The U.S. Women’s National team play Germany this afternoon in the second game of their Olympic campaign. Washington Spirit players Trinity Rodman, Casey Krueger, and Croix Bethune are on the game day roster.
Match: USA vs. Germany
Time: 3 p.m. ET
How to watch: USA Network Telemundo, Peacock, NBCSports.com, FuboTV
Here we go. By the way the US Women’s Rugby won both pool games today. They beat Japan 36-7 this morning and Brazil 24-5 this afternoon. They face hosts France in their last pool match tomorrow at 9:30 AM EDT. Both teams are sitting on 6 points, but France is in 1st on points differential having shut out Japan and Brazil by a combined 70-0.
I’m expecting some elite soccer today, even if Germany haven’t been in great form pre-tournament
Not even 30 minutes in, three great goals. I like it. I like it a lot
Naher saves the US after a bad pass from Horan….
Great save by Naeher, but a Horan hospital pass back almost leads to a tragic opener. How did the German miss!?
It may be wise to switch to a 4-2-3-1 at half, Germany are exploiting the center of this 3-4-3
Great recovery from Lavelle, to the point that I didn’t recognize the defender for a while
Sophia Smith with the opener and an assist from Trinity Rodman.
On a second look, Swanson gets something on it, so she’ll probably get the assist
Might be one of those that show 2 on the assist line.
Rodman with a great one two with Lavelle into space, Rodman feeds Smith after a let by Swanson
I forget who on here doesn’t think Smith has much of a passing game, she’s doing pretty proficiently in a fluid front three in that department
It was me. I’ve been surprised at her distribution this Olympics–much improved over the WWC.
Oh, wow, just saw about the Zambia vs Australia game, wild circumstance
Yeah that looks wild. A first half hat trick from Banda for Zambia and Own Goal makes an appearance at the Olympics.
It is remarkable how Own Goal shatters the gender barrier
The Germans tie it.
What a strike
And what an advantage play by the Ref though I hate to admit it.
Yep. Incidentally, that’s the first goal the USWNT has conceded under Hayes, and if they all have to be that quality, we’ll have a good run
The US strikes back quickly. The German keeper is down after saving the 1st shot, but giving up a rebound that Swanson puts home.
What a poach and a half by Swanson, yowza
That’s maybe the first time I’ve seen Horan lose a headed duel in midfield
The German RB is giving us fits.
I repeat my statement we should switch at some point to a four back.
The replay of the Swanson poach- it’s like she had an aerial view of her own offside run, impossibly smart and instinctual play with the quick feet to get there.
US forced into an injury sub as Taylor Davidson can’t continue and Emily Sonnet comes into replace her.
A fortunate goal goes in, Davidson is in too much pain to celebrate, not great
Davidson off, oof. Her partnership with Girma is pivotal
Sophia Smith with a shot that’s deflected and goes in off the post. Its 3-1 to the US.
You miss 💯 if the shots that you don’t take, and Lady Luck likes it
Germany narrowly misses a headed chance, could have been a brilliant redirect
Well, hand it to Hayes. We all questioned the decision to blunt the offense with subs against Zambia and eschew running up the score. She was right, a fresh attack is giving us a lead we can only hope to hold onto. Germany will fight, but that tactic from last game has payed off
USWNT bending a bit, but Germany are getting more and more extended. If we can keep them off the scoresheet just a little longer, I think we can get a 4th
Dunn a little too eager to score, robs Swanson of the tap in
Dunn can’t quite prevent the service, goal line scramble that Trin’s touch seemed huge there
It’s do or die time for Germany to stay in competition for first place. The US should consider getting fresh legs in the back
I don’t envy Hayes’ sub choices right now. Would like to see Bethune, but seems we need some defensive fresh legs, too
Just saw the game winner in the Japan v Brazil match and it was a goalazo.
Still a battle, but the US has seemingly managed the worst of it, and have their foot on the ball again.
Trin forces the best out of the German GK
Geez, Girma is so good
Williams with a rough touch so far
I say moments before she nails a goal.
4-1
You know what? I think the US women are back. Whether Spain or someone else topples them is beside the point. We’re on our perch, hungrily eyeing most opposition.
I think that this match cements the case that Trinity Rodman is our best offensive passer. Every pass into the box seems perfectly weighted, even when defenders make a desperate interception. By contrast, we had several 2 on 1 or 3 on 2 breakaways where I was already pulling the ball out of the net when Lavelle (most notably) or Smith or Swanson muffed the pass to the open player.
And for long defensive passes that break the opponent’s line, Naomi Girma is sublime. Much as I see Rodman as almost unstoppable, Girma may be the best futbolista on the planet.
I hope that we get some Croix Bethune against Australia.
I agree with you about Rodman. Amazing defensive effort she puts in. And she is quite good off the ball–showing for it so the backline has an option, combining with the midfielders (here 1-2 with Lavelle is a prime example). And then very unselfish up top.
And Girma? I thought she didn’t get enough love at the last WWC. While the US looked bad, she was great and she’s only gotten better.
I think we’re going to see some rotation (or at least subs) against the Aussies–to save legs for the quarters, blood some new talent. For instance, if Sonnett needs to start at CB, then expect to at least see Emily Sams get on the field (even if it’s late in the game) because she’s our CB depth when Sonnett has to start.
I’m also a little surprised we haven’t seen more of Nighswonger–she seemed like the default LB or wing back going in to the tournament given recent playing time. Unless Hayes rates Krueger as CB depth. In any case, if Sonnett gets the start at CB, the person who might get elevated to the active roster is….Hal Hersfelt (providing depth for Coffey who is sitting on a yellow card I believe).