LOS ANGELES — In a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal game, the U.S. women’s national team earned another win over Brazil, 2-0, in a friendly on Saturday.
“[It was the] second-biggest crowd ever in LA [excluding the World Cup],” head coach Emma Hayes pointed out. “Even – it’s a really large stadium – you can feel the noise. I feel like our fans – listen the fans of this team have always been tremendous.”
The first-ever women’s professional sporting event at SoFi Stadium began with a bang from the Southern California girls. Studio City native Alyssa Thompson cut inside, dropped her defender, and assisted Laguna Niguel native Trinity Rodman for the opening goal in the fifth minute.
“They gave me a lot of space to go inside so I wanted to take that,” Thompson described her assist. “I like to drive in and I saw Trin running, so being able to just play it through the line to her and knowing that she’s gonna finish was good.”
It also marked Rodman’s return to the national team for the first time since that Olympic final.
“I’m very happy to be back with a newer team, but still same environment, same viibes, energy. I think, I missed it a lot,” Rodman shared postgame.
“It was just kind of me being back into it, bringing my level of competitiveness, my energy, but also kind of trying to relearn a couple new things while remembering the foundation of his team, because even though it was not that long, it really was at the same time. I’m really happy with my performance today and the way that the team played together.”
Thompson created danger down the left wing nonstop in the first half, often cutting inside to look for another assist.
Still, the Brazilian attacking quality tested the USWNT defensively, requiring goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce to put in an impressive display in the opening half of her national team debut with strong claims, powerful punches, and a couple of crucial saves.
“Happy. I’m very happy, looking forward to seeing my family, too,” Tullis-Joyce said following her debut clean sheet.
“As I was saying, I didn’t tell them directly that I was starting today. I just couldn’t get it on my throat, so I know they’re gonna be – I might get a little punch in the arm – but a big hug from my family is what I’m looking forward to.”
Brazil continued applying pressure to start the second half but were halted in their tracks by substitute Lily Yohannes, who drew a penalty three minutes after entering the pitch just past the hour mark. Captain Lindsey Heaps dispatched into the side netting to double the lead.
Brazil goalkeeper Lorena was called upon a couple more times to stunningly deny Thompson a goal to match her assist and keep the scoreline respectable as the USWNT closed out the 2-0 victory.
The USWNT will close their two-match series against the Brazilians on Tuesday at PayPal Park in San Jose.
The entire sequence that led to the goal, and of course the goal itself was nasty! Alyssa Thompson is looking like a player that needs to be called up to every camp because her ceiling looks really high. Trinity Rodman, what else can you say, she’s a fucking baller!
The way the goal played out was super and great coaching and team play. When the ball went into Thompson, Heaps filled hr space on the left side and initially unmarked. Interesting hearing Thompson say they were giving her space to go inside when Heaps was where I thought the ball should go? Really outstanding how Thompson dribble broke Brazil shape and left them on there heels. The dribble, pass, and finish were so well executed.
Thompson showed really well, especially considering how physical Brazil played. Speed and ball control are such an advantage!
Rodman, is still at another skill level with the ball compared to opponents.
Not going to lie totally forgot this game was on today. Maybe do a better job of advertising US Soccer.