What to expect from USWNT vets Megan Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle vs. Netherlands
Yahoo Sports writer Nick Bromberg breaks down the impressive reemergence of Julie Ertz and what to expect from USWNT veterans Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle in the upcoming U.S. match against Netherlands.
Video Transcript
NICK BROMBERG: The United States takes on the Netherlands on Wednesday in a game that will likely determine the winner of Group E. Let's go "Around the Cup" in two minutes presented by HSBC. The Netherlands beat Portugal 1-0 on Sunday morning after the US took down Vietnam 3 to 0 in its opening game.
And much like the United States' win over Vietnam, the Netherlands' victory was fairly comfortable. Portugal mustered just 2 shots against the Dutch defense. The US defense will assuredly face a tougher test against the Netherlands than it did against a Vietnam team that did not have a single shot.
Julie Ertz was fantastic back at center back against Vietnam after playing in the midfield at the 2019 World Cup. Ertz moved back to the backline thanks to the absence of longtime stalwart Becky Sauerbrunn and partnered with 23-year-old Naomi Girma in the World Cup opener. Ertz's skills with the ball were also pivotal in the United States' dominance on Friday night.
She led the US with 17 progressive passes and also pushed the ball forward numerous times on the dribble. Ertz may not be able to dictate the Netherlands game from the back line like she did against Vietnam, but another organized defensive performance from the US will quell any defensive questions that may still remain. We'll also see just how much of a bigger role both Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle will play against the Netherlands after they each got 30 minutes at the end of the Vietnam game.
US coach Vlatko Andonovski said both players' minutes per game will grow as the World Cup goes on as they continue their recovery from injuries. Rapinoe injured her calf during a club match in June, while Lavelle has been dealing with a knee injury she suffered in a friendly in April. It's unlikely that both Rapinoe and Lavelle will start against the Netherlands, but I'd bank on seeing one or both being available as halftime subs if they begin the game on the bench. HSBC is your global banking partner, built to find opportunity anywhere.