choose! ESPNFC

2023 Women’s World Cup odds: Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica’s best futures bets Fox Sports
USWNT welcomes rivals’ improvement at WC eSPNFC Caitlin Murray

Which Team Poses Biggest Threat to USWNT ?  Fox Sports
World Cup: Why Germany and Spain are top contenders for the title

Women’s World Cup roundtable: Who is the USWNT’s most important player?

If USWNT can’t three-peat at World Cup, is Vlatko’s job safe?  ESPNFC Jeff Carlisle

Carli Lloyd’s 15 most important USWNT players

USWNT player-by-player guide: Get to know all 23 players going to World

Meet all 23 USWNT players going to the World Cup: Fun facts, insightful stats and more  ESPNFC Caitlin Murray
USWNT stars Morgan, Rapinoe and more talk expectations, plans ahead of 2023 World Cup

Who could be the breakout star for this young, talented USWNT squad?

 Meet the 23 is the Cool Series on USSoccer’s Twitter feed here’s (F)Alyssa Thompson,  (D) Sofia Huerta, GK Aubrey Kingsbury, (D) Naomi Girma, (D) Alana Cook, (M) Ashley Sanchez, (D) Emily Fox. 
Is U.S. women’s soccer ready for its toughest test? Analyzing the World Cup roster

Julie Ertz is back to take control

Vlatko Andonovski is ready to meet unimaginable expectations

Naomi Girma brings calm to USWNT defense

Lynn Williams finally gets her shot

Trinity Rodman’s ready to bring the swagger

It’s Lindsey Horan’s time to lead

Alex Morgan seeks immortality

Women’s World Cup 2023: All you need to know ESPN

The contenders: The five teams most likely to dethrone the USWNT at the World Cup

Ranked: The 25 best players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup  ESPN

2023 Women’s World Cup: Group A Preview

2023 Women’s World Cup: Group B Preview

2023 Women’s World Cup: Group C Preview

2023 Women’s World Cup: Group D Preview

Women’s World Cup Guide, Group A: New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland

Women’s World Cup Guide, Group D: England, China, Denmark, Haiti
How Haiti, amid ‘living hell’ back home, became the ultimate Women’s World Cup underdog
Germany great Popp chases World Cup glory to cap remarkable career

Julie Foudy celebrates sisterhood as U.S. women’s national team departs for World Cup

Meet all 23 USWNT players going to the World Cup: Fun facts, insightful stats and more  

USWNT: 2023 Women’s World Cup roster by the numbers

World Cup scouting report: How Vietnam could beat the USWNT  Emma HrubyJul 11, 2023

World Cup scouting report: How Portugal could beat the USWNT   Emma Hruby July 12, 2023

World Cup scouting report: How the Netherlands could beat the USWNT Emma HrubyJul 10, 2023

Trinity Rodman: ‘Everyone expects success’ from USWNT at World Cup  Emma HrubyJul 11, 2023

USWNT World Cup player preview: Get to know Ashley Sanchez

For Naomi Girma, big USWNT debut fulfills lifelong dream Emma HrubyJuly 12, 2023

USWNT World Cup player preview: Get to know Savannah DeMelo  Emma Hruby July 12, 2023 

How Emily Fox became one of the USWNT’s most reliable players  Claire Watkins July 12, 2023

Megan Rapinoe: ‘I’m feeling all the feels’ heading into final World Cup  Emma Hruby July 12, 2023

Alex Morgan: USWNT never discusses potential World Cup three-peat  Emma Hruby July 12, 2023

GM Kate Markgraf is laying the groundwork for the USWNT to win the World Cup Jeff Carlisle ESPNFC
How Trinity Rodman made her name her own
How Alex Morgan has grown from soccer’s ‘it girl’ to an American hero chasing history
The community and carpools that propelled USWNT’s Naomi Girma to the World Cup
How the USWNT past and present blazed a trail for mothers in sports

MLS

• Miami to sign Alba, still trying for Suárez deal
  Messi’s Miami Move Reveals MLS’ Progress, Problems and Prospects
  ‘La PresentaSÍon’: Inter Miami CF unveils Lionel Messi
  Sergio Busquets joins Lionel Messi at Inter Miami
• 
  Lionel Messi Officially Signs With Inter Miami, Picks a Jersey Number
  What is Leagues Cup? Explaining MLS vs. Liga MX World Cup-style tournament

Lionel Messi ‘won’t find it easy’ in MLS – Rooney

US Men & Gold Cup

How is USMNT set for new World Cup cycle? Kyle Bonagura

Did any USMNT player truly make a big splash in Gold Cup exit?

Christian Pulisic says AC Milan interest made leaving Chelsea ‘an easy decision’
Transfer Talk: USMNT’s Musah nears AC Milan move from Valencia Adam Lewis

Gimenez the hero as Mexico down Panama 1-0 to lift 9th Gold Cup
Mexico blanks Panama in gritty Gold Cup final at sold-out SoFi Stadium

Dramatic late goal gives Mexico another Gold Cup title

Indy 11

W League Recap – IND 3:2 SFG

USLW League Playoffs Bracket

Indy in the Semi’s Cue the Smoke

Recap – IND 1:1 CHS

Recap – IND 1:1 CHS

Reffing

Why will the match official be talking during World Cup games? VAR decisions explained
American refs could elevate U.S. Soccer’s standing during the Women’s World Cup  A record number of U.S. referees, including one mother of three, are on track to call games
How referees will announce VAR calls at Women’s World Cup Dale Johnson
Mike Dean joins Sky’s Soccer Saturday in move into punditry

This a pk Mexico ??

Become a Licensed High School Ref

Become a Licensed Ref with Indiana Soccer – must be over 13

Goalkeeping

Former Rutgers goalkeeper Casey Murphy cites New Jersey roots ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup

Ochoa was Legendary for Mexico in Final

Goalie Wars won by Charlotte FC’s Isaaac Walker

Isaac Walker unleashes cannon-like arm to win MLS All-Star Goalie Wars

First Round GK War Martino vs Walker

Washing Gloves

Distance on Goal Kicks Training 

PK Tips

Martin scores in stoppage time to send Indy to USL W League Final Sat @ 2 pm at the Mike

WESTFIELD, Ind. (Friday, July 14, 2023) – A stoppage time goal from former Carmel High star Alia Martin proved to be the match winner as Indy Eleven earned a 3-2 win over San Francisco Glens SC, giving the Girls in Blue their first trip to the USL W League National Final. The USL W League Valley Division Champion Indy Eleven traded goals with the Nor Cal Division Champion Glens, but it was a goal in the 91^st-minute form Martin that sealed the victory. The Girls in Blue got on the board first as Addie Chester picked up her fourth goal of the 2023 season. Maddy Williams found herself alone coming down the right side of the field and sent a cross into a crowded 18. Ella Rogers struck first, having her shot blocked, and Chester picked up the rebound to secure the early lead for the home side. Just before half, the Glens picked up the equalizer with a 40th-minute set piece goal from Nadia Gomes. The Eleven’s second go-ahead tally came via an assist from Indy’s leading goal scorer Indy native Sam Dewey, who picked up her first helper of the season on a through ball to Williams. The goal was Williams’ eighth of the season and came from a play that started with a Katie Soderstrom interception in San Francisco’s half.
Again San Francisco was able to even the score, this time it was Gomes assisting Caryn Penn on a strike from outside the 18 in the 64th minute. One more lead change would be all it took to send the Girls in Blue to the USL W League Final as center back Martin was pushed forward into the attack in stoppage time. Williams inserted herself into the play once again down the right flank and sent a ball in to Maisie Whitsett. Whitsett’s header back across the goal found Martin, who lifted a header of her own over the outstretched arms of the Glens’ goalkeeper. The goal was Martin’s first of the season and Whitsett’s third assist. Indy Eleven will host NC Courage U23 in the National Final as part of an Indy Eleven doubleheader on Saturday, July 22. NC Courage defeated Eagle FC, 4-1. The women will play at 2 p.m. ET with the men to follow at 7 p.m. against Tampa Bay. One ticket will get fans into both match-ups at Carroll Stadium.

Complete USL W Bracket & Info
USL W League – National Semifinal
Indy Eleven 3:2 San Francisco Glens SC
Friday, July 14, 2023 – 7:00 PM Grand Park Sports Complex – Westfield, Ind.
Indy Eleven: 8W-1L-1D (3-0-0) San Francisco Glens SC: 10W-1L-1D (2-1-0)
Scoring Summary
IND – Addie Chester 14’
SFG – Nadia Gomes 40’
IND – Maddy Williams (Sam Dewey) 50’
SFG – Camryn Penn (Nadia Gomes) 64’
IND – Alia Martin (Maisie Whitsett) 90+1’
Indy Eleven lineup: Nona Reason, Grace Bahr, Alia Martin, Annika Creel, Jenna Chatterton (Lizzie Sexton 80’), Sam Dewey (Maisie Whitsett 72’), Greta Krazula (Rafferty Kugler 80’), Ella Rogers, Maddy Williams (Susie Soderstrom 90+2’), Addie Chester, Katie Soderstrom

Pulisic joins AC Milan: How will the U.S. star fit at San Siro?

• Tor-Kristian Karlsen Jul 13, 2023, 01:56 PM ET

• Christian Pulisic‘s time at Chelsea is over. On Thursday July 13, AC Milan confirmed the arrival of the 24-year-old United States international. The former Borussia Dortmund prodigy shone brightly in his early days at Stamford Bridge, but the past two seasons have been beset by injuries and inconsistency — both in Pulisic’s form, and in what was asked of him, playing all over the pitch for four different managers in 2022-23 alone. So, what can he expect in San Siro? Former AS Monaco sporting director Tor-Kristian Karlsen answers that question and many more regarding Pulisic’s move to one of the most storied clubs in Europe.

Why Milan? Was there a better option?

Having struggled with recurring injuries and finding it hard to assert himself when given a rare run of games, Pulisic’s somewhat negative career trend meant that the next step was always going be backward or sideways (as much as AC Milan are still one of most followed clubs in the world). The American might face stronger competition for his preferred spot at Milan than at other clubs that apparently made concrete offers, but it’s unlikely that Lyon — one of those reportedly involved — would be able to offer similar financial conditions (estimated wages at €4 million net a year, according to reports in Italy). The allure of UEFA Champions League football, which was not on offer at the French club, was also likely to have been a decisive factor.While Napoli are favourites to retain their Scudetto, Milan are among the chasing pack. The Rossoneri lost influential midfielder Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United, but the squad is undergoing a steady rebuild, with former Chelsea teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek already presented and further new arrivals set to join; Pulisic’s USMNT colleague Yunus Musah is another possible recruit. Where will he play?

On the surface, joining Milan could look an odd choice considering their star player, Rafael Leao — who recently extended his contract and doesn’t appear to be going anywhere — thrives on the left-hand side of the attack and looks nailed on to start in the position Pulisic most favours. With the tremendously gifted Portugal international not likely to be shifted around in attack, Milan presumably see Pulisic in a No. 10 role behind the front man — either as a direct replacement for returning Real Madrid loanee Brahim Diaz or to provide more certainty than the mercurial Charles De Ketelaere. Another possibility might see Pulisic fielded as a right winger; here he would undoubtedly provide more quality on the ball than any their current alternatives. Moreover, head coach Stefano Pioli is known to tweak his formation; although he favours a 4-2-3-1, he can switch to a back three, too, which can allow for less rigid attacking patterns.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• Did any USMNT player truly make a big splash in Gold Cup exit?6dKyle Bonagura
• Messi’s MLS ride nears takeoff, and Miami readies for a new sports icon6dLuis Miguel Echegaray
• The FC 100 for 2023: Haaland, Mbappe lead our list of best men’s soccer players14dESPN

Which Milan player will benefit most from his arrival?

If he’s fielded in a No. 10 role, ironically Leao should benefit from Pulisic’s vision, combination game and ability to pick a pass behind the defensive line. Olivier Giroud, ostensibly the first-choice centre-forward and another of Pulisic’s former Chelsea teammates, would also welcome the American’s playmaking skills. Furthermore, there’s no reason Pulisic — courtesy of his excellent strike on the ball — shouldn’t be able to take his goal-scoring tally into double figures in a well-functioning Milan side.

Per ESPN Stats and Information Group, it could be a problem if Pulisic is played in wide positions given that Leao is dominant on the left flank.

Yet that’s also where Pulisic has often played in recent years for Chelsea:

Which Milan player will be hurt most from his arrival?

De Ketelaere. The young Belgium international failed to make his mark in Serie A following his high-profile €35.5m move from Club Brugge last summer, providing a meagre return of a single assist from 32 Serie A appearances. While Milan won’t give up on the tall, rangy attacking midfielder just yet, Pulisic represents more of a proven, consistent quantity.

Can Pulisic turn Milan into Serie A contenders again?

If Milan play their hand impeccably in the summer transfer market, they should at the very least shorten the 20-point gap to Napoli. Since winning the Scudetto in the spring, the Naples outfit have faced their own challenges — most importantly having to replace their successful head coach, Luciano Spalletti, with Rudi Garcia — and might still lose highly rated centre-forward Victor Osimhen before the end of the transfer period. With Juventus going through a rebuild and AS Roma, Lazio and Inter Milan lacking the resources to act with any extravagance in the transfer market, there’s very little between the big clubs, at least on paper. Will Chelsea miss him at all? Given Pulisic’s bright start at Stamford Bridge — adding such freshness in his 2019-20 debut season — he does leave the club with a sense of unfinished business and some lingering questions of what could have been. That said, at the rate Chelsea are signing new players and with the relentless battle for attacking slots, it does seem wise for both parties to go their separate ways. There’s no doubt, however, that an in-form, injury-free Pulisic could justify an important role at Chelsea. Having dropped down the pecking order, though, he’s better off rebooting his career elsewhere.

Pulisic’s output and outlook

Information courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information Group

Pulisic is coming off a disappointing season with Chelsea in which he scored one goal and had two assists in 30 games in all competitions: these were his lowest single-season totals in four seasons with Chelsea.

Christian Pulisic By Season (All Comps)

SEASON	GAMES	GOALS	ASSISTS
2019-20	34	11	7
2020-21	43	6	4
2021-22	38	8	4
2022-23	30	1	2

Christian Pulisic has dealt with a lot of turnover at the manager position in his four seasons with the club. Nevertheless, his minutes and production have all been declining.

Christian Pulisic By Season (Premier League)

SEASON	MIN.	XG/90 MIN.	G+A/90 MIN.	ATT. 3RD TAKE ON PCT.
2019-20	1,726	0.5	0.7	49%
2020-21	1,736	0.3	0.3	35%
2021-22	1,286	0.3	0.6	32%
2022-23	813	0.2	0.2	16%

Other facts:

– Pulisic would join Sergiño Dest (2022-23) and Oguchi Onyewu (2009-11) as U.S. internationals to have played for AC Milan, although Onyewu never made a Serie A appearance for the club. Pulisic’s teammate with the national team Yunus Musah has also been linked with a move to the Italian club.

– AC Milan is owned by American Gerry Cardinale, founder and managing partner of RedBird Capital Partners. He is a board member of RedBird FC, a European football and analytics platform which controls Toulouse FC in France. Despite the fact he is American, Pulisic has a Croatian passport, which means he does not take up a non-EU spot on the roster. Clubs in Serie A can only register one non-EU player without restrictions, two if one of the current non-EU players on the squad leaves. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who is English, is non-EU.

Welcome to Full Time: Everything you need to know ahead of the Women’s World Cup

By Emily Olsen, Meg Linehan, and Steph Yang 7h ago

---

Start every morning of the 2023 World Cup with Full Time passed directly to your inbox. Sign up here.

The Athletic crew battled long flights, sprinted through short layovers and has had lots of fun with time zone calculations. All this to say, we’ve made it to the future and it looks bright. I’m Emily Olsen, here with Meg Linehan and Steph Yang — welcome to Full Time!

---

Down Under Download

Meet our team

The U.S. women’s national team has settled into camp in Auckland, New Zealand.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We are pretty much fully acclimated,” USWNT midfielder Kristie Mewis told the media Monday. “We are in a good mental and physical spot. The time difference was huge but we’ve done it a million times.”

We here at The Athletic have done it a bit less. All the same, we are excited to share our team on the ground and around the world:

• All about the USWNT? You can follow Meg Linehan, Steph Yang, Jeff Rueter and Kim McCauley every step of the way
• For England, it’s mainly Charlotte Harpur, Chloe Morgan, Katie Whyatt, Jacob Whitehead and Michael Cox
• For Spain, it’s Laia Cervelló Herrero

We are also excited to introduce our guest columnists: USWNT midfielder Sam Mewis, former Tottenham defender Jenna Schillaci, Wrexham’s Paul Mullin, Arsenal and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema and former Liverpool, Everton and Brighton player Fern Whelan.

Here’s a taste of preview content the team has put together:

• The Radar: 50 players to know
  Group guides: Who’s in the group of death?
  All 32 World Cup home kits rated

The story behind the U.S.’s celeb-packed intro video

Celebrities may not be just like us, but they do know that when you get an opportunity to announce a member of the U.S.’s World Cup team, you say yes.

The USWNT’s roster was revealed in style with the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Blake Lively, John Cena and many more in a video released by U.S. Soccer. So how did they do it? Well, they called in a talent agency led by Mary-Hollis Beighley.“I think the names speak for themselves in the sense that these kinds of high-profile stars don’t do anything that they don’t want to do,” Beighley pointed out. “Everybody really was jumping at the opportunity to do it.”

But how did they decide which celebrities would introduce which players? Steph has the full story.

Meg, meanwhile, has mixed feelings about another recent video…

---

Meg’s Corner

Sophia Smith’s killer smile

Nike’s World Cup campaigns have long been appointment viewing, and this year is somehow both no different, and very different. The company has done something I’ve not seen them, or anyone really, do across an entire campaign — feature the players’ individual personalities on and off the field and get it right. (That old school Mia Hamm and Michael Jordan spot of one-upmanship is great but not really about Mia.)

ADVERTISEMENT

Sophia Smith’s video is stellar — specific and weird and so, so good. As I wrote in The Radar, don’t be surprised if Smith shows out at the 2023 World Cup — she’s an elite finisher who can kill you with a smile and a shrug. And well… just watch.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=kzXPcU2jJ4w%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Another top-class video in the series is Megan Rapinoe’s. The 2019 Ballon d’Or winner doesn’t actually feature in-person, rather she’s depicted as a motorcycle-riding, pink-haired superhero in the style of your favorite ‘80’s cartoon complete with a theme song that will get stuck in your head. (Can we please talk about the cartoon Sue Bird cameo?)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=yOOb52AJOzo%3Ffeature%3Doembed

And it’s not just USWNT players, Debinha’s security cam antics as she lives that Joga Bonito life while doing her shopping is perfectly saucy. Watch here. With this being Marta’s last World Cup, Debinha has officially found her own spotlight.Brazil forward @Debinha7 lives and breathes joga bonito, on and off the pitch.Not convinced?
Let’s roll that security footage.#JustDoIt #NikeFC pic.twitter.com/tBP7VLQiSw

— Nike Football (@nikefootball) July 13, 2023

One big issue, though: Nike’s U.S. website sells Brazil jerseys, but they don’t offer any customization options to put player names and numbers on the back. How can that be? Do they not like money?

---

World Cup Vibe Check

So what’s the vibe in USWNT camp?

Aiming for an unprecedented three-peat, surely the atmosphere within the U.S.’s training base is getting tense, right? Let’s take a look…

Photo by Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF

OK, maybe not. Even with a lot of younger players and new faces, this is a group that seems self-assured and up to the challenge. Sometimes it helps to be a little goofy when you have an intense month ahead. (Sorry to Crystal Dunn, who got absolutely nailed by the sprinkler on her way out to training, much to the suppressed delight of her teammates watching it happen.)

---

Fun Time World Cup Trivia

Test your knowledge

The World Cup is exciting, stressful, and heartbreaking. But also fun. And what’s more fun than trivia?

ADVERTISEMENT

Today’s question: With the expansion to 32 teams, which eight teams will be making their FIFA Women’s World Cup debuts in Australia and New Zealand?

Check back tomorrow for the answer!

---

Full Time First Looks

Part of the Qatar World Cup’s legacy was decided in a Zurich courtroom, six months after the tournament’s conclusion. So what lessons can the 2023 Women’s World Cup learn from Qatar?

The tournament hasn’t even begun yet and Australia is already drawing record crowds (for a warm-up match!). Steph Yang was there.

Canada’s Julia Grosso could be a key player for them in this tournament

Nigeria is involved in a three-way power struggle days before the Women’s World Cup

Christen Press shared some heartbreaking news: She’ll need another surgery. Her post is well worth reading.c(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Women’s World Cup 2023: United States team guide

Meg Linehan Jul 18, 2023

The United States are really good at winning the Women’s World Cup, having done so in half of the eight played so far — in 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019 — and never finishing lower than third, which they have done three times (they were runners-up in the other one). The 1999 tournament on home soil was a formative event in the U.S., making stars out of players such as Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain. In the most recent edition, the USWNT made headlines for big scorelines and for suing their own football federation in pursuit of equal pay. No team — men’s or women’s — has won three World Cups in a row, and that’s the exact sort of challenge this group loves to embrace.

GO DEEPER

A guide to Group E at the Women’s World Cup: The start of USWNT’s toughest challenge yet?

---

Manager

Vlatko Andonovski took over as head coach in late 2019 after many successful years coaching in the NWSL, the top U.S. club competition. Managing the number one-ranked national team in the world means massive expectations, and Andonovski stumbled during his first major tournament (the Tokyo Olympics two years ago, where the USWNT won bronze after losing to eventual gold medallists Canada in the semi-finals). Can he silence the doubters by getting it right this summer?

---

Formation

Line-up graphics will show you a 4-3-3, but on the field it can look more like a 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1, with Alex Morgan up top. Always expect overlapping runs on the wings.

---

Three key players

If the Americans do end up winning it all again this summer, they’ll thank the young guns such as forward Sophia Smith and center-back Naomi Girma. Smith has been on an outrageous run of form with NWSL champions Portland Thorns, and Andonovski expects her to be a key figure in this forward line. Girma, voted both rookie of the year and defender of the year last season in the NWSL, has a chance to show she can lead this team defensively at the age of 23.

ADVERTISEMENT

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was viewed as the weak link by opponents at the previous World Cup in France four years ago but came up with crucial saves at crucial moments. The team will need a repeat in Australia and New Zealand.

---

Notable absences

Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Swanson, Catarina Macario, Christen Press and Sam Mewis are only the start of the list of players who missed out on the final roster or even consideration entirely.

---

Strength

The USWNT will have to rely on the two major strengths that have always distinguished their team: depth and mentality. Even with all the injuries, the talent is still there.

---

Question mark

What exactly is happening in the midfield? It’s an evergreen question, complicated by concerns over Rose Lavelle’s fitness levels after nursing a knee injury for the past few months. The ideal midfield combo is Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan and Lavelle. Trouble is, of the three only Horan might be ready for a starting role initially this summer.

GO DEEPER

Rose Lavelle breaks down her most famous goal, dribble, and some back-heel assists

---

Wildcard

In a completely different direction from most teams going to this World Cup, the U.S. wildcard is a veteran player and a famous one at that: Megan Rapinoe. Though she’s 38 now and has announced that she will retire at the end of the NWSL season, Rapinoe knows how to close out games.

GO DEEPER

A decade of Megan Rapinoe shows how far women’s soccer has come

---

Qualification/recent form

Qualification came easily, but expect lots of talk about last fall’s three-game losing streak against England, Spain and Germany, devoid of the context of the NWSL abuse scandal surrounding those matches.

---

Group difficulty

Trickier than first expected, especially after their opening opponents Vietnam were only narrowly beaten 2-1 by Germany in late June. The big must-win is against 2019 World Cup finalists the Netherlands in Wellington, a game likely to decide who advances as the group winner and therefore earns a theoretically ‘easier’ game in the round of 16. Andonovski might rotate for game two against Portugal, but the U.S. can’t take that one for granted either.

---

Travel schedule

New Zealand will see quite a bit of the Americans, with their group matches bouncing between Auckland and Wellington, and their ideal run through the final bringing them back to those cities in the knockout phase. It’s definitely one of the easier travel schedules in the tournament.

---

To win the World Cup, they will need…

…a little bit of everything — and a comprehensive team performance. We thought France 2019 was their biggest challenge yet, but that has nothing on being crowned world champions for a third consecutive time.

---

Did you know?

Midfielder Savannah DeMelo, 25, was the first uncapped player to make the USWNT World Cup roster since Shannon Boxx in 2003 — and only the third overall. DeMelo could make her full international debut at this World Cup, having come on as a substitute to play 27 minutes in the 2-0 win over Wales on 9 July.

---

Possible starting XI

(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)

Meg Linehan is a senior writer for The Athletic who covers the U.S. women’s national team, the National Women’s Soccer League and more. She also hosts the weekly podcast “Full Time with Meg Linehan.” Follow Meg on Twitter @itsmeglinehan

8 teams that could stop USWNT from three-peating at 2023 World Cup

Updated Jul. 18, 2023 8:33 p.m. ET

Doug McIntyre

It speaks to the exploding growth of women’s soccer around the world that this list is as long as it is.

At the last Women’s World Cup in France in 2019, maybe five teams had a realistic shot at stopping the United States from repeating as champions. And while the top-ranked USWNT heads into the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as the clear favorite to win another title (and become the first men’s or women’s team to three-peat in the process) the Americans can expect significantly more resistance than ever at this edition of the tournament, the first to include 32 nations.Here are some of the countries that could prevent the U.S. from making history this summer.

USA vs. The World: What will it take to stop the USWNT at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?

The Netherlands  

Even without injured star striker Vivianne Miedema, the Dutch have more than enough firepower to make a deep run with former UEFA player of the year Lieke Martens spearheading the attack. There’s no doubt the Oranje will be motivated: they’d love nothing more than to pay the U.S. back for beating them in the 2019 final — a chance they’ll get on July 26 in Wellington, New Zealand (9 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). 

BabbelThe App That’s Teaching Americans Spanish In 15 Minutes A Day

Two-time Olympic gold-medalist Nikki McCray-Penson dies at 51 | FOX Sports

about:blank

about:blank

The USWNT and Netherlands will meet in both sides’ second Group E game. Favorites often slip up in group play; at the men’s World Cup last year, Argentina dropped its opener to Saudi Arabia before going on to win it all. But a Dutch upset Down Under could dent the Americans title hopes in several ways, as it would almost certainly relegate them to a second-place group finish and a likely matchup against No. 3-ranked Sweden (more on the Swedes below) in the round of 16.

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Netherlands team preview with Alexi Lalas

Sweden

Even if they don’t meet until the quarters or semis, the U.S. will probably eventually have to go through Sweden — a foe that has given them nightmares repeatedly on the global stage.   The Swedes tied the U.S. at the 2015 World Cup, then famously knocked the Americans out of the 2016 Olympics. The most recent meeting came in 2021 at the Summer Games in Tokyo, when the Blue and Yellow embarrassed the USWNT 3-0 in the group phase. Stocked with players employed by some of Europe’s biggest clubs, Sweden doesn’t fear the U.S. The underdog role suits them well, and they’ll look to play spoiler again.

Spain 

The hardest match for the USWNT at the 2019 World Cup in France wasn’t the finale. It wasn’t the extra time win over England in the semis or even that unforgettable quarterfinal triumph over the hosts in Paris at a jam-packed Parc des Princes.  No, the trickiest game came in the round of 16 against Spain, which on a scorching day in Reims outplayed the Americans for long stretches of the match before Megan Rapinoe won it with a 75th minute penalty kick. The message was sent, though. La Roja was a team on the come-up. Four years later Spain is a legit contender, which they proved last October when a squad missing injured Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and more than a dozen other regulars mired in a dispute with the Spanish Football Federation beat the U.S. 2-0 in a friendly.  With the Spaniards on the same side of the knockout bracket and Putellas and most of the others back on the roster, they’d relish another opportunity to prevent the Americans from even reaching the final.

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Spain team preview with Alexi Lalas

France  

While that epic 2019 encounter between Les Bleus and Stars and Stripes was worthy of the World Cup final, the schedule-makers didn’t see it that way. Not so this year, as the only way France and the U.S. can face off is in the Aug. 20 championship match at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Led by its towering center back and captain, Wendie Renard, France isn’t quite as potent as it was then. It won’t have home field advantage this time.  But Les Bleus have a standout coach in recently hired manager Hervé Renard (no relation) and a deep, talented and experienced roster that is capable of winning a one-off match against anyone.

England 

Even before and certainly after England won the 2022 Euros, the Lionesses have been seen as perhaps the greatest threat to the Americans hopes of claiming a third straight title — a sentiment that was only reinforced by the USWNT’s 2-1 defeat in a friendly in London last fall.  The feeling has lessened considerably since England lost three key contributors — playmaker Fran Kirby, forward Beth Mead and defender/midfelder Leah Williamson — to injures that will prevent them from participating in this World Cup. But the Lionesses still have Lucy Bronze, captain Millie Bright and most of the rest of the roster that won the country’s only trophy, men’s or women’s, in more than half a century.  England’s lack of championship swagger was noticeable in 2019, but the U.S. still needed an Alyssa Naeher penalty save in extra time to eliminate England in the semis. Should they meet in the decisive match Down Under, it won’t be. 

How have England, France & company caught up to USWNT?

Norway 

The Norwegians aren’t the powerhouse they were when they won the 1995 World Cup or stunned the U.S. in the final of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.  But 12th ranked Norway will have Ada Hegerberg, the former Ballon d’Or winner who didn’t participate at France 2019 because of an equal dispute with the county’s governing body, at this World Cup. And the supporting cast around Hegerberg is good enough that it could cause the U.S. problems if the Americans run into them in the knockout stage.  

Australia

The Matildas are ranked just 10th in the world by FIFA, but don’t discount the power of playing on home soil. Australia will be serenaded in raucous stadiums packed with partisan supporters throughout the tournament — an advantage that would be most pronounced at the final in Sydney, when more than 83,000 fans are expected.   And in star goalscorer Sam Kerr, the Aussies have one of the best players on the planet, a striker who can win a match by herself. Though other teams might be more talented from top to bottom, the USWNT would be forgiven for preferring any other opponent should they reach the title game. Should both the U.S. and Matildas make it that far, the Americans will be up against not just the 11 Australians on the field, but the entire country of almost 27 million.

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Australia team preview with Alexi Lalas

Germany 

It remains curious that the nation that sits right behind the No. 1 Americans in the FIFA ranking isn’t getting talked up nearly as much as the likes of England or France. Not that Germany will care.  

Fronted by all-world striker Alexandra Popp, the Germans aren’t flashy. But what they lack in style they make up for in substance with a roster filled with women who are as technical, physical and experienced as any in the 32-nation field.  Germany also has a point to prove after losing to England in the final of last summer’s European Championship — an event it has won more than every other country on the continent combined. Adding a third World Cup title next month in Australia would more than make up for it.

Doug McIntyre is a soccer writer for FOX Sports. Before joining FOX Sports in 2021, he was a staff writer with ESPN and Yahoo Sports and he has covered United States men’s and women’s national teams at multiple FIFA World Cups. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.

Women’s World Cup 2023: Guide to Group E – US Group

Jeff Rueter Jul 12, 2023

Group E: United States (FIFA world ranking: 1), Netherlands (9), Portugal (21), Vietnam (32)

While past tournaments have carried a “United States vs The World” vibe, the same can’t be said this time around. Yes, the four-time champions are among the favorites to return from Oceania with silverware, but a changing player pool and the continued growth of other nations will make this among the toughest challenges they have faced in recent memory.The draw gave them an instant statement match-up: a rematch of 2019’s final against the Netherlands. The Oranje had a bit of a hiccup over the past cycle, failing to defend their European Championship title from 2017 with a meek exit in last summer’s quarter-finals. Their date with the U.S. in the group stage’s second matchday is undoubtedly circled repeatedly in red ink, a chance to remind the world they should be among the favorites.Beyond the headliners, you’ll find Portugal and Vietnam each making their first Women’s World Cup appearance. It ensures that each team among the quartet has emotional investment beyond the usual highs of a World Cup qualifier — and could lead to some unforgettable matches in the tournament’s early stages.

---

Fixtures in full

• July 21/22: U.S. v Vietnam (21:00 ET/02:00 BST, ).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 23: Netherlands v Portugal (03:30 ET/08:30 BST).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FS1 and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 26/27: U.S. v Netherlands (21:00 ET/02:00 BST).
  Watch on the BBC in UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 27: Portugal v Vietnam (03:30 ET/08:30 BST).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• August 1: Portugal v U.S. (03:00 ET/08:00 BST).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• August 1: Vietnam v Netherlands (03:00 ET/08:00 BST).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.

---

The favourites are…

The defending champions. Even without a trio of injured world-class players (playmaker Catarina Macario, otherworldly attacker Mallory Swanson and all-around midfield stabilizer Sam Mewis), the United States remain among the deepest and most talented rosters in the tournament. Vlatko Andonovski has faced the same criticisms as his predecessor Jill Ellis (specifically, whether or not he’s getting the most out of the players he fields) but all the same: anything less than a return to the final would be a poor showing.

---

The standout match is likely to be…

It’s too easy to pick the rematch of the 2019 World Cup final, especially when there’s another possible grudge match to pick. The Netherlands enter at a serious disadvantage having lost Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema to an anterior cruciate ligament injury — the type of scenario which can open the door for upsets. No team is better equipped for the challenge than Portugal, who came back from a 2-0 deficit against the Dutch in last summer’s European Championship group stage, only to fall to a 3-2 defeat. Paired with the hype of Portugal’s Women’s World Cup debut, facing a continental rival in the group-stage opener could give the defending silver medalists a tough challenge from the start.

---

This group’s galactico is…

How does one pick with both previous World Cup finalists in the same group? Is the United States’ best (healthy) forward Sophia Smith or Alex Morgan? Will Rose Lavelle build on her breakout 2019 performance? How will co-captain Lindsey Horan fare donning the fabled No 10 shirt? Will Jill Roord steal the Dutch spotlight from team-mates Lieke Martens and Danielle van de Donk? What will Jessica Silva do as an encore from her and Portugal’s breakout at the European Championship?

Forget the galaxy analogy. There’s an entire universe worth of stars on display in Group E.

Sophia Smith is set to make her Women’s World Cup debut (Photo: Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

---

This could be a breakthrough tournament for…

While she’s a known quantity domestically after winning defender of the year in her rookie season, Naomi Girma will abruptly begin what should be a fruitful career as the nation’s top center-back in Becky Sauerbrunn’s absence. The San Diego Wave defender can do a bit of everything in the role, providing poise beyond her 23 years and holding her own against veteran attackers. A special nod to forward Alyssa Thompson, who is the first teenager to make a United States roster for a Women’s World Cup since 1995.

---

A story to look out for is…

While many of the first-time qualifiers feature players who line up for clubs abroad, Vietnam qualified with a roster filled with domestic league regulars. They did so with their first run to an AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final, beating Thailand and Chinese Taipei in the play-off to land a coveted qualification spot. That said, don’t expect them to be the next side to fall victim to a double-digit blowout against the United States. In June Vietnam played Germany and were only beaten 2-1, despite the favorites playing on home soil. While Portugal will be the more known quantity after their European Championship showing, both tournament newcomers are up to the task.

---

You might not know this but…

For all of their success on the men’s side of the sport, it took Portugal until the early 2010s to truly take the women’s game seriously. Since Francisco Neto was appointed as head coach in 2014, A Selecao das Quinas have qualified for both European Championships and, now, a first World Cup. (Top photos: Getty Images, design: Eamonn Dalton)

Women’s World Cup 2023: Guide to Group B – group of death?

Jeff Rueter Jul 10, 2023

Group B: Australia (FIFA world ranking: 10), Canada (seven), Nigeria (40), Republic of Ireland (22)

Australia have plenty of reasons to be optimistic heading into a tournament they are co-hosting with New Zealand. The Matildas, as the Australian women’s team are known, have advanced to this event’s knockout phase on the past four occasions, with their round-of-16 exit in France four years ago, against Norway on penalties, ending a three-World Cup streak of last-eight appearances. Led by one of the world’s most in-form strikers in Sam Kerr, Australia will hope that abrupt end to their 2019 tournament was an aberration which can be remedied on home soil. However, just getting out of this group will not be a sure thing. For all their fortune of being able to play in their own backyard, the draw wasn’t nearly as generous. Australia got the highest-ranked teams from Pot 2 (Canada) and Pot 4 (Nigeria) while the Republic of Ireland were one of Pot 3’s higher-ranked sides. It arguably makes this the tournament’s ‘Group of Death’, as all four teams can chart a realistic course to the knockouts. Groups headed up by a host nation always provide some of the best atmospheres in a tournament’s first round and the calibre of opponent should make any of Australia’s matches appointment viewing. Of this quartet, three made it to the last 16 at the previous World Cup, while Ireland have made up for missing that tournament and the European Championship a year ago by returning to the field this time around. This is arguably the toughest group to predict at World Cup 2023, and that is a beautiful thing.

---

Fixtures in full

• July 20: Australia v Republic of Ireland (11:00 BST, 06:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 21 (July 20): Nigeria v Canada (03:30 BST, 22:30 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FOX and Universo in the U.S.
• July 26: Canada v Republic of Ireland (13:00 BST, 08:00 ET).
  Watch on the ITV in UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• July 27: Australia v Nigeria (11:00 BST, 06:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• July 31: Canada v Australia (11:00 BST, 06:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 31: Republic of Ireland v Nigeria (11:00 BST, 06:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.

---

The favourites are…

With apologies to the co-hosts, their guests from the opposite corner of the Mercator will likely set the standard for Group B. Even without star forward Janine Beckie (who suffered a torn ACL knee ligament in March), Canada have capable scorers in Adriana Leon, Jordyn Huitema and ageless wonder Christine Sinclair, who will be playing in her sixth World Cup at age 40. Midfielders Sophie Schmidt and Jessie Fleming enter with a combined 336 caps — impressive, certainly, yet only narrowly exceeding Sinclair’s mind-boggling individual tally of 323. Having won gold at the Olympics in Tokyo two years ago, they’ll have similarly high aims this summer.

---

The standout match is likely to be…

Is it too easy to just say “all of them”? Fine. Assuming Canada live up to the pre-tournament billing as potential semi-finalists, Australia’s path to the knockout rounds will likely require all three points from their opener against the Irish, which is just the second match of this World Cup overall. And getting a win won’t be easy: the Republic of Ireland are playing in their first major tournament and were tough opposition for Women’s World Cup holders the United States in a pair of friendlies in April, losing 2-0 and 1-0. This is the kind of match-up which screams “spoiler earns a draw” — a result which could sink Australia’s hopes of advancing.

---

This group’s galactico is…

Arguably the best in-box finisher in women’s football? The captain and best player of a host nation? A regular starter for a top European side? Sam Kerr won’t “break out” in this tournament by any definition, but that’s because she’s already transcended the level of fame which even the finest strikers can expect — if that wasn’t clear by her shared place on the cover of FIFA 23 with Kylian Mbappe, it was reinforced when she carried the Australian flag at King Charles III’s recent coronation.

Kerr’s ability to read space and move nimbly is second to none, and at 29 she has the veteran savvy needed to bear the responsibility of a nation at this highest level. She’s playing for both the World Cup trophy and, as less of a long shot, the Ballon d’Or.

Expect to hear a lot about Kerr for as long as Australia are still in contention.

---

This could be a breakthrough tournament for…

While Nigeria’s hopes of advancing past the group stage primarily rest on the shoulders of Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala, she does have help along the forward line. Their most recent attacking player to emerge is 21-year-old Gift Monday, who came through the same club (FC Robo in Lagos) where Oshoala had half a decade beforehand.

Gift Monday (Photo: Catherine Ivill – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Monday transitioned capably to a higher level in her 2022-23 debut European season, with three goals and three assists for Spain’s Tenerife across 1,340 minutes. Already a regular starter in the Spanish top flight, a good tournament could launch her career from the bubbling-under charts all the way to the forefront of the incoming next wave of great footballers.

---

A story to look out for is…

For all the quality their national teams show on the field, Canada Soccer is in a mess off of it.

The women’s squad went on strike earlier this year over pay equity issues and budget cuts, while both the women and the men are in talks with the federation over new collective bargaining agreements which will determine what players are paid. In late June, federation general secretary Jason de Vos said it might need to consider filing for bankruptcy protection.

Boasting a deep roster with several veteran mainstays, time will tell how the off-field turmoil will impact the reigning Olympic champions.

---

You might not know this but…

The Irish roster features an undeniable redemption story.

In 2016, Sinead Farrelly retired after being injured in a car crash; three years later, she made shockwaves worldwide when she told her story of having experienced sexual coercion and harassment when playing for coach Paul Riley at the NWSL’s Portland Thorns. The former USWNT youth international made a comeback with New York’s NWSL side Gotham FC this year, earning her first Republic of Ireland cap in April at age 33 and, now, will make a long-awaited World Cup debut.Another Ireland story to follow will be the fallout from The Athletic’s investigation into accusations of misconduct against their manager Vera Pauw during her time at Houston Dash in the NWSL.Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)

Women’s World Cup 2023: Guide to Group A

Jeff Rueter Jul 10, 2023

Group A: New Zealand (FIFA world ranking: 22), Norway (12), Switzerland (21), Philippines (53)

While some World Cup host nations would simply be thrilled with automatic qualification, New Zealand will undoubtedly be a bit more ambitious with their aims. They are used to competing at this level — 2023 will be their fifth consecutive appearance in the tournament and sixth overall since it began in 1991.However, New Zealand are yet to advance beyond the group stage, or even win a match, at the finals — and, if their start to 2023 is any indication, playing on home soil will need to play an outsized part in their quest for such advancement. To that end, unsurprisingly, their group games are all happening in New Zealand rather than in co-host Australia.Since losing all three matches in the previous World Cup four years ago, New Zealand have undergone an evolution.Long-time mainstay Abby Erceg retired (again, having done so once in 2017) from international football in January at age 33, although a trio of similarly veteran members (Ali Riley, Betsy Hassett and Annalie Longo, who all made their debuts between 2006 and 2008) are all involved, while Ria Percival tries to make up for over a year of lost action due to an ACL knee injury. Percival made the squad but whether she gets cleared to actually play or not, a balanced Group A may be difficult to advance from for a side who have won just once in their last 11 matches (losing eight of them).

Any group with a host nation in it is bound to be interesting. By virtue of them being the seeded team, tournaments in which a non-elite national team serve as hosts result in a more balanced and less top-heavy quartet. That is great news for Norway, whose FIFA ranking of 12th is the best of these four sides. Fortunately for New Zealand, whose ranking would have placed them near the top of Pot Three for this tournament if hosts didn’t jump the queue, their most recent win (on September 6, 2022) came over the Philippines, who are in this group and making their Women’s World Cup debut.

Switzerland complete the set and are narrow favourites to advance with Norway ahead of New Zealand, although they didn’t qualify for the World Cup in 2019 and failed to advance from their group in last summer’s European Championship.

---

Fixtures in full

• 20 July : New Zealand v Norway (08:00 BST, 03:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in UK, FOX and Telemundo in U.S.
• 21 July: Philippines v Switzerland (06:00 BST, 01:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in UK, FS1 and Universo in U.S.
• 25 July: New Zealand v Philippines (06:30 BST, 01:30 ET).
  Watch on ITV in UK, FS1 and Universo in U.S.
• 25 July: Switzerland v Norway (09:00 BST, 04:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in UK, FS1 and Telemundo in U.S.
• 30 July: Norway v Philippines (08:00 BST, 03:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in UK, FS1 and Universo in U.S.
• 30 July: Switzerland v New Zealand (08:00 BST, 03:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in UK, FOX and Telemundo in U.S.

---

The favourites are…

Norway, by some margin. Last summer’s Euros brought disappointment despite winning their group opener against Northern Ireland 4-1. An 8-0 thrashing by eventual champions England in match two was too much of a mental hurdle to overcome in the four days before the group finale and they were knocked out with a 1-0 loss to Austria. Their form has been up and down since, but a 2-0 win away to the Netherlands in November reminded the world that Norway have genuine quality. They managed draws with France and Sweden earlier this year as well.

ADVERTISEMENT

There’s plenty of talent beyond their headliner (more on her in a second), including Chelsea duo Maren Mjelde and Guro Reiten, Manchester City’s Julie Blakstad and Frida Maanum of Arsenal. Tricky winger Caroline Graham Hansen had a knee injury scare in April but came back swiftly to start Barcelona’s Champions League final win last month.

If they live up to expectations as the group’s frontrunners, Norway could be tough opponents in the knockouts.

---

The standout match is likely to be…

A potential losers-go-out affair on the group’s third matchday between Switzerland and New Zealand. As stated, the Swiss have the narrow edge in the FIFA rankings but have drawn five and lost two since securing qualification by squeezing past Wales in one of October’s three UEFA play-off finals. Although their defence and midfield are built around the Arsenal duo Noelle Maritz and Lia Walti, whether or not they advance for a second time in their two World Cups (having done so in 2015) will hinge on a steady stable of attackers. Ramona Bachmann and Ana Maria Crnogorcevic feature regularly for Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona respectively, while Fabienne Humm of FC Zurich has been a mainstay for a decade and Aston Villa’s Alisha Lehmann provides a capable pressing option from the bench.

If those two sides are neck-and-neck after two games, it could give the home faithful in Dunedin a chance to nudge their team closer to a long-awaited knockout phase appearance.

---

The group’s galactico

For all the other quality players listed in Norway’s section of this article, none comes close to overshadowing their star. Ada Hegerberg is among the best in any group in this year’s tournament, the first-ever Ballon d’Or Feminin winner (in 2018) and the Women’s Champions League’s record goalscorer with 59. Now 27, Hegerberg spent five years away from the national team from 2017 following a dispute with the Norwegian federation over its treatment of women’s football — two years after she first broke out with three goals at the 2015 World Cup.

Now back in the fold, her form will go a long way towards determining how far Norway get. She shook off an injury scare in an April friendly against Sweden to score two goals and add an assist in 122 league minutes of action in Lyon’s final three games of the season and should be good to go by the time Group A starts. A clinical finisher who can find space expertly, Hegerberg’s return to the World Cup stage could extend into at least the tournament’s last eight if all goes to plan.

---

This could be a breakout tournament for…

All eyes were on Julie Blakstad in January 2022 when she made a headline-grabbing move to Manchester City. By then, she was already a goalscoring senior international for Norway after rising up the ranks from third-division Ottestad to Toppserien sides FL Fart and Rosenberg. It turned out she needed additional development time, spending much of 2023 on loan with BK Hacken in Sweden. A left-winger for her club but often used at left-back for Norway, she proved to be a strong two-way wide defender in the 2022 European Championship. Wherever she gets her minutes in this World Cup, it will be a great chance to show her readiness for a more regular role with City.

---

A story to look out for

For the first time, the Philippines will participate in a Women’s World Cup, qualifying by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 Asian Cup. It was not an entirely smooth tournament, as they were beaten 4-0 by Australia and advanced to the semis via a penalty shootout win over Chinese Taipei.

A couple of the players in their squad play for American colleges: forward Isabella Flanigan (West Virginia) and goalkeeper Kaiya Jota (Stanford), while defender Maya Alcantara (Georgetown) is one of the named reserves. Another two also play in the U.S.: defender Alicia Barker (formerly of the University of Illinois) plays for Seattle-based amateur club Pacific Northwest SC, while 16-year-old Isabella Pasion, another of the reserves, is at high school near Dallas, Texas.

---

You might not know this but…

Norway are one of four nations to win this tournament — alongside the United States (four times), Germany (twice) and Japan — having done so in Sweden in 1995 by a staggering aggregate scoreline of 23 goals to one across their six matches. That side’s star midfielder, Hege Riise, took over as Norway Women’s head coach following last summer’s Euros. Riise still holds the national record with 188 caps.

(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)

Women’s World Cup 2023: Guide to Group C

Florence Lloyd-HughesJul 11, 2023

Group C: Spain (FIFA world ranking: 6), Japan (11), Costa Rica (36), Zambia (77)

Group C is wide open, considering the relative inconsistency, unpredictability and chaos surrounding some of the teams in this group. Spain are the favourites, but given the continued dispute between the national federation, head coach Jorge Vilda and some key players, it’s unclear how they might fare. If Spain do struggle, it could open the door for a surprise package to charge through.

---

Fixtures in full

• July 21: Spain v Costa Rica (08:30 BST, 03:30 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FS1 and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 22: Zambia v Japan (08:00 BST, 03:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• July 26: Japan v Costa Rica (06:00 BST, 01:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• July 26: Spain v Zambia (08:30 BST, 03:30 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FS1 and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 31: Costa Rica v Zambia (08:00 BST, 03:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• July 31: Japan v Spain (08:00 BST, 03:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.

---

The standout match is likely to be…

The opening fixture in this group is Spain vs Costa Rica, and it could be an exciting start to the tournament. The inexperience and rawness of Costa Rica could cause a troubled Spanish side problems and see them off to a shaky start. It has been a positive few years for Costa Rica, including a fourth-place finish at the 2022 CONCACAF Championship, but they have historically struggled against stronger opposition.

---

A story to look out for…

The chaos surrounding Spain. Last year, 15 players from the national-team squad sent an email to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) saying they did not want to be selected again until there were massive changes in the team’s coaching structure.

ADVERTISEMENT

That original list of players included some of Spain’s biggest and best names, such as Barcelona team-mates Patri Guijarro, Sandra Panos, Mapi Leon, Claudia Pina, Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey. Some of the 15 have since recommitted to the team and will be part of the World Cup squad but Leon, Guijarro and Pina all opted to miss this tournament.

Even without some of their Barcelona core, Spain have plenty of individual talent and that should be enough to get them to the round of 16 at least. But how deep they go in this tournament will depend on how they can ride through the disarray that surrounds them and work with Vilda.

Spain have never made it to the quarter-finals of a Women’s World Cup, albeit they have qualified only twice before getting to this one.

---

This group’s galactico is…

Alexia Putellas heads into this World Cup as a back-to-back Ballon d’Or Feminin winner and having just celebrated her second Champions League triumph in three years. She is the biggest name in women’s football and the fact she returned only in April from a 10-month absence because of an ACL injury — and is making a comeback amid an internal dispute involving her team-mates — makes this tournament even more dramatic for the Barcelona midfielder. This is not her first major tournament with Spain, having played at the past two World Cups and Euro 2017, but this time her star has reached new heights and all eyes will be on her.

---

This could be a breakthrough tournament for…

Maika Hamano. The 19-year-old Japan forward, who will play for Chelsea next season, has been lighting up the Swedish league with Hammarby and will be one to watch this summer. She is rated as one of the best young strikers in world football, having already starred at the Under-20 World Cup a year ago. Hamano signed off at Hammarby by helping them claim a first Swedish Cup since 1995 and has been one of the most in-form strikers in Europe. With Mana Iwabuchi not making the squad, Hamano could be the answer as Japan, World Cup winners in 2011 and finalists four years later, attempt to re-establish themselves as a force at this level.

Maika Hamano on media duty for Japan (Photo: Omar Vega/Getty Images)

---

You might not know this but…

This is Zambia’s first appearance in the Women’s World Cup. At 77th in FIFA’s rankings — which is the highest they’ve ever been — the Africans are undoubtedly the minnows of Group C. Their debut on the global stage came at the Olympics in Japan two years ago and, despite conceding 10 goals in losing to the Netherlands and four in a draw with China, they still left their mark on the competition. Star striker Barbra Banda’s hat-trick against the Dutch was particularly memorable. Banda, who plays her club football in China, is a potent goalscorer and a genuine threat, but Zambia’s defence is likely to struggle against the more experienced sides in the group.

(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)

Women’s World Cup 2023: Guide to Group D

Florence Lloyd-Hughes Jul 11, 2023

Group D: England (FIFA world ranking: 4), Denmark (13), China (14), Haiti (53)

This group could provide some twists and turns given some of the issues surrounding European champions England. Since securing their first major trophy last summer, the Lionesses have lost Euro 2022 Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson to anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Those injuries add to the huge gap left by Jill Scott and Ellen White, who retired after the Euros. This World Cup feels like a transition moment for Sarina Wiegman’s team.Performances have dipped in the past few games, with England’s 30-game unbeaten run under Wiegman coming to an end against Australia in April. England could end up meeting the Matildas in the round of 16, which would be a tough early challenge. There is also a quarter-final against Germany lined up on their most likely side of the draw, which would be a major test.

---

Fixtures in full

• July 22: England v Haiti (10:30 BST, 05:30 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 22: Denmark v China (13:00 BST, 08:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FOX and Universo in the U.S.
• July 28: England v Denmark (09:30 BST, 04:30 ET).
  Watch on the BBC in UK, on FS1 and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 28: China v Haiti (12:00 BST, 07:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• August 1: China v England (12:00 BST, 07:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• August 1: Haiti v Denmark (12:00 BST, 07:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.

---

The favourites are…

England, undoubtedly but given their poor form and injury issues, expectations have taken a significant dip.

---

The standout match is likely to be…

England take on Denmark in the second round of group games and this will definitely determine who takes top spot in this group. Or, if either of them falter in their opening match, it could be a must-win to stay alive in the tournament.

---

This group’s galactico is…

Pernille Harder will once again be carrying Denmark’s attacking line and this will be her first World Cup. She looked in good form when she returned from injury for Chelsea at the end of the season and she still has a game-changing aura. At Euro 2022, we saw Denmark struggle to come up with a plan B when finding Harder didn’t work, so this summer they will need to have a bit more attacking versatility. Recent friendly wins against Sweden and Japan will definitely boost confidence heading to Australia.

---

This could be a breakthrough tournament for….

Lauren James could have a breakout tournament if she can rediscover some of her early-season form for Chelsea. James is still young (21) and raw and at times she has been frustrating to watch for both club and country, but her talent and ability is still on another level. It is unclear how James will be used by Wiegman this summer — whether she will be expected to start and deliver or become a super sub — but she has the tools to be a star in Australia.

(Photo: Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

---

A story to look out for is…

Haiti are making their Women’s World Cup debut and their journey to the tournament has been nothing short of remarkable.With little funding and amid national unrest and instability in their home country, Haiti’s women’s team managed to qualify for the World Cup via the play-off tournament earlier this year in New Zealand. They beat Senegal and Chile in dramatic fashion to secure a historic World Cup qualification, which midfielder Danielle Etienne hoped would bring “a breath of fresh air” to the nation.The team has not only had to battle the turmoil at home but also process the return of disgraced former Haitian Football Association president Yves Jean-Bart. He was banned for life by FIFA in 2020 after its ethics committee found him guilty of sexually abusing players. In February, the ban was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The decision was heavily criticised by Human Rights Watch and FIFPRO, the world players’ union.Melchie Dumornay will be the leading light for this team, who have defied all the odds to make it to Australia. The 19-year-old will be heading to Lyon after the tournament and her impressive performances for Reims have already put her on the map in Europe. She was key to Haiti’s World Cup qualification campaign and her heroic two goals against Chile, and backflip celebration, will be remembered for a long time.

---

You might not know this but…

China’s head coach is women’s football royalty. The Steel Roses are led by five-time Women’s Asian Cup winner and Olympic silver medalist Shui Qingxia. She has been in charge since 2021 and has already had success with the national team.Qingxia led them to 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup glory, their first in 16 years, after a historic victory over South Korea. She was also recently named Chinese Football Coach of the Year. China have an impressive record at the World Cup, having made it to the knockout stages at every single edition.(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)

Women’s World Cup 2023: Guide to Group 2nd group of death

Jeff Rueter Jul 12, 2023

Group F: France (FIFA world ranking: 5), Brazil (8), Jamaica (43), Panama (52)

A team with something to prove after missing expectations on home soil four years ago? Check. A nation that produces undeniable global talents but has seldom put it all together in recent tournaments? Check. A second-time qualifier led by one of the world’s top strikers? Check.

Group F is a fascinating one, for reasons both on and off the field. If Group B isn’t the consensus Group of Death choice, it’s likely due to this quartet. France will want to make amends after falling to the United States in the quarter-final four years ago in Paris. Even before that 2-1 defeat, they needed extra time to advance from the round of 16 against… Brazil, who were drawn into this group as well. The two perennial knockout qualifiers will not be able to rest on their laurels, as Jamaica will look to build on their debut in 2019 to earn a fourth game (and beyond, ideally) this time around.

GO DEEPER

Jamaica ask for crowdfunding help at Women’s World Cup

Fellow CONCACAF qualifier Panama round things out in their Women’s World Cup debut, having beaten Papua New Guinea and Paraguay in the inter-confederation play-offs. It all adds up to make for another unpredictable group — and that doesn’t even consider the off-field ramifications.

---

Fixtures in full

• July 23: France v Jamaica (11:00 BST, 06:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 24: Brazil v Panama (12:00 BST, 07:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FS1 and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 29: France v Brazil (11:00 BST, 06:00 ET).
  Watch on the BBC in UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 29: Panama v Jamaica (13:30 BST, 08:30 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• August 2: Jamaica v Brazil (11:00 BST, 06:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• August 2: Panama v France (11:00 BST, 06:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.

---

This group is interesting because…

Chaos could reign supreme in Group F. While France and Brazil always go to a World Cup with expectations and Jamaica are well-positioned to make a run to the knockouts, all three teams enter after varying degrees of turmoil between the players and their federations. France saw three crucial players threaten to retire in February as captain and defensive anchor Wendie Renard issued a statement calling for “necessary changes”.

Brazil are seeing their golden generation head towards retirement and the failures in national youth development have forced players to go abroad just to meet the requisite standard. Jamaica’s players have expressed concerns over how the federation is preparing for the tournament, particularly regarding logistics and lost friendlies to prepare properly.

---

The favourites are…

France, but we aren’t shouting it from the rafters this time around. After their captain threatened retirement, the federation hired Herve Renard (no relation) as head coach after his work in the two most recent men’s World Cups with Morocco and Saudi Arabia. Even with Wendie Renard reinstated as captain, the veteran tournament manager will have selection headaches as Lyon forward Delphine Cascarino and Marie-Antoinette Katoto will miss the tournament due to injury. A lot of things will need to coalesce on the fly, but their level of talent remains undeniable.

---

The standout match is likely to be…

If Jamaica are set on a statement tournament, they could set an early tone in their opener against France. There is every reason to think Les Bleues will still be working out the kinks as the group stage kicks off, which could leave them susceptible to an upset. Even one point against the group favorites would be a massive result for the Reggae Girlz and could set them up well if all goes to plan.

---

This group’s galactico…

This depends on your favourite part of the game. If you like a defender who is imperious in the air in both boxes and tidy on the ball, Wendie Renard is your icon. If you like tricky technical attacking midfielders who can pull off wizardry in an instant, it’s Brazil ace Debinha. If you’re all about the goals or a great player leading an underdog, look no further than Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw. There’s a little of something for everyone in this group and we’re all thankful for it.

Khadija Shaw has excelled for Manchester City (Photo: Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)

---

This could be a breakthrough tournament for…

Shaw will need help up front if the Reggae Girlz are going to pull off the upset and Jody Brown could be up for the task. The 21-year-old right-winger had a career year for the Florida State Seminoles in 2022, scoring eight goals and adding 10 assists. A capable reader of space who can calmly slot home first-time finishes, she could be a key forward for Jamaica.

---

A story to look out for is…

Again, the off-field narratives around the group’s three top sides are impossible to ignore. Looking back to the pitch, this will be a remarkable sixth World Cup for one of the game’s all-time greats. Marta has come back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament at the age of 37 to make Pia Sundhage’s Brazil squad. The six-time FIFA player of the year may not be starting given her age and injury recovery, but her likely send-off tournament comes after Brazil’s failure to win the World Cup in her first five attempts. Whenever Brazil play their last game of the tournament, it’s bound to be an emotional moment for a true legend of the sport.

---

You might not know this but…

Panama will make their World Cup debut this summer. Las Canaleras navigated the play-offs, beating Paraguay to become the final team to qualify for the tournament. The nascent state of their squad is driven home by a quick look at their experience levels, with no member of the squad having amassed more than 19 senior caps. Marta Cox is the star here, a regular starter for Liga MX Feminil side Pachuca. She wears the No 10 shirt. (Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)

Women’s World Cup 2023: Guide to Group G

Florence Lloyd-HughesJul 13, 20235

Group G: Sweden (FIFA world ranking: 3), Italy (16), Argentina (28), South Africa (54)

There is a case to be made that this is the most open group in the tournament. Sweden are the biggest hitters and will surely qualify but the identity of the team that goes through with them is much less certain. Given the inconsistent form of Italy and the buzz around South Africa, there could be a surprise coming.

---

Fixtures in full

• July 23: Sweden v South Africa (06:00 BST, 01:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• July 24: Italy v Argentina (07:00 BST, 02:00 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FS1 and Telemundo in the U.S.
• July 28 (July 27): Argentina v South Africa (01:00 BST, 20:00 ET).
  Watch on the ITV in UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• July 29: Sweden v Italy (08:30 BST, 03:30 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FS1 and Telemundo in the U.S.
• August 2: Argentina v Sweden (08:00 BST, 03:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• August 2: South Africa v Italy (08:00 BST, 03:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.

---

The favourites are…

Sweden have been building towards something special for the past few major tournaments and they will no doubt be one of the favourites to win this group and the trophy.

A silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games was followed by a third-place finish at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and a heartbreaking silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Sweden are desperate to go one better and finally dispel the “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” reputation.

Last summer, they headed into the Euros as one of the favourites for the title but were blown away by England in the semi-final. This year, expectations will still be high but there will be a nervousness about their recent results, especially a 4-0 defeat by Australia in November and a recent 1-0 loss to Denmark.

Sweden have progressed to the last four in five of the past six major tournaments and their consistency on the biggest stage makes them a threat to most sides.

---

The standout match is likely to be…

Argentina-South Africa. This group could be wide open if, as might well happen, Italy struggle. That would make Argentina-South Africa in the second round of fixtures a huge opportunity for qualification from this group. Neither side have ever won a game at a World Cup but with Italy’s recent struggles at the Euros and an under-pressure head coach in Milena Bertolini, there is definitely a chance for Argentina or South Africa to pounce.

---

This group’s galactico is…

Fridolina Rolfo. She has had another impressive season for Barcelona and is accustomed to playing and scoring at the Women’s World Cup. The question will be whether she is playing in her more natural position higher up the field for Sweden or at full-back, where she plays at Barcelona. Under Peter Gerhardsson, Sweden have evolved into an attractive and aggressive attacking side, with Rolfo a core part of that. He has tended to use her as part of a front line but her versatility makes her an unbelievable asset for any side.

---

This could be a breakthrough tournament for…

South Africa forward Thembi Kgatlana. She’s been in great form for NWSL club Racing Louisville and will be key to their attack. She missed the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final through injury and will be desperate to make an impact on the big stage. She is one of few members of their squad to play outside of South Africa. Glasgow City’s Linda Motlhalo is another.

(Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)

---

A story to look out for is…

Desiree Ellis. The inspirational head coach is a national hero in South Africa. She had experienced defeat at WAFCON as a player and a head coach but finally led her nation to glory last year as they claimed their first African title. They had a faultless campaign, winning all six of their games. Ellis is adored by fans and her squad, with midfielder Thalea Smidt recently saying Ellis “is a force to be reckoned with”.

---

You might not know this but…

Italy captain Sara Gama will not be going to the World Cup. The 34-year-old defender has more than 120 caps for her country and has competed at several major tournaments but was dropped by head coach Bertolini and missed out on a spot in the squad.

In reaction to the news, Gama posted on Instagram saying she had accepted Bertolini’s decision “despite the bitterness of these difficult hours for the ways and times in which this decision was communicated to me”.

Dropping Gama is a huge call by the already under-pressure Bertolini. It remains to be seen whether that bold decision pays off. Roma full-back Elisa Bartoli is the most likely to take on captain duties in her absence.

(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)

Women’s World Cup 2023: Guide to Group H

Florence Lloyd-Hughes The Athletic Jul 13, 2023

Group H: Germany (FIFA world ranking: 2), South Korea (17), Colombia (25), Morocco (72)

The runner-up qualification position is right up for grabs in Group H, if we assume Germany will progress in top spot. Morocco were impressive in their run to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final but realistically are further behind in their development and lack the resources of a more experienced nation like South Korea. Colombia are boosted by their recent run to the 2022 Copa America Femenina final in front of home fans.

---

Fixtures in full

• July 24: Germany v Morocco (09:30 BST, 04:30 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• July 25 (July 24): Colombia v South Korea (03:00 BST, 22:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FS1 and Universo in the U.S.
• July 30: South Korea v Morocco (05:30 BST, 00:30 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FOX and Universo in the U.S.
• July 30: Germany v Colombia (10:30 BST, 05:30 ET).
  Watch on ITV in the UK, on FS1 and Telemundo in the U.S.
• August 3: Morocco v Colombia (11:00 BST, 06:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.
• August 3: South Korea v Germany (11:00 BST, 06:00 ET).
  Watch on BBC in the UK, on FOX and Telemundo in the U.S.

---

The favourites are…

The two-time World Cup winners, eight-time European champions and Euro 2022 runners-up are the obvious favourites to top this group. The Germans were impressive at last summer’s Euros and came very close to beating England in the final. They will be out to prove themselves and avoid a repeat of their quarter-final exit in 2019, their worst performance at a Women’s World Cup.

---

The standout match is likely to be…

Colombia v South Korea. Colombia could start their tournament with a bang with victory against a stale South Korea side. There is a massive opportunity for Colombia to take this tournament by surprise and why not start in their opening game? South Korea’s tournament record is average — this is their fourth Worl Cup and they have failed to get out of the group on two of their three appearances. If either Germany or South Korea falter in their group games it could open the door for Colombia to progress to the knockout phase.

---

This group’s galactico is…

Alexandra Popp. One of Germany’s most important players, Popp is playing in her fourth Women’s World Cup. She made her debut at the 2011 tournament, featured four years later in Canada and captained her national team in France in 2019. Popp is feared by defenders all around the world. Her size and power make her a threat from anywhere on the pitch and if it had not been for a freak injury ruling her out of the Euro 2022 final, it might have been her — not England’s Beth Mead — celebrating with a winner’s medal, the Golden Ball and Golden Boot.

GO DEEPER

‘I listen to my body a lot’: Alexandra Popp is fit and ready to lead Germany at the World Cup

---

This could be a breakthrough tournament for…

Linda Caicedo is one of the most talented teenagers in world football. The 18-year-old Colombian made her national team debut at just 14 years old and has not looked back since. She was key to Colombia’s run to the Copa America Femenina final, scoring two goals, and was named in the team of the tournament.Off the pitch, the Real Madrid forward has overcome some unbelievable obstacles. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She received treatment, made a full recovery and has battled to become one of the biggest players in South America.

(Photo: Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)

---

A story to look out for is…

Ghizlane Chebbak. Following in the footsteps of her father Larbi Chebbak, who also played for Morocco, she has become one of the leading names in women’s football in Africa. The 32-year-old national team captain played a key role in her country’s run to the 2022 WAFCON final, finished top goalscorer for the tournament, was named the standout player of the group stage and was picked in the team of the tournament. She has also won Moroccan player of the year multiple times.

---

You might not know this but…

Morocco are the first Arab nation to qualify for a Women’s World Cup. (Top photo: Getty Images; design: Sam Richardson)

Rent this Beautiful 4 BR Beach house at Myrtle Beach for as low at $250 a night.

Proud Member of the American Outlaws  https://www.facebook.com/IndyAOUnite, Brick Yard Battalion – http://brickyardbattalion.com, Sam’s Army-http://sams-army.com 

Earn Your College Degree at ½ the Cost and Time of Traditional Schools  www.achievetestprep.com/shane