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U.S. Down Germany 4-1 in Biggest Test of Emma Hayes Era 🇺🇲🇩🇪

PLUS: Canada docked six points, full Olympic Matchday two roundup

July 29, 2024

It’s July 29th. Give us four minutes, we give you everything The Women’s Game at the Olympics.

Good morning, TWG readers! Another happy Monday as we come off another USWNT Olympic win, this time a 4-1 victory over Germany. We saw our forwards RUN THE SHOW yesterday… Sophia Smith had 2 goals, Mal Swanson had a goal and to top it all off, Lynn Williams subbed on and scored a goal to close the game out. The game was fun to watch and I hope everybody is feeling as optimistic and excited about this team as I am!

Rog and I went live after the game on TWG’s Youtube channel, breaking down all of the goals, all of the leg sleeves, and all of the joy that we witnessed in real time. I spoke about how it felt to watch Lynn score a goal at the Olympics and get the opportunity to share that moment with her family in the crowd… I’m so proud and happy for her. We also enlisted YOUR help in coming up with the best nickname for the USWNT front three… and some ideas were worth sharing! If you missed it live, it’s still available on our Youtube page and as a podcast. 

ii. Big News: I’m preparing to record a pregame podcast with the Australia expert of the Mewis family… my sister, Kristie! We’ll be breaking down what to look for in the USWNT’s final group stage game against Australia. I’m sure we’ll also be goofing around and telling stories from our own experience at the Olympics together, so make sure you tune in to that episode when it drops on Tuesday. After the Australia game, I’m having Kristie back on the Do it Live to break down the game and react with me. I’m so excited — it’s like bring your sister to work week!

Please follow along with us for the rest of this Olympic journey — we’re on IG, X, TikTok, and Threads @womensgamemib. How are you liking our coverage so far? Write me an email and let me know who you’re favorite co-host has been — [email protected].

Thanks for being here and GO USA!

Love,

Sam

I. U.S. down Germany 4-1 in first big test of Emma Hayes era 🇺🇲🇩🇪

Last evening in Marseille, the U.S. Women’s National Team secured a resounding 4-1 win over Germany, officially booking their spot in the Olympics quarter-final. 

a. The fun started in the 11th minute, as 23-year-old Windsor, Colo. striker Sophia Smith netted her first Olympic goal, finishing off a team effort assisted by Trinity Rodman. Eleven minutes later, 25-year-old Bayern Munich talent Giulia Gwinn (who missed last summer’s World Cup with ACL injury) whipped in the equalizer for Die Nationalelf. But Mallory Swanson pounced on goal for the quick response, marking an incredible third goal for her in this Olympics. It’s a remarkable joy (and hugely consequential to the team) to see Swanson back in blistering form after 343 days of injury. Just before the half, Sophia Smith fired in a 44th minute brace, sending the team into the break 3-1. This team once struggled to capitalize on its elite forward talent— but no more. 

b. Things settled in the second half as Germany adjusted, but the U.S. stayed steady. The cool composure of veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher proved pivotal as she notched five key saves (her second-most ever in an Olympic or World Cup match). In the 89th minute, the squad fired home one more goal (BY LYNN!!!) to end the match with incredible emphasis: this Team USA is an elite attacking force. This time it was The Women’s Game podcast co-host and NWSL’s all-time leading goalscorer Lynn Williams who collected her first goal of the ‘24 Olympics and ended the game 4-1. 

c. Alongside reigning World Cup champions La Roja, the U.S. are one of two teams with their quarter-final spot secured. A draw or win against Australia Wednesday night in Marseille keeps them top of Group B, sending them to Paris next. But first: the Matildas. (Wednesday, 1 PM ET, USA, Universo, Peacock). 

🥤 We wouldn’t be able to get through these Olympics without our friends at Olipop who power everything we do here at The Women’s Game. You can use code TWG20 for 20% off your first order at drinkolipop.com/TWG20.

II. Canada Women’s National Team docked six points as spygate continues 🇨🇦

a. Canada Soccer’s illegal spying infringements continue to haunt their women’s football team at the Olympic Games. New reporting indicates “systemic” use of drones to spy on opponents, stretching back years and across multiple competitions. Following investigations, FIFA ruled that women’s team manager Bev Priestman and two staff members would be banned from the sport for two years. The Canadian Women’s National Team was docked six points as they compete in Group A of the Paris Olympics. Members of Canada’s gold medal winning squad have profusely denied any awareness or complicity surrounding the years-long practice, including retired program veterans Christine Sinclair and goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé. With more information unfolding daily, so many questions remain, regarding who knew what and when. And with so many people involved, one must wonder how this stayed secret for so long?

Canada has since moved to appeal their six points deduction in this summer's Olympics, though not the other aspects of FIFA's decision. A decision is expected this Wednesday.

b. With a difficult path ahead of them, Canada clinched an emotional win against hosts France Sunday evening to mark two wins in two games. After trailing at the half thanks to PSG striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s third goal of the tournament (matching Swanson and Banda in the golden boot race), Portland Thorns midfielder Jessie Fleming brought the team back level. And a 112th minute goal from Lyon center back Vanessa Gilles sealed a remarkable comeback victory to keep Canada’s Olympic hopes alive. After the game, Gilles spoke from the heart about the toll the scandal has had on the reigning gold medalists, speaking at length about the character of the team: “We’re not cheaters. We’re damn good players.”

III. Women’s Olympic Footy Matchday 2: Late goals clinch wins for Spain, Australia, Japan 🇨🇦🇫🇷🇧🇷🇯🇵🇪🇸🇳🇬🇦🇺🇿🇲🇳🇿🇨🇴

a. Australia 6 - 5 Zambia 🇦🇺🇿🇲

In a match rife with unbridled chaos and a ridiculous number of goals, the Matildas clawed back from a deep deficit to defeat the Copper Queens 6-5. Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda opened the scoring in the first minute of play for Zambia, notching a remarkable third hat-trick in five Olympic games (2020 & 2024) as the Copper Queens hammered in the goals. But despite trailing 4-2 at halftime, the Matildas came from behind to clinch the must-win game. 35-year-old Aussie striker Michelle Heyman, who previously retired from international football citing the emotional and physical toll of the game, subbed in to help fire Australia to victory, and scored the 90th minute, game-winning goal. 

b. Brazil 1 - 2 Japan 🇧🇷🇯🇵

Marta, the Brazilian GOAT now playing in her final international tournament, put up another immense performance alongside her deeply skilled team, as she helped set up Jhennifer’s goal to give Las Canarinhas the 1-0 lead against Japan. But the tactically exquisite Nadashiko Japan can never be ruled out, as they came from behind at the death to score two goals in stoppage time for the win. While the equalizer came from the penalty spot, Momoko Tanikawa lofted home this goal of the tournament worthy golazo for the 2-1 win. 

c. Spain 1 - 0 Nigeria 🇪🇸🇳🇬

Nigeria’s nine-time WAFCON-winning Super Falcons have found themselves in the “group of death” for the second major tournament in a row this summer, and showed up with an incredible performance against the presumed tournament favorites last night. The Super Falcons, led by Irving, Texas native Randy Waldrum, showed incredible organization and execution as they held off the reigning World Cup champions for 85 minutes of play. But two-time Ballon d’Or winning Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas sent home an outrageous free kick goal to seal victory for La Roja, who sealed a spot in the quarter-final with the win. 

d. New Zealand 0 - 2 Colombia 🇳🇿🇨🇴

Las Cafeteras are first place in Group A ahead of hosts France (with help from Canada’s points deduction) after defeating New Zealand’s Football Ferns 2-0. Both goals from Colombia evinced their class, starting with Marcela Restrepo’s sweet strike and finishing with Catalina Usme’s dummy to Leicy Santos’ finish. Next up, Las Cafeteras face Canada (who reside in third-place despite a perfect tournament record) for what promises to be a riveting match. 

IV. News and Notes 📰🗞️

a. In the U.S., Gotham teenager McKenna Whitham made NWSL history as she appeared for the reigning NWSL champions just one week after her 14th birthday. Whitham is now the youngest player to ever appear for a top-flight U.S. soccer team. Whitham had to obtain a special permit to play, in light of New Jersey regulation prohibiting minors from working past 7 p.m. 🗽

b. As the inaugural Summer Cup continues (a new tournament pitting 6 Liga MX Femenil teams against all 14 NWSL clubs), Liga MX Femenil has picked up multiple wins over their U.S. based opponents. Across six NWSL vs Liga MX Femenil clashes over the weekend, three Mexico-based teams came out the victor: Guadalajara beat Chicago Red Stars 1-0, Club América beat San Diego Wave 2-0, and Tijuana beat Seattle Reign 3-2. 🇺🇲🇲🇽

c. More international talents are moving to NWSL. The latest to move across the Atlantic includes 29-year-old Brazilian forward Ludmila, who is moving to the Chicago Red Stars after seven seasons with Atletico Madrid, and 26-year-old England defender Jess Carter, who is moving to Gotham after winning five WSL titles over the course of six seasons with Chelsea.”.

Join The Gist’s Women's Summer Soccer Bracket Challenge ⚽

Why let college hoops have all the fun? The GIST is launching its first-ever bracket challenge as the top women's soccer players compete on the world stage — so you can have some skin in the game.

It's not just a gold medal on the line — it’s your chance to enter for a chance to win cash prizes with your picks. Once eight teams advance out of the group stage, pick your winners for the quarter-finals, semifinals, and gold medal match. You can enter up to three brackets — but make sure you fill them out completely before the deadline.

The deadline to submit a bracket is Saturday, August 3 at 2:59 p.m. ET, before the first quarter-final match begins. Join so many — including some The Women’s Game members 👀 — in the challenge.

V. Parting Shots 🥃

The U.S. Women’s National Team watched on from Marseille, but that didn’t stop them from celebrating in serious style as the Paris Olympics officially kicked off. Rocking the Team USA blazers, the class photo and forward line fashion shoot was a Marseille-based success. 

VI. Good Reads 📚

SUMMER OF SOCCER ROLLS ON

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