USA vs. Netherlands: Top Storylines, Odds, Live Stream for Women's World Cup 2023
The United States women's national team faces its toughest Group E match on Wednesday night (9 p.m. ET, Fox), against the Netherlands.
The showdown in Wellington, New Zealand is a rematch of the 2019 Women's World Cup final.
The Americans started their 2023 World Cup campaign with a 3-0 win over Vietnam, a performance that left room for improvement.
First place in Group E is on the line against the Dutch, who beat Portugal in their opening contest.
USWNT boss Vlatko Andonovski should rotate some of his starting XI from the Vietnam game, with Rose Lavelle being the biggest of the changes.
Lavelle appeared at the team's pre-game press conference on Tuesday, a normal sign that a player is starting the next day.
Match Odds
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Money Line
United States (-145; bet $145 to win $100)
Netherlands (+450; bet $100 to win $450)
Draw (+255)
Over/Under
Over 2.5 Goals (+135)
Under 2.5 Goals (-180)
World Cup Final Rematch
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Wednesday's match is a rare World Cup final rematch in the group stage of the next World Cup.
The USWNT beat the Netherlands 2-0 four years ago in France to capture its second consecutive World Cup crown.
The Netherlands followed up that runner-up appearance with two quarterfinal berths at the Summer Olympics and UEFA Euro 2022.
The Dutch are one of the better sides in Europe, but they are without their all-time leading scorer, Vivianne Miedema, who did not make the World Cup squad due to injury.
Lieke Martens, Danielle van de Donk and Sherida Spitse give the Dutch plenty of on-field experience without Miedema. The trio has 501 international appearances and 137 goals between them.
The USWNT's biggest edge comes in goal, where Alyssa Naeher has 71 more international caps than all three Dutch goalkeepers on the roster.
Sophia Smith and the American attack must try to take advantage of the Dutch inexperience in net in a game that could come down to one or two plays.
Rose Lavelle Appears Ready to Start
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The USWNT signaled that Lavelle will likely make her first start in New Zealand on Wednesday.
The midfielder appeared at the pre-match press conference with Andonovski, a spot traditionally given to players starting in the upcoming match.
Lavelle scored one of the two goals against the Dutch in 2019 final, and she brings stability to the middle of the park.
Lavelle entered in the 63rd minute in the group-stage opener against Vietnam for Savannah DeMelo, so that is the likely move Andonovski will make from the start.
A midfield unit of Lavelle, Lindsay Horan and maybe Julie Ertz would be tough for the Dutch to break through. Ertz started at center back against Vietnam, but has been used plenty of times in midfield.
Andonovski may choose to keep Ertz at center back because of her experience. That would still give the Americans an impressive spine to build off with Lavelle and Horan patrolling the central parts of midfield and getting involved in the attack at some points.
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