GLASGOW, Scotland – The first two shots Hope Solo faced on Wednesday found the back of the net, and the match, much like the Olympics, had barely started.
“We weren’t fazed at all,” Solo said of allowing two goals in 14 minutes. “We were ice cold. We knew France was good but we know we’re better.”
Call it confidence with a dash of arrogance, but the fact is that once the United States spotted France a two-goal lead, the world’s top-ranked women’s soccer team and its world-class goalkeeper played as if they had the French right where they wanted them.
“We weren’t stressed out at all,” Abby Wambach said. “We knew there was a lot of time.”
The U.S. women, vying for their third straight Olympic gold, rallied from the disastrous start with four unanswered goals to win their opening match, 4-2, on a mild afternoon at iconic Hampden Park. Alex Morgan, the made-for-Madison-Avenue striker, scored two goals, and Wambach netted the team’s first.
But the game-winner was produced by midfielder Carli Lloyd, the hero of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, who is adjusting to her new role as a substitute. Lloyd’s powerful right-footed shot in the 56th minute gave the U.S. the lead for good and ended France’s 17-match unbeaten streak.
“We weren’t fazed at all,” Solo said of allowing two goals in 14 minutes. “We were ice cold. We knew France was good but we know we’re better.”
Call it confidence with a dash of arrogance, but the fact is that once the United States spotted France a two-goal lead, the world’s top-ranked women’s soccer team and its world-class goalkeeper played as if they had the French right where they wanted them.
“We weren’t stressed out at all,” Abby Wambach said. “We knew there was a lot of time.”
The U.S. women, vying for their third straight Olympic gold, rallied from the disastrous start with four unanswered goals to win their opening match, 4-2, on a mild afternoon at iconic Hampden Park. Alex Morgan, the made-for-Madison-Avenue striker, scored two goals, and Wambach netted the team’s first.
But the game-winner was produced by midfielder Carli Lloyd, the hero of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, who is adjusting to her new role as a substitute. Lloyd’s powerful right-footed shot in the 56th minute gave the U.S. the lead for good and ended France’s 17-match unbeaten streak.
In 2008, Lloyd used her left foot to beat Brazil in overtime for the gold medal. She had been a regular starter in center midfield and even played all 120 minutes in last summer’s World Cup final loss to Japan. But in three matches leading up to the Olympics, Lloyd was not in Pia Sundhage’s starting 11, and on Wednesday, the coach featured Shannon Boxx and Lauren Cheney in the area.
Lloyd, however, impressed the staff and her teammates by not sulking over the demotion. Instead, she’s made it a point to stay ready and in the 17th minute Lloyd was called to replace Boxx, who suffered a hamstring injury with the team trailing 2-0. Over the next 49 minutes, the U.S. scored four goals. “She changed the game,” Sundhage said. “She didn’t start the game but she finished the game.”
With Lloyd on the bench, France scored twice in the span of two minutes. Gaetane Thiney opened with a thunderous strike from 30 yards, and Marie-Laure Delie made it 2-0 from close range after the U.S. had three chances to clear the ball from danger and failed to do so.
Wambach immediately called her teammates in for a quick pep talk that probably included something along the lines of “just pass me the ball in the air.” No one in the history of the women’s game has been better at heading the ball than Wambach, who added to her goal count by heading home Megan Rapinoe’s corner kick in the 19th minute. Thirteen minutes later, Solo aimed a 60-yard free kick that was intended for Wambach but appeared to deflect off Wendie Renard’s back. The ball found Morgan’s feet, and in her first-ever Olympic game, she easily beat Sarah Bouhaddi. France’s two-goal advantage was now history.
“I was really pumped up,” Lloyd said. “When the whistle blew at halftime I said, ‘Is that it?’ I wanted to keep going.”
The French, with star midfielder Louisa Necib replaced at halftime, were neither creative nor dangerous after intermission. The U.S. began to control play and was rewarded when Lloyd struck from 23 yards out. She punctuated her goal with by sliding on both knees near the U.S. bench.
“I wanted to show the bench some love,” Lloyd joked.
Ten minutes later, a defensive error sent Tobin Heath alone down the left flank, and her pass was tapped in by an unmarked Morgan at the back post.
“We were a little shaky in the beginning,” Sundhage said. “But I think it’s amazing the way we responded.”
Lloyd, however, impressed the staff and her teammates by not sulking over the demotion. Instead, she’s made it a point to stay ready and in the 17th minute Lloyd was called to replace Boxx, who suffered a hamstring injury with the team trailing 2-0. Over the next 49 minutes, the U.S. scored four goals. “She changed the game,” Sundhage said. “She didn’t start the game but she finished the game.”
With Lloyd on the bench, France scored twice in the span of two minutes. Gaetane Thiney opened with a thunderous strike from 30 yards, and Marie-Laure Delie made it 2-0 from close range after the U.S. had three chances to clear the ball from danger and failed to do so.
Wambach immediately called her teammates in for a quick pep talk that probably included something along the lines of “just pass me the ball in the air.” No one in the history of the women’s game has been better at heading the ball than Wambach, who added to her goal count by heading home Megan Rapinoe’s corner kick in the 19th minute. Thirteen minutes later, Solo aimed a 60-yard free kick that was intended for Wambach but appeared to deflect off Wendie Renard’s back. The ball found Morgan’s feet, and in her first-ever Olympic game, she easily beat Sarah Bouhaddi. France’s two-goal advantage was now history.
“I was really pumped up,” Lloyd said. “When the whistle blew at halftime I said, ‘Is that it?’ I wanted to keep going.”
The French, with star midfielder Louisa Necib replaced at halftime, were neither creative nor dangerous after intermission. The U.S. began to control play and was rewarded when Lloyd struck from 23 yards out. She punctuated her goal with by sliding on both knees near the U.S. bench.
“I wanted to show the bench some love,” Lloyd joked.
Ten minutes later, a defensive error sent Tobin Heath alone down the left flank, and her pass was tapped in by an unmarked Morgan at the back post.
“We were a little shaky in the beginning,” Sundhage said. “But I think it’s amazing the way we responded.”
