The U.S. women's national team clinched a berth in the Round of 16 of the Women's World Cup, albeit in underwhelming form in a 0-0 draw with Portugal.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski gave Rose Lavelle and Lynn Williams their first starts of the tournament, and the USWNT's attack looked promising early on. The match quickly evened out, and Portugal developed a slight edge in possession as the match played out. Portugal also found success in midfield which stifled the Americans to some degree, though the reigning champions posted seven shots and four on target during the first half. The best chance of the first 45 minutes came just before the half, when Lynn Williams' shot from close range was saved.
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The second half picked up from where the first half left off for the most part, though the USWNT showed some glimpses of their attacking potential on the counterattack. Alex Morgan found herself in good spots in front of goal but she, like her teammates, struggled to convert their chances into meaningful opportunities. Despite having 17 total shots, only one was classified as a "big chance" and the Americans only put six total shots on target.
Portugal's attack was virtually nonexistent until the end of the second half, when the team mustered the best chance of the game. Ana Capeta's shot from distance in stoppage time looked destined to knock out the USWNT, but it came off the post.
The USWNT finished as runners-up in Group E after the Netherlands posted a dominant 7-0 win over Vietnam. It's only the second time in the history of the World Cup that the team has failed to win their group. They failed to do so in the 2011 edition, before eventually losing to Japan in the final. The reigning champions will face the winner of Group G in the Round of 16 on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia, but will do so without Lavelle. She received her second yellow card of the tournament against Portugal, and will be suspended for the next match.
The USWNT is off to the knockouts as the runner-up in Group E, but qualify for another knockout round in unimpressive fashion and without demonstrating meaningful improvements from the first two games.
90'+6 O'Hara and Thompson are on, Dunn and Morgan are off. One minute of stoppage time remains.
90'+2 Portugal nearly sends the USWNT home, but Capeta's shot from distance comes off the post.
Roord scored again to take the Dutch up 7-0 in the 83rd minute. A commanding performance against Vietnam for the almost-certain Group E winners.
85' Sonnett makes an early impact and starts an attacking motion, which ends with Morgan taking a shot but it was off target.
84' Rodman and Sonnett come on for Williams and Horan.
81' Portugal register their first shot of the second half following a freekick, but Naeher makes the save. Still goalless with less than 10 minutes on the clock.
Brugts completed a brace in the 57th minute that puts the Dutch up 6-0, which means the USWNT need to score five to top the group. Again, feels unlikely at this point.
63' The USWNT is doing a better job making runs on the counter, and has earned a handful of set pieces thanks to their attacking motions. Still lacking a bit in terms of meaningful chances created, but the USWNT does have five shots and one on target so far this second half.
61' Rapinoe comes on for Smith, who is on a yellow.
59' Seems like the USWNT star will be the team's first substitute.
