United States vs. Vietnam live updates: Women’s World Cup 2023 top plays

The United States will open its 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign on Friday (on FOX and the FOX Sports app) with a Group E match against first-timer Vietnam at Eden Park in New Zealand.

The U.S. — four-time winners of the tournament, including emerging victorious in the past two World Cups — is the No. 1-ranked team in the world, according to FIFA, while Vietnam is ranked No. 32.

Oprah Winfrey gets us ready for the USWNT’s first World Cup matchup

The USWNT, which is eyeing an unprecedented three-peat this year, is 20-3-1 all-time in the group stage at the World Cup. The Americans are also undefeated in the opening game of the tournament. What’s more, the last time the Americans played an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nation in a World Cup, they defeated Thailand 13-0.

Of the 23 players on the U.S.’s roster, 14 are making their World Cup debut, including young forwards Sophia Smith — the 22-year-old phenom who leads the National Women’s Soccer League with 10 goals in 13 matches — Trinity Rodman and Alyssa Thompson. The USWNT also returns veteran stars such as Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, who announced earlier this month that she will retire after the tournament.

On the other side, Vietnam is captained by Huynh Nhu, who has scored 67 goals in 103 appearances for the national team, also known as the Golden Star Women Warriors. Other key players to watch for Vietnam are powerhouse midfielders Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung and Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha.

Follow our live coverage below, including live analysis from FOX Sports’ Michael Cohen!

United States vs. Vietnam

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Setting the stage

The “World Cup NOW” and “World Cup Live” crews previewed the match ahead of kickoff.