The United States women’s soccer team played to a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica in sweltering temperatures Tuesday night in its final exhibition tuneup before the Paris Olympics.
It was 98 degrees Fahrenheit (37 Celsius) at kickoff in Washington, D.C. Tuesday’s temperatures tied the hottest day on record in the nation’s capital at 104 (40C) hours earlier.
Coach Emma Hayes figured it would be a nice test for her players, given the forecast for nearly this level of heat during upcoming games in Marseilles later this month.
“That’s added value,” Hayes said Monday. “It’s perfect preparation. It’s pretty hot down there, so this is a great opportunity for us to experience what we’re going to face.”
It played a role in Rose Lavelle being a late scratch because of leg tightness in warmups, with team staff deciding it was not worth the risk given the circumstances. A team spokesperson said Lavelle was fine.
Korbin Albert replaced Lavelle in the starting lineup for the game at Audi Field, taking place on a worn-down playing surface torn up by recent football, soccer and rugby matches and attended by 18,972 fans.
The U.S. generated plenty of chances throughout and was repeatedly denied by Costa Rica goaltender Noelia Bermúdez, who at one point in the first half collided with Trinity Rodman. Each…
