United States Women’s Soccer Team Draws Against Costa Rica in Pre-Olympic FarewellUnited States Women’s Soccer Team Draws Against Costa Rica in Pre-Olympic Farewell In their final match before the Olympic Games in Paris, the United States women’s national soccer team played to a scoreless draw against Costa Rica on Tuesday. Despite the draw, US captain Lindsey Horan expressed optimism about their chances in France. “We wish we had won,” she said, “but we’re going to go out there and do our thing at the Olympics. This team is amazing.” Costa Rica’s goalkeeper, Noelia Bermudez, and a resilient defense frustrated the US team throughout the match. Bermudez made 12 saves, including all 16 corner kicks. “You need a lot of patience to play against a low block,” said US midfielder Sophia Smith. “It was definitely a challenge for us, but it was a good test because that’s what we’re going to face at the Olympics.” For new coach Emma Hayes, the draw highlighted the areas her team needs to improve on before competing for gold. “That was a big message from Emma at the end of the game: don’t be frustrated,” said Smith. “We wanted a result, but these games are preparation for something bigger.” The US women will begin their Olympic Group B campaign against Zambia in Nice on July 25, followed by matches against Germany and Australia in Marseille. “I think it’s going to be great,” said Smith. “I’m so excited to go with this group. We have a lot of potential and good things in store.” The United States has won four Olympic titles in women’s soccer: in 1996, 2004, 2008, and 2012.
United States vs Costa Rica © Gallo Images
Costa Rica played to a scoreless draw against the United States women’s national team on Tuesday in the Americans’ farewell match ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris.
US captain Lindsey Horan told a crowd of nearly 19,000 that despite the draw, they were not afraid of their chances in France.
“We wish we had won,” she said. “But we’re going to go out there and do our thing at the Olympics. This team is amazing. We’re going to represent this country so well and we’re going to do everything we can to get back a gold medal.”
Costa Rican goalkeeper Noelia Bermudez and a strong defense frustrated the patient U.S. team and gave the Ticas a draw after losing their first 17 games against the Americans.
The U.S. women defeated Costa Rica 26-2, with Bermudez forcing 12 stops and taking all 16 corner kicks in the game.
“You need a lot of patience to play against a low block. Costa Rica did a really good job,” said U.S. midfielder Sophia Smith. “It was definitely a challenge for us, but it was a good test because that’s what we’re going to face at the Olympics.
“I know we can create chances. We’ve created I don’t know how many chances tonight. It’s about getting one in the net, whatever that looks like. That will come.”
While it was a disappointment for new coach Emma Hayes and her U.S. team against a defensive-minded squad, it showed the Americans what they need to do before they compete for gold in France next week.
“That was a big message from Emma at the end of the game: don’t be frustrated,” Smith said. “We wanted a result, but these games are preparation for something bigger.
“We have to peak when we have to peak and that is at the beginning of the Olympics. We are calm about it. We are not frustrated. We trust the process. We know that things will go our way when we need them to.”
The U.S. women begin their Olympic Group B matches against Zambia in Nice on July 25, then play group matches against Germany and Australia in Marseille.
“I think it’s going to be great,” Smith said. “I’m so excited to go with this group. I’m excited to get the ball rolling in France. This group has a lot of potential and good things in store.”
The United States has won four Olympic titles in women’s soccer: in 1996 on home soil and three in a row in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
American midfielder Rose Lavelle, who helped win the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, was pulled from the game at the last minute with a leg injury. Korbin Albert replaced her in the U.S. starting lineup.
HAYES: ‘GOOD PROGRESS’
The Americans have won three times and drawn once without conceding a goal under Englishman Hayes.
“I think we’ve made some good, nice progress,” Hayes said. “When you take over a team and you have to implement quite a bit, they’ve adapted really well to those ideas.
“We go into the Olympics with an idea of what we want to do most, but now we’re starting to make some adjustments to it.”
Smith and Mallory Swanson were both denied a chance by Bermudez early in the game, while Trinity Rodman was sidelined for another U.S. chance.
Bermudez and Rodman clashed when the keeper denied Horan in the 24th minute. Bermudez also collected a header from Horan in the 40th minute and thwarted Smith just before halftime.
Bermudez wasted a chance from Smith in the 49th minute and in the 50th minute he saved a shot from Horan to keep Las Ticas level.
Horan hit the net in the 55th minute, but the flag went up for offside.
Bermudez managed to block a pass from Rodman in extra time and Horan headed the ball over the bar in the final seconds.
