USWNT faces Portugal and potential spoilers as they look to advance in the Women's World Cup
Yahoo Sports writer Nick Bromberg previews the USWNT match versus Portugal and the various scenarios that could determine whether or not the US advances out of Group E and into the knockout round.
Video Transcript
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NICK BROMBERG: The United States isn't in complete control of its group E fate against Portugal, bringing maximum drama to the close of the group stage. Let's go around the Cup in 2 minutes, presented by HSBC. Thanks to its 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in the second group game, the US could be scoreboard watching for much of its game against the Portuguese. Both the Netherlands and the United States are currently tied atop group E with 4 points each.
Portugal has 3 points thanks to a win over Vietnam, a win that prevented Vietnam from having a chance to advance in the tournament. While Vietnam will certainly have pride to play for in its first Women's World Cup appearance, it is not unfathomable to believe the Netherlands could win in a blowout. That would spell bad news for the United States, even if the US beats Portugal.
At the moment, the US has the tiebreaker for first in the group over the Netherlands by 2 goals in goal difference. But if the Netherlands beats Vietnam by more than the 3 goals the US did, the US will need to beat Portugal by more than a single goal. Portugal, of course, can still play spoiler a win for them over the US sends them through while the US could be eliminated if the Netherlands beats Vietnam by any margin.
A group win for the US is massively important for two reasons. First, the team that finishes second in the group will likely play an incredibly strong Sweden team in the first knockout round game. And for fans across the United States, a group win means the US plays at much better times in its first two knockout games. The knockout round schedule is set up so that the winner of group E plays in primetime in both the round of 16 and the quarterfinals, while the runner up would play during the overnight hours in both games if it won the first.
If you want to watch the US play without having to be sleep-deprived, a big win against Portugal is vital. A world of opportunity awaits out on the pitch. And remember, HSBC is your global banking partner built to find opportunity anywhere.