AUSTIN, Texas — Alyssa Thompson scored her first goal for the United States women’s national team, and Jaedyn Shaw and Sophia Smith scored late on Thursday at Q2 Stadium as the Americans defeated Iceland 3-1 in their first match since winning a fifth Olympic gold medal in August.
Thompson broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, cutting inside to put the ball on her right foot and smashing a shot off the underside of the crossbar near the far corner.
“Coming onto the field and wearing this jersey in the beginning, I was like, ‘This is surreal,'” Thompson said at halftime. “I just — I can’t describe how I feel. I’m so happy.”
Thursday’s match was the start of the USWNT’s victory tour since the Paris Games. The Americans play Iceland again on Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee, and Argentina on Wednesday in Louisville, Kentucky.
“I know she’s committed to looking for the next level in her play, and I think you see just how threatening and dangerous she is,” U.S. manager Emma Hayes said of Thompson after the match. “It’s not an easy goal, drop in from the left-hand side and roof it in the top corner. But she is someone who is — her international career started at a very early stage. That’s why I believe it does take time.
“Maybe she wasn’t…
