FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Team USA Preview, Predictions

Sports Interaction Staff
July 19, 2023

Host countries Australia and New Zealand will present the ninth edition of FIFA Women’s World Cup, starting July 20th and finishing August 20th. The games will be played at ten stadiums in nine cities across the two nations.

For this team preview, we’ll be taking a closer look at the United States Women’s National Team, the favourite to win it all for the third consecutive time.

The heat will be on for coach Vlatko Andonovski in his first World Cup appearance. His team brought home bronze in the 2021 Olympics, which for any other country would be reason to celebrate, but for the gold medal-laden USWNT, the third place finish was a massive disappointment. With his contract expiring at the end of this year, it would be surprising to see it renewed if Andonovski doesn’t lead this team to a Championship victory at this tournament.

Winner

EspaÃ±a -123
England +202
Australia +405

Team United States

FIFA Ranking: 1

Odds to Win: +239

2023 Record: 8-0-0

Group: E (United States, Vietnam, Netherlands, Portugal)

Previous World Cup appearances: 8

Jun 27, 2023; Carson, Calif., USA; Trinity Rodman speaks to the press on June 27, 2023 at the U.S. Women’s National Team media day. The U.S. women are looking to defend their title for the third-straight World Cup. at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans-USA TODAY

USWNT World Cup Roster

Goalkeepers: Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

Defenders: Alana Cook (OL Reign), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign)

Midfielders: Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville), Julie Ertz (Angel City FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)

Forwards: Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City), Lynn Williams (Gotham FC)

For a team that has built its success on incredible depth, it may be their most challenging World Cup yet, as over half of this year’s USWNT roster is made up of players who are playing in their first ever World Cup tournament. The squad has also been plagued by injuries, losing key fixtures like Christen Press, Tobin Heath, Becky Sauerbrunn and Mallory Swanson – just to name a few.

That said, this country produces incredible young stars – and the newcomers this year make up for their lack of experience with their superbly impressive play. Keep an eye on players like Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith, who are expected to shine as brightly (if not more so) as veterans like Alex Morgan, Kelley O’Hara, Crystal Dunn and Megan Rapinoe.