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Soccer: FIFA Women s World Cup-USA at Portugal Aug 1, 2023 Auckland, NZL United States players during the National Anthem before a group stage match against Portugal during the 2023 FIFA Women s World Cup at Eden Park. Auckland Eden Park NZL, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJennaxWatsonx 20230731_jhp_ax9_1074
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Soccer: FIFA Women s World Cup-USA at Portugal Aug 1, 2023 Auckland, NZL United States players during the National Anthem before a group stage match against Portugal during the 2023 FIFA Women s World Cup at Eden Park. Auckland Eden Park NZL, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJennaxWatsonx 20230731_jhp_ax9_1074
The USWNT just faced Portugal in their final group-stage game at the Women’s World Cup. Before this game, they were on four points from two games along with being table toppers in Group E. A win or a draw today would guarantee their knockout round spot. And the USWNT managed to hold out for a draw! In fact, they almost lost the game in stoppage time. The USWNT fans are furious with the team.
The fans haven’t been too impressed with Lindsey Horan and the team. After a draw against the Netherlands, the fanbase was furious over the USWNT’s ability to convert chances and string together a sizable number of passes. It was a similar story today too.
USWNT settles for a draw, fans are livid!
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In order to stay in the competition, Portugal had no choice but to win. After two back-to-back appearances from the bench, Rose Lavelle earned her first start in the World Cup campaign. 30-year-old Lynn Williams also made her debut in this game. There were no goals in the first half although the US had created more chances than Portugal. At the 80′ mark neither side had broken the shackles yet.
90 minutes were up and the game headed into eight minutes of stoppage time. Portugal was inches away from stealing victory as they hit the post in the dying minutes. After sitting back for the entire game, Portugal turned up the tempo at the end but to no avail. The game ended with a 0-0 scoreline. The fans were furious with the team and especially with Vlatko Andonovski. Here’s how they reacted.
Quite a few fans had a major problem with the gameplay. And these complaints have been coming since the first game against Vietnam. A couple of fans are tired of seeing a disjointed style of play and want the head coach removed!
Fire Vlatko. No heart & no momentum for 90 minutes?? https://t.co/AYAUowcB6Y
— nora 🛸 (@the_nurrrr) August 1, 2023
I hope the players come together and fire Vlatko postgame https://t.co/O4KO3ROP4N
— Catie Harper (@CatieHarper) August 1, 2023
A USWNT fan considers their advancement to the knockouts happened only because of luck. Similar complaints about the style and structure of the team.
What an embarrassment. We are LUCKY that we barely scraped by to advance.
We looked absolutely horrible today, AGAIN. Unless the #USWNT changes some things (quickly!), we will be out of the #FIFAWWC this weekend. https://t.co/MasPmuL6H0— Aliya Langley (@aliyalangley) August 1, 2023
A fan calls the US a team full of ‘individuals’ only. He predicts that they won’t survive Sweden with their current quality on the pitch if they end up facing them in the next round.
This team has looked terrible all tournament long and if we end up facing Sweden in the Round of 16 I don’t see us advancing playing the way we have. This looks like a team of individuals and individual talent only. https://t.co/x6Q5DZZDg1
— Alex Westry (@alex_westry) August 1, 2023
A fan is disappointed because the game was in the middle of the night. Was this game worth sacrificing all the sleep for?
can’t believe I woke up at 3am for this https://t.co/QCcCqS9kpU
— Kassie Lee (@_kassielee) August 1, 2023
A fan believes that the USWNT made it through ‘by the skin of their teeth’ and calls the performance embarrassing. But onwards and upwards as the team moves to the knockouts.
by the skin of our teeth we made it through.. embarrassing performance. but we will regroup and focus on the next game. https://t.co/eR7dpzlSuX
— ND (@andemicc) August 1, 2023
All in all, the fans were quite disappointed with the USWNT’s performance. It’s been a similar trajectory since Game 1. The fans have consistently been unhappy with the gameplay. Currently, quite a few fans believe that the US will struggle further if they don’t find their rhythm soon. Many demand that the head coach should be sacked! Is their three-peat dream still on?
USWNT’s three-peat dream has become quite challenging
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Undoubtedly, this year’s Women’s World Cup campaign has received a stunning rate of attention from across the globe. USWNT’s three-peat is not going to be the easiest this time. That is mainly because of dominating performances from teams like England, Japan, Spain, and a few more. Surprisingly, even Colombia is on a dreamy run. 18-year-old Linda Caicedo’s story has become an inspiration for millions.
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Soccer: USWNT World Cup Media Day Jun 27, 2023 Carson, California, USA USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe left, forward Alex Morgan center and midfielder Lindsey Horan during Women s World Cup media day at Dignity Health Sports Park. Carson Dignity Health Sports Park California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20230627_sns_al2_162
As compared to previous editions of the World Cup, there’s a lot more going on. Also, this will be Megan Rapinoe‘s final tournament as she will be retiring at the end of this season. With a rich mix of veterans and youngsters, the US women’s soccer team is a well-balanced team on paper. But after today’s game, it is clear that a lot needs to improve if the USWNT is still dreaming about a three-peat.
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What were your thoughts on USWNT’s draw against Portugal? Let us know in the comments below.