The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup continues Sunday (on FOX and the FOX Sports app) with the United States taking on longtime foe Sweden in the round of 16 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia.
After a tougher-than-expected battle to get out of the group stage, the USWNT, which fell to No. 7 in our latest World Cup power rankings, faces a win-or-go-home scenario as it enters the knockout stage of the tournament. The Swedes are responsible for the Americans’ most recent major tournament loss — a 3-0 defeat in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics. Sweden also handed the U.S. its most recent non-penalty shootout loss in the World Cup, which came back in 2011.
What does the USWNT need to do to secure victory? | World Cup Tonight
Sunday’s tilt marks the sixth consecutive World Cup in which these two countries have faced off and the seventh World Cup meeting all-time between these two squads. The USWNT has a 4-1-1 record against Sweden in those matches.
The winner of this match will face red-hot Japan in Friday’s quarterfinal (3:30 a.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
Check out our live coverage below, featuring live analysis from FOX Sports’ Michael Cohen!
Sweden vs. United States
PREGAME
Setting the stage
The “World Cup NOW” crew previewed the match live on social media ahead of kickoff.
Lineup change
— Fans who hoped for wholesale lineup changes from manager Vlatko Andonovski were likely disappointed when they saw his selections for today’s match against Sweden. Andonovski made just two alterations to the lineup that played poorly in the final group stage match against Portugal: He reintroduced right wing Trinity Rodman, who replaces Lynn Williams; and he brings defender Emily Sonnett into the mix for the second time at this World Cup with Rose Lavelle suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
— The 29-year-old Sonnett, who plays for OL Reign in the NWSL, is making her first career start at the World Cup while earning her 77th CAP overall. She’s appeared in two previous World Cup games, both as substitutes: in 2019 against Chile and the USWNT’s most recent match against Portugal.
— GK Alyssa Naeher, LB Crystal Dunn, MID Lindsey Horan and FWD Alex Morgan all started the last time the Americans faced Sweden in a World Cup. That game, which occurred in 2019, finished as a 2-0 win for the USWNT. Horan scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 3rd minute. The same quartet also started for the United States’ most recent match against Sweden in the delayed Tokyo Olympics on July 21, 2021. The Swedes prevailed 3-0.
Swedish perspective
Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius shared her thoughts on the rich history between these two powerhouse programs.
All business
The USWNT certainly had their game faces on when they walked off the bus and into the building.
Get hyped!
From Alexi Lalas to Abby Wambach to everybody on the FOX set, the pregame scene was absolutely electric.
Soccer Dad
Mike Morgan never misses a game for any team his daughter Alex plays on, a habit that dates back to when the USA star was 14 years old.
“He racked up an incredible amount of Southwest [Airlines] miles within those four years,” Alex says.
Tom Rinaldi shared the story ahead of Sunday’s match.
‘He’s just the ultimate soccer dad’ – Alex Morgan on father Mike
Check out the full Women’s World Cup schedule and how to watch each match live here. Find the latest scores here.
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2023-08-06 08:30:37
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