After an uneventful match, two familiar foes played to a 0-0 draw, buying each team their place in the quarterfinals. If we’re being completely honest, the USWNT could’ve beaten Australia…if they really wanted it. This game appeared however, that neither team was really playing for the win. Five changes were made to the USA’s starting lineup with Kelley O’Hara and Becky Sauerbrunn replacing Abby Dahlkemper and Emily Sonnett on defense as well as Samantha Mewis replaced Lindsey Horan in the midfield and Alex Morgan and Christen Press replaced Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd at forward. None of these subs sparked any fire during the match.
Game Notes:
- With the tie, the USA is now 26-1-4 all-time against Australia and 0-0-2 at the Olympics.
- Having been included in the gameday roster, Lynn Williams in now considered an Olympian and is eligible for a medal if the USA was to win one.
- Carli Lloyd and Lindsey Horan are the only players to have appeared in all 15 matches in 2021 for the US.
- For the first time in USWNT history, the USA finishes with less than 6 points in the group stage of either an Olympics or World Cup.
- Australia’s head coach, Tony Gustavsson, was a former USWNT assistant coach.
The USA will be back on the pitch August 1st at 4am ET against the Netherlands with hopes of securing their spot in the semifinals!