The US ladies’s nationwide workforce performs a farewell match towards Wales forward of the 2023 Ladies’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Wales will play exterior Europe for the primary time of their programming historical past, and the 2 sides will meet for the primary time at senior nationwide workforce degree after they compete on Sunday. The sport will function ultimate recreation preparation for the USWNT earlier than they head to New Zealand, the place they’ll play the whole group stage of their World Cup towards the Netherlands, Portugal and Vietnam.
Here is how one can watch the match and what you should know:
View data
- Date: Sunday 8 July | Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Place: Pay Pal Stadium — San Jose, California
- TV: TNT | Telemundo
- Stay stream: fuboTV (attempt at no cost)
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Storylines
USWNT: The large information main as much as this one is that Megan Rapinoe has introduced she will probably be retiring later this yr, and meaning this will probably be her final World Cup. The workforce is lastly again collectively since their final spherical match towards Eire in April and so much has modified. They have been in California for almost two weeks now, coaching and planning at Stanford College forward of the group stage of the match. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski has stated they intend to make use of a ultimate match towards Wales in preparation for the group stage, with key gamers equivalent to Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario lacking the match because of damage.
There’s a risk that his ultimate beginning lineup will improve their abilities, however there are some unknown variables going into the sport. Midfielder Rose Lavelle has not performed a aggressive recreation since April after leaving the earlier worldwide window with a leg damage. What number of minutes she will get for the group stage is unknown, however that might imply NWSL standout Savannah DeMelo will get her first nationwide workforce minutes for the World Cup.
Wales: The Dragons will play in California for the primary time as they tackle the world No. 1 within the first-ever assembly between the 2 groups. They’re ranked thirty first within the FIFA world rankings, however are ranked quantity 10 amongst UEFA groups. Supervisor Gemma Grainger and the aspect will probably be motivated by the historic likelihood between the 2 sides and are presently undefeated in 5 worldwide competitions this yr, with two wins towards Northern Eire and 2023 World Cup debutants Philippines.
Iconic NWSL midfielder Jess Fishlock is working his method again from damage on the Reign, her outdated membership, and is Wales’ main goalscorer with 36 in 141 video games. Angharad James additionally hung out in NWSL however now performs with Tottenham Hotspur in FAWSL. James scored 17 targets in her 69 caps for Wales. Anticipate the duo to trigger some hassle within the center third in the event that they get time collectively on the pitch.
USWNT vs. Wales forecast
The 2 sides have a 20-minute hole to really feel one another out earlier than issues open up. First recreation collectively since April for the US may imply targets within the second half. Select: USWNT 2, Wales 0.
