USWNT Spoiler

August 1, 2023

By: Carlos Alvarez

No Spoilers…

Stop reading (until later) if you recorded the U.S. Women’s National Team’s overnight match so you can watch it later. And if you already saw the headline below, that’s on you. I tried to warn you in the subject line. Someone\’s day just got ruined…

It\’s World Cup, MLB trade deadline day, and Damar Hamlin’s return in today’s edition.

Letter Rip!

WORLD CUP

USWNT Goes Through, But Phew

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Photo: Carmen Mandato/USSF / Getty Images

USWNT Struggles in Scoreless Draw With Portugal (0-0) But Advances; Netherlands Wins Group E

The struggle continues, but hey, it continues… The U.S. Women’s National Team is moving on to the knockout stage after a scoreless draw with Portugal overnight (0-0), but they were inches away from crashing out in a stunning defeat. The third match of the group stage was a win-or-draw opportunity for the U.S. to advance, but this was brutal. Portugal, making their World Cup debut in 2023, looked the better side at times despite being 2.5-goal underdogs. The U.S. produced more shots (17-6) and shots on target (6-0), but few goal-scoring opportunities truly threatened. Manager Vlatko Andonovski made adjustments to the lineup that didn’t produce. Once the U.S. settled in to try and preserve the draw in extra time, Portugal saw their best chance of the night ricochet off the post. The U.S. were inches away from the biggest upset in Women’s World Cup history. Credit to Portugal for a gutsy performance against the biggest giants in women\’s soccer.

Simultaneously, the Netherlands shredded Vietnam (7-0) to win Group E by a landslide. The Dutch had three goals in the first 18 minutes, and they just put the rest of the World Cup on notice.

Group E Highlights 

USWNT draw Portugal (0-0)

Netherlands def. Vietnam (7-0)

Group E Final Standings 

Netherlands: 7 points (2-1-0) | Goals (+8)

USA: 5 Points (1-2-0) | Goals (+3)

Portugal: 4 Points (1-1-1) | Goals (+1)

Vietnam: 0 Points (0-0-3) | Goals (-12)

 Lavelle’s 2nd Yellow: Rose Lavelle received a critical yellow card late in the first half. It was Lavelle’s second yellow of the group stage, which means she’s ineligible for the next match.

USWNT\’s Group Stage Recap

  • Group Gasp: It’s the first time the USWNT has only won one game in the group stage, and just the second time they’ve failed to win their group in the World Cup.
  • Scoreless Match: Match 3 marked the USWNT\’s first scoreless World Cup game since 2015.
  • Goal Searching: They finished the group stage with a record of 1-2-0 with just four goals in three matches — tied for the lowest in team history.
  • Portugal Push-Back: The USWNT was previously 10-0 all-time against Portugal with a 39-0 goal differential.

Fun Fact: Despite their disappointing group stage, the USWNT outshot opponents 63-11 over three matches. They only came away with four goals (+3 goal differential).

Next Up: The USWNT will likely face Sweden this weekend in the Round of 16 — a club that’s currently 2-0-0 with a 7-1 goal advantage atop Group G.

Other Women’s World Cup Highlights

Japan def. Spain (4-0)

Zambia def. Costa Rica (3-1)

Nigeria draw Ireland (0-0)

Australia def. Canada (4-0)

Hosts Advance: Australia’s blowout against Canada puts the hosts through to the knockout stage and sent the Canadians home.

Teams Through to Knockouts (9): Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Nigeria, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, USA | Full Group Stage Standings

In Action This Morning

China vs. England (7:00 am ET)
Denmark vs. Haiti (7:00 am ET)

Read More

SI: USWNT Stumbles Into Round of 16 After Scoreless Draw With Portugal

FOX Sports: Rose Lavelle Picks Up Second Yellow Card, Suspended for Next Match

CBS Sports: Women’s World Cup Scenarios: USWNT Advance — Here’s What Rest of the Field Needs

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MLB

Deadline Day Trade Tracker

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Photo: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images

MLB Trade Deadline Moves: Rays, Brewers & Cubs Make Splashes Before Deadline

The MLB trade deadline is less than 12 hours away, and teams are moving fast to secure all the necessary talent for a playoff push. We’ve seen numerous unexpected clubs become buyers after July hot streaks. The Cubs were one of them, and they made a splash on Monday with the acquisition of 3B Jeimer Candelario from the Nats. The Brewers and Reds also made moves in the NL Central push. Milwaukee grabbed Mark Canha from the disintegrating Mets, and Cincinnati added some pitching help. The deadline is fast approaching (6:00 pm ET). Here are the top deals from the last 24 hours with a look at the top targets still out there.

MLB Trade Tracker

Top Remaining MLB Trade Targets

RHP Justin Verlander (Mets)

LHP Blake Snell (Padres)

LHP Josh Hader (Padres)

RHP Jack Flaherty (Cardinals)

SS Paul DeJong (Cardinals)

C Elias Diaz (Rockies)

OF Tommy Pham (Mets)

OF Teoscar Hernandez (Mariners)

MLB Trade Deadline: Today (6:00 pm ET)

MLB Quick-Hitters (Highlights)

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NFL

Hamlin\’s 1st Practice

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Photo: Isaiah Vazquez / Getty Images

Bills Safety Damar Hamlin Takes Part in 1st Full Practice Since Cardiac Arrest

It’s been almost eight months since the unforgettable Monday Night Football game between the Bills and Bengals when Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field. Many of us remember witnessing the rarity of a canceled primetime NFL game and the aftermath that followed. The Bills-Bengals Week 17 matchup on January 2 was less of a game and more of a historic moment. As we all know, Hamlin recovered quickly and became an icon for motivational sports stories and awards throughout 2023. And yesterday, with plenty of media eyeballs, he participated in his first full-pads practice with the Bills. It’s no surprise the 25-year-old was able to bounce back quickly at such a young age, but his desire to continue playing — after nearly dying on the field — is truly remarkable.

“In football, you can’t hit that field with hesitation. You’re putting yourself in more danger by doing that. I made the choice to play. I’m processing a thousand emotions. I’m not afraid to say it crosses my mind, being a little scared… My strength is rooted in my faith, and my faith Is stronger than any fear.” — Damar Hamlin

NFL Training Camp News

Broncos WR Tim Patrick Reportedly Suffers Torn Achilles

Colts RB Zack Moss Out 4-6 Weeks With Broken Arm

Broncos Place WR KJ Hamler on NFI List After Heart Condition

Cowboys RB Ronald Jones Suspended 2 Games for PEDs

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STORYLINES

 MLB Power Rankings at the Deadline

As the Braves stay ahead of the pack this week, some teams like the Cubs and Angels threw wrenches into baseball’s trade deadline with hot streaks. (CBS Sports)

 Fantasy Football Top QB-WR Stacks

A strong quarterback-wide receiver connection can help guide a team to the Super Bowl. It can take a fantasy football team pretty far too. Here are the top-10 QB-WR duos. (B/R)

 A New Era of Soccer Moms

Women have long blended motherhood and elite sports. But as soccer expands its support systems, it is also demanding more of its players. (NY Times)

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NEWS

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TODAY\’S SCHEDULE

The Must-Watch List

FIFA Women’s World Cup

China vs. England (Tues. 7:00 am ET)

Haiti vs. Denmark (Tues. 7:00 am ET)

Argentina vs. Sweden (Wed. 3:00 am ET)

South Africa vs. Italy (Wed. 3:00 am ET)

(Live Updates)

MLB

Rays at Yankees (7:05 pm ET)

Orioles at Blue Jays (7:07 pm ET)

Angels at Braves (7:20 pm ET)

Reds at Cubs (8:05 pm ET)

A’s at Dodgers (10:10 pm ET)

Full MLB Schedule

Summer Soccer Friendlies

PSG vs. Inter (6:00 am ET)

AC Milan vs. Barcelona (11:00 pm ET)

WNBA

Lynx at Sun (7:00 pm ET)

Dream at Aces (10:00 pm ET)

Liberty at Sparks (10:00 pm ET)

Download The Sportsletter\’s Must-Watch Calendar

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POLL

Poll Results

Yesterday, we asked: Do you think NFL running backs deserve better contracts, or should the market determine their value? Everyone loves a flashy, highlight-reel ballcarrier, but they rarely translate to championships. The team is leaning towards respecting the market value. Sorry, RBs.

 Pay the Running Backs — 41%

 Let the Market Decide — 59%