The U.S. women’s national team has one friendly left before getting down to business at the Paris Olympics.
After taking care of Mexico 1-0 in Harrison, N.J., on Saturday with all 20 members of the U.S. team that won the 1999 World Cup team in attendance, the Americans will have their send-off match Tuesday in Washington, D.C., against Costa Rica.
Sophia Smith scored in the 64th minute and Alyssa Naeher made one save for her 63rd shutout in 105 matches.
While this match and Tuesday’s can be viewed as meaningless, they play an important role in making sure the players are ready for the Olympics, where the roster is limited to 18 players plus four alternates. Most major tournaments allow 23 to 26 players.
The depth has already been tested with the announcement Friday that midfielder Catarina Macario was ruled unable to play because of a right knee injury. Forward Lynn Williams was permitted by the International Olympic Committee to replace her on the 18-player roster, and defender Emily Sams was added as an alternate.
The U.S. opens group play July 25 against Zambia in Nice, followed by two games in Marseilles, against Germany on July 28 and Australia on July 31.
Smith scored on her fifth shot on goal from the left side of the box off the build-up. Rose Lavelle played the ball down the right flank to Trinity Rodman, who found Mallory Swanson in the middle of the box. After Smith got the pass from Swanson, she took two touches before firing.
It was a quick, forceful yet unproductive start for the U.S., forcing three saves in the first four minutes by Stephany Barrera. Smith had two of those shots.
Smith added another shot in the 52nd minute before finally getting the breakthrough goal.
–Field Level Media
