WASHINGTON: Costa Rica played a goalless draw with the US women's national team on Tuesday before leaving for the Paris Olympics.
US captain Lindsay Horan told a crowd of around 19,000 that they were confident about their chances despite the draw in France.
She said, 'We wish that we would win. “But we're going to go out and do our job at the Olympics. This team is amazing. We're going to represent this country well and do everything we can to bring back the gold medal.
Costa Rica goalkeeper Noelia Bermudez and a stout defensive effort upset the U.S. team, which tied the Ticas after losing its first 17 games against the U.S.
The US Women beat Costa Rica 26-2, with 12 saves from Bermudez and all 16 corners in the game.
“Playing against lesser blocks requires a lot of patience. Costa Rica did it really well,” said American midfielder Sophia Smith. “It was definitely a challenge for us but it was a good test because we'll face it at the Olympics.
“I know we can create chances. I don't know how many chances we created tonight. It's getting one in the back of the net, whatever it looks like. That will come.”
While it was frustrating for new coach Emma Hayes and her U.S. team against a defensive-minded squad, it showed the Americans what they need to do before they start playing for gold next week in France.
“It was a big message from Emma at the end of the game – don't get discouraged,” Smith said. “We wanted a result from this but these games are preparation for something bigger.
“We need to peak and that's at the start of the Olympics. We're calm about it. We're not disappointed. We trust the process. We know things will go our way when we need them.”
The U.S. women's Olympic Group B play begins July 25 against Zambia in Nice and will play Germany and Australia in group play in Marseille.
“I think it's going to be awesome,” Smith said. “I'm very excited to go with this group. I'm excited to get the ball rolling in France. This group has a lot of potential and good things in store.”
The United States has won four Olympic women's soccer titles — on home soil in 1996 and three times in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Rose Lavelle, the American midfielder who helped France win the 2019 Women's World Cup, was a late scratch from the game with a leg strain. Corbin Albert replaced him in the US starting lineup.
Under the leadership of England's Hayes, the American team has played three wins and one draw without surrendering a single goal.
“I think we've made good, good progress,” Hayes said. “When you take a team and you've got to execute a lot, they've adapted those ideas really well.
“We're going into the Olympics with an idea of what we want to do most of our moments but now we're starting to add some customizations.”
Smith and Mallory Swanson were each denied by Bermudez on early occasions, while Trinity Rodman was ruled offside on the next American occasion.
Bermudez and Rodman clashed after Horan was denied by the goalkeeper in the 24th minute. Bermudez also thwarted Smith before half-time with Horan's header in the 40th minute.
Bermudez missed Smith's goal chance in the 49th minute and deflected Horan's kick to equalize for Las Ticas in the 50th minute.
Horan found the net in the 55th minute to raise an offside flag.
Bermudez deflected a Rodman centering pass in extra time and Horan nodded a header over the crossbar in the final seconds.
