Sophia Smith Scores Twice, USA Opens Women’s World Cup With Win Over Vietnam

Jul 21, 2023, 9:35 PM | Updated: 9:39 pm

Sophia-Smith-USWNT-Vietnam-FIFA-Womens-World-Cup...

Huynh Nhu of Vietnam and Sophia Smith of USA compete for the ball during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND KSL SPORTS

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Sophia Smith scored twice for the United States in the opening half and the two-time defending champions kicked off the Women’s World Cup with a 3-0 victory over tournament first-timers Vietnam on Saturday.

USWNT opens Women’s World Cup with win over Vietnam

Sophia Smith gives the @USWNT a 1-0 lead over Vietnam in the 14th minute. #USWNT #FIFAWWC #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/pduB0TWDaN

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 22, 2023

It's a brace for Sophia Smith and a 2-0 halftime lead for the @USWNT. 🇺🇸 ⚽️ 🥅#USWNT #FIFAWWC #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/7To7KgdP9N

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 22, 2023

Lindsey Horan added a goal for the favored Americans, who have won four World Cups overall and are vying for an unprecedented three-peat at the tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The @USWNT takes a 3-0 lead in the 77th minute courtesy of Lindsey Horan. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸#USWNT #FIFAWWC #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/IqFPDUH0l9

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 22, 2023

Vietnam drew comparisons to the Americans’ opponent in the 2019 World Cup opener, Thailand, which the U.S. thumped 13-0.

Starting off the @FIFAWWC with a dub. 🇺🇸 ⚽️

FT @USWNT 3
Vietnam 0#USWNT #FIFAWWC #BeyondGreatness
📷: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/Ou7zSNvqQB

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 22, 2023

But Vietnam was surprisingly resilient and kept the game as close as possible.

United States vs. Vietnam

The United States Women’s National Team is coming off eight consecutive victories. Team USA’s last defeat came in a 2-1 result against Germany in November 2022. The United States avenged the loss three days later with a 2-1 win over Germany and hasn’t lost since.

Vietnam is coming off a 9-0 loss to Spain and has lost five international friendly matches since April 2022.

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