The US and the Netherlands have history… especially on football’s biggest stage. Rewind four years and the players of the two sides were gearing up for the biggest game of their lives: the World Cup final in France. The USWNT were chasing the fourth winners medal of their illustrious history, while the ‘Oranje’ was seeking its first ever World Cup win.
Second half goals from an inspired Megan Rapinoe (a penalty) and Rose Lavelle confirmed the ‘stars and stripes’ victory, which saw them become the second team in history to win two consecutive World Cups after Germany did so in 2003 and 2007. That Rapinoe celebration, the chants of ‘USA’ and ‘equal pay’- it’s become an iconic day in US Soccer history…the ‘American dream’ in Paris.
All this makes group E’s next game, precisely between the USA and the Netherlands, that extra bit special. “We approach every game like it’s the biggest game. And this game is no different. But historically we have played very important matches against them: in 2019 [the World Cup] , the Olympics and even before that, so this is going to be an incredibly difficult matchup… very challenging,” recognizes Alex Morgan, who led the US’ attacking line in that famous final.
“We watched the Netherlands the other night and they have a lot of the same players as they did in the World Cup four years ago, a little bit different tactically but still the same personnel. And that’s important for team chemistry. We know that we must be at our best and we’re doing everything we can on the training field, in meetings, watching videos… there’s no doubt it’s going to be a huge matchup.”
Despite having a difficult few years-they were defeated (again) by the US in the quarterfinals of the 2020 Olympics and by France in the Euros also in the quarterfinals-, Rose Lavelle reaffirmed Morgan’s message that the US are expecting an incredibly tough game, especially on a physical level. “Every time we play them, it’s a very physical, intense match. They have a lot of different threats: they’re technical, they’re good at set pieces… it’s going to be a tough game but I’m excited for it,” says the midfielder who scored the second goal against the Netherlands four years ago.
After falling at the final hurdle in 2019, the Netherlands will no doubt be out to settle the score against their World Cup rivals. The world number one team certainly won’t make it easy though and will have their famous victory in the back of their minds to spur them on.
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