“That was the best way we could have started”, said Tobin Heath, who made the cross that led to Lloyd’s goal. “We came out with a lot of energy and a lot of determination”.
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“She’s healthy, she’s fit, she’s mentally in a good place, she’s scoring goals, and so I think it’s a lot of similar feelings in terms of how she felt in 2012 to now”, Ellis said.
The U.S. Women’s Team earned its first victory yesterday against New Zealand 2-0. “I think it was a great starting game for our team and the young players as well”.
Near the end of the game, numerous almost 10,000 fans at the stadium chanted “Zika, Zika” at USA goalkeeper Hope Solo, who before coming to the Olympics upset some Brazilians by tweeting a photo of herself wearing a hat with mosquito netting in a reference to the virus and how it often is transmitted. The chants were repeated after the final whistle.
“This is the best start in all of the Olympics I’ve participated in”, Solo said Friday. Though they did not score a goal today, NZ showed they are not to be taken lightly.
The U.S. Women’s National Team will be back in Belo Horizonte on Saturday (1 p.m. PT on NBC SN) for what’s expected to be a tough group match against France.
In the premier matchup of the women’s Olympic soccer tournament group stage the US takes on France in Group G play on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET. The U.S. charged down the field after kickoff to set up a brilliant four-player interchange that freed Morgan.
Team France also routed its opponent Colombia with a devastating 4-0.
Highlighted by goals from Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan, the match averaged a.77 rating on NBCSN – up 93% from the women’s soccer opener in 2012 (.40). Stay tuned for more Olympics 2016 Opening news! She has 13 Olympics appearances, tied with Solo for the most on the team. Heath, who is playing in her third Olympics, got herself open on the left side before lofting ball to the far post that Lloyd headed back across the grain and into the goal for her 89th global goal. The Americans’ current Olympic winning streak now stands at 12 victories, including three consecutive gold medals.
The Olympic tournament is the first major competition for the United States since the retirement of key players Abby Wambach – the career global scoring leader for women and men – and Lauren Holiday after last year’s World Cup win. During the camp, she also takes time to educate the kids on the Mental Habits needed to “Play at the Top, and the Mental Toughness needed to Win”.
The Americans have a fresh team with 11 Olympic newcomers, although many who made it to Brazil were on the World Cup-winning squad in Canada past year.
In the other Group E encounter, hosts Brazil overpowered China 3-0 courtesy of goals from Monica, Andressa Alves and Cristiane.
Brazil put on a commanding performance in front of its home crowd at Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
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The first goal by the Americans came with less than 10 minutes off the timing board. Shelina Zadorsky was sent off for dragging down Australia’s Michelle Heyman on her way to goal.
