The U.S. women’s national team kicked off its World Cup title defense with a 3-0 win against Vietnam, led by Sophia Smith’s historic brace in her World Cup debut.

The reigning NWSL MVP scored the fastest goal of the tournament to this point, putting the ball in the net in the 13th minute of the match at at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. She added another in stoppage time at the end of the first half, which made her the youngest USWNT player with a multi-goal game in her World Cup debut. And then she had an assist on the third and final goal of the game.

“Every minute of that game was fun,” Smith told Fox Sports after the win. “I think it was a good place to start in this tournament… I’m happy with where we are, but I think we have a little more in us.”

Catch up on the top moments from the match below, and check out our USWNT goals tracker.

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FINAL: USWNT 3, Vietnam 0

Just Women’s Sports writer Claire Watkins appreciated USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski’s willingness to slot Julie Ertz at center back. She also liked what she saw from Savannah DeMelo in her first USWNT start.

Still, she noted the team’s trouble with finishing its chances in the final third, as well as its lack of urgency with a two-goal lead. While the USWNT pulled off the victory, the performance sets the team up “for a lot of pressure” in Wednesday’s match against the Netherlands, according to Watkins.

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77′: Lindsey Horan extends USWNT lead to 3-0

The USWNT captain had come close several times already, and she finally hammered one home off an assist from Sophia Smith.

Smith added to her already impressive outing with a third goal contribution, making her just the second USWNT player to record at least three goal contributions in her World Cup debut. Sam Mewis had four (2 goals, 2 assists) in the USWNT’s 13-0 win against Thailand in 2019.

3-0 @USWNT COURTESY OF THE CAPTAIN LINDSEY HORAN! pic.twitter.com/AYqKLvOMPc

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023

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61′: Megan Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle enter as substitutes

Rapinoe and Lavelle replaced Alex Morgan and Savannah DeMelo, respectively, midway through the second half.

Both substitutes are operating under minutes limits as they return from injuries, coach Vlatko Andonovski said ahead of the match. Lavelle had not played in a match since April due to a knee injury, while Rapinoe last played on June 10 due to a calf injury.

Alyssa Thompson entered as a substitute in the 75th minute, taking the place of Trinity Rodman. She becomes the second-youngest player (18 years, 257 days) to appear for the USWNT at a World Cup, behind only Tiffany Roberts (18 years, 32 days) in 1995. Just four teenagers have played for the USWNT at World Cup tournaments.

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HALF: USWNT 2, Vietnam 0

Just Women’s Sports writer Claire Watkins provided her analysis of the USWNT’s first 45 minutes of the tournament.

Savannah DeMelo impressed in the midfield in her first USWNT start (and just her second appearance). So did Trinity Rodman and Emily Fox, and of course Sophia Smith with her brace. The officiating… not so much.

DeMelo Fox and Rodman on the right side excellent, Smith comfortable, backseat reffing feels very 2019…vintage https://t.co/HuZetuPW0j

— Claire Watkins (@ScoutRipley) July 22, 2023

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45+7′: Sophia Smith scores again with VAR assist

The 22-year-old forward scored her second goal of the match in stoppage time to put the USWNT up 2-0. Despite an initial offside call, Smith was awarded the goal after a VAR check.

SOPHIA SMITH FIRST HALF BRACE 🚨

(🎥 @FOXSoccer) pic.twitter.com/4GqakPyzdl

— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) July 22, 2023

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43′: Alex Morgan misses penalty kick after VAR review

Trinity Rodman went down inside the box, and the USWNT was awarded a penalty kick after a check with the video assistant referee (VAR). The call came after social media criticism of the officiating earlier in the first half, as several seemingly rough plays from Vietnam went without a whistle.

Alex Morgan took the penalty kick, but Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh blocked the low shot from the star striker.

Tran Thi Kim Thanh denies Alex Morgan from the spot! 🧤🇻🇳 pic.twitter.com/a2OMPwinwb

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023

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13′: USWNT takes 1-0 lead on Sophia Smith strike

The reigning NWSL MVP scored to complete a slick passing sequence from Lindsey Horan to Alex Morgan to the 22-year-old forward. The goal stood as the fastest of the tournament to that point, and Morgan recorded her 50th career assist to move into a tie for ninth on the USWNT’s all-time list.

SOPHIA SMITH SCORES THE USWNT'S FIRST GOAL OF THE 2023 WORLD CUP 💥

(🎥 @FOXSoccer) pic.twitter.com/iIcpFYt5ID

— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) July 22, 2023

How it started How it’s going pic.twitter.com/1VR9T61FmQ

— Eden Laase-Derouin (@eden_laase) July 22, 2023

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1′: Trinity Rodman goes down but stays in match

The 21-year-old forward fell to the turf as the result of a challenge from Tran Thi Thu. A stretcher came onto the pitch, but Rodman walked off under her own power, though she winced and looked to stretch her back as she did so. She quickly reentered the match.

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Starting lineups: Savannah DeMelo gets nod for USWNT

• United States
  • Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher
  • Defenders: Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Julie Ertz, Crystal Dunn
  • Midfielders: Savannah DeMelo, Andi Sullivan, Lindsey Horan
  • Forwards: Trinity Rodman, Alex Morgan, Sophia Smith
• Vietnam
  • Goalkeeper: Tran Thi Kim Thanh
  • Defenders: Tran Thi Thu Thao, Luong Thi Thu Thuong, Tran Thi Hai Linh, Tran Thi Thu, Le Thi Diem My, Hoang Thi Loan
  • Midfielders: Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung, Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Thai Thi Thao
  • Forward: Huynh Nhu

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What to know about Vietnam

Vietnam will be playing its first World Cup match in team history against the USWNT — which could mean a rude welcome, if the two-time defending champions perform to expectations. But Vietnam put up a good fight in a narrow 2-1 loss to Germany in June. If the debutantes can show the same attacking prowess, the USWNT could have a tough time — especially with a young backline finding its World Cup footing.

What to know about the USWNT

• Just Women’s Sports writer Claire Watkins breaks down why the USWNT — and the other top contenders — could win the World Cup title… and why they won’t.
• Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle will be available for limited minutes against Vietnam, as both players are working their way back from injuries. Lavelle has not played since April, while Rapinoe last played on June 10.
• The men’s and women’s national teams are sharing their World Cup winnings under their historic equal pay deal. How much prize money is up for grabs at the 2023 World Cup? And how much could the USMNT and USWNT make from the tournament?

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When and how to watch

• Friday, July 21 — 9 p.m. ET (Fox, Peacock, Telemundo)
  • United States vs. Vietnam (Eden Park, Auckland)

The USWNT will play three group-stage matches at the World Cup, one against each of its opponents in Group E.

Group E includes the team the United States beat in the 2019 World Cup final, the Netherlands. Still, USWNT legend Julie Foudy said the USWNT landed a “very winnable group.” Head coach Vlatko Andonovski isn’t convinced of that, though, as he’s touted it as “one of the hardest” groups in the tournament.

The opening match against Vietnam is available to watch on Fox and Telemundo. It also can be streamed via Peacock.

The WNBA is back in action on Tuesday night, as the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm headline a series of games that could make or break the current trajectories of several 2025 title contenders.

Seeking an especially strong Tuesday performance is the Fever, as Indiana tries to snap a two-game losing streak against the increasingly confident Storm.

"There are going to be stretches that are really good and there's going to be stretches that aren't as good," Fever guard Caitlin Clark said on Sunday, addressing her recent shooting slump.

While the Indiana and Seattle clash will lead the Tuesday charge, the night will also see young squads sizing up WNBA juggernauts as bottom-table teams look for a leg up:

• No. 8 Indiana Fever vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm, 10 PM ET (NBA TV): The Fever need a win against a Storm side that can't seem to lose, as both teams eye the postseason.

• No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 9 Washington Mystics, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The up-and-coming Mystics will attempt to hand the Lynx a second season loss, as Minnesota star Napheesa Collier remains day-to-day with lower back stiffness.

• No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 12 Dallas Wings, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The Dream are on a tear, surging up the standings as the struggling Wings attempt to take flight.

• No. 10 LA Sparks vs. No. 11 Chicago Sky, 8 PM ET (NBA TV): The Sparks have cooled after a hot start while the Sky has yet to rev up, with both teams aiming to end a three-game losing streak on Tuesday night.

Teams across the league are hoping to make the most of every minute while also managing injury concerns and absences as the WNBA All-Star break looms.

The WNBA Class of 2025 is already making its mark on the league, with first-year players stepping up and showing out while the Rookie of the Year race — and betting odds — heat up.

No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers has been just as good as advertised, with the Dallas Wings guard leading her class in both minutes played and points per game while also charting league-wide in assists per game, steals per game, and mid-range shots made.

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DraftKings currently has Bueckers as the clear WNBA Rookie of the Year race frontrunner at -1,000, though the dynamic DC duo of guard Sonia Citron (+1,500) and forward Kiki Iriafen (+1,000) are quickly gaining traction.

Iriafen won May's WNBA Rookie of the Month award after a series of career-opening double-doubles, while her Washington Mystics teammate Citron has continued to execute in the clutch — most recently posting a career-high double-double performance of 27 points and 11 rebounds in last Sunday's 91-88 overtime win over Dallas.

"Not only is [Iriafen] holding her own, she's excelling," Citron told JWS earlier this month. "And seeing that is just incredible."

"Soni just does all the little things," Iriafen added. "She doesn't shortcut anything, she's doing the fundamentals, she doesn't cheat the game at all."

Though the NWSL hit the pause button this week, players worldwide are still on the move, as both European and US soccer teams use the midseason break to sharpen their lineups with international signings.

The NWSL has already seen one major departure, with the San Diego Wave announcing Monday that forward María Sánchez will return to her former Liga MX club UANL Tigres after nearly five years in the NWSL, with the Wave set to receive an undisclosed transfer fee in return.

"When the opportunity came to return to Tigres, I had to do a lot of inner searching, and I ultimately decided that returning to Liga MX Femenil and Tigres specifically was the best course of action for my career," the 29-year-old dual citizen and Mexico international player said in the Wave's release.

NWSL clubs are also setting their sights on European free agents, with the Washington Spirit bringing in Juventus forward Sofia Cantore last week — the first Italian signing in league history.

Also hopping aboard the player transaction carousel is new WSL side London City, with the top-flight debutantes inking OL Lyonnes midfielder and Dutch international Daniëlle van de Donk on Friday.

Meanwhile, van de Donk's wife and club teammate Ellie Carpenter is also potentially WSL-bound, with the defender reportedly nearing a deal that would see the Australian join Chelsea FC in return for the Blues sending Canadian international Ashley Lawrence to OL Lyonnes.

For their part, OL Lyonnes picked up defender Ingrid Engen from Barcelona as a free agent last week, adding the Norwegian international after snagging French forward and PSG's all-time leading scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto earlier this month.

With the most recent NWSL CBA abolishing traditional trade windows, expect even more international signings and roster reshufflings before the league resumes play on August 1st.

San Diego is paying tribute to one of their own, with the Wave announcing plans to retire the No. 13 jersey of NWSL and USWNT legend Alex Morgan on September 7th.

Still topping the team's all-time scoring leaderboard with 23 goals in just over two seasons with San Diego, the retired club captain will be the first-ever Wave player to receive the prestigious honor.

Morgan also led San Diego to the 2023 NWSL Shield as well as postseason appearances in the 2022 expansion club's first two seasons.

"Alex's legacy goes far beyond goals and accolades. She helped lay the foundation for this club and elevated the standard for what women's soccer is today," said Wave FC governor Lauren Leichtman in the team's Tuesday announcement.

"She made this city her home, inspired our fans and community, and helped define who we are," Leichtman continued. "Her impact will be felt for generations, and it's only fitting that her number becomes a permanent part of Wave FC history." 

Morgan joined the Southern California squad's ownership group just last month, saying "San Diego is where I've built my home, where I am raising my children, and found a purpose beyond my playing career."

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How to attend the San Diego jersey retirement of Alex Morgan

San Diego will officially retire Morgan's No. 13 jersey during their home match against the Houston Dash at 8 PM ET on September 7th.

Tickets to the game will go on sale to the general public online at 6 PM ET on Tuesday.