Sophia Smith at the double as USA beat Vietnam to launch World Cup campaign
Never in modern times has the United States women’s national team entered a World Cup surrounded by so many questions. The scrutiny that follows the team is constant, but endless injuries and constant player turnover recently created lineup uncertainty.
United States coach Vlatko Andonovski’s starting lineup on Saturday against Vietnam for the team’s 2023 World Cup opener exemplified as much. In most scenarios, the number of surprises would have been seen as a risk too many to start a major tournament, but the United States won as expected, 3-0 over an overmatched but dogged Vietnam side making its tournament debut.
Forward Sophia Smith, one of six USA starters making her World Cup debut, led the way with a first-half brace and an assist on midfielder Lindsey Horan’s goal after half-time.
Smith’s first goal, in the 14th minute, came as midfielder Lindsey Horan found forward Alex Morgan for a flick-on. It was the type of coordinated movement Andonovski alluded to wanting to see from his team in the opener to break down Vietnam’s hyper defensive setup, a five-back formation that would become a line of six defenders at times.
“I was happy with the way this team played,” Andonovski said. “If you look at this team, it’s the first time that this 11 has been on the field together. They’ve never been on the field together in a game scenario for one minute and to see some of the connections and some of the combinations that they were able to do was very positive.” The biggest surprise of the night for the USA came in the No 10 position. Savannah DeMelo, who made the USA roster as an uncapped player, filled in for Rose Lavelle in the all-important role. Lavelle is being eased into the tournament following a months-long absence due
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