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Today is the day America - four long years since the United States Women’s National Team hoisted the World Cup trophy and brought victory and glory home. It has been a long and winding path since then with some ups and downs in the tournaments the Stars and Stripes have played in that time. 2015 saw some amazing moments for the USA and the team is once again poised to perform at the biggest stage and make history once again. There is nothing like the World Cup and today is the day the defending champs take the field in pursuit of their fourth star.
Before all that, four other nations will kick off their quests to unseat the mighty Americans. The games start with New Zealand taking on the Netherlands in what will be the morning in the USA. The Netherlands will look to get their first win in the group to keep up with Canada as the Dutch hope to make some noise in 2019. Meanwhile the Football Ferns come into the tournament a fairly known quantity - they will sit back and try to counter to steal a point or a win. The Oranje Lionesses has a brilliant attack but spotty defense so if the Kiwis hold on and grab a goal it might be enough for an upset.
Group F will kick off with Sweden taking on Chile. A bunch of cowards should be able to dispatch the South Americans as Sweden is favored in the match. Still, Chile has had some decent results recently, including a win against Australia, and tries to open up games and play attacking soccer. Sweden, a team that Hope Solo doesn’t like, seems to have their good days and their bad days. Argentina made a statement with a strong team effort to grab a draw against contenders Japan and perhaps today their neighbors Chile will have a surprise in store for the Swedes.
Finally, a leader who Hope Solo doesn’t like will see if all of the adjustments and changes that she’s tried to implement since failing to medal in the Olympics have paid off as Jill Ellis’ USWNT opens against Thailand. It should be a chance for the Americans to not only take three points but perhaps create some space in the tie breakers by hanging a bunch of goals on their opponents. Thailand have lost 10 of their last 11 games and in a friendly played against the US back in 2016 lost 9-0. Interestingly, two of their players have connections to the US with Kennesaw State Owl Tiffany Sornpao in goal and former UC Berkeley midfielder Miranda Nild playing a key role for the team. Thailand may just be hoping to avoid another big loss, but the US needs a good performance as they grow into the tournament and hope to peak in the final as they did in 2015.
How To Watch
Match 1
Who: New Zealand v. Netherlands
Where: Stade Oceane, Le Havre
Kickoff: 9 a.m. ET
TV: FS1
Streaming: Free Fubo TV trial
Match 2
Who: Chile v. Sweden
Where: Roazhon Park, Rennes
Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET
TV: FS1
Streaming: Free Fubo TV trial
Match 3
Who: USA v. Thailand
Where: Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims
Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Streaming: Free Fubo TV trial
Related Reading
Beginners Guide to the World Cup
Everything you could want to know about the USWNT that’s been written on this website.
This is your match day discussion thread! Please feel free to leave your game day thoughts and opinions in the comments below!