Each day of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup continues to captivate fans as contesting nations tussle against each other. In the case of the USWNT, they are also trying to find their way to the next stage of the competition. However, the question that lies ahead of Megan Rapinoe and Co. is how their journey has been so far in this year’s installment.

So far, they have played two group-stage matches, with the first one coming as a win against Vietnam, while the second one ended in a draw against the Netherlands. Surprisingly, the game saw only one substitution, which raised a few fingers at Vlatko Andonovski. But Megan Rapinoe has an explanation for it.

Megan Rapinoe explains Vlatko’s decision for not using substitutions

The USWNT is in contention to play its final group-stage game against Portugal in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. As the ladies continue to prepare for the crucial game, Rapinoe’s brain was picked by the media before the game. Subsequently, she addressed concerns about the lack of substitutions during the match against the Netherlands.

The OL Reign star acknowledged that the final decision always rests with coach Vlatko Andonovski. She pointed out that every player on the bench believes they should be on the field and ready to contribute when given the opportunity. “I think I could have helped, but I think Lynn (Williams) could have helped and I think Trinity (Rodman) was helping and I think Soph (Smith) was helping,” she said, as stated by the Athletic.

The forward insisted that the players on the field were creating chances until the end of the 90 minutes. “It wasn’t like the players on the field didn’t do their job,” she added. Interestingly, Andonovski just decided to take midfielder Savannah DeMelo before the second half, thus summoning Rosie Lavelle to the center half of the pitch.

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Be that as it may, it still poses questions about Andonovski’s decision. Perhaps it was a tactical decision that forced him to stick with the same starting XI until the whistle blew. Nevertheless, let’s dive deeper into the details of their next crucial game against Portugal.

USWNT preparing for an important face-off against Portugal

While the American ladies started off their Group E on a high note, it soon became a disappointing one as they drew against the Netherlands. Both fixtures eventually saw them accumulate four points, as they are level with the Dutch in the tally. Now, they’ll be playing their final game against Portugal, who have three points in their hand. Hence, the 4X winners will be looking to end the group stage on a high note.

They must face the Portuguese keeping in mind the math that gets them qualified for the next round. With the Netherlands expected to get a win against Vietnam, and thus winning the ticket to the next round, it leaves the USWNT to clinch a much-needed victory against Portugal. Even a draw may also get them through the next round, but Andonovski’s side won’t be aiming for that, and they certainly aren’t in the mood for a loss either. Be that as it may, the last game will decide their fate in the tournament.

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