US fighting for record third straight title win
The United States will have a super-sized target on their backs when the Women's World Cup kicks off later this month, with their opponents pulling out all the stops to derail their hope of an unprecedented third consecutive title.
The top-ranked Americans will attempt a feat unequalled in the men's or women's game when the tournament begins on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
The US begin their campaign against Vietnam on July 22 before facing the Netherlands, who they beat 2-0 in the 2019 final, and Portugal in Group E. "Teams fear playing the US," retired US great Carli Lloyd, an analyst for Fox Sports at the finals, told Reuters.
"What's been passed down from generation to generation is that DNA, that mentality of just never giving up."
But while some teams may fear the Americans, three critical contenders figured out how to beat them in the last year. The US suffered three straight defeats for the first time since 1993 in October and November when they fell to rivals and European Champions England and then lost to Spain and Germany.
They regrouped in the New Year, beating Olympic champions Canada, 2011 World Cup winners Japan and Brazil to lift the SheBelieves Cup thanks in large part to the attacking strength of Mallory Swanson.
But weeks after fans embraced Swanson as their new hero she tore her patella tendon, ruling her out of the tournament.
"If you had asked me before Mal Swanson went down, I would have said, (the US have) probably the highest potential possibility of winning that I have felt ever since I played," said Briana Scurry, whose critical penalty kick save at the 1999 World Cup helped the US to their second title.
Scurry, the host of the "Counterattack" podcast, told Reuters the tournament winners could come down to which team's players stay fit the longest. "It's going to be really, really difficult.
But I'm never going to bet against my team," she added.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski will rely on a young cohort to take the wheel, with 22-year-old National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) MVP Sophia Smith complementing veteran Alex Morgan.
Trinity Rodman, the highest-paid player in the NWSL, is also expected to be a key piece of the US attack at 21 years old, while fellow forward and teen phenom Alyssa Thompson is the youngest in the squad at 18 having made only three appearances.
Megan Rapinoe, top scorer at the 2019 finals, returns for her fourth World Cup.
-
North Korea says it conducted important test to develop multiple warhead missileHere's why everyone is calling hot men 'breedable' this summer《乡村振兴用地政策指南(2023年)》来了!柑沁园:聚焦道地陈皮,融合创新药食茶健Understanding Relational vs. NonSeoul welcomes UNHRC resolution on N. Korean human rightsBusquets to leave Barcelona at end of season邑葵:研发“陈皮+”健康食品,掀起康养新潮流21 Unexpected Wonders in Colorado’s Vibrant Cities and Small Towns[Weekender] Lifelong courses help with second careers
- ·21 College and University Museums
- ·供不应求!兴宁鸽进入销售旺季,售价创5年新高
- ·江会星茶业:精心做好陈皮茶,跟上市场“新”步伐
- ·Zuckerberg: Facebook's next focus is building community
- ·Google is bringing AI summaries to ‘Files’ so you can find your docs quicker
- ·TikTok users parody East Asian fetishization with 'Americacore' videos
- ·Internet collectively shouts 'too soon' after Adidas' terrible marathon email
- ·喜峰公司填补雅安岩土试验领域空白
- ·9 Festive Holiday Treats and Where to Find Them
- ·失包者浑然不觉 捡包者完璧归赵
- ·Gina Rodriguez has the internet freaking out over Carmen Sandiego thanks to this Instagram post
- ·Why Upgrading a Gaming PC Right Now is Almost Pointless
- ·[Exclusive] Samsung unsure of Suga's future as brand ambassador: source
- ·Korean foreign ministry gets several DDoS attacks from China
- ·Weird Spotify Playlists is an unexpected meme that pushes the boundaries
- ·Sim, a fierce woman with soft image
- ·Best Labor Day headphones deals: Apple, Bose, Beats, and more on sale
- ·广东冷链骨干网助力海洋牧场建设
- ·Child registration simplified for divorced families
- ·Internet collectively shouts 'too soon' after Adidas' terrible marathon email
- ·Apple to start manufacturing iPhone Pro in India, report claims
- ·Australia's back in the satellite game with a teeny tiny new launch
- ·Alcaraz vows to remain focused
- ·Djokovic 'feels good' after injury
- ·Klarna CEO reveals plan to reduce workforce by 50% and replace it with AI
- ·Facebook Workplace gets equipped with doc sharing, legal compliance and video
- ·The Techies Who Lunch
- ·Vehicle movement detected at NK nuke site: think tank
- ·Korea to take actions against Chinese retaliation over US missile system
- ·Gina Rodriguez has the internet freaking out over Carmen Sandiego thanks to this Instagram post
- ·Wordle today: The answer and hints for August 27
- ·Tumblr wants you to 'hang out and watch stuff' on its new app, Cabana
- ·Google is pulling the plug on YouTube's TV
- ·People are kissing a car on Facebook Live for a chance to win it, and yes, it's dark
- ·Get Thee to Totality: Chicago
- ·《乡村振兴用地政策指南(2023年)》来了!