AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 21: Taylor Kornieck #20 of the United States scores her goal and celebrates during a game between New Zealand and USWNT at Eden Park on January 21, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Heading into a vital February tournament, the USWNT is riding high. Who are the players we should keep an eye on during this all-important World Cup year?
After a successful trip to New Zealand to kick off a World Cup year, the USWNT turns its eyes to the SheBelieves Cup this February. Vlatko Andonovski’s squad will take on three countries currently in the top 11 of the latest FIFA rankings. Compared to what the team encountered down under, the backline of the United States will have the opportunity to challenge itself against top-level attacks it will see in July and August.
Two matchups against one of the summer’s host nations in the same stadiums where the world will meet in a few months were precisely what this team needed coming off of an uncharacteristic year that featured a three-game losing streak.
Both contests brought out all sorts of sparks at every level of the pitch. Whether it was Trinity Rodman on the flank, Lynn Williams returning to the pitch like she never left, or captain Rose Lavelle showing why she is one of the best in the world, the USWNT collected a lot of positives from the final three halves of football against the 24th-ranked team in the world.
Due to the number of injuries this team has had to overcome during the past 12 months, it is difficult to predict what the World Cup team will look like. After the men’s World Cup concluded in dramatic fashion this past November, the countdown to July 20 began. Attempting to predict what kind of tournament the United States could have this summer is a task that can not be solved at this point in time.
Individually, many know that Sophia Smith is going to slot home goals at a consistent rate, and Naomi Girma will be a rock in the backline, but let’s take a look at some of the bigger questions surrounding the team. In order for a team to win a World Cup, each squad needs many of its role players to step up in ways they may not have on the international stage before. Here are two players to keep a close eye on during a year where the USWNT seeks to defend its world title:
