USWNT 3-0 Vietnam FINAL SCORE: Horan adds third to Smith double as USA cruise in Women’s World Cup opener

'Grit and determination'

Julie Ertz on FOX:

"The win is huge - that's how you want to start the tournament. You watch the film and learn from it, but the win was most important.

"I feel I'm at the point where I've been grinding to get back. When you're out there it's go time and the only emotion I have is grit and determination at this point."

Double take

Sophia Smith on FOX:

"It's so exciting, every minute of that game was fun and the crowd was amazing. It was a good way to start the tournament but we have plenty more to come.

"I'm happy with where we are but we have a little more in us.

"I was a little bit anxious going into the tournament.

I'm relieved. It's good to have a game under our belt because we know the next two games are going to be hard."

The final stats

28 shots to zero - 8 shots on target to zero. A pretty comfortable night's work for the USWNT but they could probably sharpen up a bit.

In fact they'll need to sharpen up a bit with Netherlands next on Wednesday night.

USA 3-0 Vietnam

90, Nine minutes of added time.

USA 3-0 Vietnam

86, Smith is eager to try and get a World Cup hat-trick and who can blame her?

She goes on a powerful run into the box but ends up pushing her opponent over and concedes the free-kick.

You can see the frustration on her despite her two-goal haul.

USA 3-0 Vietnam

82, Couple more late changes for the USA in the closing moment.s

Dunn and Fox are off and O'Hara and Huerta come on.

We're just going through the motions here in the final minutes. USA have got their job done.

USA 3-0 Vietnam

77, Horan couldn't miss this time. Another low cross from the right hand side and this time it's finished off.

Smith turns provider for Horan to score her 28th USWNT goal.

And the USA can breath a little easier now.

USA 2-0 Vietnam

74, Off goes Rodman and on comes Thompson for the US for the final 15 minutes or so.

Another young prospect and talent who could make a big impact here in Australia.

Vietnam also make a change with Huynh off and Hai Yen off. Huynh was actually booked for not coming off a second ago when the board went up. Strange.

USA 2-0 Vietnam

71, Rapinoe this time... over the bar again.

Lavelle drove into the box and delivered a cross from the right hand side into the path of Rapinoe.

But she totally miscued her right-foot shot and it went high and wide.

USA 2-0 Vietnam

66, Fox with the chance... over the bar.

That was the USA's best opening to make it 3-0 in the second half.

Six yards out and running onto the knockdown but she blazes over.

USA 2-0 Vietnam

63, OK we have a couple of changes apiece and Rapinoe will get onto the pitch.

Demelo and Morgan off for USA with Lavelle and Rapinoe on.

Luong, Nguyen withdrawn for Vietnam and on come Chuong and Nguyen.

USA 2-0 Vietnam

59, Looks like the World Cup debutants are preparing some changes here.

Maybe a bit more attacking impetus to give this thing a shot?

That could lead to some chances for the USA with more gaps to exploit.

USA 2-0 Vietnam

54, Megan Rapinoe warming up for the US on the sidelines.

USA are looking much more controlled to begin this second half.

A third goal would put it to bed nicely and let them focus on the Netherlands game next.

USA 2-0 Vietnam

49, Oh what a goal that would've been!

USA looking much better to start the second half and almost pulled off a brilliant team goal.

Rodman got to the byline on the right and delivered a cross which Horan ran onto.

But her volley went agonzingly wide of the post.

USA 2-0 Vietnam

46, Right then... here we go again with the second half.

Learn and adapt

Carli Lloyd on FOX when asked about where USA can improve:

"That final third, being sharper there.

"They've got to get that coordination of movement. It's a bit direct and they've got to push and pull that defence out of there."

HT: USA 2-0 Vietnam

USA has the halftime lead in Auckland thanks to Smith's double.

But they should be even further in front with Morgan missing a penalty late in the half.

That second goal was key for the US to give themselves some breathing room. Halftime will feel a little different now it's not just the one-goal lead.

Vietnam would've been pretty pleased at 1-0, that late goal was a bit of a kick to the gut.

USA 1-0 Vietnam

45, GOOOAAA... no!

Sophia Smith thought she had her second as her snap shot on a loose ball sneaks under the goalkeeper and trickles into the net.

But Alex Morgan is called for offside in the buildup. It's tight, and VAR are checking.

USA 1-0 Vietnam

45, Smith with the cross which is deflected, and pushed behind by the goalkeeper.

That could've been a little slice of luck that brought the US this second goal they crave.

Credit to the Vietnam goalkeeper for her performance in this first half.

USA 1-0 Vietnam

45, Eight minutes of added time at the end of the first half.

Thanks mainly to that VAR decision.

USA 1-0 Vietnam

44, Morgan steps up for the penalty... it's SAVED!

That was a pretty weak effort, nowhere near the corner.

And the rebound goes wide.

What a let-off for Vietnam and a huge chance for some breathing room for USA missed.