It was far from the most entertaining match of soccer this Olympics has offered — even French-influenced booing rang out every time the U.S. played out of the back. It was forward Trinity Rodman who eventually fought through tired legs and a compact Japan defense to find the back of the net for the U.S. in extra time of a drawn-out quarterfinal match.
Even with the utmost respect and knowledge of Japan, U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes’ side struggled against their opponent.
Japan shut down the front three of Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith for much of the game. The trio who had been so dominant in the group stage slowed in the knockout round opener. Could tired legs, forced changes in the midfield and cautionary play be to blame? Sure, but Japan is also a very clinical team, able to cede possession and attack when they can create chances.
“Minimal changes gives you the better chance to build the creativity, so I will not change anything I’m doing,” Hayes said before the quarterfinal match. But on Saturday the lack of rotation led to the exact opposite of creativity. And still, she waited until the start of extra time to make her first sub: Lynn Williams on for Swanson.
For the first time at the Paris Games, the U.S. had to rely heavily on its…
