USWNT Start World Cup with 3-0 Win

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It’s Saturday, July 22nd. Give us four minutes, we give you everything World Cup.

“THIS IS MY BARBENHEIMER” Real football lovers know: Friday’s epic release wasn’t in film but in football, with the dual pandemonium of Lionel Messi in MLS and Sophia Smith in a World Cup officially unleashed. 🏆

I. USWNT 3 - 0 Vietnam. We Move. 🇺🇸 🇻🇳

The good

Despite lingering concerns of incohesion within a team reliant on individual brilliance, the USA’s first goal of the 2023 World Cup was a Powerpoint worthy display of collective achievement. Starting with indefatigable centerback Naomi Girma, Girma found Horan with a short ball before Horan spotted Morgan with a carefully placed long one. Without hesitation, Morgan entered ‘assist of the tournament’ contention with a backheel flick to Sophia Smith. Smith got in behind, collected the ball and sent it through the legs of Vietnam goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh (who had an incredible performance) to make it 1-0 in the 14th minute.

Smith also collected the US’s second goal in first half stoppage time. Once more it began with Girma, who sent a long ball into the mixer where Alex Morgan and Julie Ertz attempted to knock home a header that was punched out by Thi Kim Thanh. Smith sliced home the rebound making the score 2-0.

That first half two goal tally came as slight relief for a side denied their second when Alex Morgan stepped up to take a rather lackluster, easily saved penalty.

Lindsey Horan made it three in the 77th minute, with the assist from Smith, who is staking a claim to make this the World Cup of Sophia Smith.

Beyond the goals, positives can be found in a clean sheet resting on a match that allowed zero shots from Vietnam (compared to the US’s 28). We also saw a good bit of depth tested in the starting lineup and substitutions, with Savannah DeMelo stepping into the starting spot as a 10, after what was revealed to be a convincing performance in a behind closed doors friendly against the Philippines. Eighteen-year-old Alyssa Thompson made her World Cup debut, subbing in for Trinity Rodman in the 75th minute.

Another sign of exciting life is that Rose Lavelle looks ready to go. The creatively irreplaceable midfielder entered in the 63rd minute replacing DeMelo (as Megan Rapinoe entered for Morgan) and her impact was felt immediately. May her 90 minute appearances come quickly.

WATCH SAM MEWIS TALK ABOUT ROSE’S IMPACT IN OUR POST GAME DO IT LIVE! POD. FULL THING AVAILABLE HERE.

The concerning

With necessary caveats that overall supporters should be satisfied, a tightly contested Group E may rely on goal differential to decide who avoids Sweden immediately after the group stage. The failure to rack up more of a cushion here may leave this team regretful.

The US dominated this game, but a few more goals to show for it would have been useful. With 66% of possession and 28 shots, the US managed seven shots on target and three of them converted. With tough tests awaiting in both the Netherlands and Portugal, one hopes they’ll evolve toward a cohesive attacking dynamism (as displayed in that first goal) that becomes the rule rather than the exception.

The future

The US prepares next for a Netherlands match (Wednesday, 9 PM EDT, FOX) that will test their defensive unit. Naomi Girma paired with Julie Ertz – returned to her 2015 World Cup position — to positive effect as center backs. Will Vlatko Andonovski keep them in place as they face elite talent like Jill Roord and Lieke Martens? On the other end, Vlatko’s front three of Smith, Morgan and Rodman were effective enough to run out against the Dutch, but a key question will be whether Rose Lavelle is starting this time behind them.

II. Japan’s 5-0 victory over Zambia claims largest margin of victory Down Under 🇯🇵 🇿🇲

This World Cup has been a showcase of global parity as the game grows all over. Before Japan took the pitch, the USA and Spain’s pair of 3-0 victories marked the largest margins. But Hinata Miyazawa’s (Mynavi Sendai) brace joined Sophia Smith in the early golden boot race as Japan stunned Zambia 5-0. And the Japanese locker room afterwards showed why they are footballing Aretha Franklins.

III. England overcome Haiti 1-0 with Georgia Stanway penalty; Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay is the star of the match 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇭🇹

England’s Lionesses put to rest their goal-drought, but didn’t roar out of the gate quite as they may have hoped to. With Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay (Lyon) as perhaps the star of the match, England edged by with a penalty settled on the second attempt by Georgia Stanway. 

IV. Denmark collect first World Cup win over China with 90th minute corner 🇩🇰 🇭🇹

In a match as tightly contested as any, China and Denmark fought a match that was near even on all statistical accounts, but a 90th minute long range header off a corner sent home by Denmark’s Amalie Vangsgaard (PSG) was enough to defeat The Steel Roses 1-0.

V. COMING UP: Scouting test of American foes overnight; Netherlands, Portugal and potential knockout kryptonite Sweden launch their campaign 🇳🇱 🇵🇹 🇸🇪

🇸🇪 Sweden vs. 🇿🇦 South Africa (1AM ET, FS1, Peacock, Universo)

Sweden, the team everyone in Group E clamors to avoid meeting straight out of the group stages, sets off their campaign against the reigning AFCON Champions.

🇳🇱 Netherlands vs. 🇵🇹 Portugal (330 AM ET, FS1, Peacock, Telemundo)

The USA’s next Group E opponents face-off in the wee hours of the night in a match that will surely favor the Dutch, who reached the last World Cup final and the Portuguese, who meet their first World Cup.

🇫🇷 France vs. 🇯🇲 Jamaica (6AM ET, FOX, Peacock, Telemundo)

France are high on a list of trophy contenders this year and mark their first moments against the Reggae Girlz, who seek their first victory in their second World Cup.

VI. News and Notes

1. The New York Times broke down how FIFA’s prize money and a one-of-a-kind bargaining agreement affects the US Women’s National Team payout.

2. Haiti held the reigning European Champions to a 1-0 loss today. Henry Bushell of Yahoo Sports took a look at all they’ve overcome, and why they’re the ultimate underdog.

3. From the Guardian: Australia hopes to have Sam Kerr back for their third match, but if they go without her, can they still win the World Cup?

VII. Parting Shots

As Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan made the difference in a 3-0 victory, fans across the US celebrated. Incredible, jubilant scenes from Pittsburgh and Washington DC. This is what Women’s Football looks like in 2023 in America. And we could not love it more.