USWNT Announces Starting XI for Portugal Match, Featuring several Key Players
[City, State] – The U.S. Women’s National Team has announced its starting lineup for today’s match against Portugal.The team features a mix of experienced veterans and emerging talent, wiht several players reaching important milestones.
Key Starting XI Notes:
* Phallon Tullis-Joyce (29) will earn her fourth USWNT cap, all in 2024. She is the 28th goalkeeper in USWNT history to earn a cap and the 10th to record a shutout in her debut,achieved against Brazil on April 5. The Manchester united goalkeeper has eight shutouts in 12 matches this season.
* Avery Patterson (23) will make her fifth start in her seventh USWNT appearance. Patterson debuted against Brazil on April 5 and has scored three goals from the outside back position for the Houston Dash this year. She previously participated in USA’s Youth National Team program at the U-14,U-20,and U-23 levels.
* Tara McKeown (26) earns her ninth career cap and seventh start. She previously started against Colombia and Japan in the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, and twice against Brazil.
* Lindsey Heaps will earn her 168th career cap, placing her 21st on the all-time caps list, three behind Carla Overbeck’s 170. She will captain the USA for the 38th time.
* Michelle Cooper (22) earns her ninth cap and fifth career start, seeking to add to her one career goal scored against Australia in the 2024 SheBelieves Cup. She has two career assists, including one against China PR on May 31.
* Emily Sonnett (32) starts in central defense, earning her 111th career cap and making her 59th start, representing 53% of her total caps.
* Rose Lavelle (30) will earn her 114th cap, aiming for her 26th career goal to equal her assist total. She became the 25th player in U.S. history with a combined 50 goals and assists on June 26 against Ireland, and the 28th to reach 25 career goals.
* Sam Coffey (26) earns her 39th career cap and makes her 29th career start. She started 19 games in 2024, a significant increase from the two combined starts in 2022 and 2023. She scored her fourth career goal on July 2 against Canada.
* Catarina Macario (26) will earn her 26th career cap. She scored her first USWNT goal in 712 days against colombia on February 20, 2024, and has since scored 11 goals, including against Brazil in April and China PR in May.
* Alyssa Thompson (20) will earn her 23rd cap and 12th career start. This is her first match for the USA as transferring to Chelsea FC in the England Women’s Super League.
* Emily Fox (27) gets the start at right back, having been a key player for Arsenal FC in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Fox will earn her 68th cap,moving her to 54th all-time in U.S. history, surpassing Tierna Davidson and natasha Kai. This is her 58th career start.
