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

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

So powerful was the attack by the United States Women’s National Team—a team of Valkyries in the buildup that early on scared Vietnam into mounting a deep blockade.

But when given the chance to finish, those combatants were often stripped of their spears – rare chances barred – in a 3-0 victory that is likely to raise more questions for manager Vlatko Andonovski than answers.

That was evident in the full-time stats, which showed the United States had 28 shots but only seven shots on target.

Chief among those warriors was Sophia Smith – who scored two goals in her World Cup debut, getting past Vietnamese goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh, by far the top player of the Golden Star Women Warriors.

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 win

It was Thanh who managed to save an early penalty from Alex Morgan – whose ill-executed effort could have given the United States the momentum to retire this game early.

But that came at a time when the United States was already leading 1-0 thanks to Smith. Morgan had a big part in that goal, with a nice back heel right in Smith’s path finishing it cleanly.

The debutant Smith pushed another way deep into a long stoppage time that was initially ruled offside but reversed by VAR. She lunged at the ball that went through the keeper’s legs, doubling the American advantage.

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

Smith would later assist on Horan’s goal in the 77th minute in a build-up that has to be seen to be believed.

A beautifully hit long pass from Julie Ertz required Smith to make an extra effort to get to the ball. Not only did Smith do that, he got in front of her defender and delivered a spectacular pass to Horan – who took her time and shot the ball into the back of the net.

But the experimental starting eleven Andonovski put down will make the United States ask some questions.

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

Smith’s brace won her Player of the Match as she became the first U.S. women’s national team player to score twice in her World Cup debut

Manager Vlatko Andonovski started six World Cup debutants and substituted two more

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

Inconsistent attacks throughout – coupled with poor finishes from Alex Morgan (L) and Horan (R) will likely leave the Americans looking for answers at the front of practice

Vietnam’s goalkeeper Thranh walked away with five saves that night in a fantastic effort against FIFA’s top-ranked women’s team.

She was aided by a defense five in the rear to put up a wall to 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 the case in the second half – when efforts from Morgan, Horan and supersub Megan Rapinoe went wildly wide. The build-up in the second half also often looked incoherent.

Rapinoe and fellow superstar Rose Lavelle came off the bench as they each head toward injury recovery.

The end result may have left both the team and fans disappointed – as many thought a repeat of the 13-0 win over Thailand from the group opener in the 2019 World Cup was at stake.

Megan Rapinoe took the field as a substitute as she recovers from an injury

While much still needs to be ironed out, the US has time to rest for a rematch with the Netherlands

But again, Andonovski’s experimentation led to a disconnected midfield that will likely need repair for a re-match with Holland.

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

A win over the Netherlands is likely to be a strong catalyst for future matches if the United States does as expected and makes it to the knockout stages.

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