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It’s been a while — a long time — since the United States Women’s National Team looked like a true global contender.
Bronze in 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics. A knockout round of 16 after an uninspiring group stage game at the 2023 World Cup. Lots of frustrating friendlies along the way. They were often good, rarely great.
The team was in transition; young talents enter, old stars leave. The team lacked identity, which was never a problem during the team’s many glorious periods in history – including four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals.
Well, one game doesn’t indicate that everything is resolved or that what’s to come will be like what came before, but Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Germany in the Olympic group game was the most notable and positive result for the team since then. won the 2019 World Cup final.
The Americans didn’t just defeat a quality team in a major tournament. They showed an energetic style of play and a knack for putting the ball in the back of the net. If this is the impact of new coach Emma Hayes, then fans should be excited.
All three goals came as the game progressed, with the American front line of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman simply dominating the German defense.
It was an open play, a creative play, some game-winning plays.
It was fun to watch, which isn’t the most important thing, but it’s historically how Americans have played when they’re playing their best.
Smith scored twice and was dominant in attack. The 23-year-old used her speed and technical ability to connect with Rodman’s brilliant pass in the 10th minute.
She used her strength to hold off a German defender, create space and hit a quick shot, which hit the goalkeeper and was caught by Swanson in the 26th.
And she was rewarded for her hard work with a deflected shot from the top of the box that ricocheted off the post and over the line in the 44th.
And that was just the first half.
Does a game change everything? Of course. This was just a group game and does not guarantee anything. This tournament is a sprint and anything can happen. There are more candidates to come, especially Spain. The defense needs to be strengthened. Almost everyone could have been better.
Even so, Germany was the fourth team classified by FIFA, one position above the North Americans. The US had never been ranked first or second in the world until August 2023. Fifth place is the lowest ranking ever. It wasn’t just about beating 64th-ranked Zambia 3-0 in the opening of the Olympic Games. This should be a challenge, a measure.
And the Americans were up to it.
Competition in women’s football is better than ever as more countries around the world have elevated their development programs and, in turn, their national teams.
The US also invests, however, and lately there was a growing fear that the team had a lot of potential but lacked cohesion and tactical play. Scoring goals has become an arduous task. Just creating chances with an impressive attack sometimes seemed out of reach.
Sunday happened in style against a big team on a big stage.
The Americans have six points from two games. They scored seven goals. They look like a team that can win this, as has so often happened in previous Olympics. The going will get tougher from here, but if this is what the US is going to achieve on the forward line in the future, then that future will be bright.
Really golden.
