The United States women’s national team started qualifying with a resounding 6-0 win over Mexico, and they’ll look to carry their rampant scoring form after halftime over to today’s encounter with Panama. While this game is between two teams separated only by goal difference in Group A, the USWNT will be massive, massive favorites to win. More than that, they’ll be expected to do so in style, and without having to simply exhaust their opponent or profit from set piece goals. Anything less than a multi-goal victory would count as a shock, but then the Panamanians (whose squad includes 13-year-old defender Sheyla Diaz) weren’t supposed to beat Trinidad & Tobago either.
Location: Sahlen’s Stadium (Cary, NC)
Kickoff time: 5:00pm Eastern
Projected USWNT starting 11: (433) - Alyssa Naeher; Kelley O’Hara, Emily Sonnett, Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn; Lindsey Horan, Julie Ertz, Rose Lavelle; Mallory Pugh, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath
Bench: Ashlyn Harris, Becky Sauerbrunn, Casey Short, Hailie Mace, Samantha Mewis, Morgan Brian, Christen Press, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe
Despite the very high likelihood of another rout, don’t expect major rotation from Jill Ellis just yet; that’ll come in game three if the USWNT avoids the biggest upset in WWC qualifying history today. Our guess is that there will be two moves: Sonnett coming in for Sauerbrunn (who has been playing through a foot injury all year), and Pugh giving the Washington Spirit two starters rather than one. If she comes into the team, Rapinoe will get a well-deserved rest, and Heath will move over to the left.
Available TV: Fox Sports 1, Univision Deportes
Available streaming: Fox Sports Go. Depending on your Fox subscription, you may have more access to streaming options than you normally do:
Those with FS1 TV subscriptions can access FS2 on digital platforms
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) September 29, 2018
For listings in other countries, check out LiveSoccerTV.com.
What are you drinking?: If I’m watching this game when it kicks off, I’ll be at a bar near Audi Field with a beer of some kind. If off the DVR when I get home, Brooklyn Brewing’s Oktoberfest.
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