USWNT vs. Spain: World Cup Preview + TV/Streaming info
The USWNT’s path through the knockout stage starts with Spain
The United States hasn’t done anything to give us reason to doubt them as a favorite to win the World Cup, but today’s Round of 16 game should pose more difficulty than the group stage did. The USWNT, who haven’t conceded a goal in seven straight games, has beaten Spain in 2019, winning 1-0 in Alicante back in January, but they came away expressing their admiration for the Spanish approach and skill level. When this squad says another team is good...well, they would know, right?
A Spanish victory would be a massive, massive upset, but they’ve also created plenty of chances so far. If they simply have an above-average day in the final third, the USWNT will have a real challenge on their hands.
Key player: Julie Ertz
Ertz didn’t play the Group F finale against Sweden in order to rest up after suffering a hip contusion earlier in the tournament. Assuming she’s as ready to go as US Soccer says she is, Ertz will probably need to rein in her normal roving instincts. Spain’s entire tactical approach is built around possession, stringing passes together to create their scoring chances, protect their defense, and dictate the pace of the game.
They do this because it’s what they’re best at, and it’s potentially not the best news for the USWNT. Ertz is at her best free to destroy, but Spain wants opposing midfielders to chase the ball down. They’re talented enough to keep it moving, and the object is to eventually get someone to over-commit, opening up space to take advantage of. Finding the balance between being as disruptive and difficult to play against as she normally is while not being pulled out of position is going to be a major challenge, but if Ertz pulls it off, Spain probably won’t be able to create much of anything.
Location: Stade Auguste-Delaune (Reims)
Kickoff time: 12:00pm Eastern
Projected USWNT starting 11: (433) - Alyssa Naeher; Kelley O’Hara, Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn; Rose Lavelle, Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan; Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe
Bench: Ashlyn Harris, Adrianna Franch, Ali Krieger, Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson, Allie Long, Morgan Brian, Samantha Mewis, Carli Lloyd, Mallory Pugh, Jess McDonald, Christen Press
If everyone is fit, this is probably the team (give or take the question of Lavelle or Mewis in the midfield). However, there are question marks in multiple cases. The biggest among them is Morgan, who tweaked her knee against Sweden and came off at halftime. If Jill Ellis has to replace her, her choice will probably be Lloyd, but it really should be McDonald...or Press, for that matter. But this is a projected real-life lineup, and it does seem pretty likely that Ellis sees Lloyd as next in line.
There is also the possibility that Ertz is still hurt. In that case, Mewis will step right in, with Horan playing the no. 6. It’s definitely not the best use of Horan, but she has the tactical discipline and soccer IQ to do just about anything well.
Available TV: Fox Sports 1, Telemundo, NBCSN
Available streaming: If you subscribe to fuboTV via this link, your friends at B&RU get some cash!
Here are your other options: Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
For listings in other countries, check out LiveSoccerTV.com.
What are you drinking?: At noon on a Monday? Probably iced coffee, but maybe some plain old water.
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