In a 45-minute thriller that featured four goals, Sophia Smith showed no sign of pain from an ankle injury she suffered in the opener, scoring twice before halftime as the Americans won 4-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals.
A win against Australia (1-1-0) in Marseille on Wednesday or a draw against the Americans (2-0-0) would guarantee top spot in the group and a trip to the quarter-finals in Paris on Saturday. In the other game, Germany (1-1-0) will meet Zambia (0-2-0). Two groups receive automatic berths, and one can pass as a third group.
“I really liked the game,” said US coach Emma Hayes. “The tempo, the high level of play, the high level of opposition, the high level of strategy, the high level of technical execution on our part – that was a mature performance. … They are a great team, but we were devastating when we needed to be.”
The front line of Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman was particularly devastating. He scored 6 goals and provided three assists in two matches. Smith’s backup, Lynn Williams, also scored Sunday.
“Dynamic as hell, it’s fun to watch,” Hayes said. Above all, they were enjoying themselves,” he said.
Smith scored in the 10th minute. Swanson scored her third goal in two matches after Germany drew and Smith scored again before half-time. Williams added the 89th minute insurance.
“I feel like we’re going to benefit really well and quickly,” Smith said. “That’s only 70 percent of what we can do. The more games we get together, the more we’re playing with each other and learning each other’s tendencies. It’s really fun to play with them.”
The performance came close to the United States’ lowest-placed performance since FIFA started the women’s rankings in 2003, with fourth-placed Germany in first place.
After three days of squandering chances in a 3-0 win over Zambia and three games of missed chances – the Americans are on point.
Smith, who was cleared to play after leaving the opener with an ankle injury in the first half, scored the ball in an artistic team display of excellent build-up and penalty kicks. Emily Fox, Rodman and Rose Lavelle worked the ball down the right. Lavelle’s pass set Rodman free as he flashed it through her marker. As Rodman crossed, Swanson’s near-post run drew attention. Back off, Smith gets the ball for a simple one-timer.
“I am happy that I made the decision to leave [against Zambia]Smith said, “Because I felt good today.
In the 22nd minute, right-back Julia Gwynn found the time and space to take a 25-yard lead past goalkeeper Alyssa Naher.
The Americans needed just four minutes to regain the lead. Smith won the ball from outside the penalty area and ripped the ball over the top. Ann-Katherine Berger made a two-handed save but was unable to catch the ball or push it out of danger. Swanson got to it first and was stabbed in the rebound.
Smith scored again in the 44th minute. At first she blew on a timer with her left foot. She stuck with it, pushed the ball to the top of the penalty area and with her right foot the ball flew past defender Felicitas Rauch, flew over Berger, hit the right post and spun on the line.
“Soph is doing soph things – plain and simple,” Swanson said. “That first goal felt good as a team…something straight from the training ground to our game. That was very special. The second shot, I’ve seen her do that a million times. [the NWSL]. When she reaches that place, it goes inside.
At the start of the second half, Germany came out strong. Juul Brand nicked the right post and Naher blocked Sjoeke Nüsken in the six-yard box.
“There were times when we weathered the storm, especially in that second half,” Williams said. “What’s great is that no one seems to be afraid at those times.”
Hayes wasn’t happy with the offense: “There’s still things that annoy me about us, but I’ll fix that.” We could have had more control. As a result of our decision, we allowed Germany to partially return to the game.
The American team regained composure. Smith was given a standing ovation in the 85th minute – before Swanson set up Williams on the left and fired a shot past Gotham FC teammate Berger in the far corner.
“It’s only three points,” Hayes said. “We have to build momentum. First of all, recovering from this type of game, can you imagine the adrenaline? That’s probably my biggest fear right now. You get so high, going down is like any hangover.”
Note: Center back Tierna Davidson will be assessed in the coming days after a knee-to-knee collision ruled her out late in the half.