The U.S. women’s national team barely avoided elimination at the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but its toughest test awaits in the Round of 16 on Sunday.
Sweden topped Group G with nine points and will oppose the Americans in the knockout stage this weekend. The Swedes joined Japan and England as the only nations to advance with nine points after winning all three of their group stage matches.
The USWNT’s five points were the fewest in team history at a FIFA World Cup group stage. Despite the underwhelming form, the Stars and Stripes remain unbeaten in their last 20 World Cup matches becoming the first nation to do so in World Cup history (men’s and women’s).
Peter Gerhardsson’s squad have only conceded one goal throughout their first three matches while scoring nine themselves. The Americans will be put to the test in this weekend’s headlining match, knowing an improved performance could lead to elimination.
World Cup action continues with 2019 runner-up the Netherlands taking on debutants South Africa. The Dutch topped Group E with seven points, after going unbeaten in group play. South Africa clinched its first knockout round berth thanks to a thrilling 3-2 win over Italy.
With the English Premier League just 11 days away, the FA Community Shield kicks off this weekend with defending league champions Manchester City visiting Wembley Stadium to take on Arsenal.
The Leagues Cup continues with two top-table clubs in FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC squaring off. The Orange and Blue go into Sunday’s showdown unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions. Luciano Acosta leads his side with 12 goals and eight assists while Nashville forward Hany Mukhtar leads MLS with 13 goals of his own.
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Here is a look at This Weekend’s Top 5 Matches to Watch, as well as a full rundown of This Weekend’s Soccer on TV and Online:
This Week’s Top 5 Matches to Watch
1. United States vs Sweden
8/6 – 5 am – Fox Sports Network, fuboTV, Peacock
The United States faces a crucial test in their quest to win three-consecutive World Cups, as Sweden opposes them in the Round of 16.
2. Arsenal vs. Manchester City
8/6 – 11 am –ESPN+, ESPN App
After winning three-consecutive English Premier League titles, Manchester City takes on 2023 FA Cup winners Arsenal in the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
3. Netherlands vs. South Africa
8/5 – 10 pm – Fox Sports Network, fuboTV, Peacock
South Africa reached the knockout stage in its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup and will aim to pull a major shock against the Netherlands.
4. FC Cincinnati vs. Nashville SC
8/4 – 8 pm – MLS Pass on Apple TV
FC Cincinnati meets Nashville SC in the Round of 32 of Leagues Cup play. The Eastern Conference clubs faced off in July in where FC Cincy won 3-1 on home soil.
5. Feyenoord vs. PSV
8/4 – 2 pm – Fanatiz USA, fuboTV
In the Netherlands, PSV goes head-to-head with Feyenoord in the Dutch Super Cup, kicking off the new domestic campaign.
Rewatching that USWNT game against Portugal and they weren’t as bad as everyone thought. But is saying that…. Quite clear Smith is not comfortable omat LW. Which makes sense considering she played mostly on the right when her and Swanson were both playing. Potentially move Rodman to LW and move Smith back to RW. Ertz needs to be moved to CM, Vlatko needs to use his subs better.
Not a fan of Vlatko…Ertz at CB was a terrible call. I’ve said that from the jump. Sullivan runs around like crazy and then doesn’t even get stuck in. She just runs up to the player in possession, stops, allows the next pass and then is off running again. Except that one time when she made that sick block/tackle/interception…wait that never happened. Meanwhile you have a world class six stuck at CB. The drop from Ertz to Sullivan is way further than Ertz to pick-a-CB. Not to mention having Ertz at the six puts less pressure on the CBs in the first place. Plus Ertz can be a an option in attack in midfield. Watch the games. The team goes out of their way to avoid passing to Sullivan in the offensive *2/3* of the field. If you have any questions of why the entirety of the US play in on the wings look at the inability of Sullivan to play in the offensive game.
However, the coach isn’t out there not being able to pass or receive passes. He’s not out there dribbling into 3 or four defenders. He’s not our there crossing the ball to Morgan while being surround by 4-5 defenders (she good but not that good).
The best hope for this team, the way it is set up and playing, is to draw 0-0 and win on kicks…all the way through the final.