404 Not Found

[ad_1]

The USWNT remains undefeated at the Paris Olympics, registering their first perfect group stage since the 2012 Summer Games after defeating Australia 2-1 on Wednesday.

The US advances with a team-record nine group stage goals while also leading the Olympic field in both goal differential and goals scored.

First-time Olympians Rodman, Albert score in USWNT win

New USWNT manager Emma Hayes opted not to rotate her starting XI on Wednesday, despite the US having already qualified for the quarterfinal thanks to Sunday’s win over Germany. The US’s only change came by way of replacing the injured Tierna Davidson, who’s currently out with a knee contusion, with center-back Emily Sonnett.

The USWNT fought an Australian low block for much of the match, with the Matildas unsuccessfully chasing the vital point they needed to advance out of Group B.

First-time Olympian Trinity Rodman opened the scoring for the US just before halftime, while substitute Korbin Albert notched the game-winner in the 77th minute. Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy brought her team within one goal of equalizing in the 91st, but the US held on through the rest of stoppage time to claim the win.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

USWNT’s Coffey out for Olympics quarterfinal

Hayes’s emphasis on consistency earned the result, but not without consequences. Midfielder Sam Coffey earned her second group stage yellow card minutes into the match, rendering her unavailable for the quarterfinal against Japan and guaranteeing Hayes’s first Olympic change to the USWNT’s starting midfield.

Saturday’s match will also determine the USWNT’s path forward, as advancing to the semifinal round secures a shot at a medal.

Other noteworthy Olympic soccer results

France finished atop Group A with a win against New Zealand, while Canada came back from a six-point deduction to finish second with a victory over Colombia, who also advanced in third place.

Due to goal differential, Canada’s win denied Australia the opportunity to advance, marking their worst women’s soccer finish since 2000, while Germany took second with a win over Zambia.

Spain also capped a perfect group stage with their win over third-place Brazil, who managed to overcome Marta’s red card to advance from Group C. Japan also moved forward, finishing second with a win over Nigeria.

The post USWNT Escapes Olympic Group Stage Unscathed appeared first on Just Women's Sports.

[ad_2]