The United States women’s national team will be competing for gold in under two weeks and have a major conundrum. They can’t find the back of the net.
On Tuesday the Stars and Stripes played their send-off game at Audi Field in Washington D.C. against Costa Rica, ranked 44th in the world, and drew 0-0.
The USWNT had struggled to score against Mexico in their 1-0 victory on Saturday, and the problems carried over to Tuesday’s friendly.
While Costa Rica’s defense played admirably and goalkeeper Noelia Bermúdez put in a shift, the USWNT should’ve done better.
Costa Rica hardly had the ball in the USWNT’s half of the field with just 20% possession and two shots after 90 minutes. In the past the USWNT win a game like this by a 3+ goal margin.
Emma Hayes’ side kept getting into great positions but ultimately failed to produce a finish or supply that final ball. In total the U.S. recorded 23 shots, 12 shots on target, 16 CORNERS and failed to score once.
The scoring opportunities kept coming for the USWNT, but no dice.
USWNT vs Costa Rica highlights
Sophia Smith comes so close to breaking the deadlock
Watch USA vs. Costa Rica live on TNT, truTV and Max pic.twitter.com/HpcfEm9saS— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 17, 2024
USWNT keep knocking ⏳
Watch USA vs. Costa Rica live on TNT, truTV and Max pic.twitter.com/g7ArB0zHjO— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 17, 2024
Noelia Bermúdez denies Sophia Smith again
Watch USA vs. Costa Rica live on TNT, truTV and Max pic.twitter.com/IAwwVe9VPS— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 17, 2024
11th save of the night for Costa Rica keeper Noelia Bermúdez
Watch USA vs. Costa Rica on TNT, truTV and Max pic.twitter.com/MB6OXOwWGv— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 17, 2024
This performance offers no confidence for the team heading to Paris. The quest for the USWNT’s first gold medal since 2012 will see them face Zambia, Germany and Australia in the group stage.
If Hayes can’t find a way to clean up the play in the final third, then the USWNT will repeat their Women’s World Cup failure from 2023.
The USWNT’s group stage opener against Zambia will be played on July 25.
