Smith stars as USWNT ‘only’ beats Vietnam 3-0 in World Cup opener

It wasn’t the hammering many feared, but the U.S. is off to a winning start at the World Cup

It was not the shellacking that many expected, or perhaps feared, but the U.S. women’s national team is still off to a winning start at the 2023 World Cup.

The USWNT defeated Vietnam 3-0 in its Group E opener at Eden Park in Auckland, as Sophia Smith scored a first-half double on her World Cup debut and assisted Lindsey Horan’s goal in the second half.

It was a far cry from four years ago, when the USWNT destroyed Thailand 13-0 to begin a 2019 World Cup run that would culminate in a second straight title.

The U.S. may be slightly disappointed with the margin of victory, with goal differential the first tiebreaker, but Vlatko Andonovski will likely be satisfied with his team’s performance in a game the U.S. still dominated to the tune of a 28-0 shot advantage.

Vietnam started the game off fairly well with some tight defending, but the USA’s quality told in a superb sequence for Smith’s opener.

Fourteen minutes in, Horan played an entry pass to Alex Morgan, whose lovely flicked layoff played Smith in for a composed finish.

The U.S. was in control but frustrated by the Vietnamese, who had a true moment to remember near the end of the first half after Trinity Rodman was fouled inside the box.

Up to the spot stepped Morgan, one of the most legendary players in international soccer history. But her spot kick was saved by Trần Thị Kim Thanh, sparking wild celebrations among Vietnam’s players.

The joy would be short-lived, however, as Smith got her second just before the half with a shot that snuck through traffic and went through Thanh.

The USWNT would be frustrated in the first 30 minutes of the second half, squandering several opportunities, before Smith once again proved the difference-maker.

The Portland Thorns forward beat her defender to a long ball before centering for Horan, who took a touch to collect before putting the ball home into an empty net.

The USWNT will be back in action on Wednesday night U.S. time, kicking off at 9 p.m. ET against the Netherlands in a 2019 final rematch.

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