What’s next for USWNT after Shebelieves Cup win?
Now for the tournament the U.S. women really want to win.
Having swept Olympic champion Canada, Brazil and Japan to win the Shebelieves Cup for a fourth consecutive year Wednesday night, the USWNT'S focus turns to this summer's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The Americans are seeking their third consecutive World Cup title, which would be a first for any team, men's or women's, and fifth overall. Only the Brazilian men, with six, would have more.
While the USWNT wasn't perfect at Shebelieves – Mallory Swanson and coach Vlatko Andonovski both talked about needing to work on the “details” – they showed glimpses of how dominant they can be when they put everything together.
Swanson outscored the other three teams on her own, finishing with four goals. When the USWNT broke Brazil's press, the flow that followed was impressive. Brazil's goal in the 90th minute Wednesday night was the first conceded by the USWNT in five games this year.
“It's about preparation for the World Cup,” Andonovski said. “The fact we were able to do well against such great opponents, all three of them, is very motivating us. We believe we still have a few things to fix and get better from it.”
There are only two games left before Andonovski names his 23-woman roster – don't get me started on why it's 23 and not 26 like the men had at their World Cup – and for all the answers he has after Shebelieves, questions remain.
Is the USWNT roster set?
Not even close.
At most, there's probably a dozen players who can be considered locks for the World Cup. Some, like Swanson, are obvious. She creates opportunities for herself, and there isn't much opponents can do to stop her. Her goal against Brazil was her seventh of the year already, matching her team-high total from all of last year.
There also are others Andonovski has suggested are going, either by his lineup choices or his praise of what they bring to the team. Outside back Emily Fox played every minute of the Shebelieves Cup, the only American who did, and has appeared in all but four of the USWNT'S last 27 games going back to October 2021.
Andonovski has raved about Megan Rapinoe's leadership, and Swanson said the in-game adjustments she's gotten from the veteran have been a factor in her success.
But it's hard to accurately predict much of the roster because so many of the USWNT'S key players have been injured. Tierna Davidson (torn ACL) trained with the team during Shebelieves and should be back to full strength by the next camp. Catarina Macario (torn ACL), Sophia Smith (foot) and Kelley O'hara (hip) are close to returning, and Christen Press (torn ACL) and Tobin Heath (leg) could be back in the mix, too.
What’s next for the USWNT?
There is one international window left before the World Cup, and the Irish Examiner reported the USWNT will host Ireland for two games in April. The teams will play April 8 in Austin, Texas, and April 11 in St. Louis.
Australia/new Zealand is Ireland's first World Cup, and it is currently ranked No. 23 in the world. The Irish are unbeaten in their last nine matches, including a 1-1 draw with Sweden in World Cup qualifying. But this match will be more about the USWNT fine-tuning things and trying to reintegrate those players who've been out with injuries.
The USWNT also will play a send-off game, typically against a team not playing in the World Cup, before it leaves for New Zealand.
Does the USWNT know who it’s playing in the World Cup yet?
Yes! The USWNT has known since
October's draw that it will face the Netherlands, its opponent in the last World Cup final, and Vietnam in Group E. Portugal earned the final spot in the group Wednesday with a playoff win over Cameroon. This is the first World Cup for both Vietnam and Portugal, which should make for an easy path out of the group for the USWNT.
What’s the USWNT’S schedule at the World Cup?
The tournament begins July 20, and the USWNT opens against Vietnam on July 22 in Auckland, New Zealand. The Americans play the Netherlands on July 27 in Wellington, New Zealand, and return to Auckland to wrap up the group stage against Portugal on Aug. 1.
The USWNT'S round of 16 game would be Aug. 6 regardless if it finishes first or second in the group. Its quarterfinal game would be Aug. 11, and it would play in the semifinals Aug. 15. The World Cup final is Aug. 20 in Sydney.