World Cup 2023: USWNT’s win over Vietnam brings sky-high ratings in quest for third straight title

The United States Women’s National Team is on a quest for a third-straight World Cup title, and lots of people want to see them get it done.

FOX Sports says the team’s Friday night opener against Vietnam was one of the most-watched Women’s World Cup Group Stage contests on English language television.

In total, the match averaged just over 5.2 million viewers throughout the night, marking it as the second-most viewed Group Stage game in the Women’s World Cup. 

The only match with more average viewers was the 2019 USWNT’s game against Chile – the United States won, 3-0, to advance to the Round of 16.

The match peaked at 6,552,000 viewers between 10:45 p.m. and 11 p.m.

In fact, almost double the amount of people were tuned into Friday night than the 2019 equivalent Group Stage telecast; it was up 99% from the USA-Thailand game four years ago that averaged 2.649 million viewers.

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The USA took down Vietnam, 3-0, late Friday night in Auckland, New Zealand, with the help of two Sophia Smith goals and another from captain Linsday Horan.

In all, the USWNT held possession 66% of the time and completed 79% of its passes – Vietnam’s pass accuracy was just 49%. The U.S. outcornered Vietnam, 9-0.

Realistically, the scoreboard could have, and should have, looked a bit different – but a win is a win, and it’s a good start.

The USWNT, the heavy favorites to again win it all, is back in action on Wednesday when they take on The Netherlands at 9 p.m.