The knockout stage of the 2023 Women's World Cup is all-but set, which means United States' path to the final has been made clear.
After Tuesday's surprise 0-0 draw with Portugal, a match which saw the USWNT come a post's width from exiting the tournament, Vlatko Andonovski's side finished second in Group E. — Women's World Cup: Home | Squads | Fixtures | Podcast The Netherlands smashed Vietnam 7-0 in the simultaneous kickoff to lock in their place atop the group, meaning the U.S.
must now take a different road to the one that they likely envisioned when they headed Down Under — and a harder one, after just their second runner's-up finish in Women's World Cup group play.
Back in 2011, when they finished second to Sweden in the group stage, the USWNT still went on to reach the final of the tournament in Germany before losing to Japan.