Soccer

England head coach Sarina Wiegman is in a unique position at the Women’s World Cup. She's the only woman leading a team that is still in contention for the title. That was the case even before the European champions advanced to the semifinals by beating Colombia 2-1. Women’s soccer is growing at pace. This World Cup has seen record attendance, rising talent from around the globe and showcased a closing of the gap between the sport's traditional elite and emerging nations. Yet the disparity in the coaching ranks has also been laid bare.

Da’vian Kimbrough is three years from being able to secure a driver’s license and eight years from being allowed to sip champagne, but he’s not too young to playo professional soccer.

The traditional elite being cut down to size has been the standout theme at the Women's World Cup ahead of the quarterfinals. 

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Japan scored its 14th goal of the Women’s World Cup and conceded its first Saturday, beating Norway 3-1 to reach the quarterfinals for the fourth time.

Frequent rivals Sweden and the United States will meet meet once again at the Women’s World Cup, but this time it is decidedly different. The two-time defending champion Americans are struggling heading into the round of 16 match on Sunday against the Swedes, who they have played often in both the World Cup and at the Olympics. The United States has played Sweden six times in the group stage at the World Cup, most recently in 2019 when the Americans won 2-0. The United States went on to win its record fourth overall title in the tournament.

Forget about orange slices, players like Alex Morgan, Australia’s Katrina Gorry and Jamaica’s Cheyna Matthews are redefining what it means to be a “soccer mom.” 

The two-time reigning champion United States came an inch short of Women’s World Cup elimination, but Portugal’s late near-miss helped the Americans avoid the biggest upset in tournament history. The Americans slipped through to the knockout round Tuesday despite a listless, uninspiring 0-0 draw. The U.S. won only one game in group play for the first time in tournament history, and scored just four goals over three games. In a hold-your-breath moment, the Americans came an inch away from elimination when Ana Capeta nearly scored in stoppage for Portugal. Her shot hit the left post and the Americans preserved the draw. The tie was just enough to ensure the Americans advanced to the knockout round.

The Women's World Cup is taking shape with shocks and highlights as it nears the end of the group stage. Some players have established themselves as ones to watch, like Colombia star Linda Caicedo. But co-host New Zealand has been eliminated and others are at risk of not advancing headed into the final few days of group play. There have been surprises such as Colombia's win against Germany and Nigeria's upset of co-host Australia, games that showed the gap has closed at top level women's soccer.

The United States arrived at the Women’s World Cup as the favorites to win an unprecedented third consecutive title. But after an underwhelming draw against the Netherlands, there’s a real chance the Americans can be eliminated in group play for the first time in tournament history. The U.S. plays Portugal in the third and final match of Group E play, and if Portugal pulls off an upset Tuesday at Eden Park in Auckland, the Americans could be in big trouble. The United States needs to either win or draw against Portugal, one of eight teams playing in its first World Cup, to ensure the Americans continue to play in this tournament.

Megan Rapinoe is adjusting to her new role at the Women's World Cup, even if it means she's not on the field as much as she'd like to be. The outspoken 38-year-old is the oldest player on the team. She already announced that her fourth World Cup would be her last. Rapinoe has played limited minutes so far, coming in as a substitute in the 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the tournament opener. She was available but didn't play in the 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on Thursday in Wellington.

Lindsey Horan scored a revenge goal after being knocked around in the second half and the United States squeezed out a a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands at the Women’s World Cup. The Dutch struck early with Jill Roord’s first-half goal to surprise the Americans. With the draw, neither team secured a spot in the knockout round yet with one group game remaining. The Americans and the Dutch sit atop the Group E standings with a win and a draw, but the U.S. has the edge with more goals.

Canada captain Christine Sinclair’s quest to become the first player to score in six World Cups faces uncertainty. The 40-year-old Sinclair was visibly limping late in Olympic champion Canada’s 2-1 comeback victory over Ireland in Perth on Wednesday night and needed treatment. Canada coach Bev Priestman told a post-match news conference she wasn't sure exactly what was wrong with the veteran forward. Sinclair missed a penalty kick in Canada's 0-0 opening draw against Nigeria. She wasn't included in the starting 11 against Ireland but added energy and direction when she went on as a substitute. Things don't get easier for Canada at the Women's World Cup with a potential group decider against co-host Australia next Monday.

The Dutch almost did it, even without their best forwards. Netherlands got ahead of the United States early and then withstood a flurry of U.S. attacks to preserve a 1-1 draw in its rematch of the 2019 Women’s World Cup final. The Dutch entered the match with a weakened attack. Vivianne Miedema, the country's all-time leading women’s scorer, is out of the tournament with a torn ACL. After coach Andries Jonker selected Lineth Beerensteyn for the team’s first match against Portugal, Beerenstyn went down with an ankle injury. With Jonker’s top forwards out against the defending champion U.S. team, he turned to 26-year-old Katja Snoeijs.

The United States and the Netherlands meet again on the Women’s World Cup stage with smaller stakes than the 2019 title game won by the Americans. But the Dutch are collecting injuries at a terrible time of the tournament. The Netherlands will most likely be without forward Lineth Beerensteyn when they play the Americans on Thursday in New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington. She was hurt early in the Netherlands’ 1-0 victory over Portugal to open the tournament. Australia has also been hit by injuries ahead of its match against Nigeria. The victor of the match between Portugal and Vietnam will notch its first ever Women's World Cup win.

Philippines made history at its first Women’s World Cup with its first goal and first win Tuesday, holding on under pressure to upset co-host New Zealand.

Philippines made history at its first Women’s World Cup with its first goal and first win Tuesday, holding on under pressure to upset co-host New Zealand.