The U.S. women’s national team’s FIFA World Cup title defense began with an opening three points in Group E play at Eden Park.
Sophia Smith registered a brace and added one assist in her World Cup debut while co-captain Lindsey Horan added a second-half goal in a 3-0 victory over Vietnam in Auckland, New Zealand. It was a confident performance from the Americans, who did not concede a single shot to the Vietnamese through 90+minutes.
Smith delivered the breakthrough goal for the USWNT in the 13th minute after a smooth finish in the box. Alex Morgan’s one-time pass allowed Smith to race behind the Vietnam backline before drilling a low shot down the middle of the net.
The USWNT had a great opportunity to double its lead before halftime after VAR ruled in favor of a penalty kick opportunity. Trinity Rodman was tripped in the Vietnam box, allowing Morgan to step up and test her luck from the penalty spot.
However Trần Thị Kim Thanh dove to her right and denied Morgan for only the third time out of 18 career penalty kick attempts.
Smith would double her tally and the USWNT’s lead though before halftime after her low shot snuck past Kim Thanh and into the back of the net. Morgan originally was whistled for offsides, but VAR overturned the decision and Smith delivered for a 2-0 lead.
The USWNT kept its foot on the gas in the second half and Smith added to her impressive World Cup debut with an assist for a 3-0 lead. Smith snuck behind the Vietnam backline before playing a pass back to Lindsey Horan.
Horan made no mistake by stroking into an empty net for her first goal of the tournament.
A total of seven USWNT players earned their first-ever World Cup minutes in the match, earning valuable experience in the shutout win. Megan Rapinoe, Alyssa Thompson, and Rose Lavelle were among the second half substitutions made by Vlatko Andonovski.
The USWNT will next face the Netherlands on July 26 in a rematch of the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final.