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Paris Olympics 2024: USWNT opens group play with 3–0 win over Zambia

The USWNT is looking to improve on a bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Summer Games

The US women's national soccer team began Olympic tournament play decisively, with a 3–0 win over Zambia.

Trinity Rodman opened the scoring for the US at the 17th minute, receiving a centering pass, then turning and firing a shot past Zambia goalkeeper Ngambo Musole.

Seven minutes later, Mallory Swanson followed with a score off a perfect pass from Lindsey Horan. Just a minute after that, Swanson scored again, receiving a pass from Sophia Smith then maneuvering around Musole to easily get the ball in the net.

Up next for Team USA in Group B play is a matchup with Germany on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. Germany defeated Australia, 3–0, earlier on Thursday.

Check out Yahoo Sports' live blog coverage of the USA-Zambia match below.

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.

  • Trinity Rodman just misses another goal

    Trinity Rodman almost had another goal shortly before halftime, but her header went wide right of the net.

  • Pauline Zulu's yellow card upgraded to red, and Zambia will play with 10

  • Brazil beats Nigeria, 1–0

    A thrilling finish for Brazil, winning a 1–0 match over Nigeria:

  • Germany defeats Australia, 3–0

    Elsewhere in the women's Olympic soccer tournament, Germany beat Australia, 3–0.

    Germany will face Team USA on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

  • Mallory Swanson, again?!

    Swanson puts USWNT up 3-0.

  • A beauty from Mallory Swanson puts USWNT up 2-0

  • Trinity Rodman strikes first!

    The US is up 1-0 in the 17th minute thanks to the 22-year-old Rodman.

  • Over the past few minutes, the U.S. has put forth a flurry of shots, several off the crossbar, and while none got through, it feels like a matter of time.

  • Through the first 13 minutes, the USWNT has had its fair share of chances, but nothing has broken through yet.

  • USWNT get off to a fast start

  • Team USA is ready to go

  • Zambia lineup

    The Starting XI for Zambia:

  • What to expect from the USWNT in the 2024 Paris Olympics

  • USWNT lineup

    Here is the Starting XI for USWNT:

    Still waiting for Zambia's lineup...

  • Spain defeats Japan, 2–1

    In Group C, World champion Spain defeated Japan, 2–1.

    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.

    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’

    MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JULY 24: Emma Hayes, Head Coach of Team United States, looks on during a Team United States Football training session at Stade Francis Turcan on July 24, 2024 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
    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.