The US Women’s National Team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympics on Wednesday by dispatching Australia 2-1. With the win, the USWNT topped Group B with nine out of a possible nine points, making a profound statement for the start of the Emma Hayes era.
Even before winning their third match, the USWNT had reintroduced themselves in dominant fashion at the Paris Olympics by pouring in four goals in a 4-1 win over Germany in their second match. The opening win over Zambia was difficult to judge due to the opposition playing with 10 men for so long – and the USA being 3-0 up after 25 minutes – but the demolition of Germany – two-time Women’s World Cup winners – was eye-catching.
It wasn’t the perfect performance by the USWNT. Lindsey Horan was pick-pocketed in the centre of the pitch more than once and was slack in possession at points. Germany posed a threat in quick transition and could have taken the lead after only a few minutes. That would have changed the dynamic of the contest.
Overall, though, the USA’s performance was impressive. In particular, the front three of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson was devastating with the former two both finding the back of the net. In terms of pure attacking quality, no team at the Olympics has a frontline as lethal as the USWNT’s.
Rodman didn’t get on the score sheet, but the Washington Spirit winger was crucial to the way the USA were able to find space in the final third. Rodman stayed wide on the right side to stretch the opposition defence and isolate her marker in one-on-one situations. It also allowed her to make undetected runs into the penalty box.
The understanding between Smith and Swanson was building before the start of the tournament and that has carried into the Olympic Games. The duo are on the same wavelength with their movement in and around the opposition penalty area. Germany were put in the blender by the USA’s forward line.
At the other end of the pitch, Naomi Girma put in another performance to bolster he standing as one of the best central defenders in world soccer right now. The 24-year-old handled Barbra Banda – who scored a hat trick against Australia – when the USA saw off Zambia and was similarly effective against Lea Schuller and Alexandra Popp.
Hayes only took charge of the USWNT in May after finishing up as Chelsea manager at the end of the English domestic season. The win over Germany was only her sixth match in charge of the national team. The assumption was that Hayes would need some time to implement her methods and ideas on a new group of players.
That remains true in a number of different areas. While the USA are pressing as individuals more willingly than was the case under Vlatko Andonovski, they are still lacking cohesion as a unit out of possession. This was clear in a handful of moments against Germany when the opposition were able to play through the USA lines.
Nonetheless, Hayes has very quickly imposed a structure and approach that is getting the most out of some of the best international players in the world. The USA are moving the ball quickly and purposefully. In some periods of matches, they have played with high intensity and energy. In other periods, they have managed games and chewed the clock – they did this against both Zambia and Germany. In still others, they have maintained composure in possession for long stretches in order to break down a low block, as was the case against Australia in the first half.
“We’re playing with more structure and discipline, and then I think we’re having fun too,” said Rose Lavelle when asked about the stylistic transition that has happened between the Andonovski era and the Hayes one. “We have a lot of really special players and we’re finally starting to connect. But we know we still have another level in us.”
While the USA’s 4-1 win over Germany made a statement, Hayes’ team will have to overcome stronger opponents to win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Germany are women’s soccer heavyweights, but they are currently missing Lena Oberdorf and are in their own period of generational transition. Meanwhile, a 2-1 win over a relatively weak Australia team wasn’t a resounding win, even if the USWNT were dominant in possession and chance creation.
To go the distance at this summer’s Olympics, the USA will likely have to see off Spain, the current Women’s World Cup holders. That would be a real test of how far the USWNT have come in a short time under Hayes. A gold medal would be the ultimate measurement of this progress, and this is a team moving closer to achieving that.
