USWNT vs. Republic of Ireland: Top Storylines and Predictions for 2023 Friendly

The United States women's national team kicks off a vital two-game set for some players on Saturday.

The USWNT hosts the Republic of Ireland at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, in the penultimate match before head coach Vlatko Andonovski selects his 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup roster.

Andonovski should already know at least half, or three-quarters, of the roster that will head to Australia and New Zealand this summer.

There is one potential roster spot in particular that could be up for grabs on Saturday, as Julie Ertz makes her return to the USWNT.

Ertz has not been called into the USWNT in close to two years because of a knee injury and maternity leave.

The two-time World Cup winner could provide a massive boost to the USWNT at full strength, but she needs to prove to Andonovski that she can reach the level of international play once again. Saturday is one of her few chances to impress since she has not played at the club level since giving birth to her son in August.

The Americans are expected to dominate the matchup with Ireland, so Saturday's match should be more about evaluating how certain players on the roster bubble measure up against each other.

Julie Ertz's Return

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AUSTIN, TX - APRIL 6: Julie Ertz of the United States warms up during a USWNT training session at St Davids Performance Center on April 6, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images).

Ertz's inclusion on the April friendly roster came as a massive surprise.

Time was running out for Ertz to make a USWNT comeback, but now she has two opportunities in front of her to shine against the Republic of Ireland.

Ertz is not 90 minutes fit yet because she has not played in a competitive game in over a year, but she can show enough in a limited appearance to prove to Andonovski that she belongs on the plane to go halfway across the world.

At her best, Ertz is one of the top players in the world. She was a vital player at center back, and then in central midfield, in the USWNT's last two World Cup triumphs.

The 31-year-old's return will be watched closely by everyone involved with the USWNT, from the coaching staff to the fans.

A strong performance, no matter how long her stint is, would inspire hope that she can be in her best form by the first World Cup match on July 22.

If Ertz's return goes to plan, a roster spot will be taken away from someone on the World Cup squad bubble.

Saturday's match will serve as a chance for Andonovski and his staff to not just see where Ertz's form is at, but to figure out which players will complete the 23-woman squad.

Fight for World Cup Roster Spots

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NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 19: Ashley Hatch of United States during the 2023 SheBelieves Cup match between Japan and United States at GEODIS Park on February 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

The fight for the final few World Cup roster spots will be on display in Austin on Saturday and in St. Louis on Tuesday.

Alex Morgan, Sophia Smith, Lindsey Horan, Becky Sauerbrunn and Crystal Dunn are among the dozen or so players who probably have their World Cup rosters spots booked already.

The World Cup roster suspense comes from the depth spots in all three layers of the outfield.

Emily Fox, Emily Sonnett, Sofia Huerta and Casey Krueger are in the mix to join the defensive group this summer. Krueger, like Ertz, is in her first USWNT camp since returning from maternity leave.

Krueger's defensive abilities could push her on to the roster, but she could be left out if Huerta's attacking capabilities from the back four are preferred.

Andonovski could also pick players based on their versatility. Fox and Sonnett have played in different spots recently at the club level. Fox's ability to play both full back spots and Sonnett's potential help in midfield could be seen as boosts to their roster stocks.

If Ertz plays well and heads to the World Cup, someone like Ashley Sanchez could miss out on a roster spot in midfield.

Sanchez and her Washington Spirit teammates Ashley Hatch and Trinity Rodman need strong performances when they get on the field against the Irish.

Hatch and Rodman face a particularly tough fight for roster spots since Morgan, Smith, Mallory Swanson, Megan Rapinoe and Lynn Williams could all be headed to the World Cup.

Hatch and Rodman could be playing for the 23rd spot on the World Cup roster depending on if Andonovski wants to carry six forwards in his squad.

Prediction

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FRISCO, TX - FEBRUARY 22: Alex Morgan #13 of the United States dribbles towards the goal during the SheBelieves Cup game between Brazil and USWNT at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

United States 3, Republic of Ireland 0

The USWNT should beat the 22nd-ranked team in the FIFA women's world rankings on home soil.

The Americans have an abundance of forwards who can rip apart the Ireland defense, starting with Morgan, Smith and Swanson.

Morgan and Swanson have scored nine of the USWNT's 14 goals in 2023. Smith ended 2022 on a tear, as she scored goals against Nigeria, England and Germany.

The attacking pressure from the USWNT forwards will not let up if Hatch or Rodman enter the game because they could be playing for World Cup roster spots.

The Americans produced four clean sheets in five games in 2023, and a similar defensive performance is expected on home soil.