Analysis

USWNT welcomes pressure of do-or-die group stage finale, says Megan Rapinoe

AUCKLAND - The United States are built to handle the pressure of their do-or-die final group stage match, veteran Megan Rapinoe said, with everything on the line against Portugal on Tuesday at the Women's World Cup.

The four-times champions have never exited in the group stage but may suffer that fate without a win or a draw against the World Cup debutantes, after beating Vietnam in the opener and settling for a 1-1 draw to the Netherlands.

It is hardly the position fans imagined the team would be in as they pursue an unprecedented third consecutive title.

Ricardo Pepi strikes again — he's scoring 20 goals this season

PSV hosted second division side FC Eindhoven on Wednesday in a derby preseason friendly, and 20-year-old American striker Ricardo Pepi was on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory, giving him two goals in two appearances since arriving from FC Augsburg on a five-year deal.

It was an emphatic finish from the Texan as he swept a right-footed effort inside the far post.

Inter Miami fans leave in droves after Messi subs off

Few would argue that Inter Miami’s high-profile midseason acquisitions have brought Major League Soccer to a level of notoriety that it has never seen before. Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were always going to bring new fans to DRV PNK Stadium, but Tuesday’s crowd will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. 

Following Messi’s substitution late in the match, videos showed many fans in the crowd leaving their seats and heading home for the night. 

Women's World Cup Power Rankings

It's Tuesday morning in the United States and every nation at the Women's World Cup has completed one match. Group A, the Group of Life, went ahead and completed their second games in the early hours so that makes our Power Rankings a little clearer, but this is how things stand in our eyes after just a taste of the tournament.  

2023 Women's World Cup Power Rankings

#32. Zambia 

Desde México con amor: ¿Qué le espera a Luis Chávez en el Dínamo de Moscú?

Pese a los desesperados intentos de Monterrey por convencerlo a última hora, Luis Chávez tiene todo listo para cumplir su sueño de jugar a Europa, uniéndose al Dínamo de Moscú de la Premier League de Rusia.

Beginner's guide to the Women's World Cup: 5 things you need to know

The 2023 Women's World Cup is here, bringing emotions too strong for words. But not to worry, the article doesn't end now with a profound case of writer's block — here are two videos to get you immediately hyped for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, beginning with the official song of the World Cup: "DO IT AGAIN" by BENEE feat. Mallrat. 

It's an instant classic. 

The best and worst transfers of the summer window so far

We're roughly halfway through the 2023 summer transfer window with Europe's top five leagues all having to conclude their business by 11 p.m. GMT on Friday, September 1. Declan Rice has already become the most expensive English player ever after his $130 million switch from West Ham to Arsenal, and Jude Bellingham's $115 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid is the window's other piece of gargantuan business.

Women's World Cup odds: Is there any hope outside of USA or England?

With an expanded 32-team tournament and matches across Australia and New Zealand, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup (beginning with a crowd of over 100,000 for the Matildas opener against Ireland) is going to be the best in the competition's 32-year history.

The USWNT is favored for a three-peat but that's never been done before, and there will be fierce competition from European champions England, two-time world champs Germany and teams looking to take the next step like France and Spain. 

The18's 2023 Women's World Cup predictions

It's time to get laughed at. Here are The18's 2023 Women's World Cup predictions ahead of the biggest (first time with 32 teams) and farthest reaching (first time with two host nations) version of the tournament yet.

The competition's main storyline is the USWNT going for a historic three-peat, but England, the reigning European champions, are massive rivals and aiming for their first appearance in the final. 

Lucho for MVP and St. Louis City's stunning freekick: 5 takeaways from MLS Matchday 26

League play has come to a halt but watching Matchday 26, you’d never be able to tell. With the All-Star Game around the corner and the highly advertised Leagues Cup set to kick off in less than a week, teams were still in high gear across the league. 

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