U.S. Women’s National Team Advances to 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16 with 0-0 Draw Against Portugal

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (August 1, 2023) – The U.S. Women’s National Team secured a spot in the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after playing to a 0-0 draw against Portugal in front of a record-breaking crowd of 42,958 spectators at Eden Park. With this result, the USA finished second in Group E and will now face the winner of Group G, most likely Sweden, at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia on August 6 at 7 p.m. AET (August 5 at 5 a.m. ET; broadcasted on FOX and Telemundo).

Currently, Sweden leads Group G with six points, followed by Italy with three points, and South Africa and Argentina with one point each. The final Group G matches will take place on August 2 at 7 p.m. NZT, with Argentina facing Sweden in Hamilton, New Zealand, and South Africa taking on Italy in Wellington, New Zealand. The Netherlands claimed the top spot in Group E with a dominant 7-0 victory against Vietnam and will play the second-place team from Group G in Sydney, Australia.

In the upcoming Round of 16 match, the USA will be without star midfielder Rose Lavelle, who received a yellow card in the 39th minute, her second caution of the tournament, leading to her suspension for the next game.

During the match against Portugal, the U.S. team out-shot their opponents 17-6 and didn't allow any shots on target. However, they faced difficulties in converting their scoring opportunities into goals. The intense game witnessed six yellow cards, three for each team, as both sides fought hard to break each other down in front of the passionate crowd of almost 43,000 fans, setting a new record attendance for a soccer match at Eden Park, New Zealand’s National Stadium.

The USA had promising chances in the first half, with forward Lynn Williams, making her World Cup debut, coming close to scoring twice. In the 27th minute, Williams had a shot saved by Portugal's goalkeeper, and in stoppage time, her header went over the crossbar. The second half saw the USA dominate play, but they couldn't find the back of the net despite several attempts on goal. Portugal's best chance came in stoppage time when they hit the outside of the post with a powerful shot.

The U.S. team will now prepare to face the Group G winner in the Round of 16, aiming to advance further in the tournament and compete for the prestigious FIFA Women's World Cup title.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: 1. The U.S. Women's National Team has now advanced out of the group stage in all nine of its trips to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. This second-place finish in the group marks the second time the team has finished as group runners-up, with the last occurrence being in 2011 when they went on to reach the final. 2. Lynn Williams made her FIFA Women’s World Cup debut, earning her 24th career start and 54th cap overall for the USA. She became the ninth player to make her debut for the USWNT at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 3. Megan Rapinoe came on as a substitute in the 61st minute, replacing Sophia Smith, and earned her 201st cap and 19th Women’s World Cup appearance. 4. Emily Sonnett entered the match in the 84th minute, earning her second career World Cup appearance and her first in the 2023 tournament. 5. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earned her sixth Women’s World Cup shutout in her 10th World Cup appearance and start. 6. Alyssa Naeher, Naomi Girma, Julie Ertz, and Andi Sullivan have played every minute of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup so far. 7. Kelley O’Hara made her 12th Women’s World Cup appearance, coming into the match in the seventh minute of extra time to replace Crystal Dunn. 8. Eighteen-year-old Alyssa Thompson made her second Women’s World Cup appearance, entering the match in the seventh minute of stoppage time, replacing Alex Morgan. Match Details: - Match: United States Women’s National Team vs. Portugal - Date: August 1, 2023 - Competition: 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand; Group E - Venue: Eden Park; Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand - Attendance: 42,958 - Kickoff: 7 p.m. NZT (3 a.m. ET) - Weather: 55 degrees; partly cloudy Stats Summary: USA / POR - Shots: 17 / 6 - Shots on Goal: 6 / 0 - Saves: 0 / 6 - Corner Kicks: 6 / 1 - Fouls: 14 / 12 - Offside: 0 / 0 Misconduct Summary: - USA – Rose Lavelle (Caution) - 39th minute - USA – Sophia Smith (Caution) - 52nd minute - POR – Carol Costa (Caution) - 56th minute - POR – Diana Gomes (Caution) - 72nd minute - USA – Naomi Girma (Caution) - 81st minute - POR – Catarina Amado (Caution) - 86th minute Officials: - Referee: Rebecca Welch (ENG) - Assistant referee 1: Natalie Aspinall (ENG) - Assistant referee 2: Anita Vad (HUN) - Fourth official: Anahi Fernández (URU) - VAR: Marco Fritz (GER) - AVAR 1: Tatiana Guzman (NCA) - AVAR 2: Maryna Striletska (UKR) Bud Light Woman of the Match: Naomi Girma

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