Group play was unremarkable for the United States women’s national team, to be kind. However, the knockout stage represents a fresh start and equal footing for every team in the last 16 of the 2023 World Cup.
The Americans are favored to get past Sweden in the Round of 16 on Sunday and remain among the betting favorites to win the tournament, but confidence is not as high as it was before play started. Two straight draws, a timely goalpost save and a second place finish in the group will do that.
The U.S. has finished second in a World Cup group before. That was in 2011 and the USWNT made the final after finishing second to Sweden in group play.
Speaking of Sweden, these opponents have plenty history in major tournaments beyond just the 2011 matchup.
All odds from BetMGM. Here’s where you can buy tickets to upcoming games.
USWNT vs. Sweden
Kickoff time: 5 a.m. ET/10 a.m. BST Sunday
Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
If the USWNT has a rival, Sweden is on the short list of teams with the pedigree and head-to-head history to make a case. The Swedes have seven wins against the U.S., third-most of any country. Only Norway (19 wins) and China (nine) have beaten the U.S. more, but it has taken China 16 more games to get those two extra wins and most of Norway’s success was in the…
