USWNT Portugal Preview: All Hands on Deck, Need Decisive Victory

AUKLAND – It seems like everyone here in the land of Down Under doing their math on the back of paper napkins. All sorts of scenarios for Group E are be sketched out.

With the 1-1 outcome with the Netherlands the United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) remains in first place in Group E, all knotted up with the Dutch, however, with only slim, (+3 United States, +1 Netherlands) edge on goal difference.

The Lady Yanks must defeat Portugal in convincing fashion to avoid a difficult to even unimaginable outcome so early in the tournament.

USA will take on FIFA 21st ranked Portugal on August 1 at Eden Park in Auckland on North Island, New Zealand. The Netherlands faces Vietnam in South Island’s metropolitan city of Dunedin.

Portugal is coming off of a 2-0 win over the same Vietnamese side that the Stars and Stripes beat 3-0 in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup Tournament.

Should the USWNT defeat Portugal, they will advance to the knockout round no matter what. Hopefully, Vietnam will help them out in keeping the scoreline close against the Dutch.  

The Americans will win the group as long as they win and maintain their goal difference advantage over the Netherlands. The matches will kick off simultaneously.

In the event that the Dutch rout the Vietnamese and the Yank’s scoring attack fizzle, the U.S. could slip to second place, and their next step becomes rather precarious.

If the U.S. ties again, they will move on with five points.

Should the Portuguese have a world-class outing and shell the U.S., Portugal will advance. Concurrent, Team USA will need the Netherlands to trip-up, all while they hold on tightly to their goal advantage to hold onto their ticket to the Round of 16. It’s all very confusing.

After the slugfest with the Netherlands, Alex Morgan said, “I think the fact that this team fought back is a little bit of that mentality that we needed in this tournament.” 

Morgan then added, “I think it’s just a little unfortunate that now first place is up for grabs, but we’re going to do everything we can this next game.”

Believer Vlatko Andonovski summed up what he is seeing from the coaches box, saying “This team is not just young; this team is also a fresh team, a team that hasn’t spent a lot of minutes together.” The head coach continued, “What you saw in the second-half is what you’re going to see going forward as a baseline. I think we’re just gonna get better from game to game and we’re going to be a lot more efficient as well.” 

All the intertwined storylines will make for swell, edge-of-your seat viewing in a matter of a few days. Colorful fanfare and  entertaining football will soon rule world again.

Hold onto your helmets and caps, America! 

Photo Credit: John Babiak.

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