It may seem weird that the US Women’s Soccer National Team would need any kind of redemption as they are sitting World Champions. However, they are not sitting SheBelieves Cup winners. That crown belongs to England, who edged out the USA, Brazil and Japan last year. This year, England, the USA, Japan and Spain fight for the SheBelieves Cup.
USA’s Struggles in 2019:
Last year, the USA never lost a match, but they did not do enough to win this competition. A couple of 2-2 draw with Japan and England meant they went into their final match needing to beat Brazil, and also hope for an England loss to win the tournament. England beat Japan, and the USWNT beat Brazil. England ended the tournament as champions and the USA settled for runners up.
If it’s one thing this team hates it’s not winning ever single competition they play in. In 2020 they’ll have a chance for redemption and to dethrone England!
2020 Nations, Format & Schedule:
USA, England, Japan and Spain are the four teams playing for the SheBeleives Cup. Each team will play each other one time and the team with the most points from those three matches will be champions!
The competition’s teams in the top 15 teams in the world! The games will be played in three different locations across the USA. Orlando, FL., Harrison, NJ., Frisco, TX. are three locations; all matches will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums!
The action kicks off tonight, and the tournament concludes next Wednesday! Here’s a look at the schedule of the matches:
March 5, 2020: Spain vs Japan 4:15 pm EST|USA vs England 7:00 pm EST
March 8, 2020: Japan vs England 2:15 pm EST|USA vs Spain 5:00 pm EST
March 11, 2020: England vs Spain 5:15 pm EST|USA vs Japan 8:00 pm EST
The USA Roster:
Following the successful Olympic qualification campaign, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski has called in a strong roster for this tournament!
GOALKEEPERS (3): Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars 61)
DEFENDERS (8): Abby Dahlkemper (North Carolina Courage), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (North Carolina Courage), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara (Utah Royals FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals FC), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Sonnett (Orlando Pride)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Washington Spirit), Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)
FORWARDS (7): Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC; 291/122), Jessica McDonald (North Carolina Courage), Christen Press (Utah Royals FC), Mallory Pugh (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage)
USWNT vs England:
It was clear in the World Cup last Summer that USA and England are two of the best teams in the world. They look to be nations that will be clashing for years to come for supremacy.
In the World Cup, the USWNT got out to an early lead, only for England to equalize soon after. Before halftime, Alex Morgan scored and showed off her iconic sipping tea celebration. Alex won’t be in this tournament, as she is pregnant, but I’m sure this celebration will be on the minds of the England team.
Tonight these two teams meet with differing views of redemption. England will want to stick to the team that knocked them out of the chance to play for a World Championship this past summer. The USWNT is looking to win this tournament again and knock off the reigning championships in the process.
It is a clash of two titans to kick off the first matchday of this tournament! Be sure to tune in to ESPN2 at 7:00 pm EST to catch the action!
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Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports
