USWNT blanks Vietnam to win World Cup opener
The U.S. women’s national team’s FIFA World Cup title defense began with an opening three points in Group E play at Eden Park.
Sophia Smith registered a twosome and widow one squire in her World Cup debut while co-captain Lindsey Horan widow a second-half goal in a 3-0 victory over Vietnam in Auckland, New Zealand. It was a confident performance from the Americans, who did not concede a single shot to the Vietnamese through 90 minutes.
Smith delivered the transilience goal for the USWNT in the 13th minute without a smooth finish in the box. Alex Morgan’s one-time pass unliable Smith to race overdue the Vietnam backline surpassing drilling a low shot lanugo the middle of the net.
.@Sophsssmith breaks through early and we’re on the board!!!!!
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 22, 2023
» @FOXSoccer pic.twitter.com/BXhPMBISay
The USWNT had a unconfined opportunity to double its lead surpassing halftime without VAR ruled in favor of a penalty kick opportunity. Trinity Rodman was tripped in the Vietnam box, permitting Morgan to step up and test her luck from the penalty spot.
However Trần Thị Kim Thanh dove to her right and denied Morgan for only the third time out of 18 career penalty kick attempts.
Tran Thi Kim Thanh denies Alex Morgan from the spot!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023pic.twitter.com/a2OMPwinwb
Smith would double her tally and the USWNT’s lead though surpassing halftime without her low shot snuck past Kim Thanh and into the when of the net. Morgan originally was whistled for offsides, but VAR overturned the visualization and Smith delivered for a 2-0 lead.
The @USWNT leads 2-0 over Vietnam as we enter the half at Eden Park
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023pic.twitter.com/zOj77Xh25K
The USWNT kept its foot on the gas in the second half and Smith widow to her impressive World Cup debut with an squire for a 3-0 lead. Smith snuck overdue the Vietnam backline surpassing playing a pass when to Lindsey Horan.
Horan made no mistake by stroking into an empty net for her first goal of the tournament.
A total of seven USWNT players earned their first-ever World Cup minutes in the match, earning valuable wits in the shutout win. Megan Rapinoe, Alyssa Thompson, and Rose Lavelle were among the second half substitutions made by Vlatko Andonovski.
The USWNT will next squatter the Netherlands on July 26 in a rematch of the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final.
