USWNT: Arrival of star on the World Cup stage

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Steps were choppy and small as the USWNT set out on their journey to capture their third-straight World Cup title.

Play wasn't precise and there were missed opportunities galore. Playing against a Vietnam squad making their FIFA Women's World Cup debut, the USWNT did enough and were never really threatened in a 3-0 victory. 

The opening game result for the group stage wasn't a wipeout, like the 13-0 boot USA gave to Thailand in the 2019 opener. And with 14 new players on the roster, including six who made their first start on the World Cup stage, hiccups were to be expected.

One of those making their debut was Sophia Smith. Already a star in the NWSL, Smith announced her arrival on the world stage on grand fashion against Vietnam.

Smith shines, game notes

The USWNT was on the attack early and often, with captain Lindsey Horan missing a good opportunity in the seventh-minute

This was sort of a theme in those first ten minutes. Nice runs were being made and passes were usually spot on but there was a crispness lacking in the final third. Vietnam held strong and came out physical, showing they weren't going to back down.

That changed in the 14th-minute, where Alex Morgan had a nice little flick to Smith, who found the back of the net to give the United States a 1-0 lead.

Good movement continued and Smith was a factor on multiple opportunities. With Morgan often getting attention from two defenders at a time, Smith and Trinity Rodman were handling much of the action up front.

Rodman, shaken up in the game's first minutes, controlled the sideline and was able to draw a penalty in the box (after a lengthy VAR). And when Morgan stepped in to take the penalty shot, a 2-0 lead was forecast.

Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh had other ideas, making a sweet save (off not the best of kicks) to preserve the lead.

Tran Thi Kim Thanh was the MVP for Vietnam for much of the game, coming up with key saves throughout.

Smith found the net again in first-half stoppage time, placing a deflection in the perfect spot. This came after the call was initially ruled offside against Morgan, and overturned upon review (by the length of a couple of fingertips, as it turns out).

In scoring two goals in a World Cup game, Smith became the second-youngest player (behind Cat Whitehill) to do so.

Smith kept the pressure on in the second-half and assisted on the final goal for the United States. Taking a pass down the sideline, Smith crossed it back towards the top of the box to a waiting Horan, who had been hunting goals all game and finally found one.

All told, it was a dominant, if not uneven, game from the United States. With so many newcomers, this could be one of those World Cups were the team takes time to gel and gets better as the tournament progresses. For the most part, communication was good. The defense was never really tested, so that will be something to keep an eye on in coming games.

Doing better off set pieces is also a must for this squad. They had multiple opportunities throughout the game but only had a handful of times, if that, where they made a serious run at goal.

Veterans Megan Rapinoe (63'), Rose Lavelle (63'), and Kelly O'Hara (84') all saw action off the bench, with the appearance being number 200 for Rapinoe's international career.

First-timers Alyssa Thompson (75'), making her debut at 18-years old, and Sofia Huerta (84') also saw minutes off the bench.

It wasn't the most thrilling of victories but the important thing is the USWNT starts off Group Stage with three points, joining a handful of early-favorites doing the same.

Early results

Upsets are always a fun part of any World Cup, and the co-host squad from New Zealand kicked off the 2023 edition with one of their own.

A goal by Hannah Wilkinson in the 48th-minute and New Zealand defeated Norway, 1-0.

Co-host Australia, despite the absence of star Sam Kerr, also opened play with a 1-0 victory.

Many of the considered favorites have yet to take the field. Spain won with ease, defeating Costa Rica 3-0. And two teams contending in Group B, Nigeria and Canada, played to a 0-0 tie.

Switzerland also picked up a win and three more games are on the schedule in the coming hours, beginning with Japan vs Zambia at 3 a.m. ET. 

USWNT will be in action again on 7/26 (or 7/27 World Cup time, as I am calling it) at 9 p.m. ET, where they take on the Netherlands in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final. 

photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

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