2024 Olympic Recap: USA 2 - Australia 1
Hayes and USA secure group stage sweep as they turn their attention to the knockout state.
Emma Hayes and the United States Women’s Olympic Team returned to action Wednesday afternoon as they squared off against Australia in their group stage finale.
Hayes and the U.S. entered Wednesday’s match atop Group B looking to clinch first place.
There was one change from the lineup that secured a 4-1 win over Germany on Sunday. Alyssa Naeher started in goal behind the back line of Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, Naomi Girma, and Emily Fox. Sam Coffey, Rose Lavelle, and Lindsey Horan formed the midfield behind the attacking trio of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson.
Coffey found herself in the book early as she received a yellow card in the fourth minute after fouling Katrina Gorry. With her second yellow of the group stage, Coffey finds herself suspended for the quarterfinal match.
Dunn nearly got the U.S. on the board thanks to an absolute blunder from Mackenzie Arnold. After creating space outside the box, Dunn ripped a shot right at the keeper, who mishandled a parry and nearly sent it into the roof of the net. Despite the mishap, Arnold's deflection went up and over the net to keep the U.S. off the board.
Horan came inches from getting the U.S. on the board in the 40th minute. After getting on the end of a cross, Horan headed a ball on frame that Arnold again nearly deflected into the roof of the net. Unfortunately, Arnold’s touch bounced off the underside of the crossbar and out to keep the U.S. off the board.
After numerous chances, the United States broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute following a wild turn of events. Smith got on the end of a cleared corner kick and sent a bouncing shot toward goal that Rodman tapped in to put the U.S. up 1-0.
Things only got wilder following the goal as there was an extended pause in the action, as the head referee had communication issues with officials. After reestablishing connection, the play was sent to the monitor for review.
After a brief look, Rodman’s goal stood. Australia’s head coach Tony Gustavsson also received a yellow card after voicing his frustration with the turn of events.
Hayes made one change at half as Jenna Nighswonger replaced Crystal Dunn. Three more changes came for the U.S. in the 65th minute when Lynn Williams, Korbin Albert, and Casey Kruger replaced Rodman, Lavelle, and Fox.
Albert’s game got off to a rough start in the 67th minute when she saw a yellow card following a foul on Caitlin Foord. But Albert redeemed herself in the 77th minute when she got on the end of a poorly hit pass by Clare Wheeler and proceeded to drill the ball into the upper-left corner to double the lead and notch her first international goal.
Things got interesting in the first minute of stoppage time when Alanna Kennedy got on the end of Michelle Heyman’s header and slotted the ball past Naeher to shrink the lead to one.
Despite the nervy moment in stoppage time, Hayes and the United States held on to secure a 2-1 victory along with the top spot in Group B.
With the group stage in the rearview mirror, the U.S. turns its attention to the knockout stage, where they will face Japan on Saturday, August 3, inside Parc de Princes at 9:00 am ET.