USWNT and Netherlands cancel each other out in 1-1 draw

  • by Sebastian Oliveira
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In a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final, the USWNT and the Netherlands played to an exciting and well deserved 1-1 draw. The tale of two halves showed exactly why both teams were favorites to advance from the group. 

Lindsay Horan added to her tournament tally off a 62nd minute Rose Lavelle corner, evening the score after Jill Roord’s early effort from outside the box.

 

First Half

The first 45 minutes belonged completely to the Netherlands, who may have even felt disappointed to not have been up by more at half time. 

The Dutch found most of their success through the midfield, taking advantage of the US struggling to maintain shape between the lines. The US midfield failed to manage the space as a cohesive unit, leading to several opportunities for Roord and Danielle Van De Donk to exploit the empty pockets and move the ball quickly towards goal.

The goal was a direct result of this, with Andi Sullivan stepping forward too early and leaving space in front of the US box for the Netherlands to control. Horan and Savannah DaMelo recovered quickly but to the same area, leaving Roord with too much space and paying dearly for it.

After falling behind by a goal, the US seemed to shed the initial press-heavy game plan that worked against Vietnam and in the first few minutes in this match. The response had an improvisational nature, and the lack of chemistry led to a struggle to build anything concrete.

 

Second Half

Rose Lavelle will be in the GOAT conversations when she hangs up her boots.

The US made only one sub in the entire game, putting Lavelle on for DaMelo to start the second half. It turned out to nearly be the only thing the reigning champions needed.

The OL Reign midfielder immediately brought a composed presence to the midfield that brought a settling energy to Horan and Sullivan. Lavelle also injected a much needed urgency within the squad.

The US were immediately more successful in shutting down the passing lanes that the Dutch were previously strolling through. This inspired the US to focus more on possession and feed Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith. The wingers were the focal points of the attack in the opener but both were fairly quiet in the first half.

Horan grew into the game with Lavelle on, but got really fired up just before her goal when she clashed with Lyon teammate Van De Donk. It felt inevitable that the US were going to score from a corner based on how many they won and would get to first, and Horan’s header was going nowhere but the back of the net from the moment she made contact.

This momentum found its way to Alex Morgan as well, who spent the majority of the game finding a lot of good positions and creating dangerous plays. The San Diego Wave forward did get the ball into the back of the net in what first felt like redemption from Friday’s missed penalty. But alas, the dreaded offsides flag denied her from opening her 2023 World Cup account.

Smith joined Morgan on the list of unlucky not to score that half, when her first time effort off a bouncing rebound was cleared off the line. 

Both sides cautiously celebrate the draw, each having valid arguments in being disappointed to have not gotten more than a point. 

The US came out in a slightly better position, staying atop the group on goal differential and only needed a draw next week vs Portugal to advance. The Netherlands sit in a similar position, but will need to flip the goal differential advantage in order to top the group themselves. 

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Sebastian Oliveira