of USWNT 2022 will be remembered for qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2024 Olympics, and establishing a new CBA to end a long equal-pay battle with United States Soccer. I spent the remaining 2022 years. Also, the youth movement, launched by coach Vlatko Andonovski, has witnessed that some improvements still need to be made before the final squad selection for the World Cup in July.
With the new year approaching, the USWNT has the opportunity to create another historic moment, becoming the first national team (men’s or women’s) to win three consecutive World Cups. As we head into the first World Cup in Oceania, we have key moments, players and matches to watch, which give us a good indication of where we stand relative to the rest of the world.
Early trip to New Zealand
Little is known about how Stars and Stripes will fare against top-ranked nations in two friendly games against New Zealand in January, but the USWNT will be playing in the same stadium that hosts the Women’s World Cup early on. gives you a chance. .
An early trip to New Zealand provides an opportunity to see if and how Andonovski would change the team from old to new or back to old. When injuries and pregnancies forced some veterans to miss last July’s CONCACAF W Championship, the decision to go with young players made sense. But with the team on a three-game losing streak in their final game of 2022, many think it’s time to panic.
mental effects of NWSLMore abuse scandal
The findings of Sally Yates’ report have hit US football like cannonball. U.S. Attorney General Yates’ report has come under fire for failing to protect players in the country’s women’s leagues.
Stephanie Yang, former editor of Stars and Stripes FC, said:[The report] It’s enough to show that these players have been botched by multiple officials and organizations at every turn over the years.“
And it seems to have affected the players during their trip to Europe, where the team lost to England and Spain by a 4-1 aggregate goal difference. did. Becky Sauerbrunn has confirmed that his players were not doing well heading into a historic match against England.
Megan Rapinoe agreed when a reporter asked if the team was mentally tired.
The scandal seems to be on the rise, with a new league commissioner in office, teams sold, and all abusers identified. Still, media coverage makes it difficult for players to block out the noise and try to play football when their worries are more important.
SheBelieves Cup
The United States will host the 2023 SheBelieves Cup, the USWNT’s first international tournament of the year. It will host Brazil, Canada and Japan participating in the World Cup.
The USWNT will face Canada on February 16th in Orlando. The final match between the two rivals was the final of the CONCACAF W Championship. His 1-0 victory over Canada was a challenging game that required Alex Morgan’s heroic play in the closing stages of the game.
Brazil won the Copa American Femenina while Japan lost the AFC Women’s Cup to China. All three countries are ranked in the top 15 in the FIFA Women’s Ranking, with Canada closest to the top at number six.
The Return of Catalina Macario
2022 has proven that the USWNT has a deep group of young and veteran attackers available for the World Cup.
When Kristen Press and Katarina Macario both suffered ACL injuries, Andonovski brought Morgan back after removing him from the 2022 SheBelieves Cup roster for the W Championship. She won the Most Valuable Player award in the tournament and proved early on that she is one of the best strikers in the world. Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh stood out as future stars of her USWNT with their speed and relentless attack on goal.
However, Macario’s late return leaves questions about how Andonovsky will incorporate her into Attack and No. 9th place held by Morgan.
rest of the world
This will be the USWNT’s most challenging World Cup run, largely because the rest of the world is closing the gap. It became clear.
The European nation continues to improve, placing sixth in the top 10 of the FIFA rankings. Holland is in Group E of her USWNT and could be a better favorite than Stars and Stripes. Lioness has a roster full of WSL stars. Sweden beat the USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Brazil has some of the sport’s best female strikers, leading the country’s first World Cup bid, and Canada is a formidable rival.
What are you most looking forward to at USWNT 2023? Hit the comments and discuss.
