USWNT player ratings vs. Germany: Emma Hayes’ attack, led by Sophia Smith, dominates at the 2024 Paris Olympics

The U.S. women’s national team defeated Germany 4-1 on Sunday in the group stage of the Olympic women’s soccer tournament to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals. It was only the second group match for Emma Hayes’ team, but their perfect record means their final group match against Australia will just be to see if they can win the group.

How did everyone perform in the match? Check out our player ratings:

Goalkeepers

Alyssa Naeher

US • GK • #1

Had a solid kick save to keep things scoreless in the early opening minutes. Had correctly guessed Germany’s opening goal, but could not save the dive on the shot from distance, but came up big again just after the hour. Rating: 7.5

Defenders

Emily Fox

US • D • #23

Make a huge change to help lock up German Jule Brand. Was linked along the flank with Trinity Rodman and Rose Lavelle. Rating: 7.5

Naomi Girma

US • D • #4

A shaky start in the opening minutes of the match, but recovered quickly. Came up with key tackles to end the first half and had full vision. Rating: 8

Tierna Davidson

ARE YOU SAD

A nerve-wracking moment in the opening minutes of the match, but he recovered to provide solid coverage alongside Girma. Had some knee-on-knee contact and was taken out before halftime. Rating: 7

Crystal Dunn

US • F • #19

Was reliable in coverage and proactive in his involvement in attack, getting a shot in the first half. Solid block on a cross late in the game and did a good job of drifting when needed. Was pushed onto the front line in stoppage time and helped close out the match. Rating: 7.5

Midfielders

Needed some time to catch up on the defensive recognition in the first half and earned an unnecessary yellow. I needed the second half to calm down a bit. Rating: 6.5

Lindsey Horan

US • M • #10

Didn’t have a great start with a poor back pass leading to Germany’s chance and a save from Naeher, and struggled with some turnovers. Ultimately it grew into the game, but it was more part of the collective effort versus some of the individual brilliance we saw against Zambia. Rating: 7

Rose Lavelle

US • M • #16

Was the best midfielder of the group in the first half with solid movement on and off the ball. Had good combinations with teammates and covered a lot of ground, even if other midfielders shared space with her. Rating: 8

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Come on

Trinity Rodman

US • F • #20

The Germans have few solutions to contain Rodman. She was almost everywhere on the field and made several mistakes. The game was constantly facilitated, providing the opening goal and the assist, and she was involved in creating the fourth goal. Rating: 8.5

Sophia Smith

US • F • #11

Had an outrageous opening half with two goals, her first of the tournament, and made them look easy. One open look and the other a shot from distance that tapped over the keeper. Rating: 9

Mallory Swanson

US • F

Was ruthless both on and off the ball. Made good decisions on the pitch and was sensible in her positioning as she continued to run towards a goal. She provided the late-game assist on the fourth goal. Rating: 8.5

Replacements

Lynn Williams

US • F • #6

Came on late in the game for Sophia Smith and wasted no time getting into good position for the fourth goal. Rating: 7.5

Emily Sonnett

US • D • #14

Came in at center back for an injured Davidson and had an immediate effect. Helped stop German attacks and got a look at goal. Rating: 7

Jenna Nighswonger

ARE YOU SAD

Came in stoppage time, not enough time for impact. Rating: N/A

A stoppage time sub, not enough time to do much. Rating: N/A

Head coach

Emma Hayes: The USWNT manager was much more conservative in her substitutions, using only one for injury purposes in the first half. It was a good decision that paid off as the ideal starting line-up continued to build into the match, with plenty of momentum in their favour. Rating: 8