USWNT’s Gold Medal Chances Debated By Fans After Tie vs. Costa Rica Before Olympics
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJuly 17, 2024
Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF
Sometimes the ball just doesn’t want to find the back of the net. Tuesday was one of those nights for the USWNT.
The Americans only managed a scoreless draw against Costa Rica in their final warmup game before the Paris Olympics despite completely dominating the contest.
B/R Football @brfootballUSWNT keep knocking ⏳
Watch USA vs. Costa Rica live on TNT, truTV and Max 📺 pic.twitter.com/g7ArB0zHjO
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportMallory Swanson nearly had the first goal for the USWNT 😮
Watch USA vs. Costa Rica live on TNT, truTV and Max 📺 pic.twitter.com/Gg5D2ZN2Mh
B/R Football @brfootballUSWNT draw 0-0 against Costa Rica in their final match before the Olympics.
They had 12 shots on target 😐 pic.twitter.com/WtIDPicXCH
OptaJack⚽️ @OptaJack2 – The #USWNT has failed to win its final match before a major tournament (World Cup or Olympics) for only the second time (0-0 vs. Korea Republic before 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup). Stumble. pic.twitter.com/XmmwOZFwIX
The match wasn’t close, save for the scoreline. The USWNT held 79.7 percent of possession, outshot Costa Rica 26-2 (12-0 on goal) and took 16 corners to zero for its opponents. Costa Rican goalkeeper Noelia Bermúdez was arguably the player of the match, finishing with 12 saves.
So, not a banner night for Emma Hayes’ charges, especially with the Olympics right around the corner. Suffice to say, fans and pundits—still perhaps smarting from the USWNT’s disappointing performance at the 2023 World Cup—were feeling a bit nervous about the showing:
Renee Washington @ReneePwashWith so many changes, especially youth, i wonder if they’ll be ready and have the chemistry by Paris. I’m optimistic though!! #USWNT https://t.co/ZxDqPlpvBm
Paul Carr @PaulCarr#USWNT had scored at least three goals in each of the 17 previous games vs Costa Rica, outscoring Las Ticas 90-2.
Dan Wetzel @DanWetzelCongrats to Alyssa Naeher on the shutout.
Other that that … #USWNT
Summer Korethoski🇨🇦🇺🇦 @SKorethoskiIf it makes USWNT fans feel better… Germany, Spain, and France have also had poor games this international window
Pulp Pimp @PulpPimp#USWNT forwards are too satisfied with near misses. There’s no ruthlessness, there’s no killer mentality. They think those chances come & go. The great ones anguish over every missed chance, b/c they know. This team really needs to find out if Smith & Swanson are winners or not.
Jeff Kassouf @JeffKassoufThe #USWNT plays Costa Rica to a scoreless draw in its Olympics sendoff game. It’s the first time in 18 meetings that the US hasn’t won. These numbers might adjust after but: xG was 2.70 v 0.06 in favor of the US. Lots of factors here, but a difficult night in front of net.
Tammy @DCTamEThe highlights…
We can pass. Passing and possession are both strong.#USWNT
luna @coatlicue_11this team has a lot of work to do😅 #USWNT
E.Lago🇺🇸/🇮🇹 @NiteOwl_84I hate to admit It.. but the @USWNT is hardly a top 10 team now.. getting a draw against a 40+ ranked team is ridiculous! I miss the 2015 team
Coach Billy @billinho8I’m not sure this USWNT can win the Olympic gold medal 🤷🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ #Olympics2024
Adam @DaFonkster87USWNT just got humbled hard. Scoreless draw against the 44th ranked FIFA team.
I do not have much confidence for this team in the Olympics.
Brian Pypiak 💯 @pypdaddyNot a inspiring send off game for the USWNT. Hoping for the best but fearing for the worst.
Caleb Henry @calebhenry830#USWNT looking like they will be grouped. Uninspiring and lacking boldness against a low block won’t get you very far.
Soccer for US @SoccerforUSPodThat’s a pretty frustrating game because it seems like we created a good number of high value chances, but just flubbed it at the end. Not sure how much that has to do with the weather or what. Needs to be cleaner in France. #USWNT
There’s no doubt this United States team has talent, and adjusting to life under a new manager in Hayes—however exciting and prominent her hiring was—was always going to take some time.
But a narrow victory over Mexico and a draw with Costa Rica isn’t going to inspire much confidence heading into the Olympics, with a tough group awaiting. The United States will to deal with Zambia, Germany and Australia to get out of their group, and that’s before the possibility of dealing with powerhouses in the knockout phase of the tournament like France, Canada, Japan, Spain and Brazil.
The USWNT’s bid for a gold medal at the Paris Olympics will begin on Thursday, July 25 against Zambia. There’s plenty to clean up in those nine days.
