The USA defeated Australia 2-1 in their final group stage fixture at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, securing their first-place finish in Group B and extending their unbeaten streak under Emma Hayes to seven games.
The U.S. Women’s National Team already secured their knockout berth at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after defeating Zambia and Germany in their opening two fixtures. Emma Hayes could have rested her starters ahead of the quarter-finals, but the new manager decided to send out a mostly unchanged XI to keep building the USA’s chemistry on the pitch.
How the game unfolded
Just three minutes into the match, the United States suffered a blow when Samantha Coffey picked up a yellow card after a sloppy tackle on Katrina Gorry. The 25-year-old will be suspended for the quarter-finals for yellow card accumulation in the group stage, leaving a big hole in the midfield for the USA.
Despite dominating possession for the entire first half, the Stars and Stripes struggled to find the quality needed in the final third to get past Australia’s low block. After a frustrating 43 minutes, the USA finally found the breakthrough off a corner played by Rose Lavelle. Sophia Smith headed the ball toward the back post, and a streaking Trinity Rodman got on the end of it just three years out to give the USA the 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
The start of the second half was rather uneventful for both sides. Australia could not find anything close to the quality needed to beat the USA’s stout backline, let alone Alyssa Naeher. The USA, meanwhile, managed the game well, maintaining possession and continuing to push forward. Korbin Albert would go on to seal the game with a powerful right-footed strike from 20 yards out in the 77th minute.
The Matildas made a late-game surge, scoring what would be just a consolation goal in the 92nd minute thanks to Alanna Kennedy.
GK: Alyssa Naeher – 5/10 – Naeher has little to do tonight against an Australian team that spent almost the entire game pinned in their own half, and conceded the first real chance she faced.
RB: Emily Fox – 6/10 – Fox is one of the most consistent players for the USWNT, and she worked hard to link up with Trinity Rodman to get the Stars and Stripes past Australia’s low block.
CB: Naomi Girma – 6/10 – Girma was as solid as ever at the back for the Stars and Stripes, working well with Sonnett in the wake of Davidson’s injury.
CB: Emily Sonnett – 5/10 – Sonnett had a solid performance filling in for the injured Tierna Davidson, but did not track Kennedy on Australia’s late-game goal.
LB: Crystal Dunn – 5/10 – Dunn continues to shine on defense, but lacked quality service in the final third to give the USA more chances on goal.
CM: Lindsey Horan – 6/10 – Horan had a quiet first 45 minutes, but got much more involved in the second half once the game opened up, linking up well with the front three.
CM: Samantha Coffey – 5/10 – Coffey’s game was marred after she picked up a needless yellow card in the third minute, earning herself a suspension for the quarter-finals.
CM: Rose Lavelle – 6/10 – Lavelle was once again the most impactful midfielder for the USWNT, delivering great set pieces and constantly pushing forward to probe and attack the Matildas’ back five.
RW: Trinity Rodman – 7/10 – Rodman netted the opening goal for the USA just before halftime, scoring her second goal of the tournament.
ST: Mallory Swanson – 6/10 – Swanson was kept off the scoresheet for the first time at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but she still made her presence felt up top in the few opportunities she had.
LW: Sophia Smith – 7/10 – Smith continues to have a standout tournament, assisting the USA’s opening goal and ultimately creating the most dangerous chances for her side in the final third.
Substitutes
SUB: Jenna Nighswonger – 6/10 – Nighswonger came on at halftime for Dunn and looked right at home on the left flank as she helped the USA manage the game.
SUB: Lynn Williams – 5/10 – Williams could not get on the end of what would have been the game’s third goal.
SUB: Korbin Albert – 6/10 – Albert struggled to find her rhythm early, picking up an unnecessary yellow card on virtually her first touch of the game, but she scored her debut goal for the USWNT to seal the game.
SUB: Casey Krueger – 5/10 – Krueger made a crucial block in the 79th minute to keep the USA’s lead in tact.
SUB: Croix Bethune – 5/10 – Bethune made her Olympic debut, coming on to play the remaining ten minutes of the match.
Manager
Emma Hayes – 8/10 – The big story coming into the 2024 Olympics was how badly the USA struggled in the final third against a compact defense. Australia sent out a back five against the Stars and Stripes today, but the USWNT found the breakthrough they needed (and then some) to collect all three points, something they could not do just two weeks ago against Costa Rica.
Emma Hayes’ influence on the squad is shining through with each game the women play at the Olympics as they continue to build chemistry and momentum heading into the quarter-finals against Japan.
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