Women's soccer: United States vs. Germany | 3 takeaways after Colorado contingent helps clinch spot in quarterfinals

Colorado came through for the United States women’s soccer team once again Sunday.

Windsor’s Sophia Smith scored twice, while Mallory Swanson, a Littleton native, added a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over Germany that secured the United States’ spot in the quarterfinals.

Here are three takeaways from the United States second straight victory to start the tournament.

1. It’s hard to say who’s been the better Coloradan so far. Swanson scored twice in a span of 70 seconds as the United States opened the tournament with a 3-0 win over Zambia on Thursday in Nice. Her first goal was assisted by Lindsey Horan, the Golden native’s second assist of the match, while Smith recorded her first goal contribution by assisting Swanson’s second. Smith recorded the brace Sunday in Marseille, scoring a pair of first-half goals. The 23-year-old also took the shot that produced a rebound that Swanson tapped in for her third goal of the tournament, which proved to be the game-winner. Swanson also assisted Lynn Williams’ late goal against the Germans. While it’s hard to say which has been the best, all three will play big roles as the United States women’s national team looks to win gold for the first time since 2012.

2. Sunday’s match was Emma Hayes’s first big test as the United States coach, and the 47-year-old had the right ideas as she transitions from a wildly successful club career at Chelsea to the international game for the first time. Despite an iffy start, the United States scored the opener 10 minutes in when Trinity Rodman’s pass found Smith near the six-yard box. The United States conceded the equalizer in the 22nd minute, but the new coach’s system had them back in front less than five minutes later. For all the differences between the club and international game, Hayes has made the transition with no noticeable trouble.

3. The next question Hayes has to answer is how much stake she wants to put in winning the group. The United States is already on the quarterfinals, but the top spot in Group B will be up for grabs when the United States plays Australia and Germany takes on Zambia at 11 a.m. Wednesday. That will mark three matches in a week with the quarterfinal set to begin on Aug. 3. The United States will finish atop the group with a win or a draw against Australia, which beat Zambia 6-5 on Sunday, and could even finish in the top spot with a loss thanks to their plus-six goal differential through two games. So far, Hayes has used the same starting 11 in both matches. Some squad rotation could make sense given the busy schedule and reduced stakes against Australia.