Five Americans who have shined for other countries at 2023 World Cup

Let’s be real: The U.S. Women's National Team has looked flat-out bad for long stretches of its first three games at the 2023 World Cup. The Americans representing U.S. Soccer have been out of sync in two of their three games, and their performance against Portugal was particularly lackluster and uninspiring. 

But the women wearing the Stars and Stripes are far from the only Americans making an impression in Australia and New Zealand. Numerous Americans have made big plays and scored big goals during the tournament. For many of them, 2023 is their first World Cup, but it’s clear, based on their play, that they’ll be back on the international stage. 

Here are five Americans who have had noteworthy performances for other teams in Australia and New Zealand:

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Michelle Alozie, Nigeria

The Nigerian, who was born in Apple Valley, California (about 90 miles Northeast of Los Angeles) played the entire game in each of Nigeria’s first two group matches, including the opening scoreless draw against Canada, one of the tournament’s most surprising results. 

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Alozie, 26, is a forward for the Houston Dash of the NWSL and played college soccer at both Yale and Tennessee.

After Nigeria’s stunning 3-2 upset of co-host Australia, the Super Falcons finished second in Group B and will play England in the Round of 16 on Monday at 3:30 a.m. ET. 

Sophia Braun, Argentina

Though Argentina was eliminated in group play, Braun, who was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, scored one of the best goals of the tournament when she drilled a deep shot into the top right corner of the net in Argentina’s 2-2 draw against South Africa. Her score in the 74th minute helped Argentina come from behind. 

Braun’s mom, Karina, was born and raised in Argentina before moving to Portland with her American husband to have a family. (Karina was in the stands when Sophia scored her eye-popping goal.)

Sophia Braun, a center back, just finished her college career at Gonzaga and now plays professionally in Mexico for Club Leon. 

Sarina Bolden, Philippines

Born in Santa Clara, California, the midfielder made history on July 25 when she scored her country’s first-ever World Cup goal in the 24th minute. That score led the Philippines to a shocking 1-0 win over co-host New Zealand – the country’s first World Cup win. 

The Philippines was eliminated after group play, but Bolden, who played for Loyola Marymount from 2012-2018, will continue to be a hit Down Under as she plays professionally for the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia. 

Chantelle Swaby, Jamaica

The West Hartford, Connecticut, native got in the way of a shot by Kadidiatou Diani, deflecting it when Jamaica’s keeper had been beaten. Her reaction saved a goal in what would turn out to be a 0-0 draw with France — a crucial outcome for the Reggae Girlz, who advanced to the knockout round for the first time in their nation’s history. 

Chantelle Swaby, 24, is one of two Swaby siblings who play for Jamaica; older sister Allyson, 26, is also a defender on the roster. In 2019, the sisters — known as the “Swaby Babies” growing up and now referred to as “Double Swaby” by their coach — made their World Cup debut, the first time their country had participated in the tournament. 

The sisters both played college soccer in the U.S. (Chantelle at Rutgers and Allyson at Boston College) but only Allyson plays professionally in the States: at Angel City FC. Chantelle plays for FC Fleury 91 in France. 

Randy Waldrum, Nigeria

It’s hard to know what was more shocking: Waldrum leading Nigeria to second place in Group B after a surprising 3-2 win over Australia or his own federation publicly making fun of him before doing so. 

Waldrum, who was born in Irving, Texas, and coaches the women’s college soccer team at Pittsburgh, has been in a public fight with the Nigerian federation over payment. They called him, among other things, “Mr. Blabbermouth Waldrum” and labeled him the “worst-ever manager of the Super Falcons by a country mile.” 

Suffice it to say Waldrum got the last laugh. 

Follow sports columnist Nancy Armour and sports reporterLindsay Schnell for more World Cup updates.