2024 Summer Olympics Soccer: 5 Takeaways from the USWNT's win over Germany

The United States Women's National Team looked clinical on Sunday, beating Germany 4-1 in their second group stage match at the 2024 Olympics.

Goals from Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Lynn Williams propelled the Stars and Stripes to the driver's seat in Group B.

Emma Hayes has the USWNT playing like a well-oiled machine. Their match against Germany was a brilliant tactical study on how to nullify a high-powered opponent.

Hayes set up her team in a way that completely bypassed Germany's midfield, leaving most of the offensive load to the powerful front trio of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith.

With one foot firmly in the knockout stages, the US is soaring. The biggest question is, who can stop them if they keep playing this way?

Here are five takeaways from the USWNT's victory over Germany.

In football, there are certain moments when neutral viewers need to sit back and appreciate what's unfolding on the field.

One of those special moments is currently happening at the Olympics.

For the second game in a row, the front three of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman led the Stars and Stripes to victory.

The trio sparkled as the German defense struggled to keep hold of them.

Smith, Swanson, and Rodman's fluidity gave the US a dynamic offense, attacking up the flanks with speed and precision.

Smith and Rodman kicked off the scoring in the 10th minute, with Rodman slaloming on the right flank, assisting Smith with the first goal.

Just sixteen minutes later, it was Swanson's turn in the 26th minute, then another Smith goal came just before halftime.

The trio communicated well, and that enabled them to position themselves in half spaces across the middle and on the wings, pulling Germany out of defensive shape.

Though the Germans had a few chances in the late stages of the match, the three goals this trio put up in the first half were more than enough to secure a win, with Lynn Williams putting the game to bed with a fourth.

The Stars and Stripes are having fun again.

Emma Hayes has breathed life into the program, implementing a style of play that is not only pleasing but also tactically astute.

Against Germany, the US came out with the same starting eleven. However the attacking build-up was much different tactically.

Instead of playing through the middle like they did against Zambia, Hayes elected to build out of the back using a flat three.

The trio of Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, and Emily Fox made up the first phase of possession. Fox was essentially used as a third center-back, while Trinity Rodman pushed high on the right flank, similar to Bukayo Saka's role for England in the Euros.

These tactical wrinkles not only gave the USWNT enough numbers in the back to deal with the German attack but also provided the team with enough width to expose the opposition defense on the wings.

Hayes deserves credit for instilling a belief throughout the squad once again. A year ago, the US looked tired and unenthusiastic at the World Cup. Under Hayes, the joy is emanating off the roster, something the public hasn't witnessed in some time.

While Zambia has a couple quality strikers, the US back line wasn't tested against an elite team until they played Germany.

As Alexandra Popp and Jule Brand waited on the wings before the match, many fans and pundits were concerned about the Germans over-running the USWNT defense.

Fortunately, the center-back pair of Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson stifled the Germans for significant portions of the match.

Although Davidson left the game early because of a leg injury, the incoming substitution of Emily Sonnett maintained the rhythm that Davidson left behind.

Girma and Sonnett were sturdy, used their recovery pace well, and kept the opposition from threatening consistently, with Girma never skipping a beat even when her center-back partner changed.

As the game progressed to the end, Girma kept possession, recycling the ball to keep it out of reach of Germany's attackers.

With Davidson's injury status up in the air, Sonnett showed that she is capable of stepping in if Davidson is unable to play against Australia on Wednesday.

In the Zambia match, it was Lindsey Horan who ran the midfield. Against Germany, it was time for Rose Lavelle and pop out and remind everyone just how good she is.

The 29-year-old was a pivotal player in the USWNT's 4-1 victory.

Playing as an advanced midfielder, the Gotham FC star used her excellent work-rate and technical ability to progress the US forward in attack.

Lavelle played a key role in the game's first goal.

The through ball to Rodman on the right side was perfect, sending the winger on her way to the 18-yard box, where she calmly slotted it in for Smith to open her Olympic scoring account.

That goal wouldn't have happened without Lavelle's positional awareness and high football IQ. She also played a big role in setting defensive the tempo for the team, hyping up her teammates when the US had a particularly rough showing in the first few minutes of the game.

As the Olympics progress, expect Lavelle to continue displaying why she's considered one of the best players in her position.

It's fun to celebrate big victories, especially in the Olympics.

But, looking ahead, it won't be easy for the US as they advance into the tournament.

The Stars and Stripes will likely finish at the top of their group and have secured advancement.

Without Sam Kerr leading the line for Australia, the Aussies look less than convincing. But, the Matildas will still have plenty of fight left in them if their semi-final run at the World Cup last year was any indication.

However, with the group stage all smooth sailing so far, tougher opponents lie ahead.

Japan and Brazil could pose an enormous challenge as the knockout stages loom, with one of the two likely to be the US' first opponent in the knockout stage.

Luckily, Emma Hayes is vastly experienced and is showing she knows how to manage the roster and maximize her players.