Written by Sean Wagner-McGough at CBSSports.com
At some point during these Olympics, Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, and Hope Solo will need more support from their U.S. women’s national team teammates. But on Saturday, in the USWNT’s clash against France, those three players were enough — but only just barely — for the team to walk off the pitch with three points.
With the fate of Group G at stake, the U.S. stole a 1-0 win over France. Heath set up Lloyd for the game-winner and Solo ensured that just one goal would be required for the U.S. to fend off a talented — and, to be blunt, a better — French side.
Through two games, the U.S. now stands alone atop of its group with six points. Combined with Saturday’s draw between Germany and Australia, the U.S. is through to the quarterfinals with the tough victory over France.
Here are seven things to know about the USWNT’s win:
1. Who else?
Guess who scored the game-winning goal for the USWNT:
- A) Carli Lloyd
- B) Carli Lloyd
- C) Carli Lloyd
- D) Carli Lloyd
Lloyd, who put away the first goal of the Olympics for the U.S. in its 2-0 win over New Zealand, handed the U.S. a 1-0 lead over France in the 63rd minute. According to ESPN’s Paul Carr, Lloyd became the first USWNT player — ever — to score multiple goals in three different Olympics.
So, clearly Tobin Heath deserves the majority of the credit for that goal. Her run and near-post blast set up Lloyd with a tap-in that everyone — well,maybe not Chris Wondolowski — would’ve converted on. Don’t overlook Morgan Brian’s contribution either, as she spotted Heath on the left side of the box and played her in.
Beautiful soccer, resulting in a rather simple goal for the U.S.
2. Luckier, not better
That passing sequence serves as a perfect representation of the transformation the U.S. underwent after halftime. In the first 45 minutes, the U.S. lacked organization and creativity. It was sloppy. It was completely outplayed by France.
Frankly, it was lucky to be tied at halftime.
The U.S. completed more passes in the first half, but the majority of France’s touches served as major threats, while the U.S. meandered around without purpose.
That changed in the second half. The team began to resemble an actual attacking force. The USWNT still isn’t operating at the level we saw last summer in the final few games at the World Cup, but after three lackluster halves to start the Olympics, it showed some much-needed signs of life in the second half Saturday.
Still, after the U.S. struck for the lone goal of the game, France responded by mounting several dangerous attacks that the U.S. barely fought off, thanks almost entirely to Solo. In all, France outshot the U.S. 14-5.
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