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Value bets for USWNT's opening World Cup match

USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe (left), forward Alex Morgan (center) and midfielder Lindsey Horan Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

USA vs. Vietnam: Finding value bets in the USWNT's opening World Cup match

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated 7/20/23

The U.S. Women's National Team takes on Vietnam this Friday in its opening game of the 2023 World Cup. While many expect the contest to be a blowout — the U.S. is ranked first in the world while Vietnam is ranked 32nd — there are still interesting bets to be made outside of the traditional win/loss/draw moneyline.

Goals scored

The USWNT kicked off its 2019 World Cup run with a controversial 13-0 win over Thailand that caused many to question the team’s empathy and sportsmanship. There is a wide belief that 2023 will be the same story. There are geographic and situational parallels between Thailand and Vietnam; both are over-performing Southeast Asian dreamers, both launched their debut World Cup campaigns with matches against the U.S.

While the USWNT shouldn’t crush Vietnam with quite the same vigor they crushed Thailand, anything other than a sizable win would be considered a disappointment for the American women. The safe money is on a victory in the 7-0 range; try FanDuel’s "6-0, 7-0, or 8-0" special at +150 or shoot for a trickier exact score bet of 7-0 at +600.

Interested in more of a gamble? Up it to 10-0 for +1900. Or take a punt on Vietnam snatching a goal of its own for 7-1 at +2500.

Goal scorers

Doubt Portland’s Sophia Smith at your peril. The Colorado-born Stanford grad is on fire in the NWSL and enters this World Cup in fine goal-scoring form. Many in the soccer press believe 22-year-old Smith will leave this tournament marked as the next Morgan or Rapinoe. She has the energy of a rookie and the confidence of a champion.

This Vietnam game marks an excellent opportunity for Smith to stretch her legs. Betting on her to score a hat trick – that’s three goals in one game — feels like a decent shout at +270.

Want something a bit bigger? FanDuel has odds for twin hat tricks from Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan at +800.

Goal timing

When the USWNT beat Thailand 13-0, they went into halftime with the score a tidy-and-respectable 3-0. The remaining 10 goals flooded out in the second half as Thailand began to tire. Will the USWNT rack up a faster tally against Vietnam? At +650 odds, you can bet that the USWNT will be 5-0 or 6-0 up at halftime.

For a similar bet at slightly shorter odds, FanDuel has the odds of Sophia Smith scoring before the 20th minute at +260 and Alex Morgan hitting the same milestone at +220. Both feel believable for a U.S. team hoping to make a statement in its opening match.

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