United States Dominates First Match of FIFA Women’s World Cup Against Vietnam
The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) kicked off their campaign for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with an impressive 3-0 victory against first-timer Vietnam in Group E. The highly anticipated match took place at Eden Park in New Zealand and was broadcasted on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
The USWNT, aiming to achieve an unprecedented three-peat this year, now holds a remarkable 21-3-1 record in the group stage at the World Cup following their latest win. The star of the game was forward Sophia Smith, who scored two goals in the first half. Midfielder Lindsey Horan sealed the victory with a goal in the second half. The United States dominated the game with 27 shots compared to Vietnam’s zero shots, and they maintained over 65% possession throughout the match.
Although the U.S. secured three points, their performance was somewhat uneven over the 90 minutes. They missed several scoring opportunities, including a penalty kick from Alex Morgan and a strike from Rose Lavelle that hit the crossbar. However, their victory still puts them in a strong position in the group stage.
USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski made strategic substitutions in the later stages of the game, bringing on Kelley O’Hara and Sofia Huerta for Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox. Both Dunn and Fox had solid performances and contributed to the team’s success. Dunn and Fox also grew more involved in the attack during the second half.
Lindsey Horan emerged as a standout player in the game, particularly in the second half. She made a significant impact by scoring a goal and pushing forward into advanced positions. Horan completed seven dribbles, more than any other player on the U.S. team.
Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle were substituted in the second half, replacing Alex Morgan and Savannah DeMelo. Rapinoe made her record 200th appearance for the United States during this match. DeMelo had an impressive World Cup debut, completing over 90% of her passes.
Vietnam’s goalkeeper, Trần Thị Kim Thanh, was a standout performer for her team. She made several key saves and intercepted numerous crosses, showcasing fearless goalkeeping skills.
Overall, the United States demonstrated their dominance in the game, controlling the majority of play and creating numerous scoring opportunities. They will look to build on this strong start as they continue their quest for a historic three-peat in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.