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Morgan and Swanson captain USWNT to SheBelieves Cup title: 3 takeaways from victory over Brazil

By Caden Charpentier

The United States Womens National Soccer Team celebrates with the trophy following the 2023 SheBelieves Cup soccer match between the United States and Brazil at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on February 22, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
The United States Womens National Soccer Team celebrates with the trophy following the 2023 SheBelieves Cup soccer match between the United States and Brazil at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on February 22, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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United States defender Crystal Dunn (19) controls the ball during the SheBelieves Cup soccer match between the United States and Brazil at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on February 22, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
United States defender Crystal Dunn (19) controls the ball during the SheBelieves Cup soccer match between the United States and Brazil at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on February 22, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) /

Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle play extended minutes 

Heading into the final match in Frisco, Texas, Andonovski made it clear he wanted to see what his strongest XI looked like from the start. Crystal Dunn slotted in as the left back while Rose Lavelle returned to action after missing the previous two games due to a muscle strain. Dunn had not played more than 45 minutes of any game on the international stage since Sept. 16, 2021 in a 9-0 victory over Paraguay.

The United States gave Dunn a full 60 minutes as they look to ramp up her playing time following the birth of her first child. In April against Ireland, Andonovski can now push the envelope maybe a little more, knowing that Dunn can go past the 45-minute mark. With Fox playing as well as she is on the right side of the defense, it is vital for Dunn to get used to more minutes in the stars and stripes ahead of the World Cup. This was a massive step in the right direction for Dunn, and the USWNT as his fitness levels begin to move back to where they were. Lavelle was the next big question mark in the starting XI.

Lavelle’s vision leads to a Swanson finish to double the U.S. lead: 

Nobody knew how much she could handle after missing out completely in the previous two fixtures. Her creativity in the midfield was exactly what the U.S. was missing. With Mallory Swanson doing the majority of the heavy lifting, the United States needed a player like Lavelle back in behind the front three to create goal-scoring opportunities. Despite her muscle strain injury, Lavelle contributed 70 strong minutes in the center of the defense. It may have been pushing it considering her absence to open up the tournament, but it was great to see Lavelle back where she belongs facilitating the USWNT’s attack.

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