The real test: The USWNT prepares for Group E showdown with the Netherlands

Jenna Watson | USA Today

Find the shooting boots 

Of course, there’s always room for improvement, especially when it comes to finishing chances. Co-captain Alex Morgan missed a penalty in the first half, and the team scored -1.7 goals below expected. That’s perhaps a signifier of some rust. 

It’s not a unique phenomenon to dominate a team for long spells and not get the ball in the back of the net. Looking around at other nations who scored three or more goals in the opening round, there were mixed signs of ruthlessness in front of goal. 

“We created a lot of opportunities and wanted to score more goals, but it is what it is,” Andonovski told the media after the match. “Hopefully we can improve on that and bring some of the good things we did today when we play the Netherlands. We take everything game by game and that [match against the Dutch] is now our focus.”

On one hand, other nations were more precise in front of goal. The Germans outperformed its xG by 1.7 in its 6-0 win over Morocco; the Brazilians hit four goals from 3.6 xG. 

However, other major contenders matched the USA’s somewhat profligate showing. Even though Japan scored five goals against Zambia, it still was -1.5 below its xG of 6.5. Spain may have been 3-0 up on Costa Rica after 24 minutes, but it finished the match with an uncapitalized-on xG of 4.7. 

This also isn’t the same World Cup field as years gone by. 

The 13-0 margin of victory the USA had against Thailand four years ago may never happen again. Vietnam was as tenacious and hard-working as any side out there and smothered the USA when it could. 

“Everyone’s going to be a hard opponent … a lot of federations have grown, it's to be expected. It’s good to see so many countries coming in and making a great impression,’ USA defender Naomi Girma said on Monday, reflecting on the Vietnam game, her World Cup debut, and the competitiveness of lower-ranked nations. 

The future is bright; the future is Oranje?

Four years on from a defeat to the USA in the World Cup final, this isn’t the same Dutch team. Six players who started that final started Holland’s 1-0 narrow win over Portugal this past Saturday, but there aren't a lot of returning faces from that squad. 

There’s no doubt the Oranje are still “a hard opponent” and one with plenty more attacking threat when compared to Vietnam. But head coach Andries Jonker is bedding in some young talent who will have to adapt to the pressure of the World Cup stage quickly. He’s also missing his best goalscorer, Vivianne Miedema, through injury. 

In between the posts, 23-year-old goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar has been a shining light. She only became the starter when Sari van Veenendaal picked up an injury during Holland's opening match of the 2022 Euros. Prior to that match, van Domselaar only had one international cap. 

But after a string of eye-catching showings, a nomination for goalkeeper of the tournament, plus a recent transfer to Aston Villa, she is one of the most exciting shot-stoppers out there. She even notched a clean sheet in her World Cup debut against Portugal, although she only had to make one save. The USA will be expected to keep van Domselaar much busier on Wednesday night. 

On the left wing, the fearless 19-year-old Esmee Brugts also started against Portugal. The PSV winger will likely face off against Emily Fox. The NC Courage defender is known for her ability to carry the ball forward and cut into the midfield when the USA attacks. With Brugts' speed and vision being two of her best attributes, Fox must be mindful that she doesn’t get caught leaving too much space on that side. Otherwise, she will be punished. 

Against Portugal, Brugts was solid, especially defensively, but had a quiet match in terms of offensive production, with just one shot and one chance created. She also had zero successful dribbles. Perhaps the gravity of the moment made her more cautious, and less likely to break forward and get involved in the final phase of attacks. But with that first taste of a World Cup out the way, the winger will be mentally better prepared to showcase her best work against the USA. 

Prior to the World Cup, Holland had set up in a 4-3-3 but experimented with a 3-5-2 in warm-up matches. Against Portugal, Jonker opted to go with the 3-5-2. That meant Brugt was more of a wingback than a winger. The same went for Arsenal’s Victoria Pelova on the right-hand side. 

The Dutch will keep its formation fluid. Jonkers is well aware that having Brugts and Pelova as wing-backs, rather than true wingers, might help add numbers in defensive phases of play. When facing the reigning World Champions, not getting overloaded is essential. 

Jenna Watson | USA Today

Did we see the USA’s ‘Best XI’? 

Just as it will be intriguing to see how attacking the Dutch goes on Wednesday night, it’s still unknown if Andonovski put out his Best XI in its preferred shape against Vietnam. 

The USA head coach surprised many when he handed the inexperienced Savannah DeMelo the start in the midfield. The Racing Louisville attacker has been in scintillating form in the NWSL but doesn’t have much USWNT experience at all — just two caps total (the Vietnam win and warm-up match against Wales), both coming in the past two weeks. 

Fans and media were perhaps even more shocked when Julie Ertz was handed a starting berth at center back. It's a role she rose to prominence in, back in 2015, but since 2019 has been utilized as a defensive midfielder. 

Ertz’s vast experience and commanding presence are invaluable. And her teammates are quick to say so. 

“I did feel that calmness, that confidence. I think it comes from that talk from Julie [Ertz], Crystal [Dunn] and Alyssa [Naeher] all around me. That constant communication helps me zone in and keep that focus,” said Girma about making her World Cup debut. 

Slotting a midfielder into the backline did make sense against Vietnam, knowing that the USA’s resting shape would be very high up the pitch. Ertz was slick, routinely roaming forward as a sort of sweeping role, or a come-enter-back-come-holding-midfielder if you like.

Andonovski could move Ertz back into the “six” role and bench Andi Sullivan, who did also look very comfortable on her World Cup debut against Vietnam. OL Reign center back Alana Cook was many people’s pick to start in the backline. And her passing range and calmness in possession aren’t bad at all. Having defenders who defend will also be more necessary against the Dutch. 

Andonovski has clearly pigeonholed Ertz as one of his trusted generals. If she starts against the Netherlands, then it is a clear sign she is a member of his preferred XI and a guarantee for the knockout rounds. This would make Cook the likely backup center back, who could still get handed a start on Matchday Three when Andonovski is expected to rotate against Portugal. 

Wednesday's match will likely decide if the USA tops Group E. And it’s probably the highest-pressure match of the U.S. coach’s career. 

On Monday, 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson was asked what she had learned from the more senior members of the team about being at a World Cup. 

"Expect the unexpected," she replied with a smile. 

Wise words from the USA's youngest squad member. In the USA's first real test of the 2023 World Cup, everyone should stay on their toes.