Best USWNT Bets at the 2023 World Cup: U.S. Women Go For Three-Peat

As far back as most Americans can remember, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) has been World Cup champions. In 2023, it faces a new test Down Under, with an even larger target looming on its back as it chases an unheard-of World Cup three-peat. No country, men or women, has ever won three World Cups in a row. Another victory would elongate a decades-long run of being champions and would further cement the USWNT’s legacy as one of the best soccer teams ever assembled. Nonetheless, age, injuries and recent form could very well keep them back, as countries like England, Germany, Spain and France are all eager to start their own legacies. With that said, let’s dive right into the best USWNT bets for 2023 World Cup predictions.

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2023 World Cup Predictions & Odds: USWNT Is the Chalky Favorite

2023 World Cup USWNT Bet: USWNT to Reach the Final (+130, DraftKings)

In terms of futures, it is fair to say the USWNT making the 2023 World Cup Final is a safer play. Still, it is tough to wager on a third consecutive trophy lift for Vlatko Andonovski’s side. It was only a couple of months ago that the USWNT lost three consecutive games to England, Spain and Germany. For reference, that three-game skid was the first of its kind, going back nearly 30 years.

Andonovski is still an unproven international manager, with a team full of World Cup first-timers. In fact, it is the first trip to the World Cup for 14 players on his 23-player squad. Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz will have to do a lot of heavy lifting for their manager in terms of setting expectations and leading this team, especially when they enter the knockouts.

Moreover, the USWNT is not short on injuries. It will be at this World Cup without captain Becky Sauerbrunn, as she was forced to the sidelines with a foot injury. On top of that, Sam Mewis, Mal Swanson and Catarina Macario will also be watching from home. Two of those players started in the 2019 final against the Netherlands, so these injuries are not necessarily minor.

With all of that said, the USWNT is still a heavy favorite in the field for a reason. It has a deeply rooted culture of winning and has made it to the final in four of the last six Women’s World Cups. While its value as an outright winner is not 100% there, making the final is an easier call. The Netherlands will be no easy match in the group stage, but aside from that, Vietnam and Portugal are manageable games.

In the knockouts, the USWNT will face teams from A, C and G. As a result, this means it will avoid Brazil, France, England and Germany until the final. That is a great path for making it to the final in Sydney.

2023 World Cup USWNT Bet: Sophia Smith Top Scorer for USWNT (+275, DraftKings)

One final pick for the USWNT is for Sophia Smith to be its top goal scorer. The USWNT should be fairly spread out in terms of goal-scoring distribution, which makes a Golden Boot favorite all the more difficult to choose.

However, Smith as the top goal scorer is a great value play at +275. Smith is the second favorite for this future, behind only Morgan at +130. While this is her first World Cup, it could be a breakout year. She has 10 goals in just 13 games in the NWSL this year and has 11 in her last 17 for the USWNT. With Morgan being just a bit older, Smith could really shine at this tournament, as more chances will probably come her way.