Sophia Smith scored twice to help the United States beat Germany 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics on Sunday night.
Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams also scored for the Americans, who defeated Zambia 3-0 in the season opener.
The Americans are playing their first major tournament under new coach Emma Hayes, who took over the U.S. team at the end of May.
Hayes has been tasked with leading the US as they attempt to move away from the disappointment of last summer’s Women’s World Cup, when they were knocked out in the round of 16.
The US is the winningest team at the Olympics, with four gold medals. The US won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Games under former coach Vlatko Andonovski, who stepped down after the World Cup.
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This was the most complete performance under Hayes to date. In the first games under the new coach, the US has relied on a solid defensive line and moments of individual brilliance further down the field.
But Sunday’s victory was indicative of a team embracing the decorated coach’s ideas. Hayes named an unchanged XI from the team’s opener against Zambia, and set her team up to overwhelm the middle of the pitch. From the first minute, the US controlled the pace of the game and created chances.
Ten minutes into the match, Smith fired home a cross from Trinity Rodman that went past Germany goalkeeper Katrin-Ann Berger.
The US dominated the ball in the early stages, splitting the German midfield with sly moves and sharp passes. Giulia Gwinn equalized in the 22nd minute with a low, bouncing shot from far outside the penalty area that eluded diving US keeper Alyssa Naeher.
After the equalizer, Germany looked to match the American numbers in midfield, but that left the German defenders too often vulnerable in a three-on-three matchup against the powerful front line of Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson. With space to work with, the American attackers took advantage.
Swanson put the United States back ahead in the 26th. Berger hit a long-range shot from Smith, but Swanson grabbed the rebound for a goal. It was Swanson’s third goal of the Olympics so far, making her the second U.S. player to score three goals in the Olympic group stage, joining Abby Wambach.
Smith scored her second goal in the 44th minute with a high shot that hit the far post and into the net.
Williams, a substitute, scored the final goal in the 89th minute and fans in Marseille chanted “USA! USA!” as time expired.
American defender Tierna Davidson was forced to leave the match with an injury and was replaced by Emily Sonnett.
Alexandra Popp left the field in the 76th minute with what appeared to be an injury to her right leg, a setback for Germany, who were already without midfielder Lena Oberdorf.
The US will play Australia in Marseille to close out the group stage. Germany, who defeated Australia 3-0 in their opening Olympic match, will play Zambia in Saint-Etienne.