USWNT vs. Netherlands: Tokyo Olympic Soccer Start Time, How to Watch on TV and Live Stream
Two years since meeting in the World Cup final, the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) and the Netherlands cross paths again in the quarterfinal of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In terms of importance, a place in the semifinals of an Olympic tournament may pale in comparison to soccer's greatest prize, but Friday's showdown in Yokohama is undoubtedly the most important game the USWNT has played since triumphing in France two years ago.
The pre-tournament favorite heading into the Tokyo Games, the reigning world champions have limped into the knockout stages.
A 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Sweden in the opening game was followed by a convincing 6-1 drubbing of New Zealand, before a stalemate draw against Australia sealed a spot in the quarterfinals.
Finishing second in Group G behind Sweden could have huge implications for the remainder of the tournament and not just because this year marks the first time the USWNT has failed to win its group at the Games since women's soccer was first added to the Olympics program in Atlanta in 25 years ago.
By not topping the group, the USWNT's path to a first Olympic final since London 2012 has got considerably more complicated with the No. 3-ranked side in the world waiting in the quarterfinals.
A potential semifinal against Brazil or Canada, No. 7 and No. 8 in the world, respectively, looms on the horizon.
USWNT star Alex Morgan, however, insisted the performances in the group stage will bear no impact on the Americans' chances to progress through the knockout phase.
"This [knockout stage] is when the tournament starts," Morgan told a press conference after the USWNT's draw against Australia.
"It was a tactical decision by [coach Vlatko Andonovski] to shift defensively, a little more conservatively, and really allow them to get impatient, play along and give it back to us."
Despite a lacklustre group stage, Morgan maintained the USWNT has the tactical flexibility and experience that could prove crucial in the knockout stages.
"It's seeing how Vlatko wants us to set up against that [next] team," she added.
"Tactically we had a little shift this game, we're experienced enough and professional enough to be able to do so and face a team in a way that puts us on top and really plays to our strengths."
U.S. Has a Strong Record
The USWNT has won eight of its previous nine meetings against the Netherlands, with its only loss coming 30 years ago in the first meeting between the two sides. The reigning European champions, however, cannot be underestimated.
The Netherlands finished top of Group F with seven points, scoring a staggering 21 goals, with a 3-3 draw against Brazil sandwiched in between a 10-3 shellacking of Zambia and a 8-2 thrashing of China.
The scoring spree was par for the course for the Dutch, who scored 48 goals in 10 games in the qualifying phase of the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 tournament, winning every match and conceding a mere three goals in the process.
Star striker Vivianne Miedema could win her 100th cap in the game against the U.S. and will be looking to add to the eight goals she's scored so far in Tokyo, an Olympic record for the most goals scored by any player in a single Olympics.
Here's all you need to know ahead of USWNT's quarterfinal.
When Is USWNT vs. Netherlands?
The USWNT faces the Netherlands at 8 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET, 4 a.m. PT) on Friday, July 30.
Where Is USWNT vs. Netherlands?
The USWNT's quarterfinal tie will be played at the International Stadium in Yokohama, approximately 20 miles south of Tokyo.
The home stadium of J League's powerhouse Yokohama Marinos, the venue hosted four games during the 2002 World Cup, including the final, as well as the final of the 2021 Confederations Cup.
The stadium will also stage one of the semifinals in the Olympic tournament.
How to Watch USWNT vs. Netherlands on TV and Online
The game will be broadcast live on NBCSN, while Telemundo will carry the game with Spanish commentary.
A live stream of the game will be available via NBCOlympics.com, TelemundoDeportes.com, the NBC Sports app and the Telemundo Deportes app as well as via streaming service fuboTV.
USWNT vs. Netherlands Odds
There is little to choose from between the two sides. According to DraftKings, the USWNT is a 6-4 favorite to win in 90 minutes, while the Netherlands are 9-5 and the draw is at 13-5. The USWNT is a 4-5 favorite to progress to the semifinals, while the Netherlands are even odds.
The USWNT to win and a combined over 2.5 goals scored in the game is 11-5, while the Netherlands to win and over 2.5 goals scored in the game is 13-5.
