ESPN.com · Jul 25, 2024
USWNT's opening win of 2024 Olympics proves doubters wrong
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As fans questioned whether the U.S. women's national team was ready for the 2024 Olympics after a disastrous World Cup campaign last year, head coach Emma Hayes asked for patience as the team worked through growing pains.
The answers came quickly in the USWNT's opener of the Olympics in France.
The Americans scored three goals in the opening 25 minutes to defeat Zambia 3-0 on Thursday and, despite a quieter second half, they looked convincing in the win. Trinity Rodman's brilliant spin-turn created space for a flashy opening goal before Mallory Swanson scored twice in a minute to punctuate the flying start from the four-time Olympic gold-medalists.