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I’ve only cried about a dozen times this week over the Olympics. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m Emily Olsen here with Meg Linehan and Jeff Rueter to bring you an Olympic edition of Full Time!
Want more? Steph Yang and Tamerra Griffin reacted to the USWNT’s 2-1 win over Australia that earned them the top spot in Group B on “Full Time” — a special Olympic episode is being released after every U.S. game during the tournament.
USWNT Wins Group B: Hayes values consistency with lineup
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
That’s the approach U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes appeared to take in the Group B finale against Australia yesterday. With a quarterfinal spot already locked down, Hayes made just one change to her starting lineup from the first two games, adding Emily Sonnett to the defensive line while center back Tierna Davidson remained off the game day roster with a knee contusion. The problem? Sam Coffey and Trinity Rodman were one yellow card away from suspension.
- Coffey confirmed fans’ worst fears in the fourth minute, earning a yellow card for a hard tackle. While she was allowed to stay in the game against Australia, she’ll miss the team’s quarterfinal match against Japan at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday (USA Network/Peacock).
Meanwhile, Rodman tallied the team’s opening goal, cleaning up a shot from Sophia Smith after a U.S. corner. Hayes kept Rodman on the field through the break, eventually replacing her, Rose Lavelle and Emily Fox and adding Lynn Williams, Casey Krueger and Korbin Albert in the 65th minute. The fresh legs paid off for the second consecutive game, with Albert hitting what eventually became the USWNT’s winning goal from distance. It was crucial to their 2-1 win as Australia threatened late, finding the back of the net once in stoppage time.
“I’ve been just working at (shooting from distance) in practice and mentally and just trying to focus on it,” Albert said after the game. “Actually closed my eyes and then I opened it and I was like, ‘Oh my god.’ I was really nervous.”
There was also one VAR-y odd moment that sucked the wind out of the game after the USWNT’s first goal and ended up adding an extra 10 minutes of running. Steph has more on that here.
Looking ahead: Coffey’s absence in the quarterfinal, coupled with the continued injury monitoring around Davidson, leaves the center of the USWNT’s defensive shape vulnerable. Hayes has a few options.
- Sonnett has appeared to be next in line at both central defense and defensive midfield, so it’s almost certain that she’ll start.
- If she’s along the backline, as she was against Australia, expect Albert to get the call in midfield.
- If Sonnett tucks into midfield, The Athletic’s Jeff Rueter expects Krueger to bring veteran guile to the heart of the defense.
Japan is as capable of creating chances as this USWNT — Saturday’s game could be an instant classic, especially given this self-inflicted setback.
John Todd / ISI / Getty Images
Hi, My Name Is: Team USA’s polarizing rising star
Few American players have been discussed as often as Albert throughout 2024. First, for her impressive composure in midfield as she and Coffey emerged as vital members of the squad during the USWNT’s triumphant W Gold Cup run. But then, she was the subject of controversy after anti-LGBTQ social media activity surfaced — something Albert later apologized for.
Since then, it has been a complicated path for Albert, who has been booed upon entering games when playing in the U.S. Through it all, Hayes — who came in after Albert’s incidents occurred — has backed the 20-year-old.
After the game, Hayes continued to support her player, saying she’s “proud” of Albert for the personal growth she’s undergoing.
¡GOLAAAAZOOOO! ¡GOLAZO GOLAZO GOLAZO DE ESTADOS UNIDOS! 😱😱😱😱
Korbin Albert la colgó en el ángulo y hace el segundo 👏⚽️
🇦🇺 #Australia 0-2 @USWNT 🇺🇸
📺 Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/hHWnrgtKc1
📱 Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/I73JVJ3CAE#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/Nex4yfIFgP— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 31, 2024
As for her on-field impact: Shooting from a long distance isn’t uncommon for Albert, who’s hit a similar shot multiple times for her club, Paris Saint-Germain. This time, though, Albert became the first American woman to score her debut international goal at the Olympics.
“I liked those shots,” she said. “Outside the box and just the long-driven ones. They don’t always go as planned, but when they do, it’s very satisfying.”
Other Olympic News
Canada defies the odds
I am the type of person who holds in their emotions until they can’t hold them anymore. At the whim of my own empathy, the Olympics are the perfect time for me to turn on the waterworks. So far this week, I’ve shed a tear over the U.S. women’s rugby team winning bronze, Brazil winning bronze in the women’s artistic gymnastics and Daniel Wiffen winning gold in the 800m freestyle for Ireland — and I was an absolute mess during Jordan Chiles’ entire floor routine.
Now add Canada qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Olympic women’s tournament with a 1-0 win over Colombia to the list.
To quickly recap: The defending gold medalists had their head coach suspended and were docked six points in group play, severely limiting their chances of advancing, amid the drone spying scandal. It’s a lot, so the full details are here.
And still, the Canadians prevailed, solidifying a quarterfinal match in Marseille against Germany at 1 pm ET on Saturday. Chantel Jennings was at the group stage finale to witness the Canadian triumph.
“We defied the odds,” Canada forward Janine Beckie said after the win. “They take six points and we got nine. That was enough for us.”
Was this Marta’s final Olympic act?
Speaking of resilience, few embody overcoming obstacles like the GOAT, Marta Vieira da Silva.
The 38-year-old Brazilian legend has carried the torch for women’s soccer in Brazil and around the world. The six-time FIFA World Player of the Year has decades’ worth of highlights spanning club and country but has yet to earn an Olympic gold medal or World Cup title. Having announced that this will be her final year of international soccer, the Paris Games are her last shot at gold.
But she won’t be able to help on the field when Brazil faces host nation France in the quarterfinals at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday.
She earned a red card for a reckless high kick to a Spanish player’s head on Wednesday. Marta will miss, at minimum, Brazil’s next match. She must now trust her teammates. Many of the players who have idolized her for years must now step up. Only they can offer her the gift of another chance, a better way to say goodbye one more time.
Meg Linehan wrote about Marta’s legacy of defiance, hunger and joy.
Upcoming match schedule
The quarterfinals take place on Aug. 3 across France.
- USWNT vs Japan at 9 a.m. ET (Parc des Princes, Paris)
- Spain vs Colombia at 11 a.m. ET (Stade de Lyon)
- Canada vs Germany at 1 p.m. ET (Stade de Marseille)
- France vs Brazil at 3 p.m. ET (Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes)
In case you missed it: In addition to moments that have brought me to tears, here are two stories that have me smiling — Paris Olympics’ coolest athlete and its cheesiest.
Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium
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(Top photo: Brad Smith / ISI / Getty Images)
