Rodman leads USWNT to nervy 1-0 win over Japan in extra time ...

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It was a nervy challenge, but the U.S. women’s national team did just enough after 120 minutes of play to escape with a 1-0 win against Japan in a quarterfinal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Heading into the match, Japan was a team playing a certain style that the U.S. had not yet faced in the tournament. 

The Americans were unable to create momentum throughout the match as Japan sat deep in its own half and attempted to hit the U.S. on the counter. The attacking trio of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman couldn’t find a way to break past the Japanese defense. Midfielders Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle had the ball plenty — as the team's 71% possession advantage suggests — but found it challenging to create opportunities for their attackers. 

"It was a very hard match. It was like a chess match," Horan said. "That's what we were saying in the huddle just now after the game. Japan are an amazing team and I feel for them."

Both teams took nearly the same amount of shots (15 for the U.S. and 12 for Japan), but Japan looked like the team closer to scoring as it tested the American defense. Strong performances from Naomi Girma and Crystal Dunn at the back were more than enough to keep the U.S. in the game. 

After an underwhelming 90 minutes, the USWNT left it very late to find its breakthrough in extra time.  

Rodman scored a flashy goal in the 105th minute as the 22-year-old took on a defender before cutting to her left foot and curling the ball from the edge of the box into the top left corner of the goal. It was a coming-of-age moment for Rodman, proving that she can be a player to count on in critical moments of a match. She is now the youngest player in USWNT history to score a goal in an Olympic knockout match. 

"I have flashes of what happened," Rodman said. "I got into the area, I received a beautiful pass, then I took a shot. It wasn't that I didn't have confidence in my shot, but at the same time, I couldn't believe it. That's the best moment in my career."  

The USWNT was able to see out its narrow 1-0 lead to advance to the semifinals. In knockout soccer, it's not about good a team plays, but more so how a team can win. Japan tested the U.S. from the first minute to the last, but head coach Emma Hayes said the composure and concentration her team showed in the match would only lead to better things. 

"It was very tactical. That's why I liked it so much. It was a match of grit and determination," Hayes said. "It was decided by one moment of brilliance. I really like this Japan team. I always enjoy watching them. They are a great team. Our defenders today were absolutely amazing. Everyone in our team stuck to their tasks." 

The USWNT will play the winner of the quarterfinal match between Canada and Germany. 

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