Summary:
- The US Women's National Team has advanced to the round of 16 in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- Despite dominating defensively, the USWNT has struggled offensively, scoring only four goals in the group stage.
- The absence of Rose Lavelle due to suspension is a significant loss for the team, but they have talented players to fill the gap.
- Forward Alex Morgan needs to step up her performance to lead the team's attack effectively.
- The USWNT is favored to advance against Sweden, a team known for relying on set pieces and crosses.
- Sophia Smith is a key player for the USWNT, and her performance will be crucial in breaking down Sweden's defense.
US Women's National Team is kind of dominated the stat sheet in a lot of ways through the group stage, but with one win and two draws They did finish second in their group to the Netherlands. They head to the knockout stage of the World Cup amidst much consternation shall we say USA Sweden coming up on Sunday in the round of 16 And as we get ready for that 5 a.m. Eastern kickoff for USA Sweden for the sixth straight time in a World Cup We welcome in the host of the attacking third podcast on the golazo network Lisa Carlin Lisa the US they're into the round of 16 They're going for an unprecedented third straight World Cup title. So why is everyone so angry about this team right now? For us people are angry about this us because of the results that they haven't been getting two draws in the group stage That hasn't happened in a very long time. They finished second in their group stage. That's the first time that's happened since 2011 for this US side and the rest of the world has caught up in terms of talent and Prestige and the resources that they're putting into their women's programs and that's the true testament to this World Cup We're seeing heavy hitters being knocked out left and right But we started this segment looking at the stat total one shot on target for the opposition of the United States during this group stage That was the Netherlands and that one shot on target is the only goal that Was scored against the US during the group stage.
[{'subtitle': 'Defensive Strength but Offensive Struggles', 'content': "So defensively the us are very sound. They're not giving up easy chances They're not giving up looks and they've only conceded one goal. However 63 total shots 17 on target and they've only found the back of the net four times that is so Unlike the United States in the most recent years They're having trouble in the final third with clinical shot selection and final passes to put them in the best position to score the net and that's why fans are a little bit on their edge Heading into this round of 16 Look Rose LaValle was probably the biggest creator for the US during the group stage certainly the most dynamic player It seemed at least but she picked up a second yellow against portugal. She's gonna miss the round of 16 game against sweden Three questions and one here. How big of a loss is this for the stars and stripes? Who fills the spot and how might this affect the way they play against sweden all in one here? A three in one. I like it. Why not? This is a big loss for the United States to not have rose laValle She is a creative magician that Subbed on to the game in the first match for the United States against vietnam and opened up the game She is so creative on the ball.\n\nSo they lose the creativity that laValle brings in the midfield A number of players can step into this role Savannah de mello is a young player in the midfield that got two consecutive starts in the first and second games for the united states I would not be surprised if we see savannah de mello slot into that midfield. However, this Absence of rose laValle opens up the door for the US coaching staff to have more rotation Especially in the midfield this allows for julia who's been playing as a center back But most notably known as a defensive midfield to slide up into that midfield and create much more defensive presence for the united state Which opens up a lot of cook to slot into the center back role alongside naeumi germa That's my pick for how the us rolls out and rotates in the midfield It's a big loss without rose laValle, but this roster is stacked We are talking about 23 players that any single one of them could be starters in the world cup Terrific ingredients, but you got to get that mix just right and this is it Winner go home and if they go home, it'll be the first time ever in the round of 16 by the way who won this usa team"}, {'subtitle': "Alex Morgan's Impact", 'content': "Absolutely just needs to step up And you can't say all of them by the way Well, all of them do need to step up for us, but there's one player in particular forward alex morgan She's the co-captain of this squad along with lindsay haran and she needs to step up morgan has had one goal contribution In these three games now the united states has only scored four However, she needs to involve herself much more in the game whether that's stretching the opposition and getting in behind their back line Dropping deeper into the midfield to create link up play alex morgan has to initiate the movement for the front line She's a leader and a veteran on this roster for a reason and we haven't seen it yet"}, {'subtitle': "USWNT's Favorable Odds", 'content': "From a wagering standpoint the united states are favored to advance here as a fan I got to admit i'm a little bit worried kind of feel like everything is possible here How do you see this going down? Who's your pick? Russ don't be worried the u.s. Has this in the bag. I hope my confidence puts you at ease There is something about this united states women's national team and the mindset the belief that they have when they get into these Do or die moments. It's the round of 16 you either win and move on or you're going home Although sweden is is sometimes favorited in this matchup and us fans are not high on the united states The us can handle this this swedish side the swedens are very predictable right now in their group play There are relying on set pieces and crosses to find the back of the net six of their nine goals so far in this world cup Have been on set pieces only two shots in the run of play So if the united states can limit their corner kicks that they concede to their opposition and set pieces in their attacking end of the field And just combine in front of goal make it really simple on their attacking end of things The united states are going to get the job done and move on"}, {'subtitle': 'Sophia Smith: Key Player', 'content': "Makes sense because sweden's actually physically bigger top to bottom than the usa team when you just look at the stats last thing Unless this thing goes the full 90 and then extra time all the way to penalties that a goal There's a good chance someone's going to have to score to win this game So who's it going to be who's your pick to score a goal for the united states against sweden Sophia smith the forward for the us the young star you can find her with her signature bubble braid on the field in the front line Her match up against the swedish back line is going to be very interesting center back for the swedes amanda Ilisad has Been a dominant physical player in their center back. She's got three goals already this world cup However, she's a very big player.\n\nSo fia smith is a little bit smaller in stature She has an explosive step to get past ilisad And she's also got the technical ability with the ball at her feet to go 1v1 with the defenders and get in behind If smith can do those steps to get past the first line of defense And then get her head up and just play soccer the way that she freely does with her club team in portland Connecting with her teammates running off the ball and having fun on it Sophia smith is going to be the game changer to get a goal for the us"}]
Much thanks to Lisa Carlin, host of the Attacking Third podcast on the Golazo network. So thanks so much. Let's all get some early sleep tonight before the big one coming your way, an early alarm on Sunday morning as the United States and Sweden match up in the round of 16 at the Women's World Cup. Kickoff set for 5 a.m. Eastern on Fox, and we'll have postgame coverage right for you on CBS Sports HQ.