Sophia Smith's late heroics propel USWNT past Germany, into Olympic Final

08/06/2024 03:26 PM

For the first time since London 2012, the United States women's national team will be playing in an Olympic soccer final.

The USWNT earned a second consecutive 1-0 extra-time victory courtesy of Sophia Smith’s late heroics in Tuesday’s semifinal triumph over Germany. Emma Hayes’ squad will meet either Spain or Brazil in the Gold Medal match on Saturday in Paris.

The best chances for the USWNT came early through a free point-blank header for Tierna Davidson and a shooting opportunity for Rose Lavelle on the counterattack but both finishes were hit straight at Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

Rather than Alyssa Naeher needing to match her counterpart, centerback Naomi Girma made a few crucial tackles, most notably in the tenth minute, to prevent her goalkeeper from being forced into difficult saves.

As the game flow settled throughout the half, the chance creation faded through the physicality of the match exemplified by the USWNT suffering 11 fouls — the most by any team in a half in the 2024 Olympics.

The same continued throughout the second half as Germany found success playing through the USWNT in the center of the park but struggled to find their final product. Similarly, the Americans turned their dominant possession into shots and threatening wing play but not particularly dangerous chances.

Defensively, the Americans allowed fewer opportunities for their opponent but also struggled to produce the same opportunities for themselves in attack which they had in the 4-1 group stage win over Germany.

As a result, after both teams pushed through an extra 30 minutes in their quarterfinal matchups, they had to do it again with the semifinal headed to extra-time still scoreless.

Again, the Americans needed a hero and just as they have done all tournament, the star-studded attacking trio answered the bell.

Following in Trinity Rodman's quarterfinal footsteps, Smith stepped up when her team needed her most, running with everything she had to beat Berger and a German defender to Mallory Swanson's through ball pass before getting the vital touch to flick the ball beyond both into the back of the net.

Together, the trident has now scored nine of eleven USWNT goals in the tournament, of course, with three goals each.

"Honestly I don't remember anything that just happened," Smith attempted to recall her goal postgame. "I know Mal played me a perfect ball through. I just saw an open net in front of me and knew that I had to step up in a big moment. I felt like I had to do that for this team."

Still, the USWNT needed to hold off a chasing German side for another 25 minutes.

Naeher was the one to step up to answer that question in the 119th minute with a stellar kick-save to deny Laura Freigang a last-minute equalizer and win the Olympic semifinal for the Americans.