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USA vs. Portugal, International Friendly: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, and Match Thread
Welcome to your live thread for the United States Women's National Team against Portugal (1 p.m. ET, ESPN2) in the first of two friendly matches against European competition. Now that the USWNT has qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, it’s time to get the team prepared for the big tournament in France next year — and to hopefully get through the 2018 calendar year without losing a match.
The USWNT holds a 6-0-0 record against Portugal, winning four of those six meetings in Algarve Cup competition. The two sides haven’t squared off since 2001, however, when the U.S. last visited the Portuguese, in the city of Silves. Today’s match will be outside Lisbon in the city of Estoril.
Portugal is a bit of a historic opponent for the United States, as Michelle Akers scored her 100th career international goal against the Portuguese — something Orlando Pride striker Alex Morgan could do today if she can net a hat trick, as she stands on 97 career goals. It could be more historic still, as the USWNT will reach 500 wins in the history of the team with its next win.
The hosts have a pretty good side, getting a win and a draw this calendar year against Australia. Former Orlando Pride player and draft pick Nadia Gomes scored a goal in their 2-1 win over the Matildas back in March, as Portugal finished third in the Algarve Cup. Portugal is ranked No. 33 in the world by FIFA in the latest world rankings.
The United States will be a bit thin, with the news this week that Christen Press and Tobin Heath will not take part due to commitments elsewhere. Still, the United States should be fine. The Yanks are 16-0-2 this calendar year and have not lost since the 2017 Tournament of Nations (23-0-3).
Rosters
USWNT (Caps/Goals)
Goalkeepers (3): 18-Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0), 24-Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride; 18/0), 1- Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 37/0).
Defenders (7): 7-Abby Dahlkemper (North Carolina Courage; 28/0), 19-Crystal Dunn (North Carolina Courage; 73/24), 25- Emily Fox (University of North Carolina; 0/0), 12-Merritt Mathias (North Carolina Courage; 1/0), 4-Becky Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals FC; 147/0), 14-Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars; 27/0), 2-Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC; 24/0).
Midfielders (7): 22-Danielle Colaprico (Chicago Red Stars; 0/0), 8-Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars; 71/18); 9-Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 61/7), 16-Rose Lavelle (Washington Spirit; 18/6), 20-Allie Long (Seattle Reign FC; 39/6), 3-Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage; 40/8), 6-Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 10/0).
Forwards (5): 10- Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC; 262/105), 21- Jessica McDonald (NC Courage; 1/0), 13- Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride; 151/97), 11- Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit; 41/12), 15- Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC; 144/41).
Portugal
Goalkeepers (3): Rute Costa (SC Braga), Inês Pereira (Sporting CP),Patrícia Morais (Sporting CP).
Defenders (6): Carole Costa (Sporting CP), Matilde Fidalgo (SC Braga), Diana Gomes (SC Braga), Monique Gonçalves (CA Ouriense), Mónica Mendes (AC Milan, ITA), Sílvia Rebelo (SL Benfica).
Midfielders (7): Ana Borges (Sporting CP), Vanessa Marques (SC Braga), Andreia Norton (SC Sand, GER), Fátima Pinto (Sporting CP), Tatiana Pinto (Sporting CP), Ana Santos (CA Ouriense), Dolores Silva (Atlético Madrid, ESP).
Forwards (7): Telma Encarnação (CS Marítimo), Ana Leite (TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, GER), Laura Luís (SC Braga), Carolina Mendes (Sporting CP), Cláudia Lima (Valadares Gaia FC), Diana Silva (Sporting CP), Jéssica Silva (Levante UD, ESP).
How to Watch
Match Time: 1 p.m. (ET).
Venue: Estadio António Coimbra da Mota — Estoril, Portugal.
TV: ESPN2.
Streaming: WatchESPN.
Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow @StarsStripesFC, @ussoccer_wnt, and @TheManeLand.
Match Thread Rules
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Enjoy the match! Go America!