AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. girls’s nationwide crew could have regarded slightly rusty, however the squad gained its first match since its outstanding gold medal run on the Paris Olympics, beating Iceland 3-1 on Thursday evening at Q2 Stadium.
Alyssa Thompson, who was not a part of the Olympics crew this summer time, opened the scoring with a banger within the thirty ninth minute. This was the 19-year-old’s tenth cap, however her first-ever worldwide objective, and it was a factor of magnificence. Then Jaedyn Shaw, additionally 19, scored the profitable objective when she nutmegged Iceland’s goalkeeper to offer the U.S. a 2-1 edge late within the second half. Sophia Smith, a part of the now well-known Triple Espresso entrance line trio, added a 3rd objective for good measure.
Earlier than the scoring frenzy within the remaining minutes of the match, nevertheless, the U.S. struggled to be medical in entrance of objective. There have been many wasted alternatives within the field, and the group most likely wasn’t as cohesive as supervisor Emma Hayes would have preferred. However there are two extra alternatives on this window, because the USWNT performs Iceland once more on Sunday after which faces Argentina on Wednesday.
“We regarded like a crew with numerous gamers on the again finish of a season,” Hayes stated.
As promised, there have been a number of debuts. Hayes was capable of sub on Gotham FC ahead Yazmeen Ryan within the 66th minute, in addition to midfielder Hal Hershfelt, who got here on within the 72nd. Hershfelt had been in earlier camps and was an alternate on the Olympics, whereas this was Ryan’s first name up and first cap.
Listed here are takeaways from the match:
Play of the sport:
The U.S. wasn’t environment friendly sufficient within the field for a lot of the primary half. That was, till the thirty ninth minute when Thompson unleashed a rocket shot into the higher netting to place her crew up 1-0 earlier than halftime. {The teenager} acquired the ball simply outdoors the field, took her defender straight on, minimize inside, and hit an unsavable shot. It was her first worldwide objective.
It has been awhile since Thompson has been with the nationwide crew. She made it onto the 2023 World Cup roster, however hasn’t been with the squad for the previous 10 months resulting from kind. She’s earned her approach again, although, and entered this coaching camp having scored 5 targets in her final eight NWSL matches for Angel Metropolis. Instantly after scoring, she jumped into Smith’s arms on the sideline and the remainder of the crew swarmed her in celebration.
“I used to be like, that is surreal,” an out-of-breath Thompson instructed the printed at halftime. “Having the ability to get my first objective, I am unable to describe how I really feel. I am simply so comfortable.”
Turning level:
Iceland equalized within the 56th minute when Selma Magnúsdóttir’s shot from distance sailed previous Alyssa Naeher. However that rating line wouldn’t final.
Within the 84th minute, Shaw acquired a pinpoint move from Casey Krueger, took on her defender and poked the game-winning objective via Iceland’s goalkeeper’s legs to place the USWNT up 2-1. Shaw did not have the Olympics she envisioned, sitting on the bench your complete Video games with a decrease physique harm. Thursday, she received some redemption in her first match again with the nationwide crew.
Within the 89th minute, Smith, who’s constructing minutes whereas getting back from an ankle harm, put a 3rd objective in from the highest of the field so as to add some cushion.
“Soph is a prime participant,” Hayes stated. “Soph is turning into the prolific striker I would like her to develop into.”
Key stat:
One of many key messages that Hayes has mentioned this week is desirous to broaden the participant pool because the USWNT seems to be ahead to the 2027 World Cup. She referred to as up 26 gamers, six of whom have been uncapped, 14 of whom have fewer than 20 caps, and 21 of whom are below the age of 30.
Thompson and Shaw are each 19 and are good examples of what the way forward for this crew will appear like.
What’s subsequent for the USWNT?
It is a tight turnaround for the USWNT. The crew will play Iceland once more on Sunday in Nashville after which journey to Louisville the place it’ll face Argentina on Wednesday. Hayes is predicted to roll out a unique lineup for every of these video games, with no participant taking part in in additional than two full matches, she stated earlier this week. The aim of that is in order that Hayes and her employees can get high quality seems to be at a bigger group of gamers with the hope of increasing the expertise pool because the crew turns its focus towards the 2027 World Cup.
The U.S. will even proceed celebrating its Olympics success over the subsequent a number of days with followers, whereas additionally toasting Kelley O’Hara’s retirement, and honoring each Mallory Swanson and Rose Lavelle for reaching 100 caps.
Laken Litman covers school soccer, school basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA At this time and The Indianapolis Star. She is the creator of “Robust Like a Girl,” revealed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Observe her at @LakenLitman.
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