![]() ![]() The teams play all of their matches in New Zealand, which is co-hosting the tournament with Australia. ![]() Portugal is also making its first World Cup appearance. But the biggest blow was the loss of captain Becky Sauerbrunn, who announced that a right foot injury suffered in April would keep her out of the World Cup.Īlso in Group E are the Netherlands and Portugal, which meet Sunday in Dunedin. Mallory Swanson, the team’s top scorer this year, injured her patella tendon in her left knee during an exhibition match against Ireland in early April.Ĭatarina Macario tore an ACL last year while playing for the French club Lyon and was unable to recover in time. There were still several other players that weren’t available for the U.S. Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle were both limited by injuries in the run-up to the tournament, but Andonovski said both are available to play. Rapinoe, 38, announced before the team left for New Zealand that this would be her last World Cup and she would retire from her professional team at the end of the season. Megan Rapinoe is among the veterans on the squad and should make her 200th appearance for the national team if she plays against Vietnam. “I think that we have a very good mix of young, energetic, enthusiastic players, and experienced players that have been through tough games, that have been in big tournaments and know how to win big games,” Andonovski said. Soccer’s Player of the Year last year.Ĭoach Vlatko Andonovski infused the United States with young talent after the team finished with a disappointing bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Just 22, she was named National Women’s Soccer League’s Most Valuable Player and U.S. Among them is 18-year-old phenom Alyssa Thompson and up-and-comer Trinity Rodman, the 20-year-old daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman.Īnother quickly rising star is Sophia Smith. The United States has a new cast of players at this World Cup, including 14 who are making their first appearance in soccer’s biggest tournament. Nothing to fear, nothing to be afraid of.” “Fear? We Believe,” said captain Nuynh Nhu. The United States went on to beat the Netherlands 2-0 for its second consecutive World Cup and fourth overall, the most of any nation. The national team is very similar to Thailand, which the Americans thumped 13-0 in the opener at the World Cup four years ago in France. But it doesn’t mean that we will give up,” said Mai.īut few believe Vietnam has a chance. The Americans enter Saturday’s game in Auckland at Eden Park with the same confidence it carried through its last two World Cup-winning runs. Vietnam makes its World Cup debut Saturday against the United States, the heavy favorites to win the tournament for an unprecedented third time. national team in the Women’s World Cup is a daunting quest, something “like a mountain,” said Mai Duc Chung. AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) - In the words of Vietnam’s coach, facing the U.S.
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