USA v Vietnam: Live stream, where to watch, team news and more - USA Trending Blog
USA v Vietnam: Live stream, where to watch, team news and more - USA Trending Blog
Get the key details ahead of the defending champions' opening match of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
Group E Saturday 22 July | Eden Park, Auckland
13:00, Saturday (Auckland) 08:00, Saturday (Hanoi) 21:00, Friday (EST, USA)
Find out where FIFA Women's World Cup™ matches are being streamed in your territory by clicking here. Several countries will have access to live match streams on FIFA+. View a list of territories with access and click here to be directed to FIFA+.
On paper this is one of the David v Goliath matchups of the group stage, with record champions USA taking on tournament debutantes Vietnam.
Even with the misfortune of having some key players injured in the build-up to the tournament, including captain Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Swanson, Catarina Macario, Christen Press and Sam Mewis, USA are still considered one of the heavy favourites to lift the trophy. Vlatko Andonovski’s side will be hungry to start strongly, especially after falling just short at the most recent major international tournament with a bronze medal at the 2020 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
For Vietnam, this is truly a historic moment, and the ultimate baptism of fire. Mai Duc Chung’s side, who were one of the first nations to qualify for the Women’s World Cup back on 6 February, are sure to be full of motivation as they represent their proud nation on the world stage for the first time.
There are no major injuries or absences to report. For USA, there will be some question marks over the fitness and full availability of Julie Ertz and Rose Lavelle. Ertz only recently returned to the fold after coming back to the game after becoming a mother, while Lavelle has struggled with a knee injury over the past few months.
Sophia Smith US Soccer fans are well acquainted with the brilliance of Smith, but Australia & New Zealand 2023 will be her first major international tournament with the senior team. A master creator and taker of goals, Smith is the reigning National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) most valuable player and US Soccer Player of the Year. “Representing my country is such an honour – every time – so I can only imagine what it will be like in the World Cup,” Smith said. “The men’s World Cup also got me really excited. I just think it’s going to be an amazing tournament.”
Nuh Huynh Fast, skilful and a clinical finisher, Vietnam’s star forward provides the team’s chief attacking threat and is a pioneer in many ways. Nhu is her country’s all-time record goalscorer (71 goals) – she has netted at a rate of almost a goal per game at international level – and last year became first female Vietnamese player to join a professional European club (Portuguese top-flight outfit Lank Vilaverdense).
Vietnam have made history by becoming the first team from their nation to qualify for a men’s or women’s FIFA World Cup final tournament.
Vietnam defeated Thailand and Chinese Taipei in the play-offs to seal their qualification to the showpiece tournament
USA and Vietnam are two of the four squads at Australia & New Zealand 2023 that feature 22 of the 23 players based in the nation’s domestic league.
USA have won each of the last two editions of the Women’s World Cup and are the most successful nation in competition history with four titles. They are currently unbeaten in a record 17 matches at the finals (excluding penalty shootouts), winning each of the last 12 games, which is also a record.
The Stars and Stripes defeated Thailand 13-0 in their opener in 2019, which is the biggest win and highest-scoring match in tournament history. Alex Morgan became the second player to score five goals in a Women’s World Cup game after another American, Michelle Akers, against Chinese Taipei in 1991.
“We are expecting the level of play at this World Cup to be the best it’s ever been, and all the teams must keep up with that growth. For years, we’ve been able to see first-hand where the game is going and that’s exciting. We are proud to have been one of the teams leading the way for women’s international soccer and I know the tournament will once again show the world how great these players are across all 32 teams.” Vlatko Andonovski, USA coach
“When encountering very strong teams like the US, we are not stressed at all. The reason I say that is because playing against such great and famous players is very rare for us. We are very excited. Of course, we will also have good preparation, especially in terms of physicality. If we want to show our qualities on the field, we must have physical strength and agility.” Mai Duc Chong, Vietnam coach
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