The U.S. women’s national team will start something of a surprising lineup against Vietnam, with Vlatko Andonovski taking some chances in his team selection for their World Cup opener.
Andonovski named eight of the players who started the USWNT’s 2-0 send-off win over Wales as starters at Eden Park in Auckland as the U.S. opened up their slate of Group E matches.
Julie Ertz, Trinity Rodman, and Savannah DeMelo were the new additions, with Ertz rather surprisingly chosen at center back over projected starter Alana Cook.
Rodman, meanwhile, came into the front line for Alyssa Thompson, while DeMelo was selected over Ashley Sanchez and Rose Lavelle, whose minutes are currently being limited as she completes her return from a knee injury.
USWNT lineup vs. Vietnam
(4-3-3): Naeher; Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn; DeMelo, Sullivan, Horan; Smith, Morgan, Rodman
Vietnam lineup (6-3-1): Tran Thi Kim Thanh; Tran Thi Thu Thao, Luong Thị Thu Thuong, Tran Thi Hai Linh, Tran Thi Thu, , Le Thi Diem My, Hoàng Thi Loan; Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung, Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Thai Thi Thao; Huynh Nhu
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