The US Women’s National Team hosts Canada, Japan and Brasil in the 2023 SheBelieves Cup. Games begin Thursday, February 17. The US Women’s roster includes several new players as the program looks to develop the next generation of national team players for future Olympics and World Cup competitions.
Team USA’s SheBelieves Cup 2023 TV schedule:
- Thursday, February 16: USA vs. Canada, 7:00 PM on HBO Max, Universe and Peacock
- Sunday, February 19: USA vs. Japan, 3:30 PM on TNT, HBO Max, Universe and Peacock
- Wednesday, February 22: USA vs. Brasil, 7:00 PM on TNT, HBO Max, Universe and Peacock
Viewing tips:
We encourage the girls (parents too!) to watch part of each game to see what high level soccer looks like. Many young kids get bored watching sports — they would rather play! — but they are more likely to watch a game if they have specific viewing goals. Things to look for:
- Do players keep the ball moving while they play, or do they stop the ball and look around?
- Do players get their heads up and turn away from defenders, or do they play with heads down and dribble into defenders?
- Do players keep the ball either by dribbling or passing, or do they kick the ball and chase it?
- Do players always dribble forward toward goal, or do they occasionally dribble or pass sideways or backward to find open space?
- When the USA is attacking, do the backs stay back near their own goal, or do they move forward to help the attack? How far forward?
NASA Tophat connection:
We mentioned that the USA’s tournament roster includes some new names, but our NTH Academy alumna Emily Sonnett (top row, center in the 2004 photo on the left) is still on the roster.
The roster also includes Mallory Pugh (also known as Mallory Swanson), who dropped by during one of our Junior Academy game days in 2020 and became a guest in a team photo (right).