Netherlands’ women’s head coach Andries Jonker asked “what is left of the USWNT’s superiority” in soccer prior to his side’s 1-1 draw with the U.S on Thursday (Wednesday in the States).
It was an incredibly bold statement from Jonker who then failed to beat the team he said had lost its superiority.
Netherlands' Head Coach Andries Jonker had some fighting words ahead of today's match against the USWNT pic.twitter.com/I1xvEdBb7e
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 26, 2023
In fairness to Jonker, his Dutch side took the lead in the first half against the two-time defending champs and went into halftime up 1-0.
NETHERLANDS STRIKES FIRST
Jill Roord fires it into the bottom corner of the net! pic.twitter.com/E3eWRb3GmL— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 27, 2023
The USWNT's social sphere was incredibly critical of the team and head coach Vlatko Andonovski after a lackluster first 45 minutes and only one substitution used all game.
USA fans after Vlatko used just one of five subs in their 1-1 draw vs. Netherlands ♂️ pic.twitter.com/yHzt4Elcd8
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 27, 2023
Did Vlatko forget he has 5 subs? Dutch been there for the taking. Good second half for USWNT- but some fresh legs could have finished them off.
— Stu Holden (@stuholden) July 27, 2023
Decent result for the US, all considered.
But — Jill Ellis never bottled a World Cup game as badly as Vlatko has this one.Got his starting 11 wrong. Didn’t use key subs. Got out-thought tactically and lost the midfield.
Just bad tonight from the manager.
Full stop.
— Neil W. Blackmon (@nwblackmon) July 27, 2023
In the second half a fire was lit beneath the USWNT and especially Lindsey Horan after a hard foul from her Lyon teammate Daniëlle van de Donk.
Lindsey Horan was slow to get up after this challenge pic.twitter.com/wzm2t00K40
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 27, 2023
Horan responded in the most emphatic way possible with a powerful headed goal 62 minutes into the game.
LINDSEY HORAN SENDS THE ULTIMATE MESSAGE
THE @USWNT HAS LEVELED IT pic.twitter.com/IV7hnG4CyK— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 27, 2023
Daniëlle van de Donk fouled Lindsey Horan with a late challenge. After being on the ground for several minutes, the two club teammates had words for eachother.
On the next play, Lindsay Horan scored with a header from a cornerFootball pic.twitter.com/WiYa8kXmxz
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 27, 2023
Score line 1-1. Game on.
The remaining 28 minutes, plus stoppage time, saw the USWNT in total control and pushing for a winner.
Julie Ertz doing Julie Ertz things as she flies through the air pic.twitter.com/Q4qGzRbciM
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 27, 2023
Sophia Smith attempting to add to the @USWNT's tally pic.twitter.com/navk0E7UJJ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 27, 2023
A chance for Trinity Rodman goes just wide pic.twitter.com/LGMZQvjnq0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 27, 2023
The statistics speak for themselves. The USWNT had 18 shots to the Dutch’s five, along with four shots on target to the Netherlands’ one.
For a team that has “lost its superiority”, they sure were superior on the stats sheet. Your move, Jonker.
In the end the USWNT will be disappointed with the draw, meanwhile the Dutch will be thankful for the point.
The last laugh will be determined on Tuesday at 3 a.m. ET when the Netherlands face Vietnam and the U.S. take on Portugal. It’s quite likely that both the USWNT and Netherlands will win on Tuesday, therefore the prize of top of Group E will be determined by goal difference.
The U.S. holds a +2 advantage on goal difference, but it will be a tight race.
