USWNT Boss Vlatko Wants Team To ‘End Up Like’ Lionel Messi’s Argentina if Vietnam Pulls Off a Saudi Arabia-Like Miracle in World Cup Opener

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will kick off soon and all eyes are set on USWNT. Led by Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan, the Stars will aim for the third consecutive World Cup win. USWNT will kick off their group matches as they take on the Vietnam national team as their first opponent.

USWNT is the most eye-catching team of all, as they are current World Cup winners and crowned champions four times. With so much pressure and responsibilities, the USWNT coach was questioned about the team’s strength and plans for the World Cup opener. Interestingly, coach Andonovski showed confidence in his players and even made a Lionel Messi-Argentina reference, leaving fans awe-struck.

USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski makes Lionel Messi’s Argentina World Cup win reference

With only a few days left for the World Cup to kick off, the USWNT is gearing up to defend its title. Despite all the pressure, USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski showed confidence in his players and promised significant results. Furthermore, they will face Vietnam as their World Cup opener opponent.

Determined to get the third consecutive win, USWNT is bound to receive the most spotlight. With hours left for the Stars and Stripes’ first World Cup match, a Vietnamese reporter asked Andonovski for his plans if Vietnam displayed dominance over USWNT. To that, the USWNT coach replied with an astounding Lionel Messi and Argentina reference.

Andonovski answered to the Vietnamese reporter, “Then we’ll have to win the next two games and move on — [dramatic pause] and hopefully end up like Argentina.”

Despite ending as the 2022 World Cup Champions, Argentina didn’t have a phenomenal start to the tournament. Lionel Messi and his team faced a surprising defeat by Saudi Arabia at the World Cup opener. Regardless, Argentina managed to crush every opponent after facing their first loss of the tournament and lifted the World Cup trophy in the end. And there’s no doubt if the USWNT manages to retain the crown, it will be something epic.

Besides that, Andonovski was also questioned about the teams’ strategies for their first World Cup match. The USWNT coach explained Rapinoe and Lavelle will be on restricted minutes initially, but Ertz will have no limitations. Interestingly, one Vietnamese reporter also asked, if the team USA is planning to display dominance similar to the previous World Cup against Thailand.

USWNT’s crushing victory over Thailand

Being the defending champion, USWNT stands out from the rest of the Women’s World Cup teams. Furthermore, their performance at the 2019 World Cup left a powerful impression on fans. Not to forget, the Stars had a phenomenal World Cup start with their splendid 13-0 victory against Thailand.

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Owing to USWNT’s accomplishments, the Vietnamese reporter asked coach Andonovski if he plans the same result against Vietnam. To this USWNT coach explained the team strategy, “We may have a couple players that will have limited minutes but everybody from the health perspective, from the medical side, is ready to play. … [Ertz] is 100%. Megan is in the same boat like Rose. Her minutes are probably going to grow as the tournament goes by.”

Back in 2019, Thailand faced a crushing defeat with no answer for what the No. 1 ranked team in the world brought to the table. Indeed, fans are expecting similar results from USWNT and wish to become five times crowned champions.

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What are your expectations from the USWNT for the FIFA Women’s World Cup? Let us know in the comments.