The USWNT remained undefeated under Emma Hayes as the Stars and Stripes kicked off their 2024 Paris Olympics campaign with a 3-0 win over Zambia.
The US Women's National Team entered the 2024 Paris Olympics as one of the favorites to win the entire tournament. The USWNT has had plenty of success at the Olympics before, winning a record four gold medals, but the Stars and Stripes haven't won a major Olympic prize since 2012. In their first game of the summer, Emma Hayes' side were hoping to get off to a strong start against Zambia in their Group B opener.
How the game happened
The USWNT dominated the game from the start, and the first goal felt inevitable, especially after Lindsey Horan hit the crossbar in the 14th minute. It was Trinity Rodman, however, who scored for the USA three minutes later. Sophia Smith continued to run down the left before finding Lindsey Horan, who laid the ball past Rodman for the game's opening goal.
The first goal opened the floodgates. Horan, with acres of time and space, played a beautiful ball to Mallory Swanson, who buried a shot to the left from 12 yards. One minute later, the player scored his second goal by rounding the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 for the USA. Things got worse in Zambia when Pauline Zulu was sent off with a red card in the 30th minute for pulling down Smith who was running towards the goal.
Although the USWNT had plenty of chances at the end of the first half and throughout the second half, they struggled to find a fourth goal. Hayes took down the best attackers in the USA, including Smith, Swanson, and Rodman, otherwise, the powerful trio would have added to the score line.
Still, even without another goal, the USA took care of business and left the Stade de Nice with all three points.
GK: Alyssa Naeher – 6/10 – Naeher had little to do tonight, but stood up against a few chances for Zambia.
RB: Emily Fox – 6/10 – Fox was not asked to do much against Zambia, but at times he struggled to keep up with Barba Banda's pace.
CB: Naomi Girma – 6/10 – Girma led the USA after its fifth clean sheet under Emma Hayes.
CB: Tierna Davidson – 6/10 – Davidson enjoyed a quiet night at the back thanks to his team's dominance.
LB: Crystal Dunn – 6/10 – Dunn got the nod from Jenna Nighswonger, and did well to show her boss the poise and experience she brings to the left side. He missed a wide open header in the dying stages of the game, however, to give the USA their fourth goal.
CM: Rose Lavelle – 6/10 – Lavelle combined well with Horan and Swanson to create dangerous chances, and always looked comfortable with the ball at his feet.
CM: Lindsey Horan – 7/10 – Horan will be disappointed that he didn't score tonight, but he did have two assists.
CM: Samantha Coffey – 6/10 – Coffey did well to help his team hold the ball and control the quality of the game, especially when Zambia were down to ten.
RW: Trinity Rodman – 7/10 – Rodman scored his first goal of the calendar year in his Olympic debut to put the USA on the board.
ST: Sophia Smith – 7/10 – Sophia Smith may not have found the back of the net, but the 23-year-old was instrumental in USA's opener with the third goal. He was sent off after being hit in the first half.
LW: Mallory Swanson – 8/10 – Swanson was the best player for the USA tonight, scoring one goal in two minutes. He would have had a hat trick if it wasn't for the crossbar.
What you are holding
SUB: Lynn Williams – 5/10 – Williams came on for the injured Smith, had a few chances in the second half, but couldn't finish.
SUB: Korbin Albert – 6/10 – Albert looked outmatched by all substitutes, using his playmaking ability to put the USA in top positions for points.
SUB: Casey Krueger – 5/10 – Krueger had a quiet 25 minutes tonight, but did well to keep up with Zambia's counter attack.
SUB: Jenna Nighswonger – 5/10 – Nughswonger may have expected to start tonight, but the left-back only played the last 25 minutes.
SUB: Emily Sonnett – 5/10 – Sonnett helped the USA manage the end of the game.
The manager
Emma Hayes -7/10 – Of course, the USWNT was expected to beat Zambia, so Emma Hayes won't get a lot of credit for tonight's result. Still, fans will be happy to see the USA get back to their scoring ways after a few stumbles in their Olympic warm-up games.
The Stars and Stripes' performance tonight gave Hayes his first tournament win in charge, and will give the USA a big boost as they prepare for their match against Germany on July 28. It will be said, however, that the USA did not make it. score the fourth goal out of ten women over 60 minutes.
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