Tuesday night, in the scorching heat, the US women’s soccer team played their final exhibition match before the Paris Olympics, ending in a 0-0 stalemate with Costa Rica. Kickoff temperatures in Washington, D.C., were 98 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).
A few hours earlier, 104 degrees Celsius, which tied the record for the hottest day in the nation’s capital. Considering that almost this much heat is predicted for the team’s next match in Marseille later this month, coach Emma Hayes thought it would be a good test for her players.
Hayes stated on Monday, “That’s added value.” “It’s perfect preparation. It’s pretty hot down there, so this is a great opportunity for us to experience what we’re going to face.” Due to leg discomfort during warmups, Rose Lavelle was forced to scratch the game later than planned because of it.
The team decided it was not worth the risk in the particular situation. Lavelle was OK, according to a team representative. For the game at Audi Field, which drew 18,972 spectators and was played on a dilapidated field damaged by previous rugby, football, and soccer matches, Korbin Albert started in place of Lavelle.
Throughout the game, the United States had numerous opportunities, but Costa Rican goalie Noelia Bermúdez, who once collided with Trinity Rodman in the first half, consistently stopped them.
Despite going down and receiving medical assistance, every player continued to play on the field. Costa Rica, which was eliminated from the Olympics, tended to sit back and only had two shots on goal, but the United States was constantly attacking. Following a ceremony for the “Send-Off Match,” the Americans are scheduled to depart for Paris on Wednesday, where they will play their Olympic debut against Zambia in Nice on July 25. Group play concludes with matches in Marseille against Germany on July 28 and against Australia on July 31.
The U.S. defeated Mexico 1-0 in New Jersey on Sunday, and while Hayes, who has only been coaching the team since late May, was pleased with the team’s possession dominance, he stated on Monday that it was about “doing more with it.
” Tuesday’s match against Costa Rica saw much of the same, with a few goals disallowed for offside and several missed opportunities on corners and off the rush. Hayes also wanted as many guys as possible to participate given that his roster was primarily made up of young, inexperienced players. To aid in those attempts, she made four substitutes at the 67-minute mark and one more after the fact.
