Issue #1.0.1 "Can USA Three-Peat?" (Kickoff Issue)

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Thursday, July 13, 2023 

USA TRIES TO WIN BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK
Our 3rd Women's World Cup pool down under creates crazy start times for West Coast

EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt) --  The Women's World Cup has expanded from 24 to 32 teams, matching the Men's World Cup (until 2026 when the men's go to 48 teams) as the women's game has grown exponentially.  This has allowed Europe to send more teams (12), all in the top 22, but also allowed teams like H2-Morocco (#72) and C3-Zambia (#77) to sneak in.  E1-USA is still #1 and will try to become the first team to 3-peat in a very competitive field.  Their first match last time was against #34 Thailand which they scorched 13-0.  Vietnam, their first match opponent, is ranked #32.

With the expansion to 32 teams, 8 teams are making their first WWC appearance and D3-Denmark returns for the first time since 2007.  Being co-hosted by B1-Australia and A1-New Zealand, while some group games like USA-VIE will start at 6 pm PDT, most knockout stage matches will start between midnight and 3 am PDT!  It'll be tough to follow the games and not get spoiled to who won.  H1-Germany is #2 and will try for their 3rd title while other European powers G1-Sweden, D1-England, and F1-France right behind.  Players playing in Europe also dominated with 18 players from Barcelona and 17 from Chelsea.  Nine USA players from 2019 made the cut with five trying to 3-peat.  Japan's 2011 win is so far away, only one player from that team made the roster. 

The Midnight Hour

Ah, a World Cup back in East Asia.  Lovely.  Just like 2002, most knockout stage matches in Australia will kickoff in the 3-4 am PDT range.  We save a little for the New Zealand knockout matches that will be 11pm-1am PDT.

As you can see at the top, you can now submit your entry for our 3rd HWCI Women's World Cup Pool now.  The official email will come less than two weeks before the 12:01 am PDT Thursday, July 20th deadline, around July 6th but you don't have to wait until then.  

The tourney is expanding to 32 teams (nice to use the same templates in back-to-back tournaments for once) with 8 teams making the women's tourney for the first time and Denmark returning for the first time since 2007.

We hope to top the 44 entries from 2019.  We had a record 109 entries for 2022 men's pool and we usually get 1/2 the numbers for the women's pool.  Can the USA three-peat?  Can't wait to find out.