The U.S. women’s national team will fight to keep their 2023 World Cup campaign alive Tuesday against Portugal. The Americans are vying for a third straight World Cup victory, which would be a record, and fifth overall. The USWNT is also undergoing a generational shift, with more than half the roster playing in their first major international tournament while other players have been hit with some devastating injuries.
With columnist Nancy Armour on the ground, USA TODAY Sports will offer the latest updates, highlights, analysis and more throughout the USWNT’s Group E finale match. Follow along.
USWNT starting lineup vs. Portugal
We’ve got the starting lineup for the USWNT’s third and final group game of the 2023 World Cup vs. Portugal, and there are some changes. Most notably, Rose Lavelle, the breakout star of the 2019 World Cup, will start in the midfield. Lavelle has been hampered by a knee injury the last couple months but her play against the Netherlands in Game 2 last week was crucial.
Also, Lynn Williams will start at forward instead of Trinity Rodman. It will be Williams’ first appearance at the World Cup.
WORLD CUP CENTRAL: 2023 Women’s World Cup Live Scores, Schedules, Standings, Bracket and More
Here’s the full lineup:
Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Crystal Dunn, Julie Ertz, Naomi Girma, Emily Fox
Midfielders: Lindsey Horan, Andi Sullivan, Rose Lavelle
Forwards: Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan, Lynn Williams
USWNT game tonight
The Americans play their final group stage game Tuesday at 3 a.m. ET. They face Portugal.
Where to watch USA vs. Portugal
All 2023 World Cup games will be broadcast in the U.S. by Fox, on both its main channel and FS1. It’s also available to stream on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app. Spanish-language coverage will be on Telemundo.
USA women World Cup schedule
This will be the final group stage match for the Americans. If they advance to the Round of 16 they could play Saturday (if they win Group E) or Sunday (if they come in second). Here are the game times and potential opponents:
- Saturday, Aug. 5: Winner Group E vs. Runner-up Group G, 10 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Aug. 6: Runner-up Group E vs. Winner Group G, 5 a.m. ET
Group G is currently led by Sweden and Italy, who finish group play Wednesday.
USA vs. Portugal predictions
Nancy Armour, columnist: I think the USWNT comes out flying, much like Australia did against Canada on Monday night, and tags Portugal for a couple of quick, easy goals. Portugal pulls one back in the second half, but the USWNT wins 3-1.
Lindsay Schnell, reporter: The USWNT is mad — mostly about how they played vs. the Netherlands. They’ll be on a mission to squash any talk about if the World Cup is just too much for them, and use their anger to fuel a furious start. I expect a 4-1 final, and probably a 2-0 — maybe 3-0 — lead at halftime. They’re out to a send a message.
USWNT World Cup wins
The USWNT has won four World Cups overall and are going for their third straight and fifth overall.
Is Alex Morgan playing tonight?
Yes, the forward is in the USWNT’s starting lineup, and looking to add to her 121-goal total. Morgan missed a penalty kick in the opener vs. Vietnam.
USWNT suits
The Americans wore their custom menswear-inspired “business” suits again as they headed to Game 3 of group play vs. Portugal — though Julie Ertz styled hers in the manner of Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, with a hoodie underneath her blazer.
USWNT watch parties near me
Looking for a watch party for the U.S. women’s national team game against Portugal? U.S. Soccer created a handy dandy map that allows you to find one near wherever you’re located. Check it out.
USWNT World Cup roster
The 2023 World Cup roster is one of, if not the, most diverse in U.S. women’s soccer history. This year marks a passing of the torch, as a new generation of soccer talent makes its World Cup debut and tries to continue the Americans’ win streak. Of the 23-player roster, 14 will be playing in their first World Cup. You can learn more about each player from the U.S., as well as some of the standout international stars.
- Goalkeepers:Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars); Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage); Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit).
- Defenders: Alana Cook (OL Reign); Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns); Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage); Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave); Sofia Huerta (OL Reign); Kelley O’Hara (NJ/NY Gotham); Emily Sonnett (OL Reign).
- Midfielders: Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville); Julie Ertz (Angel City); Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon); Rose Lavelle (OL Reign); Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham); Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit); Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit).
- Forwards: Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave); Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign); Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit); Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns); Alyssa Thompson (Angel City); Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham).
World Cup bracket
Here’s how the 2023 World Cup bracket is set up.
How many groups are in the Women’s World Cup?
There are eight groups, four teams per group, with the top two seeds from each group advancing to the knockout round. The groups are as follows:
- Group A: New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland
- Group B: Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Rep. of Ireland
- Group C: Costa Rica, Japan, Spain, Zambia
- Group D: China, Denmark, England, Haiti
- Group E: Netherlands, Portugal, United States, Vietnam
- Group F: Brazil, France, Jamaica, Panama
- Group G: Argentina, Italy, South Africa, Sweden
- Group H: Colombia, Germany, Morocco, South Korea
Where is the 2023 World Cup being played?
For the first time in women’s World Cup history, the tournament will be hosted by two countries, Australia and New Zealand. (The 2022 men’s World Cup was hosted by Japan and South Korea and in 2026, it will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.)
Many people associate Australia and New Zealand with surfing, sandy beaches and stunning swimming spots, all happening in sunny weather. But it’s winter in the southern hemisphere, which means temperatures will be anything but scorching.
