The U.S. women’s national team won its World Cup send-off match against Wales 2-0 in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000 at San Jose’s PayPal Park on Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Trinity Rodman entered the match at halftime and broke a scoreless tie in the 76th minute, burying a pass across the box from Sophia Smith.
- Rodman added to the lead at the 87-minute mark, converting from the edge of the box for her fourth career international goal.
- Midfielder Savannah DeMelo was subbed into the game in the 64th minute, marking her USWNT debut. Entering Sunday, DeMelo was the only uncapped player on the team’s World Cup roster.
- The U.S., now 8-0-0 in 2023, opens World Cup group play against Vietnam on July 22 local time (July 21, 9 p.m. ET) at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
A sigh of relief
A largely uninspiring first half from the USWNT, though how much of that was due to send-off game nerves and how much was due to ongoing and lingering issues around chemistry, crispness and decision making will be impossible to know. Fortunately for the U.S., Smith and Rodman reminded everyone of just how a goal scored by this team should look: unstoppable, fast and clean. It took longer than anyone would have liked, but the USWNT was never not truly in control of the match. Wales wasn’t exactly pouring on pressure, though they were well organized, but there’s plenty of fodder for the technical staff out of Sunday’s match. I’d expect plenty of film being pored over on tonight’s flight to New Zealand.
Another bright spot was DeMelo getting her first cap for the USWNT and immediately showing her value thanks to one of the best corner kick deliveries of the game, placing it perfectly upon the head of centerback Alana Cook. That could prove a helpful tool for the USWNT, whose dead ball delivery was a bit rough in places.
Rodman added another late exclamation point here in San Jose with a late goal, and the sigh of relief that they weren’t forced into any subs because of injury. — Linehan
Highlights of the match
.@sophsssmith ???? @Trinity_Rodman pic.twitter.com/NJBKUABHAc
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 9, 2023
At 21 years and 50 days of age, @Trinity_Rodman is the youngest #USWNT player to bag a brace
pic.twitter.com/TIjuCL68NB
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 9, 2023
Required reading
(Photo: Brad Smith / Getty Images for USSF)
