World Cup: A North Carolina Courage group stage update

REIMS, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Samantha Mewis of USA celebrates scoring their 4th goal with Megan Rapinoe during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between USA and Thailand at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 11, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Getty Images) /

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PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 16: Jessica McDonald of USA Women during the World Cup Women match between USA v Chile at the Parc des Princes on June 16, 2019 in Paris France (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Jessica McDonald

Breaking into the USWNT squad is hard enough. Making it into the starting XI? Even worse, especially when competing with the likes of Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Tobin Heath in the front three.

Jessica McDonald knows this all too well as she was left out of the starting XI in the Thailand victory and second match against Chile. She eventually made her World Cup debut against Chile when she replaced Julie Ertz at half-time.

While she was only on for a half, she made the most of it, generating chances and coming painfully close to a stunning goal from outside the box only to have it denied by the post.

USMNT Vs Guyana: 3 big winners. dark. Next

Against Sweden, McDonald again found herself on the bench for the full ninety minutes. Although with an impressive match against Chile, one wonders if she could appear as a substitute in knockout rounds.

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