United States (Women's Football)

Achieving equal pay for the men's and women's national soccer teams two months ago lifted the "dark cloud" over the United States Soccer Federation, U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone told ESPN:

"Not only getting equal pay with the CBAs but solving the litigation has made this dark cloud that was hanging over all of our heads move along.

"It affected everything we did at the federation, so now to have a reset with our national team players on the men and women's side, to move forward together, to actually be aligned with each other and hoping each other succeed is really great.

"It has allowed me to sleep a little bit more at night, which I'm also appreciative for."

The USSF, United States Women's National Team Players Association and the United States National Soccer Team Players Association agreed to terms on collective bargaining agreements that achieved equal pay in May.

Parlow Cone said at the time:

"This is a truly historic moment. These agreements have changed the game forever here in the United States and have the potential to change the game around the world. U.S. Soccer and the USWNT and USMNT players have reset their relationship with these new agreements and are leading us forward to an incredibly exciting new phase of mutual growth and collaboration as we continue our mission to become the preeminent sport in the United States."

The CBAs for the men's and women's teams, which have identical economic terms, run through 2028. The teams will receive identical pay for every competition, including the men's and women's FIFA World Cups, and will also split a portion of U.S. Soccer's commercial revenue, including broadcast, partner, sponsorship and ticket sale revenue.

Members of the men's and women's national teams also receive equal benefits for child care and retirement, along with equal support for venues and field surfaces, accommodations, travel, staffing, scheduling predictability, safe work environments. Some USWNT players also receive insurance, parental leave and short-term disability.

The USWNT had been fighting for equal pay since 2016 when five of the team's star players—Hope Solo, Carli Lloyd, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe—filed a wage discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Three years later, the women withdrew their claim and instead filed a lawsuit against U.S. Soccer, suing the federation for gender discrimination. They said the discrimination affected their paychecks, where and when they played, medical treatments, coaching and travel.

In 2020, a federal judge rejected the USWNT's argument over receiving less pay than the men's team but preserved the claim of unequal working conditions. The women's players appealed, and in February, they reached a settlement with U.S. Soccer that included a pledge from the federation to equalize pay, which wasn't achieved until May.

Achieving equal pay was huge for the women's national team, who will look to win their third straight World Cup in 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.

The United States women's national team embarks on its most important month of 2022 with two goals in mind.

The USWNT is looking to qualify for the 2023 Women's World Cup and 2024 Summer Olympics through the CONCACAF W Championship, which begins on Monday in Mexico.

Vlatko Andonovski's side is viewed as the favorite to win the competition and earn berths for the two international events. The qualification journey begins against Haiti to kick off Group A play.

The USWNT was grouped with Haiti, Mexico and Jamaica in Group A. The three group games will take place over a week's span. The top two teams in Group A earn qualification to the Women's World Cup. The winner of the entire competition automatically moves on to the Paris Olympics.

The Americans will be a massive favorite to open the tournament with a victory over Haiti. The available odds for the match can be found here on DraftKings Sportsbook.

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Prediction

USWNT 5, Haiti 0

The USWNT comes into the CONCACAF W Championship with six wins and a draw from its 2022 schedule.

Vlatko Andonovski's side is coming off back-to-back shutout victories over Colombia in which it tallied five goals.

The USWNT could see the goals flow into the back of the net on Monday against a much-weaker Haitian side.

Monday's game should be used as a tone-setter for the USWNT in Mexico before it takes on Jamaica and the host nation.

Andonovski should use some of his veteran players in the starting lineup to ensure a safe passage to three points, but do not be surprised if some of the younger players on the roster get a taste of CONCACAF to prepare for the tougher games ahead.

Sophia Smith could be the USWNT's breakout star on the international stage over the next 12 months. She already has six goals in 16 appearances for the North American side, and she can't stop scoring in the NWSL for the Portland Thorns.

Smith will be a vital part of the USWNT attack throughout the tournament to either be the lead scorer, or provide support for the likes of Alex Morgan in the final third.

Morgan is three goals ahead of Smith in the NWSL Golden Boot race with 11 tallies. If Morgan starts against Haiti, she could bag multiple tallies in the first half on the way to an easy win.

The goal-scoring threats are not limited to the forward line. Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle and others can chip in from midfield.

A well-rounded attack should impose its will on the Haitian defense on Monday. Horan, Lavelle or other midfielders in the starting XI could get into the scoring mix alongside Morgan and Co.

The USWNT has never allowed a goal in World Cup qualification tournaments against Haiti. The Americans hold a 7-0 head-to-head record with seven shutouts against Haiti in program history.

Haiti is not expected to end that drought Monday, and it could be in damage control mode as it does not want its goal differential to skyrocket in the first game.

Haiti's defensive strategy may be to bunker in front of the penalty area in the first half to ensure that the goal differential number does not go too high.

The USWNT should find a breakthrough or two in the first half and cruise to a multi-goal victory that allows it to rest some starters ahead of the Jamaica and Mexico games.

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United States women's national soccer team star Megan Rapinoe and Olympic all-around champion gymnast Simone Biles are both set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom next week.

According to ESPN.com, the White House said in a statement that Rapinoe, Biles and the 15 other people who will be honored next week "have overcome significant obstacles to achieve impressive accomplishments in the arts and sciences, dedicated their lives to advocating for the most vulnerable among us, and acted with bravery to drive change in their communities, and across the world, while blazing trails for generations to come."

Per the USWNT, the ceremony will take place on July 7 at the White House in Washington, D.C.

It will mark a historic moment for Rapinoe and Biles, as they will be just the fifth and sixth female athletes or coaches to receive the honor, joining tennis player Billie Jean King, women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt and golfers Annika Sorenstam and Babe Didrikson Zaharias.

According to Meg Linehan of The Athletic, the ceremony will cause Rapinoe to miss the USWNT's CONCACAF W Championship match against Jamaica on Thursday, but she will be back for a key match against Mexico on July 11.

Overall, just 647 people had ever received the Presidential Medal of Freedom prior to 2022 since it was first instituted by President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

Rapinoe described how she found out about the honor, noting she received a call from the White House on June 23 in between training sessions. Rapinoe added she was told to "please hold for the President of the United States" before she heard the voice of President Joe Biden.

The 36-year-old USWNT member recounted how she felt in that moment and how grateful she is to receive the highest civilian honor in the United States:

"In that moment I spoke to the President, I was, and still am, totally overwhelmed. I just think of all the people who I feel deserve a part of this medal, from my family to current and former teammates, all the women of the U.S. Women's National Team throughout our history, to Colin Kaepernick, the three woman who founded Black Lives Matter—Opal, Alicia and Patrisse—to Marsha P, Sylvia and Billie Jean, the Williams sisters, of course my fiancé Sue Bird, and so many more.

"I am humbled and truly honored to be chosen for this award by President Biden and feel as inspired and motivated as ever to continue this long history of fighting for the freedoms of all people. To quote Emma Lazarus, 'Until we are all free, we are none of us free.'"

Rapinoe has long been outspoken on social issues, such as racial inequality, LGBTQ rights and equal pay for women, the latter of which she and her USWNT teammates achieved in May in the new USWNT and United States men's national team collective bargaining agreements.

Most recently, Rapinoe has spoken out about abortion rights for women, which were jeopardized last week when the United States Supreme Court overturned landmark case Roe v. Wade.

Biles, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, has been an advocate for multiple issues as well, including mental health and the support of sexual-assault victims.

At the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo last summer, Biles pulled out of multiple events, including the individual all-around, in order to focus on and preserve her mental health.

She has also been at the forefront of fighting for the rights of the many gymnasts who were sexually assaulted by longtime United States Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.

Biles was among those who were assaulted by Nassar, and she spoke on behalf of many victims when testifying at a senate hearing investigating how Nassar's abuse—which saw him sentenced to up to 175 years in prison in January 2018—was allowed to continue in September.

In addition to their stances on social issues, Rapinoe and Biles are two of the most decorated athletes in the histories of their respective sports.

Rapinoe has won two FIFA Women's World Cups and an Olympic gold medal with the USWNT, while the 25-year-old Biles is a four-time Olympic gold medalist, seven-time Olympic medalist and 25-time medalist at the world championships.

Carson Pickett became the first player with a limb difference to play a match for the United States women's national team in a 2-0 win over Colombia in a friendly at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, on Tuesday night.

Pickett, who was born without a left hand and forearm, drew the start as part of the USWNT's back line.

"Carson did very well in training for us in last week, and with the management of minutes for Emily Fox that we had, we felt like Carson would be a good replacement, and I'm happy that she was able to perform well for 90 minutes," head coach Vlatko Andonovski told reporters.

Carson Pickett made history as the first player with a limb difference to play for the USWNT in their 2-0 win vs. Colombia on Tuesday 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hequkELucy

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 29, 2022

Pickett previously represented the U.S. at the youth level with the U17 and U23 squads.

The 28-year-old played college soccer at Florida State before starting her pro career with the Seattle Reign in 2016.

She also played for the Orlando Pride, along with loan stints as a member of the Brisbane Roar and Apollon Ladies, before joining her current club, the North Carolina Courage, in February 2021.

Pickett was selected for the 2021 Best XI First Team and was a finalist for the league's Defender of the Year Award last season.

In 2019, she formed a friendship with two-year-old Joseph Tidd, who was also born with a limb difference.

"Literally within five minutes of me meeting him, we had an instant bond," Pickett told Scott Gleeson of USA Today. "It's interesting, though, because for a kid that young, I didn't expect him to connect the way he did. Even though we both have the same arm [limb difference], it was amazing to me that it felt like he realized why we were bonded."

She added: "This is something that is much bigger than soccer. It's hopefully a lifelong friendship."

What a moment between @Cars_Pickett16 and an @ORLPride fan ☺️ (via @BeckyBurleigh) pic.twitter.com/R53JHdSfxN

— ESPN (@espn) July 22, 2019

Pickett has also worked with the Lucky Fin Project, which is focused on providing a support network, medical information and education related to limb differences.

Next up for the USWNT is the 2022 CONCACAF Women's Championship. The U.S. opens the tournament with a clash against Haiti on July 4.

Megan Rapinoe called on Americans to urge their congressional representatives to change what she described as "insane" gun-control laws or vote them out of office.

Rapinoe said Wednesday "our whole heart goes out to everyone in Texas" after 19 children and two teachers were killed in a shooting at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday, per Cesar Brioso of USA Today.

The massacre came less than two weeks after 10 people were killed in a racist attack on a grocery store in Buffalo.

"We're living in an insane country when it comes to gun control and gun laws," Rapinoe said. "I mean, there's literally a mass shooting every day. It actually struck me when we went to a moment of silence today because we just did one three f--king days ago for a different mass shooting in a different city. It's literally the definition of insanity."

Rapinoe was speaking after her OL Reign won 1-0 against the Kansas City Current in the NWSL.

She also spotlighted the common denominator in many recent mass shootings: high-powered rifles.

"I think it's like every single mass shooting now it's just an AR-15," Rapinoe said. "It's just f--king insane."

https://twitter.com/adamcbest/status/1529296898317860864

Rapinoe echoed comments from Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who made an impassioned speech for change on Tuesday:

Steve Kerr on today's tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas. pic.twitter.com/lsJ8RzPcmC

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 24, 2022

"The entire country is being completely held hostage, as Steve Kerr said last night," she said. "And I mean, quite literally, hostage, in a hostile environment, where you can go to church, you can go to the grocery store, you can go to school and end up dead, by whatever it is, 50 senators or 400 (congresspeople) or whatever, whatever the number is, it's just completely insane."

The California native added she believes it's time for people to take a stand against the politicians who aren't willing to consider reform to gun laws.

"I urge people to use their voice and vote or to call their representatives or to badger their representatives, or to vote them out if they don't change this, because we're just quite literally being held hostage in this country for no reason whatsoever," Rapinoe said. "The only reason that an AR-15 exists is to murder human beings. It's not used for anything else. And it's obviously very effective and it's just heartbreaking."

Rapinoe was selected for Time's 100 Most Influential People list in 2020 for her work on gender pay equality, racial justice and LGBTQ rights.

The United States women's national team can probably name its score for Tuesday's friendly against Uzbekistan.

The Americans rolled past the central Asian nation 9-1 on Saturday in the first of two matches between the teams.

USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski used most of the young players on his roster in that victory, and we should expect more of the same inside Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday.

Sophia Smith stole the spotlight in the first win over Uzbekistan. The Portland Thorns forward netted her first-career international hat-trick. Smith, or whoever starts up top, should have ample opportunities to find the back of the net Tuesday.

                         

USWNT vs. Uzbekistan Info

Date: Tuesday, April 11

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET 

TV: ESPN2

Live Stream: ESPN.com and ESPN app

Odds: Available odds can be found on DraftKings Sportsbook.

             

Preview

The USWNT obliterated Uzbekistan in the first of the countries' two friendlies on Saturday.

The Americans had their way in the final third, and three of their nine goals came from Portland's Smith. She is one of many young players in the USWNT squad looking to make an impression on Andonovski ahead of Concacaf World Cup qualifying in July.

Thirteen of the players on the USWNT roster for Tuesday's match have 15 or fewer international caps. And a handful should be on the field to start Tuesday's contest in order for Andonovski to make the best possible evaluations of them.

Smith and Catarina Macario are two of the most exciting young players in the USWNT talent pool and both earned starts Saturday.

Macario could be the star the next generation of the USWNT builds around. She already has the potential to start in the first-choice XI. Smith and others, meanwhile, are attempting to make that leap from friendly-match starters to important pieces in qualifying.

Andonovski could rest Abby Dahlkemper and Kelley O'Hara in defense as well as Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle in midfield to give game time to more future stars. That strategy would allow the USWNT to test out a different players in the limited window of games between now and July.

The USWNT is expected to have two more friendlies before World Cup qualifying kicks off, per USSoccer.com. The draw for the Concacaf W Championship takes place April 19.

Uzbekistan will likely not be competitive Tuesday night. It failed to present a challenge to the Americans over 90 minutes in Columbus, Ohio, and more of the same could be in store for the visitors Tuesday.

                            

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The United States Soccer Federation announced on Monday that it would not play Russia "no matter the level of competition or circumstance" until the ongoing military invasion of Ukraine is ceased. 

#WeStandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/spRVx7NZbr

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) February 28, 2022

On Monday, FIFA announced that Russia would be banned from all international competitions and that Russian clubs would be banned from UEFA competitions. 

"Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine," the organizing bodies said in a joint statement. "Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people."

The football associations from Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic had all said publicly they would not play Russia in scheduled men's World Cup qualifying playoff matches in March. 

OŚWIADCZENIE FEDERACJI PIŁKARSKICH POLSKI, SZWECJI I CZECH. Więcej... https://t.co/fkNXQJIseH pic.twitter.com/Tc9o5POp02

— PZPN (@pzpn_pl) February 24, 2022

"The illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine currently makes all football exchanges with Russia impossible," Karl-Erik Nilsson, the chairman of the Swedish FA, said. "We therefore urge FIFA to decide that the playoff matches in March in which Russia participates will be canceled. But regardless of what FIFA chooses to do, we will not play against Russia in March."

"In light of the escalation of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team is not going to play a match against Russian Republic," Poland's FA chief Cezary Kulesza added. "This is the only right decision."

FIFA initially chose against banning Russia outright, instead saying the country had to play under the name the Football Union of Russia and couldn't host international games nor have its flag or anthem be a part of them. 

That was met with backlash, however. The football associations from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales also stated they would not play Russia in international football. 

Statement from The FA: pic.twitter.com/bz0CLR0rum

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) February 27, 2022

The Scottish FA send a message of support, friendship and unity to the people of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/hSckZTs0Xz

— Scottish FA (@ScottishFA) February 28, 2022

On Friday, the 2022 UEFA Champions League final, originally scheduled to be held in Russia's St. Petersburg, was moved to France. 

Former United States women's national soccer team goalkeeper Hope Solo criticized ex-teammates Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe after USWNT players agreed to a $24 million deal with the U.S. Soccer Federation to settle a class-action lawsuit over equal pay.

Solo, who pledged to move forward with a separate lawsuit she filed in 2018, called the settlement "heartbreaking and infuriating" in an Instagram post Wednesday.

"Throughout the entire process, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan were the two most agreeable with the Federation and to this day, continue to to accept terms that are nowhere near what we set out to do," Solo wrote. "They both know this is not a win. They know it's an easy out of a fight they were never really in."

The 40-year-old Washington native, who last played for the USWNT in 2016, highlighted a portion of the agreement that states it's contingent on the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement between U.S. Soccer and the men's and women's teams.

"It doesn't exist yet and is not guaranteed," Solo wrote. "If the players had ever been successful in negotiating an equal CBA, there would've been no reason to sue the Federation in the first place."

She added the agreement "guarantees nothing to the next generation of players."

Her comments are in stark contrast to those made by Rapinoe, who called the settlement a "huge win for all women" during an appearance Tuesday on ABC's Good Morning America.

"We can't go back and undo the injustices that we've faced," Rapinoe said. "The only justice coming out of this is that we know that something like this is never going to happen again and we can move forward in making soccer the best sport that we possibly can in this country and setting up the next generation so much better than we ever had it."

“It’s a really amazing day. I think we're going to look back on this day and say this is the moment that, you know, U.S. Soccer changed for the better.” — @mPinoe on the #USWNT reaching a historic agreement in gender discrimination case. https://t.co/kWY5S6eOU4 pic.twitter.com/k6Wf2rx9qM

— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 22, 2022

Morgan added on GMA: "This is just such a monumental step forward in feeling valued, feeling respected, and just mending our relationship with U.S. Soccer. I not only see this as a win for our team or women's sports but women in general. It's just an incredible day and a day that we're all really proud of."

The agreement signed Tuesday includes a $22 million payment to players who signed on to the class-action suit to end the six-year case, per Molly Hensley-Clancy of the Washington Post.

"I'll be the first to admit that the federation made mistakes in the past, and as a former player I understand the frustration of being treated that way ... but I'm really proud of this moment," U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone said.

U.S. President Joe Biden also praised the agreement in a Twitter post:

This is a long overdue victory in the fight for equal pay. I’m proud of the @USWNT for never giving up — on and off the field.

Now, let’s close the pay gap in every industry. https://t.co/XHcHwseA9j

— President Biden Archived (@POTUS46Archive) February 22, 2022

The current CBA between U.S. Soccer and the USWNT Players Association, which was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, was extended through March 31 to allow for continued negotiations.

Neither side provided an update on those talks following the settlement agreement.

The United States Women's National Team won the 2022 SheBelieves Cup with a 5-0 victory over Iceland on Wednesday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Catarina Macario and Mallory Pugh led the way with two goals apiece.

It's the third consecutive SheBelieves Cup win for USWNT and fifth overall, the most since the tournament's inception in 2016.

The @USWNT defeat Iceland 5-0 to claim their fifth SheBelieves Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/yzF5aidjW0

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 24, 2022

A trophy for 2022!!! 🏆

🇺🇸 USA 5 - 0 ISL 🇮🇸#SheBelievesCup x @Visa pic.twitter.com/w0TuYK4WPQ

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 24, 2022

FULL TIME!!!!

WE'RE CHAMPIONS! 🏆#SheBelievesCup x @Visa pic.twitter.com/8PH33qgMHs

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 24, 2022

It was the first meeting between the United States and Iceland since the 2015 Algarve Cup where they played to a scoreless draw. Playing in its first SheBelieves Cup, Iceland finished second with wins over New Zealand and the Czech Republic. The U.S. topped New Zealand but played the Czech Republic to a draw.

The United States came out with some early pressure, dominating possession in the first half 61 percent to 39 percent and limiting Iceland to just two shots at the net.

The U.S. broke through in the 37th minute when Macario found the back of the net with a beautiful strike on the team's 10th shot of the night to take a 1-0 lead.

.@catarinamacario are you serious?? 😳 @brfootball

(via @USWNT) pic.twitter.com/sSyc78mjBt

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 24, 2022

Macario wasn't done there. Just before the first half ended she was able to chip in a loose ball in the box for her second goal of the night.

No. 2 for @catarinamacario 😼#SheBelievesCup x @Visa pic.twitter.com/XxxlAeQkIg

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 24, 2022

The second half saw much of the same with the United States keeping the pressure on, and it seemed like just a matter of time until another goal would be scored.

Pugh got in on the action in the 60th minute, converting a beautiful through ball from Ashley Sanchez. It was the 20th goal of Pugh's international career.

Mallory Pugh puts USA up 3-0 in the #SheBelievesCup ‼️ pic.twitter.com/KLdxp7LlXb

— ESPN (@espn) February 24, 2022

60' - GOAL!@MalPugh becomes the 24th player in #USWNT history with 20 goals and 20 assists!

🇺🇸 USA 3 - 0 ISL 🇮🇸#SheBelievesCup x @Visa pic.twitter.com/hu1GGYPg7x

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 24, 2022

Despite the 3-0 lead, the U.S. didn't let up. A press at midfield led to a breakaway opportunity for Pugh and Macario. A beautiful display of unselfishness on a give-and-go led to Pugh scoring her second goal of the night in the 75th minute.

Macario ➡️ Pugh @MalPugh gets her second of the night ⚽⚽

(via @USWNT)pic.twitter.com/DIxj4D0jIA

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 24, 2022

The front three of Macario, Pugh and Sophia Smith were subbed out in the 78th minute after a stellar performance.

Kristie Mewis put the icing on the cake for the U.S. with a goal in the 88th minute to cap the scoring. It was her fifth career international goal.

MEWIE MAKES IT FIVE 🖐 pic.twitter.com/WM1YFX9wmA

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 24, 2022

The United States was so dominant with its pressure that goalie Casey Murphy only had to make one save on the night. Iceland goalie Sandra Siguroardottir did an admirable job with seven saves.

The United States women's soccer team and Iceland will play for the SheBelieves Cup title Wednesday night.

Iceland comes into the clash at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, with two wins in the tournament. The USWNT opened with a draw against the Czech Republic and then beat New Zealand 5-0 to move into second place in the four-team table.

Wednesday's de facto title game marks the first meeting between the two countries since 2015. The USWNT has never lost to Iceland in 14 previous meetings, and that run could be extended if it plays like it did against New Zealand.

                    

USWNT vs. Iceland Info

Date: Wednesday, February 23

Start Time: 9 p.m. ET 

TV: ESPN2

Live Stream: ESPN.com and ESPN app

Odds: Available game odds can be found on DraftKings Sportsbook.

                

Preview

The USWNT figured out some of its offensive issues in the win over New Zealand, even though only two Americans scored in the contest. The USWNT benefited from a rare hat-trick of own goals from New Zealand's Meikayla Moore.

The Americans have not conceded in their two tournament games. But Vlatko Andonovski's side must be aware of Iceland's early offensive threat, which has wreaked havoc on opponents in the competition.

Iceland scored in the first minute for its only goal against New Zealand, and it bagged two tallies within the first 18 minutes in its 2-1 win over Czech Republic. Iceland produced nine shots on goal in that game, and it poses the toughest threat to the USWNT in the tournament.

The USWNT defense is the most experienced unit in the squad. Becky Sauerbrunn earned her 200th cap at the start of the event, and three other defenders have 47 or more international appearances. Veteran defenders Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett and Kelley O'Hara are also on the USWNT roster. That experience should help the USWNT deal with the Icelandic attack.

The attack features a handful of younger players looking to impress Andonovski as the team transitions from some of the older players ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Ashley Hatch bagged her third international goal in five appearances in the win over New Zealand. Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman have also seen game time throughout the tournament.

Lynn Williams and Mallory Pugh, the other American scorer in the SheBelieves Cup, could be called upon to start in order to secure the victory.

The USWNT is looking to win its third SheBelieves Cup in a row and the fifth since the tournament debuted in 2016.

                        

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