Mallory Swanson’s return to international play was marked by two goals in USA’s resounding 3-0 win over Zambia to kick off the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Swanson scored twice within two minutes to put her country ahead for good and guarantee good feelings all around for a USA team that had questions marks around their ability to score goals.
The first half couldn’t have gone better for USA as they rattled Zambia’s defense early with dangerous balls into the box. Trinity Rodman, making her first Olympics appearance, lived up to the hype by hitting the cross bar twice in the first 15 minutes. Eventually she found the back of the net after a spin in the box to open up the defense. It is her first Olympics goal and gave fans something to expect later in the game.
Swanson took center stage in the 24th minute after Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan passed through the Zambia defense to find an open Swanson. She buried her first attempt, a significant one given her recent run of injuries that kept her out of the World Cup just two years prior. A minute later the same combination saw Swanson beat the defense and goalkeeper to slot away an easy double.
The game did get physical from there as Zambia’s Martha Tembo was handed a red card for pulling down a USA player and denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The second half was mostly a dominant showing of possession for the powerhouse nation with chances for Rodman to add a second and Swanson to make it a hat trick. Unfortunately for them, the scoring had completed and USA garnered a seemingly easy 3-0 win to start the tournament.
Next up for Emma Hayes and her ladies will be a formidable German team that also dominated in their win over Australia. Concerns over an injury to Sophia Smith that forced her off the field will press an already thin roster but the team is expected to battle hard against a rival nation that is looking to prove themselves on a major stage.
STARTING XI:
USA: Naeher; Dunn, Davidson, Girma, Fox, Coffey, Lavelle (46′ Albert), Horan (65′ Sonnett), Smith (43′ Williams), Swanson (65′ Nighswonger), Rodman (65′ Kreuger)
Zambia: Musole; Tembo, Mweemba, Zulu, Siamfuko, Kundananji, H. Chanda, Chilufya (37′ Chitundu), G. Chanda (38′ Muching), Banda, Mupopo
SCORING SUMMARY:
17′ (USA) Trinity Rodman (1) assisted by Lindsey Horan
24′ (USA) Mallory Swanson (1) assisted by Lindsey Horan
25′ (USA) Mallory Swanson (1) assisted by Sophia Smith
DISIPLINE:
34′ (Zambia) Pauline Zulu – RED CARD
44′ (USA) Trinity Rodman – YELLOW CARD
45′ (Zambia) Martha Tembo – YELLOW CARD
AP Photo/Julio Cortez