The United States Women’s National Team has won more World Cups than any other country. The USWNT have claimed three of the seven Women’s World Cups contested, and they are the favorites to win this year in France. The Stars and Stripes are 20-3-1 over the last 12 months, but that one loss came to France on French soil. They would love to avenge that defeat on their way to earning another star above their logo.
The 2019 Women’s World Cup in France will begin on Friday, June 7, and run through the final on Sunday, July 7. All of the action can be seen on FOX, FOX Sports, Telemundo, and Universo.
2019 US Women’s National Team Odds at BookMaker.eu
United States To Win the World Cup +310
United States To Win Group F -456
The United States are the defending World Cup champions after a dominant performance at the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada. There, the USWNT shut out its first three opponents (Colombia, China, and Germany) in the knockout rounds before hammering Japan in the final. Carli Lloyd netted a brace within the first five minutes and a hat trick in the first 16 minutes, and Lauren Holiday scored another goal to make it 4-0 just a third of the way into the match. The USWNT went on to win 5-2 and were never seriously tested.
Forwards
This is the strength of the team. Coach Jill Ellis has an incredible amount of veteran talent to select from as five of the seven forwards have more than 100 caps with the USWNT.
Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, and Megan Rapinoe are the big names. These are the team’s three captains, and they all have at least 150 caps. Lloyd and Morgan have recently passed the century mark in terms of goals scored for the USWNT, while Rapinoe is known for her ability to set her teammates up for goals. Tobin Heath and Christen Press are the other forwards with more than 100 caps on the roster.
Mallory Pugh has a bright future. She only recently turned 21, but she already has 53 caps for the national team, and she gives the unit some needed young legs. Jessica McDonald rounds out the forwards.
Midfielders
Julie Ertz and Morgan Brian are the veterans of this group despite being in their mid-20s. Ertz and Brian each have registered more than 80 appearances for the national team, and Ertz has shown she has a nose for goal.
Lindsey Horan could become a household name by the end of the World Cup. Horan was the MVP of the NWSL last year, and she is set to be one of the primary distributors in the midfield. She showed that she can score when she needs to during her time with Paris Saint-Germain, but she is being used to set things up for the USWNT.
Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle, and Allie Long are the other midfielders on the roster.
Defenders
Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O’Hara, and Ali Krieger make this one of the more experienced back lines at the Women’s World Cup. All three players have at least 100 appearances with the national team, and they all played in the final against Japan four years ago.
Crystal Dunn is an outside defender that will be very involved in the attack. She is constantly probing up the wing, and her aggressiveness is rewarded more often than not. Dunn has 24 goals for the USWNT, and she should score multiple times during this year’s World Cup.
Abby Dahlkemper is expected to see some time as a starter, while Tierna Davidson and Emily Sonnett provide depth in defense.
Goalkeepers
Alyssa Naeher and Ashlyn Harris were reserve goalkeepers on the 2015 World Cup team, but they are the top two goalkeepers here. Naeher is wearing the No. 1, and the starting job is hers, but Harris is waiting in the wings in case there are potential problems. Adrianna French is the third goalkeeper on the roster.
Prediction
The USWNT should have no problem winning the Group Stage. Sweden is their only real threat, but the Swedes are not as talented as they have been in the past.
However, their run to the final could be difficult. Provided they win Group F, they will likely face either China or Spain in the Round of 16, and then they would probably face hosts France in the quarterfinals. That would be a very tough draw and could send them out before the semifinals for the first time ever.
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