USWNT’s triple threat powers knockouts bid. Plus, latest on Canada’s spying scandal

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James BAOUCH
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I went down a rabbit hole of famous trios for this one. Email us at fulltime@theathletic.com to make your best analogy for the USWNT’s emerging attacking triad. I’m Emily Olsen here with Steph Yang and Meg Linehan to bring you an Olympic edition of Full Time!

Want more? Steph and Tamerra Griffin react to the USWNT’s 4-1 win on “Full Time” — a special Olympic episode is being released after every U.S. game during the tournament.

USWNT Advances: The Americans’ triple threat

Think of your favorite trio.

Destiny’s Child. Charlie’s Angels. The Powerpuff Girls. 

What was the key to their success?

There is magic in the triad, an equilibrium of chemistry between three people in a system that allows each point to withstand equal responsibility even if the weight is always shifting.

For the U.S. women’s national team on Sunday night, which dominated Germany in a 4-1 win to advance to the quarterfinals of the Olympics, a clear triplicity has come to fruition.

Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman have emerged as the next “Big Three” of the USWNT. I mean, one of their names even means three. And in soccer, triangles are sacred shapes. (Just ask Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola.)

“You can see, I’m not making many changes to the lineup, because they have to build connections,” Hayes said after the match. “I think the front three in general were dynamic as hell, really fun to watch. Most importantly they enjoyed themselves.”

While the U.S. lacked scoring power a summer ago at the World Cup, Hayes’ team is constructed in a way that allows freedom among the front line. Smith, Swanson and Rodman dance across the attacking third, interchanging and relieving pressure for one another while opening space somewhere else on the field.

At the World Cup last year, the U.S. scored four goals across three games, scraping its way to the round of 16 just to lose in a penalty kick shootout to Sweden. This summer, the Americans have secured a spot in the quarterfinals with one game to go. They’ve also scored seven goals in two matches — in large part thanks to the top-scoring triplets. Swanson has three goals, Smith has two and Rodman has one.

More takeaways:

  • Like Hayes said, she’s taken the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” route with the lineup. The U.S. started with the same XI as the opening game against Zambia. In both games, Hayes was forced into a first-half sub due to injury. Against Germany, Emily Sonnett came on in the 44th minute for center back Tierna Davidson, who went down after colliding knees with a German attacker. She walked off on her own, but it’s yet another wait-and-see.
  • Other than the injury sub, Hayes waited until the 85th minute to make another change. It was clear as the game dragged on that the U.S. was getting tired. For the second game in a row, Hayes brought Lynn Williams off the bench. This time, the forward — who was originally an alternate for this tournament — made her part with a precisely placed shot past goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger
  • A healthy Rose Lavelle is lethal.

Looking ahead: With just one more day of games, only two teams have officially marked their spot in the quarterfinals: reigning World Cup winner Spain and the USWNT. Japan, Brazil, Germany, Australia, France and Colombia all just need a draw or win on Wednesday to advance.

The U.S. closes out the group against Australia on Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET (USA Network and streaming on Peacock).

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already watching six hours of soccer every three days. And if you’re not, what are you doing? Take Wednesday off if you need to, because something tells me the final day of the group stage is going to be a doozy.

As an aforementioned trio once sang, “Girl, I didn’t know you could get down like that.”

What happens next?

As Hayes indicated after the match, the U.S. isn’t ready to pack up and advance just yet. The team is focused on continuing its scoring run against Australia on Wednesday. The Matildas have scored six goals this tournament (all against Zambia) but allowed eight.

Expect Hayes to rotate a few players without losing the core continuity of the group. We are still awaiting Jaedyn Shaw’s debut. The 19-year-old has been scratched twice now from the game day roster due to injury and replaced by alternate Croix Bethune. We are also keeping an eye on Davidson’s injury status as her pairing with Naomi Girma has just started to click consistently.

The U.S. is guaranteed a spot in the knockout stages. Scenarios:

  • If the Americans win Group B, they’ll head to Paris for a match against the second-place team in Group C (likely Japan or Brazil).
  • If they come in second in Group B, they’ll stay in Marseille for a match against the second-place team in Group A (likely France or Colombia).
  • On the off chance they come in third, the U.S. could face the winner of Group A or C in Nantes or Lyon.

Carmen Mandato / Getty Images

More Olympic Notes

Canada’s coach apologizes 

On Sunday, Canada coach Bev Priestman apologized to her players in her first comments since FIFA suspended her for a year as a result of the program’s use of drone surveillance in France.

“I fought with every ounce of my being to make this program better, much of which will never be known or understood,” Priestman said via a statement issued through her legal counsel.  “I wish I could say more, but I will refrain at this time, given the appeals process and the ongoing investigation.”

“I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” she added.

The players responded by grinding out a last-minute victory against the hosts, France, to keep their Olympic hopes alive.

  • Despite a six-point deduction by FIFA, the defending gold medalists (who have zero points through two games, despite two wins) could advance as one of the top two third-place teams.
  • If Canada can beat Colombia on Wednesday AND no other team exceeds three points while maintaining a better goal differential than Canada (which is currently +2) then they have a chance — however slim.

After defeating France with a goal in the 12th minute of stoppage time, goal scorer Vanessa Gilles described how the team has “nothing to lose.”

“We’re a damn good team, we’re a damn good group and we proved that today,” Gilles said.

Before these Olympics started, we warned you this tournament would display some of the best all-around women’s soccer we’ve seen on the international level. But I have to admit, I didn’t think things would be this entertaining.

From Canadian drone spies to absolute goal-fests between Zambia and Australia to Japan spoiling Marta’s revival and the USWNT scoring absurdly fun goals, this tournament has it all. And because there are only 12 teams, the drama is all tightly woven together.

So as Canada continues to deal with its spying scandal, other teams are watching closely.

Goals galore for Zambia and Australia

There were eleven goals in Australia’s win over Zambia yesterday, with the Matildas eking out a win thanks to an unlikely hero in Michelle Heyman and a favorable VAR call in the 77th minute.

Zambia appeared to have the early edge, from Barbra Banda’s first-minute goal to a 4-2 lead by the break, which they extended to 5-2 through the 56th minute. But Australia fought back in the second half, led by Heyman — who was never supposed to be at this Olympics.

The forward officially retired from international soccer in 2019 and only made the Olympic roster after a standout season in the Australian A-League paired with the injury absence of veteran captain and primary goal scorer Sam Kerr.

It’s never really over. That’s what we can take away from this game.

After the final whistle, distraught Zambian players collapsed onto the field. Banda was consoled by both her own teammates and Australian players while goalkeeper Ngambo Musole wept in a teammate’s arms. Banda has now scored three hat tricks across two Olympic tournaments, yet with no wins for her team.


Mark Atkins / Getty Images

Final Thoughts

Skillful shots: Both Spain and Japan showed off their long-range scoring chops. Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas scored a banger of a free kick against Nigeria and Momoko Tanikawa took advantage of a poor defensive clearance by Brazil to secure all three points for Japan.

Say it ain’t so: Does Marta really have to retire? The 38-year-old Brazilian legend is playing some of the best soccer we’ve seen from her in years. In the opening game, we saw her score a goal, eventually ruled off, and assist another. On Sunday, she scanned for opportunities with a back-to-goal spin to provide the setup for Brazil’s opening goal. She simply embodies Joga Bonito. When Tanikawa turned Rafaelle’s turnover into the winning goal, the despair on Marta’s face cut like glass. One. More. Cycle.

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(Top photo: Raquel Cunha / Reuters / USA Today)



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