Teary eyed teammates pay tribute to Rapinoe
The United States start the defence of their Women’s World Cup crown because the four-time champions play Vietnam in Auckland tonight.
The USA are aiming to change into the primary crew to win the World Cup 3 times in a row, with stars similar to Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe coming back from their victory in France 4 years in the past. The defending champions are favourites to retain their title however they’ll face competitors from the highest European sides, similar to England and Germany, who’re assured they’ve closed the hole.
The stage is about for the subsequent technology to shine, similar to star ahead Sophia Smith, who’s certainly one of 14 gamers within the squad who’re making their first look on the World Cup finals. The USA even have a brand new head coach from 4 years in the past, with Vlatko Andonovski taking on from Jill Ellis, who led the crew to titles in 2015 and 2019.
Follow stay updates because the USA start their Women’s World Cup marketing campaign.
USA 1-0 Vietnam
36 minutes: A nasty fall for Julie Ertz simply now as she dives to go the ball however finally ends up knocking it right down to the bottom – earlier than it bounces up and hits her within the face whereas she’s nonetheless within the air.
Io Dodds22 July 2023 02:38
USA 1-0 Vietnam
33 minutes: Imagine being Kim Tranh Tran proper now. She’s doing sterling work deflecting repeated photographs from the US, like a participant in a quite one-sided recreation of Pong.
Nevertheless, the ball has spent most of this recreation in Vietnam’s half of the pitch.
Io Dodds22 July 2023 02:35
USA 1-0 Vietnam
27 minutes: DeMelo takes a nook, nevertheless it bonks off a team-mate’s head within the wong route and again out into midfield, earlier than cleanly being banished by Vietnam’s defence. Despite the early aim, they’re doing job holding the Americans again.
Io Dodds22 July 2023 02:29
USA 1-0 Vietnam
20m: Repeated shut shaves for Vietnam right here as US gamers come very near the aim. Each time, goalie Kim Tranh Tran or certainly one of her defenders manages to chop them off.
Io Dodds22 July 2023 02:23
Vietnam’s beginning XI
17m: I did not have time to put up Vietnam’s beginning XI, so right here it’s!
- Kim Tranh Tran in aim
- Loan Hoang, Thu Tran, Diem My Le, Thu Tho Tran, Thu Thuong Luong, and The Tran in defence
- Tuyet Dung Nguyen, Hai Linh Tran, Thao Thai, and Bich Thuy Nguyen in midfield
- Huynh Nhu in entrance
Io Dodds22 July 2023 02:19
USA 1-0 Vietnam
15m: Goal! First rating of the match goes to USA, with Horan crossing manner into midfield and Smith slotting it neatly in from the left.
Io Dodds22 July 2023 02:16
USA 0-0 Vietnam
12 minutes: The USA is placing Vietnam below stress, however not with out resistance. Lots of whistles, adopted by free kicks and throw-ins. Lindsey Horan comes closest to a US aim, however is blocked – and dominated offside anyway.
Rodman can also be again on subject, apparently recovered.
Io Dodds22 July 2023 02:14
USA 0-0 Vietnam
4 minutes: And we’re off! The USA takes possession shortly, however Trinity Rodman goes down and stays down earlier than a minute is out, her face twisted in ache. A stretcher is introduced on, however she doesn’t need it.
The ref calls foul and offers the US a free kick. No aim, nevertheless it’s an eventful begin to the match.
Io Dodds22 July 2023 02:06
The Marching Song
Now it’s the Vietnam crew’s flip. Their nationwide anthem is Tiến Quân Ca, normally known as “The Marching Song” in English, a navy tune written in 1944 and adopted because the official anthem in 1976 following the USA’s defeat within the Vietnam conflict.
Io Dodds22 July 2023 02:00
Oh, say are you able to see…
Here we go. The US ladies’s World Cup crew is lined up for the Star-Spangled Banner, fingers on hearts. It’s showtime.
Io Dodds22 July 2023 01:57