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

Lindsey Horan added a objective for the favored Americans, who've received 4 World Cups general and are vying for an unprecedented three-peat on this yr’s event.

Vietnam drew comparisons to Thailand, the group the Americans routed 3-0 in of their 2019 World Cup opening recreation. But Vietnam was surprisingly resilient, saved the sport nearer than anticipated, and goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh stopped Alex Morgan’s first-half penalty try.

Morgan was knocked to the sphere clutching her calf after making an attempt for the rebound off her missed penalty, however she shortly returned. It was simply her second penalty miss for the United States.

Smith, considered one of 14 Americans taking part in of their first-ever World Cup, confirmed why she was named each U.S. Soccer’s Player of the Year and the National Women’s Soccer League MVP final yr along with her two first-half targets.

Smith scored off a move from captain Lindsey Horan within the 14th minute. Smith and Horan celebrated with a choreographed handshake after the objective. She scored once more in first-half stoppage time to make it 2-0 going into the break. The United States was at first flagged as offside earlier than a video overview confirmed the objective.

The U.S. group was infused with younger expertise together with Smith and Trinity Rodman after settling for a disappointing bronze medal on the Tokyo Olympics. Among the veterans, 38-year-old Megan Rapinoe made her two hundredth worldwide look towards Vietnam.

Rapinoe, who scored within the World Cup closing in France and was named that event’s finest participant, didn't begin. She introduced earlier than the group left for New Zealand that this may be her final World Cup and she or he would retire from her skilled group on the finish of the season.

Rapinoe and midfielder Rose Lavelle, who had been each restricted by accidents within the run-up to the event, each got here in as substitutes within the 63rd minute. Rapinoe sported vivid blue hair.

The youngest participant on the group, 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson, was additionally a second-half sub.

Horan scored right into a wide-open internet off a move from Smith, who was rushed by the goalkeeper and deftly despatched the ball again to her. Horan, who was just lately engaged, kissed her ring in celebration.

There was early drama when Rodman, the daughter of former NBA nice Dennis Rodman and one of many younger newcomers on the group, appeared injured after falling laborious on her again when she was tackled by defender Tran Thi Thu. Rapinoe warmed up on the sidelines and a stretcher was introduced out on the filed, however Rodman stood and returned to the match a number of moments later.

Saturday’s recreation was the primary assembly between the United States and Vietnam. The Vietnamese misplaced two exhibition matches forward of the event and fell 9-0 to Spain in a closed-door tune-up match in Auckland final Friday.

Also in Group E are the Netherlands and Portugal, which meet Sunday in Dunedin. Portugal can be making its first World Cup look.

The group performs all of their matches in New Zealand, which is co-hosting the event with Australia. The United States performs the Netherlands in a 2019 closing rematch on Thursday in Wellington.

Should the United States prime the group, the group will head to Sydney for the spherical of 16.

Back dwelling within the United States, an indication was erected on the North Lawn of the White House that mentioned “Go Team USA! We are all behind you.”

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