The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) cruised to a 3-0 win over Vietnam in their opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Saturday. The USA team line-up include eight players who are making their World Cup debuts.
The USWNT dominated the match from start to finish, with Sophia Smith scoring twice to lead the way. She becomes the second-youngest USWNT player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game,
The USWNT had a total of 28 shots on goal to none by Vietnam. They also had 66% possession of the ball. The win was the USWNT’s 13th consecutive victory in World Cup play. The USWNT also had a number of other chances, but were unable to convert them. They are most favorites to win the tournament for a record fifth time.
In the 44th minute, a VAR review resulted in the USA being given a penalty kick for a foul on Rodman that had occurred earlier in the attack after the USA had been consistently posing a threat. Morgan took the shot, but Tran, who had a stellar night with four saves, came up with a diving stop to block her effort.
Before the end of the first half, Vietnam again attempted to squander time, so Smith struck again, this time in the seventh of the eight minutes of stoppage time that were granted. Defender Naomi Girma attempted to cross the ball, but Tran came off her line and blocked it. The ball then flew straight to Smith just inside the box, who finished with her left foot through Tran’s legs while Morgan and Julie Ertz distracted the goalkeeper and other players.
After replacing Morgan in the 63rd minute, forward and USWNT veteran Megan Rapinoe won her 200th cap. Rapinoe, she also becomes only the 14th USWNT player to reach that milestone.
Smith at the double! ⚽️⚽️@sophsssmith adds her second deep in first half injury time and #USA lead 2-0 at the break!#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/MzxAiBzUlV
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 22, 2023
‘I Will do whatever it takes to help us win’
Scoring two goals and an assist, Player of the Match Sophia Smith shared her views on the game: “Every minute of that game was fun. The crowd was amazing. We still have so much left to do.
“I came into the game with a mindset that I will do whatever it takes to help us win,” Smith said.
“I feel relieved. I was a bit anxious going into the tournament, so it’s nice to get a game under our belt. We know the next two games will be hard.”
The @USWNT got their #FIFAWWC campaign off to a winning start as they defeated a determined Vietnam side. 🇺🇸💪
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 22, 2023
Debutant Vietnam had an enormous challenge on their hands while entering the contest with the number 1 ranking team in the world. The Golden Star Women Warriors ultimately kept the US team, the defending champions, to just three goals despite the lopsided statistics.
The USWNT will next play the Netherlands on Wednesday, July 26, before completing the group round with an encounter against Portugal on August 1
On the other hand, Vietnam will be hoping to have a better outcome in their next match against co-debutants Portugal on Thursday, July 27 and in their final group match they will face another stiff competition against the Netherlands on August 1.
USA vs Vietnam Final Score
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final Score |
| USA | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Vietnam | 0 | 0 | 0 |
USA – Sophia Smith (Alex Morgan) : 14th minute
USA – Sophia Smith : 45+7
USA – Lindsey Horan (Sophia Smith) : 77
Goal Scores :
USA – Sophia Smith (Alex Morgan) 14′ : Morgan take the ball from the top of the box after Girma controlled the ball out of the back with a pass to Horan. She sprinted into the left side of the box, skillfully flicked a ball to Smith with her heel on the first touch, who took a touch and scored with a low shot from nine yards out. USA 1, Vietnam 0
USA – Sophia Smith 45+7′ : The ball went to Smith just inside the box as goalkeeper Trn ThKim Thanh rushed off her line and knocked away a cross from defender Naomi. Smith then scored with her left foot from 15 yards with her first touch. USA 2, Vietnam 0
USA – Lindsay Horan (Sophia Smith) 77′ : Smith used good battling skills to win a long pass from Julie Ertz on the right flank, outmuscle her opponent. She played a pass to Horan near the centre of the box as there was running out of room on the end line. Horan took a touch before sending the ball home with his right foot from 13 yards out. USA 3, Vietnam 0
Final Line-ups
USA
1-Alyssa Naeher; 23-Emily Fox (3-Sofia Huerta, 84), 4-Naomi Girma, 8-Julie Ertz, 19-Crystal Dunn (5-Kelley O’Hara, 84); 17-Andi Sullivan, 10-Lindsey Horan (Capt.), 9-Savannah DeMelo (16-Rose Lavelle, 63); 11-Sophia Smith, 13-Alex Morgan (15-Megan Rapinoe, 63), 20-Trinity Rodman (7-Alyssa Thompson, 75)
Vietnam
14-TRAN Thi Kim Thanh; 17-TRAN Thi Thu Thao, 13-LE Thi Diem My, 2-LUONG Thi Thu Thuong (3-CHUONG Thi Kieu, 61), 4-TRAN Thi Thu, 5-HOANG Thi Loan; 10-TRAN Thi Hai Linh (16-DUONG Thi Van, 90), 23-NGUYEN Thi Bich Thuy (22-NGUYEN Thi My Anh, 62), 11-THAI Thi Thao, 7-NGUYEN Thi Tuyet Dung (21-NGAN Thi Van Su, 46); 9-HUYNH Nhu (Capt.) (12-PHAM Hai Yen, 76)
Visa Player of the Match
Sophia Smith