Mallory Swanson leads USWNT to easy win in Paris Olympics opener: Recap, highlights

NICE, France — The Emma Hayes era for the United States women’s national soccer team officially began with the Americans handling business in their group-play opener Thursday with a 3-0 win over Zambia. 

Even more importantly, they found the back of the net – something that was a challenge at last year’s World Cup and as the team prepared for the 2024 Summer Olympics with a new-look roster selected by Hayes that is much younger. 

Mallory Swanson scored two goals 70 seconds apart to put the match in total U.S. control by the 25th minute. Trinity Rodman opened the scoring with a nifty move by receiving a pass between two Zambia defenders and putting a touch on the ball so that it wound up behind her – and only needing to beat the keeper. 

The U.S. absolutely dominated the shots category, 26-7. But the Americans managed to get just eight of those attempts on goal. 

Swanson nearly had a hat trick by the 60th minute, but an open shot after more creation sailed over the crossbar. And the final score easily could have had a higher margin given the amount of chances the Americans had. Zambia played a player down for most of the game because of a red card given to defender Pauline Zulu. 

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It wasn’t all good news for the U.S. 

Forward Sophia Smith exited in the first half with an apparent lower-leg injury. And midfielder Rose Lavelle was subbed out at halftime; she had missed last week’s friendly against Costa Rica due to groin tightness she experienced during warmups prior to that match.  

The U.S. will next play Germany, a 3-0 winner over Australia in its opener, Sunday in Marseille.

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See below the photo gallery for a recap and all the highlights of the match.

USWNT coach empties the bench in second half

Emma Hayes emptied her bench by sitting Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Horan and Mallory Swanson – effectively the U.S. firepower Thursday – for the match’s final 25 minutes. Emily Sonnett, Jenna Nighswonger and Casey Krueger entered to finish out the game.

Olympic play allows for five subs per match, which helps coaches maximize the 18-player roster

Albert in for Lavelle to start second half

After halftime, manager Emma Hayes made her second sub by inserting midfielder Korbin Albert for Rose Lavelle. Albert started in Lavelle’s place during last week’s final friendly tune-up against Costa Rica; Lavelle experienced groin tightness during warmups prior to that match. It appears Hayes is still not willing to risk anything, and a three-goal leads helps to make that call.

HALFTIME: USA 3, Zambia 0 

If the first half was a Mallory Swanson show, then the run time would have been 70 seconds total. 

That was the span in which she scored her first and second goals to up the USA’s lead to 3-0, 25 minutes into the match. Trinity Rodman opened the scoring with a classy move to create space and a powerful finish. 

Zambia is playing down a player following a red card for defender Pauline Zulu. And the U.S. suffered a loss when forward Sophia Smith left with an apparent ankle injury

Sophia Smith exits in first half

One of the United States’ key attackers, Sophia Smith, left with an apparent ankle injury in the 40th minute. 

Lynn Williams replaced her after a couple minutes of 10-on-10 play. 

Smith set up Mallory Swanson’s second goal and had a few nice chances prior to her exit. 

Zambia loses player to red card

Already in a 3-0 hole, Zambia is down a player for the rest of the game. 

A VAR review resulted in a red card for defender Pauline Zulu following a tackle from behind near the 18-yard box. 

USA takes early 3-0 lead over Zambia 

Somebody on Zambia might want to guard Mallory Swanson. 

The U.S. forward scored twice in the span of just over a minute to up the USA’s lead to 3-0 in the 25th minute. 

For the second time in the game, an aggressive push with the ball and a timely feed from Lindsey Horan resulted in a USA goal. This time it was Mallory Swanson who was on the receiving end of Horan’s through ball. Swanson displayed patience to create an angle and drive the ball past the keeper. 

Then Swanson streaked up the middle again, hardly a minute later, and Sophia Smith sent her into the box with another great opportunity, which she once again converted. Officially, the goals came 70 seconds apart.

Crazy sequence, but zero goals  … then USWNT breaks through 

Trinity Rodman was the answer to the USA’s scoring woes. 

Rodman took a feed in space from Lindsey Horan and had a sweet touch behind her back between two defenders to create a one-on-one opportunity with the goalie. Rodman buried the shot and it was 1-0 USA. 

That came after a wild sequence in which the U.S. created at least three opportunities. Crystal Dunn’s quick turn resulted in an open cross and Mallory Swanson nearly headed it home. Zambia keeper Ngambo Musole made the save, and Horan would have converted her volley attempt had it not been headed away by a Zambia defender. A strike from Roman was saved out of bounds for a corner attempt that resulted in another chance but Rodman ultimately found the back of the net. 

USWNT applying pressure early vs. Zambia

NICE, France – The U.S. scored almost one minute in game following a nifty run with the ball into the box from defender Emily Fox. Her cross to Lindsey Horan drew Zambia keeper Ngambo Musole off her line, but Horan’s attempt missed the wide-open net to the right.  

On another similar setup, a cross came into Sophia Smith, whose attempt went right at Musole for the easy save. 

The third close call came when Trinity Rodman tried to flick a pass over the keeper’s head, but the attempt hit the crossbar. 

Finishing has been a concern for the Americans, particularly in the wake of the two tune-up friendlies they played against Mexico and France before the Olympics; they netted one goal, from Smith against Mexico, over 180 minutes.

USWNT starting lineup vs. Zambia

• Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher
• Emily Fox
• Naomi Girma
• Tierna Davidson
• Lindsey Horan
• Rose Lavelle
• Sam Coffey
• Sophia Smith
• Trinity Rodman
• Crystal Dunn
• Mallory Swanson

Sparse crowd for USWNT vs. Zambia in Nice

NICE, France – Ten minutes before kickoff, the Allianz Riviera (aka Stade de Nice), was scarcely filled. 

It will be quite a difference from the environment in which the U.S. men’s national team played Wednesday against France, which had the advantage of a passionate home crowd behind it. 

Zambia players to watch vs. USWNT

NICE, France – Zambia boasts a pair of players who have signed for big money in the National Women’s Soccer League, and the Americans know they will not be a walkover in large part thanks to their presence in the squad. 

Forward Barbra Banda, Zambia’s captain, is tied for the league lead in goals (12) this regular season – in 12 games played. Midfielder Racheal Kundananji signed with Bay Area FC for $860,000 this past January and has two goals with one assist through 12 matches.

USWNT Olympic roster

Here is the full United States women's national team roster for the Paris Olympics.

• Forward: Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Jaedyn Smith, Trinity Rodman and Crystal Dunn.
• Goalkeepers: Casey Murphy and Alyssa Naeher.
• Defenders: Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett.
• Midfielders: Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Lynn Williams. 

How many gold medals has USWNT won?

The U.S has won four Olympic gold medals: 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Olympic women's soccer: Canada beats New Zealand

Canada, which won the gold medal at the Tokyo Games, began its hunt for a repeat with a 2-1 victory over New Zealand on Thursday.

Evelyne Viens broke a 1-1 tie in the 79th minute wit a goal off an assist from Jessie Fleming.

Canada, which is in Group A, will play again Sunday against France at 3 p.m. ET.

USWNT Olympic wins 

The USWNT is 27-7-4 all-time at the Olympics, including four gold medals, won in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

USWNT group at Olympics

The U.S. is in Group B, along with Germany, Zambia and Australia.

When does USWNT play next?

The USWNT plays again Sunday, July 28, at 3 p.m. ET.

Is Alex Morgan at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

No. Alex Morgan, the longtime USWNT forward, did not make the roster for these Summer Games. Head coach Emma Hayes explained why when the roster was announced.. 

Did Megan Rapinoe retire from soccer? 

Yes. The Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner from the 2019 World Cup suited up for the U.S. for the 2023 World Cup, which was her last.

"For me and for this team, it's always been the vibe of leaving everything better than where you found it," Rapinoe told USA TODAY Sports last summer. "Undeniably we've changed the game and been a part of these multi movements that are all kind of happening at the same time and have left the world in a better place."

What time does USWNT play Zambia?

The U.S. and Zambia kick off at 3 p.m. ET.

Where to watch USWNT vs. Zambia

USA Network is airing the match, and Peacock is live streaming it.