USWNT vs. New Zealand: Viewing Options, Stakes, Predictions, and News
The USWNT aims to conclude their October international window with a win against New Zealand, providing players a vital opportunity to showcase their skills ahead of World Cup qualifiers.
The U.S. women’s national team (USWNT) is set to conclude its October international window, presenting players with a last chance to make an impact as World Cup qualifiers approach in just 13 months. After sharing results in two previous matches against Portugal, the USWNT hosts New Zealand on Wednesday at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
This match offers an ideal opportunity for the squad to aim for a winning streak following a disappointing 2-1 defeat in their opening game against Portugal, which they later bounced back from with a 3-1 victory. The USWNT will now need to prepare for a new opponent before the next international window commencing on November 28.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 29 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: CPKC Stadium – Kansas City, Mo.
- TV: TNT and TruTV | Live stream: HBO Max
While the USWNT faced Portugal in their previous matches, New Zealand presents a different challenge, being ranked at the top of the Oceania Football Confederation. Historically, the USWNT enjoys a commanding lead over New Zealand with an all-time series record of 19 wins, just one loss, and one draw, dating back to their first meeting in 1987.
Recent encounters occurred during January 2023 in preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where the USWNT triumphed decisively with wins of 4-0 in Wellington and 5-0 in Auckland.
USWNT’s head coach Emma Hayes named a 26-player roster to provide flexibility across the three matches, which was evident in their goalkeeper choices as Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Claudia Dickey swapped roles in the earlier games. With each player eager to impress before the World Cup qualifiers, this match could lead to significant decisions regarding the roster.
In the words of Hayes post-Portugal victory: “Sometimes when you lose, adapting afterwards can be challenging, yet after two days of training, the team showcased wonderful development, and I’m pleased with their efforts.”
As players strive to make their mark, all eyes will be on who stands out in the upcoming match against New Zealand, a test of their readiness for the challenges that lie ahead.
