The Action Network's Wondergoal podcast, with hosts BJ Cunningham and Anthony Dabbundo, were joined by NWSL analyst Anna Witte to discuss the United States Women's National Team's chances at the 2023 Women's World Cup.
You can listen to the full podcast where the trio discuss USA's chances, or you can read on to see why they're skeptical about the Stars and Stripes' chances in this year's World Cup.
2023 Women's World Cup USA Analysis
Anna: A lot of these federations have caught up. It's not just the U.S. Women's National Team at the top anymore. Germany are potentially making a run at it, Spain are as well and England have had a lot of success.
You can look back at what happened in the summer of 2022 with the Euros where England came out on top. Look at the success their league has had in England, and then you look at the league here in the States that has 60 players playing in the World Cup, spanning multiple different countries. It's the growth of soccer not just at the federation level and countries putting their money into their women's programs, but it's also the clubs and the development of players at the club level making them better when they actually get to their countries.
There are so many key pieces that are missing [for the US], and there are these key pieces who Vlatko Andonovski has decided to bring down under who are still dealing with some injuries. You can add Julie Ertz to that mix, who has been a key midfielder throughout her career but is also dealing with some injuries. She's a player who can slide into the back line into that center back role who is very versatile. There are some injuries, but I would say there are also massive question marks potentially with the National Team. When you look at Ertz, Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe, their status is still up in the air.
Anthony: So let's play a little fill in the blank here. The U.S. Women's National Team will win the World Cup if…
Anna: The U.S. Women's National Team will win the World Cup if they can figure out how to be dynamic in the attack. There are so many talented pieces, including Trinity Rodman, who can get into the attack and score goals. Even Crystal Dunn is going to be playing as a full back down the flank for this National Team. However, there have been so many instances where they have struggled to figure out the right spots and struggled to figure out the partnerships. Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan play a No. 9 role at the club level, and now Andonovski has asked Smith to play wider. These movements are going to have to be a lot better, stronger and more dangerous in and around the 18 if they want to come out on top.
Anthony: Do you think the issues they've had around the final third and around the penalty area creating chances and being dynamic are more an issue of talent or tactics? To me, it feels like tactics, because obviously we know how good the talent is.
Anna: I completely agree; it's an issue of tactics. That relates back to what Andonovski has done with this team within the formations and what he's decided to play. Right now, the U.S. Women's National Team is looking to play a 4-3-3 with two attacking players and one holding six. I think it's just getting those numbers forward, finding the right pockets and feeling out the game. I think the Vietnam game is going to be really telling about who he's willing to play in certain spots and who's better in what positions when balls come inside. It's definitely tactics, not talent at all. Where the U.S. are the best is certainly in the attacking third with the players they have.
BJ: One last fill in the blank. You've obviously mentioned some of the problems for the United States. If they don't win the World Cup, it will be because of…
Anna: If the U.S. don't win the World Cup, it will be because their outside backs get injured. Dunn and Emily Fox are massive pieces to this back line, and that's where Andonovski did not bring his depth this summer. Dunn can get forged; she typically plays in a more of attacking midfield role in her club play anyway. Fox is the same way; she'll cut in centrally and help in the attack.
If either of those players get injured, it'll be Sofia Huerta or Kelley O'Hara coming into the game. Sofia Huerta cannot defend the way that Fox and Dunn can defend. O'Hara has plenty of experience, and I would feel good about her subbing in. However, if this team is going to potentially lose this World Cup, it would be because it does not have the defensive structure that could handle a Spain, a Germany, or potentially even the Netherlands.
BJ: Ignoring the odds, do the United States win the World Cup?
Anna: Simply, no. The U.S. do not win the World Cup. I just don't think that they have the talent, and I think it's a lot of credit to what these federations have done to pour money into the competition this summer. I think that's what makes it so exciting this summer; there's a lot of people who are not betting on the U.S., and they likely might be right.
