After a lax and disappointing 1-1 tie with the Netherlands in the 2023 Women's World Cup, the United States are in danger of losing their top spot in Group E.
The Americans, who entered the game as the clear favourites due to their high world ranking, fielded an unusual lineup. Despite Rose Lavelle's full recovery from her knee injury, head coach Vlatko Andonovski kept the same starting lineup that defeated Vietnam.
With such formation, the United States were lifeless in the first half, failing to generate any offence while the Dutch midfield dominated play. In the 17th minute, the Dutch took the lead when Jill Roord scored a long-range low shot past a disorganised American defence.
For the first time in 17 matches dating back to 2011, the United States Women's National Team floated at halftime of a Women's World Cup match.
Andonovski only made one substitution through the whole game, putting in Lavelle at halftime. The U.S. women's national team improved in the second half, as a header from Lindsey Horan in the 62nd minute brought the score even. They pushed hard towards the end, but they couldn't pull through.
A lot of people were probably wondering why Rose Lavelle wasn't in the starting lineup for the United States in this game, and it turns out that their worries were well-founded.
Lavelle's second-half entrance provided a boost, and her assist on Lindsey Horan's equaliser showed that she is an important cog in the USWNT midfield even when she isn't playing at her best.
In addition, Julie Ertz is a must-have for the United States midfield. Andi Sullivan played poorly the whole game, and Ertz appeared to be adrift in the back line. There was no justification for starting Sullivan in midfield and leaving Alana Cook on the bench, and that was clear before the game as well as after it.
The United States is in a dangerous spot after this tie. They're tied on points, but the Americans have to play Portugal while the Dutch get to play Vietnam to close up the group stage. The United States have to win against Portugal and keep their goal differential advantage if they want to win their group.
They risk losing the group and possibly missing out on the playoffs if they don't. If Portugal beats Vietnam and takes all three points, the United States will be eliminated from playoff contention. Considering the lacklustre showing in the previous match against the Netherlands, that's a remote possibility.
The United States would have liked to have their advancement to the knockout stage wrapped up on Wednesday night, but that did not happen.
If the United States doesn't win its group, it might have to face Sweden, an opponent with which it has a long history of bad blood, in the round of 16. Meetups like that should be avoided if at all possible.
