USA 3-0 Vietnam
AUCKLAND, NZL—Not the most efficient of victories, but the most encouraging of World Cup debuts for Sophia Smith with two goals and one assist in the USA’s 3-0 victory over Vietnam before 41,107 at Eden Park.
Smith opened the scoring in the 14th minute coming onto a backheel from Alex Morgan and beating keeper Kim Thanh Tran far post. Tran and the five-women backline kept this game relatively close, though the stats would lead to alternative interpretations. Indeed, Tran would save a penalty from Alex Morgan in the 44th minute. The penalty, the sixth awarded in six games, was give after VAR determined Trinity Rodman was taken down in the box by Loan Hoang.
It looked like Vietnam would get to the break down just a goal, but Smith would score again on a rebound after a free kick was parried away by Tran. It was initially disallowed for offside on Morgan, but overturned on VAR in the seventh minute of stoppage time of the first half.
The second half saw even more chances for the USA and even more chances spurned for the most part. Smith would set up the third goal of the game drawing Tran to the former and feeding Lindsey Horan an open net finish.
“I think it was a good starting point for our team in this tournament,” said Smith. “I also know that we have a lot, you know, more that we can get a lot more to do, little things to work on. So I think it’s a good place to start. And personally, it was good to just get a World Cup game under my belt, kind of see how it felt, know what to expect. But yeah, I think it, it honestly just makes me more excited for the next game.
The closest Vietnam came to a chance was towards the end when My Anh Nguyen came down the flank, but her cross or shot was easily gathered by Alyssa Naeher.
Again, not the most efficient or dominating of wins (at least on the scoresheet).
“It’s always great to get a win,” said USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovsky. “Obviously we came here to win the game and we did that. I thought we played a good game. Unfortunately, we didn’t capitalize on all the opportunities, great opportunities that we created, and that’s something that we’re certainly gonna focus on in lead up to the next game. But, the first one is in the books and the focus immediately shifts towards game two.”
Game two for the USA is against the Netherlands on Wednesday at 8pm CT on Fox and Telemundo from Wellington. Vietnam next play Portugal in Hamilton on Thursday at 2:30am CT (FS1/NBC Universo).
Two matches in the books from Eden Park in Auckland and over 83,000 in combined attendance and that is quite impressive for the City of Sails.
SCORING SUMMARY:
USA-Sophia Smith (Morgan) 14
USA-Sophia Smith (unassisted) 45+7
USA-Lindsey Horan (Smith) 77
BOOKING SUMMARY:
USA-Lindsey Horan (caution, reckless tackle) 56
VIE-Nhu Hu Huynh (caution, time wasting) 76
USA (4-3-3): #1-Alyssa Naeher, #19-Crystal Dunn (#5-Kelley O’Hara 84), #4-Naomi Girma, #8-Julie Ertz, #23-Emily Fox (#3-Sophia Huerta 84); #10-Lindsey Horan, #17-Andi Sullivan, #9-Savannah DeMelo (#16-Rose Lavelle 63); #20-Trinity Rodman (#7-Alyssa Thompson 75), #13-Alex Morgan (#15-Megan Rapinoe 63), #11-Sophia Smith
Subs not used: #18-Casey Murphy, #21-Aubrey Kingsbury, 2-Ashley Sanchez, #6-Lynn Williams, #12-Alana Cook, #14-Emily Sonnett, #22-Kristie Mewis
VIETNAM (5-4-1): #14-Kim Thanh Tran; #5-Loan Hoang, #4-Thu Tran, #13-Diem My Le, #2-Thu Thuong Luong (#3-Kieu Chuong 62), #17-Thu Thao Tran; #7-Tuyet Dung Nguyen (#21-Van Su Ngan 46), #11-Thao Thai, #23-Bich Thuy Nguyen (#22-My Anh Nguyen 62), #10-Hai Linh Tran (#16-Van Duong 89); #9-Nhu Huynh (#12-Hai Yen Pham 76)
Subs not used: #1-Kieu Oanh Dao, #20-Hang Khong, #6-Thuy Nga Tran, #8-Thuy Trang Tran, #12-Hai Yen Pham, #15-Thuy Hang Nguyen, #18-Hoa Vu, #19-Thanh Nha Nguyen
TOTAL SHOTS: USA 27-0 VIE
SHOTS ON GOAL: USA 8-0 VIE
FOULS: USA 13-13 VIE
OFFSIDES: USA 5-0 VIE
CORNER KICKS: USA 9-0 VIE
SAVES: USA 0-5 VIE
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (MAR)
Assistant Referees: Fatiha Jermoumi (MAR), Soukaina (MAR)
4th Official: Ivana Martincic (CRO)
VAR: Juan Martinez (ESP)
Assistant VARs: Ella De Vries (BEL), Michelle O’Neill (IRL)
Attendance: 41,107
Woman of the Match: Sophia Smith (USA)
