The U.S. women's national team are off to the semifinals of the women's soccer event at the Olympic Games, defeating Japan 1-0 on Saturday courtesy of an extra time goal from Trinity Rodman.
The game's lone goal came in the second minute of stoppage time in the first half of extra time, when Crystal Dunn pinged a perfect ball from one end of the field to the other for Rodman. On the right side of goal, Rodman then cut into the box and outmaneuvered a Japan defender before taking an impressive shot from an awkward angle and scoring her third goal of the competition so far.
Rodman's goal was a lone reprieve during a slog of a game for the U.S., who managed just one shot on target in the opening 90 minutes of the game. The four-time gold medalists dominated the first half but had to absorb a lot of attacking pressure from Japan in the second half, a period of time in which the U.S. managed few meaningful spells of possession in attack. They managed to ramp up pressure in the late stages of the game and finally benefit from it with Rodman's strike.
The U.S. return to play on Tuesday in the semifinals, where they will Germany, who beat Canada in penalty kicks. The Americans played the Germans in the group stage and won convincingly, defeating them 4-1 on July 28.
It wasn't exactly fun, but Trinity Rodman's stellar solo effort was heroic enough to book a spot in the semifinals for the USWNT. They now await the winner of Germany's clash with Canada later today, but today's game leaves plenty of food for thought after a generally unspectacular performance.
120' Emily Fox bangs her leg into an opponent's and after a little bit of on-field treatment, she comes off for Casey Kruger. The severity of the injury is unclear but it will be something to keep an eye on if the U.S. close this out and advance.
111' Trinity Rodman goes for goal again and seems poised to notch a second as she darts down the right flank and takes a shot from distance, but goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita is up for the task and makes an equally impressive save.
108' Japan start the second half of extra time looking for an equalizer, and make their way into the USWNT's box. The ball bounces around several times as Japan get close to scoring Both Honoka Hayashi and Riko Ueki have their shots blocked in the process as the U.S. keep Japan at bay.
The second half of extra time is officially underway, and Emma Hayes goes to her bench again to bring on Jenna Nighswonger for Rose Lavelle. Seems like Nighswonger, who earned a spot on the USWNT and won 2023 NWSL rookie of the year honors as a left back, might be slotting into midfield here. The versatility comes as little surprise -- she was an attacker during her college career.
105' At long last, the USWNT are on the board courtesy of Trinity Rodman. She wins the ball on the right side of the field after a stellar ball from the other side of the field from Crystal Dunn. Rodman then does it on her own, cutting her way into the box and taking a shot from an angle that finally breaks the deadlock. Rodman looked a bit in disbelief as the ball went in, but the spectacular solo effort counts.
104' After a spell of play in which Japan dominated, the USWNT go for goal and the ball lands to Trinity Rodman. She can't get a perfect shot off, though, and so another somewhat promising play ends with little impact made.
97' A moment after Hinata Miyazawa's opportunity, Sophia Smith is virtually alone in the penalty area and makes her way towards goal, but she hesitates and then is forced out to an angle so the opportunity fizzles out.
96' Emily Sonnett gives the ball away in the box and Hinata Miyazawa is right there, but the Japan player hits the side netting rather than the actual target. It's easily Japan's best opportunity of extra time.
92' Sophia Smith takes the first meaningful shot of extra time from just inside the penalty area, but the deflected shot goes out for a corner. Not much comes of it.
At long last, Emma Hayes makes her first sub -- Lynn Williams comes on Mallory Swanson to start extra time. Japan also goes to the bench, putting on Hana Takahashi for Toko Koga.
The USWNT took six shots in the second half -- up from three in the first -- but could not put a single on frame, while Japan's sustained pressure turned into four more shots, up from two. They did not manage an attempt on frame, either and as you already know, no one scored. It means we're off to extra time in the first quarterfinal game of the women's soccer competition in Paris.
90' Trinity Rodman is whipping in crosses time and time again on the right side, at one point connecting with Lindsey Horan who attempts a shot, only for Japan to nail one of several clearances. The energy seems high in the stadium as they go for a last-gasp goal but the game state all day has been about keeping the U.S. at bay and so it stays that way.
90' Rose Lavelle takes a freekick yards from goal and the ball bounces around the box until it lands to Trinity Rodman, whose shot from inside the box is blocked. Japan use the opportunity to take advantage of the loose ball and make their way straight to the other end of the pitch, applying pressure in the USWNT's box much as they have all half long. The U.S. have done well to do last-ditch defending but it hasn't stopped Japan's ability to hang out in and around the box.
80' Japan go for goal again and create a dangerous moment, this time leading Yui Hasegawa to shoot from distance. The ball sails far from from goal but it seems like Japan are the better team this second half. The USWNT have looked a little stale at times this half, perhaps down to the fact that Emma Hayes has yet to make a substitution -- and has not rotated through her lineup much all tournament long.
The crowd at the Parc des Princes is very pro-USWNT, but that doesn't mean the four-time gold medal winners are getting a free pass. The crowd is audibly unhappy with some of the team's more patient moments, particularly in the back.
71' Just moments after a couple of promising opportunities for the USWNT, Yui Hasegawa makes a deep run out of midfield and puts a cross in that sails across the goal line. A couple of her teammates are nearby but can't get a touch on the ball, allowing the USWNT to survive that moment.
Moments before, Riko Ueki came on for Mina Tanaka for Japan.
69' The USWNT have a promising opportunity on the counterattack, which Trinity Rodman leads on the right flank. Rodman initially gets a heavy touch on a ball that seems to slow things down but she's tenacious enough to keep the play alive and force a corner. The USWNT look a little threatening and Mallory Swanson has a chance but she sends the ball over the bar.
67' The USWNT are doing a better job of making their way towards goal after a slow start to the second half, but Japan are up for the task of clearing the ball. That includes Rose Lavelle's chance from just outside the box, which is quickly intercepted by a Japan player and sent out for a corner.
62' Sophia Smith is making a run towards goal and she may have made a little contact with the ball, but the goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita is also there as is a defender and so the ball goes out of play.
57' Emily Sonnett commits a foul and ends up with a yellow card, making her the third U.S. player on a yellow -- Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert are the other two. Yellow card accumulation resets after this game, leaving the USWNT at risk of seeing another player serve a suspension à la Sam Coffey today.
56' Trinity Rodman carves out a very impressive run on the right flank, forcing several Japan players to crowd her and force the ball out of play. It's a glimpse of what the U.S. can bring in attack, even though the team has mostly been defending to start this half.
51' Japan have the best chance of the second half after winning a corner and then keeping possession to cause trouble near the goal line, forcing Crystal Dunn to make a clearance and concede another corner. The USWNT survive that one after Aoba Fujino shoots but misses the target, but Japan's consistent possession after the break is a cause for concern for the USWNT.
No changes for the USWNT to start the second half, but Japan have made a change -- Maika Hamano comes on for Kiko Seike.
The most interesting thing to happen at this game so far might be Snoop Dogg's halftime appearance in the booth to collect his customized USWNT jersey.
As expected, the USWNT dominated possession and have limited Japan to just two shots, but Japan's organized defense means the U.S. have only taken three shots in the first 45 minutes. Lindsey Horan's header from the sixth minute is the USWNT's only shot on target of the half, while Mina Tanaka's strike in the 35th minute is Japan's only attempt on frame before the break.
35' Japan have their best chance of the game courtesy of Mina Tanaka, who takes a shot from close range. Alyssa Naeher is up for the task and makes the save to keep things scoreless.
31' The USWNT win the ball in their half and Sophia Smith receives a long ball on the right side of the pitch, making a strong run towards goal. Rose Lavelle and Mallory Swanson also make well-timed runs and seem poised to score should they receive the ball, but Smith goes for goal -- or perhaps mistimes a pass to Lavelle -- and so the play dies there.
28' Emily Fox commits a foul right outside the penalty area and so the referee awards Japan a freekick on the left side of the box. The USWNT set up well, though, and so they survive the moment with relative ease.
26' Japan have the ball in and around the penalty area but the USWNT regains possession, and so Mallory Swanson makes a dash down the left flank to go for goal on the other end. She combines with Sophia Smith as the pair inch towards goal, but the opportunity fizzles out as Smith mistimes things closer to the net.
