U.S. Soccer is officially back in Atlanta with a 2-1 USWNT win over Japan! The first of two SheBelieves Cup matches is in the books, and here’s a couple of quick, final-whistle opinions.
The overall vibes and atmosphere
The crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, though admittedly quieted by Japan in the first minute by a goal before the U.S. had their coffee, roared to life when Jaedyn Shaw scored a no-doubter in the 21st minute. But it wasn’t just the in-stadium crowd; the atmosphere outside the stadium and leading up to the matches was palpable and fun. Tons of families were there watching their beloved team, and the contingent of fans from every nation was strong.
With ticket sales surpassing the 50,000 mark prior to the match starting – thus breaking the prior USWNT record for a friendly match – there was no shortage of fans in the seats. That number would ultimately rise to 50,644 marking a historical moment for U.S. Soccer.
The USWNT caused Japan more of a headache than the score showed
The aforementioned opening-minute goal by Japan felt flukey, and turns out, it was. The U.S. rebounded well after that and created tons of chances and caused absolute havoc when Japan tried to play out of the back. In fact, by the second half Japan began haphazardly kicking the ball out for a U.S. throw in whenever there was any significant pressure on their back line.
Jaedyn Shaw’s goal in the 21st minute left Japan keeper Ayaka Yamashita rooted to the spot, but the U.S. continually knocked on the door. Shots were coming rapidly and the U.S. created turnovers, but Japan’s defense stood strong. It wasn’t until the 77th minute penalty by Lindsey Horan, and won by Sophia Smith, that the deadlock was finally broken – just after it was announced that the attendance of 50,644 had broken the record for a USWNT friendly! Perfect timing.
Soccer is wonderful in Atlanta
The way soccer, U.S. Soccer, and Atlanta have embraced each other is a beautiful thing. We see it at Atlanta United matches, we see it at a variety of soccer events here in the city all the time, and we saw it today at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This is just the beginning of a wonderful time to be a fan of the beautiful game, especially if you live anywhere in or around the southeast. With the U.S. Soccer National Training Center breaking ground on Monday, expect to see so much more as the world becomes even more familiar with the spectacle that is football in the dirty south.
I was at the game and it was so much fun. There were so many almost-goals. The crowd was a lot of fun, too.
Trinity Rodman is so cheeky – it seems like 1/3 of her tricks fail but MAN the 2/3 are so worth it.