USWNT draws 0-0 vs. Costa Rica in Olympic send-off match

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) – The United States women’s national team played in one final friendly match against Costa Rica at Audi Field before heading to Paris to compete in the Olympics.

Team USA had possession for nearly 80% of the match, but could not score as their Olympic sendoff match with Costa Rica finished in a 0-0 draw.

Rose Lavelle was a late scratch from the lineup after experiencing some leg tightness during warm-ups. Head coach Emma Hayes confirmed after the match that the scratch was just a precaution.

The United States had 26 shot attempts with 12 shots on goal, meanwhile, Costa Rica only had two shot attempts, none on goal.

Costa Rica’s goalkeeper, Noelia Bermudez was credited with the 12 saves as the U.S. were unable to get one shot past her.

In front of a crowd of nearly 19,000 fans at Audi Field, a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, who are ranked #44 according to FIFA world standings, was not what fans were expecting.

However, the women on the #5 ranked USWNT spoke after the match that despite the result, they are hungrier than ever and plan to bring back the gold for the United States.

“Our team really wants to finish and we want to be in the attacking third,” said USWNT forward, Trinity Rodman, “so when we face teams that put a lot of numbers in the box, we’re doing everything we can to try to move them to get them out of position. But today, it was just a matter of putting the ball in the right place because they weren’t moving, they were staying put, and for us, that was a challenge.”

There are three other Washington Spirit players headed to Paris with Team USA, Casey Krueger, who made the Olympic roster for the first time in her career, along with rookies Croix Bethune and Hal Herschfelt who are on the team as alternates.

Casey Krueger and Croix Bethune each got minutes during the second half, Rodman started.

The United States will take on Zambia on July 25th for their first Olympic group-stage matchup in France.

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