Equal Pay for Team USA Act Passed by House of Representatives; Will Go to President
Dec 22, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 6: Participants rejoice after during signing ceremony for the historic new Collective Bargaining Agreements for equal pay for Women athletes at Audi Field (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
After a long fight for equal pay, the United States women's national soccer team will be legally required to be compensated as much as the men's team.
Eddie Pells of the Associated Press reported the House of Representatives passed the Equal Pay for Team USA Act on Wednesday after the bill previously passed through the Senate with unanimous support.
The next stop is President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law.
"By sending this legislation to the President, both houses have sent a clear message that this is the standard for all National Teams in all sports and it underscores the importance of working with our athletes to achieve equal pay including equalizing international prize money," U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement.
The bill, which stems from the federal gender discrimination lawsuit the USWNT filed against U.S. Soccer in 2019, provides equal pay and benefits for all athletes representing their country in global competitions across 50 sports.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee will provide oversight to ensure the law is followed.
In September, Anne M. Peterson of the Associated Press reported the USWNT and USMNT signed collective bargaining agreements with U.S. Soccer that run through 2028 and provide equal pay structure for tournament appearances, tournament wins, revenue sharing and distribution of World Cup prize money.
The fight for equal pay has been a defining storyline for the USWNT even while they dominated on the field for years. Fans chanted for equal pay during the 2019 World Cup in France, and it was discussed by a number of players during their championship celebration back in the United States.
The lawsuit was a significant step, and the team and U.S. Soccer reached a settlement in February that paid the women $24 million and required new labor agreements with the USWNT and USMNT.
This comes as the Red, White and Blue are focused on the 2023 World Cup, where they will attempt to become the first women's team to win the event three times in a row.
Alex Morgan, Christian Pulisic Candidates for US Soccer Player of Year Awards
Dec 15, 2022
United States' Alex Morgan tries to control the ball against Nigeria during the second half of an international friendly soccer match, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
On Thursday, U.S. Soccer announced the candidates for its Player of the Year award.
For the women, the finalists are forwards Alex Morgan, Mallory Pugh and Sophia Smith and midfielders Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle. For the men, the finalists are forward Christian Pulisic, midfielder Tyler Adams, goalkeeper Matt Turner and defenders Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream.
Morgan, 33, has been nominated for the award seven times. Her past season was highlighted by an NWSL-leading 15 goals for the San Diego Wave.
Pugh, 24, is one of the USWNT's brightest young stars. She posted seven goals and seven assists for the team in the past year, to go along with 11 goals and six assists for the NWSL's Chicago Red Stars.
Smith, 22, led the USWNT this past season with 11 goals and was named the NWSL MVP after notching 14 goals. She was the youngest MVP in league history and helped lead Portland Thorns to a title.
Horan, 28, is the defending U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year award winner. She made 14 starts for the USWNT in the midfield and won the UEFA Women's Champions League with Olympique Lyon in club play.
Lavelle, 27, made 15 starts and 16 total appearances for the USWNT this past season, notching four goals and six assists. She also recorded five goals and an assist for the NWSL's Reign.
Pulisic, 24, has fallen in and out of favor at Chelsea but remains arguably the USMNT's most important and dynamic player. The three-time U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award winner tied for a team-high five goals and had a team-high three assists this past year, which included a goal and and two assists at the World Cup.
Adams, 23, is the keystone of the USMNT and was named captain for this year's World Cup. The steady midfielder earned two Man of the Match distinctions in Qatar and has been a regular fixture on the club level for Leeds in the Premier League.
Turner, 28, ascended to the first-choice goalkeeper at this year's World Cup and finished the year with seven clean sheets. He serves as Aaron Ramsdale's backup at Arsenal on the club side.
Ream, 35, serves as the captain for club side Fulham and played every minute for the USMNT in Qatar as one of the team's most reliable players.
Robinson, 25, is Ream's teammate at Fulham and has staked his claim as the USMNT's first-choice left-back. He made 13 total appearances in World Cup qualifying and started all four matches in Qatar.
Mia Hamm Talks USWNT, World Cup, Mallory Pugh, Frito-Lay and More in B/R Interview
Dec 13, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: Mia Hamm of the 1999 United States Women's National Team waves to fans during halftime at Banc of California Stadium on April 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The future is bright for the United States men's national team despite a round-of-16 loss in the 2022 World Cup.
Just ask arguably the greatest American soccer player in history.
"I look at the spine of the team, and we had some incredible performances that we can build on," Mia Hamm told Bleacher Report. "Sergiño Dest and Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic stepped up. The team is so young, and I think they learned a lot about themselves. I think they learned a lot about competing at that level and in that intense environment where they're being asked to carry the load. That's going to serve them well in four years, and with the experience that they gained, they already want more as a team."
It isn't difficult to envision this young and talented group taking another step when they host the World Cup in four years. The defense allowed a single goal during group play against the likes of England, Wales and Iran, and Pulisic scored a memorable goal before exiting with an injury against the latter, helping the United States secure its spot in the knockout stage.
Still, the defense that shined in the first three games failed in a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in the round of 16. It lost track of markers on multiple crosses, which proved costly when the offense couldn't take advantage of their own chances on the other side.
"They left that tournament feeling that they could have and should have advanced had they played better," Hamm said. "You look at the Netherlands game in terms of possession, and the U.S. had their opportunities. They're stepping away proud of their accomplishments but knowing that they can achieve more. Which is what you want as a coach, as a team and as a fan."
That opportunity to achieve more is still on the table for Argentina, France, Croatia and Morocco in a World Cup that has featured no shortage of storylines.
Lionel Messi, who is arguably the greatest men's soccer player of all time, is trying to win the one glaring thing missing from his legacy for Argentina while Croatia attempts to play spoiler. Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappé is leading France in their defense of the title and dazzling every time he takes the field.
Yet Morocco is stealing the show as the underdog and first African nation to advance to the event's semifinals after stunning Portugal in the quarterfinals and ending any chance of a GOAT showdown in the final between Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
Morocco making history at the World Cup is being celebrated all over the world 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/0MaKQVojId
"Seeing Morocco and what they've been able to accomplish," Hamm said when asked what her favorite storyline of this World Cup has been. "It's history as the first African nation to make the semis. I think it's important to celebrate that. I've been involved with FIFA talking about developing the game, and this is what you want to see. I look at this as positive with regards to its association with the women's game. You keep putting funds and resources into development, and these are the dreams that can come true. Our commitment on the women's side is important, especially with the women's World Cup coming up next year, and seeing how it can change people's lives like it has for the Morocco national team."
Few people know more about seeing athletic dreams come true than Hamm, who retired from professional soccer in 2004 as an icon and one of the most influential figures in the sport's history.
Her seemingly endless list of accomplishments includes two World Cup titles, two Olympic gold medals, four straight NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship titles at North Carolina and two FIFA Women's Player of the Year awards.
She was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007, which was her first year of eligibility, and was a founding member of the Women United Soccer Association and eventual champion in the league for the Washington Freedom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daVcy0Zvb0U
Yet she finds herself reflecting back on more than just the victories and accolades as she watches the 2022 World Cup.
"Just the time we were able to have as teammates in the hotel because you spend a lot of time in this bubble," she said. "You're trying to find ways to entertain yourselves but also not use up too much of that anxious energy. Whether it was doing funny skits or playing games and cards, just really getting to know each other better and growing closer as a team because you needed that to get you through the tournaments.
"It's easy to be a positive teammate when things are going really well, but how do you handle that adversity? Knowing those players are there by your side willing to carry you when you struggle, you were able to lean into those moments in the hotel."
She was recently part of a different team off the field when she joined David Beckham, Peyton Manning, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Tim Howard and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández in a Frito-Lay commercial attempting to settle the debate of whether the sport is called soccer or football.
"First of all, their commitment to supporting the game of soccer or football," she said when discussing what made her want to do the commercial. "And also the light-hearted way they took on this playful discussion. It's the global game, but here in the US we like to think we invented everything. And also who was in it with Peyton and Becks and, obviously, Jules and Brandi, and Tim Howard and Chicharito. It just sounded like a lot of fun, and I was honored to be a part of this crew."
The star power didn't stop there, as legendary filmmaker Michael Bay directed the spot.
"I don't know why he hasn't called me up since, maybe my acting wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be," Hamm said while laughing. "He was great. He kept it efficient, and the entire crew and all the actors were amazing. They made it really comfortable, and I just had a lot of fun doing it."
Football may have won out this time with the USMNT's exit in the round of 16, but the United States women's national team will have the opportunity to earn a victory for those who call it soccer during the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Red, White and Blue will be going for a historic three-peat after winning the World Cup in 2015 and 2019. While Germany also went back-to-back in 2003 and 2007, no women's team has ever won the event three times in a row.
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 8, 2022
It won't be easy for a team that Hamm said will get every opponent's "best shot" when they are on the field.
"There are teams internationally that are playing so well," she said. "We wanted the game to get to this level where teams aren't afraid of anyone. You have Spain playing the way they have, you have England, you have Germany and Japan. All these teams at any given moment, and the host countries in Australia and New Zealand are going to be fired up and ready to compete. Australia has one of the best players in the world in Sam Kerr. I know they're putting every resource in to make sure they're ready."
Tragically, one of soccer's top voices will not be there to cover the Americans' push for history.
Reporter Grant Wahl died while covering the World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands in Qatar. Wahl was the gold standard for soccer coverage throughout a career that included stops at Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports and CBS Sports, and his coverage of the women's game was particularly important to Hamm and many others.
"I would like to take the time to say thank you to Grant Wahl and everything he's meant to our game and our sport," Hamm said. "Especially the women's game. Early on, he gave our team and our sport a platform. He came out and watched the WUSA Finals, he talked to the players, he was involved with the women's national team. And he's been such a staunch advocate for us and for the game of soccer. He came in at a time when nobody wanted to cover women's soccer, and he just shined a really bright light on it. We're in this position we're in today with our game because of him. I just want to say thank you to him and offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife and his family and his colleagues who love him so much."
Nobody will be able to tell the stories like Wahl, but they will still be told during the 2023 World Cup.
Many of those stories when it comes to the success of the United States in women's soccer have been about the major stars, whether it is Hamm, Michelle Akers, Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and so many others.
Some of the names such as Morgan, Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Horan will be familiar ones in 2023, but there is also a potential shift underway to a new generation of stars who could carry the Americans to more World Cup glory.
A couple of them in particular stand out to Hamm.
"Let's just talk about Mal Pugh," she said. "I can't imagine the expectations she had coming out of college. I mean, she didn't even really go to college. I think she went to college for three weeks and was like, 'You know what, I think I'm going to try this pro thing.' It's hard when everyone is asking you to carry the load and you have yet to deal with failure. I think for her, it shows how strong and resilient she is.
"But when I see her play, the joy on her face is what excites me about her future. I'm really excited to watch her play next summer."
"I think not making the Olympics was one of the best things that could happen to my career."
Adversity allowed @MalPugh to find her game again 📈
Pugh, who left UCLA after three spring games to turn professional in 2017, was part of the 2019 team that won the World Cup but figures to be much more prominently involved in the attack in 2023.
The 24-year-old and Catarina Macario each scored braces in the Americans' victory over Iceland to win the 2022 SheBelieves Cup. Pugh is playing some of the best soccer of her career and could be a Golden Boot candidate next year if that continues.
Macario, 23, may be as well if she returns to health after suffering a torn ACL while playing for Lyon in June.
"I want to see if Macario can come back," Hamm said. "She's a special player. As a forward, I wish I had her savvy and understanding at that age. Sometimes I willed goals in rather than being mindful of using the right surface or making the right run. But she is just so sophisticated at a young age. I would love to see her next summer just because I think she has so much exciting soccer to share with us."
And if everything goes according to plan, the USWNT will have a third straight and fifth overall World Cup title to share with soccer fans across the country.
'Enormous Relief' for USWNT After Win vs. Germany Ends 3-Game Losing Streak
Nov 14, 2022
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - NOVEMBER 10: Mallory Pugh #9 of United States looks on during the women's international friendly match between United States and Germany at DRV PNK Stadium on November 10, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
The losing streak is over. For at least a moment, the United States national women's team can slowly back away from the panic button.
The USWNT earned a crucial 2-1 win over Germany on Sunday, a match that was a friendly in name only for an American side that has been struggling the past two months. The victory ended a three-match losing streak for the USWNT after defeats to Spain and England last month and Germany earlier this week.
Coming into the game, the U.S. was just 1-5-1 against top-10 ranked opponents in recent play. Sunday's turn of form was vital for the confidence of this team.
Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh were the heroes, scoring second-half goals in the span of two minutes to earn the win:
After the angst and consternation following the previous loss to Germany, USWNT Twitter responded with almost a sense of relief on Sunday:
US Women avoid dread record of becoming first in history to lose 4 straight games. Not always cohesive, clinical, or confident, but tenacity and fight won the day. Enormous relief to end the year with a win 🇺🇸
But the sequence that truly changed the game came just moments before the goals, as a huge Alyssa Naeher save kept the game at just 1-0 and kept the door open for the comeback.
Give Alyssa Naeher ALL of the credit for the momentum shift
Will Sunday's win over Germany gloss over the other issues that plagued the United States the past two months?
It shouldn't. Manager Vlatko Andonovski's tactics deserve a longer look. Germany still moved through the U.S. midfield with virtual ease for much of the game on Sunday. For long stretches, the United States attackers struggled to put together cohesive moves in the final third, blowing a number of brilliant chances.
Sunday's performance wasn't surgery and a cast. It felt more like a leg brace and a ride to the hospital. Deeper issues remain that need to be resolved before next year's World Cup.
But a win's a win, and this one was very important for a struggling USWNT. It might just provide the jolt of confidence and cohesion this team has been seeking.
USWNT vs. Germany: Top Storylines and Predictions for 2022 Friendly
Nov 10, 2022
United States forward Sophia Smith (11) scores her second goal of the match during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Nigeria Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
The United States women's national team continues the run-up to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on Thursday against one of the top squads in the world.
Vlatko Andonovski's side will test itself versus Germany, which comes into the two-game set on American soil ranked third in the world.
The USWNT sit in a rare spot in need of a bounce-back performance after the two September friendlies in Europe did not go its way.
With defeats to England and Spain, the Americans lost consecutive games for the first time since 2017, and it needs a better showing against Germany to close out the calendar year.
Match Info
Date: Thursday, November 10
Start Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: FS1
Live Stream: Fox Sports app & FoxSports.com
Preview
The USWNT comes into Thursday's game at DRV PNK Stadium, the home of Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, with something to prove.
That has not been the case for most of 2022, as the Americans ran rampant through the North American competitions and against weaker foes.
The losses against England and Spain likely lit a spark under the team when it comes to improvements that must be made ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup next summer in Australia and New Zealand.
Against England, the USWNT conceded early before Sophia Smith knocked in an equalizer, but the Lionesses were back in front five minutes later and held on for the victory.
The pain cut much deeper against Spain because the 2-0 defeat to the European side came against a weakened lineup. Some of Spain's top players were not in action because of a dispute with the federation.
The USWNT was understandably drained on an emotional level during its European trip because it occurred on the heels of the release of the Yates Report, which detailed years of abuse and misconduct throughout U.S. Soccer.
The usual high level of play was not there for patches of the two games in Europe, and the weight of the off-field situations could have affected the team, especially on the back end of the European trip.
The American players have had a chance to reset over the last month and turn their focus to the pair of matches against Germany, which will serve as yet another test ahead of the World Cup.
Germany is ranked third in the world, and it has two opportunities to defeat the Americans on its own soil. The two squads will meet again on Sunday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
Germany reeled off three dominant wins after losing in the UEFA Euro 2022 final to England. The Germans beat Turkey and Bulgaria by a combined 11-0 scoreline in World Cup qualification and downed France, 2-1, in an October friendly.
Alexandra Popp leads a dangerous German attack that contains four players with a double-digit goal tally in international matches. The rest of the German squad carries a bit of inexperience. Seven of the nine midfielders and five of the nine defenders in the squad are 26 or younger. Only one defender and three midfielders have more than 30 caps.
Germany will pose a tough challenge because of the high quality of play it has displayed throughout 2022. It did not give up a goal at Euro 2022 until the semifinal round, and it conceded three goals in its last nine matches.
The USWNT had a similar streak in place before its trips to England and Spain. It produced nine consecutive clean sheets, including five at the Concacaf W Championship this summer.
Smith will once again be the USWNT's top threat up top. She has been in fantastic form all season long and will likely lead the forward line at the World Cup. Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Mallory Pugh will also contribute up top, but Smith has been the best forward in American soccer this season.
The concern for the Americans will come in defense. Becky Sauerbrunn and Crystal Dunn are in the squad, but after that, there are zero players with more than 25 caps. Some of the newer defenders to the program will get a chance to make their case for inclusion in the World Cup squad versus a tough opponent.
The Americans might hold an edge because the match is on home soil, but this is about as even as it gets in terms of a matchup in women's soccer, and it is a fantastic tune-up for the USWNT ahead of the World Cup.
Prediction: USWNT 1, Germany 1
2023 Women's World Cup Draw: Full Results, Schedule for Group Stage of Tournament
Oct 22, 2022
LYON, FRANCE - JULY 07: Players from USA lift the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy following her team's victory the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Final match between The United State of America and The Netherlands at Stade de Lyon on July 07, 2019 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
The reigning champions, the United States
women's national team, were placed in Group E alongside the Netherlands, Vietnam and a playoff winner during Saturday's draw for the 2023
FIFA Women's World Cup.
While the USWNT figures to enter next
year's tournament as the favorite despite a recent string of
lackluster results, other top contenders include a quartet of
European sides: England, France, Germany and Spain.
Here's a look at some more key information
for the event:
The playoff tournament to determine the
final countries in the 32-team field will take place in mid-February.
In 2019, the United States cruised
through the group stage, winning all three games by a combined score
of 18-0, before beating Spain, France, England and the Netherlands in
the knockout rounds to capture the country's fourth World Cup title.
Carli Lloyd, who helped the U.S. capture the 2015 and 2019 World Cup trophies before retiring in 2021, sees a
landscape where the "world has caught up" to the once unstoppable
Americans.
"For so many years in the U.S., we've
been a little bit ahead of the game," Lloyd told reporters. "We've
had the support, we've had the investment. But now that support and
investment is coming across the globe, and that's what you want. In
order for the U.S. to continue to be great, they need others to
continue to push them. And this isn't just going to be the biggest
and best World Cup—it's also going to be the hardest."
Her comments follow the USWNT's
back-to-back friendly losses to England and Spain in early October.
Pressure has started to mount on head
coach Vlatko Andonovski to find the right combination of established
veterans and rising stars to build next year's squad. A pair of
friendlies against Germany in November will be the latest test of the
squad's progress.
Germany is second on the all-time list
with two Women's World Cup titles. Norway and Japan round out the
past champions as the tournament heads toward its ninth edition in 2023.
USWNT Legend Abby Wambach to Leave Concussion Drug Company Backed by Brett Favre
Sep 30, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Abby Wambach speaks at the Together Live event at the Pantages Theatre on October 21, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images for Together Live)
Abby Wambach, the all-time leading
scorer for the United States women's national soccer team, announced
she's stepping down from the Odyssey Health sports advisory board and
removing her investment in the company.
Wambach told ESPN's Mark Fainaru-Wada
on Thursday she made the decision after finding out Odyssey Health
was linked to the Mississippi welfare fraud case through former NFL
quarterback Brett Favre, the company's top investor.
"Minutes after learning this new
information, I initiated the process to immediately and fully divest
myself from any involvement—financial and otherwise—with
Prevacus/Odyssey Health Inc., a process that I insisted be complete
by end of day today," Wambach said.
A lawsuit filed by the state of Mississippi
alleged $2.1 million in funds earmarked for welfare recipients was
instead invested in Odyssey Health, then known as Prevacus, after
meetings between Favre and members of the state's Department of Human
Services in 2018, per Fainaru-Wada.
Favre began investing in Prevacus in
2014 and by 2018 became its largest shareholder, according to the
ESPN report.
Wambach said she invested in the
company after learning about its efforts to develop a nasal spray
that could help treat concussions.
"Since I genuinely believed this
company was being transparent about a product that could spare the
next generation of athletes from the severe impact of concussion
injuries that I endured as a professional athlete, I am profoundly
angry, disappointed, and saddened by what I learned today,"
Wambach told Fainaru-Wada.
Other people listed
on Odyssey Health's sports advisory board include former NFL
quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Mark Rypien, Chicago Cubs manager David
Ross and former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci.
On Wednesday, Odyssey Health announced the "successful completion of Phase I clinical trial" for its
concussion drug, which it said was "safe and well-tolerated" by
test subjects.
John Davis, the former former director
of Mississippi's welfare agency, pleaded guilty last week to one
count of conspiracy and one count of theft from programs receiving
federal funds after an investigation unearthed a "conspiracy to
misspend tens of millions of dollars."
Favre hasn't been charged with any
crimes, but he's accused of taking part in a scheme to funnel money
to the University of Southern Mississippi, his alma mater and the
college where his daughter Breleigh played volleyball, to build a new
volleyball facility.
Wambach, who retired from soccer in
2015, wasn't named in any of the fraud proceedings and said she was
unaware of Odyssey Health's links to the case until Thursday.
USWNT vs. Nigeria: 2022 Friendly Top Storylines and Predictions
Sep 3, 2022
United States' Alex Morgan celebrates scoring her side's opening goal from the penalty spot against Canada during the CONCACAF Women's Championship final soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, July 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Roberto Martinez)
The United States women's national team starts its third two-game series against an opponent in 2022 on Saturday afternoon.
The USWNT take on Nigeria inside Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, as part of a two-game set in a four-day span.
Most of the players who won the Concacaf W Championship in July are on the roster for Vlatko Andonovski's side for the two September friendlies.
The USWNT will use the consecutive friendlies to start preparing for the 2023 Women's World Cup and 2024 Summer Olympics. The squad also has to be sharp ahead of a clash with England on October 7.
Nigeria comes into the set of games ranked 46th in the FIFA world rankings. The Super Falcons will use Saturday's game in Kansas City and Tuesday's clash in Washington D.C. as early preparation for the Women's World Cup. They qualified by finishing fourth in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
USWNT vs. Nigeria Info
Date: Saturday, September 3
Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Live Stream: FoxSports.com and Fox Sports app
Top Storylines
Focus On 2023 World Cup Roster
Now that the Americans have qualified for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, they can focus on booking spots on the plane to the tournament.
Manager Vlatko Andonovski opted for consistency with his roster for the first matches after the World Cup and Olympic qualifying tournament that took place in Mexico in July.
Kelley O'Hara and Trinity Rodman are the only two members of the 23-person squad who traveled to Mexico who will not be available for the September friendlies. O'Hara is dealing with an injury and Rodman has a family commitment.
Hailie Mace and Savannah DeMelo were named in place of O'Hara and Rodman. Mace could play in front of her home club crowd. She is the only member of the NWSL's Kansas City Current to be on the roster for Saturday's match in Kansas City.
The competition for certain spots could even be tough for players who were in Mexico for the qualifying tournament.
Most of the players with 15 or fewer caps have the most motivation to impress because their spots are guaranteed on the plane to Australia and New Zealand yet.
It is safe to assume that Alyssa Naeher, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alex Morgan, Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle are among the players already headed to the Women's World Cup.
A World Cup roster without Megan Rapinoe does not seem normal, but at 37, she may have to play her way on to the squad to fend off challenges from younger attacking players.
That may be one of the tough decisions that looms for Andonovski, or Rapinoe could be in such good form that she forces her way into the roster and another veteran's spot comes under threat from a rising talent.
All of the games before the roster is finalized next summer will be important for players on the fringe of the roster, and Andonovski should give those candidates ample playing time to maximize the talent going to the Southern Hemisphere in 2023.
Home Unbeaten Streak Can Be Extended To 70
The USWNT comes into Saturday with a 69-game home unbeaten streak.
In 2022, the Americans have six wins and one draw on home soil. They have outscored their opponents 33-1 in home games this year.
The lone slip-up for the USWNT came back in January when it played to a scoreless draw with the Czech Republic to open up its calendar year in the SheBelieves Cup.
Since then, the USWNT pummeled a few opposing defenses by scoring at least five goals on four occasions. The lone concession on home soil came on a 70th-minute strike by Uzbekistan in a 9-1 blowout on April 9.
The USWNT showed off its form in Mexico in July, as it did not concede a goal over five matches at the Concacaf W Championship. The team outscored its opponents 13-0 in that tournament.
A similar result is expected on Saturday against a Nigeria team that came in fourth in the Women's African Cup of Nations in July. The Super Falcons could be viewed as a tough opponent, though, since they held Canada to four goals over two games in April, one of which was a 2-2 draw.
The USWNT should be wary of the threat posed by Nigeria, but it does have the quality across the field to produce another win and extend the home unbeaten run to 70 games.
Prediction: USWNT 3, Nigeria 0
The USWNT has too much quality in attack, led by Morgan, and its defense has been superb throughout 2022. Expect the Americans to not allow many chances and eventually crack the Nigeria back line for a few tallies.
USWNT Beats Canada in CONCACAF W Championship, Clinches Spot in 2024 Olympics
Jul 19, 2022
MONTERREY, MEXICO - JULY 18: Alex Morgan of United States controls the ball during the championship match between United States and Canada as part of the 2022 Concacaf W Championship at BBVA Stadium on July 18, 2022 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
The United States women's national team is headed to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The Americans clinched their spot in the Games with a 1-0 victory over Canada in Monday's final contest of the CONCACAF W Championship at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico.
The United States will be one of two CONCACAF representatives in Paris, while Canada will face third-place finisher Jamaica in a playoff in September 2023 for the other spot.
Jamaica defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in Monday's third-place match.
The lone goal in the title game came on a penalty kick by Alex Morgan in the 78th minute after Rose Lavelle drew the foul in the box.
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 19, 2022
Monday's clash was a showdown between two powerhouses, as the United States is No. 1 in the FIFA rankings and defending World Cup champions, while Canada is No. 6 and defending Olympic champions.
The Americans entered play unbeaten against their North American rivals in nine previous meetings at a CONCACAF final, but Canada defeated them 1-0 in the semifinal of the last Olympics thanks to a late penalty kick.
Revenge didn't come easy, as the game was scoreless deep into the second half even though the Red, White and Blue created far more chances.
The thing about this game is that it should be 6-0.
While the opposing defense and goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan deserved some of the credit for keeping the game scoreless in the face of a consistent attack, the eventual victors also failed to capitalize on the opportunities with a number of poor shot attempts.
That changed when Morgan stepped up to the ball after the penalty, and the result seemed inevitable from there, given the way much of the game unfolded.
3 - @alexmorgan13 has scored in 3 of the 4 qualifying finals (World Cup/Olympics) she's played for the @USWNT against Canada (also 2012 Olympics, 2019 World Cup). Stage. pic.twitter.com/PG7sCLEiQ3
Alex Morgan. 10 goals in 12 matches against Canada. A statistic that tells you all you need to know about her ability to score big goals in big games 🇺🇸🏆
It was the third goal of the tournament for the two-time World Cup champion and four-time CONCACAF Female Player of the Year, and it couldn't have come at a better time for the Americans.
