USWNT Clinches Its Sixth SheBelieves Cup Title

After three hard-fought games against Canada, Japan, and Brazil, the USWNT are SheBelieves Cup Champions for the sixth time. The cup represented a litmus test for where the USWNT is heading into the World Cup, and they rose to the occasion. Three wins in three matches with just one goal allowed late in their final game against Brazil? They came, they saw, they conquered. Here’s a recap of the SheBelieves Cup, along with what this means for the USWNT heading into the World Cup. 

USWNT vs. Canada

Canada sadly finished at the bottom of the table. But, considering the team was forced back to work amid their strike, a last-place finish shouldn’t be surprising. The SheBelieves Cup wasn’t all bad for Canada, they did defeat Brazil in the second match, but their 3-0 loss to Japan was not pretty. The USWNT handled Canada’s best shot in the first half. Mallory Swanson scored an amazing goal to get the scoring started. 

GO ON, @MALPUGH!!!! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/gPvHwm2lyY

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 17, 2023

Late in the first half, Canada made a catastrophic mistake at the back. Swanson capitalized and got her second goal. 

Mal read it like a book 📖 pic.twitter.com/suaEDAQbcT

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 17, 2023

Canada had to play a near-perfect game, and this was not anything close to that. They made it way too easy on the USWNT with the two early goals. Alyssa Naeher made an incredible save off a poor pass from Alana Cook, but otherwise, Naeher wasn’t tested very much. 

🚫 NAEHER KEEPS IT AT ZERO 🚫 pic.twitter.com/T6pWsUYfvu

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 17, 2023

The USWNT secured the 2-0 victory over Canada. The only worry coming out of this game was that Canada had 47% possession, which is more than usual for USWNT opponents. The main question is who will play that No. 6 role as a defensive midfielder well enough. It’s been Andi Sullivan but rumors are swirling around that Taylor Kornieck is learning how to play that position as well. 

USWNT vs. Japan

The midfield issue was highlighted against a tougher opponent in Japan who had 49% possession, a higher pass accuracy overall at 87%, and ten more shots than the USWNT. So yes, the USWNT won this game. But stats suggest on a different day, this match could’ve gone in Japan’s favor. 

Chalk it up to home-field advantage and those screaming fans in Nashville. Mallory Swanson and the USWNT took advantage of one of Japan’s weaknesses. While Japan is tactically sound and precise as a team, they don’t have a single player as fast or athletic as Mallory Swanson. All it took was a simple ball over the top, and it turned into a footrace that Swanson would never lose. 

Six goals in four matches for @MalPugh!!! pic.twitter.com/8TGjBL9rjq

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 19, 2023

The USWNT held strong in the second half, with Casey Murphy making this brilliant reaction safe to keep the lead intact. 

.@CaseyMurph keeping 'em blanked 🧤 pic.twitter.com/rg9pEpYrsE

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 19, 2023

While it might not have been their best performance, Japan was a great test. Plus, it’s a sneak peek into what could happen when the USWNT is tested at the World Cup. 

USWNT vs. Brazil

In their final match, all that was needed was a draw to clinch the title, but the USWNT would never play for the draw. Brazil did well to keep the United States in check for most of the first half. A quick counterattack would change things. Mallory Swanson’s initial shot was deflected and fell into the path of Alex Morgan, who whipped the ball into the far corner. 

😱 HOLY COW, @ALEXMORGAN13 pic.twitter.com/t9KkfIAegn

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 23, 2023

In the second half, Mallory Swanson would lock up MVP honors with her fourth goal of the competition off a nice feed from Rose Lavelle. Brazil tried to catch the United States offside, but their execution was not on point. 

ABSOLUTELY SWANSATIONAL!!!! pic.twitter.com/4BIHZb1F4F

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 23, 2023

From this point on, the USWNT had the match won. Ludmila would come on as a sub and score in the 90th minute for Brazil.

Moving forward, the USWNT is still in a great place. They got three wins against meaningful competition in the SheBelieves Cup. The United States will take on Ireland in two friendlies in April, but Canada, Japan, and Brazil are three of the best teams the USWNT could have played outside of Europe.

The defensive-midfield issue to go with a younger backline will be worrisome. Teams at the World Cup will look to exploit that. However, when Mallory Swanson and Alex Morgan are in the form they are in, that doesn’t matter. This USWNT will be able to outscore everyone because their attack and finishing are better than anyone else’s in the world.

Of course, their opponents will try to pack things in defensively and make it difficult for the United States to score, but no one in the group stages will be the USWNT. We’ll have to anxiously await the knockout rounds to see what the draw could look like. 

Featured image via Noel Danseco

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