The USWNT is back and looking to become the first team to ever 3-peat in the Women’s World Cup. This year’s version of Team USA has a new look and tons of things to be excited about. Not just because of their incredible new World Cup jerseys but because 14 of the 23 women on roster are playing in their first World Cup. A new generation of USA soccer superstars like Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Naomi Girma are primed to take the stage and carry the torch alongside returning heroes like Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn. There’s a bit of uncertainty surrounding the team as well. Players like Mallory Swanson, one of the most exciting Forwards in the world, are missing entirely due to injury. And veteran players who are on the squad like Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle are planning to play through nagging injuries. But Team USA should still expect to prevail. Let’s take a look at the USWNT World Cup Schedule as it stands now and how you can watch all the action in New Zealand.
USWNT World Cup Schedule – Group Stage
USA vs Vietnam – Friday July 21, 8:00 PM Central
Fortunately, despite the 18 hour time difference between Houston and New Zealand, the USWNT’s first game is at a perfectly reasonable 8pm on Friday night. I don’t know much about Vietnam’s squad, but they come into the tournament on a 3 game losing streak including most recently a 9-0 curb stomping at the hands of Spain. So it’s important for the USWNT to pick up 3 points out the gate.
How to Watch
USA vs Vietnam will be available to watch live on FOX and Telemundo in addition to streaming on NBC Universo and Peacock.
USA vs the Netherlands – Wednesday July 26, 8:00 PM Central
Once again the schedule fairies have blessed us with a USA friendly kickoff time for this one. And it should be a really good battle. The Netherlands is currently the 9th ranked women’s team in the world and will be hungry for the upset.
How to Watch
USA vs the Netherlands will be available to watch live on FOX and Telemundo in addition to streaming on NBC Universo and Peacock.
Portugal vs USA – Tuesday August 1, 2:00 AM Central
Guess it was silly to expect us to get lucky with the time difference 3 matches in a row. We’ll have a little Team USA After Dark action for our final match in the Group Stage against 21st ranked Portugal. Hopefully the USWNT can put a bow on group play and advance into the knockout stages where the real fun begins.
How to Watch
Portugal vs USA will be available on FOX, Telemundo, and Peacock but not on NBC Universo.
USWNT World Cup Schedule – Knockout Stages
Assuming we make it through the first part of the USWNT World Cup Schedule unscathed, the knockout rounds schedule is as follows for Group E:
Round of 16 – Sunday August 6th
Both teams who advance from Group E will play Sunday August 6th. The winners of the group would play against the runners up from Group G (Argentina, Italy, South Africa, Sweden) at 9pm Central.
The runners up of Group E will play the winners of Group G at 4am Central.
Quarterfinals – Friday August 11th
If the USWNT makes the Quarterfinals, it’d be played either at 8pm Central time or 2:30am Central on Friday night going into Saturday morning, depending on which side of the bracket we’re on.
Semifinals – Tuesday August 15th
If we advance to the Semis, that match would be at 3am Central time. Get your energy drink of choice ready.
Final – Sunday August 20th
The Women’s World Cup will conclude one month from today with the championship match on Sunday August 20th at 5am Central. It’ll be a long journey for the USWNT to get back to the top of the sport for a third time in a row. But if any team in the world is up to the task it’d be this one.
Stay tuned to the Apollo blog throughout the Women’s World Cup for more coverage of Team USA as well as the stars of the Houston Dash representing Canada, Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, and Jamaica. GO USA!
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