United States women's team dominates in a 3-0 win over Vietnam

USWNT’s World Cup title defense gets off to a flying start in a dominant 3-0 win over Vietnam

• Team USA’s relentless offense – led by Sophia Smith – was dominant throughout 
• But second-half finishing issues will bring up questions Andonovski must solve 
• DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news 

It could have been five goals. Or six. Or seven.

That’s how potent the attack from the United States women’s national team was – a squad of Valkyries in the buildup that frightened Vietnam early into setting up a deep blockade.

But when faced with the chance to finish, oftentimes those warriors had their spears stripped from them – save rare opportunities – in a 3-0 victory that will likely raise more questions for manager Vlatko Andonovski than answers.

That was apparent in the full time statistics, which showed the United States had 28 shots – but only put seven on target.

Chief amongst those warriors was Sophia Smith – who in her World Cup debut bagged two goals that got past Vietnam keeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh, by far the top player for the Golden Star Women Warriors.

Lindsey Horan struggled to finish at times, but bagged the third goal in a 3-0 USWNT victory

The star of the show for the USWNT was 22-year-old Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith

Smith scored twice in the second half and assisted the third goal to give the USA the victory

It was Thanh who managed to save an early penalty from Alex Morgan – whose poorly taken effort could have given the United States momentum to put this game away early.

But that came at a time the United States was already up 1-0 thanks to Smith. Morgan had a major role in that goal, with a fancy backheel right into the path of Smith who finished it cleanly.

The debutant Smith put another one away deep into a long period of stoppage time that was initially ruled offside but was overturned by VAR. She lashed at the ball which went through the keeper’s legs and doubled the American advantage.

In doing so, she became the youngest USWNT ever to score multiple goals in her World Cup debut.

Smith would later assists on Horan’s goal in the 77′ minute in a buildup that needs to be seen to be believed.

A wonderfully hit long pass from Julie Ertz required Smith to put in the extra effort to get to the ball. Not only did Smith do just that, got in front of her defender and laid off a spectacular pass to Horan – who took her time and put it in the back of the net.

But the experimental starting XI that Andonovski put up will leave the United States asking a number of questions.

The manager decided to start midfielder Julie Ertz on defense while also giving Savannah DeMelo, Trinity Rodman, Andi Sullivan, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma and Smith their World Cup debuts in the starting XI. Later, Alyssa Thompson and Sofia Huerta made their first appearances at the women’s game’s top tournament.

Smith’s brace won her Player of the Match as she became the first United States women’s national team player to score twice on her World Cup debut

Manager Vlatko Andonovski started six World Cup debutants – substituting on two more

Goalkeeper Thi Kim Thanh Tran (14) was by far Vietnam’s top player with five saves on the night

Inconsistent attacking throughout – coupled with poor finishes from Alex Morgan (L) and Horan (R) will likely leave the Americans searching for answers up front in training

Thranh, Vietnam’s goal keeper, walked away with five saves on the night in a fantastic effort against FIFA’s top ranked women’s team.

She was helped by a defense that sat five in the back in order to put up a wall in fron of the more prominent American attack. 

As a result, a number of shots were blocked as the United States often rushed to try and score goals.

That was especially true in the second half – as efforts from Morgan, Horan, and super sub Megan Rapinoe went wildly off target. Buildup in the second half also often looked disjointed.

Rapinoe and fellow superstar Rose Lavelle came off the bench as they each are on the road to recovery from injuries.

The end result may have left both the team and fans disappointed – as many believed a re-play of the 13-0 victory over Thailand from the group opener in the 2019 World Cup was on the cards.

Megan Rapinoe came on the pitch as a substitute as she continues recovering from injury

While a lot needs to be ironed out, the USA will have time to rest before a rematch with Holland

But again, that experimentation from Andonovski led to a disconnected midfield that will likely need repairing before a re-match with Holland.

That could be a revenge game for the Dutch, who the United States vanquished in the 2019 Women’s World Cup final that saw the USWNT win their second title in a row and fourth overall.

A victory over Holland will likely be a strong catalyst for future matches if the United States does as expected and makes the knockout stages.

As for Vietnam, they play Portugal next in their pursuit of their nation’s first points in a World Cup.

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