The U.S. women’s national team is seeking a historic third consecutive World Cup title. Just Women’s Sports is keeping track of every goal the team scores along the way.
July 26: USWNT 1, Netherlands 1
62′: Lindsey Horan scores equalizer on header
The USWNT captain tangled with Lyon teammate Danielle Van de Donk, who knocked Horan to the ground with a physical challenge — and then felt Horan’s wrath once she found her feet. But Horan got the best revenge, scoring the equalizer with a header off a corner kick.
Before the goal, the USWNT trailed 1-0. The two-time defending World Cup champions had not trailed in a World Cup match since 2011.
WHO ELSE BUT HORAN?!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 27, 2023
What a finish to level the score for the @USWNT 🎯🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/N9Tq3eiox1
July 21: USWNT 3, Vietnam 0
1′: Sophia Smith scores USWNT’s first goal of World Cup
The reigning NWSL MVP scored to complete a slick passing sequence from Lindsey Horan to Alex Morgan to Smith. The goal stands as the fastest of the tournament so far, and Morgan records her 50th career assist to move into a tie for ninth on the USWNT’s all-time list.
SOPHIA SMITH SCORES THE @USWNT'S FIRST GOAL IN THE 2023 FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/7zBnGYfhQh
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
45+7′: Smith notches historic brace
The 22-year-old forward scored her second goal of the match to put the USWNT up 2-0. Despite an initial offside call, Smith was awarded the goal after a VAR check. She becomes the youngest USWNT player with a multi-goal game in her World Cup debut, and the second-youngest USWNT player ever with a multi-goal in a World Cup.
IT'S A BUBBLE BRAID BRACE FOR THE @USWNT'S SOPHIA SMITH! 🇺🇸👑 pic.twitter.com/BzhFsCbjUe
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
77′: USWNT captain Lindsey Horan gets on scoreboard
The 29-year-old midfielder had come close several times in the match, and she finally hammered one home off an assist from Smith. Horan took the captain’s armband from Becky Sauerbrunn, who is missing the World Cup with a foot injury.
“We had this mutual respect. And I wanted to make her proud and get the same respect that that she’s gotten as a captain,” Horan told Just Women’s Sports ahead of the World Cup.
3-0 @USWNT COURTESY OF THE CAPTAIN LINDSEY HORAN! pic.twitter.com/AYqKLvOMPc
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023