USWNT Costa Rica Recap

WASHINGTON D.C. – Felicitations to Costa Rica’s Las Ticas. FIFA’s 44th-ranked women’s team rose to the occasion in sold-out Audi Field on Tuesday night. They sabotaged the United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) send-off match to the Summer Olympics. 

Not only did they earn an impressive draw, but they did so at 98 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff in Washington, D.C. Add, 65% humidity, and a rambunctious U.S. home crowd of 19,000 that included dignitaries from Capitol Hill.

In pulling off this unimaginable feat, the Costa Ricans made Concacaf history. After 17 straight defeats against the USA, Las Ticas battled to the 96 minutes and earned their first-ever draw and clean sheet against the 5th-ranked Americans.

In hopes of stifling the U.S.’s potent attack and patented-pending ability to find the back of the net, Costa Rica deployed an impressive low-block defense. Their strategy and five-in-the-back tactics were a massive success. They withstood 26 shots, of which, 12 were on goal from close range and heard around the world.

The loudest were the two that were launched deep in the box by Lindsey Horan and Sophia Smith. Both shots rattled the goal frame. 

In addition, Las Ticas were out-possessed by 80% to 20% and never had a corner kick. The U.S. lofted up – sixteen. Give credit where credit is due.

But a lack of finishing quality inside the box by the Americans, resilient defending, and a heroic 12-save performance by goalkeeper Noelia Bermúdez forced the hosts to settle for the draw.

At the end of the night, the Lady Yanks, staff, and VIP entourage departed, while the Costa Ricans headed home with their heads very high knowing they stalled the U.S. in their tracks, and robbed them of a victory lap around the pitch.

After the match, USWNT’s captain, Lindsey Horan, spoke to the crowd and said, “We wish we would have gotten the win, but we’re going to go out and do our thing at the Olympics. This team is amazing. We’re going to represent this country so well and we’ll do everything possible to bring back a gold medal.”

Teammate Sophia Smith, added, “A big message from (head coach) Emma (Hayes) at the end of the game was ‘don’t be frustrated.’ We wanted a result from this but these games are preparation for something bigger.”

The philosophical Hayes reflected on her short tenure with the team and stated, “I think we’ve made good, nice progress. When you take over a team and you’ve got to implement quite a lot, they have adapted to those ideas well.”

She continued, “We’re going into the Olympics with an idea of what we look to do most of our moments but now we’re starting to add some adaptations.”

Since her arrival in May, her team has won three games, tied one, and never yielded a goal.

Next week the Yanks will kick off their campaign to win Olympic gold in Nice, France. The U.S. opens group play against Zambia on the 25th. Follow-up matches including Germany and Australia will be played on the 28th and 31st, respectively.

“We need to peak when we need to peak and that’s at the start of the Olympics. We’re calm about it. We’re not frustrated. We trust the process. We know things will go our way when we need them to,” said the optimistic Smith after her press conference. 

So be it football fans. May the force be with the Stars and Stripes during the next three or so weeks.

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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