Women’s World Cup DFS Playbook August 1: Sophia Smith Leads USA vs Portugal on Tuesday Morning

We have another split DFS soccer slate for the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Tuesday morning. Group E is playing the early games at 3 AM ET with Group D wrapping up in the later slate at 6 AM ET. All four games are featured in FanDuel’s main slate while you’ll have to choose one or the other on DraftKings. We will focus on the early games for the DraftKings portion of the WWC DFS Playbook, since that is the slate that features the U.S. Women’s National Team. Below, check out the top daily fantasy soccer plays and Women's World Cup DFS picks for Tuesday morning's slate. We'll also preview the slate beforehand and examine some key details to know for USA vs Portugal and the other matches. 

Women's World Cup DFS August 1

Slate Overview

For the second consecutive game, a lot comes down to whether or not USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski switches up his starting lineup. He played the exact same starting 11 for the first two games, but after a disappointing 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in which the U.S. was thoroughly outplayed in the first half, it could be time for some changes. Andonovski used just one sub against the Netherlands, bringing Rose Lavelle on at halftime. Lavelle was reportedly on a minutes limit in that game but if she is able to play more than 45 minutes Tuesday, she will likely be in the starting lineup.

The other reason we may see a new lineup is that this is Andonovski’s last chance to get his players some game time before the knockout round. Five players are still waiting to make their 2023 World Cup debut, and while Andonovski appears stubborn enough to just roll out the same 11 again, I think he’ll want to get at least a couple of those players some game time.

Group D is interesting because all four games so far have ended 1-0. England won both of its games and so long as they do not lose to China by two or more goals, they will advance to the knockout stage. With just one point England would win the group and face Nigeria. The runner-up will face Australia.

I don’t know if I necessarily expect both games in Group D to end 1-0 again, but there will almost certainly be more scoring in the early games. If the Netherlands and the USA both win, as is expected, then the group will be decided by goal differential. The winner will avoid Sweden in the next round, so both teams have plenty of incentive to run the score up.  

Women's World Cup DFS Soccer Lineup Picks August 1

World Cup DFS Core Plays