The US women’s national team is set to take the field again after a summer hiatus spanning 113 days. The 2024 Olympic gold medalists will kick off their three-match schedule against Portugal on October 23 at Subaru Park, located in Chester, Pennsylvania. Following this, they will conclude October with another challenging match against New Zealand.
For the squad, this is an opportunity to reconnect after several months without competitive play. Furthermore, it’s a pivotal moment for the program as they gear up for the upcoming qualifications leading to the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Head coach Emma Hayes has opted for flexibility by naming a 26-player roster; however, Trinity Rodman is sidelined due to a recent MCL sprain. Additionally, Sam Meza will miss the friendlies as part of her recovery from a mild hamstring strain, leading to Lo’eau LaBonta entering the squad as her replacement.
With this match marking their 12th encounter against Portugal, the USWNT holds an impressive record, being unbeaten in past meetings and having outscored Portugal 39-0 all-time, trailing only behind their record against Haiti.
How to Watch and Betting Odds
- Date: Thursday, October 23
- Time: 7 PM ET
- Location: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania
- TV: TNT and TruTV | Live Stream: HBO Max
- Odds: USWNT -1100; Draw +750; Portugal +1600
Evaluations in Progress
Emma Hayes is keen to narrow down her player selection as the year wraps up while still providing more opportunities to explore the talent pool. “This is really the build towards qualification for next year,” she said.
Despite a league break, players are still in form as the NWSL season winds down, offering ample chances for newer players to demonstrate their abilities. Predictions suggest a close contest with the USWNT likely claiming victory, forecasted at: USA 2, Portugal 0.
