USA women draw with Costa Rica amid sweltering heat in final Olympic tune-up

It was exciting during the final preparation of the US women’s soccer team for the Olympic Games in Paris. The temperatures were extremely high and there were plenty of opportunities to score.

The goals came without a goal in a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica on Tuesday night, only the second time — and first since 2015 — that the U.S. has failed to win its final match before a major tournament. But the game showed the Americans can handle the high temperatures that could come later this month.

“The last two games have been crazy,” defender Casey Krueger said, referring to back-to-back friendlies before the team’s cross-Atlantic flight. “I feel like this is going to be even hotter, so if we can play in this one, it gives us confidence for France, that’s for sure.”

It was 98F (37C) at kickoff after Washington tied the hottest day ever in the nation’s capital with 104F (40C) hours earlier. It was still 94F (35C) when the game ended.

Coach Emma Hayes thought it would be a nice test for her players with similar heat forecast for upcoming matches in Marseille later this month.

“That’s added value,” Hayes said Monday. “It’s perfect preparation. It’s pretty warm out there, so this is a great opportunity for us to experience what we’re going to encounter.”

It played a role in Rose Lavelle being withdrawn at the last minute as a precaution due to stiffness in her legs during the warm-up.

“No risks,” Hayes said afterward. “She was a little stiff in her groin and I wasn’t taking any risks. … I want to go into the Olympics with whoever is available.”

Korbin Albert replaced Lavelle in the starting line-up in the match, which took place on a worn-out pitch torn up by recent football, soccer and rugby matches and was attended by 18,972 fans. Players criticized the pitch or did not comment.

“The corners, it’s no secret that it was definitely like kicking dirt,” forward Mallory Swanson said. “It was fine. Sometimes that’s just the way it goes, and I think this team has always overcome adversity.”

The US created plenty of chances throughout the match – 26 shots in total and 12 on target – and were repeatedly thwarted by Costa Rican goalkeeper Noelia Bermúdez, who was arguably one of the best players on the pitch.

Costa Rica, which failed to qualify for the Olympics, often sat back, having only two attempts, while the US was constantly on the attack.

After a ceremony with friends and family following the Americans’ send-off match, they fly to Paris on Wednesday and play their opening Olympic match against Zambia in Nice on July 25. Matches in Marseille on July 28 against Germany and July 31 in Australia will round out the group stage as the Americans try to improve on their bronze medal result in Tokyo three years ago.

Hayes, who has only been U.S. coach since late May, was proud of the team’s dominance in possession in a 1-0 win Sunday against Mexico in New Jersey, but said Monday it was about “doing more with it.” Much of the same followed Tuesday against Costa Rica, including a pair of potential goals disallowed for offside and a couple of missed chances on corners and off the rush.

“I’d rather do it now than at the Olympics,” said captain Lindsey Horan. “We’re going to keep working at it and I know these opportunities will come and we’ll finish them off in the next game.”

With a predominantly young, inexperienced squad, Hayes also wanted to get as many players into the game as possible, making four substitutions in the 67th minute and another late on to aid those efforts.