In their inaugural game at SoFi Stadium, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) defeated Brazil 2-0 on Saturday. The exhibition was a rematch of the gold medal game for women’s soccer in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I think you can tell the stadium is absolutely insane and to be able to represent our country inside of it and get the win is absolutely huge,” said USWNT forward Michelle Cooper. “We’ve talked a lot this week about the long and rich history between these two teams … because it’s a battle.”
With a feed from Angel City attacker Alyssa Thompson, forward Trinity Rodman made a shot to the low corner of the net at the fifth minute. This put USWNT up 1-0. Thompson shook off her defender to gain the assist.
The second goal came in the 66th minute when midfielder Lindsey Heaps hit a penalty kick.
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Rodman has not seen the pitch for the USWNT since the gold medal game. This marks her 11th career goal.
“The chemistry has been really good. We have a lot of explosive backs, quick forwards, which I think is hard, but also really fun to try to figure out how we mesh well,” Rodman said. “My main focus for this game and even in the first five minutes, it was the timing of my run.”
Despite the two goals, Brazil implemented a physical defense. Goalkeeper Lorena spearheaded the effort with her saves, which thwarted Thompson from scoring. Thompson noted how she has been developing tactically as she continues to compete for the USWNT.
“When I’m here, I feel like there are things that I don’t really think at club that [Hayes] makes me think about,” Thompson said. “Knowing what I need to do on the field is very important, and I feel like I’m getting it each camp more and more.”
In her debut with the USWNT, goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce got her first clean sheet. She staved off several shots on target throughout the match. Tullis-Joyce is also a starter for Manchester United.
“The connection that you have with your teammates and that’s what you’ve seen with United is how that trust that you have really can get you far,” Tullis-Joyce said. “That backline was incredible, they had some stellar performances all across the board.”
A goal for Hayes is to develop the young talent on the roster. With the match showing a high level of physicality in the early minutes, she was strategic when it came to subbing in midfielder Lily Yohannes at the 58th minute.
“My first instruction was don’t be afraid to go and get the ball low in the build-up,” Hayes said. “She’d never seen anything like that before, I think putting her into the game when the game calms down was the right decision.”
After being subbed in, Yohannes found ways to make combination plays, some along with Thompson. Yohannes noted how she strived to win her duels against Brazil.
“There were so many duels and really a physical match,” Yohannes said. “[Thompson] is so good, she’s such a dangerous attacker.”
Along with new players are veterans like defenders Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, and Alana Cook.
Getting called up and maintaining a spot on the national team are things Cook does not take for granted.
“It’s hard to put in words how special it is to be a part of this group,” Cook said. “When you think of how often do you get to be in a group of people, a group of women, who are at the absolute top of their profession, doing such incredible things.”
