USWNT vs Portugal prediction, projected lineups, and how to watch

It’s been a long hiatus during the second half of the NWSL season, but the USWNT finally returns to action this week. Emma Hayes’ team has three games scheduled in seven days before the final week of the NWSL season and the upcoming playoffs. The fun begins with a friendly against Portugal on Thursday night.

The last time we saw the U.S. women, they swept a set of three friendlies in late June and early July, beating Ireland twice before a convincing 3-0 win over rival Canada. After a couple of disappointing losses to Japan and Brazil earlier this year, the USWNT is now in the midst of a five-game winning streak, outscoring its opponents by a combined score of 18-0 in those five wins.

It’s been a slightly different story for the Portuguese, who enter this game on an eight-match winless streak. In the spring, Portugal suffered lopsided losses in the UEFA Nations League to Spain, England, and Belgium. They then lost in the Group Stage at the Euros this past summer after losing to Spain and Belgium and drawing with Italy.

This is Portugal’s first game since the Euros, and its sixth all-time against the USWNT. The U.S. won the first four meetings by a combined score of 9-0. However, the most recent USWNT-Portugal game came during the 2023 World Cup, with the Portuguese securing a scoreless draw against the Americans during their ill-fated World Cup campaign.

How to Watch USWNT vs Portugal

Time: Thursday, October 23, 7:00 PM, ET

Venue: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania

Tickets: Click here

TV/streaming: TNT, TruTV, and HBOMax in English | Peacock in Spanish

USWNT vs Portugal Projected Lineup

Hayes has the challenge of trying to manage minutes for players with three games in seven days. She’ll have to be cognizant of NWSL players who will be participating in the upcoming playoffs. That being said, Hayes will likely try to field her strongest side available, albeit with the Triple Espresso trio of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, and Mallory Swanson all unavailable.

USMNT Lineup (4-3-3, right to left)

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (GK) - Emily Fox, Tara McKeown, Emily Sonnett, Avery Patterson - Sam Coffey, Lindsey Heaps, Rose Lavelle - Ally Sentnor, Catarina Macario, Alyssa Thompson

Portugal  Lineup (5-4-1, right to left)

Patricia Morais (GK) - Ana Borges, Diana Gomes, Carole Costa, Ana Seica, Catarina Amado - Andreia Jacinto, Fatima Pinto, Dolores Silva, Tatiana Pinto - Jessica Silva

USWNT vs Portugal prediction

Portugal’s recent results paint them as a team that isn’t ready to match up against a team as talented as the U.S. Back in the spring, they took a 7-1 loss to Spain and a 6-0 loss to England. That doesn’t bode well for them, despite a history of giving the USWNT tough games.

Meanwhile, the USWNT has had no problem dispatching weaker sides. A 3-0 win against Canada in early July is also evidence that Hayes has her team prepared to take down quality competition. Not only does the U.S. have an embarrassment of riches on the attack, even without Triple Espresso, they have kept a clean sheet in five straight games.

That being said, the USWNT still isn’t at full strength. Plus, Portugal is likely to sit back in a defensive shell and be difficult to break down. That should prevent the score from getting out of control like some of Portugal’s Nations League matches in the spring. Nevertheless, look for a dominant and convincing performance from the USWNT on Thursday.

Prediction: USA 3, Portugal 0