USWNT equal Dutch in frenzied World Cup draw

Two 2019 World Cup finalists. Two injury-stricken powerhouses. Two frenzied, physical playing styles. And, in the end, two teams with nothing to separate them on the field.

The Netherlands and the U.S. Women's National Team played out an aggressive and absorbing 1-1 draw in Wellington. It's a result that suits both teams in their hopes to advance to the World Cup knockout rounds, but one that leaves plenty up to chance: the worse off of the two will likely face Sweden, a team that delights in killing giants.

It was a quintessential 'game of two halves', with the Dutch handily winning the first and the USWNT, powered by substitute Rose Lavelle, bossing the second.

The Fox broadcast in the States made much of the Dutch three-person defensive line before the game. Their concern — one shared by many soccer neophytes tuning in — was that the U.S. attackers would blitz through the three defenders, and that the Dutch would be much better off fielding four. 

But Dutch coach Andries Jonkers knew something the Fox crew didn't: that a strong, abrasive five-person midfield would be plenty of cover for his team's lightweight defense. Within 10 minutes of the first half the Dutch had dominated the center of the park, passing casually to one another without much concern of losing possession. They forced the USWNT to play a game of chase.

And that worked beautifully for the Dutch, because when they did finally break forwards to attack, the USWNT were often too tired to follow them. Jill Roord's brilliant daisy-cutter goal in the 17th minute sailed past several U.S. players who lacked the legs to block it.