Zac Electrifly

This is the first game of the knockout stage in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 for both teams. The United states finished the group stage with one win and two draws. They came in second place in Group E. The United states drew Portugal 0-0 in their last match. Sweden won all three of their group stage games. They won Group G. Sweden beat Argentina 2-0 in their last match.

The United States has an all time record of 23-12-7 against Sweden. Their last match was on July 21st, 2021. The United States lost that match 0-3. The United States has a 42% chance of winning this match.

The United States finished the group stage with 4 goals. That is 1.33 goals per game. The United States allowed 1 goal in the group stage. That is 0.33 goals against per game. They have two shutouts so far in the tournament. They have also been shitout once.

	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
United States	3	1	2	0	4	1	+3	5

Sweden finished the group stage with 9 goals. That is 3 goal per game. Sweden allowed 1 goal in the group stage. That is 0.33 goals against per game. They have two shutouts.

	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Sweden	3	3	0	0	9	1	+8	9

Sweden have been a scoring powerhouse so far in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Arguably the United States are the toughest opponent they have had to face. The United States have had their issues. Lack of scoring is big one. They can beat Sweden. This game will be a challenge. The United states will not have an easy path to the final. If they win they are going to have to play Japan. Then they are going to probably have to play the Netherlands again. On the topic of the United States not playing with passion or Seeming as they do not have the desire to win, I get it. After underperforming in the group stage I can see why people think the united states don’t have the will to win. However I don’t think wanting it enough is the issue. They want it plenty. I think their team work and aiming are largely to blame for their poor play in the group stage. To me it looks like something is going on to keep the team from having better chemistry. I am not in the locker room or at practice so I can not point fingers. What I can say is that bringing in more fresh players after the tournament, shaking the core up, and brining in players who are willing to fight for their spot on the team will change up the chemistry. Part of the issue with chemistry and communication sometimes is that players who have been on a team for a while get complacent. If a players has been on a team for a while their drive to improve themselves and the team can decline. They can also sink into the mentality that they can be teams savior instead of working to improve the team as a unit. I think the United States might be falling into something like this. I think revamping the core to move towards rebuilding the team after the last FIFA Women’s World Cup instead of continuing on the same path with aging players might have been the best move. Instead now we are here fighting an uphill battle trying to regain our former glory.

Prediction: USA win