What's next for USWNT after World Cup draw with Portugal? Nemesis Sweden may be waiting
The U.S. Women's National Team avoided history of the bad kind and will advance to the knockout round of the 2023 World Cup after narrowly surviving a 0-0 draw with Portugal early Tuesday morning.
It wasn't the result anyone wanted, but it was enough to keep their hopes of a World Cup three-peat alive.
USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski switched up the lineup a bit and used more substitutes than he did in the 3-0 win over Vietnam and the 1-1 draw against Netherlands. But despite Rose Lavelle starting for the first time since returning from injury and Lynn Williams replacing Trinity Rodman, the USWNT had barely any spark.
Portugal's Ana Capeta unleashed a shot during stoppage time that pinged off the post, saving the USWNT to play another day.
USA vs Portugal highlights:How USWNT survived to advance to World Cup knockout rounds
WORLD CUP CENTRAL: 2023 Women's World Cup Live Scores, Schedules, Standings, Bracket and More
So, what now? Here's what's next for the USWNT in the 2023 World Cup:
When will the USWNT play next?
With the draw against Portugal, the Stars and Stripes finish second in Group E standings. The Netherlands won the group following a 7-0 dismantling of Vietnam.
That means, the U.S. will play the winner of Group G at 5 a.m. ET Sunday in the World Cup's Round of 16 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
Who will the USWNT play in the Round of 16?
Who is the winner of Group G, you ask? That will be determined Wednesday morning when teams in that group conclude group play, but it's likely old nemesis Sweden.
Sweden leads the group with 6 points and plays its group stage finale is at 3 a.m. ET Wednesday against fourth-place Argentina (1 point). Italy is second in the group (3 points) and faces third-place South Africa (1 point) at 3 a.m. Wednesday.
World Cup bracket
If the U.S. wins their Round of 16 game, they would play the winner of Netherlands vs. Group G runner-up (likely Italy) in the quarterfinals. Meaning potentially a rematch of their 1-1 draw with the Dutch. Take a look at the full bracket.