International Soccer

The United States women’s national team ended the 2023 calendar year with a 2-1 comeback victory vs. China on Tuesday.

Interim head coach Twila Kilgore utilized an interesting 3-4-2-1 formation that had a blend of familiar names and newcomers.

Unfortunately, the first half reflected just that: Many players who haven’t played much time together in a formation they didn’t appear comfortable in. There was little to discuss about the USWNT’s attack in the first half.

Ali Krieger hung up her boots as the 39-year-old defender ended her career with a punctuation mark after lifting the NWSL Championship with Gotham FC. The United States women’s national team got a chance to say thanks to the U.S. legend before a friendly vs. China on Tuesday.

Krieger’s 108th and final appearance with the national team came in January 2021 and U.S. Soccer did the right thing in organizing a proper ceremony for the stalwart defender.

Here was the moment Krieger received her flowers and thanks from the USWNT.

GLASGOW — England's Lionesses thrashed Scotland 6-0 on Tuesday but it was not enough to keep alive Team Great Britain's dreams of a Paris Olympic berth after late drama saw the Netherlands pip them to top spot in their Nations League group.

Lucy Bronze scored a last-gasp goal for the Lionesses, who briefly celebrated, believing it was enough to win Group A1 and move into the Nations League semi-finals, but the Netherlands' Damaris Egurrola netted twice in added time as they beat Belgium 4-0 to clinch top spot.

New faces graced the pitch for the United States women’s national team on Saturday during their 3-0 victory vs. China, however there were a serious lack of faces in the stands of DRV PNK Stadium.

Saturday’s game in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was technically the first game of the Emma Hayes era as the new head coach will join the squad next year. 

Big names like Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Alyssa Naeher and Becky Sauerbrunn were left off the roster as the USWNT begin preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

It’s no secret that Sweden have been the biggest thorn in the side of the United States women’s national team in recent history. The Swedes knocked the USWNT out of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the 2016 Olympics and thrashed the Americans 3-0 in the group stage of the 2020 Olympics.

Sweden are the USWNT’s kryptonite. They won’t be able to hurt the USWNT in Paris next summer though because they failed to qualify due to a 1-0 loss to Switzerland on Friday.

Sweden fail to qualify for Olympics

If you’ve kept up with The18 over the past couple years, then you know we love to poke fun at FIFA’s ridiculous world rankings. The latest FIFA rankings put the United States men’s national team at No. 12 in the world.

Latest FIFA rankings

THE USMNT IS RANKED NO. 12 IN THE LATEST FIFA WORLD RANKINGS

: @433 pic.twitter.com/xhAYTq5lzH

United States forward Trinity Rodman said their early exit at the World Cup was a turning point for the squad and the arrival of Emma Hayes as their new manager comes at the perfect time with the Paris Olympics just around the corner.

The U.S. had been going for a third straight World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand but were eliminated by Sweden in the Round of 16.

The beginning of a new era for the United States women’s national team means saying goodbye to the previous generation. Ali Krieger is the next USWNT legend to receiver her flowers as she will be honored before the team’s friendly vs. China on Dec. 5 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

Krieger announced she was retiring at the end of the 2023 NWSL season and finished her career in style by leading Gotham FC to their first championship. The 39-year-old’s club career ended in the best way possible and now she will be recognized for her national team contributions.