WASHINGTON: Costa Rica played the United States women's national team to a goalless draw on Tuesday in the Americans' opening match before they head to the Olympics in Paris.
US captain Lindsey Horan told a crowd of nearly 19,000 that they were not down about 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're going to represent this country so well and we're going to do everything we can to come back with a gold medal.”
Costa Rica goalkeeper Noelia Bermudez and a strong defensive effort frustrated a patient USA team to earn the Ticas a draw after losing their first 17 games against the Americans.
The USA women outshot Costa Rica 26-2, forcing 12 saves from Bermudez and taking all 16 corners in the game.
“It takes a lot of patience to play against a low block. Costa Rica did it very well,” said American midfielder Sophia Smith. “It was definitely a challenge for us, but it was a good test because we will face it at the Olympics.
“I know we can create chances. I created I don't know how many chances tonight. Get one behind the net, no matter what it looks like. That will come.”
While it was a disappointment against a defensive team for new coach Emma Hayes and her USA 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 frustrated,” Smith said. “We wanted 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 are calm about it. We are not frustrated. We trust the process. We know things will go as we need them to.”
The U.S. women begin Olympic play in Pool B on July 25 against Zambia in Nice and also face Germany and Australia in group games in Marseille.
“I think it's going to be amazing,” Smith said. “I'm so 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 – in 1996 on home soil and three in a row in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
American midfielder Rose Lavelle, who helped France win the 2019 Women's World Cup, was a late scratch from the match due to leg tightness. Korbin Albert replaced her in the US starting lineup.
The Americans have three wins and a draw without conceding a goal under England Hayes.
“I think we've made good, nice progress,” Hayes said. “When you take over a team and have to implement quite a lot, they've adapted to those ideas very well.
“We'll go into the Olympics with an idea of what we're looking to do in most of our moments, but now we're starting to add some adjustments.”
Smith and Mallory Swanson were each denied early chances by Bermudez, while Trinity Rodman was offside on another USA occasion.
Bermudez and Rodman collided when the goalkeeper denied Horan in the 24th minute. Bermudez also took a header from Horan in the 40th minute and thwarted Smith shortly before halftime.
Bermudez denied a Smith chance in the 49th minute and deflected Horan's shot in the 50th minute to keep Las Ticas tied.
Horan found the net in the 55th minute only for the offside flag to be raised.
Bermudez deflected a cross from Rodman in extra time and Horan nodded a header over the bar in the dying seconds.
