For Emma Hayes, the manager of the US women’s national team, one significant hurdle was becoming apparent as the team prepared for their Olympic opener in France: a metaphorical brick wall standing in front of the goal.
During the team’s two pre-Olympic warmup matches, Hayes’ squad fired 43 shots, with only 18 on target and a mere single goal to show for their efforts. Despite a 1-0 victory over Mexico and a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica indicating improvement in their attacking capabilities under Hayes’ leadership, questions remained about their finishing prowess.
“If we keep creating chances in the right area, getting numbers in the box, and maximizing our touches there, the goals will eventually come. I’m confident in that,” Hayes stated at the time.
For now, she has been vindicated. The US kickstarted their 2024 Olympic campaign in style on Thursday, with a dazzling brace from Mallory Swanson in just 70 seconds of the first half, guiding the team to a 3-0 triumph over Zambia.
The improved finishing is an encouraging sign, but perhaps even more crucial is the positive mindset that Hayes aimed to instill, which appears to have taken hold amid the team’s struggles in front of goal. The players demonstrated resilience after missed opportunities in the Zambia match, maintaining their attacking intent even after scoring early.
“It’s huge,” captain Lindsey Horan remarked to NBC post-game. “We have players with experience in major tournaments and understand that confidence is essential. Starting like this boosts our momentum for the next match.”
Against Zambia, the USWNT launched 27 shots, with eight of those on target, while dominating possession at 78%. While a red card issued to Zambia’s Pauline Zulu in the 34th minute exacerbated their challenges, it didn’t significantly alter the game’s momentum. The US exuded the dominant form that has historically instilled fear in opponents throughout international women’s soccer. They also drew level with Group B rival Germany in goal difference, following Germany’s earlier 3-0 win over Australia.
Fortunately for Hayes, they accomplished this while exhibiting many foundational tactical principles she has always valued in her coaching career.
The US’s first opportunity, which came just 30 seconds into the match, highlighted one of these principles: fullbacks advancing to support wingers in attacking plays. In this instance, right-back Emily Fox skillfully navigated through the Zambia defense, delivering a precise pass across the goal for Horan, whose shot narrowly missed the near post.
The right flank continued to be a source of opportunities for the US, with Sophia Smith having a shot saved by Zambia’s goalkeeper, Ngambo Musole. Fox consistently made threatening runs, while right winger Trinity Rodman had a shot that glanced off the crossbar. The US could easily have scored three goals within the first 10 minutes, four by the 15-minute mark, and five just moments later.
At that stage, it could have been easy to bemoan the absence of Alex Morgan, who boasts 123 goals for the USWNT but was not included in Hayes’ Olympic roster. The argument might be made that she could have converted at least one of those early chances.
Hayes clarified that Morgan was left out in favor of more versatile players, and the team’s rapid scoring provided evidence of her reasoning. The first goal in the 17th minute originated from Smith, who, although primarily playing as the center forward, moved to the left side, seized a loose ball, and made a penetrating run before passing to Horan at the edge of the penalty area. Horan then connected with Rodman, who had shifted position from the right to the penalty spot, removing three Zambia defenders with a deft first touch before finishing neatly into the top corner.
Hayes’ Chelsea squads emphasized purposeful possession, often controlling the game while capitalizing on direct opportunities that penetrate opposing defenses. This approach was evident in the US’s second goal, stemming from an extended sequence of calculated possession. When Horan found space 40 yards from goal, Swanson made a confident diagonal run, knowing the ball would reach her. Horan delivered a beautiful outside-of-the-foot pass to Swanson, who skillfully finished with finesse, doubling the US’s lead.
after newsletter promotion
Just 70 seconds later, Swanson netted her second goal, capitalizing on a mistake from Zambia during the ensuing kickoff, bringing the score to its final tally with over an hour remaining. It marked a remarkable return to international play for a player who had missed the 2023 World Cup due to a torn patellar tendon.
Naturally, some concerns lingered. Each foray into Zambia’s defense was accompanied by counterattacks, particularly solo efforts from Barbra Banda, which the US backline, especially Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson, had to work diligently to suppress. A few anxious moments arose when Banda pressed US defenders during the occasional attempts to build from the back.
“Our team understands that there’s plenty of room for growth,” Rodman expressed to NBC afterward. “We should have scored more goals, exhibited better execution, and controlled the match more effectively in areas where we felt pressured.”
Moreover, injury issues are beginning to accumulate; Smith exited the match in the first half with an ankle injury. Midfielder Jaedyn Shaw did not participate at all due to a knock sustained in training the previous day. Rose Lavelle managed just 45 minutes before being substituted for Korbin Albert.
However, Hayes maintained her confidence, and an important clash with Germany looms on Sunday.
