In the wake of a 3-0 group stage performance, GOAL examines the U.S. team's perfect start to the Olympic games
Emma Hayes couldn't have mapped this group stage out any better. Three games, three wins, all relatively straightforward – as close as possible to a coach's dream. The U.S. women's national team is cruising into the Olympic quarterfinals, beating Australia 2-1 in the group stage final Wednesday, and having collectively outscored their three opponents 9-2.
There were speedbumps, of course: Jaedyn Shaw's three-game absence, Tierna Davidson's injury and a costly yellow card to Sam Coffey chief among them. But, by and large, this was an unequivocal statement to the rest of the world that this team is back.
The attack dominated, scoring those nine goals in three games against three very different opponents. The defense was largely dominant, conceding just those two goals. The nine goals are the most it has ever scored in any Olympic group stage. And Hayes, the master tactician, has gotten everything right from the opening whistle.
The USWNT have now won all three group-stage matches for just the second time in eight Olympic appearances. It happened previously in 2012. Those Games ended with a gold medal win over Japan and this tournament will continue with a quarterfinal against the same opponent.
Now, the hard part begins. First up, Japan will certainly test the U.S. in the first match of the knockout round, kicking off at 9 a.m. EST Saturday.
The USWNT is 31-1-8 (W-L-D) against Japan all-time, with the lone defeat coming at the 2012 Algarve Cup. Japan finished second in Group C following an opening loss to world champion Spain then had impressive wins over Brazil and Nigeria. The winner of the U.S.-Japan quarterfinal will move on to an Aug. 6 semifinal in Lyon against either Germany or the Group A runner-up.
If the U.S. gets past Japan, they can start thinking about medals – but if we know anything about Hayes, she will keep the focus on the present, not the potential rewards.
That won't stop the rest of us from projecting, though. If this group stage was evidence, the USWNT is ready to contend for the podium, at minimum. They're here, they're ahead of schedule, and they are pushing for gold. With the knockouts beckoning, GOAL breaks down the winners and losers of the USWNT's group stage run.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Mallory Swanson
If you were wondering what kind of difference she could have made at the World Cup, we now know: substantial.
Swanson's return has ignited this team and this attack. Her two goals in less than a minute against Zambia fueled that win. Her finish against Germany put the game away. Just 18 months after her catastrophic knee injury, Swanson is among the Golden Boot favorites at these Games.
It's been the perfect return to this stage for Swanson, who, at 26, is surprisingly the elder stateswoman of this attacking trio. She's been setting the tone and Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman have followed, playing with confidence while scoring goals of their own.
One year after the USWNT attack struggled mightily, it's now absolutely humming, and Swanson deserves major credit for driving that change.
AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Jaedyn Shaw
This could have been Shaw's breakout. Instead, we're left wondering if we're going to see her at all in these Games.
Shaw has missed each of the USWNT's first three matches due to a leg injury, robbing this group of one of its most dynamic attacking stars. Fortunately for the U.S., the rest of the team has more than picked up the slack – but this is still extremely disappointing for Shaw, who had earned this chance.
After breaking in post-World Cup, Shaw has proven herself as an elite attacker at just 19. Despite her age and inexperience, she showed that she deserved this Olympic spot. Unfortunately for both Shaw and the USWNT, though, she hasn't been able to enjoy that opportunity.
The question is: will she feature at all in the Olympics? The knockouts are looming and Shaw hasn't had a chance to shake off those first-tournament jitters. Can she be thrust into those big games without that chance? Will she be fit enough to play?
It's tough, and it's particularly challenging for Shaw, who will have expected this summer to be life-altering.
WINNER: Sophia Smith
This isn't breaking news, but it bears repeating: Good things happen when Sophia Smith gets the ball. Tremendous things, actually.
We've seen that over and over again during these Olympics, as Smith has amassed two goals and two assists through three games. She's equaled her goal tally from the World Cup, but the difference between these two tournaments has been night and day.
Smith scored twice against Vietnam last summer and then went silent after. She's been comparatively noisy at these Olympics. She continues to make things happen, with the most recent big moment being her fantastic assist to Rodman to lead the way in Wednesday's win over Australia.
The Portland Thorns star is feeling herself now and everyone around her is better for it.
GettyLOSER: Sam Coffey
Frustrating, to say the least.
Coffey had been making a difference. She was a missing piece for the U.S. during the World Cup, and now they will have to play without her again as a costly yellow card in the group stage finale against Australia means she'll be suspended for the quarterfinals.
That will leave a big hole in the midfield. Coffey hasn't had a perfect Olympics, but it's obvious how she can impact the game. As this team's No. 6, she frees up both Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle to do what they do best: change the game.
Now, Hayes will have to shuffle things. Emily Sonnett could play there, but she's been in at centerback for Davidson. Korbin Albert can be tossed into the XI, but she's a different type of player. Crystal Dunn could play centrally, but she's been so strong at left-back.
Coffey's yellow card puts this team in a tough spot, especially since it was entirely avoidable.