USWNT Guide: Everything You Need to Know About the United States Women's National Team in the 2023 Women's World Cup

The United States Women's National Team (USWNT) has established a remarkable record of success in the Women's World Cup, having emerged as champions in four of the eight tournaments held to date (1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019). Their lowest finish in the tournament has been third place, achieved on three occasions. The 1999 edition, hosted on home soil, played a pivotal role in the growth of women's football in the U.S., propelling players like Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain into stardom. In the most recent World Cup, the USWNT grabbed attention not only for their dominant performances but also for their legal battle against their own football federation in pursuit of equal pay. Now, they face the unique challenge of attempting to accomplish what no team, male or female, has achieved before: winning three consecutive World Cups.

Manager: Vlatko Andonovski assumed the role of head coach in late 2019, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his successful tenure in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the premier club competition in the United States. As the leader of the top-ranked national team in the world, Andonovski shoulders enormous expectations. While he stumbled during his first major tournament, the Tokyo Olympics two years ago, where the USWNT clinched the bronze medal after losing to eventual gold medalists Canada in the semi-finals, he now has the opportunity to silence the doubters by guiding his team to success this summer.

Formation: Although line-up graphics may suggest a 4-3-3 formation, the team's on-field shape often transforms into a 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1, with Alex Morgan leading the forward line. Expect dynamic overlapping runs from the fullbacks on the wings, adding an extra dimension to their attacking play.

Three Key Players: If the United States aims to secure another World Cup triumph, they will heavily rely on the contributions of young talents like forward Sophia Smith and center-back Naomi Girma. Smith has been in sensational form with NWSL champions Portland Thorns, and Andonovski expects her to play a significant role in the team's attacking setup. Girma, who was voted both Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year in the NWSL last season, has the opportunity to showcase her leadership qualities at the age of 23 and anchor the team's defense.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, previously regarded as a potential weak link, proved her mettle at the previous World Cup in France four years ago by making crucial saves at crucial moments. The team will depend on Naeher to replicate her heroics in Australia and New Zealand.

Notable Absences: The absence of players like Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Swanson, Catarina Macario, Christen Press, and Sam Mewis is just the tip of the iceberg, highlighting the depth and competitiveness within the squad.

Strength: The USWNT will rely on two major strengths that have always distinguished them: depth and mentality. Despite facing injuries and other obstacles, the team possesses an abundance of talent, ensuring that quality replacements are available in every position. Their winning mentality has been a driving force behind their success on the international stage.

Question Mark: The midfield remains a perpetual question mark for the team. Concerns surrounding Rose Lavelle's fitness levels after nursing a knee injury for the past few months add further complexity to the situation. Ideally, the midfield trio of Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, and Lavelle would be the preferred combination. However, only Horan is likely to be ready for a starting role initially in the tournament.

Wildcard: In contrast to most teams participating in this World Cup, the U.S. possesses a wildcard in the form of veteran player Megan Rapinoe. Despite being 38 years old and announcing her retirement at the end of the NWSL season, Rapinoe's experience and ability to close out games make her a valuable asset to the team.

Qualification/Recent Form: Qualification for the World Cup was a smooth process for the USWNT. However, discussions regarding their three-game losing streak against England, Spain, and Germany in the previous fall have overshadowed recent form. These losses occurred amidst the context of the NWSL abuse scandal, which adds additional complexity to the team's narrative.

Group Difficulty: The group stage poses a trickier challenge than initially expected, particularly following Vietnam's narrow 2-1 defeat against Germany in late June. The pivotal match will be against the Netherlands, the finalists from the 2019 World Cup, in Wellington. This game is likely to determine the group winner, who will then earn a potentially "easier" round of 16 fixture. While the second match against Portugal may appear less daunting, the USWNT cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.

Travel Schedule: The USWNT will spend a considerable amount of time in New Zealand, as their group matches will be split between Auckland and Wellington. If they progress to the knockout phase, their ideal path to the final will bring them back to these cities. In terms of travel, their schedule is relatively favorable compared to other teams in the tournament.

To Win the World Cup, They Will Need: Achieving success in the World Cup will require a combination of various factors and a comprehensive team performance. Although their previous triumphs, including the challenging France 2019 campaign, showcased their resilience, winning the World Cup for a third consecutive time represents an unparalleled challenge that demands their best efforts.

Did You Know? Midfielder Savannah DeMelo, aged 25, became the first uncapped player to earn a spot in the USWNT World Cup roster since Shannon Boxx in 2003. DeMelo could make her full international debut at this World Cup, having made a substitute appearance, playing 27 minutes in the 2-0 victory over Wales on July 9.

Possible Starting XI: While the exact starting XI remains subject to the coach's decisions, the USWNT is expected to field a formidable lineup comprising talented players in each position.