The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to begin on July 20. The Women’s US National Team (USWNT) will have their first game against Vietnam on July 21 at 6pm. On their roster is a group of talented African American players that can help Team USA win the Women’s World Cup.
Crystal Dunn
The 2019 FIFA World Cup Champ has a long history of accolades. She helped Team USA win bronze during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 2021, she helped the Portland Thorns FC win the NWSL Challenge Cup, the Women’s International Champions Cup and the NWSL Shield.
Trinity Rodman
Rodman was the second overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, acquired by the Washington Spirit. That year, she scored seven goals in 25 games and was ultimately named NWSL 2021 Rookie of the Year and US Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. She competed with the USWNT in the 2022 Concacaf W Championship.
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Alyssa Thompson
At 18 years old, Thompson was acquired by the Angel City FC as the top pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. She competed for the USWNT for the first time on October 7 2022 and became the 70th teenaged USWNT player to earn a cap. Thompson made her first start for the USWNT on April 11 2023 against the Republic of Ireland.
Naomi Girma
Girma became the 2022 NWSL Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year with the San Diego Wave FC. She has competed in two FIFA Youth World Cups and was the captain of the U-20 USWNT. With Girma at the helm, USA won the U-20 Concacaf Women’s Championship in 2020. She also made two starts in the 2022 Concacaf W Championship.
Alana Cook
Cook made four starts for the USWNT in the 2022 Concacaf W Championship and scored the game-winning goal against the Republic of Ireland on April 11, 2023. She was named on the 2021 NWSL Best XI First Team from her efforts with the OL Reign. Cook also helped the Reign win the 2022 NWSL Shield.
Sophia Smith
In 2022, Smith led the USWNT in scoring with 11 goals. In the NWSL, she made a single-season record 14 goals for the Portland Thorns FC. Smith helped the Thorns win the 2022 NWSL Championship and she was voted Championship Game MVP. She was also named 2022 BioSteel U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year and 2022 NWSL MVP.
Lynn Williams
Williams has won three NWSL championships, one with the Western New York Flash and two more when the club moved and became the NC Courage. She won the 2016 NWSL scoring title and became NWSL MVP that season. Williams also helped the Courage win three consecutive NWSL Shields from 2017-2019.
The USWNT will compete in Group E with the Netherlands, Portugal and Vietnam. After their July 21 game, they will see action again against the Netherlands on July 26 at 6:00P.M. and against Portugal on August 1 at midnight.
