AUCKLAND, New Zealand — In the phrases of Vietnam‘s coach, facing the U.S. national team in the Women’s World Cup is a frightening quest, one thing “like a mountain,” mentioned Mai Duc Chung.
Vietnam makes its World Cup debut Saturday in opposition to the United States, the heavy favorites to win the event for an unprecedented third time. The Americans enter Saturday’s sport in Auckland at Eden Park with the identical confidence it carried by its final two World Cup-winning runs.
“The U.S. is a very, very strong team. It is like a mountain. But it doesn’t mean that we will give up,” mentioned Mai.
But few consider Vietnam has an opportunity. The nationwide staff is similar to Thailand, which the Americans thumped 13-0 within the opener at the World Cup 4 years in the past in France. The United States went on to beat the Netherlands 2-0 for its second consecutive World Cup and fourth total, essentially the most of any nation.
“Fear? We Believe,” mentioned captain Nuynh Nhu. “We’ve already prepared. Nothing to fear, nothing to be afraid of.”
The Americans wouldn’t dare low cost an opponent, significantly after the criticism it took for working up the rating in opposition to Thailand 4 years in the past in France. They are taking Vietnam within the opening sport fairly significantly.
“We want to show our respect by giving our best game, and we know that they’ll do the same for us,” captain Lindsey Horan mentioned Friday, the eve of the match. “I think everyone always gives us their best game.”
The United States has a brand new solid of gamers at this World Cup, together with 14 who’re making their first look in soccer’s greatest event. Among them is 18-year-old phenom Alyssa Thompson and up-and-comer Trinity Rodman, the 20-year-old daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman.
Another shortly rising star is Sophia Smith. Just 22, she was named National Women’s Soccer League’s Most Valuable Player and U.S. Soccer’s Player of the Year final yr.
Coach Vlatko Andonovski infused the United States with younger expertise after the staff completed with a disappointing bronze medal on the Tokyo Olympics.
“I think that we have a very good mix of young, energetic, enthusiastic players, and experienced players that have been through tough games, that have been in big tournaments and know how to win big games,” Andonovski mentioned.
Megan Rapinoe is among the many veterans on the squad and may make her 2 hundredth look for the nationwide staff if she performs in opposition to Vietnam. Rapinoe, 38, introduced earlier than the staff left for New Zealand that this might be her final World Cup and he or she would retire from her skilled staff on the finish of the season.
Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle had been each restricted by accidents within the run-up to the event, however Andonovski mentioned each can be found to play.
There had been nonetheless a number of different gamers that weren’t accessible for the U.S. roster. Mallory Swanson, the staff’s prime scorer this yr, injured her patella tendon in her left knee throughout an exhibition match in opposition to Ireland in early April.
Catarina Macario tore an ACL final yr whereas enjoying for the French membership Lyon and was unable to recuperate in time. But the most important blow was the lack of captain Becky Sauerbrunn, who introduced {that a} proper foot harm suffered in April would hold her out of the World Cup.
Also in Group E are the Netherlands and Portugal, which meet Sunday in Dunedin. Portugal can also be making its first World Cup look.
The groups play all of their matches in New Zealand, which is co-hosting the event with Australia. Should the United States prime the group, the staff will head to Sydney for the spherical of 16.
Saturday’s sport would be the first assembly between the United States and Vietnam. The Vietnamese misplaced two exhibition matches forward of the event and fell 9-0 to Spain in a closed-door tune-up match in Auckland final Friday.
Andonovski was requested what would occur if the United States misplaced to Vietnam, much like how Argentina misplaced to Saudi Arabia at first of the lads’s World Cup in Qatar final yr. Argentina recovered to win the World Cup.
“Then we’ll have to win the next two games and move forward,” the coach mentioned, “and hopefully end up like Argentina.”
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com