The U.S. women’s national team shook off any lingering Olympic bitterness, defeating Zambia 3–0 in its first outing of the Paris Games on Thursday. After disappointing appearances in the Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 World Cup, the U.S. needed to set the tone with a powerful statement out of the gates. In Nice, the team did just that. It was a sturdy performance from a young USWNT group eager to carve out a fresh identity under new coach Emma Hayes, who has only been with the squad since May.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was a little girl,” Hayes told media ahead of Thursday’s game. “To be leading the U.S. team out to our first Olympic Games together is something I don’t think I can put into words.”
