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Men's National Football

Women's World Cup 2023 Bracket: Round of 16 Format, Fixtures and Predictions

Aug 3, 2023
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 1: USA team during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between Portugal and USA at Eden Park on August 1, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 1: USA team during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between Portugal and USA at Eden Park on August 1, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

The knockout stage is set for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, with the top 16 teams still in the tournament vying for immortality over the next two weeks.

It's been an unusual tournament thus far, as some traditional powers showed some cracks in the foundation during group play.

Team USA, the top-ranked team in the world, has been underwhelming with just four goals in three games. Germany, the No. 2 team in the FIFA world rankings, is going home after a loss to Colombia and draw against South Korea.

Morocco, making its first-ever appearance in the World Cup this year, advanced thanks to back-to-back wins over South Korea and Colombia after starting the tournament with a 6-0 loss to Germany.

In just its second World Cup appearance, South Africa secured a trip to the Round of 16 thanks to a 3-2 win over Italy on Wednesday.

Looking ahead to the knockout stage, here's how the bracket lines up and what to expect going forward.

Round of 16 Schedule

August 5 (1 a.m. ET): Switzerland v. Spain

August 5 (4 a.m. ET): Japan v. Norway

August 5 (10 p.m. ET): Netherlands v. South Africa

August 6 (5 a.m. ET): United States v. Sweden

August 7 (6:30 a.m. ET): Australia v. Denmark

August 7 (3:30 a.m. ET): England v. Nigeria

August 8 (4 a.m. ET): Colombia v. Jamaica

August 8 (7 a.m. ET): France v. Morocco

The bracket did not line up well for Team USA to find itself early in the knockout round. Sweden was one of the most impressive teams in the group stage with three wins and a plus-eight goal differential.

The only team that did better was Japan, which outscored its three opponents in Group C by 11 goals. If the United States beats Sweden, it could set up a showdown with Japan in the quarterfinals.

It's fitting the United States will have to go through Sweden to win. This will mark the seventh time in nine Women's World Cups the two countries have squared off.

Team USA has a 4-1-1 record in the previous six matches, including a 2-0 win in group play four years ago. Sweden's lone win came in 2011 en route to a third-place finish in the tournament.

The top half of the Round of 16 bracket is a nightmare for anyone to get through with five of the top 11 teams in the FIFA world rankings competing (United States, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Japan).

On the bottom half of the bracket, it will feel like an upset if France and England don't meet in the semifinals.

France has to get past a Morocco team that's been a great story so far but is venturing deep into uncharted territory against a formidable opponent that won arguably the best group in the tournament.

If France wins that match, it would take on the winner of Australia-Denmark. The Australians are coming off an impressive 4-0 win over Canada, but that came after a lackluster showing against Ireland and loss to Nigeria.

England was quietly going about its business in the first two matches of group play before a 6-1 win over China on Tuesday.

Each of the three teams England will/could face in the next two matches (Nigeria, Colombia, Jamaica) are all ranked 25th or lower by FIFA. Those teams combined had a worse goal differential (plus-four) than the English squad did in the group phase.

Based on how the team is playing right now and how the bracket lined up, the Lionesses look like a strong bet to win their first World Cup title. Their previous best finish was a third-place showing in 2015.

USMNT's Gio Reyna Assured He'll 'Have an Important Role' Despite Gregg Berhalter Hire

Jul 20, 2023
FILE - Gio Reyna of the United States kicks the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the Netherlands and the United States, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. Former United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann says the fallout from the public dispute between coach Gregg Berhalter and the family of young star Reyna is “obviously not looking good” for U.S. soccer. Klinsmann, who coached the men’s national team from 2011-2016, said Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, he felt the problems between Berhalter and Reyna may have played a role in the team’s underwhelming performance at the World Cup in Qatar. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
FILE - Gio Reyna of the United States kicks the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the Netherlands and the United States, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. Former United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann says the fallout from the public dispute between coach Gregg Berhalter and the family of young star Reyna is “obviously not looking good” for U.S. soccer. Klinsmann, who coached the men’s national team from 2011-2016, said Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, he felt the problems between Berhalter and Reyna may have played a role in the team’s underwhelming performance at the World Cup in Qatar. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

USMNT and Dortmund midfielder Gio Reyna said he's been assured by United States Soccer Federation technical director Matt Crocker that he will have an important role on the national side for the foreseeable future despite the decision to retain head coach Gregg Berhalter.

Reyna relayed the remarks to ESPN's Derek Rae (h/t ESPN News Services).

"I spoke with Matt Crocker in Las Vegas after the Mexico game," Reyna told ESPN's Derek Rae. "He said I will have an important role in the program for many years going forward.

"My job is to keep improving on the field and to help the team win."

Reyna played only 53 minutes over two matches (no starts) during the United States' four-game World Cup outing with Berhalter, who oversaw the team from December 2018 through December 2022.

Berhalter's contract expired after 2022, and he was replaced by interim head coaches Anthony Hudson and then B.J. Callaghan. However, Berhalter was brought back as the team's leader in June.

The Reynas and Berhalters clashed after the 20-year-old was effectively benched during the World Cup. The Reynas reported a 1992 domestic violence allegation against Berhalter to U.S. Soccer, as Becky Sullivan of NPR noted:

"Berhalter's bid to renew his contract as head coach had been put on pause late last year, when allegations surfaced of a domestic violence incident between him and his now-wife, Rosalind, when they were both freshmen at the University of North Carolina in the early 1990s.

"After learning of the allegation in December, U.S. Soccer hired the law firm Alston & Bird to conduct an independent investigation. The investigation later expanded to include "potential inappropriate behavior" toward federation officials and staff in connection with the original allegation.

U.S. Soccer released a report that stated Berhalter's actions were "unlawful and improper," but they did "not prevent an employer from employing" him because it happened 26 years before his hire.

U.S. Soccer officials also stated that they thought the allegation came to light from the Reynas so the federation could be persuaded against hiring Berhalter, who had stated at a leadership conference after the World Cup that he considered sending a player home. He did not name the player at the time, but it was later revealed to be Reyna.

As it stands now, Berhalter seems committed to making the relationship with Reyna work.

"I'd certainly acknowledge that there's work to do, and Gio is an important player to this team," Berhalter said at a news conference in June, per ESPN's Jeff Carlisle. "He's an extremely talented individual, and I have the obligation and the commitment to coach him like I coach every other player, and I want to get the best out of him.

"We want to get the best out of him, and we know that if we can unlock his talents, he's going to be a game changer for this program. So there's work to do, and part of it is working together with [sporting director] Matt [Crocker] and trying to rebuild a relationship that we know will be important moving forward."

Reyna, who scored seven goals for Dortmund last year, has made four appearances (all starts) for the national team in 2023, registering two assists in 256 minutes of action.

USMNT Loss to Panama Stuns Fans after Penalty Kick Flop in 2023 Gold Cup Semis

Jul 13, 2023
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: United States react to loosing the PK shootout against Panama during the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinals at Snapdragon Stadium on July 12, 2023 in San Diego, California. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: United States react to loosing the PK shootout against Panama during the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinals at Snapdragon Stadium on July 12, 2023 in San Diego, California. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Live on the edge long enough and eventually you might fall off.

Such was the case for the USMNT, which for the second straight game went into a penalty shootout in the Gold Cup. Unlike a quarterfinal victory over Canada, however, this time the Americans fell to Panama 1-1 (5-4 on penalties).

Goalkeeper Matt Turner didn't have quite the same magic as he did against Canada, only coming up with one save through six rounds. Jesús Ferreira and Cristian Roldan each missed their attempts, meanwhile, opening the door for Panama.

And USMNT Twitter was not thrilled with the result:

https://twitter.com/LeanderAlphabet/status/1679317579209351168

Things looked bleak for the United States at various points throughout this match, as two Panama goals were erased due to offside rulings and the Americans were wasteful with their own opportunities.

And then disaster struck in the first overtime session, as Iván Anderson gave Panama in the lead.

But Jesús Ferreira was at least temporarily a hero yet again, scoring his Gold Cup-leading seventh goal just seven minutes later to draw things even.

https://twitter.com/LeanderAlphabet/status/1679308270215868416

It was only a stay of execution, however, as the United States failed to reach the final and Panama finally got back there after a decade-long hiatus.

The long view for the Americans is that this wasn't even a B-squad lineup, instead composed of players trying to make a case for more regular inclusion to the national team. The disappointment for the country is that more players didn't acquit themselves particularly well.

Turner only further entrenched his standing as the first-choice 'keeper. Ferreira kept himself in the mix in a once-muddled forward conversation that now seems likely to be headlined by Arsenal's Folarin Balogun. Perhaps Miazga—outside of his unsportsmanlike decision to block the path of a Panama player ahead of his penalty attempt—and Brandon Vázquez upped their stock.

Beyond that, it wasn't pretty for the United States. More is expected from the current kings of CONCACAF, even when it's the C- or D-team.

Matt Turner, USMNT Thrill Fans by Beating Canada in Penalty Shootout in Gold Cup QF

Jul 10, 2023
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 09: Matt Turner #1 of the United States reacts after a save during the penalty shoot out in the Quarterfinal match in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup against Canada at TQL Stadium on July 09, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 09: Matt Turner #1 of the United States reacts after a save during the penalty shoot out in the Quarterfinal match in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup against Canada at TQL Stadium on July 09, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

What a rollercoaster of emotions.

The United States National Team kept its hopes alive of defending its Gold Cup title Sunday night with a win over Canada at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, advancing to the semifinals of the competition.

And on a night where they had to win the game multiple times, the Americans needed a hero before the end of the night.

Enter Matt Turner.

The United States' No. 1 stepped up in the biggest moments, saving two huge penalties to start the shootout and giving his squad just enough breathing room to squeeze by, winning 3-2 on pens.

But it was a long and harrowing journey before getting to that point.

A long, scoreless night seemed to end in the 88th minute when Brandon Vázquez—the FC Cincinnati striker—gave the US the lead on a sensational header. But a handball in the box just a few minutes later led to a stoppage-time penalty from Canada's Steven Vitória.

The neighbors to the north struck first in extra time as an incredible run by Jacob Shaffelburg resulted in an even better finish under the arms of Turner to make it 2-1 with just over 10 minutes remaining, seemingly sealing the reigning champs' fate.

However, an own-goal from Scott Kennedy leveled it back up for the US in the 114th minute and eventually set up Turner's dominant performance in the shootout.

Going up against Vitória for a second time from the spot, Turner remembered the down the middle shot that the veteran striker put past him earlier, standing his grown and saving it this time around. He'd save the following penalty as well, setting the tone for the victory.

Twitter was worshipping Turner for his heroics.

https://twitter.com/itsmeglinehan/status/1678239006797230082
https://twitter.com/blazindw/status/1678239256526094337

But none of Turner's work would have been possible without the work of Gianluca Busio, the United States' best player on the pitch for long stretches of the night.

He was active in all phases of the game, breaking up Canada's play as well as pushing the ball forward on counter attacks.

It was Busio's shot that Kennedy turned in to give the Americans a late equalizer in front of a raucous home crowd.

With hopes of a repeat still alive, the national team will now advance to play an impressive Panama squad Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET

A date with rivals Mexico in the final is still a possibility as El Tri is set for a semifinal matchup against Jamaica.

Jesús Ferreira's Hat Trick Excites USMNT Fans in Gold Cup Win vs. Trinidad and Tobago

Jul 3, 2023
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JULY 02: Jesús Ferreira #9 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half of a Group A - 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup match against Trinidad and Tobago at Bank of America Stadium on July 02, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JULY 02: Jesús Ferreira #9 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half of a Group A - 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup match against Trinidad and Tobago at Bank of America Stadium on July 02, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

The United States men's national team advanced to the Gold Cup knockout stage with a 6-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday behind a historic performance by striker Jesús Ferreira.

The 22-year-old recorded a first-half hat trick, becoming the first player in USMNT history to record hat tricks in back-to-back games. The win secured first place in Group A for the Americans.

Ferreira opened the scoring in the 14th minute off an assist from DeJuan Jones. He put in his next goal in the 38th minute off a rebound, and then he added another on a penalty kick right before halftime. Cade Cowell put in a goal in the 65th minute, and Gianluca Busio converted an assist from Julian Gressel in the 79th minute. Brandon Vazquez added another goal in stoppage time to cap the blowout win.

A two-time MLS All-Star for FC Dallas, Ferreira is already a rising star. He now has 14 career international goals since joining the U.S. men's national team in 2020.

Fans on Twitter were blown away by Ferreira's dazzling performance on Sunday:

The USMNT will face the second-place team from Group D in the Gold Cup quarterfinals on Sunday.

With Ferreira playing the way he is, the USMNT has a strong chance at winning a second straight Gold Cup.

Top Goals and Highlights from USMNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago 2023 Gold Cup Match

Jul 2, 2023
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JULY 02: Jesús Ferreira #9 of the United States celebrates scoring with teammates during the first half of a Group A - 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup match against Trinidad and Tobago at Bank of America Stadium on July 02, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JULY 02: Jesús Ferreira #9 of the United States celebrates scoring with teammates during the first half of a Group A - 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup match against Trinidad and Tobago at Bank of America Stadium on July 02, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

The USMNT is moving on! The Concacaf Gold Cup knockout stages await after BJ Calaghan's squad finishes top of Group A following 6-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago.

Up next is a quarterfinal contest vs. the runners-up from Group D (Guadeloupe, Guatemala or Canada) on Sunday, July 9th from Las Vegas.

GOALS AND HIGHLIGHTS from Sunday night's matchup ⬇️

90'+4 - Brandon Vazquez puts the exclamation point an emphatic win for the USMNT with a cheeky little dink. USA coming away 6-0 winners in Charlotte.

79' - Gianluca Busio gets his first USMNT goal in style as the Carolina-native finishes a slick team move for 5-0 lead.

66' - Cade Cowell gets on the the scoreboard with this excellent effort after a loose pass.

45'+2 - Another day, another hat-trick for Jesus Ferreira who converts the spot kick to give the USA the 3-0 lead at HT. First USMNT player EVER with hat-tricks in back-to-back games.

39' - Ferreira strikes again from in tight to give the USA a 2-0 lead as half-time nears.

14' - Jesus Ferreira with the fancy footwork in the box to keep his hot scoring streak alive. USA leads T&T 1-0.

USMNT's starting XI:

Interim coach B.J. Callaghan and his squad are looking to advance to the knockout stages and defend their title in the competition. They'd be able to move on with either a win or draw against Trinidad.

They are currently tied atop Group A along with Jamaica, who they drew 1-1 with in their opening game of the tournament. It was followed up by a dominant 6-0 victory over Saint Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday.

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