NICE, France — The Emma Hayes era with the U.S. women’s national soccer team has officially begun, with the Americans beating Zambia 3-0 in their first group game on Thursday.
More importantly, they scored goals, something that was an issue at last year’s World Cup and will be an issue for Hayes’ young, new recruits as they prepare for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Mallory Swanson scored two goals 70 seconds apart and by the 25th minute, the Americans were in full control, with Trinity Rodman receiving a pass between two Zambian defenders, touching the ball behind her and then scoring with a deft move that only needed to beat the keeper.
The U.S. had a commanding 26-7 shot victory, but only managed to get eight shots on goal.
Swanson came close to a hat trick by the 60th minute, but a free shot after another chance went over the crossbar, and the final score could easily have been higher given the number of chances the U.S. had. Zambia was down a player for much of the game after defender Pauline Zulu received a red card.
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It wasn’t all good news for the US.
Forward Sophia Smith left the game in the first half with an apparent lower leg injury, and midfielder Rose Lavelle was substituted at halftime after missing last week’s friendly against Costa Rica after feeling groin tightness while warming up before the match.
The U.S. next faces Germany, who beat Australia 3-0 in their opening match on Sunday in Marseille.
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For a recap and highlights from the match, check out the photo gallery below.
U.S. women’s national team coach clears bench for second half
Coach Emma Hayes benched Thursday’s main players Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Horan and Mallory Swanson for the final 25 minutes of the game, with Emily Sonnett, Jenna Nyswonger and Casey Kruger coming on in the closing minutes.
The Olympics allows five substitutes per game, allowing coaches to make the most of their 18-man rosters.
Albert replaced Lavelle in the second half.
After half-time, manager Emma Hayes made her second substitution, bringing on midfielder Corbin Albert for Rose Lavelle. Albert started in place of Lavelle in last week’s final friendly against Costa Rica, but Lavelle experienced groin strain in the pre-match warm-up. Hayes isn’t willing to take any risks just yet, and the three-goal lead is what’s driving that decision.
Halftime: USA 3, Zambia 0
If the first half was Mallory Swanson’s show, the total screen time would be 70 seconds.
It was her first and second goal in the 25th minute of the game, extending the U.S. lead to 3-0. Trinity Rodman opened the scoring with a classy move to create space and a powerful finish.
Zambia was down a player after defender Pauline Zulu received a red card, and the United States lost the match after forward Sophia Smith sustained an apparent ankle injury.
Sophia Smith was sent off in the first half.
One of the United States’ key attacking players, Sophia Smith, was forced off in the 40th minute with an apparent ankle injury.
After a few minutes of 10-on-10 action, Lynn Williams replaced her.
Smith assisted on Mallory Swanson’s second goal and had several good chances before her exit.
Zambia loses player due to red card
Zambia are already down 3-0 and will be without one player for the remainder of the match.
After a VAR review, defender Pauline Zulu was shown a red card after being tackled from behind near the 18-yard box.
USA takes early 3-0 lead over Zambia
Maybe someone in Zambia will want to protect Mallory Swanson.
The U.S. forward scored two goals in just over a minute to extend the U.S. lead to 3-0 at the 25th minute.
For the second time in the match, the Americans scored after an aggressive push and a timely pass from Lindsey Horan. This time, Horan’s through ball found Mallory Swanson, who showed patience, creating an angle to slot the ball past the keeper.
Just a minute later, Swanson again ran up the middle, Sophia Smith fed her into the penalty area and Swanson scored again, the two goals officially coming 70 seconds apart.
Crazy streak, no goals… and the USWNT breaks through
Trinity Rodman was the solution to America’s scoring deficiency.
Rodman received a pass from Lindsey Horan in space and then made a deft touch from behind between two defenders to put himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Rodman converted the shot to make it 1-0 for the USA.
This came after a frenetic sequence in which the U.S. had at least three chances. A quick turn by Crystal Dunn resulted in an open cross for Mallory Swanson to head in. Zambia goalkeeper Ngambo Musole denied it, and Horan’s volley would have been on target had it not been headed away by a Zambia defender. Roman’s shot was deflected wide off a corner kick, and the U.S. had another chance, but Rodman eventually found the back of the net.
U.S. Women’s National Team puts on early pressure against Zambia
NICE, France – The U.S. opened the scoring nearly a minute into the game when defender Emily Fox made a smart run with the ball into the box. Fox sent a cross to Lindsey Horan, who caught Zambia goalkeeper Ngambo Msore off her line, but Horan’s shot deflected into a wide-open net to the right of the goal.
In another similar moment, a cross was made to Sophia Smith and her shot was headed straight at Musole for an easy save.
The third close call came when Trinity Rodman attempted a pass over the goalkeeper’s head, only for the attempt to hit the crossbar.
Finishing was a concern for the U.S., especially in pre-Olympic warm-up friendlies against Mexico and France, where Smith managed just one goal in 180 minutes against Mexico.
US Women’s National Team starting lineup for Zambia match
- Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naher
- Emily Fox
- Naomi Girma
- Tierna Davidson
- Lindsey Horan
- Rose Label
- Sam Coffey
- Sophia Smith
- Trinity Rodman
- Crystal Dunn
- Mallory Swanson
Sparse crowd at U.S. Women’s match against Zambia in Nice
NICE, France – Ten minutes before kickoff, the Allianz Riviera Stadium, also known as the Stade de Nice, was barely filled with fans.
It will be a much different environment than when the U.S. men’s national team took on France on Wednesday, benefiting from a roaring home crowd.
Zambian players to watch in the US Women’s National Team match
NICE, France – Zambia has two players signed with big signing fees in the national women’s soccer league, and the U.S. knows they won’t be a cakewalk thanks to them being on the national team.
Zambia captain and forward Barbara Banda is the league’s top scorer (12) through 12 games this season. Midfielder Rachel Kundanange signed with Bay Area FC in January for $860,000 and has two goals and one assist in 12 games.
USWNT Olympic Roster
Here is the full list of the U.S. Women’s National Team for the Paris Olympics.
- forward: Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Jaedyn Smith, Trinity Rodman, Crystal Dunn.
- Goalkeeper: Casey Murphy and Alyssa Naher.
- Defender: Tianna Davidson, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Casey Kruger, Jenna Nyswonger, Emily Sonnett.
- Midfielders: Corbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lovell, Lynn Williams.
How many gold medals has the USWNT won?
The United States has won four Olympic gold medals: in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Olympic women’s soccer: Canada beats New Zealand
Canada, which won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, began its quest for a back-to-back championships with a 2-1 win over New Zealand on Thursday.
Evelyn Viens scored in the 79th minute off an assist from Jessie Fleming to break the 1-1 score.
Canada will face France again in Group A on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
U.S. Women’s National Team Olympic Champion
The U.S. women’s national team has a career Olympic record of 27 wins, 7 losses and 4 ties, winning four gold medals in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.
U.S. Women’s Olympic Team
The United States is in Group B with Germany, Zambia and Australia.
When is the USWNT’s next game?
The USWNT will play again on Sunday, July 28th at 3pm ET.
Will Alex Morgan compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics?
No, longtime U.S. women’s national team forward Alex Morgan was not named to the team roster for this Summer Olympics, and head coach Emma Hayes explained why when the rosters were announced.
Has Megan Rapinoe retired from soccer?
Yes. The 2019 World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner will play for the United States in the 2023 World Cup, which will be her final World Cup.
“For me and this team, there’s always been a vibe about leaving everything better than where you found it,” Rapinoe told USA Today Sports last summer. “We’ve definitely changed the game and been part of a lot of different movements that are happening at the same time and have made the world a better place.”
What time does the USWNT play Zambia?
The match between the United States and Zambia will kick off at 3pm ET.
Where to watch the USWNT vs Zambia
USA Network will broadcast the match and Peacock will live stream it.
