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

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup continues Wednesday (on FOX and the FOX Sports app) with a highly anticipated Group E tussle between the United States and the Netherlands at New Zealand’s Wellington Regional Stadium.

Both squads won their opening matches, with the USWNT beating Vietnam 3-0, and the Oranje downing Portugal 1-0. Wednesday’s all-important tilt marks the first match of the tournament between two teams ranked in the top 10 of FIFA’s world rankings — the U.S. is No. 1 and the Netherlands is No. 9.

Keep an eye out for U.S. star midfielder Rose Lavelle, who has scored against the Netherlands the past three times the two teams have met. Meanwhile, USWNT co-captain Alex Morgan will aim to put a missed penalty kick behind her.

The Dutch are led by defender Stefanie van der Gragt — who scored the winning goal in the team’s opener — midfielders Sherida Spitse and Daniëlle van de Donk, and forward Lieke Martens, each of whom have made well more than 100 caps.

Follow our live coverage below!

United States vs. Netherlands

PREGAME

Setting the stage

The “World Cup NOW” crew previewed the match live on Twitter ahead of kickoff.

Looking the part

Things were business as usual for the U.S. ahead of the most talked about game in this group stage thus far.

Starting XI

Both squads unveiled their starting lineups ahead of all the action.

Lavelle will start on the bench in Wednesday’s rematch of the 2019 World Cup final, in which she scored the decisive second goal for the U.S. Lavelle also started on the bench in the team’s opener Friday, her first match for club or country in over three months.

Lavelle said Tuesday that she could play the full 90 minutes if USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski asked her to, but Andonovski’s lineup suggests he’s willing to stay patient.

Eyes on the prize

The USWNT is trying to do accomplish a feat that no men’s or women’s team has before: win three consecutive World Cups.