NEW ZEALAND: Andi Sullivan, the midfielder for the United States, has stressed the significance of finding rhythm and cohesion in their final Women’s World Cup group stage game against Portugal. The team needs a win or draw to avoid missing the knockout round for the first time as they face debutants Portugal in a pivotal match.
The United States is aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive championship, but Portugal poses a challenging opponent. Sullivan highlights the importance of connecting all components and being in sync on the field. In their previous match, the team secured a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, with co-captain Lindsey Horan’s second-half goal rescuing them.
After a 3-0 victory over Vietnam, the team faced some struggles in gelling together, with coach Vlatko Andonovski making only one second-half substitute. Nonetheless, the team managed to regroup and respond effectively. The Netherlands will face Vietnam on Tuesday, and even a victory against Portugal may not guarantee the top spot in Group E.
In the scenario where both the United States and the 2017 European Champions secure wins next week, the group winner may be decided by goal difference. As she experiences her first World Cup, Sullivan emphasizes the value of incisive play and goal-scoring. She believes her squad has more to offer, regardless of the match or situation, and they are determined to give their best performance.
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