The USWNT has truly silenced critics who believe their best years were behind them as they beat Germany in their group stage in the Paris Olympics. Despite having a horrible run in the Women’s World Cup last year in Australia and New Zealand, they have come back with renewed vigor this year under their new manager, Emma Hayes.
The ex-Chelsea coach in the FA WSL has shown how some new leadership, good decisions, smart tactical moves, and smart player selection can make a team so much more energetic and confident. The USWNT has played with energy, finesse, power, and confidence for their two games so far, showing the world they are determined to make a mark in this tournament.
USWNT vs. Germany: How it happened
The USWNT is now a scoring machine, thanks to the fearsome, fast, and technically amazing front line of Smith, Swanson, and Rodman. Their chemistry on and off the field has proven why it is so critical to like your teammates, bond with one another, and create partnerships that just tear the other teams apart. The Americans beat Zambia 3-0 last Thursday, getting off on the right foot, although against a ‘lesser’ opponent (despite Zambia having some incredible players and truly giving the Matildas a run for their money). Then, they faced off against Germany on Sunday and beat them with a resounding 4-1 win.
Nobody expected the scoreline against the German team to be so big, especially the team themselves, it was the first time the team had conceded four goals in a game in more than 15 years. The squad started the scoring well and early in the game to put the Germans on the back foot.
Attacking options up top
The front three combined, with Rodman pulling a cross into the box, Swanson drawing a defender with her selfless run, and Smith finishing the cut-back cross with ease from close range into the goal. However, Germany wasn’t done yet—Gwinn scored just 10 minutes later to let the USWNT know a battle was about to begin. Even so, the USWNT did not waiver. Just before the teams went into the locker room for the half-time talks and potential changes, Smith netted her second goal of the game as she struck from outside of the 18-yard box, and her shot took a nice deflection that saw the shot loop into the top corner over the goalkeeper.
In addition to scoring numerous goals per game, Rodman, Swanson, and Smith all use their creativity, dribbling skills, and ball management to set up other players in the game and increase their proficiency on the field. In fact, six of the goals scored in the Olympics so far for the USWNT have come from the front three.
USWNT looking forward
If the USWNT wants to recapture the success they have had in previous years, and continue on this streak of being proficient in front of goal and tearing other teams apart, capitalizing on their chances, and giving the ball as much as possible to the front three is a must. Now, the USWNT’s results of two wins in two games have already put them in the quarterfinals, meaning they can relax for their final group-stage match.
This gives them a chance to rest players, try new tactics, and give their substitution minutes so they can stay fresh for future games. Spain has also made it to the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics. The other teams still need to be chosen based on the results from the other groups in the league. The quarterfinals take place this upcoming weekend.
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