2024 Summer Olympics Soccer: 6 Takeaways from the USWNT's Win vs. Zambia

The United States Women's National Team kicked off their 2024 Olympic campaign with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Zambia.

With manager Emma Hayes at the helm, the Stars and Stripes showed finesse, organization, and a scarily clinical attacking prowess in the final third.

Led by the electric attacking trio of Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith, Hayes' team dominated, playing a fluid style of soccer that would make any American proud.

Though it's still extraordinarily early in the tournament, the USWNT started on the correct foot, beating a formidable opponent, cementing themselves as one of the favorites in Group B, alongside Germany.

Here are six takeaways from the USWNT's victory over Zambia.

Even though it's still quite early in Emma Hayes' tenure as US manager, the ex-Chelsea boss has laid the groundwork for a bright future.

The USWNT's victory over Zambia was a great showing for Hayes and her squad. Defensively, the center-back pairing of Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson managed to stifle the Zambian duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji.

Girma and Davidson played as a unit, ensuring Zambia's pacey attack didn't threaten.

Additionally, Hayes's game management was superb. The substitutions were spot on, bringing on personnel that not only continued the high-attacking tempo but solidified the back line as well.

Furthermore, the tactical fluidity that the US played with was pleasing to watch.

As the Olympics go on, it will get even more difficult for the US. However, Hayes has shown that she's more than capable of managing a squad to trophies.

Trinity Rodman had a brilliant game against Zambia. Rodman was a thorn in the side of the Zambian defense, scoring the opening goal for the Stars and Stripes in style.

The 22-year-old is flashy and magnetic. Much like Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith, Rodman is part of an attacking trio that plays with a chemistry that makes it difficult for the opposition to defend.

Part of the reason Zambia found it so challenging to defend Rodman was her movement, speed, and excellent technical ability.

Rodman's combination play with Swanson and Smith in the final third showed that the US can be clinical in attack when needed.

With Germany looming in the shadows this Sunday, Rodman will need to have another big game if the US wants to remain competitive.

Welcome back, Mallory Swanson!

After missing the World Cup through a heartbreaking knee injury, the 26-year-old made a comeback of significant proportions on the world stage, scoring twice in the USWNT's Olympic opener.

Between Swanson, Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman, the US front three were clinical. With support from Lindsey Horan in midfield, the trio gave Swanson the platform to be her best self, running the channels and using her pace to get in behind the defense.

Swanson's speed, positional awareness, and physicality make her the ideal center forward to lead the line.

As the tournament continues and Sophia Smith's injury status remains unknown, the Stars and Stripes will have to rely on Swanson's offensive boost in the future.

Lindsey Horan was on a mission.

The 30-year-old was integral to the USWNT's domination in their first group-stage match. Through 65 minutes played, the midfielder was the team's metronome, ending the game with two assists.

Although there wasn't much competition for the Stars and Stripes, Horan's overwhelming presence in the middle of the park unlocked the attacking potential of the front three.

Her box-to-box abilities pulled the Zambian mid-block out of position, freeing her attack-minded teammates to create and finish in the final third.

As the US progresses in the tournament and takes on better teams, expect Horan to be pulling the strings in the heart of midfield. Her skill set is particular and often overlooked but when the Lyon midfielder is in this form, the USWNT are hard to beat.

Sophia Smith is one of the most in-form players in the world at the moment.

With 10 goals and six assists through 14 matches for the Portland Thorns in the NWSL, the forward was looking to carry her good play to the Olympics.

The 23-year-old was unfortunately forced off due to an injury in the 43rd minute, but she managed to initiate the sequence for the US's first goal.

The biggest question heading into the USWNT's next highly anticipated match vs. Germany is who will replace Smith if she's unable to start due to her injured status?

There will be obvious options off the bench, starting with Lynn Williams. Williams, much like other US attackers, possesses a flair and tenacity that would make her the ideal option to replace Smith, but it remains to be seen if she can replicate Smith's production.

Though the US had a swimmingly smooth time vs. Zambia, their next match will be infinitely more difficult.

Germany opened their Olympic campaign with a 3-0 win against a tired-looking Australia.

Goals from Lea Schüller, Jule Brand, and center-back Marina Hegering should worry the US. Although the USWNT kept a clean sheet against Zambia, two of Germany's three goals came off of set pieces.

Germany could exploit the US in this area, especially if the back line is caught sleeping.

Moreover, though Zambia's attack fizzled in the final third, Germany boasts the talent of Alexandra Popp, who will undoubtedly pose a serious challenge to the US defense.

Fortunately, if the USWNT loses the game, there's a high likelihood they will still advance to the next rounds, with eight of the 12 Olympic teams heading into the knockout stages.