Alyssa Thompson, who did not compete in the Olympics this summer, scored the opening goal in the 39th minute. This was the 19-year-old’s tenth cap, but she scored her first international goal, and it was stunning. Then, Jaedyn Shaw, also 19, scored the winning goal by nutmegging Iceland’s goalkeeper late in the second half, giving the United States a 2-1 lead. Sophia Smith, a member of the now-famous Triple Espresso front line, scored a third goal for good measure.
Before the scoring frenzy in the last few minutes of the game, the United States struggled to be clinical in front of goal. There were numerous missed opportunities in the box, and the team was perhaps not as unified as manager Emma Hayes would have preferred. However, there are two more opportunities in this window, with the USWNT facing Iceland again on Sunday and Argentina on Wednesday.
“We haven’t played together since the Olympics,” stated Hayes. “I believed we looked like a squad with players nearing the end of the season. I loved our short passing game; I think we did well. However, the final pass into the final third of the first half was insufficient. And I believe we didn’t switch the ball quickly enough when there were spaces on the outside, which we discussed at halftime. It is up to us to provide urgency to the game. And I think the players who came off the bench did that.”
Hayes also stated that the “quality in front of goal” changed in the second half after she made substitutes, with Shaw and Smith coming off the bench and instantly transforming the game.
Additionally, as promised, there were several debuts. Hayes was able to substitute Gotham FC attacker Yazmeen Ryan in the 66th minute and midfielder Hal Hershfelt in the 72nd. Hershfelt had previously attended training camps and served as an alternate at the Olympics, whilst Ryan was given his first call-up and cap.
Play of the game:
For most of the first half, the United States’ boxing efficiency was insufficient. That was until the 39th minute, when Thompson fired a rocket strike into the top netting to give her team a 1-0 lead before halftime. The teenager received the ball just outside the box, faced her defender head-on, cut inside, and fired an unstoppable strike. This was her first international goal.
Thompson has not played for the national squad in quite some time. She was named to the 2023 World Cup roster, however, she hasn’t been with the squad in the last 10 months owing to form. She has earned her way back, however, and came into this training camp having scored five goals in her last eight NWSL games for Angel City.
“I’ve been watching her since before the Olympics,” Hayes remarked about Thompson. “I know she’s committed to improving her game. I think you can see how dangerous she is. I mean, it is not an easy goal to chop in from the left side and move it into the top corner, but she is someone whose international career began at a young age, which is why I believe it takes time. Perhaps she wasn’t prepared before.
“But I could see from tonight’s performance, that she offers a lot for us going forward and is super pleased with her goal and performance.”
Thompson rushed up to Smith, whom she considers a big sister, and jumped into her arms on the sideline as the rest of the squad celebrated.
“I just froze because that has been a dream of mine for so long, and I couldn’t think of a better way to score,” Thompson told the crowd. “I have also been working on that shot for quite some time. And in club, I get to those spots a lot, so having those reps and whatnot has been beneficial.”
Turning Point:
In the 56th minute, Selma Magnúsdóttir’s long-range shot beat Alyssa Naeher to level for Iceland. However, that scoreline would not stay.
In the 84th minute, Shaw received a precise ball from Casey Krueger, took on her defender with some beautiful footwork, and pushed the game-winning goal through Iceland’s goalkeeper’s legs to put the USWNT up 2-1. Shaw did not have the Olympics she had hoped for, as she spent the entire time on the sideline due to a lower-body injury. She redeemed herself in her first match back with the national team on Thursday, scoring her sixth goal of the year.
“Every single [person] in our locker room is over the moon for Jaedyn Shaw knowing what she experienced in the summer,” Hayes told the media. “Her ability to create and score goals is second to none in this country.”
Hayes also stated that the end of the NWSL season comes at an inconvenient moment for Shaw, who is working to regain her form following an injury that interrupted her summer plans.
“But she’s a unique talent,” Hayes added. “And her feet are unique in those areas.” I don’t know very many players who can do what she does. I believe she simply needs to keep working on her game, staying healthy, and building on what has been a fairly successful year for Jaedyn. At the international level, she is demonstrating her prolificacy. It’s amazing to see the depth in our roster at the top levels.”
Smith scored his third goal from the top of the box in the 89th minute to increase the lead.
“Soph is a top player,” Hayes stated. “When she came into the game, you could immediately see how she held the ball, turned the defender, and could peel off out wide.
“Soph is becoming the prolific striker I see her to be. And with the few chances she had, she delivered into the bottom corner.
Smith, who entered the game in the 72nd minute, has been suffering with an ankle issue since the Olympics and is gradually regaining playing time. Hayes stated that Smith will most likely be used “sparingly” in the next two games, possibly only off the bench. Normally, the uber-competitive forward would struggle with such a decision, but she understands and, to be honest, agrees.
“It’s just as important role to come off the bench and change the game,” Smith told the media. “And I took advantage of that.”
