https://www.futbolmundial.com/ After a dramatic late goal lifted the USA to a 1-0 overtime victory over Japan in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympic Women’s Soccer Tournament, the U.S. Women’s National Team will face fellow powerhouse Germany in the semifinals for a spot in the Gold Medal match at Paris 2024. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. local at Stade de Lyon in Lyon, a venue full of championship history for the USWNT, with broadcast coverage available on USA Network, Telemundo and Peacock.
The USA and Germany squared off in the group stage – a 4-1 victory for the United States in Marseille on July 28 to clinch its spot in the knockout rounds en route to topping Group B in convincing fashion. This time, both teams are coming off of hard-earned overtime victories in the quarterfinals, with Germany topping Canada 4-2 in penalty kicks following 120 scoreless minutes of action. The nations have a history of success and significant showdowns on the world stage as two of the only three countries to win both the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic gold.
Now, Tuesday’s winner will advance to meet the winner of Brazil-Spain in the Gold Medal match on Aug. 10 at Parc des Princes in Paris, while the loser will take aim at bronze on Aug. 9 in Lyon. The U.S. is playing in the Olympic semifinals for the seventh time in eight appearances and the 15th time overall in 17 appearances at world championship events.
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RODMAN’S LATE HEROICS SEND USWNT TO SEMIS
Facing a determined and disciplined Japan side in the quarterfinals – the most-played knockout round match-up in the history of women’s world championships- the USA emerged triumphant, winning 1-0 thanks to a late overtime goal from 22-year-old Trinity Rodman. Playing in a stout low block for most of the afternoon, Japan held the U.S. in check for more than 105 minutes before Rodman’s spectacular strike came in the second minute of stoppage time after the first overtime period. It was the latest goal the USWNT has netted at the Olympics since Alex Morgan’s game-winner in the 120+3rd minute in the 2012 Olympic Semifinal vs. Canada.
With her goal, Rodman – who assisted the opening goal by Sophia Smith in the group stage meeting against Germany – has been directly involved in a goal in all four matches at the Olympics, the longest streak by any USWNT player at a single major tournament since Carli Lloyd at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the longest by any USWNT player at the Olympics since Alex Morgan (six straight) and Abby Wambach (five straight) at the 2012 Olympics in London. At just 22 years old, Rodman is the youngest player to score for the USWNT in an Olympic knockout round match since 20-year-old Lindsay Tarpley scored in the 2004 Gold Medal Match. The win also marked the USA’s first clean sheet in the knockout rounds of the Olympics since shutting out New Zealand 2-0 in the quarterfinals at London 2012.
U.S. OLYMPIC WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB)
COLOCAR FOTO USWNT 3
GOALKEEPERS (2): 18-Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), 1-Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (6): 12-Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), 2-Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), 4-Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), 6-Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), 13-Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), 14-Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
MIDFIELDERS (4): 3-Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), 17-Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), 10-Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), 16-Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
FORWARDS (6): 7-Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), 5-Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), 15-Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), 11-Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), 9-Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars), 8-Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
ALTERNATES (4): 20-Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit), 22-Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), 19-Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), 21-Emily Sams (Orlando Pride)
HOW THEY GOT THERE: GERMANY ADVANCES TO SEMIFINAL
Following the group stage defeat to the USA, Germany secured its spot in the knockout stages with a 4-1 victory over Zambia in the third and final group stage match. Forward Lea Schuller netted a brace with goals in the 10th and 61st minutes and midfielder Klara Buhl added a goal and two assists to secure Germany’s second victory at Paris 2024 and a second-place finish in Group B.
Facing Group A runners-up Canada in the quarterfinal, Germany controlled play in the first half before Canada took over in the second. Despite the swings in momentum and chances for both sides, neither team could find the back of the net in regulation or extra time and the match went to penalty kicks to determine who would face the USA in the semifinals.
Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger came up massive for Germany in the shootout, saving Canada’s second and third attempts and converting her penalty kick for the 4-2 shootout victory.
Following a highly competitive group-stage, the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympic Women’s Soccer Tournament did not disappoint, with all four matches being determined by the thinnest of margins. Both the USA and Brazil advanced on dramatic, late goals, while it took penalty kicks for Germany and Spain to reach the semifinals.
The USA and Germany will open the semifinal round on August 6 at 12 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. local, while Brazil and reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Spain will square off at 3 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. local in Marseille.
Of the four teams still standing, the USA, Germany and Brazil have all previously reached the podium. The U.S. has the most Olympic gold and most total medals in the history of the competition, winning four golds, one silver and one bronze. Germany, the 2016 gold medalists, has also won three bronze medals while Brazil has two silver medals. Spain earned its first world championship at last summer’s Women’s World Cup and is making its Olympic debut at Paris 2024.
