PARIS (Aug. 3, 2024) – Forward
In Paris, finally returning to the Olympic host city after playing the group stage in southern France, the U.S. was stymied for over 105 minutes by a resolute Japanese team that defended in a low block with remarkable discipline. However, just before the first half of extra time ended, Rodman delivered the breakthrough, propelling the fifth-ranked Americans into the Aug. 6 semifinal in Lyon, where they will face either Germany or Canada. This victory marks the USWNT’s seventh appearance in the final four in eight Olympi
Rodman’s game-winning goal, scored in the dying moments of the first extra-time period, is the latest Olympic goal for the USWNT since Alex Morgan’s dramatic strike against Canada in the 120+3 minute of t
Under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Emma Hayes, the U.S. has now started an Olympic campaign with four straight wins for only the second time, the first being in 2012 when they ultimately defeated Japan for the gold medal. The USA-Japan matchup has become a recurring fixture in the knockout stages of major tournaments, with this being their seventh elimination encounter in either a Women’s World Cup or the Olympics—the most frequent knockout-stage fixture in the history of t
The U.S. now holds a commanding 32W-1L-8D record against Japan, having emerged victorious in six of those seven elimination games. However, the one defeat—the unforgettable 2011 Women’s World Cup Final—along with Japan’s consistent challenge, has created a rivalry that feels far closer on the field than it does on paper. This dynamic was evident once again at the Parc des Princes, where the seventh-ranked Nadeshiko came close to frustrating an American attack that had scored nine goals across three group-stage matches.
Hayes made a single change to the lineup that defeated Australia in the Group B finale, bringing Korbin Albert into midfield in place of the suspended Sam Coffey, who missed the match due to yellow card accumulation. Coffey was one of three Americans, along with goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and center-back Naomi Girma, who had played every minute of the group stage. Center-back Tierna Davidson was also sidelined for the second consecutive match due to a leg contusion, with Emily Sonnett once again stepping in admirably beside Girma.
The rest of the squad remained unchanged as Hayes emphasized maintaining momentum and chemistry, crucial in the USA’s fourth match in just 10 days and her eighth game as head coach. These elements proved vital as Japan, the Group C runner-up, adopted a more defensive approach than usual, forcing the Americans to try and break down their compact 5-2-3 defensive formation. The U.S. dominated possession, holding the ball for nearly 80% of the first half-hour, but the Nadeshiko were committed to testing the USA’s patience and limiting opportunities for attacking plays down the flanks or through the middle.
The U.S. finally had a clear sight of the Japanese goal in the 30th minute. A flick-on from captain Lindsey Horan sent forward Sophia Smith clear on the right, but her shot from a tight angle missed the target. Japan responded five minutes later with their first shot on goal, as new Utah Royals signing Mina Tanaka turned sharply on Horan and sent a low effort towards Naeher, who made a comfortable save. As the first half drew to a close, both Miyabi Moriya and Rose Lavelle had opportunities, but Moriya’s shot went high while Lavelle’s attempt was easily saved.
The stalemate persisted after halftime, with Japan gradually taking more risks going forward, although Mallory Swanson came close with a curling shot in the 63rd minute. Japan’s numerical advantage in midfield posed potential problems for the U.S. on turnovers, but Albert, Horan, and Lavelle rarely relinquished control. Yui Hasegawa, orchestrating several dangerous Japanese counterattacks, sent a powerful shot just over the crossbar in the 80th minute. The U.S. then had their best attacking spell during stoppage time, but Japan’s defense held firm, preventing any breakthrough.
For the third consecutive Olympic quarterfinal, the USA entered extra time. The previous two, against Sweden in 2016 and the Netherlands in 2021, had both ended in penalty shootouts. To avoid a repeat scenario, Hayes made her first substitution of the match, bringing on forward Lynn Williams for Swanson. Smith nearly gave the U.S. the lead in the 97th minute, dispossessing defender Moeka Minami and racing towards goal, but Japan’s goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita was quick off her line to smother the shot.
As the first period of extra time entered stoppage time, Girma attempted a different approach with a long, angled pass over the top—a strategy that had been missing until then. Her ball into the right corner was well-contested by Rodman, though her initial cross failed to find a teammate. Recognizing the potential of this approach, Dunn tried a similar pass moments later from the center circle. This time, Rodman controlled the ball expertly, sprinted into the box, and cut back against Hikaru Kitagawa before unleashing a perfect left-footed shot that flew past the outstretched Yamashita and into the upper-left corner of the net.
Rodman’s strike was her third goal of the tournament, following goals against Zambia and Australia. Despite not scoring in her previous 12 USWNT appearances earlier in the year, she has been in red-hot form during her first-ever Olympics. Additionally, Rodman provided an assist for Smith’s opening goal against Germany, contributing to a goal in each of the USA’s four Olympic matches so far.
Naeher’s clean sheet was her second of the tournament and her 10th in 20 career Olympic or Women’s World Cup appearances.
The upcoming semifinal will take place at Stade de Lyon, a stadium rich with history for the USWNT. It was the site of their 2019 Women’s World Cup Semifinal win against England and their subsequent victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup Final. Seven players from the current Olympic squad were part of that World Cup-winning roster. The venue is also home turf for Horan, who joined Lyon in 2022 and has since won two French league titles and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Group B runner-up Germany and Group A runner-up Canada are set to play later on Saturday in Marseille, with the winner facing the U.S. in Lyon.
Regardless of the semifinal outcome on Aug. 6, the U.S. will continue its Olympic journey. A defeat would see them compete in the bronze medal match on Aug. 9, while a victory would bring them back to the Parc des Princes for the gold medal game on Aug. 10—forever etched in memory as the site of Rodman’s iconic goal.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
USA — Trinity Rodman (Crystal Dunn), 105+2nd minute: A beautifully executed long-range pass from Dunn found Rodman in the right corner, and the in-form forward did the rest. Rodman dribbled past Hikaru Kitagawa and unleashed a left-footed shot that soared into the upper left corner of the net. USA 1, JPN 0 FINAL
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- The U.S. advances to the Olympic semifinals for the seventh time in eight Olympic appearances, marking the 15th time in 17 total world championship appearances that they have reached the semifinals, with the exceptions being the 2016 Olympics and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- The USWNT improves to 32W-1L-8D against Japan, including an 8W-0L-1D record in world championship events.
- The U.S. has now won all five of its Olympic meetings against Japan, its most wins against any single opponent at the Olympic Games.
- The USWNT has won 12 consecutive matches in France, dating back to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, marking their longest winning streak in any country outside the United States.
- This marks the second time that the USA and Japan have gone into extra time, with the first being the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, which Japan won on penalties.
- This was the USA’s 10th extra-time match at the Olympics and their first since the 2020 quarterfinal against the Netherlands, which they advanced from 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw through regulation and extra time.
- The USA now holds a 7W-1L-2D record in extra-time matches at the Olympics.
- This is the first time the U.S. has kept a clean sheet in the knockout rounds of the Olympics since shutting out New Zealand 2-0 in the 2012 quarterfinals.
- With midfielder Sam Coffey suspended due to yellow card accumulation, Korbin Albert made her first start of the Olympics. The 20-year-old Albert became the third-youngest player to start for the USWNT at the Olympics, trailing only Mallory Swanson (18 years old at Rio 2016) and Tiffany Roberts (19 years old at Atlanta 1996), and the youngest to start for the USA at a world championship since 20-year-old Tierna Davidson started and tallied two assists against Chile at the Parc des Princes during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage.
