Trinity Rodman, Korbin Albert kick US past Australia
(File photo) Trinity Rodman of United States celebrates after scoring the first goal against Zambia in a women's Group B match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Allianz Riviera. Mandatory Credit: Raquel Cunha/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports Trinity Rodman poked a rebound into the back of the net in the 43rd minute, Korbin Albert added her first United States Women's National Team goal and the Americans defeated Australia 2-1 on Wednesday to sweep Group B at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
A corner lofted to the front of a crowded box landed close to Rodman, who pushed the loose ball with her right foot to break a scoreless start that led to a 10-minute delay caused by malfunctions related to the video replay system. The goal was ultimately confirmed following the delay to review a potential offside violation on Sam Coffey.
After Albert scored in the 77th minute, Alanna Kennedy scratched one through for Australia in stoppage time to increase the tension in the match played in Marseille.
The trio of Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson has scored seven of the nine USWNT goals during the 3-0 start in Paris with a quarterfinals matchup up next Saturday (9 a.m. ET) against Japan.
Coffey will not be available for the quarterfinals after receiving her second yellow card.
Rodman and Smith scored or assisted in all of the USA's group stage games at the 2024 Olympics, becoming the first duo to accomplish that since Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach in 2012.
Tierna Davidson was replaced on the roster by Emily Sonnett on Wednesday. Croix Bethune remained on the 18-player gameday roster in place of Jaedyn Shaw, who is also sidelined with a leg injury.
--Field Level Media