Laken Litman
School Soccer & Soccer Analyst
AUSTIN, Texas — It was scrappy, however the U.S. ladies’s nationwide workforce 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 workforce 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 purpose, and it was a factor of magnificence. Then Jaedyn Shaw, additionally 19, scored the profitable purpose when she nutmegged the Iceland goalkeeper to provide the U.S. a 2-1 edge late within the second half. Sophia Smith, a part of the now well-known Triple Espresso trio, added a 3rd purpose for good measure.
Earlier than the scoring frenzy within the last minutes of the match, nonetheless, the U.S. struggled to be scientific in entrance of purpose. There have been many wasted alternatives within the field, and the group most likely wasn’t as cohesive as Hayes would have favored. However there are two extra alternatives on this window, because the USWNT performs Iceland once more on Sunday after which faces Argentina on Wednesday.
As promised, there have been a number of debuts. Hayes was in a position to 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 workforce up 1-0 earlier than halftime. {The teenager} obtained the ball simply exterior the field, took her defender straight on, reduce inside, and hit an unsavable shot. It was her first worldwide purpose.
It has been awhile since Thompson has been with the nationwide workforce. She made it onto the 2023 World Cup roster, however hasn’t been with the squad for the previous 10 months as a consequence of type. She’s earned her means 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 workforce swarmed her in celebration.
“I used to be like, that is surreal,” an out-of-breath Thompson instructed the published at halftime. “With the ability to get my first purpose, I can not describe how I really feel. I am simply so completely satisfied.”
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 obtained a pinpoint move from Casey Krueger, took on her defender and poked the game-winning purpose by means of Iceland’s goalkeeper’s legs to place the USWNT up 2-1. Shaw did not have the Olympics she envisioned, sitting on the bench the complete Video games with a decrease physique damage. Thursday, she received some redemption in her first match again with the nationwide workforce.
Within the 89th minute, Smith, who’s constructing minutes whereas getting back from an ankle damage, put a 3rd purpose in from the highest of the field so as to add some cushion.
Key stat:
One of many key messages that Hayes has mentioned this week is desirous to broaden the participant pool because the USWNT seems ahead to the 2027 World Cup. She known as up 26 gamers, six of whom had 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 excellent examples of what the way forward for this workforce will seem like.
What’s subsequent for the USWNT?
It is a tight turnaround for the USWNT. The workforce will play Iceland once more on Sunday in Nashville after which journey to Louisville the place it is going to face Argentina on Wednesday. Hayes is predicted to roll out a distinct lineup for every of these video games, with no participant enjoying in additional than two full matches, she mentioned earlier this week. The aim of that is in order that Hayes and her employees can get high quality seems at a bigger group of gamers with the hope of increasing the expertise pool because the workforce turns its focus towards the 2027 World Cup.
The U.S. may also proceed celebrating its Olympics success over the following 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 faculty soccer, faculty basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA At present and The Indianapolis Star. She is the creator of “Robust Like a Lady,” revealed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Comply with her at @LakenLitman.
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