MARSEILLE, France — The U.S. women’s national soccer team returned to its Olympic base of operations by bus in the wee hours Friday following a satisfactory exercise on the French Riviera.
End of carouselThursday’s 3-0 victory over Zambia — the lowest-ranked team in the 12-nation tournament — was decided midway through the first half. The performance put to rest questions about readiness for the first major competition under new coach Emma Hayes but also heightened concerns about the squad’s ability to score.
Although the Americans netted three early goals, superior talent at almost every position and a one-player advantage for 57 minutes did not yield a bounty. It’s an issue that has haunted the team since Olympic camp opened several weeks ago.
In two tuneups and Thursday’s match, all against weak opponents, the U.S. team had massive advantages in shots (70-13), shots on goal (26-4) and corner kicks (24-5) but a measly margin in scoring (4-0).
Hayes and the players say they would be worried if they were not creating those opportunities. The popular refrain has been “the goals will come.”
Aside from the opening 25 minutes Thursday, everyone is still waiting.
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“I’m happy we’re getting those quality chances,” captain Lindsey Horan said. “We know we have to be better. We know we need to put more of those in the back of the net.”
Alex Morgan’s slip in production the past two years was the primary reason the veteran forward was left off the Olympic roster. Her replacement at striker, Sophia Smith, scored against Mexico on June 13. Three days later, the United States dominated Costa Rica but failed to score.
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Wingers Mallory Swanson (two goals) and Trinity Rodman were responsible for the goals Thursday — all classy finishes after terrific buildups, assisted twice by Horan and once by Smith.
But opportunities surely will not be as plentiful Sunday in Marseille against Germany, which opened with a 3-0 victory over Australia. The inability by the United States to beat Zambia by a larger margin could impact the final standings. Should the Americans and Germans play to a draw, Germany would sit in prime position to win the group on goal differential by thumping Zambia on Wednesday while the United States faces a stiffer test in Australia.
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Second place, though, might be a blessing. The Group B winner would head to Paris to face the Group C runner-up (likely Brazil or Japan). The Group B runner-up would stay in Marseille and get Group A’s runner-up (probably Colombia or Canada).
Hayes attributed some of her team’s scoring problems Thursday to Zambia playing shorthanded after Pauline Zulu’s red card. Though that seems counterintuitive, Hayes explained that: “Sometimes when you play an opponent that goes down to 10 [players] and then they drop lower [in the formation], they start doing different things. You start doing different things. So this is just really a mindfulness piece for us.”
The other issue is what the Americans have done with ample opportunities in the penalty area. While goalkeepers, crossbars, posts and goal-line clearances have foiled several efforts, they have not been clinical enough. Many shots have been at bellybutton level or not requiring fast reaction by the keeper. Others simply have missed the frame entirely.
Thursday’s performance was eerily similar to the team’s 2023 World Cup opener against Vietnam: two first-half goals and a 28-0 advantage on shots but just a 3-0 victory. The Americans went on to score once in the final three matches and were bounced in the round of 16, the earliest elimination at a major tournament in program history.
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Hayes might not have all her attacking pieces Sunday. Smith, who left late in the first half with an ankle injury, will continue to be evaluated this weekend, a team spokesman said. Jaedyn Shaw (leg injury) was not in uniform Thursday.
Regardless who is on the field, the U.S. team appreciates the urgency to become ruthless.
“We’re not just an athletic team with fast forwards,” Rodman said. “We are so much more than that. And I think we need to believe deep down we can break down teams. If that’s passing it up and laying it off and moving off each other, there’s so much more depth we can bring. Living that and breathing that on the field is going to help us improve.”
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