United States (Women's Football)

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Women's National Football

Sophia Smith, USWNT Win Friendly vs. Iceland as Alyssa Thompson, Shaw Excite Fans

Oct 25, 2024
AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Alyssa Thompson #7 of the United States celebrates scoring with Sam Coffey #17 during the first half against Iceland at Q2 Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Alyssa Thompson #7 of the United States celebrates scoring with Sam Coffey #17 during the first half against Iceland at Q2 Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Alyssa Thompson marked her return to the USWNT in absolute style.

The 19-year-old forward—who was left off the roster for this summer's Olympics and last played for the United States women on Dec. 5, 2023—scored an absolute stunner of a goal on Thursday during the Americans' 3-1 win over Iceland in a friendly.

Not to be outdone, fellow teenager Jaedyn Shaw scored the match-winning goal in the 85th minute after a moment of absolute individual brilliance:

And Sophia Smith joined the party just moments later:

Thompson was part of the USWNT's World Cup roster in 2023 but was left off the Olympics roster in favor of the "Triple Espresso" forward line of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson and reserve attackers Crystal Dunn and Shaw.

Her potential is unquestionable, however, and her peers, pundits and supporters alike were thrilled to see her open her international account:

https://twitter.com/itsmeglinehan/status/1849606043103355245
https://twitter.com/meganreyes__/status/1849607033366118858
https://twitter.com/AlyssaJSalter/status/1849606906295484883

As for the game itself, the United States generally dominated the run of play, holding 70.4 percent of possession. But Iceland was effective on the counter and had more than its fair share of chances, with shots favoring the U.S. by a 13-9 margin (6-4 on goal).

And many of the good vibes from Thompson's goals dissipated after Selma Magnúsdóttir's heat-seeking missile found the back of the net in the second half, leveling the match:

But Shaw's moment of individual brilliance had the USWNT dancing once again.

This was not a full-strength USWNT side, as Emma Hayes rotated the squad and Rodman was unavailable for the pair of friendlies due to injury. Nonetheless, it was a match the Americans expected to win.

Iceland is no pushover, as evidenced on Thursday. The two sides will face off again on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, Universo, Max, Peacock), and the Americans will look to replicate the first matchup's result.

Another pair of golazos from Thompson and Shaw would help in that regard.

USWNT vs. Iceland: Top Storylines and Box Score Predictions for 2024 Friendly

Oct 23, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Mallory Swanson #9 of the United States celebrates her game winning goal during the Women's Gold Medal match during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Mallory Swanson #9 of the United States celebrates her game winning goal during the Women's Gold Medal match during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)

The United States women's national team opens up a stretch of three games in a week on Thursday against Iceland.

Emma Hayes' side will take on Iceland twice in a three-day span and then face Argentina to conclude the October international window.

A lot of familiar faces are in the USWNT squad, but there are also plenty of new ones. Hayes called in six players who could make their international debuts over the next week.

The Americans will try to keep their winning ways going, regardless of who is on the pitch. They are on a 15-game unbeaten streak and a six-game winning streak.

USWNT vs. Iceland Info

Date: Thursday, October 24

Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

TV: TBS

Live Stream: Max

Storylines to Watch

Hayes will rely on most of her experienced players to get results during the October international window.

Mallory Swanson, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Emily Fox and Naomi Girma are among the USWNT mainstays on the October roster.

But there will come a time for Hayes to give some players their debuts over the next week as well. Eva Gaetino, Alyssa Malonson, Emily Sams, Hal Hershfelt, Yazmeen Ryan and Emma Sears are all vying for their international debuts some time in the next week.

The USWNT has become a defensive machine since Hayes took over prior to the Summer Olympics.

The Americans carry a three-game shutout streak into Thursday's game in Austin and they have not conceded multiple goals in a single contest since the SheBelieves Cup Final on April 9.

Iceland should be a much easier opponent for the USWNT to face than the likes of Germany and Brazil.

Iceland has not qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup and it went winless in its last two European Championship appearances.

The visitors do come into their pair of matches with the USWNT on a four-game unbeaten streak from UEFA 2025 qualifying.

However, it is difficult to see where the goals will come from for Iceland. There are two players on the entire roster with a double-digit goal tally at the international level.

In comparison, the USWNT has three forwards and two midfielders with at least 19 international goals.

The USWNT should follow a simple formula to victory in Austin. It should dominate possession, convert on a few of its chances and play strong defense.

Hayes' side will not be doing anything new. It will just be refining the things it thrived at during the gold-medal run at the Olympics.

If the game is under control, Hayes will likely mix in some players to receive their debuts, but at the start, we should see the established stars, like Swanson and Horan, take control of the game.

Prediction: USWNT 3, Iceland 0

Photo: USWNT Reveals Roster for October Matches; Trinity Rodman Out Due to Injury

Oct 17, 2024

The United States Women's National Soccer Team announced its roster Thursday for three upcoming friendlies in the month of October.

Several players who helped the USWNT go undefeated and win a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris over the summer are part of the October roster, including Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, Lynn Williams, Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Naomi Girma and Alyssa Naeher.

However, there are also a couple of notable absences in the form of forward Trinity Rodman and Crystal Dunn.

Per U.S. Soccer's official website, Rodman's absence from the squad is due to a back injury, which she is rehabilitating while with her NWSL club in the Washington Spirit.

Rodman, who is the daughter of Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, tied for second on the team with three goals at the 2024 Olympics, including scoring the lone goal in extra time in a 1-0 win over Japan in the quarterfinals.

The only other three members from the Olympic team not named to October's training camp roster are Tierna Davidson, Croix Bethune and Dunn. Davidson and Bethune are both injured, while Dunn, who has 155 career appearances for the USWNT, had a prior personal commitment.

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes put the training camp roster together on the heels of her first major title for the United States.

Hayes officially took over as the USWNT head coach in May, and despite having only about two months to prepare for the Olympics, she led the Americans to their first Olympic gold medal in women's soccer since 2012.

Although Hayes won't have the services of arguably her best player in Rodman, she can lean on Swanson and Smith, who scored four and three goals, respectively, at the Summer Games.

The USWNT has not played since beating Brazil 1-0 in the Olympic gold medal match in August, but the hiatus will come to an end with three exhibition matches between Oct. 24 and Oct. 30.

Team USA will face Iceland both in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 24 and in Nashville, Tennessee, on Oct. 27, followed by a meeting with Argentina in Louisville, Kentucky, on Oct. 30.

Video: Alex Morgan Announces Retirement; USWNT Legend Won Gold Medal, 2 World Cups

Sep 5, 2024
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 19: Alex Morgan #13 of San Diego Wave FC claps for teammate effort in the second half of the National Women's Soccer League match against the NJ/NY Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena on June 19, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 19: Alex Morgan #13 of San Diego Wave FC claps for teammate effort in the second half of the National Women's Soccer League match against the NJ/NY Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena on June 19, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)

It's the end of an era for a soccer legend.

Alex Morgan, who won two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal with the United States women's national team, announced her retirement Thursday.

"I'm going to get to the point quickly," she said at the start of the video. "I'm retiring. I have so much clarity about this decision, and I am so happy to be able to finally tell you. It has been a long time coming, and this decision wasn't easy. But at the beginning of 2024, I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play soccer."

She also revealed that she is pregnant and expecting her second child.

"This is also not the retirement video I expected when I initially thought I was going to do this," she said (2:30 mark). "Because Charlie's going to be a big sister. I am pregnant. And, as unexpected as this came, we are so overjoyed. To me, family means everything."

Morgan, along with Megan Rapinoe, became the face of an entire generation for the USWNT as it found success on the field and fought for equality off it.

Her combination of speed, physicality and scoring prowess made her an offensive machine, and she ranks fifth in USWNT history with 123 goals. She is also ninth with 224 caps and is the only player outside of the legendary Mia Hamm to finish with 20 goals and 20 assists in one year.

Morgan also helped define an era for the team with iconic moments, including her extra-time winner to defeat Canada in the semifinals of the 2012 Olympics and her memorable goal and tea-sipping celebration against England in the 2019 World Cup semifinal.

The 35-year-old will be best remembered for her success with the national team, but she also played for the Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, San Diego Wave, Tottenham and Lyon at the club level.

Her illustrious resume includes four CONCACAF Female Player of the Year awards, a 2013 NWSL championship with Portland, a 2016-17 Champions League title with Lyon, three inclusions on the FIFA FIFPro Women's World XI, two USSF Female Athlete of the Year awards and the 2022 NWSL Golden Boot with San Diego.

The Americans won the 2012 Olympic gold medal and the World Cup title in 2015 and 2019 with Morgan helping lead the way.

Despite her history of success at the highest level, the United States did not include her on its roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"Today, I'm disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage," she wrote on Instagram at the time. "This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I take immense pride any time I put on the crest.

"In less than a month, I look forward to supporting this team and cheering them on alongside the rest of our country. LFG."

It was the Americans' first major tournament without her since the 2008 Olympics, although they ended up winning the gold thanks to a new group of superstars that includes prolific goal scorers in Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman.

They figure to be the latest in a long list of American forwards who star on the sport's biggest stages and deliver World Cup titles and Olympic gold medals for their country.

And that is a list that Morgan will always be a part of even after her retirement.

USWNT No. 1 in New FIFA Women's World Rankings After Gold Medal Win at 2024 Olympics

Aug 16, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: (L-R) Alyssa Naeher , Naomi Girma , Emily Fox , Trinity Rodman , Korbin Albert , Crystal Dunn , Casey Krueger , Lynn Williams , Mallory Swanson , Sophia Smith , Lindsey Horan , Tierna Davidson , Jenna Nighswonger , Emily Sonnett , Jaedyn Shaw , Casey Murphy , Rose Lavelle , Samantha Coffey of United States celebrating their victory and posing with their gold medals during the Women's Gold Medal match between Brazil and United States of America during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: (L-R) Alyssa Naeher , Naomi Girma , Emily Fox , Trinity Rodman , Korbin Albert , Crystal Dunn , Casey Krueger , Lynn Williams , Mallory Swanson , Sophia Smith , Lindsey Horan , Tierna Davidson , Jenna Nighswonger , Emily Sonnett , Jaedyn Shaw , Casey Murphy , Rose Lavelle , Samantha Coffey of United States celebrating their victory and posing with their gold medals during the Women's Gold Medal match between Brazil and United States of America during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

The United States women's national soccer team is back atop the FIFA world rankings after winning gold at the 2024 Olympics.

FIFA dropped the updated rankings on Friday, with the U.S. jumping up four spots in the wake of its triumph in Paris.

The previous rankings released in June had Team USA at No. 5. ESPN's Emily Keogh noted at the time it was the lowest spot in the rankings for the team since FIFA rankings were introduced in 2003.

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The USWNT has won 15 straight matches overall, including eight in a row since the previous rankings were released. This streak includes a 6-0 record at the Olympics in which they outscored their opponents 12-2.

Team USA's turnaround largely coincided with the arrival of new head coach Emma Hayes. She was hired in November, but didn't officially take over until May to let her finish her tenure with Chelsea in the Women's Super League.

The United States defeated Brazil in the gold-medal match at the Paris Games. It was the team's fifth gold medal in Olympics history. No other country has more than one gold medal since women's soccer was added to the Olympic rotation since 1996.

Following their triumph in France, Team USA will be on hiatus for two months before kicking off a four-game friendly schedule to close out 2024 starting on Oct. 24 against Iceland at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

The U.S. and England—the No. 2 team in the updated rankings—will meet in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Nov. 30.

Lakers' LeBron James Congratulates USWNT After Gold Medal Win at 2024 Olympics

Aug 10, 2024
Paris , France - 10 August 2024; Mallory Swanson of Team United States celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the women's gold medal match between Team Brazil and Team United States at Parc des Princes during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Paris , France - 10 August 2024; Mallory Swanson of Team United States celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the women's gold medal match between Team Brazil and Team United States at Parc des Princes during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Hours before LeBron James leads Team USA into the gold-medal basketball game, the Los Angeles Lakers star gave a shoutout to the American women's soccer team after their triumph in the 2024 Olympics.

James congratulated the U.S. national team immediately following their 1-0 win over Brazil in the gold-medal match at Parc des Princes in Paris.

Mallory Swanson's goal in the 57th minute proved to be the difference for the United States. It was her fourth goal and seventh point in six matches during the Olympics.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher had another phenomenal performance in the win. She had four saves, highlighted by an an absurd one-handed stop on Adriana Leal da Silva's header in stoppage time that would have tied the score.

Saturday's win completed one of the best Olympic runs for the United States. This was the country's first gold medal since 2012 and fifth overall. It's just the second time in eight Olympic appearances America has finished with a perfect record (6-0-0).

The plus-10 goal differential is tied with 2012 for the best by the U.S. in the Summer Games. Team USA didn't allow an opponent to score in three matches in the knockout round.

America has an opportunity to leave the Paris Games with gold medals in women's soccer, men's basketball and women's basketball. That has previously been done in 1996, 2008 and 2012.

The U.S. women's basketball team will play France in the gold-medal game on Sunday. James and the U.S. men will play France for gold on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Olympic Soccer Bracket 2024: USA Beats Brazil to Win Women's Gold Medal

Aug 10, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Mallory Swanson #9 of the United States celebrates scoring a goal in the second half during the Women's Gold Medal match against Brazil during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Mallory Swanson #9 of the United States celebrates scoring a goal in the second half during the Women's Gold Medal match against Brazil during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)

The United States Women's National Soccer Team won their first Olympic title in 12 years Saturday, defeating Brazil 1-0 in the gold medal match at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Forward Mallory Swanson made the difference for Team USA, taking a long pass from Korbin Albert and beating Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena in the 57th minute for the first and only goal of the match:

There was some question regarding whether Swanson was offside when the pass was made, but it was upheld, and it proved to be all the USWNT needed to prevail.

Brazil was unquestionably the better team throughout the first half and ultimately won the possession battle 57 percent to 43 percent, but the Americans weathered the storm and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made a couple of huge stops.

Naeher also saved Team USA's bacon in stoppage time, turning away a header at close quarters that could have tied things up:

In the end, Team USA won its first Olympic gold medal since 2012 and its fifth gold medal overall, solidifying it as the most decorated country in the history of Olympic women's soccer.

When it comes to major international tournaments, the U.S. ended a five-year title drought Saturday, as it had not won a top-flight event since the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Since then, the United States has gone from the unquestioned world power in women's soccer to a somewhat inconsistent program.

The Americans were ranked fifth in the world entering the Olympics, but with two wins over No. 4 Germany and a victory over No. 10 Brazil to clinch the gold medal, that figures to change.

After Team USA crashed out in the round of 16 at the 2023 Women's World Cup, head coach Vlatko Andonovski stepped down, and that proved to be the start of a new and exciting era for the USWNT.

Longtime Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes was hired as Andonovski's replacement, and she seemed to have the United States on the right track entering the World Cup.

Even so, she had only four matches as the team's coach before the World Cup, so there were plenty of unknowns regarding how the team would perform.

Six matches later, the Americans are Olympic champions once again, and they now have more all-time major titles than all other countries combined in women's soccer, per OptaJack:

While Team USA's time in Paris ended in jubilance, it marked another disappointment for Brazil on the international stage.

Few expected Brazil to contend at the 2024 Olympics, so a silver medal has to be considered a fantastic result, but losing to the United States in big matches has become a trend for the South American power.

Brazil lost to Team USA in the gold medal match at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, and it happened for a third time this year, making it the most common result in Olympic women's soccer history.

Although Brazil has a bright future thanks to a young, talented roster, much like the United States, Saturday was the last hurrah for women's soccer legend Marta.

The 38-year-old came off the bench in the second half of Saturday's match in search of her first Olympic gold medal, but she had to settle for a third silver in her final international tournament.

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