PARIS — Trinity Rodman took matters into her own hands. And because of it, she’s already a United States women’s national soccer team hero at 22 years old.
Rodman broke a scoreless tie in the second and final minute of stoppage time during the first half of extra time Saturday against Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her goal – a left-footed curving beauty to the far post – sent the U.S. through to the semifinals with a 1-0 victory in the most dramatic fashion.
Defender Emily Fox tackled Rodman to the ground. The rest of the team dogpiled them in the elation of finally breaking the disciplined and successful Japanese line of defense that gave the Americans fits all game.
That was until Rodman took a long pass from the back line, off the foot of the eagle-eyed Crystral Dunn. Rodman cut back the bouncing ball – and may have evaded a handball call – with her right foot and fired with the inside of her weak one.
Without midfielder Sam Coffey (yellow-card suspension) and center back Tierna Davidson – who missed her second consecutive game since leaving the second game of the tournament with a leg contusion – the U.S. looked the worst it had on both sides of the pitch all Olympics. Even the attacking combinations that did work rarely resulted in legitimate chances. Team captain Lindsey Horan struggled all game in multiple facets, mostly passing.
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Japan’s lone shot on goal came in the 38th minute and keeper Alyssa Naeher easily swallowed up the attempt. The Japanese did threaten throughout the game but were unable to test Naeher with those opportunities.
The U.S. outshot Japan 14-11, but the Americans put just four shots on net.
The U.S. will face Germany, which beat Canada, in the semifinal.
Here are the highlights from the USWNT's victory against Japan in the Olympic quarterfinals.
USWNT scores on Trinity Rodman goal
PARIS — Trinity Rodman, at 22 years old, just made herself a national team icon.
In stoppage time of the first half of extra time, Rodman received the ball on the right flank (and may have gotten away with a handball), cut back, and fired with her left foot. The spinning shot curved within the far post and was basically an upper-90 beauty. The first goal of the game set the U.S. up nicely for the second half of extra time, another 15-minute period.
A VAR review confirmed Rodman was onside.
Great sportsmanship, even in extra time
PARIS — Korbin Albert went down with an injury as play went on behind her. When the ball went out of bounds for a Japanese corner, Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamash*ta was there to console Albert and help her up until the training staff arrived. Albert was able to stay in the game.
Lynn Williams in for Mallory Swanson
PARIS — Finally, Emma Hayes has gone to her bench. Forward Mallory Swanson took a seat to start extra time and was replaced by Lynn Williams.
Williams scored the fourth and final goal against Germany on Sunday minutes after coming on as a sub in that match.
Olympics soccer overtime rules
Knockout stage soccer games at the Paris Olympics go to 30 minutes of extra time (two 15-minute halves) if a match finishes tied. If things remain tied after the additional 30 minutes, the winner is determined by penalty kicks.
In recent years, the USWNT was eliminated in penalties in the 2023 World Cup and the quarterfinals of the 2016 Olympics, but won a shootout in the quarterfinal of the Tokyo Games. — Jesse Yomtov
Extra time incoming for USWNT vs. Japan
PARIS — We are going to extra time at Parc de Princes. After five minutes of extra time in the second half and 90 other minutes, there has yet to be a goal.
The next will likely decide which squad moves on to the semifinals. If there is no goal, then the competition will move to penalty kicks.
The U.S. had a flurry of chances in the box during stoppage time but couldn’t move any of the shots around Japanese defenders and threaten the goalkeeper.
Trinity Rodman was knocked down in the box on a chance that would have been the best chance of the game for the U.S. but the ref kept her whistle in her pocket.
Japan threatens in the 80th
PARIS — Yui Hasegawa had a look from the top of the box but skied it over the goal in the 80th.
Thus far, Japan has used three of its subs, while Emma Hayes has yet to make a change.
The U.S. has not had a shot on target in the second half.
Rodman’s chance goes awry
PARIS — This time it was the U.S. who found itself out in transition. Korbin Albert sent Trinity Rodman streaking up the middle of the field on a through ball in the 69th minute but Rodman’s first touch was far too big. She did recover enough to pressure Japan into conceding a corner, but the U.S. didn’t capitalize. The real opportunity was Rodman’s dash.
Emily Sonnett takes yellow card
PARIS — The U.S. continues to look shaky in transition and Emily Sonnett paid the price of a yellow card because of it. The defender, in place of usual starter Tierna Davidson (leg contusion), left her feet on a tackle attempt and took down Aoba Fujino. Referee Tess Olofsson showed Sonnett a yellow.
A few moments before, a nice move from Trinity Rodman into the box set up a U.S. corner.
Two early corners in second for Japan
PARIS — Japan has come out on the attack to start the second half. The Japanese earned two corner kicks within the first six minutes and had the U.S. terribly confused during its cross that led to the second one.
Luckily for the U.S., nothing came of either attempt.
Halftime: USA 0, Japan 0
PARIS — A scoreless first 45 minutes in the quarterfinals here at Parc de Princes means that whoever moves on to the semifinals between the United States and Japan will be decided in the second half – or extra time or penalties.
The U.S. managed four shots, with two on net, but rarely put together its successful attacking combinations into legitimate success. Japan’s first shot came in the 34th minute and it had another golden chance three minutes later during a nervy sequence for the Americans, but they came away unscathed.
Midfielder Rose Lavelle has been a bright spot for the U.S., while team captain Lindsey Horan continues to struggle, particularly with her passing.
Japan gets first shot on goal
PARIS — Japan finally got its first shot on goal in the 34th minute. Kiko Seike feathered a pass through the U.S. defense from the left flank to Mina Tanaka. Tanaka turned and fired but right into the lap of Alyssa Naeher, who smothered the ball for the save.
That was the start of a nervy sequence for the Americans. Three minutes later, Miyabi Moriya had an open look at the net but booted it over everything to squander a golden Japanese chance.
Sophia Smith misses net on rush
PARIS — In the 30th minute, Lindsey Horan had a nifty head flick to Sophia Smith, who dashed upfield with a head of steam. She unfurled a shot that went way wide and high of the goal, though, as Rose Lavelle ran alongside her to the middle of the box. It was adequately defended by Japan but Emma Hayes surely would have liked to see a better chance come from the sequence.
Defense on display for USWNT vs. Japan
PARIS — Not much to report from action on the pitch through the first 25-plus minutes.
The U.S. has two shots total, Lindsey Horan’s header from earlier the lone attempt from either side on net. Japan has yet to fire a shot at all, but has generated some pressure.
The U.S. has acquired several crossing opportunities but too often no player is in position to receive them in an attacking mode.
Japan did have a free kick from the left edge of the box in the 27th minute but the U.S. was able to clear.
Snoop Dogg in the house!
PARIS — The most popular man of the (unofficial) Team USA delegation, Snoop Dogg, was in attendance. Around the 12th minute, "D-o-double-g" appeared in the mezzanine section near midfield. The crowd of American fans nearby went berserk and started chanting "King Snoop!"
Early chance for USWNT
PARIS — The first chance for the U.S. came in the fifth minute when Korbin Albert played a long ball into the box that found the head of team captain Lindsey Horan. But Horan’s header didn’t have enough mustard on it and bounced into the hands of Japanese keeper Ayaka Yamash*ta.
What time does USWNT play Japan?
The U.S. and Japan kick off at 9 a.m. ET.
Where to watch USA vs. Japan
USA Network is airing the match, and Peaco*ck is live streaming it.
USWNT Olympic schedule
- July 25: USWNT 3, Zambia 0
- July 28: USWNT 4, Germany 1
- July 31: USWNT 2, Australia 0
Read on:How USA's Naomi Girma became 'one of the best defenders in the world'
USWNT Olympic roster
- Forward: Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Jaedyn Smith, Trinity Rodman and Crystal Dunn.
- Goalkeepers: Casey Murphy and Alyssa Naeher.
- Defenders: Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett.
- Midfielders: Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Lynn Williams.
Great atmosphere at Parc de Princes
PARIS — Twenty minutes before kickoff, it’s clear that group play is over based on the crowd size and atmosphere here at Parc de Princes Stadium.
This will be easily the biggest crowd the Americans have played in front of at the Paris Olympics (it is their first game in Paris). While Japan has fans here, the crowd will certainly be pro-U.S.
USWNT starting lineupvs. Japan
- Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher
- Defenders: Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Emily Sonnett, Crystal Dunn
- Midfielders: Korbin Albert, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle
- Forwards: Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith
Sam Coffey out due to yellow-card accumulation; Korbin Albert starts
When Sam Coffey picked up a yellow card in her second consecutive match, it came at a price. The USA midfielder will serve a yellow-card suspension Saturday; Korbin Albert will start in her place.
Albert scored what ended up being the game-winning goal against Australia in the final match of group play.
Other than having Coffey in for Albert and Sonnet in for Davidson, Emma Hayes has stuck with the same lineup at these Games.
Tierna Davidson out again for USWNT
PARIS — For the second consecutive game (really 2.5 matches total), the U.S. will be without one of its top defenders.
Tierna Davidson will miss the quarterfinals as she continues to heal from a leg contusion she suffered against Germany halfway through the second match of the tournament. Emily Sonnett has taken her place in one of the center back positions.
In positive injury news for the U.S., reserve Jaedyn Shaw is back after missing the group stage with a leg injury. Croix Bethune, who’d replaced Shaw on the 18-person roster, is back to being a reserve.
Women in white
PARIS — The USWNT is wearing the home whites against Japan.
Defense locking it down in France
PARIS — Through the group stage, the Americans have conceded two goals. One to Germany and another to Australia after the U.S. blanked Zambia in the opener. Only Spain has allowed less goals (one) through three matches. The U.S. has allowed 12 shots on goal total.
Offensively, the nine goals from the U.S. was a record for Olympic group-stage play.
Olympic soccer schedule
The women’s tournament moves into the semifinals on Aug. 6 with matches noon and 3 p.m. ET. The gold medal match is Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. ET, the bronze medal match on Aug. 9 at 9 a.m. ET.
Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith producing big results
The future of the United States women’s national team, at least when it comes to scoring goals, rests with forwards Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman.
The Front Three. The Big Three. Whatever they’re called, if the trio plays like they did Sunday in the Americans' 4-1 victory over Germany, the signs are positive for the USWNT moving forward.
Through two games and six points at the Paris Olympics, Rodman (one), Smith (two) and Swanson (three) have accounted for six of the Americans’ seven goals.
"You can see, I’m not making many changes to the lineup, because they have to build connections," said head coach Emma Hayes, who was much cheerier than after the Zambia match.
Hayes added: "I think the front three in general were dynamic as hell, really fun to watch. Most importantly they enjoyed themselves."
