USWNT player ratings vs Zambia: Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman dominate in opener

The U.S. women’s national team delivered a statement in their opening game of the Olympics and did it with clinical goalscoring, defeating Zambia 3-0 to jump-start their group stage with goals by Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman. Still, Zambia went down a player early in the first half, and the USWNT weren’t able to capitalize on the player advantage. 

How did everyone perform in the match? Take a look at our player ratings:

Goalkeepers

Communicated well with the back line and held good positioning. Only faced three attempts on target and wasn’t caught sleeping. Rating: 7

Defenders

Had solid moments of overlapping runs with Rodman and helped trigger attacking moments on when to combine in attack and when to mark the opposition. Rating: 7

Was rock solid in defensive positioning and distribution. Aided the midfield in keeping possession as the backline pushed higher as she picked out passing lanes. Rating: 8

Great chemistry with Girma to tag team Barbra Banda. Didn’t always have graceful coverage but did the physical work to keep attackers in front of her and was key in connecting passes. Rating: 8

On the roster as a forward, she covered massive amounts of ground and was seamless in positional shifts when the coaching staff had her start as left back and then as a right forward. Pushed the attack across lines and had a good look on goal late in the game but didn’t convert. Rating: 8

Midfielders

Took initiative in duals and was effective in ball retention and won fouls. Combined well with Lindsey Horan and was a stable presence when holding possession. Rating: 7

Provided some muscle in the midfield for the squad and set the attacking tempo early. Got plenty of shots off before providing assists on the first and second goals. Rating: 8

Was subbed out at halftime likely due to minute management from coach Emma Hayes. She did a good job of finding open channels, keeping the ball, and facilitating play. Spearheaded the attack on the team’s third goal. Rating: 7.5

Forwards

She hit the crossbar twice before scoring the opening goal. Was able to finish with a spectacular touch and spun the defender while doing it. Stayed collaborative and active on the wing and on alternate runs throughout the game. Rating: 8.5

Good counterpressure and positioning by Smith to keep the team active in the final third. Had her day cut short by an ankle tweak but was a key part in the build-up to the opening goal and had and assist on the third goal. Rating: 8

It’s been an eight-year journey back to the Olympics for Swanson. Back for the first time since Rio 2016 and after a left patellar injury last year, she re-introduced herself with two goals in the first half. The team losing her ahead of last year’s World Cup was absolutely the worst thing to happen to the program. Welcome back. Rating: 9

Substitutions 

Provided lots of movement along the top line before getting settled in as the target striker. Had a chance in front of goal but didn’t connect.  Rating: 6.5

Subbed on for Rose Lavelle and had a decent start to the second half but faded a little down the stretch in connecting with open players. Had a good attempt on goal in the final minute. Rating: 6

Subbed into the game for Horan and slotted into the midfield. Didn’t quite generate offensively and committed unnecessary fouls. Rating: 6

Got involved in the attack at fullback by winning a corner and a look on goal. Generated service into the box for an attempt on goal.  Rating: 7

Slotted in at fullback and had a good defensive toe poke on Banda to help fizzle out a Zambia attack and a timely recovery run late in the game to deny the underdogs. Rating: 7.5

Head coach

Emma Hayes: The USWNT manager has only been with the team since June, but her efforts to get her messaging across on tactical understanding, player development, and general processes were on display. Was actively coaching on the sideline providing direction and didn’t shy away from player rotations. 

The staff will have to improve on match opportunities when player advantage presents itself, and they’ll likely work on set pieces ahead of facing Germany. She made all five of her available subs, whether for injury or load management, and the squad walked away with three goals, two different goal scorers, two different assisting players, and an Olympic win. A good start for the coach and crew. Rating: 8