Attacking stars can't be stopped, as decisive 4-1 rout of Germany puts USWNT in conversation for gold medal in Paris Games
On paper, this version of the U.S. women's national team attack is perhaps the best in the world. In practice, though? It had never quite come to fruition. The front line let this team down last summer and, despite some highs in the lead-up to the Olympics, the lows led to concerns about how this group would perform under the bright lights.
Those concerns lasted just two games. As it turns out, the paper was right: this attack is special.
You don't know who it will be on a given day. In the Olympic opener, it was Mallory Swanson with two goals in a win over Zambia. On Sunday, it was Sophia Smith, who scored a huge brace of her own in a dominant 4-1 group stage victory over Germany. And don't write off Trinity Rodman, as she was an absolute nightmare to deal with all day long for the Germans.
That trio was at its best on Sunday. From the opening whistle, all were dangerous, and it didn't take long for them to strike. Smith cashed in first, crashing home a Rodman cross to the back post to give the U.S. the lead. Even after giving one back – the first goal conceded in the first 472 minutes of the Emma Hayes era with the U.S- heads didn't drop. Instead, Swanson just jumped on a rebound to make it 2-1 and immediately send a message back to Germany.
Smith scored the third: a lucky deflection that effectively put the game away. Lynn Williams, who came on to replace a tiring Smith, then added one for good measure. Through two games, that's seven goals for the USWNT, and each of them has been scored by attacking stars.
That's an intimidating proposition for opponents for the rest of these Olympics, and a welcome sight for USWNT fans. The attack is firing on all cylinders and, in this sort of form, can they fire all the way to a gold medal?
With the win, the U.S. joined Spain as the first teams to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. The USWNT has now made it out of the group in all eight trips to the Olympics and has medaled in six of its seven previous Olympic appearances.
Hayes was level-headed after the win, saying "We haven’t done anything, let’s be frank. We’ve got three points against a really good German team. That’s is all it is, nothing more.”
GOAL rates the USWNT's players from Stade de Marseille.
GettyGoalkeeper & Defense
Alyssa Naeher (5/10):
A big mess on Germany's opener. Bad giveaway and then could have done better on the shot. Fortunately, it didn't matter much and she did make some good saves later on.
Crystal Dunn (8/10):
Fantastic game from the left-back, who has gone above and beyond to prove she still is this team's starter. Fantastic defensively and got forward well. Can't ask for much more.
Tierna Davidson (6/10):
Was playing really well before her injury. Was forced out just before halftime, which is a big, big concern given the lack of centerback depth.
Naomi Girma (8/10):
Even with Germany pushing so hard on the counter, Girma still made it all look easy. She always does, doesn't she?
Emily Fox (7/10):
Played more as a right-sided centerback at times with Dunn getting forward. Did fantastic defensively, too, making several big tackles when Germany got forward.
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Sam Coffey (7/10):
Earned an early yellow card but managed the game well from there on out. Makes such a difference as that No. 6.
Lindsey Horan (5/10):
Nowhere near as good as she was against Zambia. A few too many giveaways from a player who rarely does that.
Rose Lavelle (6/10):
Played a big part in the opener and had a few bright moments on both sides of the ball. If the U.S. can get a vintage Lavelle going forward, look out.
Attack
Sophia Smith (8/10):
A big performance from Smith, who shook off injury concerns (having left in the first half of the Zambia match) to score a brace. The second goal was a bit fortunate, but Smith will take it. After struggling a bit last year, Smith looks so much more comfortable as part of this front three.
Mallory Swanson (7/10):
That's three goals in two games, and this was a big one. Swanson was smart enough to pounce on a rebound and clinical enough to finish it. You make your own luck in most cases, and that's what Swanson did.
Trinity Rodman (7/10):
Fantastic on that right-hand side, even if she never got her goal. Routinely toasted her defenders and put in some ridiculously dangerous crosses that could have, and should have, ended in goals.
GettySubs & Manager
Emily Sonnett (7/10):
Tough spot to be thrown into, but she did well. U.S. looked just as strong even after Davidson was forced out, so give Sonnett her credit.
Lynn Williams (8/10):
Came on late and scored her goal with a fantastic finish. Not a bad weapon to have off the bench, huh?
Jenna Nighswonger (N/A):
Came on for a 90th-minute cameo.
Casey Krueger (N/A):
Same as above.
Emma Hayes (8/10):
Absolutely nailed everything from lineup to tactics. Under Hayes, this USWNT group looks like a whole new team. What a difference she makes.