Tag: 2023 Women’s World Cup

USWNT player ratings: Disappointing showing vs. Netherlands ends in draw

A good start and finish sandwiched some worrying stuff for the USWNT

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.

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

Don’t make Lindsey Horan mad. You won’t like her when she’s mad

The Netherlands chose the wrong person to get angry.

With her team up 1-0 midway through the second half, Daniëlle van de Donk took Horan out with a nasty looking challenge near the sideline.

Horan was clearly displeased with the tackle from her club teammate at Lyon and two minutes later, she found the perfect response.

The USWNT captain got on the end of Rose Lavelle’s corner to nod home an equalizer her team desperately needed. After the game, she admitted that the challenge from Van de Donk had set her off.

“Me and Dan always go up against each other and it’s a physical battle,” Horan told Fox Sports after the game. “I respect her so much because that’s how it should be — it should be competitive at all times.

“So I think once we got to that tackle, all I wanted to do was score. In the heat of the moment I got a little pissed at her. But Rose put in an absolute dime and I got on the end of it. So I’m happy for the goal.”

The game ended 1-1, after which Horan and van de Donk hugged it out. There were naturally plenty of reactions one of the more memorable moments of the tournament thus far.

USWNT left with plenty of questions after frustrating Netherlands draw

The U.S. has plenty to improve if they are to ultimately win a third straight World Cup

The U.S. women’s national team is officially off to a slow start at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

After an opening win against Vietnam that was far from dazzling, the USWNT sputtered to a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in a much-anticipated rematch of the 2019 final.

A series of mistakes led to a 17th-minute opener from Jill Roord, giving the Dutch a deserved lead in a first half they mostly controlled.

The USWNT fought back in the second half, which was personified by Lindsey Horan heading home a 62nd-minute equalizer minutes after taking a heavy challenge that clearly riled her up.

Though the second half was improved, this was far from a vintage performance and will leave head coach Vlatko Andonovski with plenty to ponder — and plenty of questions to answer himself about his lineup choices and decision to only use one of his five subs.

After a spirited opening, the USWNT was punched in the mouth with a Netherlands opener that started when Andi Sullivan was bypassed far too easily in the midfield. That was compounded by a slip from Crystal Dunn, with Roord eventually scoring with the first shot on target against the USWNT at the World Cup.

It was the first time the USWNT had trailed at a World Cup since the 2011 quarterfinal against Brazil — a game they ultimately won.

At halftime Andonovski made the change many thought he’d make before the game, putting Rose Lavelle in for Savannah DeMelo. The change seemed to spark the U.S. into life, but the moment Andonovski’s team really needed came from a foul on Horan from her teammate at Lyon, Daniëlle van de Donk.

Clearly fuming at the challenge, Horan answered in the best way possible.

As the game entered its final stages the USWNT piled on the pressure in a way that it hadn’t for most of the game.

With his attackers starting to click, Andonovski decided to keep his subs in his pocket, with the likes of Lynn Williams, Alyssa Thompson, Megan Rapinoe and Ashley Sanchez not seeing the field.

Asked by Fox Sports after the game why he opted against using second-half subs, Andonovski responded: “We were in a good rhythm, we were dominating the game, we controlled the game.”

But the USWNT ultimately fell short of the win it needed to take control of Group E, which could now very well come down to goal difference. The USWNT has a two-goal advantage on the Netherlands, who can potentially surpass the U.S. if they run up the score against Vietnam in their final game.

A place in the knockout round is nearly secured, but the U.S. has plenty to improve if they are to ultimately win a third straight World Cup.

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When was the last time the USWNT lost a World Cup game?

It’s been a long time since the USWNT has lost a Women’s World Cup game.

The United States national women’s team has become one of the true dynasties in soccer over the last decade, but losses befall all teams.

When was the last time the USWNT lost a game in the FIFA Women’s World Cup?

Well, you’ll have to go all the way back to the 2011 World Cup finals when the team lost to Japan on penalty kicks, 3-1. Abby Wambach scored the lone goal in penalties for the U.S. in that game.

That’s been a long time, and the USWNT has won two-straight Women’s World Cups since that finals loss.

The USWNT is one of the most efficient teams in all of soccer, and it’s impressive that the team hasn’t lost a game outright in the Women’s World Cup since the 2011 finals.

We’ll see if that streak continues in 2023 or if another country is able to defeat the favorite to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer.

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Day 7 Recap: Spain, Japan advance easily

We already know who is advancing out of Group C, with only first place left to play for

There were three games of 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup action on Day 7 of the event, and we are officially one week into the tournament. Japan took on Costa Rica, Spain faced off against Zambia, and in the final game of Day 7, Canada went up against the Republic of Ireland.

As you look to keep up with all the action of the tournament, remember that you can get all of the information you need right here at Pro Soccer Wire! We have the TV/streaming schedule, an updated list of the group stage standings, and an updated inventory of the race for the Golden Boot.

Now, let’s get into the action of Day 7.

Katie McCabe’s stunning Olimpico goal for Ireland takes the early lead as the best World Cup 2023 goal

Some called it magnificent. Others said it was sorcery. Katie McCabe’s goal was incredible.

Some called it magnificent. Others said it was sorcery.

Simply put, Katie McCabe’s goal for the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday was incredible.

She pulled off a difficult score, netting what soccer fans like to call an Olimpico – meaning a goal scored directly from a corner kick. Olimpicos are super rare. There’s only been one scored in the men’s World Cup, in 1962. McCabe’s was the first in the women’s tournament. Megan Rapinoe has netted a pair of them for the USWNT in the Olympics, in 2012 and in 2021.

McCabe’s strike – which came in the fourth minute of Wednesday’s Group B match against Canada – was also the first-ever World Cup goal for Ireland.

Lining up at the corner to the left of the back of the goal, the left-footed McCabe took three quick steps before lofting the ball into the penalty area. Instead of meeting the head or boot of one of her teammates though, the ball kept soaring. It went over the mitts of Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan before bouncing off the far post and settling into the back of the net.

Here’s another angle:

Unfortunately, the good times wouldn’t last for Ireland. Canada won the match 2-1.

While folks might eventually forget that scoreline, McCabe’s outstanding goal should remain in the memories of soccer fans for a while.

USMNT vs Netherlands: How to watch World Cup final rematch

The Dutch will be looking for revenge after being knocked out of the last two major tournaments by the USWNT

The U.S. women’s national team and the Netherlands will face off in Wellington in one of the 2023 World Cup’s most anticipated group stage matches.

For the first time in women’s World Cup history, the two finalists from the previous tournament will meet in the group stage.

The Group E encounter is a chance for revenge for the Dutch, who lost to the USWNT in the 2019 final and were also eliminated by the U.S. at the most recent Olympics in the quarterfinal round.

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Overall, the USWNT has a record of 8W-1D-1L against the Netherlands all time.

The two teams started out their respective World Cup campaigns with wins, as the USWNT got past Vietnam 3-0 and the Netherlands defeated Portugal 1-0. If there is a winner in this match, that team will have full control of Group E, with only a draw required in their finale to lock up first place.

Finishing first in Group E will be crucial, as the runner-up will be looking at a potential last-16 matchup against Sweden — which finished third at the 2019 World Cup and second at the Olympics two years ago.

Here is everything you need to know for the match that kicks off on Wednesday night U.S. time, which is Thursday afternoon in New Zealand.

USA vs. Netherlands

  • When: Wednesday, July 26
  • Where: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, NZ
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: Fox, Telemundo, Universo, Peacock

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Graham Hansen critical of Riise as Norway’s World Cup hopes fade

Graham Hansen: “I feel I have been stepped on for a year”

Norway’s World Cup is rapidly spinning towards becoming a debacle.

The favorites in Group A suffered a stunning loss in the tournament’s first game to New Zealand, a result compounded by a flat, mystifyingly conservative performance.

Head coach Hege Riise then shocked most observers by announcing that she would be dropping Barcelona duo Caroline Graham Hansen and Ingrid Engen for their second match against Switzerland.

Norway would go on to register a scoreless draw against the Swiss, a result that only just barely kept the Gresshoppene alive in a group they were expected to stroll through.

Graham Hansen and Engen would both figure into the match as substitutes, but after the game, it sounded like that choice went down like a lead balloon.

“It’s tough. I don’t know what I can say,” Graham Hansen told broadcaster ViaPlay at full time. “There’s not much I can say, I feel like I’m standing here with my hands tied.”

“I feel I have been stepped on for a year. People talk all the time about standing together as a team and a nation, but I feel that in the last year I’ve just accepted [this treatment],” continued Graham Hansen. “I’m not going to go into who here in the press, but perhaps you understand between the lines what is happening and where the shoe is pressing.

“It’s not like you should get anything for free in this life, but I thought I had earned a certain respect. It wasn’t like that. Maybe you have to look at yourself in the mirror and believe less about myself.”

Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster TV2, Graham Hansen added that she disagreed with the rationale Riise apparently gave for the decision.

“I do not agree with the justification, or that one is put out in that way. That’s how it is,” said Graham Hansen. “I can’t create any chaos no matter how much I want to. I don’t want to be a bitter egoist who only thinks about herself.”

Reporters asked Riise about Graham Hansen’s remarks in a post-match press conference, but the coach was not inclined to discuss them at length.

“I don’t think I should comment on that. Caro will be responsible for that. I haven’t seen it or heard it, so I can’t relate to [her comments],” said Riise. “I made an assessment of what we have been working on for a long time, ever since we arrived… These are things we will handle internally. There is a lot of frustration that we didn’t win. Caroline is entitled to be frustrated and entitled to express her option.”

Hegerberg injury more trouble for Norway

Graham Hansen’s discontent isn’t Norway’s only problem. Star striker Ada Hegerberg withdrew literally during the team’s last huddle before kicking off with an apparent groin injury.

Norway scrambled to add Sophie Román Haug to their starting lineup, with Hegerberg playing no part in the match.

The Lyon forward took to social media to say that she felt “discomfort” in a sprint after the national anthems, and that there was a collective agreement that playing would have been too great a risk.

Norway may not have been listed among the absolute favorites in Australia and New Zealand, but with Graham Hansen, Engen, Hegerberg, and Chelsea playmaker Guro Reiten, they have the talent to trouble any team on the planet.

However, this rocky start to the World Cup is coming after a disastrous Euro 2022 that saw them lose 8-0 to England and crash out in the group stage. Despite her legendary status as a player during Norway’s glory days, Riise appears to be facing a daunting task to get the team back on course.

As things stand, Norway must beat the Philippines to have a chance of escaping a group they were supposed to win handily. They’ll very likely need to do so by multiple goals as well, given that a draw or a New Zealand win in the group’s other game would leave Norway tied with either the hosts or Switzerland on four points.

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Did Sam Kerr’s teammate accidentally spill the beans on her injury?

Kyra Cooney-Cross set off shockwaves with her comments on Kerr’s calf injury

There has been plenty of speculation over Sam Kerr’s calf injury, but not a lot of solid information in recent days. But one of her Australia teammates may have inadvertently given a major update on the star forward.

Kerr was ruled out of both the Matildas’ World Cup opener — an unconvincing 1-0 win over Ireland — and their second game against Nigeria after she suffered a calf issue in training the day before the Ireland game.

Australia’s FA said Kerr would be reevaluated ahead of the team’s final group match, which will come on Monday against Canada.

The Australian public has been clamoring for any information on Kerr, one of the world’s best strikers and an absolutely vital player if the Matildas are to have any hope of a deep World Cup run on home soil.

At a press conference, midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross provided an update that set off panic among some Australia fans.

“It’s unfortunate that Sam tore her calf before the game,” Cooney-Cross said.

“But as a team we’re just focusing on Nigeria and Sam’s doing her own thing to get back as quick as possible and that’s also important,” she added.

Needless to say, no Australia official had gone as far as saying that Kerr had torn her calf, and the Aussie federation quickly tried to clean up what Cooney-Cross said.

“An FA spokesperson denied Kerr had torn her calf but would not confirm the extent of the injury or a timeline for her return,” an ABC News story said.

“The spokesperson indicated Cooney-Cross was speaking colloquially and had mistakenly used the wrong phrase.”

Kerr’s status was already worrying even before the comment from Cooney-Cross. It’s never a good sign when a player is ruled out of a game a full week in advance, as Kerr was for Australia’s second game against Nigeria.

Now there will be even more nerves over the 29-year-old, who at least one Matildas player is still confident will see the field this World Cup.

“We’ll need [Kerr] in the back end of this tournament,” midfielder Katrina Gorry told reporters on Monday.

“As long as she’s staying on her plan, then we’ll stay on ours and we’ll get her there.”

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