Lynn Williams’ goal might have been just enough

Lynn Williams of the United States celebrates after scoring a late goal during the Summer Series game between the United States and Nigeria at Q2 Stadium on June 16 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

Lynn Williams may have earned her spot on the Olympic team with a last-ditch effort.

Subbing in for the final five minutes of play, Williams took advantage of the narrow window of opportunity. The forward strung together a brilliant run and scored a stoppage time goal off of an assist from Christen Press.

FT: @lynnraenie seals the deal in stoppage time! 🔥

The @USWNT wins 2-0 over Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/0ONhGMBiNa
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) June 17, 2021

Press and Alex Morgan are already considered locks for the roster, and Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe have proven they can still contribute. That’s left Williams straddling the edge of inclusion on the 18-player team heading to Tokyo next month.

The 28-year-old has received more chances under Vlatko Andonovski as an obvious fit in his preferred system. She also, to quote Claire Watkins, has “an engine that never quits.”

Williams didn’t quit on Wednesday night, either, and that may have been just enough to convince Andonovski to take her to Tokyo.