The China Mail - Rodman on target as USA beat Brazil in Olympic rematch

The USA, who won gold in the Olympics in Paris in August, beating Brazil in the final, had suffered their first defeat since Hayes took charge of the team when they lost to Japan in the final of the SheBelieves Cup in February.

But the Americans were good value for their victory against the hosts of the 2027 women's World Cup, with forward Alyssa Thompson, not included in the Olympic squad, delivering a reminder of her talent.

It was Thompson, full of energy and positive intent, who created the opening goal in the sixth minute as she burst forward from midfield, cut inside and then provided a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Rodman.

Rodman, making her first international start since the Olympics after recovering from a back injury, took the ball in her stride and confidently slipped the ball into the corner with the outside of her foot.

Thompson threatened again, minutes later, when she stepped inside from the left flank and he fierce, rising shot brought out a fine save from Brazil keeper Lorena.

The USA were attacking at will, Ally Sentnor bringing Lorena into action again with a drive from outside the box.

But Brazil were able to get a foot in the game and kill the momentum of an American team that looked in the mood for a rout.

The visitors gradually began to produce some opportunities themselves with Gabi Portilho firing just wide on the stroke of half-time.

After the interval, Brazil continued to create with Ludmila hitting the post just a minute after the restart and then Gio Garbelini and Isa Haas forcing saves out of Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

But the game was put beyond Brazil in the 66th minute when 17-year-old substitute Lily Yohannes was ruled to have been brought down by Ludmila.

The contact was minimal and Brazil protested the soft award but Heaps kept her cool and drilled home the spot-kick to double the advantage.

Yohannes, again showing her silky control and flair, added some additional creativity to the USA down the stretch and she almost created a third goal when she played in Thompson but the striker's shot was straight at Lorena.

Minutes later Lorena was at her very best to deny Thompson from close range after a strong run and cross from Heaps down the right.

Rodman was delighted to contribute to the victory.

"I said I wanted to be a portable charger on the field, to be the provider of energy and charge everybodies batteries and I think I did that pretty well," she said.

"Obviously to have a goal come with it, after that amazing little slip ball from Alyssa, was great," she added.

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday in San Jose.

H.Ng--ThChM