WASHINGTON: Costa Rica played the United States women's national team to a goalless draw on Tuesday in a lopsided match for the Americans before they leave for the Olympics in Paris.
USA captain Lindsey Horan told a crowd of nearly 19,000 that they are not afraid of their chances in France despite the draw.
“We wish we had won,” she said. “But we're going to go out and do our thing at the Olympics. This team is amazing. We will represent this country so well and we will do everything we can to bring back the gold medal.''
Costa Rica goalkeeper Noelia Bermudez and a tight defensive effort thwarted a patient Team USA to earn the Ticos a draw after losing their first 17 matches against the Americans.
The U.S. women outshot Costa Rica 26-2, with Bermudez making 12 saves and taking all 16 corners in the match.
“It takes a lot of patience to play against a low block. Costa Rica did that very well,” said US midfielder Sophia Smith. “It was definitely difficult for us, but it was a good test because we will face it in the Olympics.
“I know we can create chances. Tonight we created I don't know how many moments. It's getting one in the back of the net, no matter what it looks like. It will come.”
While it was a disappointing loss against a defense-oriented team for new coach Emma Hayes and her U.S. team, it showed the Americans what they need to do before they start playing for gold next week in France.
“That was a big message from Emma at the end of the game — don't get discouraged,” Smith said. “We wanted to get a result from this, 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 take it easy. We are not disappointed. We trust the process. We know things will go our way when we need them to.”
The U.S. women will begin play in Olympic Group B on July 25 against Zambia in Nice, and will face Germany and Australia in group matches in Marseille.
“I think it's going to be amazing,” Smith said. “I'm really excited to go with this group. I'm excited about what's going to happen in France. This group has great potential and good things.”
The United States has won four Olympic titles in women's soccer — in 1996 on home soil and three times in a row in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
American midfielder Rose Lavelle, who helped win the 2019 Women's World Cup in France, was ruled out of the match due to leg strain. Corbin Albert replaced her in the USA starting lineup.
The Americans have three wins and a draw without conceding goals under the leadership of the Englishman Hayes.
“I think we've made good, nice progress,” Hayes said. “When you lead a team and you have to implement quite a lot, they adapted very well to these ideas.
“We're going into the Olympics with an idea of what we're going to do for the most part, but now we're starting to add some adaptations.”
Smith and Mallory Swenson were denied early chances by Bermudez, while Trinity Rodman was ruled offside on the USA's other opportunity.
Bermudez and Rodman collided when Horan was denied by the keeper in the 24th minute. Bermudez also grabbed Horan's header in the 40th minute and thwarted Smith just before half-time.
Bermudez saved Smith's chance in the 49th minute and saved Horan's shot in the 50th to keep Las Ticas level.
Horan scored in the 55th minute, but the offside flag was raised.
Bermudez deflected Rodman's cross in added time and Horan headed over the crossbar in the dying seconds.
