The USWNT defeated Brazil 2-1 in the SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday to win the tournament going a perfect three wins from three games.
Questions were raised when the news broke that 2022 U.S. Female Player of the Year Sophia Smith would miss the 2023 SheBelieves Cup. Would the USWNT attack still be as lethal? Who will step up?
“Hold my beer,” Mallory Swanson says.
Swanson scored for her sixth consecutive USWNT game and her fourth goal in the tournament. She’s the first player in history to score a goal in all three SheBelieves Cup games. The 24-year-old is in untouchable form and was the clear choice for Player of the Tournament.
ABSOLUTELY SWANSATIONAL!!!! pic.twitter.com/4BIHZb1F4F
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 23, 2023
No doubt about it. @MalPugh is YOUR 2023 @Visa #SheBelievesCup MVP! pic.twitter.com/9stKeSpIWM
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 23, 2023
3 - Mallory Swanson is the first player to score in all three matches in a single SheBelieves Cup tournament. Sweep. pic.twitter.com/GRWBOIEu9W
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) February 23, 2023
USWNT vs. Brazil Highlights SheBelieves Cup 2023
The first half was evenly matched with both teams getting some good looks at goal. In the third minute a deflected shot from Crystal Dunn nearly snuck into Brazil’s net but whacked off the post.
The USWNT were close to taking the lead
Watch USWNT vs. Brazil on @hbomax pic.twitter.com/vuY6GRhI9P— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 23, 2023
Brazil looked dangerous on their counterattacks and nearly found the game’s opening goal in the first half.
Alex Morgan would have a goal taken away for offside minutes before halftime with a tight call from the lineswoman. Morgan would get her goal though with a beautiful curling effort right on the stroke of halftime.
Alex is juuuussssst off pic.twitter.com/4mrrV415Cl
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 23, 2023
Alex Morgan scores her 121st USWNT goal in style
Watch USWNT vs. Brazil on @hbomax pic.twitter.com/Li5G6zghrO— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 23, 2023
The USWNT tightened their grip on the game in the second half, but there were still flashes of brilliance from Brazil. Adriana had the full crowd inside Toyota Stadium hold its breath when her shot hit the crossbar.
Swanson gave the USWNT breathing space in the 63rd minute when Rose Lavelle found her on the right side. It was Swanson's eighth SheBelieves Cup goal in her career. No player has scored more in the competition.
Mal Swanson is inevitable these days. SHEESH. pic.twitter.com/wuwujpL7mp
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 23, 2023
Brazil would deny the USWNT a third clean sheet in the tournament when Ludmila headed in a goal in the 90th minute. The final three minutes of stoppage time were nervy for the USWNT, but they held on to get their third win in the tournament.
This is the sixth time the USWNT has won the tournament since it started in 2016 and the fourth SheBelieves Cup title in-a-row.
WE LOVE A TROPHY LIFT pic.twitter.com/xAT2qtNrDK
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 23, 2023
Is the USWNT ready for the World Cup?
This tournament was a big test for the USWNT. A shaky run of results vs. England, Spain and Germany at the end of 2022 saw the team lose three straight games. Failure on home soil at the 2023 SheBelieves Cup would have put the team in panic mode.
Three wins against top caliber teams should restore confidence in this team. Up next will be two friendlies in April and another international window right before the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Here are the final grades for the USWNT’s 2023 SheBelieves Cup.
- Attack: A (World Cup ready)
- Midfield: C+ (Not World Cup ready)
- Defense: B+ (World Cup ready)
- GK: A (World Cup ready)
- Overall: B
