USWNT held to frustrating draw in Olympic send-off game

The United States women’s national team was held to a scoreless draw with Costa Rico in its Olympic send-off match Tuesday night.

Despite having 26 total shots, the Americans could not find a way to beat Costa Rican goalkeeper Noelia Bermudez, who put on an incredible shot-stopping display with 12 saves.

The U.S. forward line was visibly frustrated as it fired a plethora of chances, but each was either turned away or whiskered past the frame of the goal.

The trio of Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith was lauded for its chemistry and attacking threat in Emma Hayes' first games as head coach in May. The USWNT scored seven goals in two games against South Korea.

The two Olympic send-off matches were a different story, though, with the Americans posting 45 shots and only one goal, the game-winner versus Mexico last Saturday.

Despite having 12 shots on target, the United States' expected goals was 1.82 against Costa Rica. Such disparity exemplifies a historic lack of conviction in front of goal.

When the team struggles to score goals, especially in the manner it did against Costa Rica, the omission of clinical box finisher and USWNT legend Alex Morgan to the team's roster may raise eyebrows.

However, the greater absence was attacking midfielder Rose Lavelle , pulled prior to the match versus Costa Rica due to leg tightness. The Americans missed her ability to finish outside the box and create space for others.

20-year-old Korbin Albert started in her place, but doesn't offer an attacking threat similar to Lavelle, opting for a more conservative, playmaking role.

Positively for the United States, it has yet to concede a goal under Hayes. The defense will be confident going into the Americans' opening Olympic match versus Zambia on July 25.

Defensive stability gives the United States freedom to continue being aggressive no matter the opponent's set-up. While Costa Rica executed its low block effectively, the USWNT created enough chances to win.

Executing those chances will be the difference between bringing home an Olympic gold medal and not.

In the postgame interview with TNT Sports, Sophia Smith admitted the squad was likely to face the “challenge” of low blocks in the Olympics, with these send-off games acting as "preparation for something bigger."

Hayes has diligently preached the practice of patience in her team's quest for gold.

"You don't win just by thinking about winning," she told TNT Sports prior to Tuesday's match. "How do you eat an elephant? One chunk at a time."