GOAL examines who shined, who missed out, and what a quarterfinal win over Japan means for USWNT at Olympics
The USWNT are through to a semifinal matchup of the Olympics after a less-than-eventful game against Japan Saturday in Paris – that is, until extra time, when the U.S. finally sealed an impressive 1-0 victory with a clutch goal from 22-year-old Trinity Rodman.
The U.S. has now started an Olympic tournament with four wins for just the second time. The last came in 2012, when it ultimately beat Japan for the gold medal. And the USWNT now holds a 32-1-8 (W-L-D) advantage over Japan. The U.S. advances to the Olympic semifinals for the seventh time in eight tournaments and the 15th time in 17 total appearances at world championships, only failing to reach the semifinals at the 2016 Olympics and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“It’s not always flashy,” Hayes said about the tense match. “It’s not always what fans want to see, but this is football, and football requires different tactical abilities from game to game. We played the right game for the right opponent.”
Hayes also praised the Japan defense, saying “They’re exceptional. Their block is the best in the world at doing that, in terms of the way they shift, the way they step, the way they read the rotations. They work their socks off.”
Unfortunately, for the U.S. side, there were some knocks and bruises leaving question marks about who will be available for Emma Hayes’ side in the semifinal matchup against Germany Tuesday at noon ET. The USWNT beat the Germans 4-1 last week in the Olympic group stage.
And while the attack struggled to get past a parked Japan defensive unit, the unexpected absence of players was most concerning. Even before the quarterfinals, the U.S. were without Sam Coffey (yellow-card suspension) and center back Tierna Davidson (injury), so questions were obvious about how the midfield would perform, and who would be next to Naomi Girma. Korbin Albert joined Lindsey Horan in the midfield, and Emily Sonnet slid in beside Girma.
One of the biggest knocks to the team was in the late 199th minute when Emily Fox limped off. The Arsenal player has started in the backline for all four games in the Olympics, and was replaced by Casey Krueger. After more than 100 minutes of play, the U.S. got a tremendous game-winner from Rodman, and were able to slide into the next round of these Games. It was clearly a relief to see the burst of energy from Rodman in extra time, but subbing and looming injuries remain talking points heading into the semis.
GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Saturday’s win over Japan.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Trinity Rodman
Trinity Rodman simply stole the show, as her 104th minute goal sent the USWNT through to the semifinals. Rodman was the only offensive spark for the U.S. side, as the entire regular time was essentially a snooze-fest.
The U.S. struggled to break through Japan's organized defense, and potential opportunities for goals were poorly executed. The game-changing moment came in extra time, when Rodman handled a ball from Crystal Dunn, cut inside and then shot a far-post stunner for the go-ahead goal.
That score made Rodman the youngest player to score an extra-time goal for the USWNT since the great Heather O'Reilly at the 2004 Olympics, according to Opta. It was Rodman’s third goal of these Olympics, following scores against Zambia and Australia.
She has now been directly involved in a goal in all four matches at the Olympics, the longest streak by any USWNT player at a major tournament since Carli Lloyd at the 2015 World Cup, and the longest by any USWNT player at the Olympics since Alex Morgan (6 straight) and Abby Wambach (5 straight) at the 2012 Games in London.
The goal was the ultimate decider, but Rodman's relentlessness to make things happen up-top was crucial for the U.S. When a team can defend as organized as Japan, every touch and moment on the ball matters, and Rodman took every opportunity she had to strike.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Emily Fox
Emily Fox didn't play poorly in the back for the U.S., but a late knock creates a massive question mark for the USWNT's defensive line. Also, given Fox's history with ACL tears and a long journey back to top-form, the concern is increased.
Fox has been solid for the U.S., dialed in one-vs-one, organized on the weak side, and attack-minded when there's space. Krueger came in for Fox in the 119th minute, and finished out the game for the U.S. side.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Naomi Girma
There's really no one more composed than Naomi Girma in the back. Despite missing Tierna Davidson, Girma was as steady and diligent as ever next to Emily Sonnet.
Between the two center backs, they completed 152 passes. When a defensive line is hard to breakdown, such Japan's compact formation, the center backs have to get comfortable knocking it back and fourth until a gap opens up.
Girma has been the core of the USWNT this tournament, and her ability to keep the team organized, alleviate pressure and balance out the field is top-class. If there's one person who must hold down the back for the USWNT, despite all of the injuries, it's Girma.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Jaedyn Shaw
Cleared to be a part of the 18-person roster on Saturday, there was an expectation that as a result of her inclusion, Jaedyn Shaw would finally take the pitch at these Games. Unexpectedly, though, she wasn't called upon – which only makes one wonder why she was brought into the roster in place of alternate Croix Bethune, someone who could have made an attacking impact on a day in which it was needed.
At some point, any minutes are good minutes, and heading into the semifinals, Shaw has yet to play this tournament. It's worrisome with such a thin bench and the tired legs of the attacking core on this roster. If she's declared fit for the semifinals, there should be an expectation that she plays, because on her best day, she's beyond influential. The decision not to use her Saturday was baffling.