World Cup week is finally here, with the U.S. women’s national team kicking off their 2023 campaign on Friday evening against Vietnam. Each of the USWNT’s group-stage opponents have distinctly different styles of play, and head coach Vlatko Andonovski will have to select his starters and reserves with tactics in mind.

In the team’s send-off match against Wales, patterns emerged indicating how the U.S. plans to approach defenses that are willing to let them possess the ball and dare them to find a breakthrough. With that in mind, there are a few positional tweaks Andonovski could make to his starting XI in his World Cup debut.

Here is how I would deploy the USWNT lineup against Vietnam, from the starting group to the bench players.

Goalkeeper

Alyssa Naeher

Naeher played the full 90 minutes against Wales in the USWNT’s send-off match, which all but tipped the scales in her favor to start the team’s World Cup group-stage opener. Naeher has had some trouble on set pieces and low xG opportunities in the NWSL this season, but the game against Vietnam will be more about organization and keeping early jitters in check.

Defense

Crystal Dunn, Naomi Girma, Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta

Against what will likely be an organized lower block, the USWNT defense should lean as much as possible into their chance creation and ball distribution. Enter Sofia Huerta, a crossing specialist who can unlock the very type of defense the U.S. anticipates from Vietnam. Huerta’s presence also allows for rotation, with the possibility of Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox sharing minutes to prepare them for longevity through the tournament. Fox could also relieve Dunn in a left-back role to let the natural attacking player push forward into the midfield if the U.S. is still searching for a goal.

I think Emily Sonnett could start this match alongside Naomi Girma, a reflection less of my faith in Alana Cook and more of the understanding that center-back substitutions can be difficult when the stakes are high. Sonnett has very little game time with the U.S. as a center-back alongside Girma. Vietnam could be the right test for Sonnett to settle her nerves and give her a chance to be a real rotation option at the position. But the first match sets the tone, and Girma and Cook also need time together on the biggest stage to find their footing.

Midfield

Andi Sullivan, Lindsey Horan, Savannah DeMelo

Safely assuming that Rose Lavelle is not fit to start the USWNT’s first match of the tournament, Savannah DeMelo might be an intriguing option to take over the creative midfield role against Vietnam’s sturdy defense. DeMelo has scored from distance a number of times in the NWSL this season, and a shoot-first mentality is something the U.S. has lacked in recent games. They’ll try to put passing sequences together to exploit space, but if DeMelo has the willingness to try a few heat checks from distance alongside quality dead-ball service, she deserves a look.

Andi Sullivan might be a controversial starter at defensive midfield, but she’s best-suited for games with less transitional play and more possession, which is what the U.S. is likely anticipating from its first match.

Attack

Lynn Williams, Alex Morgan, Sophia Smith

This one is tricky. It’s tough to leave Trinity Rodman on the bench at the beginning of the tournament based on her recent play, but Lynn Williams could be the deciding factor in a game like this. Williams is so good at applying quick defensive pressure and forcing turnovers to win chances in front of goal. If Vietnam can settle into the game, the ticking clock can become the USWNT’s enemy as much as the other team on the pitch. Williams is the type of player who can give the U.S. an opportunity to take the lead early, which will allow them to settle into possession with an advantage in hand.

There will come a time in this World Cup when it makes sense to play Rodman, Williams and Sophia Smith together as the front three. But for this particular match, the veteran leadership of Alex Morgan wins out. It’s not just that she can communicate well with the team’s World Cup newcomers — she’ll also be able to do the back-to-goal work to create space for Williams and Smith to execute. No one understands the tempo of an international match better than Morgan, and they’ll need her for this game.

First off the bench

Emily Fox, Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, Kristie Mewis, Alyssa Thompson

The USWNT’s depth is still a huge asset, with a variety of options available to Andonovski depending on the game state. As mentioned, Fox coming in might allow Dunn to join the midfield, or simply make sure that neither outside back depletes their energy.

Should the U.S. want to go high-tempo, Rodman and Alyssa Thompson bring quality positioning and speed to the frontline, while Rodman can also methodically connect with her midfield. Ashley Sanchez offers creative flair, and Kristie Mewis can sub in for any of the three midfield positions, giving the group a gritty edge should they need it late in the match.

Building their minutes

Rose Lavelle, Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz

The U.S. is still dealing with a handful of injuries, with Lavelle’s long-awaited return a key factor in the team’s chances in the knockout rounds. Lavelle has been training with the team and seemingly going full-contact, but she has yet to see competitive game minutes since April. The need to build her fitness back up is another good reason for the reigning World Champions to get off to a fast start and allow their midfield engine to resume play in a positive situation.

Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz are each also building their minutes back up, but they have more flexibility in their usage on the field. Ertz is a player best-suited for transitional play, meaning she might be needed more in the USWNT’s second two group-stages matches. She and Rapinoe are both secret weapons on set pieces; Rapinoe, in particular, can create a bit of magic should the U.S. struggle to grab a lead late in the game.

Ready if necessary

Casey Murphy, Aubrey Kingsbury, Emily Sonnett, Kelley O’Hara

As mentioned above, there’s a compelling argument that Sonnett should start this first game. But what is more likely is that Sonnett and Kelley O’Hara will be available as defensive reinforcements, with both players able to slot into different roles if necessary (could we see the return of O’Hara at midfield, for example?). Goalkeepers Casey Murphy and Aubrey Kingsbury will be in a similar position: Murphy has the capability to take the starting reins at any time in this tournament.

Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

Things got a little heated in the fourth quarter of last week's Washington Mystics win over Chicago.

The DC-based WNBA team held a slim 62-60 lead over the Sky, when a contested rebound turned into a jump ball that Chicago head coach Tyler Marsh strongly disagreed with — costing him a technical foul from the sideline.

Washington veteran Brittney Sykes could have taken the subsequent free throw, adding to a 32-point performance on a night when it felt like the 31-year-old couldn't miss. Fourth-year center Shakira Austin was also on the floor, as was third-year guard Sug Sutton.

Instead, the player stepping up to the stripe turned out to be rookie guard Sonia Citron. She calmly sank the shot for her 11th point of the game, giving Washington a little more daylight as they held on for their fifth win of the season.

Of course, Citron stepping up in the clutch is not exactly surprising. The Notre Dame alum has quickly made a name for herself in the early weeks of the 2025 WNBA season, alongside teammate and fellow first-round draft pick Kiki Iriafen — whose power was on full display Tuesday night as she battled with Sky forward Angel Reese.

"Kiki was in some foul trouble, but that didn't take away from her aggressiveness, and she played smart with fouls. You don't really get to see that with a lot of rookies," Sykes said after the game. "Soni came in. Soni does what she does." 

And this past Sunday, they did it again. Taking the Dallas Wings to overtime, the Mystics rookies proved perfectly in sync. They executed a crucial jump-ball possession in the final seconds, before Citron hit the game-winner to top off a 27-point performance.

A little over a month in, Iriafen and Citron have already presented DC with a new dynamic duo. The pair embodies a new vision for the downtrodden Mystics — one that will hopefully return them to the WNBA's top ranks.

Washington's 2025 WNBA Draft night gamble

Following a breakthrough 2019 title win, Washington has sat in danger of spinning their wheels. They managed just two playoff berths in the last four seasons. They never failed to challenge opponents, but lacked the consistency necessary to keep up with the league's latest dynasties.

Then, in 2025, the Mystics took a risk. Faced with two paths — forge ahead with the status quo or attempt to start anew — they blew everything up. The team moved on from the father-son duo of general manager Mike and head coach Eric Thibault. Then, they brought on new GM Jamila Wideman and first-time WNBA head coach Sydney Johnson.

The team also doubled down on 2025 draft prospects, signing three first-rounders in No. 3 Citron, No. 5 Iriafen, and No. 6 Georgia Amoore, as well as retaining third-round pick Lucy Olsen out of Iowa. And despite hitting a setback after Amoore suffered a season-ending ACL injury during training camp, following the highs and lows of their youngest players has become the Mystics' new normal.

Thankfully, the trust in their rookies is paying off, with both Citron and Iriafen looking like naturals on the professional court — and averaging double-digit scoring along the way.

"They're going to move up in people's scouting reports. I'm pretty sure of that," Johnson said after the duo's first start, describing his rookies as simultaneously confident and coachable. Iriafen opened her career with a string of double-doubles, a feat that resulted in the 21-year-old's first Rookie of the Month award. 

For her part, Citron trails only No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers in points per game among rookies. She also manages heavy minutes, recording more than 10 points in every game this season. 

Suddenly, the Mystics' risky turnaround looks like a sure thing, thanks to a talented young pair who couldn't be more different from one another.

A smooth transition from college to the WNBA

Before the 2025 WNBA Draft, Iriafen and Citron only knew each other by force of reputation. They grew up on different coasts — Citron in New York, Iriafen in California — and only played each other once in college. That was during Iriafen's senior season as a USC transfer and Citron's final season at Notre Dame. 

"I was kind of intimidated by her, I'm not gonna lie," Citron told Just Women's Sports with a smile, drawing a laugh from Iriafen. Even though, Iriafen admitted, she didn't know much about the Notre Dame guard either — other than that she was a beast on the court.

The two rookies didn't share much with one another on draft night. It was a hectic evening, filled with emotions, loved ones, and a very busy first round for the Mystics. But once the new recruits made their way into market, things began to lock into place.

"Since we got here, and I've been in DC, I feel like I've known her for years. We kind of just clicked instantly, along with Georgia and Lucy [Olsen]," Iriafen said.

The Mystics helped the newcomers transition from the college game to the pros. As Iriafen and Citron tell it, the entire organization made both rookies feel not just welcome but needed from the moment they stepped into training camp. 

"One thing [Johnson] said early on was, 'With big opportunity comes big responsibility,'" Citron said. "And the fact that he trusted us and had confidence in us to say that and really believe it, I think it made us believe in ourselves."

"It feels like I'm a person," echoed Iriafen. "I don't feel like I'm just an athlete or just a business decision. I feel like this is my second family."

Mystics make room for the new kids

Washington has certainly tapped into their rookies' collective confidence, giving Iriafen and Citron far greater opportunities than many first-year players in the WNBA. The pair are trusted with both opening and closing rotations, leaning into the freedom to connect with players across the team.

Citron noted that her Notre Dame coaches were particularly excited for her to join the Mystics, knowing that she'd develop quickly through extended playing time. "Experience is the best way to learn. You're going to get thrown in the fire, and that's how you're going to become a great player," she recalls being told.

Iriafen voiced a similar feeling. "There's just so much opportunity here," she added. "That's why you're able to see a lot of success with us — we have the ability to play and make mistakes."

Far from intimidating, the pair say that their new teammates have embraced the rookie class with excitement and full support. And there seems to be few insecurities around the prospect of draftees walking in and taking their spots.

"We're not alone at all. It's not like we felt it's us versus them," said Citron. "In no way did it ever feel like it was [all] on our shoulders."

"I think that's really the essence of the Mystics as a family," said Iriafen. "You fight with your siblings, you don't always get along with your siblings. But at the end of the day, we're one family."

Iriafen and Citron learned to lean on their vets

Both players point to veterans on the Mystics squad who have stepped up to provide advice and encouragement — for Iriafen, it's Austin, and for Citron it's Sykes. Though they've also gotten plenty of help beyond Washington's roster.

"One thing that I've really appreciated being in the league so far is [how] the vets are talking to me even though we're on opposing teams," Iriafen said. "BG, Stewie, they're giving me advice on, 'Hey, I'm able to get you on this because of this and this.'"

"Kiki came in and she's not playing like a rookie," Atlanta Dream center Britney Griner confirmed after the Dream's June 15th win over the Mystics. "She wasn't scared of any of us out there. She's coming right at us. You see her working. She seems like an amazing person."

Washington's rookie performances have clearly been noticed throughout the league, with mutual respect mounting in every corner. The learning curve for a WNBA first-year is steep, and sometimes praise is hard to come by. But their hard work has set Citron and Iriafen apart from the pack.

"Sonia, her poise has always stuck out. Even when she was at Notre Dame," said Chicago's Marsh. "One of her greatest attributes is her ability to play at her own pace and not get sped up. And she's carried that with her into her early career here in W."

"And Kiki — her aggressiveness, offensively and defensively," he continued. "She's not afraid of the moment. She's not afraid of the matchups."

With Washington behind them, the rookies find their groove

With so many players and staff already firmly in their camp, it's easy for Citron and Iriafen to gas each other up. Iriafen describes Citron as "stone cold" and a "silent assassin," joking about how different they are when the competition heats up.

"I can be a little bit extra when I play, which I like," Iriafen laughed. "Soni's the opposite. The only time Soni makes a face is if her teammates do something."

On the other hand, Citron thinks Iriafen's passing ability is underrated, and notes that her teammate doesn't get guarded like a rookie — not a small feat considering the WNBA's elite post player lineup. 

"People on the free throw line have to pinch her," Citron said. "We do that to the vets [when] we need help, like we can't do it on our own. And they're doing that to her as a rookie. That says something."

"Not only is she holding her own, she's excelling," she continued. "And seeing that is just incredible."

Occupying complementary positions on the court, fans can see the connection building between the pair as they evolve from executing set plays to moving instinctively around one another. Their chemistry is palpable on the pick-and-roll, stifling defenses with backdoor cuts in the post, trusting the exact right pass will arrive.

"It's not even something that I'm thinking about, my body's just doing it," said Iriafen. "I feel like she's always in the right spot."

"Soni just does all the little things," she continued. "She doesn't shortcut anything. She's doing the fundamentals, she doesn't cheat the game at all. And I think that's why she's able to be so successful."

Playing with joy, Iriafen and Citron eye the WNBA postseason

For all of Washington's early success, the organization understands that rebuilding is a process that takes longer than a single season. The Mystics currently sit at No. 9 in the WNBA standings with a 6-8 record, with the hope of turning close losses into wins as the year progresses.

That perspective hasn't deterred Citron and Iriafen, though, with the rookies making it clear they'd like to see Washington in the playoffs this season — while also knowing to measure success beyond wins and losses.

"It's about the sisterhood that we have, and the joy that we have playing together," said Citron. "So after 44 games, we want to still be able to be around each other, love each other like a family. Like sisters."

Iriafen said she wanted to remember her rookie year as one filled with joy. She defined the term as "when even in the tough moments, you're able to find the good in it."

"If I can look back and be like, this was such a joyful season, I was around so many people that brought me joy every single day, that would be a success," she said.

The biggest victors in the WNBA last weekend were the Seattle Storm, as the fifth-place contenders took down the last two league champions to record six wins in their last seven games.

The Storm first took down 2022 and 2023 champs Las Vegas 90-83 on Friday before toppling reigning title-winners New York 89-79 on Sunday.

Guard Skylar Diggins and forward Nneka Ogwumike powered Seattle's two games, putting up 44 and 51 points, respectively, over the weekend.

Forward Gabby Williams also helped fuel the Storm's weekend with two double-double performances.

Seattle is now just one game behind the similarly surging fourth-place Atlanta Dream, while trailing the red-hot No. 3 Phoenix Mercury by 1.5 games.

"Staying ready is what the group is," Storm head coach Noelle Quinn told reporters on Friday. "They're professionals, they're vets."

Teams at the top of the WNBA standings aren't the only squads that saw weekend success, as the No. 6 Golden State Valkyries snagged their second win in a row with Sunday's 87-63 thrashing of the last-place Connecticut Sun.

Despite registering Friday losses, both No. 7 Las Vegas and the No. 9 Washington Mystics finished the weekend on a high note, earning big Sunday wins over the No. 8 Indiana Fever and No. 12 Dallas Wings, respectively.

How to watch the Seattle Storm this week

The Storm will suit back up for another tricky WNBA test on Tuesday, when Seattle hosts the always-dangerous Indiana Fever at 10 PM ET.

The game will air live on NBA TV.

The reigning champion New York Liberty battled through injury and absences over the weekend, narrowly retaining their second-place spot in the WNBA standings despite seeing their losing streak extend to two games with Sunday's 89-79 stumble against the Seattle Storm.

Already missing starting guard Leonie Fiebich, who is overseas competing at the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket tournament, the Liberty also played without center Jonquel Jones and guard Sabrina Ionescu.

While Ionescu is day-to-day with a neck issue, Jones will miss four to six weeks of action due to an ankle injury, the team announced on Saturday.

Despite dropping three of their last four matchups, the champs appear to be taking their recent downturn in stride.

"This isn't going to be the hardest thing that we face all season," said forward Breanna Stewart after Sunday's loss. "We have to kind of embrace the adversity a little bit, whether it's we're down players or things happen in the middle of the game."

New York wasn't the only team in trouble this weekend, though, as the Indiana Fever followed up last Thursday's stumble against the Golden State Valkyries with an 89-81 Sunday loss to the Las Vegas Aces.

Fever guard Caitlin Clark is now one-for-17 from behind the arc in her last two games, as Indiana struggles to break out of their eighth-place standing.

How to watch the New York Liberty this week

New York will hope for added firepower in order to snap their losing streak on Wednesday, when they'll face a rising Golden State squad at 10 PM ET.

Coverage of the game will air live on WNBA League Pass.

The NWSL is officially taking a breather, with the league kicking off the 2025 extended summer break after a roller-coaster weekend slate.

With half the of the 26-match regular season in the books, the No. 1 Kansas City Current extended their lead on the NWSL table to a towering eight points after defeating No. 11 Angel City 1-0 on Friday.

Helping balloon Kansas City's lead was No. 7 Racing Louisville, who kept No. 2 Orlando from claiming any points by securing a 2-0 upset win over the Pride on Friday.

With wins in five of their last seven matches, Louisville's refreshed roster has Racing entering the 2025 summer break with a 6-5-2 NWSL record, as the 2021 expansion side zeros in on a franchise-first playoff run.

"It's all about us. We're not really focused on the other team like we did a little last year," said midfielder Taylor Flint. "What are we going to do — what's our identity? I think that's a huge part of how we've been winning all these games."

On the other end of the table, the bottom four NWSL teams — Angel City, the No. 12 Houston Dash, No. 13 Chicago Stars, and No. 14 Utah Royals — will be looking for a major midseason reboot, after none managed to register a single win in the last five matchdays.

"We go from here, we break now, recharge, and we will be a very difficult opponent for a lot of teams in the second part of the season. That is our target now," said Angel City head coach Alexander Straus after Friday's loss.

There's still a lot left in 2025 NWSL play, with skidding teams banking on fresh starts while surging squads prepare to hit the ground running as soon as the season picks back up in August.