Utah Olympians on Tokyo 2020 winning women’s soccer team

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: Flikr

TOKYO, Japan. —  Utah Royals player Becky Sauerbrunn began this game against New Zealand on the bench where her audible leadership direction as the captain could be heard loud and clear since the stands were empty. Christen Press, the other Utah Royals athlete sharing that bench as New Zealand and USA took to the field at 8:30 pm local time on a hot, humid night. This was the second match for Team USA in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games tournament.

The first goal for the US came in minute eight from just inside the box off the deliberate and determined instep of Rose Lavelle, 25, the debut point in her debut as an Olympian.

A header as they headed into halftime by Lindsey Horan, 27, from Golden, Colorado brought it to 2 – 1, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden expressed plaudits as she watched on from the stands.

Press subbed in in the 67th minute for Megan Rapino to inject some fresh energy into the game. Rapino’s fiance, Sue Bird, was a co-flag bearer in last night’s Opening Ceremony sharing duties with Eddie Alvarez, another Utah-connected athlete. Alvarez has a winter Olympic silver medal in speed skating. This soccer team wasn’t able to attend the Opening Ceremony as they were at a practice session instead.

Former Utah Royal Press scored a goal in the 80th minute of the game after which USA teammate Alex Morgan did the same in the 88th. Two own goals were made in the match by New Zealand totaling six points on the board for the US.

They were refining skills after an unexpected and, for some, unfathomable loss to perennial rivals Sweden squad 3 – 1 in the opening match of pool play. Group G is being referred to as the ‘death group’ for its tough matchups on paper.

Rapino said to NBC, “That was one of the top five most embarrassing games with this team.”

With four of the USA’s shots on goal disallowed by the all-female officials staff, the USA proceeded to score four goals in the second half of this game, in a flurry of activity, to end it with a commanding final of 6 – 1 USA over New Zealand for the return of the team’s confidence and momentum.

“They have some very experienced players who have played in multiple world championships and in top leagues, so they won’t be intimidated by the moment,” said U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski before the match to Team USA. “We also know that they will be organized in the back and not afraid to get forward, so playing New Zealand always brings challenges.”

“Mission Accomplished,” said Team USA on social media after the game.

The United States’ next opponent is the last opponent yet for them to play in the Group G draw, Australia. Formidable opponent Sweden,  winning their match again today moves on in the tournament, comfortably, as expected.