The U.S. women’s national team was tested during its second group stage match of the 2024 Paris Olympics, but the team showed more than enough composure to walk away with a 4-1 win over Germany and a likely spot into the quarterfinals.
The speedy dual threat of Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman was showcased at the start of the match as Rodman delivered a cross into the box and Smith was able to get onto the end of it for a 1-0 USWNT lead. It was a dream start and lead that vanished quickly as Giulia Gwinn’s low-driven strike from outside of the box leveled the score for Germany.
That moment gave the young USWNT its most difficult test under new head coach Emma Hayes. Would the team crumble as Germany gained momentum, or would it show determination to retake the lead again?
Luckily for Hayes and USWNT fans, Mallory Swanson answered that question four minutes later by getting on the rebound of a Smith shot and scoring to make it 2-1 for the Americans.
The U.S. didn’t concede another goal in the first half, but it was dealt a blow when defender Tierna Davidson suffered an injury serious enough to take her out of the match in the 44th minute.
Once again, the USWNT flexed its muscles as Smith’s deflected shot in the 44th minute gave the U.S. and 3-1 lead heading into the halftime.
In the second half, the U.S. was able to neutralize No. 4 ranked Germany, who only registered six shots on target, by having plenty of the ball (62% possession to be exact) and creating more opportunities. Lynn Williams finished the scoring for the U.S. in the 89th minute as she was teed up by Swanson and struck the net from close range.
The result almost seals the deal for the U.S. to have a spot in the quarterfinals, barring a dramatic turn of events on Matchday 3, but Hayes would most likely be proud of how her young squad stayed determined in a match against a strong opponent while facing adversity.
The USWNT wraps up group stage play at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 31 against Australia.