US Women's Soccer Team Held to Draw by Costa Rica in Pre-Olympic Sendoff

Posted : 17 July 2024

Costa Rica held the United States women's national team to a goalless draw on Tuesday in the Americans' final match before heading to the Paris Olympics. Despite the draw, US captain Lindsey Horan expressed confidence in their prospects in France, addressing nearly 19,000 spectators with optimism about their Olympic chances. "We wish we would have gotten the win," Horan said. "But we're going to go out and do our thing at the Olympics. This team is amazing. We're going to represent this country so well and we'll do everything possible to bring back a gold medal."

Costa Rica's goalkeeper Noelia Bermudez, along with a strong defensive effort, frustrated the US squad, securing a draw after previously losing all 17 matches against the Americans. The US women dominated the game, outshooting Costa Rica 26-2 and forcing 12 saves from Bermudez, while taking all 16 corners. US midfielder Sophia Smith noted the challenge posed by Costa Rica's defensive tactics, emphasizing the need for patience and acknowledging the match as a valuable test ahead of the Olympics. "It takes a lot of patience to play against a low block. Costa Rica did it really well," Smith said.

New US coach Emma Hayes used the match as a learning opportunity for her team, urging them not to be frustrated by the result. "That was a big message from Emma at the end of the game – don't be frustrated," Smith said. "We wanted a result from this but these games are preparation for something bigger." Hayes emphasized the importance of peaking at the right time, specifically at the start of the Olympics. The US women will begin their Olympic journey on July 25 against Zambia in Group B, followed by matches against Germany and Australia.

The US team, which has won four Olympic women's football titles, is hopeful for another strong performance in France. Midfielder Rose Lavelle, a key player from the 2019 Women's World Cup-winning squad, was a late scratch from the match due to leg tightness, with Korbin Albert stepping in. Under Hayes, the team has shown progress with three wins and a draw, all without conceding a goal. "I think we've made good, nice progress," Hayes said. "When you take over a team and you've got to implement quite a lot, they have adapted to those ideas really well."

US Women's Soccer Team Held to Draw by Costa Rica in Pre-Olympic Sendoff

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