After the U.S. women’s national soccer team cruised to a victory over Zambia in its Olympics opener, the competition amps up in Sunday’s matchup against Germany.
The Americans dominated Zambia in a 3-0 win on Thursday behind a pair of goals from Mallory Swanson and another from Trinity Rodman. The Germans are coming off a similarly one-sided victory, 3-0, over Australia.
It seems clear these are the best two teams in Group B, which means the winner of Sunday’s matchup will be in great shape to win the group.
How to watch USWNT vs. Germany
Time: Sunday, July 28 at 3 p.m. ET
Location: Marseille Stadium, Marseille, France
Channel: USA Network, Telemundo, Peacock
Live22 updates
Another corner kick opportunity for the U.S. comes and goes without a goal. Although the USWNT hasn’t conceded any corners yet, the team has already had five corner kicks in this game, but hasn’t been able to convert on those set piece opportunities.
The second half has begun! The U.S. will try to add some more cushion to their score, and keep the Germans from adding goals of their own.
Mind-blowing stat of the day: In just a game and a half, the U.S. has now scored six goals in the Olympics so far, which is more than the team scored in the entire 2023 World Cup, where they scored four goals over four games.
The USWNT has largely controlled possession, holding the ball just under 65% of the game so far. The U.S. also has more shots — 9, plus 6 on goal — than Germany, who shot 7 times with 5 on target. But the Germans have been catching up, making more shots and controlling more possession towards the end of the half.
The U.S. will have to regain some of the control and momentum to keep up this winning pace — still, a 3-1 lead is a great start to this game.
Mal Swanson keeps making history, with three goals in two Olympic games marking a U.S. milstone.
Three goals for the U.S. in the first half, and this is exactly what Emma Hayes — and the fans — hoped for from the Smith-Swanson-Rodman front line. The USWNT’s golden trio has played great together, making incredible runs and setting up great opportunities for each other.
Another close one from Germany, as forward Sjoeke Nusken just misses the cross in stoppage time. But the U.S. hold the score heading into halftime.
Smith scores again to make it 3-1
Another goal from Sophia Smith! Smith’s shot hits the post and bounces just past Berger to go in. A perfect deflection to give Smith an early brace, and a strong 3-1 lead for the USWNT in the 44th minute
Tierna Davidson spins around a German player, but immediately gets tackled by another, with their knees knocking. Davidson is sitting up, but still on the ground; she’s getting attended to by medical staff.
Emily Sonnett is on the sideline to sub in for Davidson, who has been helped to the sideline and will not continue in this game.
Naeher with a shaky save, but she’s able to keep her hands on it and keep Germany from equalizing again.
Mallory Swanson gets the rebound to make it 2-1
Well that didn’t last long! Sophia Smith’s shot is saved by Berger, but Swanson follows up to score her third goal in the Olympics so far. The U.S. have regained the lead; this one may go back and forth a bit.
German captain Alexandra Popp is fouled in the progress of Germany’s goal, and USA’s Sam Coffey gets a yellow card as a result. She’ll have to watch herself slightly for the rest of the game.
Germany evens the score at 1-1
German defender Giulia Gwinn scores an incredible goal from distance in the 21st minute that Naeher is unable to stop. It’s the first goal conceded by the U.S. in the Emma Hayes era, and it slows the Americans’ brief burst of momentum.
The U.S. gets in another shot off of a Rose Lavelle pass, but it hits German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger in the face and gives the U.S. a corner kick, which ends up being unsuccessful. After getting run around for the first ten minutes of this game, Smith’s goal has certainly turned the tide, and given Team USA a much needed confidence boost.
Goal! Sophia Smith gets in the first goal for the U.S. to put the team up 1-0 after 10 minutes
An incredible sequence — a beautiful pass from Trinity Rodman, a backheel run from Mal Swanson and a perfect finish from Smith — gives the U.S. the early lead.
An early close call for the U.S., as Germany takes a shot and Alyssa Naeher isn’t able to immediately get it under control. Defender Tierna Davidson is able to clear it out of the box, but not before some chaos threatens to give Germany an early lead.
Jaedyn Shaw, the dynamic 19-year-old forward, is still out with a leg injury. Croix Bethune, who came to the Olympics as an alternate, is on the bench in Shaw’s place.
And we’re off! A must-win game for both teams to ensure advancement out of the group stage.
Sophia Smith, who left the match against Zambia early with an injury, is back in Sunday’s lineup and was all smiles ahead of the game.
It’s two-time World Cup winner and legendary USWNT defender Ali Krieger’s birthday today — and she’s sending her support to the U.S. as they take on Germany.
“It’s a MUST WIN today,” Krieger said on social media, in response to birthday wishes from the team.
