USWNT faces Portugal in early World Cup match

August 1, 2023 Top Stories Leave a comment 0 Views

Netherlands on course to finish above the U.S.

The Netherlands is already leading 3-0 against Vietnam in the other Group E game.

Womens Soccer World Cup — The Netherlands celebrate during their game against Vietnam in Dunedin on Tuesday. Sanka Vidanagama / AFP – Getty Images

With the U.S. still tied against Portugal, that means as it stands the Netherlands would win the group with the U.S. advancing but in second place.

That would leave the U.S. facing a tougher opponent in the next round.

Portugal grows into the game

Portugal has settled into the game well after a strong start from the U.S. and just came close to scoring.

A pass in behind the U.S. defense led to a shot across Alyssa Naeher’s goal. The U.S. won’t be feeling so great about these opening 20 minutes.

Portugal looking for its first win over Team USA

In the 10 times they have faced off, Portugal has never bested Team USA.

In fact, Portugal has never scored against the U.S.

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 27: Portugal players line up for the national anthem prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between Portugal and Vietnam at Waikato Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. — Portugal players line up for the national anthem prior to the match between Portugal and Vietnam at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Thursday.Phil Walter / Getty Images

Overall, the U.S. has outscored Portugal 39-0, but two of the last four outings have been decided by only one goal.

Their last meeting was in 2021 in Houston, when the U.S. came out on top 1-0, thanks to a 76th-minute goal from Samantha Mewis.

U.S. puts Portugal under early pressure

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The U.S. has started well, winning an early corner off a cut back to Alex Morgan and already having a couple efforts on goal.

Kick off in final U.S. group game

We are underway in Eden Park with the USWNT looking to seal a place in the knockouts.

USWNT shares starting lineup

Fans gather at Eden Park for U.S. women’s soccer game

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The excitement was growing as fans gathered at Eden Park ahead of kickoff.

“Definitely gotta bring these potstickers to U.S. women’s soccer games!” said Kennedy Stomps, center, with Krista Jimenez and Wilson Griffith.

Sabrina Justen and Dan Bagnall, who live in Auckland, show their support for the women’s national team. Sabrina, a Colorado native, is a former pro footballer. “This is a magical experience to see the sport come so far. I cried!”

Chill is in the air at Eden Park

By U.S. summertime standards, it’ll be a cold evening in Auckland when the Americans and Portuguese kick off in their Group E finale at Eden Park.

It’s expected to be about 55 degrees with some wind, and gusts up to around 20 mph, that’ll make the air feel closer to 51 degrees.

U.S. makes 2 changes

Rose Lavelle will start today after entering as a substitute in the first two games of the tournament, while Lynn Williams also enters the lineup in place of Trinity Rodman.

Portugal defense says it’s ready to do its part

Portugal could use a swarming defense to try to prevent the United States from scoring the way Vietnam — unsuccessfully — played the Americans in the opener.

Portugal defender Ana Borges said her team will be prepared.

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 23: Ana Borges of Portugal runs with the ball during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between Netherlands and Portugal at Dunedin Stadium on July 23, 2023 in Dunedin, New Zealand. — Ana Borges of Portugal runs with the ball during the match between Netherlands and Portugal at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand, on July 23.Lars Baron / Getty Images

“This is the stage where we want to be. It’s against these teams that we want to play because we’re going to learn and grow from them,” Borges said. “Not saying anything about the other team, but if we weren’t prepared for this challenge, we wouldn’t be playing football.”

Similiar World Cup resumes

Portugal enters the match as a decided underdog against the Americans, despite posting scores similar to the U.S. so far this tournament.

Portugal lost, 1-0, to the Netherlands and beat Vietnam, 2-0, in results nearly mirroring the Americans’ 1-1 draw and 3-0 win over those same opponents.

U.S. has never not played on final weekend

The U.S. needs to at least draw against Portugal to move on to the knockout stage and perhaps keep alive a streak nearly as remarkable as its back-to-back World Cup titles.

The Americans have played into the final weekend of every World Cup since the tournament launched in 1991.

When the United States isn’t winning it all (as it did in 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019), it’s been in up to the end. The United States fell to Japan in penalties in the 2011 title match and lost in the semifinals before bouncing back to win third-place matches in 1995, 2003 and 2007.

That 2007 tournament was best known for the Americans’ surprising benching of goalkeeper Hope Solo for the semifinal match vs. Brazil, a move that had drastic ripple effects.

How to watch U.S. vs. Portugal

In its final match of group play, Team USA will take on Portugal.

When: 3 a.m. ET Tuesday, 7 p.m. local time

Where: Eden Park, New Zealand’s national stadium, in Auckland.

How to watch: Watch the action on Fox, Telemundo and Peacock.