Yahoo Sports Paris Olympics 2024: Live updates, score as the USWNT opens group play against Zambia
The USWNT is looking to improve on a bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Summer Games
The last time the U.S. Women's national team was seen at a high-level global tournament, the results were disappointing in a Round of 16 exit at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. The favorites struggled to generate offense winning only one match in the group stage and scoring just four goals in four games under Vlatko Andonovski. New coach Emma Hayes is now charged with getting the USWNT back to the top of the podium on the international stage.
Leading the charge for the USWNT are four veterans with more than 100 caps, midfielder Lindsey Horan (150 caps), forward Crystal Dunn (149 caps), goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (106 caps) and midfielder Rose Lavelle (106 caps), three of whom were on the 2019 World Cup winning squad. Team USA, along with Zambia, Germany and Australia comprise Group B at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
How to watch USWNT vs Zambia 2024 Paris Olympics
Time: 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT
Location: Allianz Riviera | Nice, France
Channel: USA Network
Stream: Fubo, Peacock
Stay with Yahoo Sports for full coverage of the USWNT opening up group play at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER24 updates
Final: USA 3, Zambia 0
Zambia couldn't generate much in the second half and never really threatened to cut into Team USA's 3–0 lead. Especially while short-handed.
In the meantime, USWNT coach Emma Hayes took the opportunity to rest several key players with the big lead – allowing players like Jenna Nighswonger to make their major tournament debut and a match against Germany on Sunday.
USA and Germany will continue Group B play with Sunday's match at 3 p.m. ET.
Zambia not giving up
Racheal Kundananji was determined to get Zambia on the board, running hard down the sideline and getting a shot on goal. However, the shot went right to USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and didn't come close.
Rodman and Swanson getting a rest
Trinity Rodman probably won't get that second goal, as she's been subbed out of the match. USA is taking the opportunity to rest its star players with the 3–0 lead and another game in two days.
Rodman and Mallory Swanson are out, along with Lindsey Horan. Subbing in for them are Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger and Emily Sonnett.
Trinity Rodman with another near-goal
Trinity Rodman was once again in position for her second goal, but she kicked just wide of the net to the left. She's not far from having three goals today.
Korbin Albert in for Rose Lavelle
USWNT coach Emma Hayes substitutes Korbin Albert for Rose Lavelle in the second half. Lavelle was scratched from last week's friendly with Costa Rica due to groin tightness. Hayes is apparently being cautious with a 3–0 lead and making sure Lavelle doesn't push it with her injury.
USA 3, Zambia 0 at halftime
The first half couldn't have gone much better for Team USA, who takes a 3–0 lead into halftime. Mallory Swanson has two goals, with Trinity Rodman adding another.
Meanwhile, Zambia is down to 10 players after a red card on Paulina Zulu.
34' - 🟥: RED!
Zambia will play with 10 players following VAR review.— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 25, 2024
Trinity Rodman just misses another goal
Trinity Rodman almost had another goal shortly before halftime, but her header went wide right of the net.
Brazil beats Nigeria, 1–0
A thrilling finish for Brazil, winning a 1–0 match over Nigeria:
That is some finish. 😳
Gabi Nunes smashed it home to give Brazil the lead over Nigeria! 💥 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/cgssm2xY5A— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 25, 2024
Germany defeats Australia, 3–0
Elsewhere in the women's Olympic soccer tournament, Germany beat Australia, 3–0.
“It’s a brilliant assist from Sarai Linder!”
The former Knight has a point at #Paris2024
📺: Peacock pic.twitter.com/J8zC09AfZr— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) July 25, 2024
Germany will face Team USA on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
Zambia lineup
The Starting XI for Zambia:
It appears at first glance that Zambia will play three at the back vs. the #USWNT:
Musole (GK) — Siamfuko, Mweemba, Tembo — G. Chanda, H Chanda, Chilufya, Chitundu, Mupopo — Kundananji, B. Banda.
Kundananji & Banda the big names, but look out for former 400m champion Mupopo.— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 25, 2024
USWNT lineup
Here is the Starting XI for USWNT:
A Nice XI to start the Olympics 🇺🇸
Full Lineup Notes ⤵️#USWNT x @Visa— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 25, 2024
Still waiting for Zambia's lineup...
Spain defeats Japan, 2–1
In Group C, World champion Spain defeated Japan, 2–1.
Another winner for Spain! 🇪🇸
Mariona Caldentey scores to lead her team to victory over Japan. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/oMbBucn79J— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 25, 2024
Also in Group C, Nigeria and Brasil are matched up today.
Canada defeats New Zealand, 2–1
Defending Olympic champion Canada defeated New Zealand, 2–1, in Group A to open the Women's Soccer Tournament on Thursday.
Meanwhile, New Zealand 🇳🇿 takes the lead over previous Olympic winners Canada 🇨🇦 with this goal from Mackenzie Barry.
What a start to the Olympics:
pic.twitter.com/pfsQwDFCR1— Kamran Nia (@kamran_nia) July 25, 2024
Also in Group A, France and Colombia will play at 3 p.m. ET.
The tao of USWNT coach Emma Hayes, who ‘picks winning over everything else’
Emma Hayes (in red) during a training session at Stade Francis Turcan on July 24, 2024 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) Emma Hayes was born and raised in central London, and enchanted, like so many British kids, by football. She’d play with her two sisters, Rebecca and Victoria. She’d play in cages, or on family vacations at the beach. She’d play with boys at primary school. She jumped to a local club, then rose through Arsenal’s academy. She’d play wherever she could — until she couldn’t.
Around age 17, after damaging her ankle on a ski trip, she had to stop.
For months, perhaps years, she was “devastated, heartbroken,” her sisters wrote. She went off to college in Liverpool, focusing on European studies, Spanish and sociology. She later went after a master’s degree in intelligence and international affairs. Her intention, she has said, was to work in counter intelligence; to become a spy. “I wanted to work for the United Nations,” she added on a recent podcast. “I wanted to become a peacekeeper.”
But football always pulled at her. So did her dad, Sid, who loved the sport. “He attended football all over the world, often as a ticket tout — but he would watch all the games too,” Emma recalled. And as his daughter explored coaching, he phoned her from the United States, during either the 1996 Olympics or the 1999 Women’s World Cup. “Emma,” he said, after describing the crowds and the buzz, “you’ve got to move to America. This is where it’s at.”
Read the full feature on Hayes here.
