Expected Own Goals

In the immortal words of some random Marvel character, so THAT just happened. Yes, the USWNT just suffered what might be one of the worst ties in modern soccer history. They just barely scraped through to second place in group E and a likely date with nemeses Sweden in the round of 16. Just how bad was it? Were there any silver linings? What goes on inside the mind of Vlatko Andonovski? Find out! 

Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)

If it was easy, would it even count? The USWNT are on top of Group E, but have to score a bunch of goals to assure their place as group winners. Portugal know that if they beat the U.S., they might be able to go through to the knockout stage. And let's not forget that Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle are sitting on yellow cards! Eric and Evan dig into all the permutations this game could offer. tl;dr Goals! Goals! Goals!

Everyone OK??? The USWNT battled a wild-n-wooly game against the Dutch, conceding a nasty counterattacking goal early in the first half but finding a way to make Lindsey Horan go Hulk Mode in the second. If only some subs had been able to share the spoils! Evan and Eric break down the 1-1 draw and Vlatko Andonovski's approach, which was somehow as bad and not nearly as bad as you thought. Try not to hyperventilate! 

Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)

The Netherlands threw out a real doozy of a lineup against Portugal, but couldn't win convincingly. Yay for the USWNT, right? Eric and Evan dig into the challenges the Netherlands presents, the holes the U.S. could exploit, and most importantly, determine who is The Most Important Dutch Person In History (non-tulip edition). Fire it up! 

The state of Colorado did its job on Friday night when natives Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan lead the USWNT to a comprehensive but still tricky 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the opening game of the World Cup. Vlatko Andonovski threw some surprises into the lineup starting Julie Ertz at center back and Savannah DeMelo in the midfield. Did these curveballs connect? What does the team still need to work on as they head in to their 2019 World Cup final rematch with the Netherlands? Let's get into it! 

Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)

There are lots of paths for the USWNT to travel in order to get to the World Cup final. First, they have to get through the group stage. Evan and Eric break down Vietnam, The Netherlands, and Portugal before speculating on possible knockout stage opponents. Get after it! 

The U.S. Women's National Team always have world-class forwards. That is no more evident than this World Cup, when injuries to Catarina Macario and Mallory Swanson don't feel as daunting as they might to other nations. But is Vlatko Andonovski deploying his attack in the most optimal way possible? Should Alex Morgan be benched? Is the young Alyssa Thompson ready to start? Can Lynn Williams be moved centrally? Is this the most champagne problem in the whole tournament? You know it!

Nobody thought Julie Ertz would be ready to join the U.S. Women's National Team at the World Cup. Once that became a possibility, Vlatko Andonovski leaped at the chance to select her. But is she in fact ready to start for the USWNT? Is Andi Sullivan a worthy backup? How crucial is Rose Lavelle to the team's success--and is she really healthy enough to lead the line? Is Sam Mewis the team's biggest injury loss? Is Savannah DeMelo, with one cap to her name, capable of stepping up? Let's find out!

Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)

The biggest questions about the U.S. Women's National Team at the World Cup will be asked of its defense. Becky Sauerbrunn's injury has pushed young center backs Alana Cook and Naomi Girma into the spotlight. Crystal Dunn, usually a midfielder, will return to her position at left back. Emily Fox makes her tournament debut at right back. Alyssa Naeher has had an inconsistent club season, to say the least. Is this group ready to lock things down when the USWNT comes up against big sides? Listen in!

Art by Eli Elbogen (IG: eliwritesloud)

Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs