It’s been over eight months, but the USWNT is finally back in action today, when they’ll face a 2019 World Cup rematch with the Netherlands. The United States would normally be favored, even when heading across the Atlantic, but the realities of Covid-19 have handed them a real challenge. The majority of the USWNT roster has played barely more than one game per month at the club level, with no NWSL games in in over five weeks. Lindsey Horan, one of the best players in the U.S. pool, is unavailable after testing positive.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands (with a roster entirely based in European leagues) should be in mid-season form.