The US women’s national team are lucky to advance to the round of 16 after drawing 0-0 against Portugal at Eden Park to land in second place of Group E.
The first half saw the American team dominated by the Portuguese attack, taking advantage of Crystal Dunn’s weaknesses on the left to reach the final third. Rose Lavelle attempted to keep the midfield intact, but the offensive pressure forced the USA into a constant collapse.
And the second half was only slightly better. Though energy and tempo improved, the United States still lacked accuracy when with the ball. The few attempts would either go wide or easily into the hands of Inês Pereira.
The American team nearly saw themselves eliminated in extra time as a ball by Portugal hit the right post, before doubling down and reaching Alyssa Naeher again in a set piece. A shocking and lackluster performance altogether.
The USWNT’s overarching issue maintains: 11 talented players struggling to find unity on the pitch. A lack of connection and precision on the ball inspired mistakes that the Portuguese could capitalize on to reach goalkeeper Naeher.
The former tournament favorites will now face Sweden next in Melbourne, Australia.
USA player ratings vs Portugal
GK: Alyssa Naeher - 6/10 - A couple slippery moments that could've handed the USWNT a loss and elimination.
RB: Emily Fox - 6/10 - Decent. Neither helped nor hindered.
CB: Julie Ertz - 7/10 - Constantly looking for anyone to pass to with no avail. Missing in that midfield.
CB: Naomi Girma - 8.5/10 - A great defensive performance, given the circumstances. Cleaning up everyone's messes around the pitch.
LB: Crystal Dunn - 5/10 - Getting beat all too easily to give Portugal access on the left. Sloppy mistakes as we saw against the Netherlands.
CM: Rose Lavelle - 7/10 - Creative and with a will to attack but the second yellow was sloppy. She will be unavailable for the upcoming game against Sweden.
DM: Andi Sullivan - 6/10 - Lackluster.
CM: Lindsey Horan (c) - 6/10 - Disappointing from the captain. A lack of energy and clarity on the ball inspired confusion in the midfield.
RW: Lynn Williams - 7.5/10 - A great addition to the starting 11. Contributed with a couple chances, two headers but ultimately unlucky in front of the net.
ST: Alex Morgan - 6.5/10 - Completely isolated and did little to get herself out of that until the last minutes.
LW: Sophia Smith - 6/10 - Muted completely. She provided one ball to Lynn Williams, but otherwise fell silent in the high-pressed match.
Substitutes
Megan Rapinoe (61' for Smith) - 7/10 - Stabelized, but missed her classic flare.
Emily Sonnett (83' for Horan) - 7/10 - An odd choice altogether. but N/A.
Trinity Rodman (83' for Williams) - /10 - N/A
Alyssa Thompson (95' for Morgan) - /10 - N/A
Kelley O'Hara (95' for Dunn) - /10 - N/A
Manager
Vlatko Andonovski - 4/10 - Odd choices throughout the pitch. New combinations and players out of positions fuel the lack of connectivity between the team. Not good. Will be the downfall of this talented team.
Player of the match - Naomi Girma
This article was originally published on 90min as USA 0-0 Portugal: Player ratings as lucky USWNT qualify to round of 16 .
