Colin E. Braley/Associated Press
The United States women’s soccer team and Iceland will play for the SheBelieves Cup title Wednesday night.
Iceland comes into the clash at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas with two wins in the tournament. The USWNT opened with a draw against the Czech Republic and then beat New Zealand 5-0 to move into second place in the four-team table.
Wednesday’s de facto title game marks the first meeting between the two countries since 2015. The USWNT has never lost to Iceland in 14 previous meetings, and that run could be extended if it plays like it did against New Zealand.
USWNT vs. Iceland Info
Date: Wednesday, February 23
Start Time: 9 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: ESPN.com and ESPN app
Odds: Available game odds can be found on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Preview
The USWNT figured out some of its offensive issues in the win over New Zealand, even though only two Americans scored in the contest. The USWNT benefited from a rare hat-trick of own goals from New Zealand’s Meikayla Moore.
The Americans have not conceded in their two tournament games. But Vlatko Andonovski’s side must be aware of Iceland’s early offensive threat, which has wreaked havoc on opponents in the competition.
Iceland scored in the first minute for its only goal against New Zealand, and it bagged two tallies within the first 18 minutes in its 2-1 win over Czech Republic. Iceland produced nine shots on goal in that game, and it poses the toughest threat to the USWNT in the tournament.
The USWNT defense is the most experienced unit in the squad. Becky Sauerbrunn earned her 200th cap at the start of the event, and three other defenders have 47 or more international appearances. Veteran defenders Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett and Kelley O’Hara are also on the USWNT roster. That experience should help the USWNT deal with the Icelandic attack.
The attack features a handful of younger players looking to impress Andonovski as the team transitions from some of the older players ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Ashley Hatch bagged her third international goal in five appearances in the win over New Zealand. Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman have also seen game time throughout the tournament.
Lynn Williams and Mallory Pugh, the other American scorer in the SheBelieves Cup, could be called upon to start in order to secure the victory.
The USWNT is looking to win its third SheBelieves Cup in a row and the fifth since the tournament debuted in 2016.
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