USA Women’s Soccer Team Defeats Sweden In Team’s First Real Test

After netting an astonishing 16 goals during their first two World Cup games, the United States Women’s Soccer team already looks as if they could give their World Cup winning team from four years ago a good run for their money. The team scored a record–setting 13 goals during their first match, and then followed up with a proficient 3–0 victory against Chile days later. With the United States team displaying consistent excellence both offensively and defensively, very few squads poise to really make the defending champs sweat during this tournament. Sweden stood as perhaps the team with the greatest potential to fill that role however, as they knocked out the United States during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Despite Sweden’s ability to challenge the United States unlike their prior opponents, the reigning world cup champions added another win, defeating Sweden with a 2–0 score. Lindsey Horan found the net early, scoring during the game’s third minute after a Megan Rapinoe corner kick. So far, Horan’s goal maintains this tournament’s record for the fastest goal scored. Responding from their early deficit, Sweden applied almost constant pressure throughout the contest, lead by Sofia Jakobsson, who drew the most attention from the USA’s defense.