USWNT Olympic highlights: Americans beat Australia to roll into quarterfinals

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The U.S. women’s national soccer team beat Australia 2-1 in the final match of group play at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday, setting up a quarterfinal showdown with Japan on Saturday.

Trinity Rodman’s goal in the 43rd minute opened the scoring for the Americans, as the 22-year-old pounced on a loose ball following a corner kick for her second tally of the tournament. Korbin Albert scored from long range in the 77th to give the Americans some insurance, the 20-year-old’s first career international goal.

Alanna Kennedy pulled one back for Australia in the 91st minute, but her side was unable to find an equalizer in the seven minutes of stoppage time.

The U.S. won all three of its group games against Zambia, Germany and Australia, outscoring opponents 9-2.

As Group B winner, the USWNT faces Group C runner-up Japan in the quarterfinals in Marseille on Saturday, while Australia must await its fate later Wednesday as the third-place team in Group A.

Korbin Albert goal! USWNT 2, Australia 0

20-year-old Korbin Albert scored from long range in the 77th minute, extending the USWNT's lead with her first career international goal.

Albert became the center of controversy in March when she reposted a TikTok video of a sermon that talked how being gay and “feeling transgender” is wrong, according to The Athletic. It was also discovered Albert liked a meme celebrating Megan Rapinoe’s injury in her final professional match.

Rapinoe publicly called out Albert for the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, and she later issued an apology for liking and sharing several "offensive, insensitive and hurtful" social media posts.

Albert was not disciplined for the incident even though several current and former players like Alex Morgan, Lindsey Horan and Christine Press expressed disappointment with the midfielder. When Albert entered a match vs. South Korea in June, she received boos from the crowd. Fans also expressed disappointment when Albert was announced as part of the Olympic roster.

65th minute: Trinity Rodman comes off in USWNT subs

Team USA's half goalscorer Trinity Rodman was replaced in the 65th minute, along with Rose LaVelle and Emily Fox. The trio was replaced by Casey Krueger, Korbin Albert (who immediately received a yellow card) and Lynn Williams.

Second half starts, USWNT makes sub

Jenna Nighswonger came on for Crystal Dunn, while the Australians had Clare Wheeler replace. Kyra Cooney-Cross to begin the second half.

Halftime: USWNT 0, Australia 0

A 43rd-minute goal from Trinity Rodman gave the USWNT a much-deserved lead before halftime, ultimately managing six shots on target in the first half against Australia – with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold being forced into five saves.

The Americans had better than 75% possession in the first half, and the Australians didn’t take a single shot on goal.

Trinity Rodman goal! USWNT 1, Australia 0

The Americans had been knocking on the door, requiring some big saves from Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and finally found a breakthrough right before halftime, with Trinity Rodman pouncing on a loose ball after a corner kick in the 43rd minute.

There was a long delay after the score with VAR checking on a possible offside – but the goal ultimately stood, giving the Americans a 1-0 lead. In a chaotic scene, Australia manager Tony Gustavsson was then issued a yellow card after arguing with French referee François Letexier. The official then went and took another look at the monitor, confirming the goal for a second time.

Sam Coffey gets yellow card for USWNT

Sam Coffey picked up an early yellow card for the second straight game, this time in the third minute. She was shown a yellow in the 22nd against Germany.

USWNT lineup vs. Australia

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Coach Emma Hayes will trot out the same starting lineup – with the exception of Emily Sonnett for Tierna Davidson – as she has for the first two Games of the Olympics.

• Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher

• Defenders: Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Emily Sonnett, Crystal Dunn

• Midfielders: Alex Coffey, Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan (captain)

• Forwards: Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith

What time does USWNT play Australia?

The U.S. and Australia kick off at 1 p.m. ET.

Where to watch USA vs. Australia

E! is airing the match, and Peacock is live streaming it.

Tierna Davidson injury for USWNT

The U.S. will have to navigate this one with center back Tierna Davidson, who will be out with a leg contusion she suffered in the previous game against Germany.

Davidson exited just before halftime and was replaced by Emily Sonnett. Her absence was noticeable, as she and Naomi Girma are the defensive forces in the middle in front of keeper Alyssa Naeher.

Alternate Emily Sams will replace her on the 18-person roster. Croix Bethune remains part of the matchday squad in place of Jaedyn Shaw, who has not been available all Games due to a leg injury.

Australia coming off wild victory 

The Aussies posted six goals in a 6-5 victory over Zambia on Sunday. They trailed 5-2 at one point but scored four unanswered, including one in the 90th minute to escape with a win.

Since there are only 12 women’s teams in the tournament, two of the three third-place teams in their respective groups will advance to the quarterfinals. Given that, Australia will have plenty to play for and will do its best to manage the United States’ scoring to control the goal differential tiebreaker.

USWNT star Naomi Girma represents best of America, on and off field

Naomi Girma is the best of America. In the literal sense, she is U.S. Soccer’s reigning Female Player of the Year and, at just 24, the anchor of the back line for the U.S. women’s national team. She’ll make her Olympic debut with the USWNT on Thursday, a year after playing every minute of every game at the World Cup.

But it’s the figurative sense that’s even more important. Girma is a first-generation American, the daughter of two Ethiopian immigrants. When she dons the jersey with the U.S. crest on the chest, it’s a reminder of the promise this country holds and proof of how much better we are when we welcome, and celebrate, the melting pot of races and cultures that is uniquely American.

“Diversity and embracing other cultures is what makes us so special, and I think that's what has put us ahead for so many years,” Girma said. “I think that's something that we should continue to do.”

Read Nancy Armour’s full feature on Naomi Girma.

USWNT Olympic schedule

• July 25: USWNT 3, Zambia 0

• July 28: USWNT 4, Germany 1

• July 31: USWNT vs. Australia, 1 p.m. ET

USWNT Olympic roster

• Forward: Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Jaedyn Smith, Trinity Rodman and Crystal Dunn.

• Goalkeepers: Casey Murphy and Alyssa Naeher.

• Defenders: Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett.

• Midfielders: Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Lynn Williams.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USWNT highlights: Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert goals vs. Australia