It wasn’t a masterpiece, but it’ll do.
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How appropriate, then, that three centuries later the US women’s soccer team should come here on a gold rush of its own, a journey it began Wednesday with a solid, if occasionally sloppy, 2-0 win over New Zealand behind goals from Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan. The captain burnished that reputation by scoring the U.S.’s first goal of the Rio games on a looping header in the ninth minute, her seventh career Olympic goal and her 10th worldwide goal of 2016.
Unlike the men’s tournament, which requires teams to field under-23 squads, women’s Olympic soccer brings together the best players in the world.
5 p.m., United States of America vs.
The United States are already the favorites to win the tournament.
They claim they’re paid less per game and receive less money for daily expenses while traveling, despite the fact that they play more games than the men’s team and have a better winning record. It was organized, yes, but it lacked creativity near New Zealand’s goal.
Dunn made a great run on the right side on the 89th minute, before crossing the ball to Heath, who was stopped by goalkeeper Erin Nayler. Shelina Zadorsky was sent off for dragging down Australia’s Michelle Heyman on her way to goal.
So far she’s had a fantastic 2016 with 12 goals – her first year in double figures since 2012.
Defender Monica headed home the first 10 minutes before halftime and Andressa Alves got a second with a volley from close in after 59 minutes.
Seconds into the second half, though, Alex Morgan put any and all concerns to rest. 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 worldwide goal.
Solo’s career began with a comfortable blowout, but she’s made countless spectacular saves over the years to earn a USA goalkeeper record 151 wins against increasingly competitive worldwide competition.
They lead 1-0. This goes to show that the Americans means business in the tournament.
Stanford Christen Press took over for Morgan in the 81st minute. Riley, who was an aggressive player for New Zealand all night, earned a yellow card for trying to kick O’Hara in retaliation. Eugenie Le Sommer scored in the 14th minute, Camille Abily added to the lead the third goal in the 42nd, and Amel Majri closed the scoring in the 82nd.
The easiest positions to predict are at the back, where Hope Solo owns the goalkeeping position and center backs Becky Sauerbrunn and Julie Johnston aren’t going anywhere.
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Solo upset some Brazilians before coming to the Olympics by tweeting a photo of herself wearing a hat with mosquito netting. Colombia made its first Olympic appearance four years ago in London but failed to score in three group-stage games.
