The U.S. women’s national soccer team have pulled out to lead their group at the Olympics on Sunday with a 4-1 win against Germany, allowing a decent cushion as they head into their next game against Australia later this week.
Going into their game against Germany, the American women were tied for first but the gap in the standings they had Sunday morning was quickly closed after Australia scored six goals against Zambia that afternoon.
But the Americans played beautifully under pressure, forcing Germany’s defense to spend the majority of the game in their own box as they kept possession of the ball. Sophia Smith, who only made her World Cup debut last year, scored two goals and showed pure offensive drive.
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Veteran Rose Lavelle also showed what makes her a fan-favorite, popping up all over the field as the midfielder appeared to be everywhere all at once.
There’s no question that the Germans were an evenly matched opponent going into the game Sunday, but the team just could not throw off the U.S. players who held possession more than 60% of the first half. Giulia Gwinn managed to sink the ball in the net in the first half but it was the only time U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher allowed anything past her.
Germany managed to gain some momentum in the second half, but failed to capitalize on any opportunities as the U.S. team played a much tighter game than it did just days ago against Zambia.
Both teams walked into today’s match with a need to redeem themselves from a rough few years on the international stage. The U.S. team made its earliest exit from the World Cup ever last year, being knocked out of the Round of 16 just a few years after consecutive wins at the FIFA tournament.
At the same time, Germany’s women exited last year’s World Cup in the group stage. That came just a few years after the team failed to qualify for the Tokyo Games.
Once considered the world’s darling, the U.S. women’s team has faced increasingly difficult competition. Other countries are investing in women’s sports as some recent American stars have aged out of international competition, including former champions Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, Kelley O’Hara and Ashlyn Harris.
The current roster features a fresh, younger squad as well as a brand new coach. Emma Hayes took over the program in May after more than a decade at the helm of Chelsea F.C. Women.
Hayes has been criticized for stacking the Olympic roster with younger players, many of whom have never played at the Olympics before. Notably, some fans were livid after former national team star Alex Morgan failed to make this year’s squad.
But the strategy appears to be working. The team has been showing a new offensive aggression in these Games that, when paired with measured control, has paid off.
Barring a significant upset later on the third day of the group stage Wednesday, the U.S. team is almost certain to enter the Olympic quarterfinals. Germany is currently in second place in the Group B standings with Australia trailing closely behind.
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