USA vs. Vietnam Predictions, Odds, Props: USWNT Gets Easy Match-Up in World Cup Opener

The USWNT begins its defense of its 2015 and 2019 World Cup titles with a seemingly one-sided battle with Vietnam. USA is expected to face tougher competition than ever before over the course of this tournament, but that won’t be the case in the opener against Vietnam, who are currently No. 32 in FIFA’s rankings.

Vietnam did, however, play Germany tough in a 2-1 loss in June that was all the more impressive given it took place in Germany.

In Gaming Today’s breakdown of USA vs. Vietnam, we analyze what to expect from a heavily favored USA side full of young players with a lot to prove in their World Cup debut; Vlatko Andonovski’s 23-player roster features 14 players without any World Cup experience.

Betting Odds for Friday’s USA vs. Vietnam World Cup Match

Here are USA vs. Vietnam betting lines available on top sports betting apps. The odds here reflect the three-way moneyline, where a bet on either team to win is a loss if the game is tied after 90 minutes. As of Wednesday afternoon, FanDuel offers the draw at +7000.

USA Roster, Injuries, and Betting News

Andonovski’s roster does not lack for star power, with Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, and Julie Ertz, who have led this team for years and are all expected to start. Those players, along with Megan Rapinoe and Kelley O’Hara, make this easily the most experienced squad in Australia and New Zealand.

But Andonovski will likely feature three World Cup debutants — Naomi Girma, Alana Cook, and Emily Fox — on the back line with Dunn, and the midfield could have multiple players playing key roles during their first World Cup action. With Rose Lavelle and Ertz recovering from injuries, veteran Lindsey Horan could be joined by some combination of Andi Sullivan (27), Ashley Sanchez (24), and Savannah DeMelo (25) against Vietnam.

Morgan will lead a front line of massively talented young attackers Trinity Rodman (21) and Sophia Smith (22), with 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson also expected to contribute.

USA boast an enviable combination of proven talent and inexperienced players with massive potential. Against Vietnam, talent alone promises to be more than enough for a comfortable victory.

But against the top teams in this tournament, including Group E rival Netherlands (USA’s next opponent on Wednesday, July 26), USA will need even its youngest players to play like veterans to avoid an upset.

Injuries

As of Wednesday afternoon, it’s still unclear whether Lavelle and Ertz are healthy enough to play and if they can go, how close they’ll be to 100%. UPDATE: Andonovski said Friday that Ertz is “fully fit to play,” while Lavelle and Rapinoe will be on limited minutes to start the World Cup.

It’s hard to discuss this roster without mentioning three players who did not travel because of injury: captain Becky Sauerbrunn, forward Mallory Swanson, and midfielder Sam Mewis.

Vietnam Roster, Injuries, and Betting News

Based on how they fared against Germany in June, it would be disrespectful to compare Vietnam to Thailand (which the USWNT famously eviscerated in 2019). Still, there’s an undeniable talent gap between Vietnam and USA, hence Caesars pricing USA at -40000.

The former are in the World Cup for the first time and lack any recognizable names.

Injuries

Vietnam do not have any known injury issues.

USA vs. Vietnam Props

Below is a sampling of betting props for USA vs. Vietnam:

Anytime Goalscorer (FanDuel)

• Alex Morgan: -800
• Megan Rapinoe: -750
• Sophia Smith: -450
• Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson, Lindsey Horan: -240

Correct Score (FanDuel)

• USA 1-0: +10000
• USA 2-0: +3100
• USA 2-1: +10000
• Vietnam 1-0: +25000
• Vietnam 2-0: +25000
• Vietnam 2-1: +25000
• 0-0: +25000
• 1-1: +25000

Total Goal Props (FanDuel)

• Over 2.5 goals -5000, Under 2.5 goals: +2000
• Over 3.5 goals -1600, Under 3.5 goals: +860
• Over 4.5 goals -600, Under 4.5 goals: +370
• Over 5.5 goals -235, Under 5.5 goals: +178
• Over 6.5 goals -112, Under 6.5 goals: -112

USA vs. Vietnam Prediction: USA 5, Vietnam 0

Expect this one to get ugly, likely by halftime. Four years ago, the USWNT opened their World Cup run with a statement win over Thailand by a final score of 13-0. Don’t count on another double-digit romp, but it’s easy to see USA scoring early and often against an unfamiliar Vietnam side.

That being said, because Vietnam’s roster is full of players from the country’s domestic league, they’ll be cohesive enough to keep the final score somewhat respectable (or at least a lot closer than 13-0).

Value for bettors in a contest this lopsided on paper is hard to come by, but below are a couple of options.

Here are a few bets available at DraftKings that are worth checking out:

• USA -6.5 (-110)
• Alex Morgan to Score 3 or More (+165)
• Trinity Rodman to Score 3 or More (+650)

USA vs. Vietnam Broadcast Info: Where to Watch

• Date/Time: Friday, July 21, 9:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Eden Park

Watch this match at one of the following:

• Fox
• Fubo
• DirecTV Stream
• Sling Blue
• Telemundo
• Peacock Premium