Tag: USWNT

Smith fit for USWNT match vs. Germany, Shaw still sidelined

It’s a case of good news, bad news on the injury front for the U.S.

For the U.S. women’s national team, it’s a case of good news, bad news on the injury front.

Sophia Smith will be fit for the team’s Olympic match against Germany on Sunday, while Jaedyn Shaw will remain sidelined.

Per The Athletic, head coach Emma Hayes said that Smith was “fine” and would be involved in training on Saturday. Shaw, meanwhile, trained individually and will miss a second straight game.

The USWNT kicked off Olympics play on Thursday with a 3-0 win against Zambia, emerging from the match with a pair of injury concerns.

Just before halftime, Sophia Smith left the match with a suspected ankle issue. The extent of the injury wasn’t clear, but it appeared her removal may have been precautionary due to the USWNT being up three goals and a player already by that time.

Meanwhile, Shaw will remain sidelined with a leg injury that she suffered in training the day before the Zambia match. Just 90 minutes before Thursday’s game kicked off, U.S. Soccer announced that the San Diego Wave attacker would miss the match.

Croix Bethune was moved from an alternate to the active roster as a replacement for Shaw, and the Washington Spirit rookie appears set to be part of the matchday squad against Germany as well.

Like the USWNT, Germany also began the Olympics with a 3-0 win, defeating Australia easily in its opener.

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‘Today’ show faceplants with awkward question for Rodman about father

This was an own goal for the NBC morning show

It may be back to the drawing board for the research department at the “Today” show.

The morning show is going heavy on the Olympics over the next two weeks, with NBC and its family of networks holding the rights to the Paris Games.

On Friday morning, the show hosted the two goalscorers from the U.S. women’s national team’s Olympics-opening 3-0 win over Zambia.

It was all shaping up as standard morning-show fare with guests Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson, before host Hoda Kotb killed the mood with an awkward follow-up for Rodman.

“Did your dad call and give you an ‘attagirl’ after that one?” Kotb inquired.

Handling the moment deftly, Rodman quickly responded: “Nope, but my mom was there. She gave me a big ol’ hug.”

Rodman, of course, is the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman. And as Kotb and the show’s staff should have known, she doesn’t have much of a relationship with the ex-Chicago Bulls star.

The USWNT forward has periodically spoken about her father, but she opened up on their relationship — or lack thereof — in a 2021 post on Instagram.

“My dad doesn’t play a big role in my life at all and most people don’t know that, we don’t see eye to eye on many things,” Rodman said.

“I go months if not years without his presence or communication. Being in spotlights has been hard for us, him and me. We don’t have the best relationship, but at the end of the day he’s human I’m human… he’s my dad, and I’m his little girl that will never change.”

Kudos to Rodman for handling a potentially awkward moment on live TV with grace. As for the “Today” show — we’ll call that one an own goal.

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‘Cheat better!’ – USWNT forward Purce responds to Canada spying scandal

“Did you think they weren’t gonna see the drone?”

U.S. women’s national team forward Midge Purce has expressed her disbelief at the expanding spying scandal involving Canadian soccer.

On Thursday, Canada women’s national team head coach Bev Priestman was sent home from the Olympics after two of her staffers were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand’s training.

But the issue is far more widespread than just the 2024 Olympics. On a call with media on Friday, Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said that using drones to illegally spy on opponents has been “systemic” within the federation’s teams.

“The more I learn about this specific matter, the more concerned I get about a potential long-term, deeply embedded systemic culture of this type of thing occurring, which is obviously completely unacceptable,” Blue said.

On The Women’s Game podcast, Purce appeared as a guest alongside Sam Mewis, her former USWNT teammate. For Purce, the hardest part of the scandal to understand is how Canada could have allegedly cheated in a way that was so simple to catch.

“Let’s say it was in fact, intentionally cheating,” Purce posited. “Did you think they weren’t gonna see the drone? Like I’m just confused. Drones are loud. Like, cheat better! Call the Patriots — call Bill Belichick!”

Purce’s last comment — a reference to the notorious Spygate scandal in the NFL — obviously struck a nerve with Mewis, a diehard New England Patriots fan.

“Enough, this is going off the rails now. You’ve gone too far Midge!” Mewis retorted with a laugh.

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Trinity Rodman had fans in awe with her stunning goal to open the USWNT’s scoring at the Paris Olympics

Absolutely world class.

The U.S. women’s national team had heard plenty about its disappointing showing at last year’s World Cup, and the USWNT looked at the Olympic Games in Paris as a true shot at redemption.

Trinity Rodman understood that assignment.

With newly hired coach Emma Hayes going with an attacking three of Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson, we got a quick look at how dynamic that group can be in Rodman’s opening goal.

After the USWNT hit the post a couple times in the first 15 minutes against Zambia, the breakthrough came when Rodman showed off a brilliant first touch and turn from Lindsey Horan’s pass and finished for the goal.

What a goal. And sure, Zambia isn’t a quality opponent, but the goal was world class in every sense.

USWNT fans were justifiably excited over that goal to start the Olympics.

This was how Twitter/X reacted

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USWNT star Smith goes off with injury vs. Zambia

The forward limped off just before the break against the Copper Queens

The U.S. women’s national team suffered an injury blow in its Olympics opener, as star forward Sophia Smith was taken off in the first half against Zambia.

With the USWNT up 3-0 near the end of the first half, Smith went down near the bench and needed to receive treatment on the field.

The Portland Thorns star was unable to continue and had to be replaced by Lynn Williams in the 43rd minute.

The extent of Smith’s injury was not immediately clear, but U.S. fans will hope that head coach Emma Hayes removed the forward as a precaution due to the game essentially being settled.

The U.S. scored three first-half goals, and also went up a player after Zambia’s Pauline Zulu was shown a 34th-minute red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

The USWNT would go on to win the match 3-0 on the strength of a goal from Trinity Rodman and a brace from Mallory Swanson.

Smith’s injury was extra painful for the USWNT, who also lost Jaedyn Shaw to an injury before the game even started.

After the game, Hayes did not have any real updates to share on either Smith or Shaw.

Should either injury prove serious, it would leave the U.S. looking very thin in attack after Catarina Macario also had to withdraw from the Olympic roster due to a knee injury.

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How USWNT’s Trinity Rodman is related to NBA legend Dennis Rodman

Here’s how Trinity Rodman is related to Dennis Rodman.

If you’re watching Trinity Rodman play for the USWNT at the Olympics (as one of the youngest athletes there) or World Cup, you may look at that last name and say, “Hey, that sounds familiar. Is she related to Dennis Rodman, the Hall of Fame basketball star?”

The answer is: yes Dennis Rodman is her father.

She has posted about him on Instagram before, noting that “we don’t have the best relationship” after he showed up to an NWSL game that she was playing in (see below).

“I go months if not years without his presence or communication. Being in spotlights has been hard for us,” she added. “We don’t have the best relationship, but at the end of the day he’s human I’m human… he’s my dad, and I’m his little girl that will never change.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWChHTwMium/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=b455594f-513d-4a0a-98ed-6eb1594f4077

There’s your answer!

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USWNT forward Shaw misses Zambia match with leg injury

The 19-year-old has been replaced on the gameday roster by Croix Bethune

U.S. women’s national team forward Jaedyn Shaw will miss the team’s Olympic opener against Zambia with a leg injury, U.S. Soccer announced just 90 minutes before Thursday’s match.

Shaw was replaced in the matchday squad by roster alternate Croix Bethune, who earned her first two USWNT caps in this month’s friendlies against Mexico and Costa Rica.

No USWNT official had indicated prior to Thursday that Shaw was suffering from any injury. The San Diego Wave star played against Mexico and Costa Rica, coming off the bench in the second half in both matches.

Shaw did suffer a leg injury with the Wave back in May, but only missed one NWSL game before she was able to return later in the month.

According to ESPN, Shaw was injured in training the day before the match against Zambia, and U.S. officials don’t believe the problem is serious.

If Shaw isn’t seriously hurt, head coach Emma Hayes could take advantage of a new roster rule to bring the forward back at some point during the tournament.

This Olympics, roster alternates are able to replace injured players on a game-by-game basis. That means Hayes could bring Shaw back whenever she is fit, moving Bethune back to her alternate role.

Shaw made her USWNT debut in October and quickly established herself as one of the team’s top attacking players. This spring, Shaw became the first player to ever score a goal in each of her first five USWNT starts.

Overall, Shaw has seven goals in 16 caps for the U.S. so far.

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Why Alex Morgan is not on the USWNT Olympic soccer roster

It was the end of an era for the USWNT.

When the U.S. women’s national team takes the field on Thursday for its Paris Olympics opener against Zambia, it will be doing so without one of the biggest stars in program history.

Ever since making her senior USWNT debut in 2010, Alex Morgan has been a mainstay in the U.S. attack. She scored 123 goals for the U.S. and helped lead the USWNT to an Olympic gold medal in 2012 and two World Cup titles. But when newly hired head coach Emma Hayes announced her roster for the Paris Olympics, Morgan was the noticeable exclusion.

Morgan, who turned 35 in July, has seen a drop in form the past few years. That — along with smaller Olympic roster — forced Hayes to make a tough decision with Morgan. Hayes explained the process via USA TODAY Sports:

“First off, I want to talk about what an amazing player and human that Alex Morgan has been. I’ve only had one opportunity to work with her in the last camp and saw firsthand not just her qualities but her professionalism. Her record speaks for itself.

“It was not easy making a decision. There are 16 outfield players and two goalkeepers on a roster of 18. It was a tough decision, especially considering Alex’s record and history with this team. I felt wanted to go in another direction and selected other players.”

Hayes correctly opted to favor the USWNT’s next generation of dynamic attacking players for this roster (think Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman) over Morgan. The USWNT legend also was not asked to be an alternate for the Olympic squad.

It’s the end of an era — that’s for sure.

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Red Stars, USWNT defender Staab out for season with torn Achilles

The NWSL’s iron woman is set for a long spell on the sidelines

The NWSL’s iron woman is set for a long spell on the sidelines.

Chicago Red Stars defender Sam Staab suffered a torn Achilles in last weekend’s Summer Cup match against NJ/NY Gotham FC, the NWSL club has announced.

“We are disheartened to learn the extent of Sam’s injury,” said Red Stars general manager Richard Feuz.

“Over her short time with the club, Sam has fully committed herself to her teammates and been a wonderful leader on and off the pitch. As Sam begins the recovery process, we will ensure that we provide the support she needs so she can rest and focus on her health.”

The club did not provide a timetable for Staab’s return, but a torn Achilles typically sidelines a player for around 9-12 months.

Staab joined the Red Stars in an offseason trade with the Washington Spirit, where she played every minute of a NWSL season on three separate occasions.

Last season, Staab set a new NWSL record for most consecutive regular-season starts at 84.

After years spent just outside the U.S. women’s national team picture, Staab finally earned her first national team caps in a pair of June friendlies against South Korea.

Staab just missed out on the USWNT Olympic squad.

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USWNT vs. Zambia: How to watch Olympics, TV channel, live stream

The U.S. kicks off its quest for a first gold medal since 2012

The U.S. women’s national team kicks off its quest for Olympic gold against Zambia on Thursday.

Just two months after taking over as USWNT head coach, Emma Hayes will make her major tournament debut as her side opens Group B play with its first-ever meeting against the Copper Queens.

Zambia is led by superstar forward Barbra Banda, a player Hayes recently called the “best striker in the world right now.” Banda has 12 goals in 12 NWSL games for the Orlando Pride this season.

Banda scored two hat tricks at the Olympics in 2021, also scoring at the 2023 World Cup as Zambia failed to advance out of the group stage on both occasions.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Olympic soccer on Peacock” link=”https://imp.i305175.net/Y9vDoJ”]

The USWNT will be aiming for its first gold medal since 2012, having lost to Sweden in the quarterfinal in 2016 before falling against Canada in the semifinal in 2021.

Hayes will be sweating on the fitness of midfielder Rose Lavelle, who was a late scratch for the team’s send-off game against Costa Rica last week due to tightness in her groin.

After this match, the USWNT will face Germany and Australia in Group B.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

USA vs. Zambia (Olympic women’s soccer)

  • When: Thursday, July 25
  • Where: Stade de Nice (Nice, France)
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: USA Network, Universo, Peacock (WATCH NOW)

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