A suspension beckons for American midfielder Sam Coffey dampened an otherwise positive 2-1 victory over Australia in the final group stage match for the USWNT at the Paris Olympics.
The Portland Thorns holding midfielder entered the match on a yellow she earned in Sunday's 4-1 victory over Germany. Coffey received a second booking of the competition just four minutes into the game against Australia.
This earns the 25-year-old a one-match ban, meaning she'll miss the USWNT's Paris Olympics quarterfinal against a strong Japan side. Coffey has started each of the Americans' first three games of the tournament in the pivot of coach Emma Hayes 's 4-3-3 formation alongside Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle.
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Questions have been raised about Hayes and her decision to play a near-identical first XI against Australia, only making one change from the previous match. For Australia to advance, the Matildas would have needed to win 8-0.
Hayes took over the USWNT job in May of 2024 following a 12-year stint as the manager of Chelsea where she won a stunning seven FA Women's Super League titles.
One user on X quote-tweeted the result and explained: "What a stupid decision from Emma Hayes. She’s a good coach and all, but this was really an idiotic move to not let some of the players rest this 3rd match. Now they’ll not have Sam Coffey available. Unbelievable."
Trinity Rodman opened the scoring in the 43rd minute before substitute Korbin Albert unleashed a long-range strike into the top corner in the 77th minute to put the game out of reach, as Australia scored a 91st-minute consolation goal.
With the result, the USWNT comfortably topped the group with nine points in three games with an impressive plus-seven goal difference. Americans Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith are both tied for third at the Olympics with four goal involvements apiece.
Albert, who came on in the 65th minute, is the primary replacement at holding midfield and could get a shot to start with Coffey out. If Tierna Davidson is healthy and returns to the XI, Sonnett could keep her place by moving into Coffey's position.
Albert's goal was one of the strikes of the tournament. The 20-year-old midfielder plays her club football for PSG and has 14 caps for the USWNT.
Fortunately, whoever starts in midfield will have the luxury of playing alongside veteran captain Lindsey Horan. The veteran has racked up 152 caps and 35 goals for the USWNT since 2013.
The US will face Japan on Saturday at 9 am EDT. The two sides share a lengthy competitive history, highlighted by the scintillating 2011 World Cup Final won by Japan on penalties.
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