Time after time the USWNT proves it has the world's most decisive players in the final third, and the conversation hasn't changed ahead of the 2023 World Cup.
Sophia Smith was the toast of 2022, deservedly taking home the NWSL MVP and Championship Game MVP awards while finishing as the year's top scorer for the U.S. (11 from 17), and Mallory Swanson has dominated 2023 with seven goals from only five caps.
The USWNT defeated Brazil 2-1 in the SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday to win the tournament going a perfect three wins from three games.
Questions were raised when the news broke that 2022 U.S. Female Player of the Year Sophia Smith would miss the 2023 SheBelieves Cup. Would the USWNT attack still be as lethal? Who will step up?
“Hold my beer,” Mallory Swanson says.
An excellent finish from Mallory Swanson was the difference in the USWNT's 1-0 SheBelieves Cup win over Japan on Sunday at GEODIS Park in Nashville. Japan caused all sorts of issues in disrupting the U.S. buildup while launching 15 shots compared to only five for the Americans.
The U.S. played with fire at the back and the midfield didn't establish any sort of dominance, but the team showed exactly what makes them so difficult to beat even when they're not at their best: an unmatched fighting spirit mixed with individuals who can provide the difference at any moment.
Marta is already a soccer legend and built upon that status Thursday when she provided the game-winning assist for Brazil in their 1-0 win vs. Japan in the SheBelieves Cup.
The Brazilian forward will turn 37 when Brazil plays Canada on Sunday but is still producing pieces of magic on the field.
Thursday’s SheBelieves Cup game was Marta’s first time playing in 327 days. In March 2022 the Orlando Pride star tore her ACL during an NWSL Challenge Cup game vs. the North Carolina Courage.
Two goals from Mallory Swanson saw the United States women’s national team defeat Canada 2-0 in the SheBelieves Cup Thursday night in Orlando, Florida.
The USWNT came out swinging with Swanson getting a look at goal less than 30 seconds into the game. It was practically a shooting gallery on Canada’s goal in the opening minutes with Kailen Sheridan making a fantastic save to deny Ashley Sanchez in the third minute.
Casual U.S. soccer fans watching the USWNT in the SheBelieves Cup will likely have one big question. Why is Rose Lavelle not playing vs. Canada?
Lavelle will have to watch the USA’s first game of the tournament from the sideline. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski said on Wednesday that the star midfielder picked up a knock in training and will sit the first game out.
She could still play in the games against Japan and Brazil.
The Canada women's soccer team will go on strike with immediate effect because of pay equity concerns and budget cuts by the country's soccer association, captain Christine Sinclair said on Friday, less than a week before the SheBelieves Cup.
Canada, the reigning Olympic champions, are to face the United States in their first game of the SheBelieves Cup, which begins on Feb. 16, with Brazil and Japan also participating.
The USWNT is preparing for its biggest test before the Women’s World Cup with upcoming games against Canada, Japan and Brazil in the 2023 SheBelieves Cup. For those wondering how to watch SheBelieves Cup this article is for you.
Watching U.S. Soccer has been a little different in 2023 as this is the first of an eight-year deal with WarnerMedia. All English-language broadcasts for World Cup qualifiers, friendlies, SheBelieves Cup and more are now shown by Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
The World Cup is just 160 days away, so the 2023 SheBelieves Cup takes on added significance with teams looking to lockdown tactics and players battling to make an impression ahead of the final roster announcements for Australia and New Zealand.
After playing the 2021 tournament in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 competition with a weakened field, the SheBelieves Cup returns in a big way this February with the USWNT playing matches against Canada, Japan and Brazil ahead of this summer's main event, the 2023 FIFA World Cup.