After 105 minutes of half-chances and frustrating mediocrity, Trinity Rodman's brilliant individual goal lifted the United States women's soccer team past Japan and into the Olympic semifinals.
The pink-haired starlet angled her run centrally from the right wing, kept onside by just a few fibers of Japanese jersey, cut inside and curled a magnificent strike into the top-left corner. The American defense held strong for the second period of extra time and secured Olympic survival with a 1-0 win.
The USWNT appeared completely reborn under the stewardship of new English manager Emma Hayes in the group stages, firing four goals past No. 4 ranked Germany before securing a 2-1 victory against Australia to secure a perfect run in Group B.
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Japan quickly proved itself to be much more stubborn opposition, settling into a low-block and looking to frustrate the talented American roster. Hayes' squad controlled nearly 75 percent of possession but struggled to convert this dominance into clear-cut opportunities, with Rodman's strike one of just three USWNT shots on target through 120 minutes of play.
It was Japan that carved out the best opportunity of the first half, in fact, as her right-footed shot from just inside the penalty area was saved by Alyssa Naeher, the American goalkeeper's only action of the night. The USWNT managed just one first-half shot on frame as well, a sixth-minute Lindsey Horan header, entering the locker room unsatisfied with a frustrating opening stanza.
The United States proved more willing to challenge Ayaka Yamashita's net in the second half with six total shot attempts, but the rigid Japanese backline reduced these efforts to desperate strikes from beyond the 18-yard box. And after a late, half-hearted penalty appeal on behalf of Rodman was turned away, the USWNT ended regulation deadlocked at 0 and in serious jeopardy of an early Olympic exit.
Hayes' methodical, short-passing approach to the Japanese backline gave way to a slightly more direct philosophy in extra time, and Emily Sonnett's headed effort — the best statistical opportunity of the match per expected goals — forced a save just two minutes later.
Rodman found her breakthrough just moments before the extra time intermission, given amid cries for handball from the Japanese players and a brief VAR check that ultimately didn't require the head referee's attention. The star right winger nearly doubled her account and iced the American victory moments later, denied only by the outstretched leg of Yamashita, but the USWNT largely held Japan at bay thereafter.
The United States' Olympic journey continues on Tuesday in Lyon, 400 kilometers southeast of the French capital, as the Americans take on the winner of Canada and Germany in the Olympic semifinals. The action is slated to kick off at 12 p.m. ET and will broadcast on NBC.
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