Most are expecting the gold-medal favorite U.S. women's national team to show its true colors against the weakest team in Group G, No. 22-ranked New Zealand, after the Americans suffered a humbling 3-0 loss to Sweden in their opener. In the lead-up to the game, the players were also sending strong hints that a fierce reaction is in the cards.
The USWNT has a 15-1-1 all-time record against New Zealand, so the final score is not in doubt here. But a convincing performance, and a haul of goals to address the current -3 goal difference in the standings, is the ultimate measure of success in the game.
With Sweden beating Australia 4-2 in the other Group G match and moving to six points, first place looks to be out of reach for the USWNT barring a massive upset on the final matchday. But Australia showed it will not be a pushover for second place when the Aussies and Americans meet on July 27.
WATCH: Stream USWNT vs. New Zealand on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)
USWNT vs. New Zealand live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| USA | - | - | - |
| New Zealand | - | - | - |
(All times Eastern)
6:12 a.m.: Here's the team that's going to need to get it done for the USWNT:
Ready to roll 🇺🇸
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 24, 2021
Tonight’s Starting XI vs. 🇳🇿
Lineup notes ≫ https://t.co/YsE1k5rO8h pic.twitter.com/n6rdTReMQH
USWNT vs. New Zealand starting lineups
With matches just three days apart, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski is giving a break to regular starters Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O'Hara, Sam Mewis and Christen Press for the match against New Zealand.
His New Zealand counterpart, Tom Sermanni, makes two changes from the starting lineup that lost 2-1 to Australia in its opener: Goalkeeper Anna Leat replaces Erin Nayler, who was arguably at fault on both Australia goals, while Daisy Cleverley comes in at midfield.
MORE: U.S. women Olympic team roster
USA
Starters (4-3-3, left to right): 1-Alyssa Naeher — 2-Crystal Dunn, 12-Tierna Davidson, 17-Abby Dahlkemper, 14-Emily Sonnett — 9-Lindsey Horan, 8-Julie Ertz, 16-Rose Lavelle — 15-Megan Rapinoe, 10-Carli Lloyd, 7-Tobin Heath
Substitutes: 22-Jane Campbell-GK, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 20-Casey Krueger, 3-Samantha Mewis, 19-Catarina Macario, 11-Christen Press, 13-Alex Morgan
Sitting out: 18-Adrianna Franch-GK, 5-Kelley O’Hara, 6-Kristie Mewis, 21-Lynn Williams
New Zealand
Starters (5-4-1, left to right): 18-Anna Leat-GK — 7-Ali Riley, 5-Meikayla Moore, 8-Abby Erceg, 4-C.J. Bott, 2-Ria Percival — 11-Olivia Chance, 15-Daisy Cleverley, 14-Katie Bowen, 12-Betsy Hassett — 17-Hannah Wilkinson
Substitutes: 1-Erin Nayler-GK, 3-Anna Green, 6-Claudia Bunge, 10-Annalie Longo, 16-Emma Rolston, 13-Paige Satchell, 9-Gabbie Rennie
Sitting out: 22-Victoria Esson-GK, 19-Elizabeth Anton, 20-Marisa Van der Meer, 21-Michaela Robertson
How to watch USWNT vs. New Zealand Olympic soccer
- Date: Saturday, July 24
- Time: 7:30 a.m. ET
- TV Channels: NBCSN
- Spanish-language TV: Telemundo
- Streaming: fuboTV, NBCOlympics.com, TelemundoDeportes.com, NBC Sports app and Telemundo Deportes app (with user authentication)
The USA’s second Group G match will air at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN in Engish and on Telemundo in Spanish. Both channels are available to stream on fuboTV (free 7-day trial).
MORE: Complete Olympic women's soccer schedule
As with all Olympic soccer matches, they can be streamed in the USA on NBCOlympics.com, TelemundoDeportes.com, NBC Sports app and the Telemundo Deportes app — all with user authentication.