MARSEILLE — To be in the mixed zone at the Stade de Marseille after an Olympic soccer match is to witness an impromptu tap-dancing show. As each player steps into the small maze of ropes to fulfill his tournament obligations, his cleats create a chaotic rhythm punctuated by laughter or sighs, depending on which side of the result he is on.
On Sunday night, the U.S. women’s national team, fresh off a 4-1 upset win over Germany, continued to feel the good vibes. Center back Naomi Girma laughed as she paced through the press box, while teammate Jenna Nighswonger offered to help her keep her balance. Some simply stopped, untied their cleats and opted for socks. No matter the method, everyone shared the same cheerful, if still determined, mood.
After all, even though the U.S. women’s team leads Group B with six points from two games and secures a quarterfinal spot at the 2024 Olympics, this is just the beginning. A win or draw against Australia secures them first place in the group and a trip to Paris later this week to begin the round of 16.
“We’re playing with more structure and discipline, and I think we’re having fun, too,” midfielder Rose Lavelle said, assessing the difference between the start of the last two weeks and last summer’s World Cup. “We’ve got a lot of really special players and we’re finally starting to connect. But we know we’ve got another level in us.”
At last year’s World Cup, the United States scored four goals in three group-stage games before being eliminated from the tournament by Sweden on penalties in the round of 16. At this summer’s Olympics, the United States has already scored seven goals in two games, including four against Germany alone.
And among those special players — with the starting forward line of Sophia Smith, Mal Swanson and Trinity Rodman all scoring, with Smith getting her turn in the spotlight Sunday thanks to a brace — there was a theme in the mixed zone:
“This is classic Evil.”
“Soph being Soph.”
“Give Trinity the ball and let them do their job.”
Swanson, Rodman and Smith together scored most of the USWNT’s goals at the Olympics (Getty Images)
The way players talk about their teammates is more than just a casual acceptance of the level of talent at play and an assumption that it will make itself known, but a reminder of the depth of trust they have in each other to produce in the biggest moments, as well as a level of selflessness.
“I’m going to do whatever I can to contribute to this team,” Swanson said. “It doesn’t matter who scores, as long as we get the results we need. That’s what matters. What happens in practice pays off, and you see it.”
Bigger tests await them. It’s clear the U.S. women’s team feels ready to face them, even if they still believe they haven’t reached their full potential.
“This is probably the sixth or seventh game we’ve played together up front,” Smith said after the game. “We’re getting along really well, really quickly. I think we’re only at 70 percent capacity.”
Compared to last summer, when the USWNT had solid defensive performances, including a stellar World Cup from Girma at center back and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher doing her best to carry the team, and compared to the lackluster farewell games, the team has found its offensive power and found it early in these Games.
“You see a collective effort from top to bottom,” Naeher said Sunday. “We know the defensive mentality of the group, and then four more goals, that’s huge for us, to find the back of the net, especially early in the game; set the tone from the beginning.”
The early leads were significant, but it was perhaps Lynn Williams’ second-half goal that most resembled a breakthrough for the United States on Sunday, his side finally showing some much-needed ruthlessness throughout the match via that late finish.
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Emma Hayes was particularly pleased with the goal, especially after the United States failed to score a goal in the second half against Zambia.
“It was a confirmation of the importance of the team and the importance of the goalscorers who come on the pitch,” Hayes said. “You have to take the opportunities that come your way. This is the highest level.”
But, just like the players, Hayes went beyond the goal from a results perspective, talking about Williams the person as well as Williams the player.
“A player that embodies everything you want from a team, someone who cares about her teammates, someone who practices with a lot of intensity, someone who has intentions, and everything she does deserves what she got tonight,” Hayes said. “She never gives up, but most importantly, she’s the best teammate you can have.”
Williams was originally an alternate on the USWNT roster (Getty Images)
This was perhaps best illustrated by the fact that Williams, when asked what she thought of her goal, immediately responded that she was more excited about the win.
“There were times when we had to weather the storm, especially in the second half,” the American defender said. “I think that’s what’s really cool about this team and what’s great is that nobody looks scared in those moments. Every person plays their role defensively, offensively. I don’t know if it’s a different speed, it’s just a belief that no matter what anybody throws at us, we’re going to get the job done.”
Hayes said she learned things about the team on Sunday, things she had wanted to see in terms of character and resilience: conceding a goal to Germany and then an immediate response, and big saves from Naeher but defensive contributions across the board.
She’s seen mistakes, too, of course. Lavelle said the team is its own toughest critic, so she’ll have company, but Hayes has seen the U.S. team push itself out of its comfort zone with the high-level opponent Germany provided in Marseille, and she’s seen the team from every angle. She’s willing to work with that.
“The front three, in general, were very dynamic, really fun to watch. And most importantly, they had a good time,” Hayes began, before apologising for what happened next. “All they did on Sunday was take three points.
“We’re not here to impress everybody in one game and never do it again. We have to build momentum,” she said. “First of all, recovering from that type of game – you can imagine the adrenaline – that’s probably my biggest concern now.
“We’re so banged up that the comeback is like a hangover. We’ve got a day and a half to recover before we go back on the training pitch. We have to analyse the things we can control and we have to win against Australia. It’s as simple as that.”
Players will have a day off Monday with no travel, but a day off doesn’t necessarily mean a full 24 hours of rest. Not in a tournament like the Olympics.
“We’ll be happy tonight,” Lavelle promised, “and then we’ll have another game in two days.”
(Top photo: Getty Images)