USWNT’s possible starting line-up for friendly match against China

The US women’s national team close out 2023 with two friendlies against China, with the first instalment of the double-header to take place today at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It will be the Stars and Stripes’ first game at the arena since their 2-1 friendly defeat to Germany just over a year ago.

Yet another China clash for US

China, who were the beaten finalists when the USWNT lifted their second World Cup in 1999, have been frequent foes for the four-time global champions. Indeed, the Americans have faced the Asians on more occasions than any other national team except Canada.

However, this will be the USWNT’s first meeting with the Steel Roses in five years. The teams last faced off in 2018, in a Cleveland friendly that saw the hosts triumph 2-1 thanks to goals by Megan Rapinoe and Tobin Heath.

A bumpy ride for the USWNT in 2023

At the end of a turbulent calendar year in which the USWNT suffered their earliest ever elimination from the World Cup, and subsequently fired head coach Vlatko Andonovski, the home side will look to continue their positive recent run of results as they prepare for the arrival of new boss Emma Hayes.

Since their World Cup exit at the hands of Sweden in August, the USWNT have won three and drawn one under interim head coach Twila Kilgore, keeping clean sheets in all four fixtures.

Hayes, who was confirmed as Andonovski’s replacement in November, is to take charge of the team in May.

USWNT’s possible line-up to face China:

Given that the USWNT are to play the same opposition twice in the space of a few days - the teams’ second friendly is on Tuesday in Frisco, Texas - Kilgore can be expected to try out different line-ups in each game. For today’s clash in Florida, we’re expecting her to pick a side more closely resembling the USWNT’s likely first-choice XI in competitive fixtures.

USWNT: Casey Murphy, Emily Fox, Alana Cook, Naomi Girma, MA Vignola, Lindsay Horan, Emily Sonnett, Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Rose Lavelle, Mia Fischel.

USWNT vs China: when, where, how to watch?

The USWNT host China today, Saturday 2 December 2023, with kick-off at DRV PNK Stadium scheduled for 3pm ET/12 noon PT. TV viewers in the United States can watch the game on TNT, Telemundo and Universo, and your streaming options include Max and fuboTV.

Enjoy the action live on fuboTV, which offers users a free trial.