USWNT player ratings vs Portugal: USA play to drab draw, barely clinch Women's World Cup 2023 knockout spot

The United States officially claimed a spot in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Women's World Cup, but there were few other positives to take from the 0-0 draw with Portugal that left them crawling into the knockout stage.

Out-passed, out-possessed and out-played, the USWNT were ground to a halt by a second consecutive European side, just days after a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands.

While the U.S. would ultimately secure a spot in the knockout stage, the previous two performances do little to inspire confidence in a run towards a third consecutive Women's World Cup crown. The side displayed a complete lack of cohesion or on-ball progression, often resorting to individual athleticism to create moves forward. 

Now set for a daunting matchup against an in-form Sweden squad that has been a thorn in the U.S. side for decades, improvement must come quickly on all fronts, or they face an embarrassing early exit from the tournament. 

Recap USA's 0-0 draw against Portugal in the 2023 Women's World Cup group finale

USA starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 1. Naeher (GK) — 23. Fox, 8. Ertz, 4. Girma, 19. Dunn (O'Hara, 90+7') — 16. Lavelle, 17. Sullivan, 10. Horan (Sonnett, 85') — 6. Williams (Rodman, 85'), 13. Morgan (Thompson, 90+7'), 11. S. Smith (Rapinoe, 61').

Portugal had just six shots in the whole match, so Alyssa Naeher didn't have much to do, but the few times she was involved, she was nervy at best. Naeher's worst moment was a failed punch on a Portugal set-piece near the end of the game that saw her stuck in no-man's land, but nobody on the opposition was there to punish the mistake.

In a game where the defensive line largely stepped up, Emily Fox was a big part of their success. She won five of her seven ground duels and