USWNT vs. Iceland: A Rundown of the Game & Interview With Coach Emma Hayes
Austin, TX—As the golden team of this summer’s Paris Olympics lit up the field at Austin’s Q2 stadium, the energy inside became electric. The team played their first match in a string of upcoming victory tour friendlies. The match on October 24th was a hard-fought win for the USWNT, 3-1, against the Iceland national team.
The stadium grew more electric as the player of the match, Alyssa Thompson, scored her first goal for the USWNT in the 38th minute of the match. The goal came sneakily and quickly after 30+ minutes of anticipation. The 19-year-old sent the ball into the back of the net after smoothly working around Iceland’s defense and player, Natasha Moraa Anasi.
The excitement of the goal reverberated through the team and throughout the stadium as Thompson was seen rushing off the field to celebrate with her teammate Sophia Smith. The team and crowd were visibly proud of the young player.
Before the goal, intense pressure was put on by Icelandic forward, Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir, who forced passes and made the first half of this game, combined with efforts from Hlín Eiríksdóttir, a bit of a fight for the US.
US defensive midfielder Sam Coffey provided impressive touches forward to progress the ball despite pressure from Iceland. Lynn Williams was seen racing towards the goal and greatly covering spaces in the attacking third through the first half of the match.
In the second half of the match, Emily Sonnett, in her 100th cap for the US, provided excellent defense while holding off the ball from Jónsdóttir. Emily Fox provided smart passes, while Thompson showed control with the ball.
By the 55th minute of the second half, Iceland’s Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir scored a goal against the US, tying up the match. After the goal, there were shots on goal by Alyssa Thompson and runs toward goal by Lynn Williams after a pass from Mallory Swanson but attempts were blocked by Iceland’s Natasha Moraa Anasi.
In the 66th minute, substitutions were made. Yazmeen Ryan made her first appearance for the USWNT coming in for Mallory Swanson. Casey Kruger came in for Emily Fox and Jaedyn Shaw for Lindsey Horan. After earning minutes on the field, Ryan became more comfortable and made several shots on goal.
Coach Emma Hayes : “Everybody’s talented enough to be here.” She goes on to mention to Girls Soccer Network her approach to welcoming new ones to the team and building confidence, “Having a protective environment and bubble where we keep building that in each other is essential. I told them today we have a lot of new debutantes, when they come onto the field, I want us to lift everyone up. Look after that.”
Substitutions were made in the 71st minute of the game, with Hal Hershfelt making her first appearance for the USWNT, coming in for Sam Coffey. Sophia Smith came in for Lynn Williams.
These substitutions brought new energy to the game. In the 84th minute, Casey Krueger excellently kept possession of the ball, setting up an assist for Jaedyn Shaw. Shaw swerved between Iceland’s defense and slipped a second goal between the feet of Iceland’s goalkeeper. This goal broke the tie.
Jaedyn Shaw told outlets post-game, “It was amazing to come back and be able to contribute that way.”
After a build-up from the USWNT defense and a pass from Alyssa Thompson, a third and final goal came from forward Sophia Smith. The ball flew high and fast, past the keeper after being bumped off Iceland’s defense right back to Smith. The smart and poised third goal solidified the United States’ win.
Emma Hayes told other outlets, “Sophia is becoming the prolific striker that I wanted and demonstrated it with the few chances that she got…”
Fireworks and fire torches lit up the stadium to celebrate the win at the end of the night.
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