With a stunning goal in extra time, forward Trinity Rodman gave the United States the lead. The Women’s National Team’s pursuit of the top spot at Paris 2024 will go on as the USA prevailed 1-0 against Japan in a close and competitive quarterfinal match.
Having played the group stage in southern France, the U.S. was kept in check for more than 105 minutes by a resolute Japanese team that defended in a low block and with extreme discipline in the Olympic host city of Paris at last.
But Rodman delivered halfway through extra time at the Parc des Princes, advancing the fifth-seeded Americans to a semifinal matchup against either Canada or Germany on August 6 in Lyon. In its eight Olympic games, this will be the USWNT’s seventh trip to the last four.
The most recent goal the USWNT has scored in the Olympics since Alex Morgan’s goal in the 120+3 versus Canada in the 2012 Olympic Semifinal is Rodman’s game-winning goal at the end of the first overtime period.
For just the second time, the USA has begun an Olympic competition with four victories under newly appointed head coach Emma Hayes. The most recent was in 2012, when it ultimately won the gold medal by defeating Japan.
The USA-Japan match on Friday marked the eighth elimination game between the two in either the Women’s World Cup or the Olympics, making it the most frequent knockout-stage match in the history of the two international tournaments. USA-Japan has evolved into a knockout-round match in recent years.
The semifinal match will be held at Stade de Lyon, a legendary venue in USWNT history. It was the location of the 2019 Women’s World Cup semifinal victory over England and the World Cup final defeat of the Netherlands. There were seven Olympic players on that World Cup winning team. Horan, who joined Lyon in 2022 and has already won two French league crowns as well as the UEFA Women’s Champions League, calls the venue home.
Regardless of the outcome of the semifinals, the Olympics will go on past August 6. If the Americans lose, they’ll travel to the bronze medal game on August 9; if they win, they’ll go back to the gold medal game on August 10 at the Parc des Princes, which is now permanently home to Rodman’s famous hit.
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.