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,…
USWNT Beats Zambia: Full Group Results Ahead of 2024 Olympic Soccer KO Bracket
Jul 25, 2024
US' forward #09 Mallory Swanson (L) celebrates with US' forward #11 Sophia Smith scoring her team's third goal in the women's group A football match between the USA and Zambia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Nice Stadium in Nice, on July 25, 2024. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
The women's Olympic soccer tournament got underway on Wednesday, with the United States in action against Zambia.
Below, we'll break down the results and group standings and recap the United States' opening win at the Paris Games.
July 25 Results
Group A
Canada def. New Zealand, 2-1
France def. Colombia, 3-0
Group B
Germany def. Australia, 3-0
United States def. Zambia, 3-0
Group C
Spain def. Japan, 2-1
Brazil def. Nigeria, 1-0
The full men's and women's soccer schedule is available on the Olympics' official site
Group Standings
Group A
1. France (3 points, +3 GD)
2. Canada (3 points, +1 GD)
3. New Zealand (0 points, -1 GD)
4. Colombia (0 points, -3 GD)
Group B
1. Germany (3 points, +3 GD)
2. United States (3 points, +3 GD)
3. Australia (0 points, -3 GD)
4. Zambia (0 points, -3 GD)
Group C
1. Spain (3 points, +1 GD)
2. Brazil (3 points, +1 GD)
3. Japan (0 points, -1 GD)
4. Nigeria (0 points, -1 GD)
It was an easy opening game for the United States, as Mallory Swanson notched a brace, Trinity Rodman added a brilliant spinning goal to the mix and the United States benefitted from being a woman up for over half the game in the 3-0 victory.
MALLORY SWANSON SCORED TWO GOALS IN BARELY A MINUTE. 🤯
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 25, 2024
These Olympics are huge for the United States women.
Fresh off the worst World Cup in the country's history—and now being led by Emma Hayes, one of the top managers in women's football—the United States has a lot to prove at the Paris Games.
Anything less than a gold medal will be a disappointment. The United States hasn't claimed a gold medal since 2012, failing to medal at the 2016 Games and winning just the bronze at the 2020 Games (which were played in 2021).
There is plenty of excitement around the current iteration of the USWNT, however, with an infusion of young talent that seems poised to usher in another successful era of American soccer. Hayes was arguably the biggest hire the USWNT could have made and the team already hasn't lost this year, most notably winning the Gold Cup.
The Olympics will be Hayes' first major tournament at the helm, bringing additional scrutiny to these Games for the USWNT. Thursday's result was a good start.
The United States women's national team plays its first major tournament under manager Emma Hayes at the Summer Olympics. The Olympics are one of two major…
USWNT's Gold Medal Chances Debated By Fans After Tie vs. Costa Rica Before Olympics
Jul 17, 2024
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JULY 13: Sophia Smith #11 high-fives Trinity Rodman #5 of the United States during a game between Mexico and USWNT at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Sometimes the ball just doesn't want to find the back of the net. Tuesday was one of those nights for the USWNT.
The Americans only managed a scoreless draw against Costa Rica in their final warmup game before the Paris Olympics despite completely dominating the contest.
2 - The #USWNT has failed to win its final match before a major tournament (World Cup or Olympics) for only the second time (0-0 vs. Korea Republic before 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup). Stumble. pic.twitter.com/XmmwOZFwIX
The match wasn't close, save for the scoreline. The USWNT held 79.7 percent of possession, outshot Costa Rica 26-2 (12-0 on goal) and took 16 corners to zero for its opponents. Costa Rican goalkeeper Noelia Bermúdez was arguably the player of the match, finishing with 12 saves.
So, not a banner night for Emma Hayes' charges, especially with the Olympics right around the corner. Suffice to say, fans and pundits—still perhaps smarting from the USWNT's disappointing performance at the 2023 World Cup—were feeling a bit nervous about the showing:
With so many changes, especially youth, i wonder if they’ll be ready and have the chemistry by Paris. I’m optimistic though!! #USWNThttps://t.co/ZxDqPlpvBm
If it makes USWNT fans feel better… Germany, Spain, and France have also had poor games this international window
— Summer Korethoski🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SKorethoski) July 17, 2024
#USWNT forwards are too satisfied with near misses. There's no ruthlessness, there's no killer mentality. They think those chances come & go. The great ones anguish over every missed chance, b/c they know. This team really needs to find out if Smith & Swanson are winners or not.
The #USWNT plays Costa Rica to a scoreless draw in its Olympics sendoff game. It's the first time in 18 meetings that the US hasn't won. These numbers might adjust after but: xG was 2.70 v 0.06 in favor of the US. Lots of factors here, but a difficult night in front of net.
That’s a pretty frustrating game because it seems like we created a good number of high value chances, but just flubbed it at the end. Not sure how much that has to do with the weather or what. Needs to be cleaner in France. #USWNT
There's no doubt this United States team has talent, and adjusting to life under a new manager in Hayes—however exciting and prominent her hiring was—was always going to take some time.
But a narrow victory over Mexico and a draw with Costa Rica isn't going to inspire much confidence heading into the Olympics, with a tough group awaiting. The United States will to deal with Zambia, Germany and Australia to get out of their group, and that's before the possibility of dealing with powerhouses in the knockout phase of the tournament like France, Canada, Japan, Spain and Brazil.
The USWNT's bid for a gold medal at the Paris Olympics will begin on Thursday, July 25 against Zambia. There's plenty to clean up in those nine days.
USWNT vs. Costa Rica: Top Storylines and Predictions for 2024 Friendly
Jul 16, 2024
HARRISON, NJ - JULY 13: Emily Fox #2 of the United States dribbles during a game between Mexico and USWNT at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
The United States women's national team plays its final tune-up match for the 2024 Summer Olympics on Tuesday.
The USWNT takes on Concacaf rival Costa Rica inside Audi Field in Washington, D.C. in its final preparation for the Olympic tournament in which it will face Zambia, Germany and Australia.
The Americans put together a strong set of results over the last month in advance of a potential return to glory at the Olympics.
Emma Hayes' side is on a three-game winning streak in which it outscored opponents 8-0. A multi-goal victory with a clean sheet is expected on Tuesday versus a nation it typically dominates.
USWNT vs. Costa Rica Info
Date: Tuesday, July 16
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: TNT, truTV
Live Stream: Max
Top Storylines
The USWNT has been all about the Olympics for months now.
The tournament start is nine days away and Tuesday's tune-up in Washington, D.C. is the last scheduled match before play begins in France.
The Americans have won each of their previous 17 meetings with Costa Rica, so a win is the expected result.
A victory is not the only goal for the Americans. They will be testing themselves on two days rest because they play three games in six days in France.
Hayes can also tinker with her best XI so that the perfect lineup is in place for the Olympics opener against Zambia.
Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson started together in the attack in Saturday's 1-0 win over Mexico.
Smith scored the lone goal in that contest and she has been one of the USWNT's better scorers of late. She has five goals in the last seven USWNT matches.
The three players will likely start together at the Olympics. Jaedyn Shaw is the only competition for those spots now that Crystal Dunn has moved back into defense.
Shaw came off the bench for 15 minutes on Saturday and could play more on Tuesday due to the short turnaround and the excessive heat expected in Washington, D.C.
A few other alterations to the USWNT lineup could happen, but Hayes has to look for consistency in her XI so that the group is fine-tuned as a unit for the Olympic tournament.
Costa Rica qualified for the 2023 Women's World Cup, but it did not make the 12-team Olympics field. Canada is the only North American side to join the USWNT in France.
The Americans need a sharp performance against Costa Rica because they will not face an easy game at the Olympics.
Zambia is one of the up-and-coming countries in women's soccer, while Germany and Australia are established powers.
A fourth straight clean sheet is the best result for the Americans because that would give the defense a ton of confidence going into an incredibly difficult group.
The attack is more than capable of creating chances, but it may not score three, four or five goals due to the excessive heat and the short turnaround. The warm conditions will at least help the Americans prepare for games in Marseille and Nice, where the weather is expected to be warm as well.
A solid 90-minute performance is expected, and if the Americans control the game from start to finish, it will help finish off the baseline for expectations in Hayes' first major tournament as USWNT manager.
Prediction: USWNT 2, Costa Rica 0
Sophia Smith Praised After USWNT's Friendly Win vs. Mexico Ahead of 2024 Olympics
Jul 13, 2024
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JULY 13: Sophia Smith #11 of the United States is pursued by Kimberly Rodríguez #23 of Mexico during the second half at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
The United States Women's National Soccer Team enjoyed a successful Olympic tune-up Saturday, beating rival Mexico 1-0 in a friendly at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
Team USA dominated the proceedings, registering 17 attempted shots and six shots on goal, compared to just three and one, respectively, for Mexico.
Despite carrying the play, the Americans could not break through during the first half nor early in the second half, but Sophia Smith finally put the United States on top in the 64th minute with a laser off a pass from Mallory Swanson:
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 13, 2024
While Smith had several other chances during the match that she was unable to convert, she received plenty of praise on social media for being the USWNT's lone goal scorer in the win:
Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson are a problem 🔥🔥#USWNT
— dairy-free christ biscuit™️ 🌐 (@RailBourbon) July 13, 2024
In addition to being the 11th USWNT player to reach 20 goals before the age of 24, Smith also joined an exclusive group of players to accomplish that feat before their 50th appearance for the USWNT, per OptaJack:
20 - Sophia Smith (20th goal in 49th appearance) is the 10th #USWNT player to score 20 goals before her 50th cap and the first since Crystal Dunn in 2017 (also 49th cap). Natural. pic.twitter.com/wUXKhrxkbY
With Smith, Swanson and Trinity Rodman leading the way, the USWNT was on the attack and had several dangerous chances throughout.
While the Americans will likely need to finish better than they did Saturday in order to go on a deep run at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and win a gold medal, their speed and talent were on full display against Mexico.
It has been a while since Team USA last won a major international tournament. They won the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup before getting knocked out in the Round of 16 in 2023, and they haven't won Olympic gold since 2012, which was their third in a row at that point.
The United States has also dropped to fifth in the FIFA rankings behind Spain, France, England and Germany, but there is little doubt that the USWNT is deep and talented enough to win gold if everything clicks.
The Americans will have one more opportunity to fine tune things on Tuesday when they face Costa Rica in a friendly at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
Following that, Team USA will travel to France and begin Olympic play on July 25 against Zambia, followed by clashes with Germany on July 28 and Australia on July 31.
USWNT vs. Mexico: Top Storylines and Predictions for 2024 Friendly
Erik Beaston
Jul 13, 2024
COMMERCE CITY, CO - JUNE 1: Mallory Swanson #9 of the United States celebrates a goal during a game between Korea Repulbic and USWNT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on June 1, 2024 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Before they head to France for the Olympics, the US Women's National Team will descend upon Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey for the Impact 99 Legacy friendly match against rival Mexico.
With the team's roster just finalized by first-time head coach Emma Hayes on June 26, the match-up against Mexico could prove to be of the utmost importance for the squad's chemistry and momentum entering the Olympic games.
What should USWNT fans expect from the team El Tri Femenil Saturday?
Find out with this preview.
Information and How To Watch
Date: Saturday, July 13
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey
TV: TNT, TruTV, Telemundo
Streaming: Max, Peacock
A Matter of Redemption
The United States women have suffered a single loss in 2024, a 2-0 loss to Mexico in the finale of the Concaf W Gold Cup this past February. It was humbling defeat and only the second time in the history of their match-ups that the Mexican team has been able to hang an "L" on the Americans.
Still, the USWNT holds a commanding 40-2-1 record against their rivals.
The home team has undergone a change in its roster with the retirements of Julie Ertz, Megan Rapinoe, Sam Mewis, and Kelly O'Hara, with just eight players from the 2020 Olympic team and 11 players from the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup squad, per the US Soccer .
Forwards Crystal Dunn, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson lead the charge offensively for the Americans while Casey Krueger is a name to watch defensively.
With a winning 7-2-1 record this far, the USWNT will look to make an emphatic statement ahead of France, announcing to the world through their play on the pitch that they are a threat to take gold in France as one of the premier teams in the Olympic games.
They will do so amid pomp, circumstance, and celebration as the Impact 99 Legacy will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1999 team, led by Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, and Julie Foudy, that won the Women's World Cup in dramatic fashion.
It will also pay homage to Alyssa Naeher for making her 100th appearance this past March.
The Mexican team, led by head coach Pedro Lopez, knows it can beat the United States squad and will have confidence as they take to the field Saturday afternoon. Lizbeth Ovalle and Mayra Pelayo are quality scorers and were responsible for the two goals that won them the Concaf W Gold Cup match.
If they can manipulate the American defense and find the net the way they did in the February match-up, it will be difficult to stop them from earning another upset.
Maria Sanchez has 66 caps and is the team's leading international scorer, having found the net 14 times against teams from around the globe.
The Americans are still so strong, with depth at nearly every position, and should earn the victory in New Jersey.
A loss would be a setback and create more questions, even in a friendly, than the team would care to have to answer with the Olympics right around the corner.
Prediction: USWNT downs Mexico in a tight game, 1-0
It's getting real, folks. After just two games in charge of the U.S. women's national team, Emma Hayes had to select her roster for this summer's Olympics -…
Sophia Smith Headlines USWNT Roster for 2024 Paris Olympics; Alex Morgan Left Off
Jun 26, 2024
ST PAUL, MN - JUNE 4: Sophia Smith #11 of the United States dribbles the ball during an international friendly game between Korea Republic and USWNT at Allianz Field on June 4, 2024 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
The United States women's national team announced Wednesday the squad it's taking to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The roster further underlines the changing of the guard that has unfolded over the last few years. Alex Morgan was left off the list, meaning the USWNT will be without the 34-year-old in a major tournament for the first time since 2008.
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 26, 2024
Morgan commented on her omission:
Today, I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage. This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I take immense pride any time I put on the crest.
The decision doesn't come as a complete shock based on Morgan's form. She's without a goal and has one assist through eight NWSL matches this season. She had a 2023 Women's World Cup to forget as well, finishing with zero goals and one assist in four starts.
The USWNT's exit in the round of 16, its worst ever finish in the World Cup, laid bare how many changes would be needed ahead of the Olympics and future tournaments to come.
Hiring Hayes, a seven-time winner of the Women's Super League at Chelsea, was the first sign U.S. Soccer was prepared to start with what's effectively a clean slate.
Hayes only officially took the job in May after having finished out the WSL season with Chelsea, so it's far too early to make any firm judgments about her tenure. However, it's telling that there are only eight holdovers from the United States' last trip to the Summer Olympics. U.S. Soccer also noted the average age of this team is 26.8 compared to 30.8 for the Tokyo Summer Games.
That's not to say the USWNT is lacking in experience. Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Naomi Girma are all 24 or younger yet have 30-plus national team caps. Jaedyn Shaw has already gotten 14 appearances with the USWNT despite only being 19. Defenders Tierna Davidson and Emily Fox are both 25 and have 107 combined caps.
A gold medal is typically the expectation for the United States in this event. Because Hayes has had so little time to work directly with the players, a first-place finish may not be the bar this time.
There's likely to be an understanding among fans the Olympics is more about laying the groundwork for the future rather than prioritizing success right now.
USWNT Drops to No. 5 in FIFA Rankings Ahead of 2024 Olympics; Lowest Ranking Ever
Jun 14, 2024
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 27: Lindsey Horan of USA Women celebrates 1-1 with Rose Lavelle of USA Women, Crystal Dunn of USA Women, Alex Morgan of USA Women, Sophia Smith of USA Women, Trinity Rodman of USA Women, Andi Sullivan of USA Women during the World Cup Women match between USA Women v Holland Women at the Wellington Regional Stadium on July 27, 2023 in wellington New Zealand (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
As the United States women's national team navigates a transitional period under new head coach Emma Hayes, the group will enter the 2024 Olympics with its lowest-ever FIFA ranking.
According to the updated FIFA standings released on Friday, the U.S. dropped one spot from the previous ranking in March to No. 5 overall.
Per ESPN's Emily Keogh, No. 5 is the lowest ranking for Team USA since FIFA began ranking women's teams in 2003. It also marks a drop of three spots since the beginning of the year.
The tumble down the rankings began last year when the U.S. lost to Sweden in the Round of 16 at the World Cup. It was the first time the Americans failed to finish in the top three at the tournament since its inception in 1991.
That defeat pushed them down to No. 3 in the standings, behind Sweden and 2023 World Cup champion Spain.
The United States moved back up to the second spot, behind only Spain, in the rankings released on Dec. 15. The team recently won the SheBelieves Cup, defeating Japan in the semifinals and Canada in the final.
The Olympics will be Hayes' first event after being named U.S. head coach in November. She had a stellar 12-year run with Chelsea, posting a 261-42-64 record with seven Super League titles and five FA Cup titles.
Hayes' first roster with Team USA for the friendlies against Korea Republic on June 1 and 4 offered a glimpse of which players she is considering for the Paris Games.
The 23-player roster only featured 11 holdovers from the 2023 World Cup. She did add defender Sam Staab over a more experienced Team USA veteran like Abby Dahlkemper.
"If we can perform at our best level, then we have a chance of doing things," Hayes told reporters last month. "But we've got work to do. The realities are that the world game is where it is, and the rest of the world do not fear the USA in the way that they once did and that's valid. It's our job to grasp quite quickly what we need to do to get close again to those levels."
Team USA will begin Olympic play in Group B with Zambia, Germany and Australia. Its first game will be played on July 25 against Zambia.
