U.S. women’s soccer looking to win first Olympic gold since 2012
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are underway! As the U.S. women’s soccer team enters Paris, it brings with it high hopes of regaining its position as a top team on the world stage. Its first Group B match kicks off Thursday, July 25, against Zambia at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, France, with action airing live on NBC, Peacock and USA Network.
While in somewhat of a transitional period for U.S. women’s soccer, the team has had to overcome a series of hurdles the past few years — including a heartbreaking loss to Sweden in the opening game of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, before falling to Canada in the semifinals, crushing any further Olympic dreams for the year. The momentum was carried over to an early exit during the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup — being eliminated by Sweden once again — marking the earliest exit for the U.S. women’s team in the tournament.
However, under new coach Emma Hayes, the team has entered a new era with a major focus on mending the gap between the new, talented young players such as Trinity Rodman and experienced veterans like Lindsey Horan, who have both been in top form leading up to Paris.
Daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, Trinity Rodman has been performing at an exceptionally high level this year. At the young age of 22, Rodman’s stock has risen significantly, having already made 38 appearances for her national squad — accumulating seven goals and eight assists — proving her versatility as a player who not only can score big goals, but can also find ways to get her teammates involved.