VietnamVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 July 2023 | 2:00 am | Women's World Cup | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Sophia Smith marked her Women’s World Cup appearance by netting two first half goals, before assisting the third converted by Lindsey Horan, as the USA recorded their opening win. Smith slotted home in the 14th minute after a terrific pass by Alex Morgan, she then found the net at the end of the half, after a lengthy VAR decision that was given, while Alex Morgan had a penalty saved minutes earlier, from another VAR decision. Horan wrapped up the tie, on a night where Megan Rapinoe made 200 Appearances for the USA, she joined Rose Lavelle in making their way onto the field late in the second half, giving them minutes to build on. A game where the USA never let their opponents have a chance at goal, they were a little wayward the reigning champions, will look to fix that ahead of meeting Portugal and the Netherlands. From the off the United States looked a side playing with confidence, attacking well Alex Morgan had a shot blocked, before Andi Sullivan shot over the bar, Kim Thanh then made a great save to deny Lindsey Horan, but the flag was up to give a free kick for Vietnam. After applying early pressure and looking dangerous, on the 14th minute mark, the USA took the lead, Horan with a beautiful long pass, Alex Morgan played a lovely back heel pass for Smith to race in on, she hit a low left footed effort across the keeper to the right hand bottom corner for the lead. It was constant pressure from the USA, on the half hour mark Morgan had two great chances, played it her first effort went wide of the goal, the second was almost the doubler, but the flag was up despite again the keeper saving well. Trinity Rodman went down inside the area in the 42nd minute, the referee initially was not looking at it, but was consulted to check VAR after a lengthy deliberation, the referee pointed to the spot, but Morgan’s effort down the middle of the goal was saved by the legs of Kim Thanh. That set us up for eight minutes of stoppage time, right at the death of that however, Thanh punched a cross to the path of Smith, she fired home, the flag was up for an office in the build up, but after VAR review and using the tech on offer, the referee would give Smith her second goal, the US ahead 2-0 at the break. Within 10 seconds of the second half Smith almost had her hat trick but missed the target, countless chances followed, Eretz headed a corner toward goal but it rose and was well over, then Rodman crossed to the box after a lovely bit of build up by the USA, but Horan's volley was wide. 63 minutes in Rapinoe and Lavelle both made their way into the field, four minutes later Horan had a further chance to score, then from the keeper saving the danger, Rapinoe crossed to the area, Emily Fox gathered and did well to set herself, but it went over the bar. The USA made it three after 77 minutes, again a combination of sublime passes, Ertz with a long ball for Smith to gather, she was racing down the right wing, a cut back inside toward the penalty spot allowed Horan to strike home to an empty net. That as they say was that, a game of total domination from the USA, so many chances, they will feel they should have scored more goals, but for now will have to look ahead to the remainder of the group stage.USA Prevail In Commanding Performance Over Vietnam
Timeline
Ground
| Eden Park |
|---|
| Eden Park, Cricket Avenue, Kingsland, Albert-Eden, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand |
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.
Horan crosses for Lavelle at the back post, but her header goes over the bar
Nine minutes added time
The USA make it three, again a combination of sublime passes, Ertz with a long ball for Smith to gather, she finds Smith racing down the right wing, a cut back inside toward the penalty spot allows Horan to strike home to an empty net.
Alyssa Thompson replaces Rodman, another 18 year old making their mark at the World Cup
Lavelle and Rapinoe link up but the latter goes for goal and strikes over the bar
Horan has a chance to score, then from the keeper saving the danger, Rapinoe crosses to the area, Emily Fox gathered and did well to set herself, but it went over the bar
Big change from the USA as Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle replace Morgan and Savannah DeMelo
Nguyen Thi My Anh and Chuong Thi Kieu replace Bich Tuyh and Luong Thi Thu Thuong
First card of the game goes to Lindsey Horan
Kim Thanh is having a great game, she fists a corner out for yes another corner, but claims another cross to stop the danger
Rodman crosses to the box after a lovely bit of build up by the USA, but Horan's volley goes wide
The USA keep the pressure on, Eretz heads a corner toward goal but it rises and is well over
Second half underway and within 10 seconds Smith almost has a hat trick
Half time, a dramatic opening half comes to a finish, Sophia Smith with two goals has the USA in the driving seat
ITS BEEN GIVEN, it looks like a stray boot may have been the difference but the USA are ahead 2-0
Another VAR decision pending
Smith is quick to pounce on a poor clearance from a USA cross striking to the net, offside is the call in the build up
8 minutes added on, Morgan goes off after an altercation following the penalty being saved, she needs treatment, but we have another eight to go
IT'S SAVED BY KIM THAHN, she goes to her right and as Morgan goes to the middle, her legs get the save
Referee points to the spot, and with how the tournament is going, as Marty Morrissey once said in the 2015 All Ireland Semi Final Replay, ITS ANOTHER PENALTY
Rodman down in the area, looks to be upended, we head for a VAR Check
Ertz is back on now and looks to be grand
Jule Ertz before hand tried a header, a bit awkward in truth, the ball smacks her in the face and she has headed off to get that looked at
A break in play for some water, its nearly 3am now, could use some coffee myself
Morgan in again, brilliant by Savannah DeMelo to play the pass, but Morgan was offside, despite her effort being saved by the keeper.
America have been ruthless in attacking, they have so many chances another this time from Morgan, goes wide from a tight angle, they are knocking the door down for a second
Sophia Smith open's the scoring for the USA, Horan with a beautiful long pass, Alex Morgan plays a lovely back heel pass for Smith to race in on, she hits a low left footed effort across the keeper for the lead
Kim Thanh makes a great safe to deny Lindsey Horan, but the flag was up to give a free kick for Vietnam
Rodmann is back on, look's to have shaken off that knock
Alex Morgan has a shot blocked, before Andi Sullivan shoots over the bar
She is up and walk's off the field, no idea if they are going to make the change
It looks like her knee, they have called for a stretcher
Worry early for the USA as Trinity Rodman is down injured
Game underway as the USA take on Vietnam