MARSEILLE – To be in the mixed zone at the Stade de Marseille after an Olympic football match is to witness an impromptu tap show. As each player enters the small maze of ropes to fulfill their tournament obligations, their cleats create a chaotic rhythm punctuated by their laughter or sighs, depending on which side of the score they are on.
For the U.S. women’s national team on Sunday night, fresh off a dominating 4-1 win over Germany, the good vibes continued. Center back Naomi Girma laughed as she took baby steps through the press box, as fellow defender Jenna Nighswonger offered to help her keep her balance. Some simply stopped, untied their cleats and opted for socks. It doesn’t matter what method they used, everyone shared the same mood, if it is always determined.
After all, while the USWNT may be sitting in control of Group B with six points through their two games so far and guaranteed a quarterfinal spot at the 2024 Olympics, this is still just the beginning. A win or draw against Australia secures top spot in the group and a trip to Paris later this week to start the knockout rounds.
“We played with more structure and discipline, and then I think we also had fun,” midfielder Rose Lavelle said when assessing the difference in the start between these games and last summer’s World Cup. “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.”
At last year’s World Cup, the United States scored four goals through three group stage games before being bounced out of the tournament by Sweden on penalties during the round of 16. During the Olympics in this summer, the United States already has seven goals through two games, including four. against Germany alone.
And on those special players – with the starting line of Sophia Smith, Mal Swanson and Trinity Rodman all now scoring, with Smith having his turn in the spotlight on Sunday thanks to a double – there was a theme in the area mixed:
“It’s classic Mal.”
“Soph being Soph.”
“Give Trinity the ball and let her do her thing.”
Swanson, Rodman and Smith combined for most USWNT goals at the Olympics (Getty Images)
The way players talk about their teammates is more than a casual acceptance of the level of talent at play and an assumption that they will make themselves known, but a reminder of the depth of trust they have in each other to produce in the biggest. moments, and even a level of altruism.
“Any way I can contribute to this team, I will,” Swanson said. “It doesn’t matter who scores, as long as we get the results we need. That’s what matters. What happens in the training camp is paid, and it looks like that.”
There are bigger tests waiting. It’s clear the USWNT feels ready for them, despite still thinking they haven’t reached their full potential yet.
“This is probably only game six or seven of us playing up front together,” Smith said after the game. “We’re clicking really well, really fast. I think that’s only like 70 percent of what we can do.”
Compared to last summer, when the USWNT had strong defensive performances, including a World Cup breakthrough from Girma in the center midfield position and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher doing her best to carry the team, and compared to the lackluster mandate parties, the team. he found his offensive firepower and found it early in these games.
“You see a collective effort from top to bottom,” Naeher said Sunday. “You know the defensive mentality from the group, so four goals in addition to this is huge for us, to be able to find the back of the net, especially early; it sets the tone from the beginning.”
The early steps were important, but it might have been Lynn Williams’ second-half goal that felt most like a breakthrough for the U.S. on Sunday, as their team finally showed the rawness needed throughout the game to because of that late finish.
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Emma Hayes was particularly pleased with that one, especially after the U.S. failed to produce a second-half goal against Zambia.
“It was just validation: one of the importance of the team and the importance of the finishers coming onto the field,” Hayes said. “You have to take chances when they come. This is the highest level.”
But, like the players, Hayes went beyond the goal from an outcome standpoint, talking about Williams the person in addition to Williams the player.
“A player who embodies everything you want in a team, someone who cares, someone who trains with great intensity, someone who is intentional, and everything he does deserves what he got tonight,” Hayes said. “Don’t give up on yourself, but most importantly, be the best teammate you could have.”
Williams was originally an alternate on the USWNT roster (Getty Images)
Perhaps that was best illustrated by the fact that Williams, when asked how he felt about his goal, immediately replied that he was more excited about the victory.
“There were times where we had the storm, especially in that second half,” the US defender said. “I think that’s what’s really nice about this team and what’s great is that nobody seems scared in those moments. Every person does their role defensively, offensively. I don’t know if it’s another tool – it’s just more of a belief that no matter what anyone throws at us, we’re going to get the job done.”
Hayes said he learned things about the team on Sunday, things he had wanted to see in terms of character and resilience: conceding a goal to Germany, then an immediate response, and great stops from Naeher, but defensive contributions in everything
She also saw slips, of course. Lavelle said the team was his harshest critics, so he’ll have company there, but Hayes saw the USWNT out of their comfort zone thanks to the “top-tier opponent” Germany provided in Marseille, and he saw the team from all sides. . She is ready to work with it.
“The front three, in general, were dynamic as hell, really fun to watch. Most importantly, they had fun,” Hayes began, before offering an apology for what came next. All they did on Sunday was secure three points.
“We are not here to surprise everyone for one game and not do more. We have to build momentum,” he said. “First of all, recovering from this kind of game – you can imagine the adrenaline – that’s probably my biggest concern right now.
“You are so high, the descent is like any hangover. We have a day and a half to recover before going to the training camp. We have to analyze the things that are in our control and we have to win against Australia. Simple as that.”
The players have a day off on Monday without any travel, but a day off does not necessarily mean 24 hours of rest. Not in a tournament like the Olympics.
“We’ll be happy tonight,” Lavelle promised, “Then we have another game in two days.”
(Top photo: Getty Images)
