USWNT dominates Costa Rica everywhere except the scoreboard

Tuesday’s send-off match against Costa Rica at Audi Field was one-sided on every scale except the scoreboard. After countless missed opportunities, the Americans played out a 0-0 draw against an opponent they had defeated by a 90-2 count in all 17 previous meetings.

The United States had a lopsided advantage in shots (26-2), shots on goal (12-0), corner kicks (16-0) and possession (80 percent). The Americans’ 67 touches in the penalty area were the most without scoring since statistical service Opta began charting American games nine years ago.

The blank performance came after the team played hard to defeat a weak Mexican team 1–0 in Harrison, NJ.

“We’re creating more and more high-quality chances, and we’re getting more numbers in key areas,” coach Emma Hayes said. “We are making more efforts in key areas. The last part is the hardest part. …If we didn’t create the conditions, I might say something different.

Scoring was also a problem at last year’s World Cup: one goal in the last three matches.

Captain Lindsay Horan has “no worries” about the scoring rut.

“I have full confidence in our team,” he said. “We wanted to create better chances, better chances, more shots on goal, more quality chances, and I think that’s what it took from the (Mexico) game to this game.” Has happened. We just have to finish them off.”

Hayes is using a full strength lineup. She planned to make one change from the Mexico match – Crystal Dunn for Jenna Nighswonger at left back – but during warm-ups, Rose Lavelle was scratched due to groin tightness.

So close to the Olympics, “I didn’t take any chances,” Hayes said.

Nighsvonger, a first-time Olympian who started at left back on Saturday, was not in uniform for load management reasons, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Audi Field’s playing surface did not help the situation. It has been at a low point since the end of the DC Defenders football season. These issues were exacerbated by the rugby match on Friday and then the D.C. United game on Saturday.

Mallory Swanson said, on the corner kick, “I was like kicking dirt.” Asked about the field, Horan said, “No comment.”

Corbin Albert replaced Lavelle in midfield, joining Horan and Sam Coffey. However, without Lavelle, the American team lacked a smart player capable of breaking down the opponent in low defensive blocks.

Despite dominant possession, chances were missed and Noelia Bermúdez made several brilliant saves.

“We have to be patient,” said Hayes, whose overarching goal is to win the World Cup in 2027. “There are a lot of young, inexperienced players who are still learning at this level. And yes, it is a new era. Yes, we want to win, but we have to understand the steps we need to take to do that and from what I saw tonight, I’m sure we’re going in the right direction.

Here’s what else to know about the Americans’ draw:

Among the 18,972 attendees was second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who will lead the U.S. delegation at the Olympic closing ceremony on Aug. 11.

Emhoff, who has spoken out on equity issues, was in New Zealand for the World Cup last summer and attended NWSL games.

“I’m a big football fan,” he said in a halftime interview. “I’m one of those passionate people who wakes up early and follows through. So as a sports fan, being able to root for the women was a very natural progression for me.

His wife, Vice President Harris, is a big basketball fan, but “she’s getting more interested in football through me and because she loves sports,” Emhoff said. “If it’s basketball, I don’t need to twist his arm. But now that there’s so much football going on between (the European Championships and the Copa America) – and now we’re coming into the Olympics – she just came and sat down with me to watch some of the football going on. ,

The Americans are 10-1-1 in the district, with a loss to France at RFK Stadium in 2017. They are 4-0-0 elsewhere in the DC area and 4-0-0 in Richmond/Virginia Beach. ,

The USSF is finalizing three home friendlies during the extended international window in late October. It will also have to fill in the dates for the window starting at the end of November.