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- USA VS. NETHERLANDS TONIGHT 🇺🇸🇳🇱
USA VS. NETHERLANDS TONIGHT 🇺🇸🇳🇱
PLUS: Ireland eliminated from first-ever World Cup, Spain and Japan soar through Group C
Welcome to The Women’s Game, our new email newsletter, designed to deliver a concise, intelligent framing of every day of football during the World Cup so you can maximize your viewing pleasure. If you like what you read below, our only request is you forward it to a football-loving (or football-curious) friend.
It’s Wednesday, July 26th. Give us four minutes, we give you everything World Cup.
OLIMPICO GOLAZO: Katie McCabe (who else?!) scores Ireland’s first-ever World Cup goal inside of four minutes against Canada. Despite a historic start fought valiantly by an impressive, scrappy Irish side, Canada came from behind to defeat the Girls in Green, officially eliminating them from the tournament. More below.
Programming Alert: 🚨US Women’s National Team World Cup Winner Sam Mewis and Rog will Do It Live! on Amp tonight right at the final whistle of the USWNT’s second group stage match against the Dutch. We cannot wait to raise a victory pint with you and answer your questions live on the Pod. Download the AMP app or listen on your laptop HERE. You can also tell your Alexa, “Hey Alexa, play Men in Blazers” while we’re live and you can listen in.
I. USA VS. NETHERLANDS TONIGHT 🇺🇸🇳🇱(9 p.m. EST, FOX, Peacock, Telemundo)
Rose Lavelle is ready to go
In what is assuredly a positive sign, Rose Lavelle took media duties for the USA’s pre match press conference this Tuesday. Sitting alongside Vlatko Andonovski in Wellington, Rose told the gathered press: “I feel pretty good. I feel ready for the second match”.
Lavelle was sidelined with injury from April until last week, but ran in for the United States in the 63rd minute against Vietnam. Vlatko has indicated he’ll be managing her introduction carefully, but Rose looked encouragingly fit.
The sight of her running in certainly ignited a collective sigh of relief across the fanbase. And Lavelle’s creative, whimsically dangerous impact was immediately felt.
If she’s physically ready for a starting role, then including her in the XI is a no brainer. But in our Netherlands preview pod with Sam Mewis, Sam recommended caution:
“I'm not sure what the plan is, but you have to be safe with her. You're gonna need her. Whether that means she starts and plays 45 or she comes in at halftime, I'm not sure.”
Will Vlatko tamper with the lineup?
Should Rose Lavelle indeed be fit to start, she’d slot in for twice-capped Savannah DeMelo, who deputized to great effect in the attacking midfield role (Listen to Savannah’s “Direct from Down Under” interview with Rog HERE
But beyond DeMelo, one wonders if Vlatko intends to keep last Friday’s lineup in place, or if we’ll see a slight rotation.
Any injuries aside, it seems most likely Lavelle is the only rotation.
Though if finagling arrives it could be in the backline line and defensive midfield, potentially moving Julie Ertz forward and adding Alana Cook to pair with Girma. A shuffle along the forward line wouldn’t be unthinkable - though seems unlikely - with some combination of Smith-Williams-Rodman in place of Morgan running at the Netherlands’ back three. Smith-Morgan-Williams is also possible.
More likely, the shift arrives not in the starting lineup but in substitutions, as Lynn Williams waits to make her World Cup debut and could be the lethal difference maker from the bench.
Few key things to watch on the Dutch side
While the Netherlands did win their first match, they did so 1-0, relying on an early set piece goal from Stefanie van der Gragt to overcome the Portuguese debutantes.
Le Oranje will need to adjust in attack to face the US, not simply to improve on their 12-shot performance against Portugal. Lineth Beerensteyn (Juventus) has long been a focal point of their attacking formation, but will miss this match with an injury.
No matter who runs out to pair alongside elite-talent Lieke Martens (PSG), we are certain to see whatever centerback combination Vlatko starts tested like they haven’t been yet.
Sam Mewis identified the Dutch midfield as a place of particular depth and aggression. Danielle van de Donk (Lyon) will lead that force, likely joined by the likes of a flying Jill Roord (Wolfsburg) and tenacious Jackie Groenen (PSG). Tonight’s midfield battle could dictate the game.
Operating in a back three so far this tournament, captain Sherida Spitse was top of mind for Alex Morgan as a player that will test the US. Spitse will face an ascendant Sophia Smith flying down the left flank, though, sure to be an exciting matchup this evening.
Finally, we can expect a game that is free-flowing and far more open as both teams come out to attack. We could see more back and forth scoring than we’ve typically seen this tournament. On the other hand, that wide open play could work in the USA’s favor, as their elite forward line readies to punish on the counter.
II. The Girls in Green eliminated from the Group of Death 🇮🇪
Ireland’s first-ever World Cup appearance is one their nation can be proud of. The Girls in Green fought a pair of valiant, tenacious, never-say-die matches against top opponents in the alleged group of death, ultimately falling before both of them, making them just the third team officially eliminated.
In their World Cup debut, they ran out before 75,000+ mostly-Aussie supporters in the host nation's opening match — no easy task! But Ireland remained capable of styming Australia’s attack throughout. They looked threatening on set pieces in particular, as they fought into the waning moments of a match ultimately decided on the hairpin of a penalty halfway through.
They met their second match beneath torrential rain in Perth, where they fenced with reigning gold medalists Canada, who arrived with a ferocious point to prove having drawn their first game.
Inside of four minutes, their fearless leader Katie McCabe (whose ferocious personality near-encircles the earth) scored an Olimpico-golazo to claim early hope. But a stoppage time own-goal slipped past Ireland to call it even at the half.
Adriana Leon (Manchester United) secured Canada’s lead from behind as she finished off the assist from Sophie Schmidt in the 53rd minute.
Ireland countered to the end, conjuring chances until the last grasp of possibility slipped with the final whistle. With no chance to progress, they meet Nigeria next for a match still assured to be filled with the exciting debutante’s growing fanbase.
III. Spain and Japan soar through Group C; Costa Rica and Zambia are first teams eliminated 🇪🇸🇯🇵🇿🇲🇨🇷
Spain 5 - 0 Zambia 🇪🇸🇿🇲
La Roja’s all-time leading scorer Jenni Hermoso (Pachuca) led her team with a brace and an assist that marked 50 international goals in her 100th cap. Alba Redondo (Levante) secured a brace of her own, subbing in for Alexia Putellas (Barcelona). But Teresa Abelleira’s (Real Madrid) ninth minute rocket is a real contender for goal of the 2023 World Cup.
Japan 2 - 0 Costa Rica 🇯🇵🇨🇷
Japan rotated heavily for an easy win against Costa Rica, adding two goals in quick succession in the first half to seal their progression from the group. Japan and Spain look among the World Cup’s most fluid early contenders, and will meet next to determine who places first in Group C, as Zambia and Costa Rica became the first two teams officially knocked out.
IV. COMING UP: Australia returns and Group E fights on 🇦🇺🏆
Portugal vs. Vietnam (3:30 a.m. EST, FS1, Peacock, Universo)
The USA’s Group E completes its second round of matches as dueling debutantes meet in the middle of the night.
Australia vs. Nigeria (6 a.m. EST, FS1, Peacock, Universo)
The host nation is predicted to remain without its star striker as they meet a formidable Nigeria side, though look likely to remain favorites in their second match.
V. News and Notes
Norway’s withering World Cup is a matter of continued mystery. For a nation rife with talent, they continue to falter in major tournaments. Jeff Kassouf wrote for The Guardian about Caroline Graham Hansen’s surprise absence from this week’s squad, and her reaction to being deemed inconsequential.
Debutante World Cup side, the Philippines, won their first-ever World Cup match against New Zealand this week. Henry Bushnell investigated for Yahoo Sports the rise of a World Cup team, and how their heroes are Californians.
The BBC has apologized for a journalist’s question to Morocco’s captain, Ghizlane Chebbak (AS FAR) after asking about LGBTQ+ members of their team. It’s against the law in Morocco to be an open member of the LGBTQ+ community; a response may have put them in danger.
Zambia’s news conference was cut short following questions regarding accusations of sexual abuse against manager Bruce Mwape, as detailed by The Guardian.
Perhaps inspired by all the book-talk among USWNT players on The Women’s Game, Ella Brockway dug into the USA’s team of bookworms for The Washington Post
🇺🇸🍻 We have continued getting up at 1 in the morning to spend time one-on-one with our US stars, including Naomi Girma, Trinity Rodman, and Emily Sonnett for our series “Direct from Down Under,” Presented by our friends at Bud Light. Yesterday, we released our conversation with World Cup debutant Savannah DeMelo that is just lovely. Today, our talk with the GREAT Lindsey Horan went live ahead of the USWNT’s second match. These interviews have been a blast to tape – these players are so singular, their personalities so distinct, and perhaps it is something to do with the middle of the night taping-time, but they have often been hilarious. Know this: we asked each as many of your questions as we could. Keep sending them. LISTEN TO OUR FIRST EPISODES WITH NAOMI GIRMA, TRINITY RODMAN, AND EMILY SONNETT. 🇺🇸🍻
VI. Parting Shots
EVERYONE’S FAVORITE FRENEMY: the US squad weighs in on the NWSL opponent they’re most relieved to have on their side while wearing the US crest.
