The U.S. Women's National Team heads in to a highly-anticipated match against a European power with plenty of momentum and positive vibes at their backs.
On Sunday, July 28 at the Stade de Marseille, the U.S. will take on Germany, one of the other favorites to medal at this tournament. The outcome of this match could determine who makes it out at the top of Group B.
Both teams enter this match coming off a 3-0 win. The U.S. attack, which had looked out-of-sync and sputtering in pre-Olympics friendlies, suddenly looked full of pace, verticality, and verve, leading to a pair of Mallory Swanson goals and a goal for Trinity Rodman on her Olympic debut.
Germany meanwhile dominated Australia on set pieces, scoring a pair of goals off of corner kicks, with Jule Brand scoring a tap-in midway through the second half on a counter-attack to complete the rout.
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One major storyline to follow was whether Sophia Smith will play. She left the USWNT's opener late in the first half with an injury, but has recovered in time to remain in the XI. However, Jaedyn Shaw also missed the opener due to an injury, and she is indeed still out.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch it, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
MORE: USWNT player grades vs. Zambia
What time does USWNT vs. Germany kick off?
This 2024 Olympics group stage match takes place at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France and kicks off on Sunday, July 28 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the US:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sun, Jul. 28 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sun, Jul. 28 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sun, Jul. 28 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sun, Jul. 28 | 12:00 p.m. |
| Alaska ST | Sun, Jul. 28 | 11:00 a.m. |
| Hawaii ST | Sun, Jul. 28 | 9:00 a.m. |
USWNT vs. Germany live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this 2024 Olympics match in the U.S.:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | USA Network | Fubo, NBC Sports app/website, Peacock |
USA: This game is available for live broadcast on NBC's USA Network. Streaming options are available on Fubo, which offers a FREE trial to new subscribers, and Peacock. Fans can also watch the match on the NBC Sports app.
USWNT vs. Germany lineups, team news
The U.S. will still be without Jaedyn Shaw who picked up a leg injury in training and missed the opener as a late scratch, replaced for now on the roster by alternate Croix Bethune. The good news, however, is that Sophia Smith is good to return after being withdrawn from the win over Zambia just before halftime.
Crystal Dunn started the opener at left-back, and at the time many assumed that was largely to deal with the pacey Zambian forwards, but she starts again over Jenna Nighswonger and looks to be Emma Hayes' preferred option at the position.
Catarina Macario is not on the roster after being forced to withdraw from the Olympics due to knee soreness, replaced by Lynn Williams.
USWNT starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Naeher (GK) — Fox, Girma, Davidson, Dunn — Horan, Albert, Lavelle — Rodman, Swanson, Dunn.
Germany captain Alexandra Popp has big-game experience, having won two Champions League titles at the club level with Wolfsburg and winning gold in the 2016 Olympics. She has yet to score a national team goal in 2024, however, as the 33-year-old nears the latter stage of her career.
Left-back Sarai Linder has come down with an illness, and was replaced on the roster by Felicitas Rauch, who slides straight into the starting lineup.
Chelsea midfielder Sjoke Nusken was withdrawn at halftime of their opener, but retains her place over Bayern Munich's Sydney Lohmann who came on at halftime.
Germany starting XI (4-4-2 right to left): Berger (GK) — Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch — Brand, Minge, Nusken, Buhl — Popp, Schuller.
USWNT vs. Germany prediction
The U.S. got its mojo back with a terrific attacking performance, especially in the first half against Zambia. But it's a much tougher test against Germany, especially a team looking to win Group B. With the U.S. injury situation up top, there are plenty of questions over whether they can score enough to beat Germany. In the end, this one could end in a draw with both sides content afterwards.
Prediction: USWNT 1-1 Germany