Two goals from Sophia Smith leads US Women’s soccer over Germany 4-1

Group B of women’s soccer featured a game that had potential for possible advancement to the medal rounds.  Germany took on the favorite United States of America. The USA women’s team is coming off a 3 to 0 win over Zambia on Thursday to get a win in their opening game of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and giving them a +3-goal differential that will help in case they are tied with another team for a possible spot in the knockout stages.  Today’s match against Germany in Marseille showed the ultimate unity that the U.S. women’s national team will need when playing experienced players that play their club soccer in Europe. 

Ball possession is a key to beating teams in international play, and the U.S. women’s team held the ball 61% of the game and accumulated 8 shots on goal.  Defensively, USA held Germany to 1 goal on 6 shots on goal, and only conceded 1 corner kick.  U.S. striker, Sophia Smith, showed true grit by scoring 2 goals in 84 minutes of play while contributing several hustle plays that held Germany’s defense in check.  Smith’s ability to breakdown Germany’s defense also helped Mallory Swanson net a perfect rebound goal off of a shot from Sophia Smith and later substitute Lynn Williams netted the fourth goal of the game and extended the lead to give USA a 4 to 1 victory and 6 points in the group with a +6-goal difference.  USA will face Australia on Wednesday for a chance to win Group B and head into the knockout stage on top of their group and a possibility of being the best overall team in the tournament.