An amazing Alyssa Thompson goal vs Iceland opened the scoring for the United States women’s national team in their 3-1 victory on Thursday. The goal also marked Thompson’s first for the Stars and Stripes.
The USWNT went up against a compact and feisty Iceland side in their first game since the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics in August.
Head coach Emma Hayes gave teenage phenom Thompson the start in the friendly match which marked her first appearance for the USWNT in a year. Thompson made her debut for the national team in 2022 and had seven appearances in 2023. She was named to the 2023 Women’s World Cup roster but hadn’t appeared in 2024 prior to Thursday.
The Angel City forward has been in great form to close out the 2024 NWSL regular season with five goals and an assist in her last eight games.
Thompson took full advantage of the USWNT start as she scored a rocket in the 39th minute for her first USWNT goal.
Alyssa Thompson goal vs Iceland
19-year-old Alyssa Thompson scores a banger for her first USWNT goal ☄️
Watch USA vs. Iceland live on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/yaxbVoDN8L— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 25, 2024
What a strike from the teenager.
Iceland continued to give the USWNT issues and deservedly equalized in the 56th minute with their own wonder goal courtesy of Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir.
What a strike from Magnúsdóttir to level it up for Iceland
Watch USA vs. Iceland live on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/9qFW9tTk6C— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 25, 2024
Hayes made five changes in the second half and two of her substitutes went on to score as Jaedyn Shaw and Sophia Smith secured the win for the USWNT.
Shaw scored the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute with some splendid footwork in the box and then nutmegged the goalkeeper.
Jaedyn Shaw dribbles through the Iceland defense
Watch USA vs. Iceland live on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/mMdjJWcz61— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 25, 2024
Shaw, 19, and Thompson, 19, are the first pair of teenagers to score in the same game for the USWNT in 23 years.
Smith put the icing on the cake with a long-distance strike in the 88th minute to put the game to bed in front of a mostly filled Q2 Stadium.
Sophia Smith from the edge of the box to make it 3-1
Watch USA face Iceland again on Sunday on TNT, truTV and Max pic.twitter.com/1Y4h7E8Ten— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 25, 2024
The USWNT and Iceland will face off again in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday.
