The U.S. picked up three big points with a 3-0 victory, but with questions about Smith and Shaw, did they come at a cost?
It's all about the attack. Again. It was always going to be. Last summer, that group's inability generate goals was the U.S. women's national team's demise. In Thursday's Olympic opener against Zambia, the U.S. had no such issue.
It isn't all sunshine and butterflies, though, despite the decisive 3-0 win. Despite a near-perfect start to the Olympics, there are unexpectedly real concerns about the USWNT attack, which will need to be addressed if this team has visions of gold in these Games.
The positives were obvious: Mallory Swanson, the missing piece from last summer, was dominant as she scored two goals in a minute. Trinity Rodman was a menace, too, scoring a stunning goal of her own.
But the negatives? Big. Sophia Smith limped off with an injury just before halftime, while Jaedyn Shaw didn't even make it that far, as she was sidelined pre-game due to a knee injury. Barely 90 minutes into this global tournament, and the U.S. is battling injuries in perhaps the most vulnerable part of their game.
In that sense, Thursday was both a massive win for the U.S., but also a disquieting one. Tougher tests are coming in the group stage, and it remains to be seen how this U.S. team can line up for those matches. All eyes will remain on the attack, a unit that will make the biggest difference between success and failure.
GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Thursday's Olympic-opening win over Zambia.
GettyWINNER: Mal Swanson
Two goals in less than a minute? Oh, she's back, and she might just be better than ever.
Swanson's disastrous injury last spring robbed her of a spot on the World Cup roster, but she's definitely making up for lost time. Her absence was keenly felt last summer and – just one game into this tournament – this feels like a whole new USWNT with her in the attack.
The Chicago Red Stars attacker has such a connection with Smith and Rodman, with that trio interchanging in ways that make even the best defenses uncomfortable. Zambia's defense isn't elite, a point that was underscored once Swanson got going.
Given some of the injuries in attack, Swanson is even more important. The USWNT will be thankful she's back as this team now has the difference-maker that it missed so badly at the World Cup.
AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Sophia Smith/Jaedyn Shaw
For all of the good things that happened for the USWNT on Thursday, there are suddenly some major concerns. Starting as a strength, this team is now extremely thin in the attack. It's not time to press the panic button just yet, but injuries could become a major storyline for this team.
First was Jaedyn Shaw. About an hour before kickoff, it was announced that Shaw would not participate due to a leg injury. She was replaced in the matchday roster by alternate Croix Bethune.
Then, in the 43rd minute, Sophia Smith limped off to be replaced by Lynn Williams. The nature and severity of the Portland Thorns star's injury is uncertain but, it at minimum it was concerning enough to Emma Hayes that she removed her from the match.
Hayes said after the match that she was simply being cautious in removing Smith in the first half after she hurt an ankle. Hayes didn't offer an update on Shaw, saying only that she'd need to evaluate her again on Friday.
When you add in the pre-tournament injury to Catarina Macario, this team is suddenly lacking healthy players in the attack. There are options with Williams, Crytal Dunn or even Rose Lavelle able to step into an attacking spot. That's not ideal, though, is it?
The hope is that Shaw and Smith won't be sidelined long but, if they are, Hayes will have some big headaches when it comes to setting up the attack.
WINNER: Trinity Rodman
It's a bit harsh to say, but it is true: Rodman did not have a good World Cup. For whatever reason, she just didn't impact games in the way the world knows she can. The U.S. attack went silent and, while Rodman wasn't solely to blame, she was at least part of it.
The Rodman on the pitch in the Olympics opener wasn't the same Rodman from last summer. This version is very new, and very improved. If Rodman is performing at this level, she's almost impossible to stop.
Since the World Cup, the world has seen Rodman's confidence skyrocket in real-time, and, when you're confident, you try things. That's what Rodman did on Thursday. That's exactly how she got her goal.
Rodman's backheel to herself was spectacular. It was the type of goal that few have the unique combination of belief and ability to score. That's Rodman, though. She has everything and more.
In this kind of form and with this kind of belief, Rodman is so, so dangerous, which is what sets her apart from the version of her we saw just one year ago.
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GettyLOSER: Zambia's defense
Zambia has world-class attackers in Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji. The defense, though? Yikes.
The backline was never even close to being on the same page and, particularly early on, the U.S. punished Zambia for it time and time again. The opening 40 minutes or so were a relentless onslaught, and Zambia were lucky to only be down three by the end of it.
Making matters worse was the red card to Pauline Zulu, who was sent off in the 30th minute for a foul on Smith. It was a bit harsh, but it left Zambia shorthanded for both this game and the group stage match against Germany to come.
With their pair of star strikers, Zambia will feel they can beat just about anyone. With their defense, though, just about anyone will feel that they can beat Zambia. If they want to get out of this group stage, their defense will need to be much, much better.