USWNT vs. China: 2023 Friendly Top Storylines and Predictions
The United States women's national team closes out its 2023 schedule on Tuesday against China (8 p.m. ET, truTV, Max)
The USWNT won the first meeting of the two-game series by three goals on Saturday. It will try to complete the sweep inside Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Saturday's win featured yet another clean sheet from the Americans, and if they put in another strong defensive performance, they can confirm a program-best record in defense.
The first game against China gave us a look at some new faces mixed in with the USWNT stalwarts, and we should see an interesting mix of the two groups of players on Tuesday.
New head coach Emma Hayes will not officially take over until next year, but she will be keeping her eye on the game and which players stand out with the fight for Summer Olympics roster spots on the horizon.
Defensive Record Within Reach
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The USWNT can set a program record for goals allowed in a season as long as it does not concede six times on Tuesday.
The Americans conceded just twice in 17 matches in 2023, which is good for a 0.132 goals allowed per game mark.
The program's current best total for goals allowed per game is 0.40, which was set back in 2016.
As USSoccer.com points out, the Americans have never allowed a six-goal concession in program history, so the defensive record is well within reach.
The back line will also look to extend its seven-game shutout streak that started in the final game of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup group stage against Portugal.
China only managed two shots on target against the USWNT defense on Saturday, and if the Americans hold their opponents to a similarly low total on Tuesday, the shutout streak should extend into 2024.
How Much Rotation Will USWNT Use in Starting Lineup?
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Every USWNT game between now and July is an audition for the 2024 Summer Olympics roster.
Additionally, the matches at the start of the buildup to Paris carry significance because every player is looking to impress Hayes.
On Saturday, interim manager Twila Kilgore paired Naomi Girma and Abby Dahlkemper at center back and used the Trinity Rodman-Sophia Smith duo up top.
The same two pairings at the critical positions could be utilized to start on Tuesday, or we could see some rotation from the USWNT coaching staff.
Alana Cook would be the natural replacement at center back for either Girma or Dahlkemper.
A rotation at center back would be nice to see so that the new coaching staff has a look from afar at different pairings in the back.
Rodman and Smith are the first-choice forwards in the current squad, but the Americans need to build up depth in attack, which could lead to more minutes for the likes of Olivia Moultrie, Mia Fishel and Jaedyn Shaw.
Prediction
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USWNT 3, China 0
The clean sheet streak is the last thing the USWNT will have to worry about on Tuesday.
The Americans controlled the first meeting with China, and a similar result should take place in Frisco.
The big question is how many goals the Americans will get past the defense of the Asian nation.
Smith, Rodman and Lindsay Horan all recorded goals on Saturday. If Rodman and Smith start again on Tuesday, they will be the top candidates to score.
It would make sense to play the top two forwards for at least 45 minutes to break open the advantage before a plethora of subs come in to finish off the win.
A win would put the USWNT's final 2023 record at 11-0-4. It did not lose in regulation or extra time. Its only defeat came on penalties in the World Cup round of 16.
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