The United States aims to win their third consecutive Women’s World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand. The holders have been a little rough lately but their outright royalty in the tournament makes them the favorites again. The most successful women’s team in history will be adding to their legacy with existing veterans and a new generation of superstars coming through.
History
The Stars and Stripes are the record holders of the FIFA Women’s World Cup winning it four times and consecutively in the last two editions. They will be going for their fifth triumph in their ninth appearance since the inaugural season of 1991. The only final USA lost was in 2011 to Japan. Never ever the side finished outside of the final four of the tournaments played. They have lost just four games in the entire Women’s World Cup history with a staggering 40 wins out of 50 games. Six-times U.S. athlete of the year, Abby Wambach is the record goal scorer for her nation in the tournament with 14 strikes spanned over four editions. Second-best scorer, Michelle Akers scored a campaign high 10 goals in the first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup while active legends like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe have nine each. Undoubtedly, the United States are the top-scoring side in the competition’s history with a massive 138 goals netted.
Previous Tournament
The USA achieved back-to-back World Cup glory in France in 2019 by defeating Euro winners Netherlands. Rapinoe from the spot on the hour mark and Rose Lavelle’s goal shortly after contributed to the 2-0 victory at Lyon. USA unleashed a rampage in the group stages scoring a staggering 18 goals in just three matches keeping clean sheet in each. 13 of those came in the opening match itself against Thailand which is their biggest margin of victory at the Women’s World Cup stage. They beat Spain, hosts France and England all by 2-1 to reach the final of the competition. The Morgan-Rapinoe duo ruled the scoring chart sharing the Golden Boot with six goals each. The latter was voted the best player of the tournament.
Qualification for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Automatic qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 was earned after the USA topped their 2022 CONCACAF W Championship group ahead of Jamaica who was qualified directly. Andonovski’s side went on to win the final 1-0 against Olympic gold medalists and fellow World Cup participant Canada with Alex Morgan scoring the decider from the penalty. USA won every game in the tournament without conceding a goal.
Preparation for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
After a dull period in losing to England, Spain and Germany consecutively last year, USA behaved like themselves in 2023 winning each of the eight warm-up matches. In their trademark fashion, they scored in every game and conceded just once. In the send-off game, before they fly to Australia and New Zealand for the event, USA picked up a 2-0 win against Wales with substitute Trinity Rodman scoring a brace.
USA Squad for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Goalkeepers: Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders: Alana Cook (OL Reign), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign)
Midfielders: Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC), Julie Ertz (Angel City FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais, FRA), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)
Forwards: Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC), Lynn Williams (Gotham FC)
Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski
Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, becoming the oldest member at 37, have made it to their fourth World Cup squad now with the former and Lindsey Horan tasked with captaincy duty. In the absence of existing captain Becky Sauerbrunn who will be missing the World Cup through a foot injury. NWSL’s most valuable player, Sophia Smith is going to share the forward line at the age of 22. Four years younger, Alyssa Thompson is also in the mix being the youngest in the squad. Another star forward, Mallory Swanson on ruthless scoring form could have been the scene if not for a long-term knee injury ruling her out. Midfielders Catarina Macario and Sam Mewis are also absent through injuries. Lynn Williams will be tasting her first Women’s World Cup at the age of 30. Along with Rapinoe and Morgan, Julie Ertz, Kelley O’Hara and Alyssa Naeher were all part of the last two Women’s World Cup trophy triumphs. With such a vast talent pool to choose from, it was always going to be difficult for coach Vlatko Andonovski to make the best selection and those left out could have easily made the cut for the greatest women’s football show on Earth.
Strength
USA’s unreal cohesion and individual brilliance are the two biggest strengths of the team which only few could match. Their repeated competition wins have given them an elite mentality that makes it difficult to shrug them off. Carrying such an in-build momentum in the Women’s World Cup with all their royalty, USA’s challenge is unmatched by the opposition. The team also ranks high in talent and depth which gives a series of options to choose from if things are not going their way. Having a number of multiple World Cup winners in the squad is a luxury no other team has. The mixture of youth and experience is also second to none. All these factors make them cut above the rest and an outright favourite to take the title again.
Weakness
Without any notable weakness in the squad, USA are their own enemy if they fail to maintain their standard at the Women’s World Cup in July. While their recent form is mesmerizing, the losses to other top nations in friendlies last year should raise eyebrows. Andonovski’s side will be taking note about the rate of development of women’s football in Europe and make sure that does not catch up. That being said, USA turns up every time in the Women’s World Cup throwing the form book out of the window being the ultimate masters in it.
Key Player: Sophia Smith
If the USA thinks of someone to add someone with the goal-scoring veterans Alex Morgan or Megan Rapinoe then Sophia Smith is the name that came to their mind. At the age of 22, the Portland Thorns forward has been on fire this season scoring 10 goals in 13 adding to her tally of 21 goals scored combining the past two campaigns. Smith’s scoring exploits have shown she can lead the frontline for the team in future. With the maturity shown in her age, it will not be a surprise if Smith turns out to be the main player of the tournament ahead of the established stars. She is already gaining a lot of experience sharing the camp with the world’s best and their tip could just be important to grab her the Golden Boot as well.
How will USA Lineup at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023?
Vlatko Andonovski will have a headache picking the best eleven for his team with competition in each position. The manager will like to place a balance between youth and experience while making the selection although veterans star are not expected to start. Hoping them to be impact subs in crucial moments of the match.
USA FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Groups & Fixtures
Group E
Netherlands
Portugal
United States
Vietnam
Fixtures
Saturday, 22 July 2023
USA vs Vietnam - Eden Park, Auckland (6:30)
Thursday, 27 July 2023
USA vs Netherlands - Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington (6:30)
Tuesday, 1 August 2023
Portugal vs USA - Eden Park, Auckland (12:30)
Prediction
USA are undisputed queens of the competition and their ways of handling the pressure will be a cut above the rest. Their superiority in every area of the pitch is hard to resist. It is their title to lose again and it is left to see whether they can continue their winning mentality for the third consecutive tournament. Also, whether the upcoming stars fall in the same line as the experienced campaigners is a thing to watch for the side. There should be no hassle in moving out from the group stages. Or the early stages of the knockout but there will be an obvious increase in the level of competition in the semi-finals and the final, provided they reach it. USA will know what to do then to win the cup again.
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