USWNT performance criticized by former captain
Annie Hale
The United States' performance against Portugal was profiled by USWNT legend Carli Lloyd, who serves as a Women's World Cup studio analyst for Fox Sports.
“I don’t see that passion,” she said after two halves marked by “dull and uninspiring” play. She added that the team seemed to “take it for granted.”
Lloyd is a two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist who captained the U.S. women's national team during four of her 2015 World Cup appearances.
Alex Morgan: “It's hard to be second” in the group
NBC News
American star Alex Morgan spoke after the match.
“It's hard to be in second place, we wanted to qualify first. This team gave everything. We couldn't put the ball in the net,” Morgan said, according to NBC Sports.
Morgan added, “In the last few minutes we just had to press, get the result and move forward. Now we are looking forward. This is not the result we wanted, but we are moving forward.”
What's next for the United States?
Sean Niven
That was closed, but the United States beat its group into second place.
This means they face a long trip to Melbourne in Australia next where they play on Sunday 8 August. Sixth at 5 a.m. ET.
Sweden will almost certainly wait for the United States after winning its first two matches in its group.
Ranked as the third-best team in the world rankings and winning silver at the 2021 Olympics, it is sure to be a much tougher test than the USA would have liked at this point.
Sweden, though, will be a familiar rival for the United States, as the two teams have faced each other in each of the last five World Cups — the good news is that the United States has never lost to Sweden in a World Cup.
End of the match: USA 0-0 Portugal
Max Bormann
The United States qualified for the knockout rounds, but now faces a difficult road after a tense and disappointing match.
This means that the Netherlands finished top of the group with the United States second.
Portugal hits the post!
Max Bormann
The United States' World Cup hopes were hanging by a thread here, as Portugal hit the post in stoppage time.
The USA could have sensed the goal, but there was still time for a shock.
The United States is looking for a late goal
Max Bormann
The United States is trying to increase the pressure late in the match, with only a few minutes remaining to try to score a goal that could put them at the top of the group.
American submarines on Megan Rapinoe
Annie Hale
In need of a goal, the United States turned into a myth.
Megan Rapinoe came on, and was replaced by 22-year-old Sophia Smith with just 30 minutes remaining.
Anticipation was high for the appearance of the veteran striker, who participated in the recent World Cup finals.
The United States is close to registering
Max Bormann
She launched a break from midfielder Alex Morgan, who passed the Portugal goalkeeper, but she was forced to stretch and saw her attempt blocked by a defender in front of the net.
The resulting corner kick came to nothing, but that was a more positive sign from the United States
FIFA says Women's World Cup ticket sales have exceeded 1.68 million
Associated Press
FIFA said that Women's World Cup ticket sales reached 1.678 million during the tournament's first 38 matches in Australia and New Zealand.
She said in a statement on Tuesday that the total number of attendees in those matches reached 982,975, and will exceed the one million spectator mark in the final Group E match on Tuesday between the United States and Portugal at Eden Park, which has a capacity of 50,000 spectators in Auckland, New Zealand. .
The previous record was about 1.35 million people who attended a 52-match tournament in Canada in 2015. The 2023 edition has been expanded to include 32 teams and will include 64 matches.
The opening matches on 20 July set records for women's football matches in both host countries. The crowd for New Zealand's shock win over Norway set a new national record of 42,137. Australia's 1–0 win over Ireland later that day attracted 75,784 spectators at Stadium Australia. A week later, more than 49,000 people attended the Matildas' shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria in Brisbane.
