+18 or +21, depending on state | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
USWNT Costa Rica splitGetty/GOAL
Ryan Tolmich

USWNT player ratings vs Costa Rica: Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and the U.S. attack blanked in scoreless draw by CONCACAF minnows in final pre-Olympic warmup match

After edging past Mexico over the weekend, the U.S. couldn't quite find a breakthrough on a night where one really should have come.

With a little bit more luck, the U.S. women's national team would have had a goal or two on Monday night. With a little bit more ruthlessness or precision, they would have had three or four. It was one of those nights, though. Better now than the Olympics, you, or even head coach Emma Hayes could say.

That's the glass-half-full approach from the USWNT's 0-0 draw with Costa Rica. Let them get this stinker out of the way. This team is too dangerous to have more than one or two nights like this. These attackers are too good to be kept quiet and scoreless.

There's also the glass-half-empty train of thought, though. Goals and finishing remain issues for this team. It was the issue last summer and the hope is that it wouldn't be the defining feature of this one.

On Monday, the USWNT just didn't click, or finish, for whatever reason. The U.S. had 80 percent possession and 26 shots, 12 of which were on target. That doesn't add up to a 0-0 draw very often, and it won't going forward.

After this, though, there is no more room for "one of those nights". This was it, the final pre-Olympic friendly. The time for adjusting to this new Emma Hayes era is over; the real test is about to begin.

The U.S. will need to be a bit more clinical in those tests, though. If not, this summer could be another frustrating one.

GOAL rates the USWNT's players from Audi Field...

  • Tierna Davidson USWNT 2024Getty Images

    Goalkeeper & Defense

    Alyssa Naeher (6/10):

    Didn't have to make a single save, so not much to grade her on, is there?

    Crystal Dunn (5/10):

    Played back in the left-back role that has since been taken by Jenna Nighswonger. Wasn't nearly as much of a threat, though, as the U.S. largely went down the right.

    Naomi Girma (7/10):

    Did what needed to be done defensively and was fantastic on the ball as always. What else do you expect?

    Tierna Davidson (6/10):

    Much better on the ball than she was against Mexico. Similar to Girma defensively, too, as the U.S. swept away anything Costa Rica threw at them.

    Emily Fox (7/10):

    The field was tilted in her direction, despite her usually being the less attacking of the two fullbacks. An interesting wrinkle from Emma Hayes, and Fox did her part in creating danger on that right-hand side.

    • Advertisement
  • Lindsey Horan USWNT 2023Getty

    Midfield

    Korbin Albert (6/10):

    Was a late replacement for Lavelle, but couldn't provide the spark that Lavelle would be expected to provide. Wasn't bad, but didn't exactly prove she should start over Lavelle at any point.

    Sam Coffey (7/10):

    Did what she always does as the No.6 in this team. Anything Costa Rica did get going was usually snuffed out quickly by Coffey, who very much knows her role in this team these days.

    Lindsey Horan (8/10):

    The most active and dangerous player on the field. Had a few really good opportunities and even had a goal called back for offside. If the U.S. had something good going, Horan was almost always a part of it.

  • Sophia Smith USWNT 2024Getty

    Attack

    Mallory Swanson (6/10):

    Was on the end of the best chance of the second half, but it went just wide. Created a really good chance for Smith, too. Her delivery on set pieces was also really, really good, though, although using her on corners does take her out of scoring situations.

    Sophia Smith (6/10):

    Had one good chance in the first half, but that was it, really. Wasn't nearly dangerous enough.

    Trinity Rodman (7/10):

    Took an absolute beating in the first half, but also wasn’t afraid to dish it out. Most of the U.S. attack went through her side, and rightfully so considering how dangerous she was.

  • Emma Hayes USWNT 2024Getty

    Subs & Manager

    Casey Krueger (6/10):

    Came on for Fox to provide a more attacking mindset at that right-back spot. Combined well, but didn't quite threaten.

    Emily Sonnett (6/10):

    Chucked into the midfield midway through the second half. A sign of her versatility, which will be key at the Olympics.

    Jaedyn Shaw (7/10):

    You noticed when she came on. The big moments weren't quite there, but you could see her creating the little ones all by herself.

    Lynn Williams (6/10):

    Came on and battled but, like the rest of the attackers, couldn't make a difference.

    Croix Bethune (N/A):

    Chucked on for the final five minutes. Not much time to work.

    Emma Hayes (6/10):

    One of those games where things were close, but not quite right. Can't fault the gameplan or the team Hayes selected; the ball just never went into the back of the net when it really should have.