WASHINGTON: Costa Rica played a goalless draw on Tuesday in the US women's national team's farewell game before leaving for the Olympic Games in Paris.
US captain Lindsey Horan told nearly 19,000 spectators that despite the draw, they were not afraid of their chances in France.
“We wish we had won,” she said. “But we will do our best at the Olympics. This team is incredible. We will represent this country so well and do everything we can to win a gold medal.”
Costa Rica goalkeeper Noelia Bermudez and an impressive defensive performance frustrated a patient U.S. team, securing a draw for the Ticas after losing their first 17 games against the Americans.
The U.S. women had more shots on goal than Costa Rica (26-2), had Bermudez saved 12 times and converted all 16 corner kicks in the game.
“It takes a lot of patience to play against a deep block. Costa Rica did that really well,” said U.S. midfielder Sophia Smith. “It was definitely a challenge for us, but it was a good test because that's what we're going to face at the Olympics.”
“I know we can create chances. I don't know how many chances we created tonight. It's about getting one in the net, no matter what it looks like. That will come.”
While the game against a defensive-minded team was a disappointment for new coach Emma Hayes and her U.S. team, it showed the Americans what they need to do before they play for gold in France next week.
“That was an important message from Emma at the end of the game – don't be frustrated,” said Smith. “We wanted a result, but these games are preparation for something bigger.”
“We need to peak when we need to peak, and that's at the start of the Olympics. We're taking it easy. We're not frustrated. We trust the process. We know things will go in our favor when we need them to.”
The US women begin their games in Olympic Group B on July 25 in Nice against Zambia and will also face Germany and Australia in group matches in Marseille.
“I think it's going to be great,” Smith said. “I'm so excited to go with this group. I'm excited to get going in France. This group has a lot of potential and good things in store.”
The United States has won four Olympic titles in women's soccer – on home soil in 1996 and three in a row in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
US midfielder Rose Lavelle, who helped France win the 2019 Women's World Cup, was ruled out of the game at short notice due to a leg injury. Korbin Albert replaced her in the US starting lineup.
Under the Englishman Hayes, the Americans have recorded three wins and one draw without conceding a single goal.
“I think we've made some nice, nice progress,” Hayes said. “When you take over a team and have to execute quite a bit, they've adapted really well to those ideas.”
“We go into the Olympics with an idea of what we want to do in most moments, but now we're starting to make some adjustments.”
Smith and Mallory Swanson failed to score early chances against Bermudez, while Trinity Rodman was offside on another U.S. chance.
Bermudez and Rodman collided when the goalkeeper blocked Horan's shot in the 24th minute. Bermudez also intercepted a Horan header in the 40th minute and denied a Smith shot just before halftime.
Bermudez denied a Smith chance in the 49th minute and deflected Horan's shot in the 50th minute to give Las Ticas the equalizer.
Horan scored in the 55th minute, but the offside flag was raised.
Bermudez deflected a pass from Rodman into the middle in overtime and Horan headed over the bar in the final seconds.
