What to know about the Women’s World Cup, USA vs. Vietnam
- The two-time defending champion United States started its quest for a third-consecutive World Cup title with a 3-0 win over newcomer Vietnam.
- Sophia Smith dropped in two goals in the first half in her World Cup debut.
- Team captain Lindsey Horan sealed the victory with a second-half goal.
- Team USA takes the field again at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday against Netherlands.
- The World Cup champion will be crowned Aug. 20 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Next up for USWNT: Netherlands on Wednesday
The U.S. Women’s National Team will next play Netherlands at 9 p.m. ET. Wednesday.
A teen makes her debut and comes close to the record books
Subbing in late in the game, recent high school graduate Alyssa Thompson is the second-youngest player ever on the U.S. Women's World Cup team.
The Los Angeles native is older than fellow Californian Tiffany Roberts was in the 1995 World Cup.
U.S. beats Vietnam 3-0
The U.S. won its first match of the 2023 World Cup Friday, besting Vietnam in its debut game 3-0.
Forward Sophia Smith earned two goals in her first World Cup. Captain Lindsey Horan, appearing in her second cup, also scored.
The defending champions dominated Vietnam, earning 26 shots, with six on target. Vietnam didn’t get a single shot.
The U.S. plays the Netherlands on Wednesday in a rematch of the 2019 championship, a game the U.S. won 2-0.
Messi comes through with the winning goal in Miami debut
Lionel Messi did not start in his first game with Inter Miami FC, but after he made a decisive impact in the second half.
Messi scored the game-winning goal on a free kick against Mexico’s Cruz Azul, sending his team ahead 2-1.
Messi kicked it high and in the left corner to score, and the crowd erupted.
40,000 fans pack in for match
More than 40,000 fans are in the stadium for the USA-Vietnam match — 41,107 to be exact.
That's the number Eden Park, New Zealand's National Stadium, showed the crowd during second-half action.
The seating capacity is just under 50,000 seats, according to Eden Park's website.
Rocking Mountain high in New Zealand
Colorado 3, Vietnam 0.
Windsor native Sophia Smith scored twice before assisting on America's third goal, from Golden's Lindsey Horan.
Lindsey Horan bolsters U.S. lead with second-half goal
Lindsey Horan, 29, scored the U.S.'s third goal.
Team USA now leads 3-0.
The score is close, but the other metrics are not
With less than 20 minutes of regulation play left, the United States is controlling play more than the scoreboard indicates.
The Americans have had the ball for two-thirds of the time and have 23 shots, five on target.
Vietnam has no shots, but only trails, 2-0, with at least 17 minutes of regular time left.
With a 2-0 lead, second gentleman makes some noise
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff is turning into a super fan.
He's been spending time with the U.S. Team and showing them lots of love on social media.
"Halftime. 2-0. Let’s go, @USWNT!" he tweeted.