Getty/GOALIn a lopsided victory for the USWNT, Swanson, who had previously missed the World Cup, impressively scored two goals within a minute to lead the team to triumph over Zambia.
Emma Hayes has officially begun her first tournament as the coach of the U.S. women’s national team, and in certain aspects, it commenced in a similar manner to the previous tournament led by Vlatko Andonovski.
Similar to last year’s World Cup, the USWNT began the Olympics with a 3-0 victory, which could have been even more dominant. While it was commendable and arguably fantastic, it fell just short of perfection. Nevertheless, the positive aspects will undoubtedly stand out. This triumph against a 10-player Zambia team was exactly what the USWNT required to kick off the tournament, despite its similarities to the start in 2023.
Mallory Swanson stole the spotlight and for good reason. After being absent from the World Cup last year, the talented attacker for the USWNT made a remarkable comeback by scoring two goals in under a minute. Her absence was sorely felt in the previous tournament, but this time, Swanson’s return is making a significant impact on the team, providing a much-needed boost.
Trinity Rodman, who executed an extraordinary backheel to herself, joined her on the scoresheet. This exceptional move will undoubtedly be a cherished moment for years to come. Unfortunately, the lively day was slightly overshadowed by the departure of Sophia Smith, the third member of the attacking trio, who limped off just before halftime.
The U.S. can address Smith’s injury and Jaedyn Shaw’s absence later, as of now, their priority is this start. The focus is on what it signifies for a team with ambitious goals, who required a morale-boosting victory following last year’s setback.
The first game is officially over, and we have earned three points. The new era under Hayes has just started. Our next challenge awaits us: Germany. We can expect the difficulty level to increase from this point onward.
GOAL rates the USWNT's players from Nice Stadium.
